Faceplate for use with a ground fault circuit interrupter device and related gfci assembly

A faceplate for use with a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) device, where the faceplate includes resilient features such as snaps to affix the faceplate to a height extension shell. The height extension shell accommodates a part of the GFCI device. The faceplate has an opening that exposes at least a part of the GFCI device. By using resilient snaps to affix the faceplate, instead of using screws as in conventional GFCI assemblies, this GFCI assembly makes installation more convenient, saves installation time, and makes the faceplate easier to clean and maintain. It also enhances esthetic without sacrificing function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to electrical appliances, and in particular, it relates to a faceplate for use with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device and a related GFCI assembly.

Description of Related Art

When installing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) devices into a wall, the built-in free space inside the wall is sometimes not sufficient to accommodate the GFCI device, in which case a height extension shell is used in conjunction with the GFCI device. Conventionally, the GFCI and the height extension shell are mounted to the wall using screws, and the faceplate is affixed to the height extension component. Conventional GFCI faceplates require screws to install, and the screwheads are exposed. This affects the esthetics and also makes is inconvenient to install. When installing the faceplate, insufficient tightening of the screws may cause the faceplate to become loose, while over-tightening may cause the faceplate to crack.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a faceplate for use with a GFCI device, where the faceplate includes a front plate and a snap feature joined to the plate feature and configured to affix the faceplate to a height extension shell. The height extension shell is configured to accommodate a part of the GFCI device. The faceplate defines an opening that exposes at least a part of the GFCI device.

In one embodiment, the snap feature includes a plurality of resilient snaps with hooks, and the height extension shell includes a plurality of corresponding snap retaining recesses, where the snaps and the snap retaining recesses engage with each other to affix the faceplate to the height extension shell.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a GFCI assembly, which includes: a GFCI device; a height extension shell, configured to accommodate a part of the GFCI device; and a faceplate, which includes a plurality of resilient snaps configured to affix the faceplate to the height extension shell, wherein the faceplate defines an opening that exposes at least a part of the GFCI device.

In one embodiment, each resilient snap include a deformable prong with a hook at its end, and wherein the height extension shell includes a plurality of corresponding snap retaining recesses, and wherein the snaps and the snap retaining recesses engage with each other to affix the faceplate to the height extension shell.

In one embodiment, the height extension shell further includes a resilient support structure configured to hold the GFCI device disposed within the height extension shell and restrain its movement relative to the height extension shell.

In one embodiment, the GFCI device is threadedly affixed to the height extension shell.

In one embodiment, the height extension shell is adapted to be threaded affixed to a wall.

In the above described embodiments, snap components on the back of the faceplate are used to affix the faceplate to the height extension shell, instead of using screws as in conventional GFCI assemblies. This makes installation more convenient, saves installation time, and makes the faceplate easier to clean and maintain. It also enhances esthetic without sacrificing function. Further, a resilient support structure is provided on the height extension shell, to restrain the movement of the GFCI device during installation, making is easier to install.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings and descriptions explain embodiments of the invention but do not limit the invention. The described embodiments are not all possible embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and the structure and/or logic of the illustrated embodiments may be modified. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

In the descriptions below, terms such as “including” are intended to be open-ended and mean “including without limitation”, and can include other contents. “Based on” means “at least partly based on.” “An embodiment” means “at least one embodiment.” “Another embodiment” means “at least another embodiment,” etc.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a GFCI assembly, which includes a faceplate, a GFCI device, and a height extension shell. The GFCI device is partially disposed within the height extension shell. The faceplate includes snap to affix the faceplate to the height extension shell. The faceplate has an opening that exposes at least a part of the GFCI device.

An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1-8. The assembly may be used in a variety of applications, such as houses, recreational vehicles, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, each snap201is a resilient prong extending from the back side of the faceplate2toward the height extension shell1, the prong being slightly deformable (bendable), with a slanted surface and a hook at its end. Each snap retaining recess101is located on an inside surface of a side wall of the height extension shell1, so that the hook of the snap201can fall into the recess and be engaged by the edge of the recess to retain the hook in the recess. In other embodiments, the snaps201and the snap retaining recesses101may be replaced by other suitable snap components, so long as they are configured to affix the faceplate2to the height extension shell1using resilient components and without using screws.

As shown inFIG. 2, the GFCI device3includes receiving slots3afor receiving prongs of electrical plugs, a reset button3b, and a test button3c. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, the faceplate2has an opening202which exposes at least the receiving slots3a, the reset button3band the test button3cof the GFCI device3. This allows the user to insert electrical plugs into the receiving slots3a, and to operate the reset button3bto reset the device and operate the test button3cto test the device, from the front of the faceplate2. It should be understood that the number of receiving slots3amay be any suitable number depending on practical needs, and the size of the front opening202may be changed based on practical need.

Continue to refer toFIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the height extension shell1further includes a resilient support structure102, which functions to restrain the position and movement of the GFCI device3relative to the height extension shell1during installation to facilitate easy installation. When the GFCI device3is pushed into the height extension shell1, the support structure102holds the GFCI device3in place at its intended location, and allows the installation holes301on the GFCI device3to be aligned with the corresponding threaded holes103of the height extension shell1, so that screws4can be easily inserted into the installation holes301and corresponding threaded holes103to affix the GFCI device3to the height extension shell1. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the support structure102includes multiple resilient arms located on the side of the height extension shell1, which press against the side of the GFCI device3. The resilience of the arms allows the user to push the GFCI device3sideways slightly if needed in order to precisely align the installation holes301with the threaded holes103. It should be understood that the support structure102may be implemented by other suitable structures. The numbers of the installation holes301and threaded holes103may be changed based on practical need. The holes103may alternatively be unthreaded.

When installing the GFCI assembly10, first, the GFCI device3is inserted into the height extension shell1and held by the support structure102, so that the installation holes301of the GFCI device3are aligned with the threaded holes103of the height extension shell1. As mentioned earlier, the GFCI device3may be pushed sideways slightly against the support structure102if needed in order to precisely align the installation holes301with the threaded holes103. Then, the screws4are inserted through the installation holes301of the GFCI device3and the threaded holes103of the height extension shell1, and screwed to corresponding threaded holes in the wall5, so that the GFCI device3and height extension shell1are both mounted to the wall5. Note that for this purpose, the holes103are not required to be threaded. Lastly, the faceplate2is installed, by pushing the faceplate2against the height extension shell1so that the snaps201are engaged with the corresponding snap retaining slots101, thereby affixing the faceplate2to the height extension shell1. It should be understood that in another embodiment, the GFCI device3may be first affixed to the height extension shell1(e.g., via one set of threaded holes on the height extension shell1), and then the height extension shell1alone is mounted to the wall5(e.g., via another set of holes on the height extension shell1). In yet another embodiment, the height extension shell1may be mounted onto the wall5first, and then the GFCI device3is mounted to the height extension shell1.

The GFCI assembly10is particularly useful in recreational vehicles, but is useful in other applications as well.

In the above described embodiments, snap components are used to affix the faceplate to the height extension shell, instead of using screws as in conventional GFCI assemblies. This makes installation more convenient, saves installation time, and makes the faceplate easier to clean and maintain. It also enhances esthetic without sacrificing function.

While the present invention is described above using specific examples, these examples are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, additions and deletions can be made to the GFCI assembly of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.