US2157957A - Shield for electrical outlets - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1939. A. c. HEISE El AL SHIELD FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS Filed April 26, 1958 Patented May 9, 1939 UNITED STATES SHIELD FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS Arthur c. Heise and Millard w. Jacobi, Baltimore, Md.

Application April 26, 1938, Serial No. 204.41: I

2 Claims.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in household articles and more particularly to a simple and inexpensive device for the purpose of covering unsightly electrical connections, andreceptacles.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a simple and ornamental shell or the like adapted to be readily inserted between the baseboard and the wall of a structure to cover an electrical receptacle mounted in the wall.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a device of the character mentioned which may be molded into form and provided with means for the disposition therethrough of a cord or other electrical connection.

A still further object resides in providing a. device which is simple and durable in construction, ornamental in appearance, and inexpensive to manufacture, as well as one which may be readily so and quickly applied to use when desired.

With these and numerous other objects in view, our invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts that will be hereinafter referred to and more 25 particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the drawing, forming a part of this application,

Figure 1 is a. front elevation, with parts broken away and parts in section, showing our improved shell or covering applied to use;

Figure 2 is a vertical section therethrough as seen on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section therethrough as 35 seen on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a section as seen on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

In describing the invention we shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters 40 designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which the numeral l designates a vertical wall of a structure of which the floor is designated by the numeral 2. Secured in place against the wall I on the floor 2 in the usual 45 manner is the baseboard 3. Above the baseboard 3 and mounted in the wall I is the electrical receptacle 4. In the drawing we have shown a double receptacle, although it will be understood that our invention is applicable to receptacles of 50 various sizes and shapes.

Receptacles mounted in the walls of structures have always been unsightly, particularly when electrical plugs such as shown at 5 in the drawing are applied thereto with the wire 6 extended as therefrom. The wire or cord usually drags on the floor and collects dust and dirt, thereby rotting and the appearance of the room in which there is an uncovered receptacle and electrical connection is anything but sightly. Our invention contemplates the provision of a means for covering 5 the receptacle and the plug to make the appearance of the room more sightly and at the same time afford a means for supporting the electrical wire or cord above the floor and in a position more directly in line with the electrical device 10 to which it is connected.

To this end we provide a covering in the form of a shell or the like 1 which may be molded of any plastic, cementitious or rubber material and of any desired color. This shell I is provided at 15 one end with a wedge-like depending portion 8 which is adapted to be fitted in the space between the wall and the baseboard, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, so that said shell may entirely enclose the receptacle and the plug connected therewith. Under normal conditions the wedging of the shell in position as shown and described will be quite sufficient for the purposes of covering the receptacle and the plug which may be connected therewith, but we have also provided a means for further securing the same in position. An opening 9 is formed in the shell at a point substantially diametrically opposite that at which the wedge member 8 is formed and through this opening may be extended a. screw I0 to be engaged with the wall I, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. This will provide a more prominent connection, although, as stated above, the shell may be fitted in place without the screw and will serve the purposes for which it is designed.

The outer surface of the shell is serrated, being formed with ribs H and grooves l2 which flare upwardly and outwardly from substantially a central lower portion of the shell, as more clearly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. This provides strength but at the same time adds to the ornamentality of the device which is essential in an element of this character which is essentially designed to cover an unsightly structure and/or connection. The peripheral edges of the shell which abut the wall I are provided with a series of spaced-apart recesses or the like l3, which recesses are in alignment with the grooves l2. These grooves afford means whereby the elec- 5O trical cord 6 may be passed through the shell in the direction of the electrical device to which the same is connected. Thus, the shell affords a support for the electrical cord as well as performs the function'of covering an unsightly device or connection. Obviously, the cord 6 ma ybe directed through any'of the recesses l3 which appear in the peripheral edge of the shell 'I,'according to the positioning of the electrical device to which said cord may be connected.

From the foregoing description of the construction of our improved device, the method of While we have particularly described the ele ments best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any oi the principles of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a shield for electrical outlets comprising a shell-like body, and a tongue extending laterally from the peripheral edge portion of said body and reduced in thickness towards its outer edge to provide a wedge for engaging between a wall and a baseboard to removably mount said body against a wall in position to enclose the outlet therewithin and conceal the" same from view, passages being formed in the peripheral edge of said body in spaced relation to each other circumferentially thereof to support and guide therethrough an electrical conductor at selected positions with respect to the periphery of the body.

2; As an article of manufacture, a shield for an outlet box plate and plug, comprising a shelllike body of dimensions adapting it to be disposed-against a wall in surrounding relation to and concealing said plate and plug, and means for removably securing the shelllil;e body in place with its periphery in direct contact with the wall, the peripheral edge of the body being formed with notches to permit an electrical conductor to be received therethrough and held closely against the wall at predetermined selective positions about the periphery of said shelllike body.

ARTHUR C. HMSE. NHLLARD, W. JACOBI.

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