Weatherproof decorator cover with positive indicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10943750-B2
Application number	US-201916508672-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 11, 2019
Priority date	Nov 3, 2015
Publication date	Mar 9, 2021
Grant date	Mar 9, 2021

Abstract

A weatherproof switch cover includes a base plate, a rocker arm provided in the base plate and movable between a first position and a second position and a membrane provided below the rocker arm, the membrane providing a weatherproof seal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A weatherproof switch cover comprising:
a base plate including top and bottom walls, a pair of side walls, an exterior surface and an open interior area, the exterior surface being secured to or integrally molded into the top and bottom walls and the pair of side walls, the exterior surface having an opening configured to align with an electrical switch;
an arm associated with the base plate and positioned at least partially within the open interior area and accessible through the opening, the arm being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the arm is moved to the first position the arm stays in the first position until the arm is moved to the second position, and when arm is moved to the second position the arm stays in the second position until the arm is moved to the first position; and
a flexible membrane providing a weatherproof seal between the arm, the opening and the open interior area.

2. The weatherproof switch cover of claim 1 , wherein when the arm is moved to the first position a first portion the flexible membrane flexes in a direction away from the arm and when the arm is moved to the second position a second portion the flexible membrane flexes in a direction away from the arm.

3. The weatherproof switch cover of claim 1 , further comprising a feedback mechanism providing tactile feedback to a user when the arm is moved between the first and second positions.

4. The weatherproof switch cover of claim 3 , wherein the feedback mechanism comprises a spring biased finger movably provided in a center channel of the arm.

5. The weatherproof switch cover of claim 4 , wherein the feedback mechanism further comprises a flipper movably provided on a pivot point, wherein the spring biased finger rests on the flipper.

6. A weatherproof electrical kit comprising:
a weatherproof electrical box; and
a weatherproof switch cover mountable to the weatherproof electrical box, the weatherproof switch cover comprising:
a base plate including top and bottom walls, a pair of side walls, an exterior surface and an open interior area, the exterior surface being secured to or integrally molded into the top and bottom walls and the pair of side walls, the exterior surface having an opening configured to align with an electrical switch;
an arm associated with the base plate and positioned at least partially within the open interior area and accessible through the opening, the arm being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the arm is moved to the first position the arm stays in the first position until the arm is moved to the second position, and when arm is moved to the second position the arm stays in the second position until the arm is moved to the first position; and
a flexible membrane providing a weatherproof seal between the arm, the opening and the open interior area.

7. The weatherproof electrical kit of claim 6 , wherein when the arm is moved to the first position a first portion the flexible membrane flexes in a direction away from the arm and when the arm is moved to the second position a second portion the flexible membrane flexes in a direction away from the arm.

8. The weatherproof electrical kit of claim 6 , further comprising a feedback mechanism providing tactile feedback to a user when the arm is moved between the first and second positions.

9. The weatherproof electrical kit of claim 8 , wherein the feedback mechanism comprises a spring biased finger movably provided in a center channel of the arm.

10. The weatherproof electrical kit of claim 9 , wherein the feedback mechanism further comprises a flipper movably provided on a pivot point, wherein the spring biased finger rests on the flipper.

11. A weatherproof switch cover comprising:
a base plate including top and bottom walls, a pair of side walls, an exterior surface and an open interior area, the exterior surface being secured to or integrally molded into the top and bottom walls and the pair of side walls, the exterior surface having an opening and at least one hole for attaching the base plate to an electrical switch or an electrical box;
an arm operatively coupled to the base plate within the open interior area and accessible at least partially through the opening, the arm being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the arm is moved to the first position the arm stays in the first position until the arm is moved to the second position, and when the arm is moved to the second position the arm stays in the second position until the arm is moved to the first position; and
a flexible membrane provided within the open interior area, the membrane providing a weatherproof seal between the opening and the open interior area.

12. The weatherproof switch cover of claim 11 , wherein the arm comprises a first finger that presses into a first nub provided in the flexible membrane when the arm is moved to the first position, and a second finger that presses into a second nub provided in the flexible membrane when the arm is moved to the second position.

13. The weatherproof switch cover of claim 11 , wherein the arm comprises a first finger that presses into the flexible membrane when the arm is moved to the first position, and a second finger that presses into the flexible membrane when the arm is moved to the second position.

14. The weatherproof switch cover of claim 11 , further comprising a feedback mechanism providing tactile feedback to a user when the arm is moved between the first and second positions.

15. A weatherproof electrical kit comprising:
a weatherproof electrical box; and
a weatherproof switch cover mountable to the weatherproof electrical box, the weatherproof switch cover comprising:
a base plate including top and bottom walls, a pair of side walls, an exterior surface and an open interior area, the exterior surface being secured to or integrally molded into the top and bottom walls and the pair of side walls, the exterior surface having an opening and at least one hole for attaching the base plate to an electrical switch or an electrical box;
an arm operatively coupled to the base plate within the open interior area and accessible at least partially through the opening, the arm being movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the arm is moved to the first position the arm stays in the first position until the arm is moved to the second position, and when the arm is moved to the second position the arm stays in the second position until the arm is moved to the first position; and
a flexible membrane provided within the open interior area, the membrane providing a weatherproof seal between the opening and the open interior area.

16. The weatherproof electrical kit of claim 15 , wherein the arm comprises at least one finger that presses into nubs provided in the flexible membrane when the arm is moved to the first position and when the arm is moved to the second position.

17. The weatherproof electrical kit of claim 15 , wherein the arm comprises at least one finger that presses into the flexible membrane when the arm is moved to the first position and when the arm is moved to the second position.

18. The weatherproof electrical kit of claim 15 , wherein the weatherproof switch cover further comprises a feedback mechanism providing tactile feedback to a user when the arm is moved between the first and second positions.

19. A weatherproof multi-gang cover comprising:
a base plate including top and bottom walls, a pair o

Assignees

• Hubbell Inc

Inventors

• Thomas Jason Peter

Classifications

• H01R2103/00

  Two poles · CPC title

• H01R24/78

  with additional earth or shield contacts · CPC title

• H01R13/5213

  Covers · CPC title

• H02G3/06

  Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing {or channels}, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical continuity in the joint · CPC title

• H01H23/145

  the actuating surface having two slightly inclined areas extending from the middle outward · CPC title