Hide-Away Lid Electrical Box Cover With Retractable Slot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical box covers with hinged lids are exposed to damage when open and can damage electrical cords if closed inadvertently, and they do not provide complete protection for electrical receptacles or connectors.

Innovation Solution

A cover for electrical boxes featuring a pivotable and slidable hide-away lid that retracts into a slot on the face plate, with a lid support structure and latching mechanism to ensure protection and easy access, suitable for use in floor, wall, or ceiling installations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hinged lid is used to cover the electrical device, then the electrical device is protected when closed, but the lid is exposed to damage when open and can damage electrical cords if closed inadvertently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electrical deviceVSAvoiddamage to lid or cords

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is extracted from the traditional hinged configuration and repositioned into a recessed slot within the faceplate. This removes the lid from its vulnerable exposed position and integrates it into the cover structure, eliminating the risk of damage to both the lid and electrical cords while maintaining protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is nested within the recessed slot of the faceplate, allowing it to be stored within the cover structure when not in use. This nesting arrangement protects the lid from damage and prevents it from interfering with electrical cords, while still enabling it to cover the electrical device when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a cover plate with opening is used, then access to electrical device is allowed, but the electrical device is not fully protected and appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to electrical deviceVSAvoidprotection of electrical device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover system transitions from a static cover plate with a fixed opening to a dynamic system where the lid can move between covering and exposing the electrical device. This dynamic capability allows the lid to provide full protection when closed while enabling access when opened, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7579549B2Protective device plate for an electrical box

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 THOMAS & BETTS INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A cover for an electrical box having a face plate, an elongate slot in the face plate, a lid support structure and a lid. The lid fits on the front of the face plate and over the opening and is pivotably movable between an open position, which allows access to the box interior, and a closed position, which prevents access to the box interior. When in the open position, the lid is slidably receivable by the slot and is stored in the lid support structure that extends from the back of the cover.