Abstract:
An electrical outlet safety cover for an electrical outlet that is attached to the outlet in place of traditional outlet covers. The outlet cover includes a slide that unlocks another slide containing holes that match prong holes on an outlet. Once the slide with the holes is moved into place, access to the outlet is granted and any electrical device can be plugged into the outlet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/050,540, filed May 5, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus to make electrical outlets safer. Specifically, the present invention relates to an electrical outlet cover that helps keep young children from inserting foreign materials into an outlet. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In residential and other structures, electrical outlets are generally positioned a short distance above the floor. This makes the outlets readily accessible to small children. A curious child is inclined to test and probe his environment and may stick objects, such as paper clips, for example, into the prong receiving openings of an electrical outlet. This exposes him to the danger of shock or even death. 
     Additionally, an exposed outlet present the problem of “carbon fires” that can occur when dust accumulates in an outlet. 
     In spite of generally widespread knowledge of the dangers that electrical outlets present to small children, very few devices are commercially available for denying a child access to an outlet. The most commonly available device is a small plastic disk with prongs that plug into the opening of an electrical outlet. The disk covers the holes of the outlet and takes the place of an electrical plug to prevent insertion of any other object in the openings. A major disadvantage of this type of device is that the disk may easily become lost or mislaid when it is temporarily removed to allow normal use of the outlet. 
     There have been a number of proposals for providing a permanently mounted safety cover for electrical outlets to make the prong receiving openings inaccessible to a child. Such proposals generally provide an inadequate solution either because the safety cover is too easily defeated by a child who is still too young to understand the dangers of electricity or because the covering device is unduly complicated and/or cumbersome. 
     It is desired to have an improved electrical outlet safety cover that avoids some of the problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a safety electrical outlet cover that prevents users from gaining access to the electrical outlet unless the cover is “unlocked”. In addition, the present invention also comprises safety measures to ensure that the electrical outlet cover is properly installed before a user can plug a device into the electrical outlet. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrical outlet cover comprises a base, a face plate, two release slides, two receptacle slides, and a safety lock. 
     The release slides are pressed by a user, unlocking the receptacle slides. The receptacle slides may then be moved. The receptacle slides comprise apertures designed to match the shape of the apertures on an electrical outlet. Once the receptacle slides have been moved into position, the user will gain access to the electrical outlet through the apertures in the receptacle slides. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, a safety lock prevents a user from gaining access to the electrical outlet if the cover is not properly installed. The safety lock presses up against the electrical outlet. As the cover is being installed and fastened closer and closer to the outlet, the outlet forced the safety lock to lift out of its resting position. Once the safety lock has lifted high enough, the lock will allow the release slide to move and unlock the receptacle slide. If the cover has not been installed secure enough to the outlet, the safety lock will not lift high enough and will block the path of the release slide, thus ensuring that the receptacle slides will remain locked and no access to the outlet will be granted. 
     In other exemplary embodiments, the device may be designed to correspond to different types of outlets, such as, for example, decora style outlets. 
     For a more complete understanding of the nature and various advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating components of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention properly installed; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention properly installed in use; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention properly installed in use; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention not properly installed; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustrating components of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention properly installed; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention properly installed in use; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention properly installed in use; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention not properly installed; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustrating components of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustrating components of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic illustrating components of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises an electrical outlet cover that blocks a person, particularly a young child, from inserting foreign matter into an electrical outlet. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. In some instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  shows the different components of an electrical outlet cover in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a face plate  110 , a base  160 , two locking springs  120 , two return springs  130 , two release slides  140  and  141 , and two receptacle slides  150  and  151 . 
     The base  160  comprises locking spring channels  162 , return spring channels  164 , blocks  166 , release prong channels  167 , and safety lock  168 . 
     During assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , locking springs  120  are positioned into the locking spring channels  162 . Similarly, return springs  130  are positioned in the return spring channels  164 . Release slides  140  and  141  are placed into the base  160  from the side in which the release prongs  145  are able to be slid into release prong channels  167 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Receptacle slides  150  and  151  slide into the end of base  160  opposite of the release slides  140  and  141 . In this particular embodiment shown, release slides  140  and  141  are positioned in a way such that release prongs  145  are positioned away from the center of the base. The receptacle slides  150  and  151  are positioned so that the apertures for the prongs line up with the prong holes in the outlet. Face plate  110  will rest on top of the base  160  and all of the other corresponding elements. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of the components described above assembled to make outlet cover  100 . When the outlet cover  100  is assembled, the holes for the prongs on the electrical outlet will be covered by the electrical outlet cover  100 . Thus, nothing will be allowed to be placed into the prong holes of the electrical outlet, including foreign items that could be potentially dangerous. As seen in this closed position, locking springs  120  as positioned in the locking spring channels  162  will prevent the receptacle slides  150  and  151  from moving and then allowing the prong holes in the electrical outlet to become exposed. The ends of the locking springs  120  are pressed against the receptacle slides  150  and  151  preventing the movement of the receptacle slides. The ends of the locking springs  120  are positioned in the locking spring grooves  154  of the receptacle slides  150  and  151 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , to open the outlet cover, and therefore enable a person to insert a plug into the outlet, an individual must press the side of the outlet cover with release slides  140  and  141  first, as indicated by the arrows. That person should press on the release slides  140  and  141  directly. By pressing on the release slides  140  and  141 , the release prongs  145  press against the locking springs  120 . This force lifts the locking springs out of the locking spring grooves  154 . This is demonstrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     With the locking springs  120  out of the way, the receptacle slides are free to move. The user should then press on the receptacle slides  150  and  151  while still pressing the release slides  140  and  141 . The receptacle slides will then move into the outlet cover, revealing the prong holes of the electrical outlet. The user will then be able to plug the electrical plug into the outlet. This is demonstrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     It should be noted that  FIGS. 1-4  demonstrate the usage of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention when the outlet cover  100  is installed to the outlet properly.  FIG. 5  illustrates that a user would not be able to move the slides  140 ,  141 ,  150 , and  151  if the outlet cover is not properly installed. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , safety lock  168  is in a down position, as opposed to the up position demonstrated in  FIGS. 2-4 . The prong  169  of the safety lock  168  presses against the electrical outlet. As the outlet cover  100  is screwed onto the outlet, the outlet presses against the prong  169  and the safety lock is raised. If the outlet cover  100  is not screwed in far enough, the safety lock won&#39;t be raised high enough for the electrical outlet cover to be in the “open” position. As shown in  FIG. 5 , release slide locks  147  are pressed against the safety lock  168 . Thus, the release slides  140  and  141  can&#39;t be moved. If the outlet cover  100  is screwed in far enough, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the safety lock is raised and won&#39;t block the slides  140  and  141  from moving via the release slide locks  147 . 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  shows the different components of another exemplary electrical outlet cover in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  comprises a face plate  610 , a base  660 , two return springs  630 , two release slides  640 , and two receptacle slides  650 . 
     The base  660  comprises, return spring channels  664 , locking channels  665 , slide channels  666 , and safety lock  668 . 
     During assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6 , return springs  630  are positioned in the return spring channels  664 . Release slides  640  are placed into the slide channels  666  on one side of the base  660 . The receptacle slides  650  are placed in the slide channels  666  on the opposite side of the base. The receptacle slides  650  should be placed on the side of the base  660  where the locking channels  665  are located. This is demonstrated in  FIG. 6 . Face plate  610  will rest on top of the base  660  and all of the other corresponding elements. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exemplary embodiment of the components described above assembled to make outlet cover  600 . When the outlet cover  600  is assembled, the holes for the prongs on the electrical outlet will be covered by the electrical outlet cover  600 . As seen in this closed position, locking springs  620 , located on the receptacle slides  650  in this embodiment, prevent the receptacle slides  650  from moving and then allowing the prong holes in the electrical outlet to become exposed. The locking tabs  654  should be positioned so that they are located in the locking channels  665 . When the locking tab  654  is placed within the locking channel  665 , the slide to which the locking tab belongs is not able to move. Therefore, the electrical outlet is effectively “closed”. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , to open the outlet cover an individual must press the side of the outlet cover with release slides  640  first, as indicated by the arrows. That person should press on the release slides  640  directly. By pressing on the release slides  640 , the release prongs  645  press against the locking springs  620 . This force lifts the locking springs, thereby removing the locking tab  654  from the locking channel  665 . This is demonstrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     With the locking tab  654  out of the channel  665 , the receptacle slides  650  are free to move. The user should then press on the receptacle slides  650  while still pressing the release slides  640 . The receptacle slides will then move into the outlet cover, revealing the prong holes of the electrical outlet. The user will then be able to plug the electrical plug into the outlet. This is demonstrated in  FIG. 9 . 
     The exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9  may also comprise a safety lock  668  to ensure proper installation of the electrical outlet cover  600 . The electrical outlet will press against the prong  669  of the safety lock  668 . Once the safety lock  668  is lifted high enough, the release slides  640  will be able to move. If the safety lock is not lifted high enough (indicated that the cover is not properly installed) blocks  647  will but up against safety lock  668  and the release slides will not be able to move. 
     It should be noted that the present invention may also be used for other types of electrical outlets. For example,  FIG. 11  shows the an electrical outlet cover for use with decora type outlets. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , which is similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 , comprises a face plate  1110 , a base  1160 , return springs  1130 , two release slides  1140 , and two receptacle slides  1150 . 
     The base  1160  comprises, return spring channels  1164 , locking channels  1165 , slide channels  1166 , and safety locks  1168 . 
     During assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 11 , return springs  1130  are positioned in the return spring channels  1164 . Release slides  1140  are placed into the slide channels  1166  on one side of the base  1160 . The receptacle slides  1150  are placed in the slide channels  1166  on the opposite side of the base. The receptacle slides  1150  should be placed on the side of the base  1160  where the locking channels  1165  are located. This is demonstrated in  FIG. 12 . Face plate  1110  will rest on top of the base  1160  and all of the other corresponding elements. 
     To open the outlet cover an individual must press the side of the outlet cover with release slides  1140  first. That person should press on the release slides  1140  directly. By pressing on the release slides  1140 , the release prongs  1145  press against the locking springs  1120 . This force lifts the locking springs, thereby removing the locking tab  1154  from the locking channel  1165 . 
     With the locking tab  1154  out of the channel  1165 , the receptacle slides  1150  are free to move. The user should then press on the receptacle slides  1150  while still pressing the release slides  1140 . The receptacle slides will then move into the outlet cover, revealing the prong holes of the electrical outlet. The user will then be able to plug the electrical plug into the outlet. 
     Similarly to the embodiments describe above, electrical outlet cover  1100  may comprise safety locks  1168 . The electrical outlet will press against the prongs  1169  of the safety locks  1168 . The force of the outlet pressing on the prongs  1169  will lift the safety locks higher. Once the safety lock  1168  is lifted high enough, the release slides  1140  will be able to move. If the safety locks are not lifted high enough (indicated that the cover is not properly installed) blocks  1147  will but up against safety locks  1168  and the release slides will not be able to move. 
     In addition, an electrical outlet cover according to aspects of the present invention may comprise locking pins. For example, with reference to  FIG. 1 , locking pins  159  are present on receptacle slides  150  and  151 . Similarly in  FIG. 6 , demonstrates locking pins  659 . Locking pins  159  will lock into a hole at the base of a power prong with assistance from force applied by the return springs  130 . Once a plug is inserted in the outlet and locked, a child will be unable to remove the plug or a portion of it from the outlet. To remove a plug once it is locked, a user should slightly press slides  140  and  150 . After the plug is removed the spring action will move the slides back to the “closed” position. In one exemplary embodiment, the locking tabs may be flexible, thereby allowing the plug to be pulled out quickly in an emergency. This quick release mechanism will keep the plug locked into the receptacle until the plug is pulled with some predetermined amount of force, such as, for example 15 lbs. The amount of force required to activate the quick-release mechanism can be changed (for O.S.H.A. standards, for example.) The size and material of the locking pins can be adjusted to change the force required to activate the quick-release mechanism. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical outlet covers described above may also comprise an electrical outlet, therefore forming a single unit that comprises a electrical outlet with a safety cover. In accordance with aspects of this embodiment, the base will be attached to the outlet, thus ensuring that the installation of the electrical outlet cover is done properly. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 11-13 , electrical outlet cover  1100  may also comprise electrical outlet  1190 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the outlet  1160  is inserted into base  1160  and is attached thereto. The face plate  1110  covers the base/electrical outlet combination to form the single unit. The electrical outlet with safety cover is then wired and attached directly to the handy box, where it is ready to be used. 
     Although, the electrical cover should be properly installed to the electrical outlet in this particular embodiment, the electrical outlet cover  1100  may still comprise safety locks  1168 . It should be noted that any of the embodiments previously discussed may also comprise an electrical outlet to form a single unit that comprises an electrical outlet with safety cover. 
     Although several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the invention in not limited to these precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.