Abstract:
An outlet cover safety device with an integrated safety device having an electrical with at least one aperture. The electrical cover mounting on an electrical outlet. The matching up with electrical gangs of the electrical outlet. The safety device having a at least one strap, with at least one prong disposed on the strap. The strap being biased to remain in an open position away from the plug accepting outlet when not in use. When wishing to engage the safety device, the strap is bent in a direction such that the prong is gets inserted into an aperture of a plug receiving outlet. The safety device may be incorporated with an outlet cover or may be a separate mechanism.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims prior of a U.S. Patent No. 61/563,578 filed on Nov. 24, 2011, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a safety device that may be manufactured together with or separate from a cover apparatus that it secures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In residential and other structures, electrical outlets are generally positioned a short distance above the floor, this makes the outlets readily accessible to small children. A curious child is inclined to test and probe his environment and may insert objects, such as paper clips and parts of toys into the prong receiving openings of an electrical outlet. This exposes this child to the danger of shock or even death. 
         [0004]    Electrical outlet covers have been known for a long time. Over the years many products have been introduced to deal with the danger that electricity poses to young children. Some have become ubiquitous household items, such as a freestanding disk with a pair of prongs on one side that get inserted into an outlet. 
         [0005]    Even though the present field of the art seems saturated with numerous safety devices, they all represent separate items that are not attached to the covers they are supposed to shield. Therefore, these devices frequently get lost and most be incessantly replaced with new ones. While they are being replaced children are exposed to increased risk of electrocution from unshielded outlets. 
         [0006]    A small number of existing electrical covers do integrate safety features into a an electric cover receptacle. However, these tend to be complex devices that are expensive to mass produce. This results in higher retail price which discourages all but the most safety conscious consumers from buying them. 
         [0007]    The present invention may be similarly adapted for use in network and phone plug-in outlets, microphone jacks, audio/video outlets and other plug-in devices. While these usually do not present a risk of electric shock, a safety shield will prevent other negative consequences, such as stuck limbs and damaged and broken outlets. 
         [0008]    The present invention solves all of the aforementioned flaws present in prior art and introduces other novel and non-obvious breakthroughs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is an electrical outlet cover apparatus, having at least one aperture for receiving an outlet, at least one strap having a band and a cap, the strap capable of flexing from the point of attachment to top surface of the cover, the cover surface further containing prongs that engage plug receiving aperture of the electrical outlet, said safety member fused with said receptacle cover during manufacturing as in injection molding process. 
         [0010]    It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an electrical receptacle cover featuring an integrated safety mechanism that is simple to operate and inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0011]    It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a safety mechanism that mounts between the cover and the wall on which the cover is mounted. This configuration ensures that the safety device will not get detached. 
         [0012]    It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a safety device that mounts using a flange or gasket. This ensures an air tight, even seal, as well as secure durable installation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of the present invention with safety mechanism in a disengaged state. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective top view of the present invention with safety mechanism in an engaged position. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2A-2I  are various views of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3A-3E  are various views of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are alternative applications of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Shown are the receptacle cover  10 , straps  20 , prongs  40 , a first point  50 , a second point  60 , the band  70 , the cap  80 , the aperture  90 , the top surface of the receptacle cover  100 , bottom surface of the cover  110 , the top surface of the strap  120 , the bottom surface of the strap  130 , and the nail slot  140 . The strap  20  and the receptacle cover  10  are manufactured together as a single unit. This may be done by cutting or stamping both parts  20  and  10  out of a single sheet of material or by fusing them from two separate materials or two separates segments of the same material. This attachment may be accomplished through melting, stamping, soldering, riveting, or gluing or any other commercially available means of attaching two objects together. 
         [0021]    The strap  20  should preferably be manufactured from plastic or resin or any other polymeric material. It may also be manufactured from metal, metal alloy, leather, or fabric. To achieve maximum utility and durability, it is advisable that the band section  70  is flexible, yet possesses sufficient tensile integrity that when not used, it will assume a positional orientation with respect to the top surface  100  that is biased toward keeping access to the aperture  90  unobstructed, as shown in  FIG. 1 . This quality prevents a strap  20  that is not covering the outlet  300  ( FIG. 2 ) from obstructing any normal use of such electrical outlet  300 . To further improve this predisposition, the first point  50  of the band  70  is attached to the bottom surface  110  and then wrapped around the side edge  115 . The band  70  can achieve substantially the same effect when attached directly onto the side edge  115 . In either event, it may be preferable to have a fold line  220  that is running across the band section  70 , at a distance between 2 and 10 millimeters from the side edge  115 . 
         [0022]    The strap  20  may also be disposed on the outside surface  100 , in which case the band  70  may be manufactured in a way that induces it to curl in a direction away from the receptacle cover. The width of the band section  70  should preferably be between 0.08 of an inch or 2 millimeters and 2 inches or 5 centimeters. The band section  70  is preferably straight, as shown. However, the band section may be curved, elliptical, or may be formed in a myriad of other whimsical and fanciful shapes. The top surface of the strap  120 , bottom surface of the strap  130  may be molded or colored in a variety of shades and patterns. 
         [0023]    In  FIG. 1  the cap  80  has shape that resembles a most common electrical outlet used in North America, being substantially elliptical with the longer side  81  of the ellipse flattened out. However, a myriad of other shapes is possible, such as but not limited to, a square, circle or rectangle, or more whimsical shapes such as heads of various creatures, critters, action figures, team logo, or a name. To promote greater durability and structural integrity, the band  70  a the cap  80  and cover  10  are manufactured as a single component that forms the strap  20 , cap and cover. The cap  80  may be made narrower or wider than the band  70 , or these two areas may appear indistinguishable from each other. 
         [0024]    The strap  20  and/or the receptacle cover  10  may be made of luminescent material. Chemiluminescence of such a material may be powered by hardwiring the receptacle cover to the outlet. Energy may also be derived from the electromagnetic forces that surround the outlet. The components of the present invention may also be photo luminescent, in which case no external power source would be required. In another alternative, an LED light source may be embedded within the strap or cap issue point  210 . The cap  80  may have metal plug prongs  20 , which would serve as conductors for energizing a night light incorporated into said cap  80 . Said plug spades would then make contact with internal energized components of the electrical receptacle when in closed state. This light source would light up the translucent straps  20 , producing steady or intermittent radiance. Additional LEDs may be disposed along the strap  20  (not shown). The strap  20  or the receptacle cover  20  may further be equipped with on or more electrode and a primitive speaker (shown in later figures), which would emit a sound when the electrode connection between the strap  20  and the receptacle cover  10  is lost. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 1 , the strap  20  is attached in a way that it bends around the short side  55  of the receptacle cover  10 . This configuration works best for North American fifteen ampere outlets where the outlet apertures are next to each other and extend into the outlet in a parallel fashion. However, in an alternative embodiment, the band may be bending, around the side  65 . This configuration may work better for outlets where the plug receiving apertures are round or at an angle with respect to each other. Only one strap  20  is required, however as many additional straps may be added as necessary. The strap configuration may be pre-molded, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2I  or may be more dynamic as in  FIGS. 3A-3E . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows how the prongs  40  of the straps  20  easily and conveniently drop into receptacle receiving apertures of the outlet  300 . The outlet  300  is a plug accepting outlet, meaning the a plug, of a connector, such as electrical two or three prong connector is capable of being inserted into apertures  302  of the outlet  300  to draw energy or to establish a flow of electrons or other signaling impulses. The spatial dimensions of the prongs  40  are such that they fit very snugly within the receptacle receiving apertures, meaning that prying the strap  20  away from the outlet  300  would be a challenge for a child. The prongs  40  may also be polarized for proper fit. Meaning one prong  40  may be larger than the other, as found in most North American plug connectors. However, an adult would be able to utilize the slot  140  in additional to superior strength than a child, to gain access to the outlet  300  without much effort. In an alternative embodiment, the slot  140  may be replaced or supplemented with a prong shape or configuration that would require an adult to shift the strap  20  in a specific sequence. This embodiment may reduce effort for an adult without compromising the security features with respect to pets or children. 
         [0027]    The cap  80  further contains the thicker section  150 , the prongs  40 , the ground indicator  160 , and the slot  140 . The prongs  40  are attached to the thicker section  150 . The extra thickness prevents cracking or snapping of the strap  20  while it is being subjected to prying, pressing and twisting forces when the prongs  40  are being inserted into are pried away from an outlet. The ground indicator  160  is on the top surface  120  of the cover cap  20 . The primary purpose of the ground indicator  160  is to identify the top and bottom areas of the receptacle cover  10  during installation. The slot  140  is located at the second point  60 . However, in other embodiments, the slot  140  may be situated in any other location along the strap  20 . The slot location shown in  FIG. 2  is preferred since it provides the greatest leverage when prying the covering surface away from the receptacle cover  10  to expose the electrical cover underneath. 
         [0028]    The flange  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  represents the primary structural component of the safety device  5 , which secures the strap  20  into place. The flange  200  may be attached to the bottom surface  110  either with an adhesive or through frictional attachment. The adhesive may be applied to the top surface  206 , or to the outer edge  204 . The lip  202  serves to better align the flange  200  within the bottom cavity of the cover  10 , as shown in the  FIGS. 2A and 2D . The flange  200  is preferably plane and is of even thickness over the entire perimeter  260  of the flange  200 . Alternatively, the thickness may alternate or may be made of memory polymer, or other resinous materials. When a flexible, variable thickness material is used, the flange will form an air tight seal between the cover  10  and the wall on which the electric outlet is mounted. With as rubberized polymer or a memory plastic material, an air tight seal will form notwithstanding any cracks or other surface imperfections of the edge  115  or on the wall on which the cover  10  is mounted. The thickness  209  of the flange  200  should preferably be between ⅛ of an inch and ½ of an inch, while the width  211  ( FIG. 2B ) should preferably start at 1/16 of an inch and get wider depending on electrical cover used. 
         [0029]    The lip  202  is clearly visible in  FIG. 2B . The lip  202  may cover the entire perimeter  260  of the top surface  206 . Alternatively the lip  202  may exist in spots where the flange  200  is likely to be come twisted or misaligned, for example along the length of the flange, or in cases of decorative or round wall plates, within curvatures or sharp angles. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2C  shows the cover  10 , the edge  115 , the top surface  150 , prongs  40 , nail tab or flange  140 , thick section of  150 , the flange  200 . The protective device  5  shown in  FIG. 2C  does not contain an alignment lip  202 . Since the lip adds to the thickness  209  ( FIG. 2A ), in some cases a thinner flange  200  may be desired. One example of this may be a wall plate having a step design around its perimeter that tappers of toward the edge  115 , or any other cover design where the separation between a mounting wall and a cover is very small. In addition, if adhesive is applied to the top surface  206 , the presence of a lip  202  may be undesirable as it may interfere with proper adhesion. This is especially true if a cover  10  is manufactured together with the safety device  5 , and the flange is being fitted right on the conveyer belt. The preferred way of manufacturing the present invention with cover is injection molding for plastics and resins or stamping for metals. Injection molding process may form the cover  10  and the straps  20  as a single piece or separate pieces. The same can be said regarding the flange  200  and the cover  10  and straps  20 . 
         [0031]    The snug fit of the flange  200  within the inside edge  116  of the cover  10  is visible in  FIGS. 2D and 2E . The bottom surface  208  will get jammed against a wall as the cover is fastened onto the electric cover. It is preferred however that no adhesives are used for holding the flange  200  in place. An adhesive or frictional coating may be applied to the bottom surface  208 , for a more permanent fit. 
         [0032]    The flange  200  should preferably move the edge  115  slightly away from the wall on which the cover plate  10  is being mounted to allow for the passage of the strap  20 , while at the same time providing an airtight, even seal all around the perimeter of the cover  10 . If the edge  115  is flush with the wall, then the segment of the edge  115  that covers the strap issue point  210  will be slightly raised to allow the strap  20  to pass underneath. This slight elevation may produce undesired gaps between the wail and the cover plate  10  to the left and right of the elevated segment. In addition, the uneven connection between the edge  115  and the wall may cause the cover plate  10  to wobble and oscillate when touched since the connection between the edge  115  and the wall will be uneven. Alternatively, a cover  10  may contain a cutout in the edge  115 . This cutout would correspond to the width of the strap issue point  210  and permit for an unobstructed passage of the strap  20 . In another alternative, the strap  20  may be molded or attached directly onto the edge  115 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 2F and 2G  provide an unobstructed front and back views respectively of the safety device  5 . Also visible is the top surface of the strap  120 , bottom surface of the strap  130 . The flange  200  and strap  20  may be multilayered, resulting in a difference in material, color or texture for either or both the top and bottom surfaces  120  and  130 . As was noted above, the flange  200  need not be shaped as a rectangle, but may have more elliptical curvatures. 
         [0034]    The side views visible in  FIGS. 2H and 2I  provide clarity into components that may not have been clearly illustrated in prior diagrams. Shown are the prongs  40 , the strap  20 , the band section  70  the cap  80 , the thick section of the cap  150 , the flange  200 , the lip  202 , the outer edge  204 , the top surface of the flange  206 , and the bottom surface of the flange  208 . The prongs  40  contain a curved section  42  and a straight section  44 . This accommodates a North American standard of regular voltage electrical outlet. As the strap  20  swings in the direction of the arrows  45 , the prongs  40  wilt encounter the plug receiving apertures  302  of the electrical outlet  300  ( FIG. 2 ) at an angle. The curved section  42  allows for a smooth alignment between the apertures  302  and the prongs  40 , while the straight section produces a snug and secure fit of the prong  20  within the aperture  302 . It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the prongs may be molded in any shape, such as, but not limited to conical, cylindrical, or trapezoidal. While the present description focuses on an electrical cover, it is understood that similar safety devices can be made for various other types jacks, such as, but not limited to telephone or network wiring jacks, high voltage and proprietary mechanical or electrical jacks, microphone or audio/video outlets. The jacks or outlet also need not be wail mounted, but may also be found in the floor, ceiling, airplane chairs, and in office furniture or any other location where such outlets may be installed. The thickness  213  of the thick part  150  of the cap  80  is preferably between 2 and 5 millimeters, but may be thicker for some embodiments. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2I  illustrates described in the discussion for  FIGS. 2D and 2E . The flange  200  interposes between the edge  115  of the cover  10  and the wall  15 , by a thickness of the flange  117 . The thickness of the flange  117  is preferably just a few millimeters so as to be discernible only after a careful inspection. Otherwise, the appearance of a mounted cover  10  will be substantially the same as any other cover that is not secured by the protective device  5 . 
         [0036]      FIGS. 3A through 3E  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. In these figures each protective safety device  5  is made up of several unconnected components, mainly consisting of a flange  200  and a strap  20 . The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C  may be preferable in cases where one of the gangs of the cover  10  needs to accommodate an irregular outlet. For example, one gang would contain a standard electrical outlet, while the other would contain high voltage line, or a phone line. A kit containing a protective device  5  may contain straps  20  with prongs  40  to accommodate several known types of outlets. A consumer or electrician implementing the protective device  5 , would then have the flexibility of choosing the right protective device  5  for each individual outlet  300  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0037]    Shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E  are a strap  20 , a band  70 , a cap  80 , prongs  40 , a nail tab  140 , and a thick section of the cap  150 . The primary difference in this embodiment than in  FIGS. 2A-2I  is the appearance of the flange  200 . Shown is the outer edge  204 , the inner edge  205 , the connecting edge  201 , the lip  202 , and the inner section of the flange  203 . The outer edge  204  may fit over the inner edge  116  and be flush with the segment of the edge  115  which is contact with the flange  200 . This is especially preferred in an embodiment the neither the top surface  206  nor the bottom surface  208  contains any adhesive. The flange  200  is squeezed and held in place by the inner edge  116  once the cover  10  is tightly mounted onto the outlet  300 . In embodiments containing adhesive coating for either the top or bottom surfaces  206  or  208 , the outer edge  204  may fit within the inner edge  116 . 
         [0038]    The connecting edge  201  is preferably cut at an angle, in particular figure at a 45° angle. This is done so that another protective devices  5  may be installed next to each other both on a straight line or perpendicularly to each other. The lip  202 , if included, promotes proper alignment of the flange  200  and the cover bottom surface  110  of the cover  10 . The inner section of the flange  203 , is preferably wider than in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2I . A larger inner flange provides greater contact with the bottom surface  110 . The larger size is preferred as it promotes greater adhesion and stability of the protective device  5 , once it is installed between the edge  115  and the wall  15 . Either the top surface  206 , or the bottom surface  208 , or the bottom surface  110  of the cover  10  may be coated with an adhesive or frictional substances or frictional patterns, to improve the permanence of the protective device installation. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of this embodiment. The edge  115  will be slightly pushed away from the wall by the thickness of the flange. The inner edge  205  is the farthest extent of the flange  200  for the embodiment shown, which would mean that there would a slight gap between the edge  115  and the wall  15 , where the flange  200  has not been installed. The cover  10  will not wobble when installed, despite the fact that there is no even seal between the cover  10  and the wall  15 . The stability is attributed to the fact that the outer edge  204  stretches between two adjoining corners and incorporates these corners. That means that the entire one side of the cover  10  is slightly pushed away from the wall, and not just one corner or a segment of the edge  115 . 
         [0040]    The thickness of the flange  200  at the inner edge  205  may be thicker than the thickness at the outer edge  204 . This may be done to accommodate the concave structure of the bottom surface  110  of most covers  10 . The thicker part will promote a flush and level connection plane of the bottom surface  200  with the wall  15 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  demonstrate how the present invention may function with other types of wall plate covers  10 . Shown is a cover with dual apertures  90  for electric outlets, and a single adjacent toggle switch. In this embodiment, the flange  200  still covers the perimeter of the outlet cover, which now includes the toggle switch aperture  94 . The hermetic seal of the flange also  200  helps prevent moisture and carbon buildup inside the electric receptacle housing, which in turn would inhibit oxidation and mold buildup in warm or damp environments. 
         [0042]    In an alternative embodiment.  FIG. 4   b  shows signal device  215  on one of the straps  20 . A signal device would emit certain audiovisual signal whenever the safety device  29  would be removed from the outlet it protects. As mentioned earlier, one or more of the caps  80  may house a small light source, such as an LED bulb, and serve as a night light when the straps  20  are covering the outlet  300  and the prongs are submerged within the plug receiving apertures  302 . Such a signal device  29  may derive power from the same electrical outlet through hard wiring, or through one of the methods already discussed above, or through by utilizing the electromagnetic field around the outlet (from the AC wiring). The technology for tapping power from an electromagnetic field to light a lighting device is known to those skilled in the art. An example of such technology is evidenced by a conventional NON-CONTACT AC POWER DETECTOR, manufactured by Bel-Merit. 
         [0043]    It is understood by those skilled in the relevant art that the embodiment of the present invention that is discussed in this application represents the preferred embodiment. However, the description extends to alternative embodiments of the present invention that are not shown in the Figures.