Patent Publication Number: US-8110742-B2

Title: Temporary protective cover for an electrical box

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/448,298, which was filed on Jun. 7, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,781, in the name of Carlo Compagnone, Jr., which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/947,651, which was filed on Sep. 22, 2004, in the name of Carlo Compagnone, Jr., now U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,874, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/459,268, which was filed on Jun. 11, 2003, in the name of Carlo Compagnone, Jr., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,867,370, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/170,101, which was filed on Jun. 12, 2002, in the name of Carlo Compagnone, Jr., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,540, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/800,141, which was filed on Mar. 5, 2001, in the name of Carlo Compagnone, Jr., now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/590,103, which was filed on Jun. 8, 2000, in the name of Carlo Compagnone, Jr., now abandoned, all of the above being incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical wiring and, more particularly, to electrical boxes for electrical wiring. 
     Electrical boxes are well known in the art and are commonly used to perform two principal functions. First, an electrical box commonly serves as a mounting structure for installing an electrical device, such as an outlet, switch or fixture, into a covering, such as a wall or ceiling panel. Second, an electrical box commonly serves as a connection point for coupling the electrical device to electrical wires which, in turn, are connected to a main power source. 
     Electrical boxes are commonly manufactured in various shapes and sizes. The particular size and shape of an electrical box is based largely upon the particular application in which the box is to be used. Specifically, different types of electrical boxes are constructed according to the location in which the electrical box is to be installed. For example, a wall box is one well known type of electrical box which is commonly used as a mounting structure for installing an electrical device, such as an outlet or switch, into a wall and as a connection point for electrically coupling the device to a main power source. As another example, a ceiling box is another well known type of electrical box which is commonly used as a mounting structure for installing an electrical device, such as a light or fan, into a ceiling and as a connection point for electrically coupling the device to a main power source. 
     Electrical boxes are also commonly manufactured out of different materials. As a first example, electrical boxes are commonly constructed of metal. Metal electrical boxes are desirable in that they are considerably durable and sturdy in construction. However, metal electrical boxes are undesirable in that they require proper grounding in order to avoid dangerous electrical conditions. As a second example, electrical boxes are also commonly constructed of a nonmetallic material, such as plastic. Nonmetallic electrical boxes are desirable in that they are considerably inexpensive to manufacture and do not require electrical grounding. 
     Electrical boxes are further constructed to include different mounting devices based upon the stage in construction when the electrical box is installed. For example, an old-work, or cut-in, electrical box is one well known type electrical box which is designed to be mounted into a hole in a covering, such as a wall or ceiling panel, which is already mounted onto one or more support beams. As another example, a new-work electrical box is another well known type of electrical box which is designed to be installed directly on a support beam before the covering is mounted onto the support beams. 
     Electrical boxes are typically shaped to include a back panel and one or more side panels which project out perpendicularly out from the back panel. The back panel and the one or more side panels together define an interior cavity into which electrical wiring is disposed. Each of the one or more side panels includes a free front edge, the free front edges of the one or more side panels together defining an open front end which provides access into the interior cavity of the electrical box. The particular volume of the interior cavity of the box is typically designed based upon the number of wires entering the box and the type and number of devices attached onto the box. Electrical boxes also commonly include one or more outwardly projecting tabs which facilitate mounting the box onto a structure. Specifically, each outwardly projecting tab is adapted to receive a securing device, such as a nail or screw, which, in turn, can be disposed into a structure, such as a support beam or wall panel, so as to fixedly mount the box onto the structure. 
     In use, a nonmetallic, new-work wall box can be used to install an electrical receptacle, or outlet, into a wall in the following manner. During the preliminary stages of constructing a building, support beams, typically in the form of wooden two-by-fours, are typically erected in order to define the general room configurations of the building. With the support beams erected, a nail disposed through each tab of the wall box is driven into a support beam, thereby fixedly mounting the wall box onto an associated support beam at a desired location within a room of the building. 
     With the wall box mounted onto the support beam as such, electrical wiring which is coupled to the main electrical power source is run amongst the support beams and into the various rooms of the building. Particular wires of the electrical wiring are fed through the wall box and into its interior cavity in order to provide electrical power to the outlet which is subsequently installed in the wall box. Specifically, selected wires which are coupled to the main electrical power source are passed through openings which are provided in the back panel or in one or more of the side panels, the openings commonly being created by removing break-away tabs which are pre-formed in the box. 
     Having mounted the wall box onto an associated support beam and having fed selected electrical wires into the interior cavity of the wall box as noted above, various sections of wall paneling, such as blue board, are then mounted onto the support beams to enclose the various rooms of the building. It should be noted that the sections of wall paneling are typically mounted onto the support beams directly over the wall box. In fact, the sections of wall paneling typically are mounted onto the support beams so as to abut directly against the open front end of the box. Because the wall paneling abuts against the open front end of the wall box, the section of wall paneling which is disposed directly over the wall box is often slightly raised or bubbled. 
     As can be appreciated, with the wall panels mounted onto the support beams directly over the wall box, an electrician is unable to access the interior cavity of the wall box and, as a result, is unable to install the electrical outlets into the wall. Accordingly, a worker is required to create an opening in the wall panels at the location of the wall box in order to provide a means of accessing the interior cavity of the wall box. Conventionally, a router is used to pierce through the wall panels and cut out the wall box. 
     Once the wall panels have been cut so as to expose the interior recess of the wall box, a worker plasters the wall panels. After the wall panels have been plastered, another worker paints the wall panels, thereby completing construction of the wall of the room. With construction of the wall having been completed, an electrician connects one or more electrical outlets to the wires which are disposed within the interior cavity of the wall box in order to electrically connect the outlets to the main power source. After electrically connecting the outlets to the main power source, the outlets are mounted within the interior recess of the wall box and are fixedly retained in place by screwing one or more screws through openings formed in the electrical outlets and into engagement with a threaded bore formed in the wall box. A plastic cover plate is then commonly mounted over the outlets and is fixedly secured in place by one or more screws. 
     Although well known and widely used in commerce, electrical boxes of the type described above often suffer from some notable drawbacks. 
     As a first example, it has been found that disposing electrical wires within an electrical box having an open front end leaves the wires exposed during subsequent stages of construction, which is highly undesirable. Specifically, when an operator uses a router to cut an opening in the panels in order to access the interior cavity of a new-work box, the router, on occasion, will contact the wires disposed within the box. As a consequence, it has been found that establishing contact between the router and the wires can significantly damage the wires and/or create a potentially dangerous condition, which is highly undesirable. 
     As a second example, it has been found that, when a plasterer plasters over the wall panels or when a router cuts out a new-work wall box, significant amounts of debris can often accumulate within the interior cavity of the wall box. As a result, an electrician is forced to clean out the debris which has collected within the wall box before installing the electrical device, thereby rendering the work of the electrician more labor intensive, which is highly undesirable. Accordingly, temporary removable covers for enclosing electrical boxes are well known in the art. 
     As an example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,974 to J. Erdfarb there is disclosed a paint cover including a plate having a front and rear surface. The front surface has a top, bottom and side portion. The top, bottom and side continuous outer edges project rearward from the front surface, wherein the outer edge is curved and tapered. The rear surface has a top, bottom and side portions and a flexible arm extending rearwardly from each of the side portions of the rear surface, wherein the arms upon insertion into an outlet assembly frictionally engage the inside of the assembly so as to extend a force to secure the paint cover to an outlet box. 
     As another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,952 to R. L. Green there is disclosed a temporary protective cover for electrical outlet boxes and the like which prevents the boxes from being covered with wall material during installation, prevents paint and plaster from entering the boxes during finishing operations, and also prevents electrical shock from contact with exposed wires. The cover is molded in one piece and is constructed of polymeric material. The cover is universally dimensioned to cover the box openings of all conventionally sized boxes and includes a base member for encasing electrical elements positioned in and extending outwardly from the boxes. A plurality of retaining members frictionally secure the cover over the box openings. A plurality of projections extend from the cover to indicate the location of the box openings, to mark the periphery thereof on drywall for subsequent cutting, and to prevent wire damage during cutting. A plurality of holes are also provided in the cover for receiving fasteners to provide further securement of the cover over the openings. 
     As another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,562,222 to R. L. Jordan, there is disclosed a temporary cover for electrical outlet boxes which seals such boxes during the finishing stages of building construction, for plastering and wallboard work on interior walls and the like. The cover comprises a very thin sheet of continuous, unbroken material having an inwardly extending flange which is sized to frictionally engage the inner surfaces of the walls of the outlet box. The cover is pressed into place in the box opening, and plastering or wallboard joint compound work may be performed without possibility of contaminating the electrical box with plaster, wallboard joint compound, or similar materials, and/or possibly completely filling the box with the subsequent problems of locating the concealed box and/or accessing wiring or other components therein which have been covered by plaster or other material. The cover may be removed easily by an inwardly protruding grip, and may be economically discarded after a single use due to its construction of thin vacuum formed plastic or the like. Advertising or other messages may be applied to the surface of the opaque, translucent or transparent cover, and the cover may be made of transparent materials in order that persons may view any wiring or components within the electrical box. 
     As another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,711 to C. F. Stuchlik, III., there is disclosed a protective cover for electrical outlet boxes and the like which prevents the outlet box from being covered during installation of drywall and prevents entry of debris into the outlet box while permitting the interior of the outlet box to be readily accessible. The cover is provided with projections extending from the cover for indicating the location of the outlet box in the drywall, prior to being covered by the drywall while also providing a manner in which to mark reference points on the drywall for subsequent cutting. The cover can be of a reusable form or can be integrally molded with the outlet box. 
     Although well known in the art, covers of the type described above often suffer from a notable drawback. Specifically, it has been found that covers of the type described above are often insufficiently retained onto electrical outlet boxes. As a result, such covers are susceptible of being inadvertently removed from the electrical box outlet during use, which is highly undesirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cover for an electrical box. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cover as described above which can be removably mounted onto an electrical box which, in turn, can be used as a mounting structure for installing an electrical device, such as an outlet, switch or fixture, into a covering, such as a wall or ceiling panel. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cover as described above which can be removably mounted onto an electrical box which, in turn, can be used as a connection point for coupling the electrical device to electrical wiring which, in turn, is coupled to a main power source. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cover as described above which can be removably mounted onto an electrical box which, in turn, is sized and shaped to include an interior cavity into which the electrical wiring is disposed. 
     It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a cover as described above which is sized and shaped to protect the electrical wiring which is disposed within the interior cavity of the electrical box. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a cover as described above which is sized and shaped to prevent debris from collecting within the interior cavity of the electrical box. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cover as described above which can be sufficiently retained onto the electrical box. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a cover which can be removably mounted onto a plaster ring which in turn can be removably mounted onto an electrical box, such as a commercial type electrical box. 
     Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a temporary protective cover for an electrical box, said electrical box including an interior cavity and an open front end in communication with the interior cavity, said cover comprising a plate sized and shaped to enclose the open front end of said electrical box, and a pair of wings formed onto said plate, said pair of wings being adapted to secure said cover onto said electrical box, wherein each wing comprises a leg and a foot, said leg comprising a first end formed onto said plate and a second end, said foot being formed onto the second end of said leg. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a temporary protective cover for an electrical box, said electrical box including an interior cavity and an open front end in communication with the interior cavity, said cover comprising a plate sized and shaped to enclose the open front end of said electrical box, said plate including a front surface, a rear surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a right side edge and a left side edge, and a pair of wings which extend rearwardly from the rear surface of said plate, said pair of wings being adapted to secure said cover onto said electrical box, wherein said first wing is spaced in from the left side edge of said plate and said second wing is spaced in from the right side edge of said plate. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a temporary protective cover for a circular type electrical box, said electrical box including an interior cavity and a circularly shaped open front end in communication with the interior cavity, said cover comprising a circular plate sized to enclose the open front end of said electrical box, said plate including a pair of flexible wings for use in securing said plate to said electrical box and a pair of punch-outs for use in securing said plate to said electrical box. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a temporary protective cover for an electrical box, said electrical box including an interior cavity and an open front end in communication with the interior cavity, said cover comprising a plate sized and shaped to be removably mounted onto a plaster ring which is mounted onto the electrical box, said cover having a pair of wings, said pair of wings being adapted to secure said cover onto said plaster ring. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a temporary protective cover for an electrical box on which is mounted a plaster ring, the cover comprising a plate having a pair of wings and a pair of posts. 
     Additional objects, as well as features and advantages, of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which is shown by way of illustration particular embodiments for practicing the invention. The embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like parts: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a one embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the cover being shown mounted onto an electrical box; 
         FIG. 2  is a side section view of the cover and the electrical box shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along lines  2 - 2 , the electrical box being shown with electrical wires disposed into its interior cavity; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the cover shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a pair of the electrical boxes shown in  FIG. 1 , each electrical box being shown mounted on an associated support beam; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective, exploded view of the cover and the electrical box shown in  FIG. 1 , the electrical box being shown mounted on an associated support beam; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cover and the electrical box shown in  FIG. 1 , the electrical box being shown mounted on an associated support beam, paneling being shown mounted over the paneling and the electrical box, the portion of the paneling covering the cover being cut out; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded, perspective view of the cover, electrical box and paneling shown in  FIG. 9 , the cover being shown removed from the electrical box; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded, perspective view of the cover, electrical box and paneling shown in  FIG. 9 , the electrical box being shown with an electrical outlet mounted thereto, the electrical box being shown with a cover plate aligned for mounting thereto over the electrical outlet; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective, exploded view of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the cover being shown aligned for mounting onto an electrical box which, in turn, is mounted on an associated support beam; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective, exploded view of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the cover being shown aligned for mounting onto an electrical box which, in turn, is mounted onto an associated support beam; 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cover assembly for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the cover assembly being shown mounted onto an electrical box; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective, exploded view of the cover assembly and the electrical box shown in  FIG. 14 , the electrical box being shown mounted on an associated support beam; 
         FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a front plan view of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a top plan view of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a right side plan view of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an exploded right side plan view of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a right side section view of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 14 , taken along lines  21 - 21 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a right side section view of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 14 , taken along lines  21 - 21 , the cover assembly being shown with an inward force applied onto the inward mounting post; 
         FIGS. 23(   a )-( d ) show a sequence of right side views of the cover assembly shown in  FIG. 14  as the cover assembly is mounted onto the electrical box, the electrical box being shown in section along lines  21 - 21 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a top perspective view of the cover shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a front plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 28  is an end view of cover shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 29  is an enlarged, fragmentary, view of the cover shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 30  is an enlarged, fragmentary, view showing the wing in cover shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIGS. 31(   a )-( c ) show a sequence of views as the cover in  FIG. 24  is mounted onto an electrical box, the electrical box being shown in section; 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view taken from the top of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32A  is a top plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 32B  is a right side view of the cover shown in  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 32C  is a section view taken along lines  32 C- 32 C in  FIG. 32A ; 
         FIG. 33  is a front view of the cover shown in  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view taken from the top of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 35  is a front view of the cover shown in  FIG. 34 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a top perspective view taken from the top of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 37  is a front view of the cover shown in  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view taken from the top of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 39  is a front view of the cover shown in  FIG. 38 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view taken from the top of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 41  is a front view of the cover shown in  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view from the bottom of the cover shown in  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a top plan view of the cover shown in  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 44  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cover shown in  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a perspective view of a two gang electrical box made of plastic with which the tenth embodiment of the invention may be used; 
         FIG. 46  is a view showing the cover in  FIG. 40  mounted on the electrical box in  FIG. 45 ; 
         FIG. 47  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 48  is a right side view of the cover shown in  FIG. 47 ; 
         FIG. 49  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 50A ,  50 B and  50 C are enlarged front, top and side views, respectively, of one of the pins in the cover shown in  FIG. 49 ; 
         FIG. 51  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a cover for an electrical box constructed according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 52A ,  52 B and  52 C are enlarged front, top and side views, respectively, of one of the pins in the cover shown in  FIG. 51 ; 
         FIGS. 53A and 53B  are perspective and front views, respectively, of another embodiment of a cover constructed according to this invention; 
         FIGS. 54A ,  54 B and  54 C are enlarged front, top and side views, respectively, of one of the pins in the cover shown in  FIG. 53 ; 
         FIGS. 55A and 55B  are perspective and front views, respectively, of another embodiment of a cover constructed according to this invention; 
         FIGS. 56A and 56B  are enlarged side and top views, respectively, of one of the pins in the cover in  FIG. 55 ; 
         FIG. 56C  is an enlarged view showing the rib in the pin in  FIG. 56  at the top and at the bottom and  FIG. 56D  is an enlarged front view of the pin in  FIG. 56A ; 
         FIG. 57A  is a perspective view of a rectangular commercial outlet box; 
         FIG. 57B  is a perspective view of a rectangular plaster ring having a rectangular single gang opening which can be mounted on the commercial outlet box shown in  FIG. 57A . Also shown is a single gang cover according to this invention which is removably mounted on the rectangular plaster ring; 
         FIG. 58A through 58D  are perspective, top, side and front views, respectively, of the cover shown in  FIG. 57B ; 
         FIG. 58E  is a fragmentary view of the cover and plaster ring shown in  FIG. 57B ; 
         FIG. 59  is a perspective view of a two gang rectangular plaster ring which can be mounted on the electric box shown in  FIG. 57A ; 
         FIG. 60A ,  FIG. 60B ,  FIG. 60C ,  FIG. 60D  and  FIG. 60E  are perspective, top, front, side and fragmentary views, respectively, of a two gang commercial cover according to this invention which can be removably mounted onto the two gang rectangular plaster ring shown in  FIG. 59 ; 
         FIG. 60F  is a fragmentary front view of the cover in  FIG. 60D  mounted on the plaster ring in  FIG. 59 ; 
         FIG. 61  is a perspective view of a circular commercial electrical outlet box; 
         FIG. 62  is a perspective view taken from the top of a circular plaster ring which can be mounted on the outlet box shown in  FIG. 61 ; 
         FIG. 62A ,  FIG. 62B ,  FIG. 62C ,  FIG. 62D  and  FIG. 62E  are perspective, top, front, side and fragmentary views, respectively, of a cover according to this invention which can be removably mounted onto the circular plaster ring shown in  FIG. 62 ; 
         FIGS. 63A ,  63 B,  63 C,  63 D and  63 E are perspective, bottom, top, side and front views, respectively, of another cover which can be mounted on the single gang rectangular ring shown in  FIG. 57B .  FIG. 63F  is an enlarged fragmentary end view of one of the covers in  FIG. 63A , and  FIG. 63G  is a fragmentary view of one of the wings in  FIG. 63A .  FIG. 63H  is an enlarged side view of one of the posts in  FIG. 63A ,  FIG. 63I  is an enlarged perspective view of one of the wings in  FIG. 63A , and  FIGS. 63J and 63K  are enlarged top and side views, respectively, of one of the posts in  FIG. 63A . 
         FIGS. 64A ,  64 B,  64 C,  64 D and  64 E are perspective, fragmentary, full top, partial top and front views, respectively, of another cover which can be mounted on a two gang rectangular plastic ring, such as the plaster ring shown in  FIG. 59 ; 
         FIG. 64F  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cover shown in  FIG. 64E ; 
         FIG. 64G  is a side view of the cover shown in  FIG. 64E ; and 
         FIG. 64H  is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the posts shown in  FIG. 64G . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the Figures, and first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. For purposes of identification, the electrical box is represented generally by reference numeral  13  and the cover is represented generally by reference numeral  15 . 
     As will be described further in detail below, electrical box  13  serves two principal functions. First, electrical box  13  serves as a mounting structure for installing an electrical device, such as an outlet, switch or fixture, into a covering, such as a wall or ceiling panel. Second, electrical box  13  serves as a connection point for coupling the electrical device to electrical wires which, in turn, are connected to a main power source. 
     Electrical box  13  is a conventional new-work, electrical wall box which is constructed out of a nonmetallic material, such as plastic. Electrical box  13  is represented herein as a single gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box which is sized and shaped to receive a single electrical outlet). However, it is to be understood that cover  15  is not limited for use with single gang electrical boxes. Rather, cover  15  could be modified in size and shape to be used in conjunction with alternative types of electrical boxes, as will be described further in detail below. 
     Electrical box  13  is an integral unit and comprises a rectangular back panel  17 , a left side panel  19  having a free front edge  20 , a right side panel  21  having a free front edge  22 , a top panel  23  having a free front edge  24  and a bottom panel  25  having a free front edge  26 . Panels  19 ,  21 ,  23  and  25  extend orthogonally out from back panel  17  so as to define a box-shaped interior cavity  27  therebetween. Free edges  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  together define an open front end  29  in communication with interior cavity  27 , open front end  29  providing access to interior cavity  27  of box  13 . 
     Electrical box  13  also comprises a tab  31  which is integrally formed onto exterior surface  32  of top panel  23 . Tab  31  is shaped to include opening (not shown) through which a nail N can be disposed in order to mount electrical box  13  on a support member, as will be described further in detail below. It should be noted that electrical box  13  is not limited to a single tab  31 . Rather, electrical box  13  could alternatively include a plurality of tabs  31  formed thereon for securing electrical box  13  onto a support member without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should also be noted that electrical box  13  is not limited to tab  31  being formed onto top panel  23 . Rather, electrical box  13  could be alternatively constructed so that tab  31  is formed onto a different panel of box  13 , such as back panel  17 , left side panel  19 , right side panel  21  or bottom panel  25 , without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Electrical box  13  further comprises a plurality of openings  33  which are formed in back panel  17 . Preferably, openings  33  are formed in back panel  17  through the use of break-away tabs (not shown) and are sized and shaped to enable selected electrical wiring to be disposed through electrical box  13  and into interior cavity  27 . It should be noted that electrical box  13  is not limited to openings  33  being formed in back panel  17 . Rather, electrical box  13  could be alternatively constructed so that openings  33  are formed onto a different panel of box  13 , such as left side panel  19 , right side panel  21 , top panel  23  or bottom panel  25 , without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Electrical box  13  additionally comprises a first elongated projection  35  which is integrally formed onto top panel  23  and a second elongated projection  37  which is integrally formed onto bottom panel  25 . First elongated projection  35  is generally tubular in shape and includes an elongated threaded bore  36 . Similarly, second elongated projection  37  is generally tubular in shape and includes an elongated threaded bore  38 . As will be described further in detail below, bores  36  and  38  are used to mount an electrical outlet onto electrical box  13 . 
     It should be noted that the particular construction of electrical box  13  does not serve as a feature of the present invention. Accordingly, electrical box  13  could be replaced with alternative types of electrical boxes which are well known in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     For example, electrical box  13  is shown as being constructed of a nonmetallic material. However, it is to be understood that electrical box  13  is not limited to being constructed of a nonmetallic material. Rather, electrical box could be constructed of alternative materials, such as metal, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As another example, electrical box  13  is represented as a wall box. However, it is to be understood that electrical box  13  is not limited to a wall box. Rather, electrical box  13  could represent alternative types of electrical boxes which are disposed in different structures, such as ceiling boxes, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As another example, electrical box  13  is represented as a new-work box. However, it is to be understood that electrical box  13  is not limited to a new-work box. Rather, electrical box  13  could represent alternative types of electrical boxes which are utilized at different stages of construction, such as old-work boxes, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As another example, electrical box  13  is represented as an integral electrical box. However, it is to be understood that electrical box  13  is not limited to being a one-piece electrical box. Rather, electrical box  13  could alternatively be constructed of multiple pieces without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As noted above, the particular construction of electrical box  13  does not serve as a feature of the present invention. Rather, it should be noted that the novelty of the present invention relates to the construction of cover  15  and to the use of cover  15  to enclose open front end  29  of electrical box  13 , as will be described further in detail below. 
     Specifically, cover  15  is sized and shaped to be removably mounted on electrical box  13  over open front end  29  so as to enclose interior cavity  27 . In this manner, cover  15  serves to protect electrical wiring which is disposed within interior cavity  27  and to prevent debris from collecting within interior cavity, which is highly desirable. 
     Cover  15  is preferably constructed of a durable and inexpensive material, such as plastic, and comprises a tray  39 , a flange  41  and a handle  43  which are integrally formed together to make cover  15  a single piece, as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . It should be noted that cover  15  is not limited to having a one-piece construction. Rather, cover  15  could alternatively be constructed of multiple pieces without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Tray  39  comprises an end wall  45  and a plurality of sidewalls  47 ,  49 ,  51  and  53  which extend orthogonally out from end wall  45  so as to define a box-shaped recess  55  therebetween. It should be noted that, with cover  15  mounted on electrical box  13 , tray  39  is sized and shaped to press-fit within interior cavity  27 . Specifically, tray  39  is sized and shaped to fit snugly within interior cavity  27 , with sidewall  47  frictionally abutting against left side panel  19 , sidewall  49  frictionally abutting against right side panel  21 , sidewall  51  frictionally abutting against elongated, tubular projection  35  and sidewall  53  frictionally abutting against elongated tubular projection  37 . 
     Flange  41  is orthogonally formed onto sidewalls  47 ,  49 ,  51  and  53  and comprises a generally flat top surface  57  and a generally flat bottom surface  59 . It should be noted that, with cover  15  mounted on electrical box  13 , flange  41  is sized and shaped so that bottom surface  59  abuts against electrical box  13  at open front end  29  so as to prevent cover  15  from being disposed entirely within interior cavity  27 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Handle  43  is disposed within recess  55  of tray  35  and comprises a pair of finger gripping surfaces  61  and  63 . It should be noted that an operator utilizes handle  43  for mounting cover  15  onto electrical box  13  and, similarly, for removing cover  15  from electrical box  13 , as will be described further in detail below. 
     Handle  43  is shown as being generally in the shape of a thin rectangular panel. However, it is to be understood that handle  43  could be formed into alternative shapes, such as a C-shaped or U-shaped handle, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Handle  43  is also shown as being formed onto end wall  45 , extending between sidewall  51  and sidewall  53  and lying flush with top surface  57  of flange  41 . However, it is to be understood that handle  43  could be alternatively disposed, such as being formed entirely onto end wall  45 , without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     In use, electrical box assembly  13  can be used as a mounting structure for installing an electrical outlet into a wall panel and as a connection point for coupling an electrical outlet to electrical wires which, in turn, are connected to a main power source in the following manner. Specifically, during the preliminary stages of constructing a building, support beams S, typically in the form of wooden two-by-fours, are erected in order to define the general room configurations of the building, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Electrical box  13  is then mounted onto a support beam S in a location which optimizes the accessibility of an electrical outlet within the room. Specifically, a nail N is disposed through tab  31  and is driven into support beam S so as to fixedly mount electrical box  13  onto beam S, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Electrical wires, which are connected to a main power source, are run along the support beams S and are disposed through openings  33  so as to project into interior cavity  27 . 
     Cover  15  is then securely mounted onto electrical box  13 . Once completed, wall panel W is mounted onto support beams S over electrical box  13  and cover  15 . In order to access electrical box  13 , a router is used to cut wall panel W around cover  15 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Wall panel W is then plastered and painted for aesthetic purposes, thereby completing construction of the walls of the room. As can be appreciated, with cover  15  securely mounted onto electrical box  13 , cover  15  serves to protect electrical wires E from being damaged by the router when cutting wall panel W, which is an object of the present invention. In addition, with cover  15  securely mounted onto electrical box  13 , cover  15  serves to prevent debris from collecting within interior cavity  27  of electrical box  13 , which is another object of the present invention. 
     Upon completion of the wall construction, an electrician removes cover  15  from electrical box  13  using handle  43 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , and either discards cover  15  or stores cover  15  for future use. With cover  15  removed from electrical box  13 , the electrician couples outlet O to electrical wires E and fixedly mounts outlet O onto electrical box  13  by passing a pair of screws  65  through a pair of preformed openings in outlet O and into engagement within threaded bores  36  and  38  in electrical box  13 . With outlet O electrically coupled to wires E and fixedly mounted onto electrical box  13 , a plastic cover plate  66  is mounted over outlet O. Specifically, a screw (not shown) is passed through a preformed opening  67  in cover and into engagement with a threaded bore  68  which is formed in outlet O. 
     As noted briefly above, cover  15  is not limited in its size and shape. Rather, the size and shape of cover  15  could be modified to enable cover  15  to be mounted on different types of electrical boxes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As an example, referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. For purposes of identification, the electrical box is represented generally by reference numeral  73  and the cover is represented generally by reference numeral  75 . 
     Electrical box  73  is a conventional new-work, electrical wall box which differs from electrical box  13  only in that electrical box  73  is a three gang electrical box (i.e., designed to be used as a mounting structure for three electrical devices), whereas electrical box  13  is a single gang electrical box (i.e., designed to be used as a mounting structure for a single electrical device). Accordingly, cover  75  differs from cover  15  in that cover  75  is substantially larger than cover  15 . Specifically, cover  75  is sized and shaped to be removably mounted onto electrical box  73 , which is considerably larger than electrical box  13 , and includes a pair of handles  77  to facilitate handling cover  75 . 
     As another example, referring now to  FIG. 13 , there is disclosed a third embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. For purposes of identification, the electrical box is represented generally by reference numeral  83  and the cover is represented generally by reference numeral  85 . 
     Electrical box  83  is a conventional new-work, electrical box which differs from electrical box  13  only in that electrical box  83  is designed to be used as a ceiling box, whereas electrical box  13  is designed to be used as a wall box. As such, electrical box  83  preferably has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises a circular back panel  87  and a single cylindrical side panel  89  which extends orthogonally out from back panel  87 . Side panel  89  includes a pair of threaded mounting screw holes  90  and  92  for use in mounting thereto an outlet, such as the outlet shown in  FIG. 11 . Accordingly, cover  85  differs from cover  15  in that cover  85  is generally circular in shape so as to enable cover  85  to be removably mounted onto electrical box  83 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14-23 , there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover assembly which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover assembly being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  115 . 
     Cover assembly  115  differs from cover  15  in that cover assembly  115  is constructed to be removably mounted onto electrical box  13  using a spring-loaded mounting technique, as will be described further in detail below, whereas cover  15  is constructed to be removably mounted onto electrical box  13  using a press-fit mounting technique. 
     As noted above, electrical box  13  is a conventional new-work, electrical wall box which is constructed out of a nonmetallic material, such as plastic. Electrical box  13  is represented herein as a single gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box which is sized and shaped to receive a single electrical outlet). However, it is to be understood that cover  115  is not limited for use with single gang electrical boxes. Rather, cover  115  could be modified in size and shape to be used in conjunction with electrical boxes which differ in size, shape and material, as will be described further in detail below. 
     Cover assembly  115  comprises a cover  116  and a spring-loaded retention device  117  which is slidably mounted onto cover  116 . 
     Cover  116  is preferably constructed of a durable and inexpensive material, such as plastic which can be molded, and comprises a solid support block  119 , a flange  121 , a handle  123  and a fixed mounting post  125  which are integrally formed together to make cover  116  a single piece. However, it should be noted that cover  116  is not limited to having a one-piece construction. Rather, cover  116  could alternatively be constructed of multiple pieces without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     With cover assembly  115  mounted onto electrical box  13  over open front end  29 , cover  116  is sized and shaped to enclose interior cavity  27 . In this manner, cover  116  serves to protect electrical wiring which is disposed within interior cavity  27  and to prevent debris, such as dust or plaster, from collecting within interior cavity  27 , which is highly desirable. 
     Support block  119  is a solid block of material which includes a top wall  126 , a bottom wall  127 , a front wall  129 , a rear wall  131 , a first sidewall  133  and a second sidewall  134 . 
     Support block  119  is also shaped to include an elongated bore  135 . Elongated bore  135  is preferably uniformly circular in lateral cross-section and includes a longitudinal axis L. Elongated bore  135  is formed into bottom wall  127  proximate rear wall  131  and extends up a portion of the distance to top wall  126 . Bore  135  is defined partially by a closed end  136  located between top wall  126  and bottom wall  127  and an open end  137  located in bottom wall  127 . Flange  121  is integrally formed onto the outer periphery front wall  129  of support block  119  and comprises a generally flat front surface  139  and a generally flat rear surface  141 . It should be noted that, with cover  116  mounted onto open front end  29  of electrical box  13 , flange  121  is sized and shaped so that rear surface  141  abuts against electrical box  13  at open front end  29 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , so as to prevent cover  116  from being disposed entirely within interior cavity  27 . 
     A pair of spaced apart cavities  143 - 1  and  143 - 2  are formed into front wall  129  of support block  119 . It should be noted that cavities  143  are relatively shallow and extend only a portion of the distance from front wall  129  to rear wall  131 . Together cavities  143  define handle  123  for holding cover  116 . Specifically, handle  123  is generally rectangular in shape and extends vertically between cavities  143  from top wall  126  to bottom wall  127 . Handle  123  comprises a pair of finger gripping surfaces  145  and  147  onto which the operator grasps in order to mount cover  115  onto electrical box  13  and, similarly, to remove cover  115  from electrical box  13 , as will be described further in detail below. 
     Handle  123  is shown as being generally in the shape of a thin rectangular panel. However, it is to be understood that handle  123  could be formed into alternative shapes, such as a C-shaped or U-shaped handle, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Fixed mounting post  125  is integrally formed onto support block  119  and extends perpendicularly out from top wall  126 . Mounting post  125  is generally circular in lateral cross-section and comprises a free end  149 . As will be described further in detail below, fixed mounting post  125  functions in conjunction with retention device  117  to secure cover assembly  115  onto electrical box  13 . However, it should be noted that fixed mounting post  125  could be removed from cover assembly  115  without significantly compromising the ability of retention device  117  to secure cover assembly  115  onto electrical box  13 . 
     Cover  116 , if made of plastic, may be fabricated using conventional plastic molding techniques. If cover  116  is fabricated using conventional plastic molding techniques, bore  135  may be formed during the molding process or may be drilled into block  119  after the molding process is completed. 
     A stopper  151 , constructed preferably of rubber, is mounted onto free end  149 . Specifically, stopper  151  includes a circular opening  153  which is sized and shaped to receive free end  149  of post  125  and a contact surface  154 . Stopper  151  may be secured onto free end  143  of post  123  using an adhesive or by sizing post  125  so that free end  149  is securely press-fit within opening  153 . 
     Spring-loaded retention device  117  is slidably mounted onto support block  119  of cover  116  and functions in conjunction with fixed mounting post  125  to secure cover assembly  115  onto electrical box  13 , as will be described further in detail below. 
     Spring-loaded retention device  117  comprises a movable mounting post  155 , a compression spring  157 , a washer  159  and a stopper  161 . 
     Movable mounting post  155  is a generally cylindrical post which is sized and shaped to be slidably disposed within elongated bore  135 , mounting post  155  comprising a first end  163  and a second end  165 . It should be noted that mounting post  155  has a tapered lateral cross-sectional area so as to define an enlarged portion  167  proximate first end  163  and a reduced portion  169  proximate second end  165 , the diameter of enlarged portion  167  being greater than the diameter of reduced portion  169 . 
     Compression spring  157  is sized and shaped to be disposed within elongated bore  135  and comprises a first end  171  and a second end  173 . 
     Washer  159  is an integral piece constructed of an inexpensive and durable material, such as plastic, and comprises an internal ring  175 , an external ring  177  integrally formed onto internal ring  175  and a central opening  179  which extends through internal ring  175  and external ring  177 . It should be noted that central opening  179  is sized and shaped to enable reduced portion  169  of mounting post  155  to pass therethrough, but is sized and shaped to preclude enlarged portion  167  of mounting post  155  to pass therethrough. As will be described further in detail below, washer  159  is sized and shaped to be mounted onto open end  137  of bore  135 . 
     Stopper  161 , constructed preferably of rubber, includes a circular opening  162  which is sized and shaped to receive second end  165  of post  155  and a contact surface  164 . Stopper  161  may be secured onto second end  165  of post  155  using an adhesive or by sizing post  155  so that second end  165  is securely press-fit within opening  162 . 
     Spring loaded retention device  117  is positioned within support block  119  in the following manner. Compression spring  157  is disposed into bore  135  such that first end  171  of spring  157  contacts closed end  136 . With compression spring  157  positioned as such, mounting post  155  is disposed within bore  135  such that first end  163  contacts second end  173  of spring  157 . With mounting post  155  disposed within bore  135  in this manner, reduced portion  169  of post  155  extends out open end  137  and protrudes perpendicularly away from bottom wall  127 . As can be appreciated, mounting post  155  is capable of being slidably displaced within elongated bore  135  along longitudinal axis L, compression spring  157  naturally biasing mounting post  155  away from closed end  136 . 
     Having disposed spring  157  and post  155  into bore  135  in support block  119 , washer  159  is mounted onto open end  137  of support block  119 . Specifically, washer  159  is mounted onto open end  137  of support block  119  such that internal ring  175  is positioned within elongated bore  135  and external ring  177  is positioned outside of elongated bore  135 . 
     Washer  159  is preferably sized and shaped to be securely press-fit into elongated bore  135 . However, it is to be understood that washer  159  could be retained onto open end  137  of support block  119  by alternative means without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As an example, washer  159  could be retained onto open end  137  of support block  119  using an adhesive. As another example, washer  159  and/or elongated bore  135  could be shaped to enable washer  159  to be snap-fit onto open end  137  of support block  119 . 
     It should be noted that with washer  159  mounted onto open end  137  in this manner, reduced portion  169  of mounting post  155  projects through central opening  179 . As can be appreciated, washer  159  serves to retain enlarged portion  167  of mounting post  155  within elongated bore  135 . Specifically, compression spring  157  naturally biases mounting post  155  outward away from closed end  136 . However, because the diameter of enlarged portion  167  is larger than the diameter of opening  179 , mounting post  155  is not capable of further outward displacement once enlarged portion  167  abuts against internal ring  175 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     With compression spring  157  and mounting post  155  slidably disposed within elongated bore  135  and with washer  159  mounted onto open end  137  of support block  119 , rubber stopper  161  is mounted onto second end  165  of mounting post  155 . As can be appreciated, the application of an inward force F onto contact surface  164  of rubber stopper  161  causes mounting post  155  to inwardly displace along longitudinal axis L, as shown in  FIG. 22 . Furthermore, it should be noted that rubber stopper  161  limits the inward displacement of mounting post  155 . Specifically, as mounting post  155  is inwardly displaced, once rubber stopper  161  contacts external ring  177  of washer  159 , mounting post  155  is incapable of further inward displacement. 
     Cover assembly  115  mounts onto electrical box  13  in the following manner. With cover assembly  115  removed from electrical box, compression spring  157  resiliently urges mounting post  155  outward, as shown in  FIG. 23(   a ). 
     Using handle  123 , cover assembly  115  is brought towards electrical box  13  in such a manner so that surface  164  of rubber stopper  161  is drawn into contact with bottom panel  25  or projection  37  formed onto bottom panel  25 , cover  116  being disposed with rubber stopper  151  on fixed mounting post  125  disposed outside of cavity  27  of electrical box  13 . With contact surface  164  of rubber stopper  161  abutting against electrical box  13  in this manner, the user is required to apply a substantially downward force onto cover  116 , thereby creating inward force F onto stopper  161 , as shown in  FIG. 23(   b ). Inward force F applied to stopper  161  causes mounting post  155  to displace inward within elongated bore  135  along longitudinal axis L. 
     While maintaining the substantially downward force onto cover  116 , the user pivots cover  116  in a clockwise direction about rubber stopper  161 , as represented by arrow A in  FIG. 23(   c ), until rubber stopper  151  on fixed mounting post  125  is disposed within cavity  27  of electrical box  13 . As such, support block  119  is entirely disposed inside cavity  27  and flange  121  is entirely disposed outside cavity  27 . 
     With rubber stoppers  151  and  161  disposed inside cavity  27 , the user stops applying the downward force onto cover  116  which, in turn, eliminates inward force F applied onto stopper  161 . Upon the elimination of inward force F onto rubber stopper  161 , compression spring  157  urges mounting post  155  outward, as represented by arrow B in  FIG. 23(   d ), until both rubber stoppers  151  and  161  abut against electrical box  13 . 
     Cover assembly  115  can be removed from electrical box  13  using the reverse sequence of steps enumerated above for mounting cover assembly  115  onto electrical box  13 . 
     As can be appreciated, the resilient outward force applied by compression spring  157  onto mounting post  155  enables cover assembly  115  to be spring-loaded onto electrical box  13 . As a result, cover assembly  115  remains securely mounted onto electrical box during use, which is highly desirable. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 24-31 , there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  215 . 
     Cover  215  differs from cover  15  in that cover  215  is constructed to be removably mounted onto electrical box  13  using a pair of flexible retaining wings, as will be described further in detail below, whereas cover  15  is constructed to be removably mounted onto electrical box  13  using a press-fit mounting technique. 
     As noted above, electrical box  13  is a conventional new-work, electrical wall box which is preferably constructed out of a nonmetallic material, such as plastic. Electrical box  13  is represented herein as a single gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box which is sized and shaped to receive a single electrical outlet). However, it is to be understood that cover  215  is not limited for use with single gang electrical boxes. Rather, cover  215  could be modified in size and shape to be used in conjunction with electrical boxes which differ in size and shape, as will be described further in detail below. 
     Cover  215  is preferably constructed of a durable and inexpensive material which can be molded, such as plastic. Cover  215  comprises a substantially flat plate  217  and a pair of retention wings  219 - 1  and  219 - 2  which are integrally formed onto flat plate  217  so as to render cover  215  a unitary device. However, it should be noted that cover  215  is not limited to having a one-piece construction. Rather, cover  215  could be alternatively constructed from multiple pieces without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     With cover  215  mounted onto electrical box  13 , flat plate  217  is sized and shaped to completely cover open front end  29  and enclose interior cavity  27  as can be seen clearly in  FIGS. 31(   a ) through  31 ( c ). In this manner, flat plate  217  serves to protect electrical wiring which is disposed within interior cavity  27  and to prevent debris, such as dust or plaster, from collecting within interior cavity  27 , which is highly desirable. 
     Flat plate  217  is generally rectangular in shape and includes a front surface  221 , a rear surface  223 , a top edge  225 , a bottom edge  227 , a right side edge  229  and a left side edge  231 . Flat plate  217  has an overall length L 126  of approximately 3.73 inches and an overall width W 126  of approximately 2.23 inches and a thickness T 126  of approximately 0.06 inches. 
     It should be noted that flat plate  217  is sized and shaped to enclose interior cavity  27  of a standard, one gang, electrical box  13  which is constructed out of plastic. However, it is to be understood that a standard, one gang, electrical box which is constructed of metal is typically smaller in size than a standard, one gang, electrical box which is constructed of plastic. 
     Also, it should be noted that two and three gang electrical boxes also usually come in two sizes, namely, a larger size if it is made of plastic and a smaller size if it is made of metal. 
     Accordingly, flat plate  217  is shaped to include a line of weakness  233 . Specifically, line of weakness  233  is in the form of a V-shaped groove which is formed into rear surface  223  of flat plate  217 , line of weakness  233  extending laterally across flat plate  217  from right side edge  229  to left side edge  231 . Line of weakness  233  is spaced in slightly from top edge  225  so as to provide flat plate  217  with a length L 226  from bottom edge  227  to line of weakness  233  which is approximately 3.00 inches. As can be seen, line of weakness  233  divides plate  217  into a main portion  217 - 1  having a length L 226  of about 3.16 inches and a width W 126  and a breakaway portion  217 - 2  having a length L 326  of about 0.750 inches and a width W 126 . Other measurements are L 426  of about 1.13 inches and Width W 526  of about 1.5 inches. 
     As noted above, flat plate  217  is sized and shaped to enclose the open front end  29  of the larger sized, one gang, electrical box. However, in order to use cover  215  with the smaller sized, one gang, electrical box, the user is required to break off breakaway portion  217 - 2  of flat plate  217  through line of weakness  233 , such as by bending portion  217 - 2  flat plate  217  back and forth by hand until it breaks off. After discarding the broken off portion  217 - 2  of flat plate  217  from line of weakness  233  to top edge  225 , the remaining portion  217 - 1  of cover  215  is properly sized to enclose the open front end of the smaller sized, one gang, electrical box, which is highly desirable. 
     Wings  219  are formed onto rear surface  223  of flat plate  217  in a spaced apart relationship. Specifically, first wing  219 - 1  is formed onto rear surface  223  of flat plate  217  and is spaced slightly in from right side edge  229 , as seen most clearly in  FIG. 25 . Similarly, second wing  219 - 2  is formed onto rear surface  223  of flat plate  217  and is spaced slightly in from left side edge  231 . It should be noted that wings  219  project rearwardly out from rear surface  223  of flat plate  217  at an angle away from each other, as will be described further in detail below. Wing  219 - 1  includes an inner face  219 - 11 , an outer face  219 - 12  and a pair of side edges  219 - 13  and  219 - 14 . 
     As seen most clearly in  FIG. 30 , each wing  219  comprises an elongated leg  235 , which is integrally formed and extends out from rear surface  223  of flat plate  217 , and a foot  237 , which is formed onto the free end of leg  235 . 
     Leg  235  is an elongated generally rectangularly shaped straight member which is generally rectangular in longitudinal cross-section, has a length LL of approximately 0.625 inches and a thickness W t  of approximately 0.0625 inches. Leg  235  comprises a first end  239 , which is integrally formed onto rear surface  223  of flat plate  217 , and a second end  241 . It should be noted that leg  235  extends rearwardly out from rear surface  223  of flat plate  217  at an angle α which is approximately 75 degrees and extends down from flat plate  215  a distance D 1  of approximately 0.50 inches. As will be described further below, each leg  235  is capable of limited inward flexion upon the application of a significant inward force thereonto, each leg  235  resiliently returning to its original orientation upon the removal of the significant inward force. 
     Foot  237  is an elongated, enlarged member which is integrally formed onto second end  241  of leg  235  along its length. Foot  237  comprises a tapered guiding surface  243  which serves to facilitate the mounting of cover  215  onto electrical box  13 , as will be described further below. Foot  237  also comprises a flat engagement surface  245  having a length of approximately 0.05 inches which frictionally engages the inner surface of electrical box  13  to retain cover  215  onto electrical box  13 , as will be described further below. As seen most clearly in  FIG. 30 , guiding surface  243  is not co-planar with engagement surface  245 . 
     A handle  247  for holding cover  215  is integrally formed onto front surface  221 . Handle  247  is shown as being in the shape of a flat, semi-circular member. However, it is to be understood that handle  247  is not limited to having a flat, semi-circular shape. Rather, handle  247  could be alternatively constructed in any shape useful for handling cover  215  without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     A first pair of spaced apart displacement limiting posts  249 - 1  and  249 - 2  are formed onto rear surface  223  along top edge  225 . A second pair of spaced apart displacement limiting posts  249 - 3  and  249 - 4  are formed onto rear surface  223  along bottom edge  227 . A third pair of spaced apart posts  249 - 5  and  249 - 6  are formed onto rear surface  223  proximate to line of weakness  233 . 
     Each post  249  is generally circular in lateral cross-section and is integrally formed onto flat plate  215  to render cover  215  a unitary device. With cover  215  mounted onto electrical box  13 , posts  249  are sized and shaped to project into interior cavity  27 . In this manner, posts  249  serve to limit displacement of cover  215  in the direction parallel to its longitudinal axis  251  when cover  215  is mounted onto electrical box  13 , which is highly desirable while wings  219  limit displacement of cover  215  in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis  251 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 31(   a )-( c ), cover  215  mounts onto electrical box  13  in the following manner. Using handle  247 , cover  215  is urged towards electrical box  13  in the direction represented by arrows  253  in  FIG. 31(   a ). 
     As cover  215  is disposed over open front end  29  of electrical box  13 , tapered guiding surface  243  of wing  219 - 2  is drawn into contact against the free end of left side panel  19  and tapered guiding surface  243  of wing  219 - 1  is drawn into contact against the free end of right side panel  21 , as shown in  FIG. 31(   b ). 
     As cover  215  is further urged toward electrical box  13 , the tapered shape of guiding surface  243  causes left side panel  19  and right side panel  21  to inwardly flex wings  219  in such a manner so that engagement surface  245  of wing  219 - 2  lies flush against the inner surface of left side panel  19  and so that the engagement surface  245  of wing  219 - 1  lies flush against the inner surface of right side panel  21 . Cover  215  is advanced onto electrical box  13  until rear surface  223  of flat plate  215  is seated on top of left side panel  19  and on top of right side panel  21  of electrical box  13 , as is clearly shown in  FIG. 31(   c ), completely closing off front end  29  of electrical box  13 . 
     With cover  215  mounted onto electrical box  13  in the manner shown in  FIG. 31(   c ), flat plate  215  covers open front end  29  and encloses interior cavity  27 . Furthermore, it should be noted that the construction of cover  215  causes flexible wings  219  to resiliently urge in the outward direction so that engagement surface  245  of wings  219  frictionally contacts side panels  19  and  21  of electrical box  13 , thereby creating a frictional retaining force of cover  215  onto electrical box  13 , which is highly desirable. 
     The application of a withdrawal force onto cover  215  which is greater than the frictional force between wings  219  and side panels  19  and  21  will enable cover  215  to be removed from electrical box  13 . Subsequent mounting and removal of cover  215  from electrical box  13  can be repeated by the user as deemed necessary. 
     As noted above, cover  215  is not limited to be being mounted onto electrical box  13 . Rather, cover  215  could additionally be mounted onto a smaller sized electrical box in the same manner as described above. However, before mounting cover assembly  215  onto the electrical box, the user is required to break flat plate  215  through line of weakness  233  and discard the portion of flat plate  215  from line of weakness  233  to top edge  225 . 
     It should be noted that cover  215  is not limited in its size and shape. Rather, the size and shape of cover  215  could be modified to enable cover  215  to be mounted on different types of electrical boxes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     As an example, referring now to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto a circular type electrical box such as shown in  FIG. 13 , said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  315 . 
     Cover  315  is similar to cover  215  in that cover  315  comprises a substantially flat plate  317 , a handle  318  and a pair of retention wings  319 - 1  and  319 - 2  which are integrally formed onto flat plate  317  so as to render cover  315  a unitary device. 
     The primary distinctions between cover  315  and cover  215  are that the size and shape of flat plate  317  differs from the size and shape of flat plate  217  and the shape of wings  319  are different from the shape of wings  219 . Specifically, flat plate  317  is generally circular in shape with a thickness of approximately 0.075 inches and has an overall diameter D 132  of approximately 4.02 inches, whereas flat plate  217  is generally rectangular in shape. In addition, wings  319  are generally arcuate shaped and spaced 180 degrees apart, as shown in  FIG. 32A  and  FIG. 32B , rather than straight, as shown in  FIG. 26 . As can be seen in  FIG. 32B , wings  319  have an overall length L 6  width of approximately 1.00 inches extending down from the top of cover  315  a distance DE 1  of approximately 0.73 inches, and the distance WD 1 , from the tip of wing  319 - 1  to the tip of wing  319 - 2  is approximately 3.93 inches. In addition, cover  315  includes a pair of punch-outs  320 - 1  and  320 - 2 , spaced on plate  317  next to its outer edge  320 - 3  and 180 degrees apart. As can be appreciated, posts, such as posts  249 , are not needed in this embodiment. As a result, cover  315  is designed primarily for use in conjunction with an electrical box which is circular in shape, such as a ceiling box. 
     In the event that cover  315  is not sufficiently secured to the circular electrical box by wings  319 - 1  and  319 - 2 , then punch-outs  320 - 1  and  320 - 2  are pushed out, cover  315  is rotated as is necessary, so that the holes resulting from punch-outs  320 - 1  and  320 - 2  being pushed out are lined up with the pair of threaded boxes in the circular electrical box (i.e bores  90  and  92  in the circular box  83  in  FIG. 13 ), and then cover  315  is fixed in place by threaded screws (not shown) which pass through the two holes into threaded engagement with the threaded bores in cover  315 . 
     As another example, referring now to  FIGS. 34 and 35 , there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  415 . 
     Cover  415  is similar to cover  215  in that cover  415  comprises a substantially flat plate  417  having an overall length L 334 , a handle  418 , a pair of retention wings  419 - 1  and  419 - 2  which are integrally formed onto flat plate  417  so as to render cover  415  a unitary device and displacement limiting posts, two of which  420 - 1  and  420 - 2  as shown in  FIG. 35 . Flat plate  417  is shaped to include a line of weakness  433  on its bottom surface  434  which divides flat plate  417  into a main portion  417 - 1  having a length dimension L 434  and a breakaway portion  417 - 2  having a length L 534  which enables the length dimension of cover  415  to be made smaller. 
     The primary distinction between cover  415  and cover  215  is that the size and shape of flat plate  417  differs from the size and shape of flat plate  217 . Specifically, flat plate  417  is designed primarily for use in conjunction with a two gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box designed to be used as a mounting structure for two electrical devices), whereas flat plate  217  is designed primarily for use in conjunction with a single gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box designed to be used as a mounting structure for a single electrical device). Flat plate  417  has an overall length L 334  of approximately 3.73 inches and an overall width W 234  of 4.05 inches. Furthermore, after breaking cover  415  through line of weakness  433 , the remaining portion of flat plate  417 , (i.e. the portion between edge  435  and line of weakness  433 ) has an overall length L 434  of approximately 3.00 inches. 
     As another example, referring now to  FIGS. 36 and 37 , there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  515 . 
     Cover  515  is similar to cover  215  in that cover  515  comprises a substantially flat plate  517  having an overall length dimension of L 536 , a handle  518  and a pair of retention wings  519 - 1  and  519 - 2  which are integrally formed onto flat plate  517  so as to render cover  515  a unitary device, flat plate  517  being shaped to include a line of weakness  533  on its bottom surface  520  dividing plate  517  into a main portion  517 - 1  having a length dimension L 636  and a breakaway portion  517 - 2  having a length dimension L 734 . 
     The primary distinction between cover  515  and cover  215  is that the size and shape of flat plate  517  differs from the size and shape of flat plate  217 . Specifically, flat plate  517  is designed primarily for use in conjunction with a three gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box designed to be used as a mounting structure for three electrical devices), whereas flat plate  217  is designed primarily for use in conjunction with a single gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box designed to be used as a mounting structure for a single electrical device). Flat plate  517  has an overall length L 536  of approximately 3.73 inches and an overall width W 336  of 5.83 inches. Furthermore, after breaking cover  515  through line of weakness  533 , the remaining portion  517 - 1  of flat plate  517  has an overall length L 636  of approximately 3.00 inches, the breakaway portion  517 - 2  having an overall length L 734  of approximately 0.73 inches. 
     As another example, referring now to  FIGS. 38 and 39 , there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  615 . 
     Cover  615  is similar to cover  215  in that cover  615  comprises a substantially flat plate  617 , a handle  618  and a pair of retention wings  619 - 1  and  619 - 2  which are integrally formed onto flat plate  617  so as to render cover  615  a unitary device, flat plate  617  being shaped to include a line of weakness  633  which enables cover  615  to be reduced in size. 
     The primary distinction between cover  615  and cover  215  is that the size and shape of flat plate  617  differs from the size and shape of flat plate  217 . Specifically, flat plate  617  is designed primarily for use in conjunction with a four gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box designed to be used as a mounting structure for four electrical devices), whereas flat plate  217  is designed primarily for use in conjunction with a single gang electrical box (i.e., an electrical box designed to be used as a mounting structure for a single electrical device). Flat plate  617  has an overall length L 736  of approximately 3.73 inches and an overall width W 438  of 7.61 inches. Furthermore, after breaking cover  615  through line of weakness  633 , the remaining portion of flat plate  617  has an overall length L 838  of approximately 3.00 inches. 
     As another example, referring now to  FIGS. 40-43  there is disclosed another embodiment of a cover which is adapted to be removably mounted onto an electrical box, said cover being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and identified generally by reference numeral  715 . As will be explained in more detail below, cover  715  is usable with two different sized two gang electrical boxes, one size being made of plastic and the other size being made of metal. An enlarged fragmentary view of cover  715  is shown in  FIG. 44  and a top view of an electrical box EB with which cover  715  may be used is shown in  FIG. 45 . A view showing cover  715  mounted on box EB is shown in  FIG. 46 . Electrical box EB is the larger size electrical box which is made of plastic and which includes an interior cavity defined by a pair of side walls SW 1  and SW 2 , a top wall TW 1 , a bottom wall TW 2 , a back wall BW 1  and an open front FE. Electrical box EB also includes four threaded bores TB 1  through TB 4  for receiving four electrical receptacle mounting screws (not shown) for use in securing a pair of electrical receptacles to the box. Side wall SW 1  includes a top edge TE 1  and side wall SW 2  includes a top edge TE 2 . 
     Cover  715  is similar to cover  415  in that cover  715  comprises a substantially flat plate  717 , a handle  718  on the top surface  717 - 1  of plate  717  and a pair of retention wings  719 - 1  and  719 - 2  which are integrally formed onto the bottom surface  717 - 2  of flat plate  717 . Flat plate  717  is shaped to include a line of weakness  721  on its bottom surface  717 - 2  extending laterally across from side edge  722 - 1  to side edge  722 - 2  which enables portion  723  of flat plate  717  to be broken off so as to reduce its length if it is to be used with an electrical box which is made of metal rather than plastic and which is shorter in length as noted above. As can be seen, especially in  FIGS. 42 through 44 , wings  719 - 1  and  719 - 2  do not extend out from side edges  722 - 2  and  722 - 1 , respectively, of cover, but rather are spaced in from the side edges a distance SE, see for example  FIG. 44 . This enables a more closed off fit when cover  715  is placed over box EB. Cover  715  also includes four displacement limiting posts  720 - 1  through  720 - 4  similar in structure and function to posts  249 - 1  through  249 - 6  in embodiment  215 . 
     There are three main distinctions between cover  715  and cover  415 . 
     The first distinction is that wings  719 - 1  and  719 - 2  have leg portions  721 - 1  and  721 - 2  respectively, which are not uniform in cross-section throughout their lengths as is the case with legs  419 - 1  and  419 - 2  but rather are thinner at their inner end portions  723 - 1  and  723 - 2  than at their outer end portions  725 - 1  and  725 - 2  so as to provide more flexibility than the wings in the previous embodiments. 
     The second main distinction is that cover  715  includes four pins  727 - 1  through  727 - 4  which are intended to be press fit into the threaded bores TB 1  through TB 4  in electrical box EB to prevent cover  715  from popping out when it is mounted thereon if it is hit by mistake. As can be seen, pins  727 - 1  through  727 - 4  along with wings  719  hold cover  715  in place in the electrical box. At the same time, pins  727 - 1  through  727 - 4  limit longitudinal and lateral movement of cover  715  relative to the electrical box. 
     The third main distinction is that flat plate  717  includes a pair of strengthening ribs  729 - 1  and  729 - 2  so that flat plate  717  is not so easily bendable about its longitudinal axis LA, as well as two pairs of posts,  720 - 5  and  720 - 6  and  720 - 7  and  720 - 8 . Strengthening rib  729 - 1  extends from post  720 - 4  to post  720 - 3 . Strengthening rib  729 - 2  extends from post  720 - 7  to post  720 - 8 . If need be, posts  720 - 5  through  720 - 8  could be eliminated. 
     When being used with a metal electrical box, which is a smaller type of box than plastic box EB, portion  723  is broken off, retention wings  719 - 1  and  719 - 2  are used to hold the cover in place when mounted on the box, while posts  720 - 3 ,  720 - 4 ,  720 - 5  and  720 - 6  limit displacement of cover  715  in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis  730 . If desired, the other embodiments of the cover could be modified to include strengthening ribs as in cover  715 . The overall length dimensions L 03  and L 04  and width dimensions W 01  of cover  715  are the same as dimensions L 3 , L 4  and W 2 , respectively, in cover  415 , namely approximately 3.73 inches, 3.00 inches and 4.05 inches. 
     Dimensions of electrical box EB shown in  FIG. 45  are as follows: EB 1  is 1.80 inches, EB 2  is 1.12 inches and EB 3  is 4.06 inches, all dimensions being approximate values. 
     Other dimensions of cover  715  are as follows: WO 3  is 1.80 inches, LO 2  is 1.09 inches, LO 6  is 1.7 inches, WO 2  is 3.40 inches, WO 4  is 2.65 inches, LO 5  is 1.5 inches, LO 7  is 3.32 inches, LO 8  is 1.66 inches, LO 9  is 1.00 inches, LO 10  is 0.725 inches, LD 1  is 0.25 inches, C T  is 0.75 inches, T 1  is 0.7 inches, T 2  is 0.30 inches, LG  2  is 0.80 inches and WW 1  is 1.50 inches, all dimensions being approximate values. 
     As can be appreciated, pins  727  prevent lateral and longitudinal movement of cover  715  when mounted on electrical box EB. 
     Also, the embodiments described above constructed for use on the two and three gang electrical boxes may also be modified to include pins as in cover  715  which are intended to fit into the threaded bores of the electrical boxes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 47 and 48 , there is shown another embodiment of a cover  815  constructed according to this invention for use with a circular type electrical box, such as shown in  FIG. 13 . Cover  815  is similar to cover  315  in that it comprises a substantially flat circular shaped plate  817  identical in size to plate  317  in  FIG. 32 , cover  815  having a handle  819  and a pair of retention wings  821 - 1  and  821 - 2  identical in size and shape to wings  319 - 1  and  319 - 2 , respectively, in cover  315  and a pair of punch-outs  822 - 1  and  822 - 2  identical in size and shape to punch-outs  320 - 1  and  320 - 2  in cover  315 , punch-outs  822 - 1  and  822 - 2  being used in the same way as punch-outs  320 - 1  and  320 - 2 . Handle  819  and retention wings  821 - 1  and  821 - 2  are all integrally formed onto flat plate  817  so as to render cover  815  a unitary device. However, in addition, cover  815  includes two straight strengthening ribs  823  and  825  and one circular strengthening rib  827  along with two cylindrically shaped pins  828  and  829  which are intended to fit into two threaded bores in the circular type electrical box. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 49 , there is shown another embodiment of a cover according to this invention, the cover being identified by reference numeral  915 . Cover  915  is intended for use with circular type electrical boxes having threaded bores larger in cross-section than the threaded bores in electrical boxes with which cover  47  is intended to be used. 
     Cover  915  is similar to cover  815  in that cover  915  comprises a circular shaped plate  917  identical in size to plate  815 , a handle  919  identical to handle  819 , retention wings  921 - 1  and  921 - 2  identical to retention wings  821 - 1  and  821 - 2  and strengthening ribs  923 ,  925  and  927  identical to strengthening ribs  823 ,  825  and  827 . Cover  915  also includes two pins  929  and  931  similar in location to pins  828  and  829  which are intended to fit into threaded bores in a circular type electrical box and two punch-outs  932 - 1  and  932 - 2 , structurally and functionally the same as punch-outs  822 - 1  and  822 - 2 ; however, pins  929  and  931  differ in shape from pins  828  and  829 . In particular, instead of being cylindrically shaped as is the case with pins  828  and  829 , pins  929  and  931 , which are identical, are four-sided and taper inward from the inner end to the outer end and are useable with boxes having bores larger than the bores in  FIG. 47 . Enlarged front, top and side views of pin  929  are shown in  FIGS. 50A ,  50 B and  50 C, respectively. Pin  929  has a length LP 929  of approximately 0.355 inches, a width across the flats WF 929  of about 0.100 inches, a width at the inner end WI  929  of about 0.169 inches and a width at the outer end WO 929  of about 0.147 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 51 , there is shown another embodiment of a cover according to this invention, the cover being identified by reference numeral  1015 . Cover  1015  is intended tor use with circular type electrical boxes having threaded bores larger in cross-section than the threaded bores in electrical boxes with which cover  47  is intended to be used. 
     Cover  1015  is similar to cover  915  in that cover  1015  comprises a circular shaped plate  1017  identical in size to plate  915 , a handle  1019  identical to handle  919 , retention wings  1021 - 1  and  1021 - 2  identical to retention wings  921 - 1  and  921 - 2 , strengthening ribs  1023 ,  1025  and  1027  identical to strengthening ribs  923 ,  925  and  927  and two pins  1029  and  1031 , similar to pins  929  and  931  in shape but slightly different in measurements. Enlarged front, top and side views of pin  1029  are shown in  FIGS. 52A ,  52 B and  52 C, respectively. Pin  1029  has a length LP 1029  of approximately 0.300 inches, a width across the flats WF 1029  of about 0.100 inches, a width at the inner end WI  1029  of about 0.159 inches and a width at the outer end WO  1029  of about 0.138 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 53A and 53B  there are shown perspective and front views of another embodiment of a cover according to this invention, the cover being identified by reference numeral  1115 . Cover  1115  comprises a rectangular plate  1115 - 1  having a top surface  1115 - 2  and a bottom surface  1115 - 3 , a handle  1115 - 4 , a pair of wings  1115 - 5  and  1115 - 6 , four pins  1117 - 1  through  1117 - 4  and four posts,  1117 - 5  through  1117 - 8 . 
     Cover  1115  differs from cover  715  only in the size and shape of the four pins which fit into threaded bores in the electrical box into which it is removably mounted. Instead of being cylindrically shaped and rounded at the top as in the case with pins  727 - 1  through  727 - 4  in cover  715 , pins  1117 - 1  through  1117 - 4  are rounded at the top but specially shaped to fit snugly into large threaded bores. Front top and side views of one of the pins  1117 - 1  are shown in  FIGS. 54A ,  54 B and  54 C. As can be seen in  FIGS. 54A through 54C , the surface  1117 - 2  of pin  1117 - 1  is curved except for the front  1117 - 3  and back  1117 - 4  which are flat. Dimensions of pin  1117 - 1  are as follows: L 1118  is about 0.270 inches, L 1119  is about 0.135 inches and L 1120  is about 0.100 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 55A and 55B  there are shown perspective and front views of another embodiment of a cover according to this invention, the cover being identified by reference numeral  1215 . Cover  1215  comprises a rectangular plate  1215 - 1  having a top surface  1215 - 2  and a bottom surface  1215 - 3 , a handle  1215 - 4 , a pair of wings  1215 - 5  and  1215 - 6 , four pins  1215 - 7  through  1215 - 10  and four posts  1215 - 11  through  1215 - 14 . 
     Cover  1215  differs from cover  1115  only in the size and shape of the four pins which fit into threaded bores in the electrical box into which cover  1215  may be removably mounted. Pins  1215 - 7  through  1215 - 10 , which are identical, are designed to fit snugly into certain types of large threaded bores. Views of one of the pins  1215 - 7  are shown in  FIGS. 56A ,  56 B,  56 C, and  56 D. As can be seen, pin  1215 - 7  includes a main body  1215 - 15  and three ribs  1215 - 16  through  1215 - 18 , spaced 120 degrees apart, which are thicker at the bottom of  1215 - 19  than at the top of  1215 - 20 . Dimensions of pin  1215 - 7  are as follows: L 1217 - 21  is about 0.250 inches and L 1217 - 22  is about 0.070, L 1217 - 23  is about 0.009 inches and L 1217 - 24  is about 0.04 inches, L 1217 - 25  is about 0.214 inches, L 1217 - 26  is about 0.11 inches, angle α is about 80 degrees. 
     Also, the wings in the other embodiments of the invention could, if desired, be modified to include legs as shown in cover  715 . Also, the pins shown in  FIG. 56A-56D  could be used in any single gang, two gang, three gang and four gang cover according to this invention. 
     The embodiments of the invention described above in  FIGS. 24 through 56  are intended for use with what is referred to in the trade as residential outlet boxes and are all made of polycarbonate or other suitable material. 
     Covers described hereinafter in  FIGS. 59 through 64  are intended to be used with what is referred to in the trade as commercial outlet boxes. These covers are all made of polycarbonate or other suitable material. 
     Commercial outlet boxes are not the same construction as residential outlet boxes and are used in combination with a plaster ring which is constructed to be securely mounted onto the commercial outlet box. In use, the cover according to this invention for use with commercial outlet boxes is removably mounted onto the plaster ring, rather than the outlet box itself as is the case with residential outlet boxes. 
     It should also be noted that a commercial outlet box is not limited solely for use in commercial applications but can, if desired, also be used in residential applications. 
     In  FIG. 57A  is shown a perspective view of a rectangular commercial outlet box  1301 . 
     Box  1301  includes a back wall  1301 - 1  and four side walls  1301 - 2  through  1301 - 5 . Box  1301  also includes a pair of plaster ring mounting screws  1302 - 1  and  1302 - 2 . 
     A rectangular plaster ring  1303  having a single gang opening  1305  and a pair of holes  1305 - 1  and  1305 - 2  and which can be mounted on box  1301  is shown in  FIG. 57B . Ring  1303  also includes slots  1304  for use in attaching ring  1303  to box  1301 . Also shown in  FIG. 57B  is a cover  1306  mounted on plaster ring  1303 . Perspective and other views of cover  1306  are shown in  FIGS. 58A through 58D . A fragmentary view of cover  1306  is shown in  FIG. 58E . Cover  1306  comprises a flat rectangular plate  1307  having a length L 1308  of about 3.73 inches a width W 1308  of about 2.23 inches and having integrally formed therein a pair of identical flexible retaining wings  1309  and  1311  each having a width W 1310  of about 2.250 inches and a length L 1310  of about 0.170 inches and a pair of pointed posts  1313  and  1315  each having a length L 1314  of about 0.125 inches. Posts  1313  and  1315  are positioned so as to extend through holes  1305 - 1  and  1305 - 2  when cover  1306  is mounted on ring  1303 . Cover  1306  also includes a handle  1308 . The sole reason for having posts  1313  and  1315  is to limit movement of cover  1306  in the direction of arrows  1317  in  FIG. 57B  when it is mounted on ring  1303 . In mounting cover  1306  onto ring  1303 , cover  1306  is pushed onto ring  1303  from the top until wings  1309  and  1311  grab underneath lip  1319  in ring  1303  and snap into place. Also, as can be seen, the bottom of wings  1309  and  1311  taper outward at their outermost ends. Also, posts  1313  and  1315  extend through holes  1305 - 1  and  1305 - 2  when cover  1306  is mounted on ring  1303 . 
     A two gang plaster ring  1401  which can be removably mounted on outlet box  1301  is shown in  FIG. 59 , and perspective and other views of a two gang commercial cover  1403  which can be mounted on plaster ring  1401  are shown in  FIG. 60A through 60E . Cover  1403  includes a flat rectangular plate  1404  having a pair of wings  1405  and  1407  extending down from the bottom surface and a handle  1409  extending up from the top surface. As can be seen, cover  1403  does not include any posts because the width W 1401  of wings  1405  and  1407 , which is about 2.250 inches, is sufficient to limit movement on ring  1401  when cover  1403  is mounted thereon. Other dimensions of cover  1403  are as follows: W 1402  is about 3.73 inches, W 1403  is about 3.92 inches, W 1404  is about 3.552 inches, W 1405  is about 0.075 inches, W 1406  is about 0.040 inches and W 1407  is 0.170 inches. 
     In  FIG. 61  is shown a perspective view of a circular type commercial electrical outlet box  1501 . Box  1501  includes back wall  1501 - 1  and a side wall  1501 - 2 . A pair of plaster ring mounting screws  1502 - 1  and  1502 - 2  are mounted on box  1501 . 
       FIG. 62  is a perspective view of a circular plaster ring  1503  which can be mounted outlet box  1501 , plaster ring  1503  having a circular opening  1505 , a slot  1507  and a keyhole shaped opening  1509  for use in attaching plaster ring  1503  onto box  1501  and a pair of holes  1511  and  1513  for use in attaching an outlet (not shown) to plaster ring  1503 . 
     In  FIG. 62A through 62E  are shown perspective and other views of a cover  1601 , according to this invention, which can be removably mounted on plaster ring  1503 . 
     Cover  1601  is a unitary device and includes a circular plate  1603  having a top surface  1603 - 1  and a bottom surface  1603 - 2 , a handle  1605  extending up from top surface  1603 - 1 , a pair of retention wings  1607  and  1609  extending down from bottom surface  1603 - 2  and a pair of punch-outs  1611  and  1613 . 
     In use, cover  1601  is mounted onto plaster ring  1503  with wings  1607  and  1609  grabbing the lip  1510  in opening  1509 . In the event wings  1607  and  1609  do not sufficiently secure cover  1601  to plaster ring  1503 , then punch-outs  1611  and  1613  are removed and cover  1601  is securely attached to plaster ring  1503  by threaded screws (not shown) which extend through the holes where the punch-outs were and screw into holes  1511  and  1513  in plaster ring  1503 . 
     Other dimensions of cover  1603  are D 1603 - 1  is about 3.250 inches, W 1603 - 2  is about 1.000 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 63A through 63I , there are shown views of another embodiment of a cover for a single gang plastic ring which can be removably mounted on a commercial type electrical box, the cover being identified by reference numeral  1701 . 
     Cover  1701  comprises a flat rectangular plate  1703  having internally formed thereon a handle  1705  for holding cover  1701  and a pair of identical flexible retaining wings  1707  and  1708  for removably securing cover  1701  to the plastic ring. As such, cover  1701  is similar to cover  1306 . However, cover  1701  differs from cover  1306  in that, in addition to handle  1705  and wings  1707  and  1708 , cover  1701  includes a pair of posts  1711  and  1713 . Posts  1711  are not pointed, as with posts  1313  and  1315  in cover  1306 , but rather are sized, shaped and positioned so that they can be press fit into the mounting screw holes in the plaster ring and also to removably secure cover  1701  to the plaster ring. The reason for having posts sized and shaped in this manner is that the plaster rings made by some manufacturers will have central openings sized such that the retaining rings will not grab onto the sides of the central opening. In this case, the posts themselves will serve to removably secure the cover to the plaster ring and not merely limit movement of cover on the plaster ring as with posts  1313  and  1315 . 
     Wings  1707  and  1708  are identical. Wing  1707  comprises an elongated leg  1715  which is integrally formed and extends out from the bottom surface of plate  1703  and a pair of spaced apart identical feet  1721  and  1723 , one at each end of the free end of leg  1715 . Leg  1715  is an elongated generally straight member which, except for feet  1721  and  1723 , is generally rectangular in longitudinal cross-section. Foot  1721  has an outwardly tapered portion  1725  and an inwardly tapered portion  1727 . Since there are two feet  1721  and  1723 , one at each end of wing  1707 , rather than one foot that extends the entire length of the wing as in wing  1309  or wing  719 , it is easier to snap the ring onto the plastic ring. 
     Posts  1711  and  1713  are identical, generally square in cross-section and uniform in cross-sectional area throughout their length. 
     Dimensions of cover  1701  are as follows:  1701 - 1  about 3.73 inches,  1701 - 2  about 2.23 inches,  1701 - 3  about 2.250 inches,  1701 - 4  and  1701 - 5  each about 0.170 inches,  1701 - 5  about 0.130 inches,  1701 - 6  about 1.845 inches,  1701 - 7  about 1.12 inches,  1701 - 8  about 0.170 inches,  1701 - 9  about 0.105 inches,  1701 - 10  about 0.040 inches,  1701 - 11  about 0.092 inches,  1701 - 14  about 0.065 inches square,  1701 - 15  about 3.313 inches, and  1701 - 16  about 0.21 inches,  1701 - 17  about 0.075 inches,  1701 - 20  about 0.745 inches and  1701 - 21  about 0.500 inches. 
     Cover  1701  is removably mounted onto a plaster ring in the same way as cover  1306 . 
     Cover  1701  may be made of polycarbonate regrind. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 64A through 64H , there are shown views of another cover, which is identified by reference numeral  1801 . Cover  1801  can be removably mounted on rectangular two gang plaster ring having a two gang opening  1402  and is sized so that it can be mounted onto a commercial type electrical box, such as box  1301  shown in  FIG. 57A . 
     Cover  1801 , which may be made of polycarbonate regrind, comprises a flat rectangular plate  1803  having a pair of wings  1805  and  1807  extending down from the bottom surface  1809  of plate  1803  and a handle  1811  extending up from the top surface  1810  of plate  1803 . Whereas cover  1403  does not include any posts, cover  1803  includes a pair of posts  1815  and  1817 , identical in construction to posts  1711  and  1713  and serving the same purpose as posts  1711  and  1713 , namely, to removably secure cover  1801  to a two gang plaster ring. Post  1817  is positioned so as to be aligned with mounting hole  1402 - 1  and post  1815  is positioned so as to be aligned with mounting hole  1402 - 4  in plaster ring  1401 . Wings  1805  and  1807  are identical in size and construction to wings  1707  and  1709 . Cover  1801  is dimensionally similar to cover  1403  and is basically identical to cover  1403 , except for the addition of posts  1815  and  1817  and the specific shape of wings  1805  and  1807 . Some dimensions of cover  1801  are as follows:  1801 - 1  about 1.816 inches,  1801 - 2  about 3.312 inches,  1801 - 3  about 0.130 inches,  1801 - 4  about 3.92 inches,  1801 - 5  about 1.96 inches,  1801 - 6  about 1.87 inches,  1801 - 7  about 3.73 inches,  1801 - 8  about 3.535 inches,  1801 - 9  about 3.615 inches,  1801 - 10  about 0.040 inches,  1801 - 12  about 2.250 inches,  1801 - 13  about 0.092 inches, and  1801 - 15  about 0.500 inches. 
     The embodiments of the present invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.