US Patent 6867369 Electrical/communications box protector and drywall guide

A temporary protective cover/guide for a universal electrical/communications box, said protective cover having a perimeter side wall, a recessed planar base, and a flange extending outwardly from the side wall such that it is preferably substantially planar and parallel to the planar base. The perimeter side wall and base and flange are of a size and shape to friction fit the recessed base within the box once electrical conductors are pulled into the box. The flange covers nearly all of the upper edge(s) of the box. The cover/guide can be readily attached or removed and provides protection against electrical shocks. In preferred form, at least the base of the cover/guide is transparent so that an inspector can readily view the electrical conductors without having to remove the cover. The cover/guide also functions to assist in marking where the electrical box is and to protect the components from damage and construction workers from electrical shock during the drywall phase of construction prior to installing the permanent electrical component and permanent cover plate.