Patent Publication Number: US-8115100-B2

Title: Electrical and data outlet decommissioning arrangement

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to electrical or data outlets and particularly to secure cover plate arrangements to minimize misuse of outlets. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Electrical outlets may be dangerous to small children when access to those electrical outlets is left available to them. Those electrical outlets may also often be available for use by the general public for the operation of their personal communication devices, laptops and various other electrical equipment. The property owner where these electrical outlets may be arranged may not wish to have these electrical outlets available for use by just anyone, such as small children, travelers or people just looking for free electricity. 
     In many public places, electrical and/or data outlets are merely taped over rather than being electrically disconnected, removed and blanked off, probably to avoid the time and cost of an electrician and the possible future need to restore functionality to the box. 
     My earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,612, issued on 25 Jul. 1989, incorporated herein by reference, disclosed an outlet protector, which showed an enclosure attachable to an electrical outlet cover plate, to provide a safety enclosure for plugs mated to outlets within the cover plate. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical/data outlet cover plate arrangement which will temporarily decommission an electrical/data outlet. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical/data outlet decommissioning arrangement which is utilizable without the services of an expensive electrician. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to permit a decommissioning cover plate to be attached to the holes in the electrical/data outlet receptacle rather than the electrical box as is the case with a standard blanking plate, thereby allowing for the receptacle to remain installed while it is decommissioned. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a space between the decommissioning cover plate and the baseplate so as to allow for protrusion of the intact electrical receptacle or data port that is being covered/decommissioned. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical/data outlet decommissioning arrangement which allows for the outlet to be restored to its regular use quickly and without electrical alterations. 
     It is yet still a further object of the present invention to provide a cover plate which is removably attachable from a receiving baseplate by a simple tool, yet not readily removable by unauthorized users. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cover plate which is securable to a receiving baseplate which permits two sided engagement therewith. 
     Is yet still a further object of the present invention to provide a cover plate which when secured to a receiving base plate at least partially covers the opening(s) through which the baseplate is secured to the electrical/data outlet. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a decommissioning plate which when secured to a receiving base plate does not allow for a grasping area suitable to a human hand, thus preventing casual removal of that decommissioning plate. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an electrical or data outlet box temporary decommissioning arrangement comprising a receiving baseplate and a removably attachable locking decommissioning cover plate. The electrical or data outlet box is typically secured within an opening in a wall. The typical electrical outlet box cover plate has a pair of spaced apart openings, or a single rectangular opening to allow for decorative or “GFI” type receptacles. Data outlets may also have other opening configurations. 
     With the present invention, the typical cover plate is removed from the front of the electrical or data outlet box. The replacement baseplate is then attached to the front surface of the electrical outlet by one or more threaded members which extend through the baseplate and into threaded openings in the electrical outlet. 
     The receiving baseplate is preferably a generally rectangular unit having a pair of transverse ends and a pair of opposed parallel side portions. An inner peripheral surface extends inwardly from the transverse ends and the pair of opposed parallel side portions to define an internal rectangle or opening therein. The side walls have an inner perimeter wall. An engagement tab receiving slot is arranged at each end of the inner perimeter wall of the side walls. A locking tab receiving slot is arranged at the midpoint of each side wall between the engagement tab recess slots at each end thereof. One or more member openings are arranged either in the central area or at each end of the transverse wall extending partially through that transverse wall and completely through the inner peripheral surface thereat. The member openings are for receipt of a threaded screw that attaches the baseplate to the electrical or data outlet receptacle. 
     The decommissioning cover plate is sized so as to be readily disposed within the opening defined by the transverse walls and the inner perimeter walls of the side walls of the receiving baseplate. The cover plate has a pair of elongated parallel side members and a pair of parallel transverse end members. An engagement tab extends off of each end of only one side wall, and a single locking tab extends outwardly from a mid-point of the opposite side wall. The engagement tabs at each end of one side wall are arranged to be received in corresponding engagement tab recess slots in one of the two inner perimeter walls of the side wall of the receiving baseplate. The locking tab is arranged to be flexibly inserted into and withdrawn from the particular locking tab receiving slot at the midpoint of the inner perimeter wall of the receiving baseplate opposed to the side wall in which the engagement tabs are inserted. 
     The locking tab on the side wall of the locking decommissioning cover plate has a molded recess thereadjacent. The molded recess permits a tool to be inserted between the inner perimeter wall and the flex wall of the cover plate so as to bias the locking tab inwardly away from the locking tab receiving slot to permit the pried, pivotal, “skilled” removal of that cover plate and hence authorized access to the electrical and/or data outlets therewithin. 
     The locking tab has a distal lower end portion with a radius of curvature thereon, to permit the locking tab to slide and deflect against the upper edge of the inner perimeter wall of the receiving baseplate using simple hand pressure and to hence slip into the locking tab receiving slot without the use of a tool. For removal of the decommissioning plate, a tool, such as a screwdriver, may be inserted into the recess between the cover plate and the inner perimeter wall at the locking tab receiving slot, to flex the locking tab inwardly and hence permit the decommissioning cover plate to be pivoted about its engagement tabs on its opposite side thereon for removal of that decommissioning cover plate from the receiving baseplate. 
     The invention thus comprises a temporary electrical or data outlet decommissioning arrangement comprising: a generally rectangularly shaped receiving baseplate for exchange with a cover plate on an electrical or data outlet box; a decommissioning cover plate having a plurality of receiving baseplate engagement tabs thereon, wherein the baseplate has two side walls and two transverse end walls defining a cover plate receiving opening, the baseplate having one or more openings for receipt of threaded securement members through the baseplate and into the threaded opening(s) in the electrical/data outlet receptacle normally utilized for securement of the standard type of cover plate, and wherein the baseplate has side walls which each have a common plurality of tab-receiving slots therein, and wherein the decommissioning cover plate has two side walls and two transverse end walls, defining the shape of the decommissioning cover plate to mate with the decommissioning cover plate receiving opening, wherein the decommissioning cover plate has a pair of engagement tabs extending off of one side wall, and has a single locking tab on the more flexible mid-point side wall opposite the pair of engagement tabs, the single locking tab having a radius of curvature for slidable, flexed, hand pressured insertion of the decommissioning cover plate into locking engagement with the baseplate, wherein the decommissioning cover plate also covers up any securement members passing through the member receiving openings in the baseplate; and wherein the single locking tab has an adjacent recessed support wall to provide a recess in the side wall of the cover plate to permit a tool access for removal of the cover plate from the baseplate. 
     The invention also comprises a temporary electrical or data outlet decommissioning arrangement comprising: a generally rectangularly (or square) shaped receiving baseplate for exchange with a similarly shaped cover plate on an electrical or data outlet box; a decommissioning cover plate having a plurality of baseplate receiving engagement tabs thereon, wherein the baseplate has two side walls and two transverse end walls defining a cover plate receiving opening, and wherein the baseplate has side walls which each have a common plurality of tab-receiving slots therein, and wherein the decommissioning cover plate has two side walls and two transverse end walls, defining the shape of the decommissioning cover plate to mate with the decommissioning cover plate receiving opening, wherein the decommissioning cover plate has a pair of engagement tabs extending off of one side wall, and has a single locking tab on the more flexible mid-point side wall opposite the pair of engagement tabs; and wherein the single locking tab has an adjacent recessed support wall to provide a recess in the side wall of the cover plate to permit a tool access for removal of the cover plate from the baseplate. The baseplate has one or more openings for receipt of threaded securement members through the baseplate and into the threaded openings in the electrical/data receptacle normally utilized for securement of standard cover plates to the electrical/data receptacle. The single locking tab has a radius of curvature for slidable, flexed, hand pressured insertion of the decommissioning cover plate into locking engagement with the baseplate. The decommissioning cover plate covers up any securement members received through the member receiving openings in the baseplate. 
     The invention also comprises a method to temporarily decommission an electrical or data outlet box, comprising one or more of the following steps, including: exchanging a typical cover plate for a generally rectilinearly shaped receiving baseplate on the electrical or data outlet box, wherein the baseplate has two side walls and two transverse end walls defining a decommissioning cover plate receiving opening, the baseplate having one or more openings for receipt of threaded securement members through the baseplate and into the threaded openings in the electrical receptacle normally utilized for securement of a standard cover plate, and wherein the baseplate has side walls which each have a common plurality of tab-receiving slots therein, and wherein the decommissioning cover plate has two side walls and two transverse end walls, defining the shape of the decommissioning cover plate to mate with the decommissioning cover plate receiving opening; forming a pair of engagement tabs extending off of one side wall, and a single locking tab on the more flexible mid-point side wall opposite the pair of engagement tabs in the decommissioning plate, wherein the single locking tab has a radius of curvature; sliding and flexibly inserting the decommissioning cover plate into locking engagement with the baseplate, wherein the decommissioning cover plate also covers up any securement members received through the openings in the base-plate; forming a recess adjacent the single locking tab in the side support wall to permit a tool access for flexible, biased removal of the locking tab from the locking tab receiving slot and hence pivotal removal of the decommissioning cover plate from the baseplate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an electrical or data outlet box shown arranged in a wall, with a receiving baseplate disposed thereadjacent and a locking cover plate also shown thereadjacent; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a receiving baseplate with a spaced apart locking cover plate, shown at a different angle than that shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a receiving baseplate and a cover plate shown mated together; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a lockable cover plate; 
         FIG. 5  is a view taken along the lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the receiving baseplate; 
         FIG. 7  is a view taken along the lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the cover plate and locking tab which is engaged in to the locking tab receiving slot on the receiving baseplate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIG. 1  which shows the present invention which comprises a (temporary) electrical or data outlet decommissioning arrangement  10 , wherein the typical cover plate (not shown for clarity) is removed from the front of an electrical outlet box  12  in a wall “W”. A replacement receiving baseplate  14  is then attached to the front surface of the electrical outlet  18  by a pair of threaded members which extend through opposite ends of the receiving baseplate  14  and into threaded openings  16 , at opposite ends of the electrical outlet  18 . 
     The receiving baseplate  14  is a generally rectangular unit, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  6 , having a pair of transverse ends  20  and  22 , as well as a pair of opposed parallel first and second side portions  24  and  26 . An inner peripheral surface  30  extends inwardly from the transverse ends  20  and  22  and the pair of opposed parallel side portions  24  and  26  to define an internal rectangular opening  32  therein. The side wall portions  24  and  26  have an inner perimeter wall  36 . An engagement tab receiving slot  38  is arranged at each end of the inner perimeter wall  36  of the first and second side walls  24  and  26 . A locking tab receiving opening or slot  40  is arranged at the midpoint of each side wall  24  and  26  between the engagement tab recess slots  38  at each end thereof. A member “end-located” non-threaded opening  42  is arranged at each end of the transverse wall  20  and  22  extending partially through that transverse wall  20  and  22 , and completely through the inner peripheral surface  30  thereadjacent. The member opening  42  is for passage of a threaded screw or bolt (not shown for clarity) into the opening  42  which attaches and tightens the baseplate  14  to the electrical/data outlet  18 . 
     A cover plate  50  is sized so as to be disposed within (and withdrawn from) the opening defined by the transverse walls  20  and  22  and the inner perimeter walls  36  of the side walls  24  and  26  of the receiving baseplate  14 . The cover plate  50  has a first side wall members  54  and a second side wall  52 , parallel to one another, and a pair of parallel transverse end members  56  and  58 . A rigid pivot point engagement tab  60  extends off of each end of the first side wall  54 , and a single inwardly flexibly pivotable, articulable locking tab  62  extends outwardly from the opposite or second side wall  52 , as best shown in  FIG. 4 . The engagement tabs  60  at each end of the first side wall  54  are arranged to be received in corresponding engagement tab recess slots  38  in either one of the two inner perimeter walls  36  of the side wall  26  of the receiving baseplate  14 , as is evidenced in  FIG. 3 , the baseplate  14  being arranged to accommodate the cover plate  50  bi-directionately. 
     The locking tab  62  is arranged to be flexibly inserted into and withdrawn from the locking tab receiving slot  40  at the midpoint of the inner perimeter wall  36  of the receiving baseplate  14  opposed to the particular side wall  26  in which the engagement tabs  60  are inserted. 
     The locking tab  62  on the side wall  52  of the locking cover plate  50  has a molded recess  66  thereadjacent, as best seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4  and  8 . The molded recess  66  permits a tool (not shown for clarity) to be inserted between the inner perimeter wall  36  and the flex wall  70 , as shown best in  FIG. 8 , adjacent the locking tab  62  of the cover plate  50 , so as to be able to bias the locking tab  62  inwardly away from the receiving slot  40  to permit the removal of the cover plate  50  and hence access to the electrical outlets  18  therewithin. 
     The locking tab  62  has a distal lower end portion  76  with a radius of curvature “C” on a lower distal edge thereof, as represented in sectional view in  FIG. 8 , to permit the locking tab  62  to slide against the upper edge “E” of the inner perimeter wall  36  of the receiving baseplate  14  using simple hand pressure and to hence slip into the locking tab receiving slot without the use of a tool. 
     For removal of the cover plate  50  however, a tool, such as a screwdriver, may be inserted into the recess  66  between the flex wall  70  of the cover plate  50  and the inner perimeter wall  36  at the locking tab receiving slot  40 , to flex the locking tab  62  inwardly as shown by arrow “I”, and hence permit the cover plate  50  to be pivoted about its engagement tabs  60  on its opposite side  54  thereon for removal of that cover plate  50  from the receiving baseplate  14 , with a certain minimal tool and certain effort, yet with just enough requirements to make it difficult for a young or casual user to pry the cover plate  50  off of the baseplate  14 .