Abstract:
A cover for an electrical outlet is disclosed that prevents insertion of dangerous foreign objects into the sockets of the outlet, which would pose a shock hazard. The cover is configured such that it allows use of either or both of two sockets of the electrical outlet. The cover is further designed such that it is safe for handling by children.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present U.S. Non-Provisional utility application is related to, and hereby claims priority to, and the full benefit of, U.S. Provisional application entitled Outlet Cover, having assigned Ser. No. 60/824,866, filed Sep. 7, 2006, on behalf of Sean and Karla Moore, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to an outlet cover, and more particularly, to a child-proof safety cover for an electrical outlet. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The widespread implementation of electricity in residential and commercial structures has created an inherently dangerous risk of electric shock and/or electrocution. While defective electrically powered devices and faulty wiring account for some of the risk, most injuries result from the insertion of foreign objects into the socket of an electrical outlet. The risk is greater when children are present, because children are unable to appreciate the risk of insertion of foreign articles into the sockets of an electrical outlet. Furthermore, these outlets are typically installed in locations that are easily accessible to children, such as the floor, the baseboard, or in lower portions of a wall. 
         [0006]    Although risk of injury due to shock from an electrical outlet is reduced by the advent and implementation of ground fault interrupter outlets, these outlets nonetheless allow some current to flow before the ground fault is detected and the circuit is broken. This current may be sufficient to injure or kill a child or other individual. Furthermore, ground fault interrupter outlets, like any safety precaution, are not infallible. Therefore, in order to increase the level of safety of electrical outlets, particularly where they are accessible by children, redundant safety systems should be employed. 
         [0007]    In addition to ground fault interrupter outlets, non-conducting physical barriers have been implemented to prevent insertion of foreign objects into the sockets of an electrical outlet. Unfortunately, such barriers are typically small in size: roughly the size of a single socket. As a result, the barriers are easily misplaced when outlet is in use, and further, the non-engaged barriers present a choking hazard for children due to the barriers&#39; small size. 
         [0008]    Thus, it is readily apparent that there exists an unmet need for a device for preventing accidental or intentional insertion of foreign objects that pose a threat of electrical shock or electrocution into a socket of an electrical outlet that allows use of one or both sockets of an electrical outlet, that is designed to reduce the risk of loss of the device, and that is designed to be safe if handled by a child. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing an outlet cover that is larger than a single socket of an electrical outlet and that allows for selective use of one or more sockets of an electrical outlet while covering other sockets of the electrical outlet. 
         [0010]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, an outlet cover comprises a planar body having a transverse groove disposed therein and at least one projection adapted to engage a first socket of an electrical outlet, such that the planar body is retained in a position covering at least one socket of the electrical outlet, wherein the planar body can be bent along a line defined by the groove such that at least one socket of the electrical outlet is exposed while the at least one projection engages the first socket. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the outlet cover comprises an electrically insulating material. 
         [0012]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the outlet cover is sized such that all sockets of the electrical outlet are covered when the projection engages one of the sockets. 
         [0013]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the outlet cover is configured such that each portion of the outlet cover defined by the groove is large enough to prevent a child from swallowing the portion if it breaks off from the outlet cover at the groove. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a spring mechanism may be implemented to ensure closure of cover plate over socket when socket is not in use. The spring mechanism may be operable with one or more portion(s) of the planar body to provide a biasing force. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the cover plate may have removable projection inserts to facilitate various configurations thereof for use for different size and number sockets. As a result, the cover plate may be implemented in any standard domestic or international electrical outlet. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of using the outlet cover comprises the steps of engaging a projection of the outlet cover with a socket of an electrical outlet and bending the outlet cover along a line defined by a groove in the outlet cover, thereby exposing a second socket of the electrical outlet. 
         [0017]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an outlet cover according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the outlet cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  a rear view of the outlet cover of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the outlet cover of  FIG. 1  in a bent state; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of using the outlet cover of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an outlet cover according to an alternate configuration. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0027]    In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIGS. 1-4  show outlet cover  10  having a generally rectangular shape, but may include a rounded shape, such as circular or oval, or other desired shape, including decorative shapes. The shape of outlet cover  10  is preferably congruent with the shape of an electrical outlet with which outlet cover  10  is intended to be used. The size of outlet cover  10  is also preferably congruent with, or larger than, the size of the electrical outlet with which outlet cover  10  is intended to be used. It is contemplated that the outlet cover  10  may be used with single-socket or multiple-socket electrical outlets, and with electrical outlets of various types, including those with NEMA, JIS, CEE, and BS types of sockets, among others. Preferably, outlet cover  10  comprises an electrically insulating material such as a plastic, rubber, or other natural or synthetic electrically insulating material. 
         [0028]    Also shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is groove  20  formed in outlet cover  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , groove  20  preferably extends laterally across a middle of outlet cover  10 . Groove  20  may be formed by removing a portion of the material where the groove  20  is to be formed, or, alternatively, groove  20  may be formed by molding, or otherwise created contemporaneously with outlet cover  10 . Groove  20  defines first portion  10   a  of outlet cover  10  and second portion  10   b  of outlet cover  10 . Groove  20  preferably further defines a weaker portion of outlet cover  10 , whereby first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  may be bent out of parallel alignment. Groove  20  may optionally be frangible, whereby one of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  may optionally be removed from outlet cover  10 . Optionally, two or more grooves  20  may be included, such as to increase a range of motion of one or more of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b,  and may define third portion  10   c  between first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b.    
         [0029]    Each of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  preferably includes generally rectangular thin portion  55 ,  57 , respectively and a thicker raised portion  51 ,  53 , respectively. Each of thin portions  55 ,  57  may be flexible if desired to allow thin portions  55 ,  57  to conform to an outlet or outlet cover to which it may be attached. Raised portions  51 ,  53  are preferably rigid and are preferably disposed proximate prongs  30   a,    30   b  respectively, and preferably provide a secure base or attachment point for prongs  30   a,    30   b  respectively. Additionally, means  61  and  63  for bending first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b,  respectively may be included on each of raised portions  51 ,  53 , respectively, whereby a user may apply a force to bend a respective one of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  out of a co-planar arrangement. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, means  61  and  63  may be formed elsewhere on first portion  10   a  and  10   b  respectively, and may take other forms, so long as application of a bending force may be accomplished. 
         [0030]    Now referring more particularly to  FIG. 2 , the outlet cover  10  is shown from the side, illustrating a thickness of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b,  and a lesser thickness of grooves  20 . In  FIG. 2 , grooves  20  are shown as being v-shaped, although grooves  20  may be configured in any shape or dimension suitable to enable first portion  10   a  and/or second portion  10   b  to bend and expose one or more sockets for use. Also shown are prongs  30   a  and  30   b,  which project from a back side surface of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b,  respectively. Prongs  30   a  and  30   b  are configured to engage a socket of an electrical outlet. As shown in  FIG. 2 , prongs  30   a  and  30   b  are configured to engage respective ones of two sockets of an electrical outlet. Prongs  30   a  and  30   b  are preferably sized such that engagement with a socket of an electrical outlet provides sufficient frictional or other mechanical force to retain outlet cover  10  attached to the electrical outlet. In this configuration, either one of first portion  10   a  or second portion  10   b  may be bent out of parallel alignment with the other portion, thereby disengaging the respective prong from the socket, exposing the socket for use with a plug of an electrical device. 
         [0031]    Prongs  30   a  and  30   b  are preferably provided with at least one feature, such as relief cuts, flexible material, sufficiently short length, taper, or similar structural designs or material characteristics to facilitate such hinged removal from engagement with the socket. Alternatively, one of prongs  30   a  and  30   b  may be omitted or removable, and outlet cover  10  may be retained covering all the sockets of a particular electrical outlet by a single prong, whereby during use only the portion from which the prong was omitted may be bent, thereby exposing the socket for use. One or more of prongs  30   a  and/or prongs  30   b  may be removably attached to respective first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  via threads, friction fit engagement, or the like, whereby a user may selectively position prongs on outlet cover  10 , for example to conform to a receptacle pattern with which use is desired. It is also contemplated that groove  20  may extend vertically across outlet cover  10 , in order to enable selective exposure of horizontally arranged sockets, or pairs of sockets. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows prongs  30   a  and  30   b  as pairs of prongs. Prongs  30   a  and  30   b  may consist of one or more projections, limited in number and arrangement only by the socket with which outlet cover  10  is intended to be used. Preferably, however, outlet cover  10  has only as many projections as necessary to securely cover the sockets of an electrical outlet, and preferably such projections are spatially arranged so as to increase use of outlet cover  10  with the number of different types of socket types and electrical outlet configurations possible. This enables a user to use outlet cover  10  in different locations within a structure, or even in various structures, wherever electrical outlets need to be covered. Alternatively, as discussed above, one or more projections may be removable, such as via threaded engagement, friction-fit engagement, or the like, or may be selectively configurable, such as via a locking engagement, adhesive, welding, or the like. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows first portion  10   a  bent out of parallel alignment with second portion  10   b.  In the arrangement of  FIG. 4 , outlet cover  10  is retained in position by prong  30   b  engaged with a lower socket of an electrical outlet. Portion  10   b  is bent far enough out of parallel alignment with portion  10   b  to allow a plug of an electrical device to engage an upper socket of the electrical outlet. When the device is no longer in use, the plug may be removed, and first portion  10   a  may be bent back into alignment with second portion  10   b  and prong  30   a  may engage the upper socket of the electrical outlet. Such bending back into alignment may be accomplished via biasing means  40 , such as spring, a pneumatic element, a hydraulic element, a resilient member, combinations thereof, or the like, wherein biasing means  40  preferably provides a force on at least one of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b,  at lease when first portion  10   a  is not parallel with second portion  10   b,  such that outlet cover  10  may automatically cover at least one socket proximate first portion  10   a  and at least one socket proximate second portion  10   b.    
         [0034]    Alternatively, if use of both sockets is needed, prong  30   b  may be disengaged from the lower socket of the electrical outlet, freeing both sockets for use with electric devices. In that case, outlet cover  10  is large enough that it is not easily misplaced, and does not present a choking hazard to children. In a case where one of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  is removed from outlet cover  10  as described above, each of first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  is large enough that it is not easily misplaced and does not present a choking hazard to children. 
         [0035]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , a method  50  of using outlet cover  10  is illustrated. According to the method, at step  52  a first prong, such as prong  30   b,  of the outlet cover  10  is engaged with a socket of an electrical outlet thereby covering one or more of the sockets of the electrical outlet. Step  52  may optionally include step  52   a,  at which step a second prong, such as prong  30   a,  of outlet cover  10  is engaged with a second socket of the electrical outlet. At step  54 , a portion of the outlet cover  10 , such as first portion  10   a,  is bent away from a socket of the electrical outlet, in this case an upper socket, in order to expose the socket. If prong  30   a  was engaged with the upper socket at step  52 , then it is disengaged at step  54 . At step  56 , a plug of an electric device is engaged with the exposed socket, whereby the electric device can be used. The first prong remains engaged with the socket of the electrical outlet, thereby retaining a second portion of outlet cover  10 , such as second portion  10   b,  in a position covering the lower socket, not in use. At step  58 , when the electric device is no longer in use, the plug of the electric device is removed from the upper socket of the electrical outlet. At step  60 , the first portion of the outlet cover  10 , such as first portion  10   a,  is bent back towards the electrical outlet; thereby, covering the exposed socket. If a second prong was engaged with a second socket of the electrical outlet at step  52 , then step  60  should include step  60   a,  wherein the second prong, such as prong  30   a,  of outlet cover  10  is re-engaged with the second socket, such an upper socket of the electric outlet. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an alternate configuration of outlet cover  10  is illustrated wherein outlet cover  10  comprises a generally rectangular body. Outlet cover  10  preferably includes first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  separated by hinging means  21 , such s in the form of groove  20 . Outlet cover  10  preferably includes prongs  30   a  and  30   b  formed on first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b,  respectively. Each of prongs  30   a  and  30   b  preferably comprise one or more projection adapted to engage a socket of an electrical outlet. Biasing means  40  takes the form of resilient material proximate hinging means  21 , wherein such material preferable provides a biasing force biasing first portion  10   a  and second portion  10   b  in a generally co-planar arrangement. 
         [0037]    Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.