IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0247896
(2005-10-11)
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등록번호 |
US-7586040
(2009-09-22)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Bala, Kapil Rao Ganta Papa Rao
- Junko, Theodore P.
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
5 인용 특허 :
26 |
초록
▼
The present invention is directed to a decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box. The assembly includes a base plate member comprising a center portion including at least one aperture configured to accommodate the at least one electrical
The present invention is directed to a decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box. The assembly includes a base plate member comprising a center portion including at least one aperture configured to accommodate the at least one electrical device, a first end portion of the base plate member including at least one first plate connection device, and a second end portion of the base plate member including at least one second plate connection device. The center portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. A first cover cap includes at least one first cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one first plate connection device. The first cover cap is configured to cover the first end portion. A second cover cap includes at least one second cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one second plate connection device. The second cover cap is configured to cover the second end portion.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box, the assembly comprising: a base plate member characterized by a first perimetric edge, a second perimetric edge, a third perimetric edge parallel to the first perimetri
What is claimed is: 1. A decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box, the assembly comprising: a base plate member characterized by a first perimetric edge, a second perimetric edge, a third perimetric edge parallel to the first perimetric edge, and a fourth perimetric edge parallel to the second perimetric edge, the base plate member comprising a center portion disposed between the first perimetric edge and the third perimetric edge, the center portion including at least one aperture configured to accommodate the at least one electrical device, a first end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the second perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the first end portion including at least one first plate connection device, and a second end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the fourth perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the second end portion including at least one second plate connection device, whereby the center portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion; a first cover cap including at least one first cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one first plate connection device, the first cover cap being configured to substantially cover the first end portion; and a second cover cap including at least one second cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one second plate connection device, the second cover cap being configured to substantially cover the second end portion. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end portion includes a first screw hole disposed therein and the second end portion includes a second screw hole disposed therein, the first cover cap being configured to cover the first screw hole and the second cover cap being configured to cover the second screw hole. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a first interface between the center portion and the first end portion is substantially linear, the first cover cap being configured to conform to the first interface. 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a first interface between the center portion and the first end portion is curvilinear, the first cover cap being configured to conform to the first interface. 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a second interface between the center portion and the second end portion is substantially linear, the second cover cap being configured to conform to the first interface. 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a second interface between the center portion and the second end portion is curvilinear, the second cover cap being configured to conform to the second interface. 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative wall plate assembly is a multi-gang assembly configured to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices. 8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of electrical devices are selected from a group of electrical devices that include an electrical switch, an electrical outlet, a dimmer switch, a thermostat, a sensor device, a cable television device, a telephony related device, a TVSS, and/or an electric circuit protection device. 9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is sized to accommodate the at least one electrical device. 10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a center cover including at least one center cover connection device configured to mate with at least one center portion connection device, the center cover being configured to substantially cover the center portion. 11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the center cover is comprised of a material selected from a group of materials that includes a plastic material, polycarbonate, nylon, and/or metal materials. 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the center cover includes a finish layer comprised of a finish material that is selected from a group of finish materials that includes wood, clear plastic, stone, metal, polycarbonate, Corian and/or leather materials. 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the base plate member, first cover cap and second cover cap are comprised of a material selected from a group of materials that includes a plastic material, polycarbonate, nylon, and/or metal materials. 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the base plate member, first cover cap, and second cover cap are formed by at least one process selected from a group of processes that includes injection molding, casting, stamping, and/or milling. 15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover cap and the second cover cap include finish layers comprising at least one finish material that is selected from a group of finish materials that includes wood, stone, clear plastic, metal, polycarbonate, Corian and/or leather materials. 16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first cover cap is comprised of a clear plastic material, the first cover cap being configured to accommodate a first sheet of material disposed between the first cover cap and the first end portion. 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the second cover cap is comprised of a clear plastic material, the second cover cap being configured to accommodate a second sheet of material disposed between the second cover cap and the second end portion. 18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the first sheet of material and/or the second sheet of material are selected to match a selected décor, at least one color, pattern, item, and/or furniture style. 19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first cover cap and/or the second cover cap is comprised of a material configured to emit light generated by a light source included in the electrical device to a region in vicinity of the electrical device. 20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover cap and/or the second cover cap is selectable from a plurality of cover caps configured to allow light generated by the light source to be selectively emitted to a region in vicinity of the electrical device. 21. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first cover cap and/or the second cover cap is comprised of a material configured to conduct light in vicinity of the electrical device to a light detector included in the electrical device. 22. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover cap or the second cover cap is selectable from a plurality of cover caps configured to allow light that is present in the vicinity of the electrical device to be selectively conducted to a light detector included in the electrical device. 23. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wherein the first cover cap and/or the second cover cap include human readable indicia formed therein. 24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the wherein the human readable indicia includes alphanumeric characters. 25. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the wherein the human readable indicia includes tactile data. 26. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wherein the first cover cap and/or the second cover cap include a pattern formed therein. 27. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the decorative wall plate assembly is configured to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices. 28. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical device is selected from a group of electrical devices that include an electrical switch, an electrical outlet, a dimmer switch, a thermostat, a sensor device, a cable television device, a telephony related device, a TVSS, and/or an electric circuit protection device. 29. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a first lateral cover cap including at least one first lateral cover cap connection device configured to mate with at least one first lateral plate connection device, the first lateral cover cap being configured to cover a first lateral portion of the base plate member; and a second lateral cover cap including at least one second lateral cover cap connection device configured to mate with at least one second lateral plate connection device, the second lateral cover cap being configured to cover a second lateral portion of the base plate member. 30. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first cover cap connection device is configured to snap into the at least one first plate connection device and the at least one second cover cap connection device is configured to snap into the at least one second plate connection device. 31. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first cover cap connection device is configured to slide onto the first end portion and the at least one second cover cap connection device is configured slide onto the second end portion. 32. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first plate connection device and/or the at least one second plate connection device include at least one leveling connection device. 33. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the at least one leveling connection device include ratcheting elements. 34. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one first cover cap connection device includes a plurality of first cover cap connection devices and the at least one first plate connection device includes a plurality of first plate connection devices corresponding to the plurality of first cover cap connection devices, and wherein the at least one second cover cap connection device includes a plurality of second cover cap connection devices and the at least one second plate connection device includes a plurality of second plate connection devices corresponding to the plurality of second cover cap connection devices. 35. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover cap includes a first slot configured to accommodate a tool for separating the first cover cap from the base plate member. 36. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the base plate member further comprises a first tab member disposed in a location corresponding to the first slot when the first cover cap is attached to the base plate member, the first tab member also being configured to accommodate the tool for separating the first cover cap from the base plate member. 37. The assembly of claim 35, wherein the second cover cap includes a second slot configured to accommodate the tool for separating the second cover cap from the base plate member. 38. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the base plate member further comprises a second tab member disposed in a location corresponding to the second slot when the second cover cap is attached to the base plate member, the second tab member also being configured to accommodate the tool for separating the second cover cap from the base plate member. 39. A method for making a decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box, the method comprising: forming a base plate member having a first perimetric edge, a second perimetric edge, a third perimetric edge parallel to the first longitudinal perimetric edge, and a fourth perimetric edge parallel to the second perimetric edge, the base plate member comprising a center portion disposed between the first perimetric edge and the third longitudinal perimetric edge, the center portion including at least one aperture configured to accommodate the at least one electrical device, a first end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the second perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the first end portion including at least one first plate connection device, and a second end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the fourth perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the second end portion including at least one second plate connection device, whereby the center portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion; forming a first cover cap including at least one first cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one first plate connection device, the first cover cap being configured to substantially cover the entire first end portion; forming a second cover cap including at least one second cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one second plate connection device, the second cover cap being configured to substantially cover the entire the second end portion. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of associating the base plate member, the first cover cap, and the second cover cap for subsequent installation. 41. A method for installing the decorative wall plate assembly of claim 39, the method comprising: coupling the base plate member to the at least one electrical device; attaching the first cover cap to the first end portion by mating the at least one first cover cap connection device to the at least one first plate connection device, whereby the first cover cap covers the first end portion; and attaching the second cover cap to the second end portion by mating the at least one second cover cap connection device to the at least one second plate connection device, whereby the second cover cap covers the second end portion. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one first cover cap connection device is configured to snap into the at least one first plate connection device and the at least one second cover cap connection device is configured to snap into the at least one second plate connection device. 43. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one first plate connection device and the at least one second plate connection device each include ratcheting elements such that the at least one first cover cap connection device is configured to ratchet into the at least one first plate connection device and the at least one second cover cap connection device is configured to ratchet into the at least one second plate connection device. 44. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of selecting the base plate member, the first cover cap, and the second cover cap to match a selected décor, at least one color, pattern, item, and/or furniture style. 45. A decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box, the assembly comprising: a base plate member characterized by a first perimetric edge, a second perimetric edge, a third perimetric edge parallel to the first longitudinal perimetric edge, and a fourth perimetric edge parallel to the second perimetric edge, the base plate member comprising a center portion including at least one aperture configured to accommodate the at least one electrical device, a first end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the second perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the first end portion including at least one first plate connection device, and a second end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the fourth perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the second end portion including at least one second plate connection device, whereby the center portion is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion and includes a center portion finished surface; a first cover cap including at least one first cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one first plate connection device, the first cover cap being configured to substantially cover the entire first end portion and includes a first cover cap finished surface; and a second cover cap including at least one second cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one second plate connection device, the second cover cap being configured to substantially cover the entire second end portion and includes a second cover cap finished surface. 46. A method for redecorating a living space that includes at least one decorative wall plate assembly configured to cover at least one electrical device disposed in a wall box, comprising: providing a base plate member having a first perimetric edge, a second perimetric edge, a third perimetric edge parallel to the first longitudinal perimetric edge, and a fourth perimetric edge parallel to the second perimetric edge, the base plate member comprising a center portion including at least one aperture configured to accommodate the at least one electrical device, a first end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the second perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the first end portion including at least one first plate connection device, and a second end portion of the base plate member disposed adjacent the center portion and bounded by a portion of the first perimetric edge, the fourth perimetric edge, and a portion of the third perimetric edge, the second end portion including at least one second plate connection device, the center portion being disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the decorative wall plate assembly also including a first cover cap including at least one first cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one first plate connection device, the first cover cap substantially covering the entire first end portion, the decorative wall plate assembly further including a second cover cap including at least one second cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one second plate connection device, the second cover cap substantially covering the entire second end portion; removing the first cover cap from the first end portion; and attaching a substitute first cover cap including at least one first cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one first plate connection device, the substitute first cover cap being configured to cover the first end portion. 47. The method of claim 46, further comprising: removing the second cover cap from the second end portion; and attaching a substitute second cover cap including at least one second cover cap connection device configured to mate with the at least one second plate connection device, the substitute second cover cap being configured to cover the second end portion.
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