Abstract:
A cover plate for covering a wall box mounted wiring device such as an electrical receptacle. The cover plate includes an attachment member for covering the wall box opening, at least one opening for at least one wiring device, and a shelf attached to the attachment member. The shelf may also have a non-slip surface or be pitched in such a way that an electronic device such as a cell phone will not fall off. The shelf may also have a lip or raised edge to retain the electronic device. In use, an electronic device will rest on the shelf while charging. The charger plug will be conveniently inserted into the electrical receptacle that is directly below the shelf, with the electronic device resting neatly on the integral shelf. The cover plate reduces clutter related to charging electronic devices in areas such as kitchens or bathrooms. The cover plate may also be used to hold other items such as keys, wallets, watches, clocks, remote controls, and the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to cover plates for electrical outlets and switches, and more particularly to a novel cover plate useful with electronic devices. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    With the proliferation of electronic devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, handheld email and text messaging devices, handheld or pocket PCs, and the like, there exists an ongoing need to recharge the batteries in these devices on a regular and ongoing basis. The proliferation of these rechargeable electronic devices create a great deal of clutter in one&#39;s living space or office space that, when combined with charging cords, cradles, interface cords, and the like, can become unmanageable or at the least create disorganization. When one charges these devices, an electrical outlet that is at a convenient height with a counter or other surface, is usually used. This outlet is most often located in the kitchen or bathroom, as most remaining electrical outlets in a home are located close to the floor. Unfortunately, this means that cell phones are commonly charged in the kitchen or bathroom, and take up valuable counter space. The clutter of electronic devices, chargers, and cables also creates a less than desirable visual landscape in one&#39;s home. In the past, there have been attempts to manage this situation through the use of charging cradles or charging stands. Unfortunately, while creating a neater visual appearance, these cradles and stands still take up valuable counter space. 
         [0005]    Recently there have been attempts to retain cell phones and similar electronic devices in holders that are adhered to the wall, presumably adjacent and in close proximity to an electrical outlet. A search of the internet will reveal many of these devices. These holders introduce yet another item of clutter, and may further damage the wall through the use of adhesives, glue, tape, and the like. 
         [0006]    The present invention and the various embodiments described and envisioned herein solve the currently unmet need of reducing clutter and increasing organization through the improvement and redesign of what has previously been a single purpose item—the electrical outlet cover plate. Electrical outlets and switches (generically, wiring devices) are commonly contained in a wall box where the installed assembly has a cover plate to both provide a measure of safety and to provide a more aesthetically pleasing look. Essentially, the cover plate has been a single purpose item that has only recently taken on an element of fashion or design. In recent years, cover plates have been produced in a multitude of materials and styles to provide a look that conforms to the design, color, and theme of its surroundings. A quick look in the electrical section of a home improvement store will reveal hundreds of cover plate designs, with colors and materials to match almost any décor. These cover plates, while a vast improvement over the basic plastic cover plate of the past, are still a single purpose item that are just visually more aesthetically pleasing. There is no evidence that cover plates of the present have been improved upon to perform additional functions, such as will be described by way of this specification, drawings, and the attached claims. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cover plate with an integral shelf for retaining a device such as, for example, a cell phone, an MP3 player, a handheld computing device, a remote control device, an email device, an electronic organizer, a personal digital assistant, and the like. The device may require charging through the AC electrical outlet that is provided through the cover plate, but the device to be retained may also be an object such as keys, money, a wallet, a watch, an air freshener, a remote control, or the like. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a cover plate for covering a wall box mountable wiring device mounted in and to a wall box, said wall box having a width dimension and a height dimension, said cover plate having a width dimension greater than said wall box width dimension and a height dimension greater than said wall box height dimension, the cover plate comprising a unitary, generally planar attachment member having a first end and a second end, at least one mounting hole for permitting said attachment member to be attached adjacent a front face of and over said wiring device mounted in and to said wall box, at least one opening for at least one wiring device, and a shelf attached proximate the first end and above said opening. The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a cover plate with integral shelf according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an alternate perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an alternate side view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a downward looking plan view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a cover plate with integral shelf according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an alternate perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an alternate side view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a downward looking plan view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, drawings, and the appended claims. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Cover plates for electrical outlets and switches are known in the prior art. As is also known in the prior art, cover plates may be made from a plastic such as, for example, nylon or a flame retardant plastic, or they may be made from a metal such as stainless steel, or even wood. Cover plates provide for safety by covering up an open electrical wall box and related wiring. In use, the electrical wall box contains a wiring device such as a receptacle, a ground fault interrupter, a switch, a combination switch and receptacle, or the like. A cover plate then encloses the electrical wall box, wiring, and wiring device, while allowing the receptacle opening or switch to protrude through an opening in the cover plate. 
         [0023]    The present invention and its various embodiments depicted herein are directed to a cover plate with an integral shelf. The integral shelf holds an object that may be, but is not limited to, an electronic device such as a cell phone. When the cover plate of the present invention is installed, the shelf is located above the wiring device (such as a receptacle) such that the charging cord of the electronic device may be inserted in the receptacle that is below the shelf, with the electronic device resting neatly on the integral shelf. This makes for a clean and neat arrangement, and reduces clutter that is common on kitchen and bathroom countertops. 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a plan view of a cover plate with integral shelf according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The attachment member  101  serves to cover the wall box, and is slightly larger than the opening or the wall box to allow for complete coverage of the wall box. In some embodiments of the present invention, the attachment member  101  may be oversized with respect to the opening of the wall box to provide for a certain visual appearance or to hide imperfections in the wall. The attachment member  101  has an opening  103  to allow a wiring device to protrude through the cover plate. The attachment member  101  may be molded using a plastic, or preferably, a flame retardant plastic. An example of a material that may be used is a thermoplastic polyester resin manufactured by DuPont under the trademark “RYNITE FR-530”. Other flame retardant plastics include, for example, flame retardant ABS such as Borg-Warner CYCOLAC KJB grade. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 1 , a Decora® style wiring device may be used in opening  103 , and may be an electrical outlet, a switch, a ground fault circuit interrupter, a combined switch and outlet, or the like. Decora® is a registered trademark of Leviton Manufacturing Company of Little Neck, N.Y. A first mounting hole  105  and a second mounting hole  107  are depicted in  FIG. 1 . To attach the cover plate with integral shelf to a wiring device in an electrical wall box, screws (not shown) may be used. In some embodiments of the present invention, after installation, the mounting holes may be hidden using a false front, screw caps, or other such techniques. An example of techniques to hide screws in a cover plate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,343 entitled “Two Piece Face Plate For Wall Box Mounted Device”, and assigned to Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0026]    The attachment member  101  has a first end which is the upper end, or shelf end, when installed, and a second end, or lower, end, when installed. STOP 
         [0027]    Attached proximate the first (or upper) end of the attachment member  101  is a shelf  109 . The shelf  109  may, in some embodiments, be molded along with the attachment member  101  using a plastic, or preferably, a flame retardant plastic. An example of a material that may be used is a thermoplastic polyester resin manufactured by DuPont under the trademark “RYNITE FR-530”. Other flame retardant plastics include, for example, flame retardant ABS such as Borg-Warner CYCOLAC KJB grade. In some embodiments of the present invention, the shelf  109  may be made from a metal such as, for example, stainless steel. In some embodiments of the present invention, the shelf may be removable or mechanically attached. A removable shelf does not in any way imply that the shelf is no longer integral. 
         [0028]    The shelf  109  protrudes outward from the attachment member in a generally horizontal manner, but may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be slightly pitched such that the shelf slopes downward toward the attachment member. This helps to reduce the likelihood that an object (such as an electronic device in vibrate mode), would fall from the shelf. Other techniques to retain the object, such as a lip or an edge on the shelf, may also be used. In addition, a non-slip surface may be applied to the shelf  109 . Examples of non-slip surfaces include elastomeric materials such as a thermoplastic elastomer. An example of a thermoplastic elastomer is SANTOPRENE™ from Advanced Elastomer Systems, Akron, Ohio. The shelf  109  is approximately the width of the attachment member  101 , or may be slightly narrower or wider than the width of the attachment member  101 . The shelf  101  protrudes outward from the attachment member with a dimension sufficient to hold an electronic device such as, for example, a cell phone. By way of example, and not limitation, this dimension may be in the range of ¾ inch to 2¾ inches. An exemplary dimension is, for example, 1¾ inches. In some embodiments of the present invention, the shelf may be of a thickness that is similar to the thickness of the attachment member  101 ; that thickness being, for example, ⅛ inch, or in the range of 1/16 inch to ¼ inch. In other embodiments of the present invention, the shelf  101  may be thicker than the thickness of the attachment member, such as, for example, ¼ inch. The dimensions of the shelf  109  may be modified along with the overall geometry of the shelf  101  for aesthetic or functional reasons. For example, the corners of the shelf  109  may have a radius to eliminate sharp edges. 
         [0029]    It should further be noted that  FIG. 1  depicts a single electrical device cover plate with integral shelf. The present invention may also be adapted to provide a shelf with a multiple electrical device cover plate, such as a two gang, three gang, or four gang arrangement. Such adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention may further be adapted to provide a cord holder to contain and organize the charging cord. 
         [0030]    To provide a complete understanding of the present invention and the various embodiments described herein, alternate views of the present invention in  FIG. 1  are depicted in subsequent  FIGS. 2-6 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1  is depicted, showing the attachment member  101 , the opening  103 , the first mounting hole  105  and the second mounting hole  107 , and the shelf  109 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  109 . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 3 , an alternate perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1  is depicted, showing the attachment member  101 , the opening  103 , the first mounting hole  105  and the second mounting hole  107 , and the shelf  109 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  109 . 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 4 , a side view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1  is depicted, showing the attachment member  101  and the shelf  109 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  109 . An alternate side view is shown in  FIG. 5 , with the attachment member  101  and the shelf  109  depicted. A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  109 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a downward looking plan view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 1 , showing the attachment member  101  and the shelf  109 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  109 . 
         [0035]    The present invention may also be used with traditional wiring devices.  FIG. 7  and subsequent  FIGS. 8-12  depict a cover plate with integral shelf for use with traditional wiring devices. 
         [0036]    Turning to  FIG. 7 , a plan view of a cover plate with integral shelf according to a second embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The attachment member  701  serves to cover the wall box, and is slightly larger than the opening of the wall box to allow for complete coverage of the wall box. In some embodiments of the present invention, the attachment member  701  may be oversized with respect to the opening of the wall box to provide for a certain visual appearance or to hide imperfections in the wall. The attachment member  701  has a first opening  703  and a second opening  705  to allow a wiring device to protrude through the cover plate. The attachment member  701  may be molded using a plastic, or preferably, a flame retardant plastic. An example of a material that may be used is a thermoplastic polyester resin manufactured by DuPont under the trademark “RYNITE FR-530”. Other flame retardant plastics include flame retardant ABS such as, for example, Borg-Warner CYCOLAC KJB grade. 
         [0037]    In  FIG. 7 , a traditional wiring device, typically an electrical outlet, may be used. A mounting hole  707  is depicted in  FIG. 7 . To attach the cover plate with integral shelf to a wiring device in an electrical wall box, a screw (not shown) may be used. In some embodiments of the present invention, after installation, the mounting hole may be hidden using a false front, screw caps, or other such techniques. An example of techniques to hide screws in a cover plate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,343 entitled “Two Piece Face Plate For Wall Box Mounted Device”, and assigned to Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., of Coopersburg, Pa., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0038]    The attachment member  701  has a first end which is the upper end, or shelf end, when installed, and a second end, or lower, end, when installed. 
         [0039]    Attached proximate the first (or upper) end of the attachment member  701  is a shelf  709 . The shelf  709  may, in some embodiments, be molded along with the attachment member  701  using a plastic, or preferably, a flame retardant plastic. An example of a material that may be used is a thermoplastic polyester resin manufactured by DuPont under the trademark “RYNITE FR-530”. Other flame retardant plastics include, for example, flame retardant ABS such as Borg-Warner CYCOLAC KJB grade. In some embodiments of the present invention, the shelf  709  may be made from a metal such as, for example, stainless steel. In some embodiments of the present invention, the shelf may be removable or mechanically attached. A removable shelf does not in any way imply that the shelf is no longer integral. 
         [0040]    The shelf  709  protrudes outward from the attachment member in a generally horizontal manner, but may, in some embodiments of the present invention, be slightly pitched such that the shelf slopes downward toward the attachment member. This helps to reduce the likelihood that an object (such as an electronic device in vibrate mode), would fall from the shelf. Other techniques to retain the object, such as a lip or an edge on the shelf, may also be used. In addition, a non-slip surface may be applied to the shelf  109 . Examples of non-slip surfaces include elastomeric materials such as a thermoplastic elastomer. An example of a thermoplastic elastomer is SANTOPRENE™ from Advanced Elastomer Systems, Akron. Ohio. The shelf  709  is approximately the width of the attachment member  701 , or may be slightly narrower or wider than the width of the attachment member  701 . The shelf  701  protrudes outward from the attachment member with a dimension sufficient to hold an electronic device such as, for example, a cell phone. By way of example, and not limitation, this dimension may be in the range of ¾ inch to 2¾ inches. An exemplary dimension is, for example, 1¾ inches. In some embodiments of the present invention, the shelf may be of a thickness that is similar to the thickness of the attachment member  101 ; that thickness being, for example, ⅛ inch, or in the range of 1/16 inch to ¼ inch. In other embodiments of the present invention, the shelf  101  may be thicker than the thickness of the attachment member, such as, for example, ¼ inch. The dimensions of the shelf  709  may be modified along with the overall geometry of the shelf  709  for aesthetic or functional reasons. For example, the corners of the shelf  709  may have a radius to eliminate sharp edges. 
         [0041]    It should further be noted that  FIG. 7  depicts a single electrical device cover plate with integral shelf. The present invention may also be adapted to provide a shelf with a multiple electrical device cover plate, such as a two gang, three gang, or four gang arrangement. Such adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention may further be adapted to provide a cord holder to contain and organize the charging cord. 
         [0042]    To provide a complete understanding of the present invention and the various embodiments described herein, alternate views of the present invention in  FIG. 7  are depicted in subsequent  FIGS. 8-12 . 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7  is depicted, showing the attachment member  701 , the second opening  705  (the first opening  703  is not visible), and the shelf  709 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  709 . 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 9 , an alternate perspective view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7  is depicted, showing the attachment member  701 , the second opening  705  (the first opening  703  is not visible), and the shelf  709 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  709 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 10 , a side view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7  is depicted, showing the attachment member  701  and the shelf  709 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  709 . An alternate side view is shown in  FIG. 11 , with the attachment member  701  and the shelf  709  depicted. A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  709 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 12  is a downward looking plan view of the cover plate with integral shelf of  FIG. 7 , showing the attachment member  701  and the shelf  709 . A cell phone is depicted in broken line representation resting on the shelf  709 . 
         [0047]    It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, a cover plate with integral shelf. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, drawings, and the claims appended herein.