Patent Publication Number: US-11387590-B1

Title: System and method for safety plugs

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The field of disclosure is generally directed to safety plugs and more particularly to individual plates that will insert into unused outlets such as USB, Ethernet, Telephone, USB-C, Coaxial and will conceal all of the said outlets and thus create a safety barrier to the electrical output of the components as well as any damage to said outlets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When childproofing a home, parents often look to purchase a product to cover exposed electric outlets but overlook the other exposed outlets in their home; USB, Ethernet, Telephone, and Coaxial that also provide an increased opportunity for children to come in contact with and cause harm to themselves, and damage to the said receptacle. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,278, a cover plate exists that is thin and rectangularly shaped, with apertures to receive plug blades, which replaces the faceplate and is attached to the socket mechanism with a screw. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,570, a cover plate exists to replace a standard faceplate, which is attached with a center screw, with a plate that attaches to the electrical socket using concealed flanges for a “snap fit” to the outlet. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,471, a removable socket cover exists, consisting of a panel and sidewalls, for the purpose of temporarily protecting the socket and wiring from paint drips and spatters during a painting project. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,094,969 and 6,159,034, safety related devices exist that cover electrical outlets and sockets by attaching a pivoting, hinged or sliding door apparatus. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,239, attaching a hinged boxlike plug enclosure covers provides a barrier to the electrical outlet. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,788, attaching a thick faceplate that prevents simultaneous contact of the fingers of a person holding a plug with the bare metal prong as it contacts the receptacle&#39;s electrical contacts. In U.S. Pat. No. 8,212,146 the cover panel includes a solid panel front surface of non-conductive molded material with a paintable surface on the outside and posts adapted to fit into the orifices of an electrical socket on the inside. These prior art references do not provide cover for USB, Ethernet, Telephone or Coaxial outlets nor provide structure and stiffness to keep the covers from breaking into small parts that could in turn become a choking hazard. In addition, the prior art references may lead to warping because of a lack of consistent wall thickness throughout the entire part. Thus, exists a need for a new and improved system and method for safety plug covers. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure presented herein relates to a safety cover that utilizes one or more rows of cavities with one or more specific shapes and patterns to provide structure and stiffness to keep the covers from breaking small parts whereby the interfacing elements are positioned on ridges between the cavities and extend into the cavities. The cavities on the back of the plugs are structured to keep the parts from warping and to help keep a consistent wall thickness throughout the entire pars which will result in better molding results. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a plurality of safety covers in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-2G  illustrates an embodiment for a coaxial safety cover. 
         FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrates an embodiment for a USB safety cover. 
         FIGS. 4A-4F  illustrates an embodiment for a USB safety cover. 
         FIGS. 5A-5F  illustrates an embodiment for a USB C safety cover. 
         FIGS. 6A-6F  illustrates an embodiment for an AC safety cover. 
         FIGS. 7A-7F  illustrates an embodiment for an AC safety cover. 
         FIGS. 8A-8F  illustrates an embodiment for an ethernet safety cover. 
         FIGS. 9A-9F  illustrates an embodiment for a telephone safety cover. 
         FIGS. 10A-10E  illustrates an embodiment for a CAT 3 safety cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components. 
     Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility). 
     The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range including that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range, including that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). 
     “Exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described in this document as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects 
     Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used to designate like elements. As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupling” may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct or an indirect connection between one or more items. Further, the term “set” as used herein may denote one or more of any item, so a “set of items,” may indicate the presence of only one item, or may indicate more items. Thus, the term “set” may be equivalent to “one or more” as used herein. 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments described herein. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. 
     The present invention solves the need for safety plug covers that utilize one or more ribs with one or more specific shape and patterns to provide structure and stiffness to keep the covers from breaking thus making small parts that could be considered a choking hazard. Also, the ribs on the back of the plugs are structural to keep the parts from warping and to help keep a consistent wall thickness throughout the entire part which will result in better molding results. 
     The present disclosure is generally drawn to a system and method, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, for one or more safety plugs as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The safety plugs are designed for parents who are looking to childproof their home, protecting the outlet from a child inserting a foreign material into it and thus cause damage to the said receptacle, and general commercial users who are looking to keep the dust, dirt or grime out of these exposed receptacles thereby extending longevity of said outlets. 
     The safety plugs may either be individual plates that will insert into unused Telephone, Ethernet, and USB outlets. The safety plug may be an individual coaxial plate that will cover a coaxial stud thus preventing any damage to said coaxial stud or injury to a toddler falling into the wall with the protruding coaxial stud. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2A-2G , one exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  100  is designed for a coaxial stud on an outlet. Safety plug  100  has a mostly hollow dome shape having a semi cylindrical or rounded portion  105  and a square base  108  whereby square base  108  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Safety plug  100  may have a threaded insert  110  that extends from square base  108  into a length of semi cylindrical portion  105  whereby threaded insert  110  does fully not extend to the upper end of semi cylindrical portion  105 . When safety plug  100  is positioned over outlet, the coaxial stud is received into the threaded insert whereby the user will twist/turn/screw in safety plug  100  on over the threads of the coaxial stud. Semi cylindrical portion  105  may have four cavities  160  separated by one or more partitions  125  extending along a length of square base  108 . Cavities  160  may be symmetrical around threaded insert  110  whereby cavities  160  have three sides forming a right angle pointed to a fourth inward curving side connected to two of the sides such that the fourth inward curving sides form a circle around threaded insert  110 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3A-3F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  200  is designed for a lower USB port on an outlet. Safety plug  200  has a semi cylindrical portion  205  and a square base  208  whereby square base  208  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  205  may have a plurality of separated cavities  260  extending along a length of square base  208 . 
     Safety plug  200  may have first row of cavities  260  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. Cavities in safety plug  200  as well as other plugs are crucial in strengthening the support of the plug. A second row of cavities  260  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  260  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. A third row of cavities  260  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  260  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities whereby cavities  260  in the third row are taller than cavities  260  in the second row. A fourth row of cavities  260  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  260  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities whereby cavities  260  in the fourth row are taller than cavities  260  in the first and second row. 
     Safety plug  200  may have an insert  210  that extends outward from square base  208 . When safety plug  200  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  200  may work on friction whereby insert  210  on the back of the plate will slide into the USB receptacle. Insert  210  may have two triangle portions and a rectangle portion connected to the bottom of the triangle portions whereby the portions extend outward from square base  208  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  205 . Triangle portions may be positioned between the inner cavities and outer cavities in the third row of cavities  260  and extend downward past the third row of cavities. Rectangle portion may be positioned between the inner cavities of the third row of cavities  260  and the inner cavities of the fourth row of cavities  260 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4A-4F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  300  is designed for a higher USB port on an outlet. Safety plug  300  is designed for a USB port on an outlet. Safety plug  300  has a semi cylindrical portion  305  and a square base  308  whereby square base  308  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  305  may have a plurality of separated cavities  360  extending along a length of square base  308 . Safety plug  300  may have first row of cavities  360  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. A second row of cavities  360  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  360  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. A third row of cavities  360  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  360  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities whereby cavities  360  in the third row are taller than cavities  360  in the second row. A fourth row of cavities  360  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  360  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities whereby cavities  360  in the fourth row are taller than cavities  360  in the first and second row. 
     Safety plug  300  may have an insert  310  that extends outward from square base  308 . When safety plug  300  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  300  may work on friction whereby insert  310  on the back of the plate will slide into the USB receptacle. Insert  310  may have two triangle portions and a rectangle portion connected to the bottom of the triangle portions whereby the portions extend outward from square base  308  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  305 . Triangle portions may be positioned between the inner cavities and outer cavities in the first row of cavities  360  and extend downward past the first row of cavities. Rectangle portion may be positioned between the inner cavities of the first row of cavities  360  and the inner cavities of the second row of cavities  360 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5A-5F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  400  is designed for a USB C port on an outlet. Safety plug  400  has a semi cylindrical portion  405  and a square base  408  whereby square base  408  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  405  may have a plurality of separated cavities  460  extending along a length of square base  408 . Safety plug  400  may have first row of cavities  460  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A second row of cavities  460  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  460  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A third row of cavities  460  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  460  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A fourth row of cavities  460  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  460  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities whereby cavities  460  in the second and third row are taller than cavities  460  in the first and fourth row. 
     Safety plug  400  may have an insert  410  that extends outward from square base  408 . When safety plug  400  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  400  may work on friction whereby insert  410  on the back of the plate will slide into the USB C receptacle. Insert  410  may have a discorectangle portion whereby the discorectangle portion extends outward from square base  408  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  405 . Discorectangle portion may be positioned between the inner cavities of the second row of cavities  460  and the inner cavities of the third row of cavities  460 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6A-6F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  500  is designed for an AC port on an outlet port as well as the two USB outlets below it but leaving the second AC port open and available for use. Safety plug  500  has a semi cylindrical portion  505  and a rectangle base  508  whereby rectangle base  508  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  505  may have a plurality of separated cavities  560  extending along a length of rectangle base  508 . Safety plug  500  may have first row of cavities  560  with an inner cavity wider than two outer cavities. A second row of cavities  560  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  560  with an inner cavity wider than two outer cavities. A third row of cavities  560  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  560  with an inner cavity wider than two outer cavities. A fourth row of cavities  560  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  560  with an inner cavity wider than two outer cavities whereby cavities  560  in the second and third row are shorter than cavities  560  in the first and fourth row. 
     Safety plug  500  may have an insert  510  that extends outward from rectangle base  508 . When safety plug  500  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  500  may work on friction whereby insert  510  on the back of the plate will slide into the AC receptacle. Insert  510  may have two prong portions whereby the prong portions extend outward from rectangle base  508  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  505 . Prong portions may be positioned between the inner of the first and second row of cavities  560  and the outer cavities of the first and second row of cavities  560 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 7A-7F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  600  is designed for an AC port on an outlet. Safety plug  600  has a semi cylindrical portion  605  and a rectangle base  608  whereby rectangle base  608  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  605  may have a plurality of separated cavities  660  extending along a length of rectangle base  608 . Safety plug  600  may have first row of cavities  660  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. A second row of cavities  660  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  660  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. A third row of cavities  660  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  660  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. A fourth row of cavities  660  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  660  with two outer cavities wider than two inner cavities. 
     Safety plug  600  may have an insert  610  that extends outward from rectangle base  608 . When safety plug  600  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  600  may work on friction whereby insert  610  on the back of the plate will slide into the AC receptacle. Insert  610  may have two prong portions whereby the prong portions extend outward from rectangle base  608  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  605 . Prong portions may be positioned between the inner of the third and fourth row of cavities  660  and the outer cavities of the third and fourth row of cavities  660 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 8A-8F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  700  is designed for an ethernet port on an outlet. Safety plug  700  has a semi cylindrical portion  705  and a square base  708  whereby square base  708  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  705  may have a plurality of separated cavities  760  extending along a length of square base  708 . Safety plug  700  may have first row of cavities  760  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A second row of cavities  760  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  760  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A third row of cavities  760  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  760  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A fourth row of cavities  760  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  760  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities whereby cavities  760  in the second and third row are taller than cavities  760  in the first and fourth row. 
     Safety plug  700  may have an insert  710  that extends outward from square base  708 . When safety plug  700  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  700  may work on friction whereby insert  710  on the back of the plate will slide into the ethernet receptacle. Insert  710  may have a two prong portions whereby the prong portion extends outward from square base  708  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  705 . Prong portions may be positioned between the inner cavities of the second row of cavities  760  and the inner cavities of the third row of cavities  760 . Insert may have middle component with two horizontal sides that outwardly curve into two vertical sides that extend downward from the two horizontal sides at a perpendicular angle. The two horizontal sides may be connected by a U-shaped side extending downward. The two vertical sides may be connected to two curved portions that extend downward and curve into a horizontal portion. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9A-9F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  800  is designed for a telephone port on an outlet. Safety plug  800  has a semi cylindrical portion  805  and a square base  808  whereby square base  808  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  805  may have a plurality of separated cavities  860  extending along a length of square base  808 . Safety plug  800  may have first row of cavities  860  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A second row of cavities  860  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  860  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A third row of cavities  860  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  860  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A fourth row of cavities  860  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  860  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities whereby cavities  860  in the second and third row are taller than cavities  860  in the first and fourth row. 
     Safety plug  800  may have an insert  810  that extends outward from square base  808 . When safety plug  800  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  800  may work on friction whereby insert  810  on the back of the plate will slide into the telephone receptacle. Insert  810  may have a two prong portions whereby the prong portion extends outward from square base  808  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  805 . Prong portions may be positioned between the inner cavities of the third row of cavities  860  and the inner cavities of the third row of cavities  860 . Insert may have middle component with two vertical sides that are connected by a U-shaped side extending downward. The two vertical sides may curve into a horizontal side. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 10A-10F , another exemplary embodiment of a safety plug is shown. Safety plug  900  is designed for a CAT 3 port on an outlet. Safety plug  900  has a semi cylindrical portion  905  and a square base  908  whereby square base  908  comes into contact with the wall that the outlet is positioned on. Semi cylindrical portion  905  may have a plurality of separated cavities  960  extending along a length of square base  908 . Safety plug  900  may have first row of cavities  960  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A second row of cavities  960  may be positioned below the first row of cavities  960  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A third row of cavities  960  may be positioned below the second row of cavities  960  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities. A fourth row of cavities  960  may be positioned below the third row of cavities  960  with two inner cavities wider than two outer cavities whereby cavities  960  in the second and third row are taller than cavities  960  in the first and fourth row. 
     Safety plug  900  may have an insert  910  that extends outward from square base  908 . When safety plug  900  is positioned over outlet, safety plug  900  may work on friction whereby insert  910  on the back of the plate will slide into the CAT 3 receptacle. Insert  910  may have a two prong portions whereby the prong portion extends outward from square base  908  opposite of the semi cylindrical portion  905 . Prong portions may be positioned between the inner cavities of the second row of cavities  960  and the inner cavities of the third row of cavities  960 . Insert may have middle component with two vertical sides that are connected by a U-shaped side extending downward. The two vertical sides may curve into a horizontal side. 
     The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications suited to the use contemplated.