Environmentally Protected Wiring Device
US7554033B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 20, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H83/04
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device for use in an ambient environment. The device includes a cover assembly characterized by a perimeter defining a user-accessible front face portion of the wiring device. The cover assembly includes at least one user-accessible control feature disposed therein. A body member is connected to the cover assembly. A circuit arrangement is disposed in the body member, at least a portion of the circuit arrangement being in operative communication with the at least one user-accessible control feature. A gasket structure is integrated into the cover assembly and disposed under the front face portion to substantially seal the circuit arrangement from the ambient environment. The gasket structure includes at least one gasket feature coupling the at least one user-accessible control feature and the at least a portion of the circuit arrangement. The gasket structure extends from the perimeter a predetermined distance to form a gasket perimeter defining an environmentally protected area. The environmentally protected area is greater than or substantially equal to a coverage area of a standard wall plate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.