Abstract:
An electrical wall plate including a wall having a front surface and a rear surface with at least one opening, the opening sized to receive a face of a receptacle, a hinge secured to the front surface, a cover pivotally mounted to the front surface proximate the hinge, a latch located on the cover releaseably engaging the cover and selectively preventing pivotal movement of the cover.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/227,731 to Baldwin et al. entitled “Tamper Proof Wall Plates” which was filed on Jul. 22, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     Aspects and implementations of this document relate generally to wall plates. Particular implementations include wall plates that selectively prevent access to the electrical receptacle. 
     2. Background Art 
     Wall plates are well known in the electrical art aspects of construction and retail replacement by consumers. Conventionally, to cover the exposed wires and wiring attached to electrical devices or receptacles installed in electrical boxes, an electrical cover plate that includes openings that permit the exposed faces of the electrical device to be used are incorporated. The electrical cover plate, or wall plate, functions to prevent access to the electrically conductive wiring, but the receptacle face remains electrically conductive. Accordingly, children may still be able to harm themselves by inserting objects into the receptacle sockets. 
     A number of devices have been devised to reduce the risk of electrocution to curious children. One of the most popular is a simple plastic insert that is located within the receptacle sockets. However, children can peel the plastic insert out of the receptacle socket and risk electrocution. Other known devices utilize a mechanism to prevent removal of electrical outlet cords inserted in to the receptacle without manipulation of the wall plate. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure includes electrical wall plates with safety mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the electrical receptacles. A particular implementation employs an electrical wall plate with a cover that is pivotally mounted to a wall and a latch prevents pivotal movement of the cover. 
     A particular embodiment broadly comprises an electrical wall plate including a wall having a front surface and a rear surface with at least one opening, the opening sized to receive a face of a receptacle, a hinge secured to the front surface, a cover pivotally mounted to the front surface proximate the hinge, at least one locking aperture extending through a planar surface of the wall immediately adjacent to the at least one opening, a latch located on the cover releaseably engaging the wall and selectively preventing pivotal movement of the cover. 
     In particular implementations, the latch may automatically prevent pivotal movement of the cover upon rotation to a latched position. The latch may further comprise a release mechanism operatively disengaging a first end of the cover from the wall. The release mechanism may be a pair of release mechanisms operatively connected to a pair of locking tabs. Both of the pair of release mechanisms may be depressed to move the pair of locking tabs completely within an aperture and permit pivotal movement of the cover. Each of the pair of locking tabs may be aligned collinear and arranged 180 degrees apart from each other. The release mechanism may include a pair of release mechanisms operatively connected to a pair of locking tabs and the at least one opening is two openings each sized to receive a face of a receptacle, each locking tab of the pair of locking tabs being associated with a different one of the two openings, wherein the at least one locking aperture comprises at least two apertures positioned through the wall between the two openings. 
     In additional particular implementations, a spring may bias the cover in the latched position. The hinge may be secured to a top portion of the front surface. The hinge may be secured to a side portion of the front surface. The latch may be disposed at least partially within the cover to prevent rotational movement of the cover when the cover is in the latched position. 
     Another particular embodiment broadly comprises an electrical wall plate comprising a wall having a front surface and a rear surface with first and second openings, each of the openings sized to receive a receptacle face, a first hinge and a second hinge on the front face, a first cover pivotally mounted to the front surface at the first hinge such that it pivotally hinges open upward, a second cover pivotally mounted to the front surface at the second hinge such that it pivotally hinges open downward, and a latch located on each of the first and second covers releasably engaging the wall and selectively preventing pivotal movement of the respective cover. 
     In particular implementations, the wall may also include a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the first hinge is located proximate the top portion and the second hinge is located proximate the bottom portion. The first cover and the second cover may be located adjacent each other in a latched position. The latches may automatically prevent pivotal movement of the cover upon rotation to a latched position. Each of the latches may further include a release mechanism operatively connected to a locking tab. The wall may further comprise at least one locking aperture extending through the wall between the first and second openings, wherein the latch located on each of the first and second covers is aligned with one of the at least one latch apertures. 
     In further particular implementations, the release mechanism may be a pair of release mechanisms operatively connected to a pair of locking tabs. Both of the pair of release mechanisms for each latch may be required to be manipulated to permit pivotal movement of the cover. The first cover may be pivotable independent of the second cover. The first cover may pivot in a first direction and the second cover may pivot in a second direction opposite the first direction. A spring may bias the first cover in a latched position and a second spring may bias the second cover in a latched position. 
     Aspects and applications presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors&#39; intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. 
     The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above. 
     The foregoing and other aspect, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DETAILED DESCRIPTION, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features of particular embodiments and implementations of light fixtures will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a wall plate with first and second covers in the latched position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the wall plate with the first cover in the open position; and, 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the wall plate with the first cover in the open position and the second cover in the latched position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. While the present implementations may be described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
     This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Many additional components and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with the intended wall plates and/or assembly procedures for wall plates may be used and will become apparent for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in the art for such wall plates and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation and purpose of wall plates. As used herein, “wall plate” is intended to specifically refer to the plate used to surround a electrical receptacle or switch and hide the wiring and electrical box. 
     Accordingly, there are a variety of tamper proof wall plates.  FIG. 1  illustrates a wall plate  10  with a body  12  having a front surface  14  and a rear surface  16 . Body  12  includes a top side  18 , a right side  20 , a bottom side  22 , and a left side  24  for a generally rectangular shape in one particular embodiment. A pair of hinges  26  are each located on front surface  14  along top side  18  and bottom side  22 , although the hinges may also be located along right side  20  and left side  24  if desired. A first cover  28  may be secured at hinges  26  along top side  18 , while a second cover  30  may be located proximate bottom side  22 . Both first cover  28  and second cover  30  are arranged to pivot about hinges  26  independent of one another. 
     First cover  28  includes a first end  32  proximate top side  18  with a spring mechanism  34  disposed therein or within hinges  26  to bias the cover in a closed position as seen in  FIG. 1 . Second cover  30  is arranged similar to the first cover except that the second cover is pivotable about an end of the cover  30  proximate bottom side  22  in a particular embodiment. Nevertheless, first end  32  may be located along both right side  20  or left side  24  and achieve the same results. 
     First cover  28  also includes a second end  36  opposite first end  32  and is arranged proximate a second end of second cover  30 . Each second end  36  has a latch  38  with a base  40  and a pair of release mechanisms  42  extending outward in opposite directions from one another. Specifically, release mechanisms  42  may be aligned collinear and 180 degrees apart from each other. First cover  28  and second cover  30  are each arranged to automatically close the cover in a latched position due to the biasing action of spring  34  and the retention of latch  38 . 
     Specifically, latches  38  engage wall plate  10  when in the closed position and will not permit pivotal movement of first cover  28  until at least one of release mechanisms  42  is depressed. In a particular embodiment, both release mechanisms  42  must be depressed in order to permit pivotal movement. The dual depression may be simultaneous or at different times before pivotal movement is achieved, depending on the particular wall plate and cover design. The operation and function of second cover  30  with latch  38  and release mechanisms  42  is identical to the first cover. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a user has depressed both release mechanisms  42  to disconnect latch  38  from body  12  and permit pivotal movement of cover  28 . Thus, front surface  14  and rear surface  16  include a first opening  46  for receiving a receptacle face  48 , while a second opening (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) also receives a second receptacle face for a duplex receptacle. Thus, pivoting cover  28  permits access to the receptacle face  48  when an adult operates the release mechanisms  42  and rotates the cover. Similarly, second cover  30  is pivotable in a direction opposite to permit access to a second receptacle face. 
     Latch  38  may include a locking mechanism housing  50  with locking tabs  52  corresponding to release mechanisms  42 . Advantageously, compressing release mechanisms  42  retracts each respective locking tab  52 . Further, body  12  includes a locking aperture  54  having a first locking wall  56  and a second locking wall  58 . Locking walls  56  and  58  permit each locking tab  52  to operate independently of the other locking tab. Accordingly, covers  28  and  30  can only be pivoted to an open position if both release mechanisms and locking tabs are moved inward into latch  38  and housing  50  so that locking tabs  52  are completely within locking aperture  54 . While locking aperture  54  is shown and described as extending through the entire thickness of body  12 , the aperture may extend only partially through body  12 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the back side of wall plate  10  with cover  28  pivoted to the open position and aperture  54  open. Cover  30  is illustrated in the latched position with locking mechanism housing  50  and locking tabs  52  extending through the aperture. 
     Advantageously, wall plate  10  can easily prevent unauthorized access to a receptacle face while permitting access to the receptacle by a user with sufficient dexterity to depress the release mechanisms and pivot or rotate the cover. Thus, the receptacle face is not accessible by children, but is accessible by adults. 
     The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specific implementations shown herein. For example, implementations of light fixtures, and implementing components, may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the materials selected are consistent with the intended operation of wall plate implementations. For example, the components may be formed of: polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polypropylene (low or high density), Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals and/or other like materials; alloys and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination of the foregoing thereof. Also, appropriate mounting fasteners, hardware and components may be provided. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily be able to select appropriate materials and manufacture these products from the disclosures provided herein. 
     Furthermore, the wall plate and any other components forming any particular implementation of a wall plate may be manufactured simultaneously or separately and integrally joined with one another, while other components may be pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled with the integral components. Various implementations may be manufactured using conventional procedures as added to and improved upon through the principles described here. Accordingly, manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, pressing, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, and/or the like. Components manufactured separately may then be coupled or removably coupled with the other integral components, if necessary, in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld joint, a solder joint, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a bolt and a nut, a screw, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), washers, retainers, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example.