SCREWLESS AND SEAMLESS COVER PLATE AND COVER PLATE ASSEMBLIES THAT COMPRISE ONE OR MORE RETENTION MEMBERS THAT SELECTIVELY ENGAGE AND SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORM TO THE OUTER SURFACE AND EDGES OF AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET OR SWITCH, OR AUDIO, DATA, OR VIDEO PLUG, CABLE, OR CONNECTOR, TO RELEASABLY SECURE THE COVER PLATE SUB-ASSEMBLY THERETO

摘要

Cover plates are provided for electrical fixtures including a screwless cover plate and/or cover plate assembly for electrical devices that cover the fixtures but provide holes for plugs, light switches, audio, data, or video connectors, and that optionally do not show screw or attachment holes, and where the cover plate is part of a cover plate assembly that comprises one or more retention members selectively engage and substantially conform to the outer surface and edges of the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, to releasably secure the cover plate sub-assembly thereto.

主权项

1. A cover plate assembly for at least one electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, contained in a receptacle box, the cover plate assembly comprising:
(a) a cover plate sub-assembly that is attachable to at least one electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, via at least one mounting connector; the cover plate sub-assembly comprising:
(i) a cover plate comprising outer edge portions circumscribing a generally planar body portion that lies between the outer edge portions in a first plane and that has a generally planar back surface disposed parallel to the first plane; and(ii) one or more retention members disposed adjacent to and fixed to the back surface of the cover plate, that lie in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, wherein: (A) the one or more retention members selectively engage and substantially conform to at least a portion of the outer surface and/or edges of the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, to releasably secure the cover plate sub-assembly thereto; (B) the body portion of the cover plate, when releasably secured to the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, covers the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, except for openings in the cover plate that are aligned and sized to allow access to the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector; or insertion of an external electrical, audio, video, or data plug, cable, or connector into the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector.