Active cover plate for an electrical outlet
US6423900B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R2103/00
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An active cover plate is provided for a standard electrical device such as a switch or receptacle which has a body unit-molded from a synthetic resin. The active cover plate is so termed because an active load is embedded within it. The exterior of the body is provided with at least a pair of terminals for connection to a building's current supply. A pair of opposed spring-strips embedded in the plate are positioned so as to protrude rearward from the plate and contact terminals on the device. The spring-strips are connected to terminals of the active load. Contact of the spring-strips against the terminals is good enough to provide the active load with the current it needs. The active load may be an electroluminescent panel, one or more light emitting diodes, an array of organic light emitting diodes, or a radio transmitter, or receiver preferably coupled with an annunciator or other signalling means, or any other device which consumes less than about 25 watts, and the components of which can be sandwiched within the plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.