Abstract:
A rechargeable electrical apparatus retainer unit for use with a conventional wall outlet including at least one plug socket and a faceplate. The retainer has protrusions for storing the apparatus excess extension cord from a plug inserted into the at least one plug socket. The retainer portion has a rear wall, a bottom wall and a front wall. The rear wall is fixedly attached to the bottom wall and extends below the bottom wall to effectuate engagement behind a portion of the outlet. The protrusions extend forward from or to the side of the rear wall.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a retainer unit for use in retaining rechargeable electrical apparatus while the apparatus is being charged and after charging is completed. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an electrical equipment retainer unit and, more particularly to retainer unit held in place by a coverplate for a wall mounted electrical outlet boxes. 
         [0003]    Electrical boxes are well-known in residential and commercial settings and are commonly used as a mounting structure for installing an electrical device, such as a multi-outlet receptacle, a switch or a fixture, into a covering, such as a wall or panel as a connection point for connecting the electrical device to electrical wires coupled to a main power source. 
         [0004]    Electrical boxes typically include a back panel and one or more side panels which project out perpendicularly from the back panel. The back panel and the side panels together define an interior cavity into which the electrical wiring that is connected to the main power source is disposed. Each of the side panels includes a free front edge, which together define an open front end providing access into the interior cavity of the electrical box. 
         [0005]    With an electrical box installed into a wall or panel, the electrical connection to the desired electrical device, such as a dual outlet electrical receptacle, is made to the wires disposed within the electrical box, thereby connecting the electrical device to the main power source. 
         [0006]    A conventional electrical device, such as a multi-outlet receptacle or a switch, is considerably smaller in size than the open front end of the electrical box in which it is mounted. As a result, a portion of the open front end of the electrical box remains open, providing access into the interior cavity of the electrical box. 
         [0007]    A faceplate is normally disposed over the open front end of the electrical box to protect the electrical wires within the interior cavity of the electrical box. 
         [0008]    A faceplate, also commonly referred to as a cover plate, wall plate or switch plate, is typically constructed as a flat, rectangular plastic plate which is shaped to include one or more openings through which a portion of the electrical device can protrude to provide the user with a means for accessing the electrical device. A faceplate is traditionally secured directly onto the electrical device by one or more screws. 
         [0009]    Portable electronic appliances, such as cellular telephones, shavers, flashlights, personal data assistants (PDAs), tape recorders and the like, are well-known in the art and typically derive power from one or more batteries which are electrically connected to the internal circuitry of the device. Battery operated portable appliances of this type are usually provided with a recharging circuit which enables the batteries to be recharged rather than periodically replaced, these types of appliances being commonly referred to as rechargeable portable electronic appliances. 
         [0010]    Rechargeable portable electronic appliances typically include a connector which is integrated into its housing and which is electrically connected to the recharging circuit. A recharging cord is typically provided for recharging the appliance, the first end of the cord including a connector, which is adapted to releasably electrically connect with the connector on the appliance, and the second end of the cord, including a conventional plug, which is adapted to electrically connect with the two or three prong outlet of a standard electrical receptacle. A rechargeable appliance typically operates in either a passive mode (i.e., when the appliance is being recharged) or an active mode (i.e., when the appliance is being used in its intended function). 
         [0011]    While a rechargeable portable electronic appliance is in its recharging mode, the user typically places the appliance on a flat surface in close proximity to the outlet, such as a nearby counter top or table. However, when placed on such a surface, the device is often left exposed and unprotected from many dangerous conditions. For example, consumers often place a recharging electronic appliance on a counter top in close proximity to a sink or other similar place where standing water is commonplace, or where it can easily be dislodged, fall to the floor, and be damaged. If the appliance, while recharging, is exposed to certain conditions, the device can become damaged and/or cause serious bodily injury, which is highly undesirable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel storage device. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel storage device which is adapted to retain a portable electronic appliance. 
         [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a storage device as described above which has a limited number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and which is easy to use. 
         [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a storage device as described above which retains a portable electronic appliance in close proximity to the faceplate for an electronic device, such as a dual outlet receptacle. 
         [0016]    Accordingly, there is provided a faceplate and a storage device attachable to or held in place by the faceplate, said storage device being adapted to retain a portable electric appliance. 
         [0017]    Various other features and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, an embodiment for practicing the invention. The embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front, right side perspective view of a faceplate and storage device constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the faceplate being shown mounted over a dual outlet electrical receptacle, the storage device being shown holding a rechargeable appliance, the rechargeable appliance being shown in electrical connection with an outlet of the receptacle by means of a charger cord; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the faceplate and storage device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front, right side perspective view of the storage device of the present invention shown with a faceplate in place; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a left side view of the faceplate shown in  FIG. 1 , with the wall sectioned to show the connection of the electrical box to a wall or panel; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a right side view of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , there is shown a faceplate and storage device constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, said faceplate being identified by reference numeral  11  and said storage device being identified by reference numeral  13 . 
         [0026]    Storage device  13  normally is held in place by its lower or rear panel  14  being between faceplate  11  and a wall or like surface. Storage device  13  may be held in place by other known means and potentially may be removably coupled to faceplate  11 . However, it is to be understood that faceplate  11  and storage device  13  need not be limited to any particular holding means or coupled relationship. If desired, faceplate  11  and storage device  13  could be manufactured as a unitary member without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0027]    As seen most clearly in  FIG. 2 , faceplate  11  is a unitary device which is preferably constructed of a rigid, durable and inexpensive material, such as molded plastic. Faceplate  11  generally is a cover and can have a flange integrally formed around its periphery. 
         [0028]    Faceplate  11  is shown herein as being in the form of a conventional cover plate which can be mounted over an electrical device  21 , electrical device  21  being represented in  FIG. 4  as being in the form of a conventional receptacle which includes a pair of electrical outlets  23 . Although faceplate  11  is shown herein as being of the type which can be mounted over a dual outlet receptacle, it is to be understood that faceplate  11  represents any conventional cover plate which is well-known in the art. As a result, the faceplate  11  could be modified to be of the type which can be mounted over other types of electrical devices without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the faceplate  11  illustrated in  FIG. 6  will be mounted over a single outlet receptacle. 
         [0029]    Faceplate  11  is generally rectangular and flat in shape and comprises a substantially flat front face, a rear face, a top edge, a bottom edge, a right side edge and a left side edge, although it is foreseen that the faceplate  11  could take additional non-rectangular shapes as desired by the user. Preferably, flat front surface is convexly rounded along its outer periphery and gradually tapers into edges for aesthetic purposes. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , faceplate  11  is additionally shaped to define a pair of vertically disposed openings  37 , each opening  37  being sized and shaped to fittingly receive an associated outlet  23  therethrough. Furthermore, faceplate  11  is shaped to define a small circular countersunk hole  39  between openings  37 . Hole  39  is sized and shaped to receive a screw  41 . In this manner, screw  41  can be inserted through hole  39  and into a threaded bore formed in electrical device  21  between outlets  23  so as to secure faceplate  11  in position over electrical device  21 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , the storage device  13  is also a unitary device which is preferably constructed of a rigid, durable and inexpensive material, such as molded plastic. The storage device  13  includes a rear panel  14  integrally connected with an appliance holder  12 . The appliance holder  12  includes a bottom or support panel  15  and an integrally connected front panel  16  opposite the rear panel  14 . When the storage device  13  is mounted onto a wall or other surface using the faceplate  11 , the appliance holder  12  will form a pocket with the wall that is sized and shaped to assist in retaining a portable, rechargeable, electronic appliance  75  on the supporting panel  15  of the appliance holder  12  between the front panel  16  and the wall. In this manner, electronic appliance  75  can be safely retained within holder  12  while being recharged by electrical outlet or receptacle  23  via a charger cord  77 . The cord  77  may extend from the outlet  23  into electrical connection with appliance  75  through a cavity  57  or aperture that traverses the support panel  15 . By allowing the cord  77  to pass through the support panel  15 , a clean and direction connection is provided between the appliance  75  with the electrical receptacle  23 , as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0031]    Electronic appliance  75  is represented in  FIG. 1  as a portable, rechargeable cellular phone. However, it is to be understood that electronic appliance  75  is not limited to being in the form of a portable, rechargeable cellular phone. Rather, electronic appliance  75  represents any portable, rechargeable electronic appliance which is well-known in the art. For example, electronic appliance  75  could represent, among other things, an electric shaver, a flashlight, a personal data assistant (PDA), a tape recorder or the like appliance without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
         [0032]    It should be noted that the means for coupling storage device  13  to faceplate  11  is not limited to the interrelationship as described herein. Rather, it is to be understood that any conventional fastening means for releasably holding two or more objects together may be used. 
         [0033]    In use, the combination faceplate  11  and storage device  13  can be used in the following manner. Specifically, faceplate  11  is adapted to be readily mounted onto a wall, or other similar surface, over electrical device  21 . With faceplate  11  mounted over electrical device  21 , electrical outlets  23  are sized and shaped to fittingly protrude through openings  37  so as to provide access to device  21 . With faceplate  11  properly mounted over electrical device  21 , with lower or rear panel  14  of device  13  between faceplate  11  and electrical device  21 , screw  41  can be disposed through opening  39  in faceplate  11  and into threaded engagement with a bore formed in device  21  to secure faceplate  11  and storage device  13  in place over device  21 . 
         [0034]    When electrical device  21  is to be used to provide power to recharge an electronic appliance  75 , storage device  13  is mounted behind faceplate  11  (between the faceplate  11  and wall) in the manner described above. With storage device  13  so mounted, a plug  78 , which is formed onto a first end of charger cord  77 , is inserted into an outlet  23  of the electrical device  21 . The second end of charger cord  77  may then traverse the cavity  57  to be then plugged into a corresponding receptacle in the electronic appliance  75  to be charged. Charger cord  77  serves to electrically connect the recharging circuit for appliance  75  to outlet  23 . 
         [0035]    A pair of optimal protrusions  17  or similar flange may extend from one of the outer edges of the rear panel  14  of storage device  13 . The optimal protrusions  17  provide the user with a place to wind the charger cord  77  to remove excess cord between the connection with the appliance  75  and the plug  78  connection at the receptacle  23 . This provides a more appealing aesthetic appearance and eliminates problems associated with the unbound excess cord  77 . 
         [0036]    While recharging, appliance  75  can be retained within holder  12  between front panel  16  of storage device  13  and a wall or the like within which an electrical box is attached and houses electrical device  21 . In this manner, appliance  75  is less susceptible to damage which could be caused by placing appliance  75  on a nearby surface, such as a table or countertop. 
         [0037]    Once appliance  75  has completed recharging, charger cord  77  can be removed from storage device  13  and used as desired. Furthermore, if deemed necessary, the consumer can remove storage device  13  from faceplate  11 , storage device  13  capable of being stored in an alternate location until further recharging is required. 
         [0038]    The embodiment shown in the present invention is intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.