Patent attributes
A weather-resistant cover for an electrical connection box is constructed of a resilient elastomeric material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastomeric cover is immovably sandwiched between an outlet face plate and an electrical receptacle and the box to which the receptacle is secured. The cover prevents moisture and airborne particles from getting into the connection box. Self-closing slots cut into the elastomeric cover are in alignment with the prong opening in the electrical receptacle. An electric plug may be plugged into the receptacle by inserting the plug's prongs through the slots in the cover and into the receptacle. When an electric appliance is plugged into the device, a seal is formed between the face of the plug and the elastomeric cover. When the plug is removed, the slots in the cover automatically close due to the elastic memory of the resilient material of which the cover is made. In a modified embodiment of the invention, the cover and face plate are molded into a unitary structure, which can be attached directly to the face of the electrical connection box by screws (or the like). In other modifications of the invention, a modified weather-resistant cover is used in conjunction with electrical connection boxes other than outlet boxes.
