Patent ID: 7129413

Claim:
An outlet plate cover assembly for connection with a standard electrical receptacle selected from duplex or GFCI formats, said cover assembly comprising: a substantially rectangular base member having laterally spaced long sides and longitudinally spaced short sides for overlying said standard electrical receptacle in assembly; means for attaching said base member to said standard electrical receptacle; a projecting peripheral shoulder projecting from said base member and circumscribing said electrical receptacle; a center panel member on said base member inwardly of said shoulder; aperture means in said panel member for operatively receiving the standard electrical receptacle; a lid member having a peripheral rim defining a recess in assembly outwardly surrounding said shoulder; a gasket member carried in said recess in said lid member and sealingly engaging said shoulder in a closed position; hinge means diagonally disposed between a short side and a long side at a corner of said base member for pivotally connecting said lid member to said base member for movement about a diagonal axis between said closed position and an open position operatively exposing said standard electrical receptacle, said hinge means including a hinge bracket on said base member and an arm section on said lid member, said hinge bracket includes a pair of spaced end members interconnected by a projecting rear wall engaging and limiting said lid member to an open position substantially normal to said base member, said arm section extending diagonally from said rim and having a pair of spaced, axially aligned pin members, said hinge bracket projecting from said base member and extending diagonally at a corner thereof wherein said arm section terminates with a curved cam surface, said bracket including a pair of downwardly opening slots supporting said pin members for rotation about said axis; a recess between said slots in said bracket for receiving spring means; said spring means carried between said base member and said arm section for biasing said lid member to said closed position wherein said spring means includes a base section engaging the base of said recess and merging with an arm section terminating with a curved tip engaging said cam surface so as to provide said continuous biasing to said closed position.