Patent Publication Number: US-2023144131-A1

Title: Thin film electrical outlet cover insert

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S] 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/068,974, filed Oct. 13, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/913,652, filed on Oct. 10, 2019, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/068,974 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/933,060, filed on Jul. 20, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,011,867, issued on Apr. 28, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/599,007, filed on Oct. 10, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,720,727, issued on Jul. 21, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/795,650, filed on Jan. 23, 2019, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by this reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/599,007 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/405,189, filed on May 7, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,446,970, issued on Oct. 15, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/656,935, filed on Jul. 21, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,305,216, issued on May 28, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 62/367,336, filed on Jul. 27, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects of this document relate generally to covering an outlet, and more specifically to a face plate for covering the face of an outlet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrical outlets come in a variety of shapes and colors. When a homeowner desires to change the color of an electrical outlet, however, it is conventionally a tedious and expensive process. 
     Conventional electrical outlets are made of several components, including a wall box and an outlet (also called a receptacle), which is typically composed of pairs of sockets and a yoke. The outlet receptacle is typically attached to the wall box that is typically attached to a framing member inside the wall, and is accessible through a hole cut in the wall. A cover plate having apertures to allow the sockets to protrude is installed over these components, typically with one or two screws. Electrical devices are plugged in by inserting the plug blades through aligned apertures in the cover plate and socket. 
     A cover plate is installed after construction. It is a common practice to remove the cover plate during remodeling or redecorating so that it does not become damaged or defaced with paint drips and splatters, wallpaper paste, or other decorating materials. The conventional cover plate is easily removed by unscrewing the screw or screws that attach it directly to the receptacle. The receptacle, however, usually is not removed during remodeling or redecorating because it is hard-wired into the building&#39;s electrical system. Consequently, the receptacle and sockets are left exposed and the faces of the sockets become covered with paint splatters and the like. If not cleaned immediately, the face may become permanently defaced, thereby making the electrical outlet more unsightly and conspicuous. Repeated paintings only make the problem worse. Reinstalling the cover plate then emphasizes the paint-splattered surface of the outlet, as the defaced socket surface is compared to the pristine surface of the cover plate. 
     Cover plates are now available in a variety of colors and decorating textures to more closely go with any decor, and sometimes are even covered with wallpaper to match the wall. The underlying receptacles and cover plates are, however, made in standard colors, usually white, ivory, beige, and dark brown with other colors available at a higher cost, and unfortunately do not match many decorative cover plates. Because most cover plates allow the face of the sockets to be exposed, the sockets mismatch with cover plates and cause the outlets to be more conspicuous. But a homeowner generally is required to hire an electrical contractor to change existing receptacles to a new color to match the cover plates. Many, therefore, do not replace the receptacles due to the difficulty and cost associated with the change. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, an electrical outlet cover assembly comprises a cover plate and a face plate. The cover plate has an electrical outlet opening sized to receive an electrical outlet face therethrough. The face plate comprises a base and at least one electrical outlet face cavity. The electrical outlet face cavity may extend forward of the base and comprise a continuous sidewall surrounding the at least one cavity between the base and at least one face cover enclosing a front end of the at least one cavity. The at least one cavity may be sized to receive the electrical outlet face therein. A plurality of plug apertures may extend through the at least one face cover and be positioned to align with corresponding plug apertures in the electrical outlet face. The base may comprise a ridge extending outward from the sidewall behind the cover plate and in front of a yoke of the electrical outlet at an angle substantially perpendicular to the sidewall, the ridge comprising a ridge width larger than its thickness. 
     Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The ridge may extend outward from the sidewall for a majority of at least two sides of the face plate. The ridge may extend outward from the sidewall for a majority of at least four sides of the face plate. The face plate may be rectangular in shape and comprise first and second shorter sides and first and second longer sides, the longer sides having lengths longer than the shorter sides, and wherein the ridge may extend outward farther on the longer sides than on the shorter sides. The ridge width may be at least ⅛″. The face plate may be rectangular in shape and comprise first and second shorter sides and first and second longer sides, the longer sides having lengths longer than the shorter sides, and wherein the ridge may extend outward farther on the shorter sides than on the longer sides. The ridge on the shorter sides may comprise a box mounting screw opening in the ridge on each of the shorter sides. The ridge may be formed of a plurality of ridge segments each extending outward from the sidewall at an angle substantially perpendicular to the sidewall for the ridge width larger than its thickness. The at least one electrical outlet face cavity may comprise two electrical outlet face cavities extending forward of the base on the face plate, separated from each other by a gap, and wherein the base may comprise a screw aperture extending through the base between the two electrical outlet face cavities. The outlet face cavity may comprise a depth substantially equal to a height of the electrical outlet face and when the face plate is positioned on the electrical outlet face, the base of the face plate may rest against a base of the electrical outlet face and the ridge may extend outward in front of the base of the electrical outlet face. The outlet face cavity may comprise a depth substantially equal to a height of the electrical outlet face and when the face plate is positioned on the electrical outlet face, the base of the face plate may rest against a base of the electrical outlet face and the ridge may extend outward in front of the yoke of the electrical outlet. The cover plate may further comprise at least one screw opening through the cover plate. 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, a face plate for an electrical outlet cover assembly comprises a substantially planar base; at least one face cover substantially parallel to the base, and at least one continuous sidewall beginning at the base and ending at the face cover. The at least one face cover comprises a plurality of plug apertures extending through the face cover and aligned with corresponding plug apertures in a face of an electrical outlet. The at least one continuous sidewall may have a thickness less than 20 mils and extending between the base and the at least one face cover. The at least one continuous sidewall and the at least one face cover may define at least one electrical outlet face cavity existing forward of the substantially planar base. The base may further comprise a ridge extending outward from the beginning of the sidewall at an angle substantially perpendicular to the sidewall. 
     Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following features. The ridge may extend outward from the sidewall for a majority of at least two sides of the face plate. The ridge may extend outward from the sidewall for a majority of at least four sides of the face plate. The face plate may be rectangular in shape and may comprise first and second shorter sides and first and second longer sides, the longer sides having lengths longer than the shorter sides, and wherein the ridge may extend outward farther on the longer sides than on the shorter sides. The ridge width may be at least ⅛″. The face plate may be rectangular in shape and comprise first and second shorter sides and first and second longer sides, the longer sides having lengths longer than the shorter sides, and wherein the ridge may extend outward farther on the shorter sides than on the longer sides. The ridge on the shorter sides may comprise a box mounting screw opening in the ridge on each of the shorter sides. The ridge may be formed of a plurality of ridge segments each extending outward from the sidewall at an angle substantially perpendicular to the sidewall for the ridge width larger than its thickness. The at least one electrical outlet face cavity may comprise two electrical outlet face cavities extending forward of the base on the face plate, separated from each other by a gap, and wherein the base may comprise a screw aperture extending through the base between the two electrical outlet face cavities. The outlet face cavity may comprise a depth substantially equal to a height of an electrical outlet face and when the face plate is positioned on the electrical outlet face, the base of the face plate may rest against a base of the electrical outlet face and the ridge may extend outward in front of the base of the electrical outlet face. The outlet face cavity may comprise a depth substantially equal to a height of the electrical outlet face and when the face plate is positioned on the electrical outlet face, the base of the face plate may rest against a base of the electrical outlet face and the ridge may extend outward in front of a yoke of the electrical outlet. 
     Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are described below in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully aware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors&#39; intent and desire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to the interpretation of the specification and claims. 
     The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar. Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be further characterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, such noun, term, or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptive terms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts of English grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms, or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases be given their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in the applicable arts as set forth above. 
     Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards and application of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. Thus, the use of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the Detailed Description or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended to somehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6 are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases “means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word “function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . “or “step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or that perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of the inventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6 are invoked to define the claimed aspects, it is intended that these aspects not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described in alternative embodiments or forms of the disclosure, or that are well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and: 
         FIG.  1 A  shows a perspective view of an outlet assembly; 
         FIG.  1 B  shows an exploded view of the outlet assembly shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2 A  shows the front view of a face plate; 
         FIG.  2 B  shows the front perspective view of the face plate shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  2 C  shows the side view of the face plate shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  2 D  shows the rear perspective view of the face plate shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  3 A  shows the front view of an assembly of a face plate placed on an outlet; 
         FIG.  3 B  shows the side view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  4 A  shows the front view of an outlet assembly; 
         FIG.  4 B  shows the mid-sectional side view of the outlet assembly shown in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  5 A  shows a non-limiting embodiment of a face plate; 
         FIG.  5 B  shows another non-limiting embodiment of a face plate; 
         FIG.  6    shows the rear perspective view of an outlet cover assembly; 
         FIG.  7 A  shows a non-limiting embodiment of a face plate configured to couple with a decora outlet; 
         FIG.  7 B  shows the face plate shown in  FIG.  7 A  coupled with a decora outlet; 
         FIG.  7 C  shows an outlet assembly comprising a cover plate placed over the assembly shown in  FIG.  7 B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The problem of defacing electrical receptacles during painting and of a desire to change the color of a receptacle without changing the receptacle itself is age-old. Nevertheless, a simple, easily-installed, inexpensive face plate to make existing outlets more attractive and to match the homeowner&#39;s room decor has evaded invention. There has existed a long-felt need for a simple, inexpensive way to make electrical outlets more attractive, without having to resort to replacing the receptacle or entire wall box assembly. 
     This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific face plate or material types, or other system component examples, or methods disclosed herein. Many additional components, manufacturing and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with face plate manufacture are contemplated for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation. 
     The word “exemplary,” “example” or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of this disclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity. 
     While this disclosure includes embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated. 
     The present disclosure relates to face plates for electrical receptacles. It is contemplated that a face plate provides a simple solution to changing the color of an electrical receptacle to match any color decor of a wall or room, without the need to replace the electrical receptacle itself. For example,  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  show an electrical outlet assembly or outlet assembly  100  including a non-limiting embodiment of an electrical outlet cover assembly or outlet cover assembly  200  and an exploded view of the outlet assembly  100 ;  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  show the front, front perspective, side, and rear perspective views of a non-limiting embodiment of an electrical receptacle face plate, a face plate, or an outlet cover insert  102 . An outlet assembly  100  comprises an outlet cover assembly  200 ; an electrical outlet, outlet, electrical receptacle, or receptacle  104 ; and an electrical mounting box  106 . 
     An electrical outlet cover assembly  200  comprises a cover plate  302  and a face plate  102 . The cover plate  302  further comprises an electrical outlet opening or outlet opening  304  sized to receive an electrical outlet face, an outlet face, a face of the outlet, a face of the electrical outlet, electrical receptacle face, or receptacle face  108  therethrough. In some instances, the cover plate  302  further comprises at least one screw opening  306  through the cover plate  302 . 
     A face plate  102  comprises a base  202 , at least one face cover  210 , at least one continuous sidewall  208 , and a plurality of plug apertures  206 . The plug apertures  206  may extend through the at least one face cover  210  and positioned to align with the corresponding plug apertures or outlet plug apertures  110  in the electrical outlet face  108 . 
     The face plate  102  may further comprise at least one electrical outlet face cavity, outlet face cavity, or cavity  204  sized to receive the electrical outlet face  108  therein. The outlet face cavity  204  may comprise at least one continuous sidewall  208  and at least one face cover  210  enclosing the front end of the at least one cavity  204 . The sidewall  208  may begin at the base  202  and end at the face cover  210 , and extend between the base  202  and the face cover  210 . The sidewalls  208  and the face covers  210  may define the outlet face cavities  204 . The outlet face cavity  204  may extend forward of the base  202 . The sidewall  208  may surround the outlet face cavities between the base  202  and the face cover  210 . In some instances, the at least one outlet face cavity  204  may comprise two outlet face cavities  204  extending forward of the base  202  on the face plate  102  ( FIGS.  2 A- 2 D ). The cavities may be separated from each other by a gap  226 . The base may comprise a screw aperture  228  extending through the base  202  between the cavities  204 . In some instances, for a duplex receptacle where there is a recess between multiple receptacle faces, the face plate may be formed separately for each receptacle face. 
     The base  202  may be planar, or substantially planar. The base is substantially planar when the distance between the highest point of the base and the lowest point of the base is less than the depth  230  of the cavity  204 , less than half of the depth  230  of the cavity  204 , or less than one tenth of the depth  230  of the cavity  204 . The base  202  may comprise a ridge  212  extending outward from the sidewall  208 . The ridge  212  may extend outward from the beginning of the sidewall  208 . In some instances, the ridge  212  extends outward from the sidewall  208  for a majority of at least two sides of the face plate  102 . In some instances, the ridge  212  extends outward from the sidewall  208  for a majority of at least four sides of the face plate  102 . The ridge  212  may be behind the cover plate  302  and in front of the yoke  112  of the outlet  104 . The ridge  212  may be at an angle perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the sidewall  208 . Two surfaces or lines or a line and a surface are substantially perpendicular to each other when the angle between them is 80°-100°, 85°-95°, or 87°-92°. The ridge  212  may comprise a ridge width  214  larger than its thickness  216 . 
     The face cover  210  may be parallel or substantially parallel to the base  202 . Two surfaces or lines, or a line and a surface are substantially parallel to each other when the angle between them is −10°-10°, −5°-5°, or −2°-2°. The angle between two surfaces is the angle between the tangent planes of the two surfaces at their intersection; if the two surfaces do not intersect with each other if they are extended to infinity, the angle between them is 0° and the surfaces are parallel to each other. 
     In some instances, the face plate  102  is rectangular in shape and comprises first and second shorter sides  218  and first and second longer sides  220 . The longer sides  220  have lengths longer than the shorter sides  218 . The ridge  212  may extend outward farther on the longer sides  220  than on the shorter sides  218 , or extend outward farther on the shorter sides  218  than on the longer sides  220 . The ridge  512 ,  812  on the shorter sides  218  may comprise a box mounting screw opening  222 ,  822  in the ridge on each of the shorter sides  218  ( FIGS.  5 A- 5 B ). In some instances, the ridge width  214  is at least ⅛″. In some instances, the ridge is formed of a plurality of ridge segments  224 . Each of the ridge segments may extend outward from the sidewall  208  at an angle substantially perpendicular to the sidewall  208  for the ridge width  214  larger than the ridge thickness  216 . 
     To change the color or design of an outlet face, a face plate may be placed on the outlet face ( FIGS.  3 A- 3 B, and  7 B ). For example,  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  show the front and side views of a face plate  102  placed on an electrical outlet  104 . The face cover  210  may cover the outlet face  108 . The plug aperture  206  aligns with corresponding plug apertures  110  on the outlet  104 . 
     When the electrical outlet cover assembly  200  is coupled with an outlet  104 , the cover plate  302  may hold the ridge  212  in place and discourage the face plate from being pulled out of the cover plate  302  when the power plug is being pulled out of the outlet. The ridge  212  of the face plate  102  may extend around the opening and assist in retaining the face plate  102  against the cover plate  302  when in use. For example,  FIG.  6    shows a rear perspective view of an outlet cover assembly  200  where the ridge  212  of the face plate  102  extends around the outlet opening  304  (not shown) of the cover plate  302 . Although the ridge is shown continuous around the edge of the face plate, it should be understood that a continuous ridge is not required. Other ridge embodiments may comprise a discontinuous ridge or a ridge segment that extends out only at selected positions around the edge of the face plate, like at the corners and/or at the top and bottom of the face plate. 
     In some instances, the ridge segments  524 ,  824  may extend and form box mounting screw openings  222 ,  822  that allow box mounting screws to go through and the cover plate and the face plate to be retained together with the outlet (e.g., the face plates  502  and  802  shown in  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B ). The box mounting screw opening  222 ,  822  may be sized to allow a box mounting screw  118  to go through. The size of the box mounting screw opening  222 ,  822  may be slightly bigger than the diameter of the box mounting screw  118  so that the box mounting screw opening  222 ,  822  fits around the box mounting screw  118  and the ridge provides additional forces to limit the face plate  502 ,  802  or part of the face plate  502 ,  802  from coming out of and above the cover plate. 
     The face plate  102  may also be discouraged from coming out of the cover plate  302  by a device screw  120 . The cover plate  302  may be placed over the face plate  102  and coupled with the outlet  104  through a device screw  120  ( FIGS.  4 A and  4 B ). For example,  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate an example of an assembly of an outlet  104 , a cover plate  302 , and a face plate  102 . 
     The face plate  102  may also be discouraged from coming out of the cover plate  302  by the configuration of the face plate  102  ( FIGS.  4 A and  4 B ). The cavity  204  may comprise a depth  230  equal or substantially equal to the height  114  of the electrical outlet face  108 . Two distances are substantially equal to each other when the difference between the two distances is less than 40 mils (0.04 inch), less than 20 mils (0.02 inch), or less than 10 mils (0.01 inch). In some instances, when the face plate  102  is positioned on the electrical outlet face  108 , the base  202  of the face plate  102  may rest against the base  116  of the electrical outlet face  108  and the face plate  102  may be held tightly to the outlet by the ridges  212  held in place by the cover plate  302 . In some instances, when the face plate  102  is positioned on the electrical outlet face  108 , the ridge  212  may extend outward in front of the base  116  of the electrical outlet face  108 . In some instances, when the face plate  102  is positioned on the electrical outlet face  108 , the ridge  212  may extend outward in front of the yoke  112  of the electrical outlet  104 . 
     Although shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4 B and  6    as an embodiment configured to match the size, shape, and dimensions of a standard 15 amp, 125 volt duplex-style receptacle, the face plate may be manufactured according to the size, shape, and dimensions of any receptacle face including, without limitation, decora, round, GFCI, and for any voltage or prong configuration. 
     For example,  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B and  7 A- 7 C  show a non-limiting embodiment of a face plate  702  configured to be placed on a decora receptacle  704 .  FIG.  7 A  shows the face plate  702 .  FIG.  7 B  shows the face plate  702  being placed on the receptacle face  708  of receptacle  704 , where the plug apertures  706  are aligned with the corresponding plug apertures  710  on the outlet  704 .  FIG.  7 C  shows that a cover plate  602  is placed over the assembly shown in  FIG.  7 B , where the cover plate  602  receives the face cover  810  of the face plate  702  through the outlet opening  604  of the cover plate  602  and the outlet cover assembly  700  is further retained on the outlet  704  through the box mounting screws  118 . 
     The gap between the face plate and the cover plate opening may be small so that the face plate combined with the receptacle and the cover plate makes the cover plate appear to be almost continuous with the face plate without noticeable gaps between the two ( FIGS.  1 A,  4 A- 4 B, and  7 C ). This adds to the attractive appearance of the outlet cover assembly, helps to hide the color of the underlying receptacle, and assists in retaining the face plate and its ridges against the outlet face during use of the receptacle. 
     Although the particular configurations shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4 B,  6 , and  7 A- 7 C  result in a rectangular shape of the face plate, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the overall peripheral shape of the face plate and corresponding ridge may be any shape, including, without limitation, rectangular, round, square, or any other shape, including shapes corresponding to the shape of the receptacle face to which the receptacle face plate is configured for application (e.g.,  FIGS.  5 A- 5 B ). In some instances, the face plate may be configured to couple with a multi-gang outlet installation, where the outlet comprises two or more gangs of outlets and the face plate comprises a multi-gang application with one application of a face plate coupled with one gang of outlets. 
     The face plate may be made of plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other suitable material known to a person skilled in the art. The face plate may be clear or colored. Where the face plate is clear, the internal surface and/or external surface of the plastic may be painted by the user to match the wall paint color or any other color desired. The internal and/or external surface of the face plate may also be molded with a textured surface to assist with paint adhesion or any other purposes. 
     The thickness of the face plate may vary at its various parts. The face plate is formed with a side wall thin enough to fit between the edge of the receptacle face and the receptacle cover plate. The thickness  232  of the sidewall may be less than 20 mils, less than 10 mils, or less than 6 mils. In some instances, the thickness of the side wall may be 8 mils. The thickness of the front of the face plate and the ridge may be thicker than 10 mils if desired and if the manufacturing technique used allows for differing thicknesses on different parts of the face plate. The face plate may be manufactured by vacuum-forming face plates in a mold, or injection molding. Both allow for thin wall thicknesses, apertures, and shapes needed for various receptacle shapes, sizes, and configurations. 
     It will be understood that the embodiments disclosed are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with the intended operation of a method and/or system implementation for such an embodiment may be used. Accordingly, for example, although particular component examples may be disclosed, such components may be comprised of any shape, size, style, type, model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended purpose, method and/or system of implementation. 
     In places where the description above refers to particular implementations or embodiments, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit thereof and that these principles and modifications may be applied to other such embodiments. The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods, apparatus, and systems. The presently-disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated. Many additional components and manufacturing and assembly procedures known in the art or consistent with face plates and outlet cover assemblies are contemplated for use with particular implementations in this disclosure. For example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation. In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of face plates and outlet cover assemblies, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. All changes that come within the meaning of and range of equivalency of the description are intended to be embraced therein.