Electrical Box Replacement Cover Method And Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is an electrical box cover system and method of installation that covers and protects existing electrical boxes and their electrical components. This invention prevents corrosion and the resulting damage to the mechanical and electrical components of the electrical box while ensuring the electrical box is safe to open and allowing access to the inside of the electrical box. The electrical box cover system includes a cover, fasteners, and a gasket. Generally, to install the cover, the fasteners are drilled through the cover and onto the sides of the damaged electrical box with the gasket, which is placed in the cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cover for covering a front opening of an electrical box, comprising:
 a panel having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the panel has a substantially rectangular shape, wherein the rear surface of the panel has a width and height greater than width and height of the front opening of the electrical box;   a first side panel extending from a first side of the panel;   a second side panel extending from a second side of the panel, wherein the second side of the panel is opposite of the first side of the panel, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel both extend rearwardly and inwardly from the panel;   a bottom panel extending from a bottom side of the panel, wherein the bottom panel extends between the first side panel and the second side panel; and   a top panel extending from a top side of the panel, wherein the top panel extends between the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the top side of the panel is opposite of the bottom side of the panel.   
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is comprised of a flat structure. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel mirror one another. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel have approximately the same angle with respect to the rear surface of the panel. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rear surface is substantially parallel with respect to the front surface. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 1 , including:
 a first side panel hole extending through the first side panel, wherein the first side panel hole is adapted to receive a first threaded fastener; and   a second side panel hole extending through the second side panel, wherein the second side panel hole is adapted to receive a second threaded fastener.   
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 6 , wherein the first side panel hole is at a location on the first side panel that substantially corresponds to location of the second side panel hole on the second side panel. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein a draft angle of the first side panel and the second side panel is substantially equal to a draft angle of the sidewalls of the electrical box. 
     
     
         9 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are both straight structures that extend rearwardly and inwardly. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel extend along a substantial portion of the first side and the second side of the panel respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel and the top panel both extend rearwardly and inwardly from the panel. 
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom panel, the top panel, the first side panel and the second side panel form a surrounding side panel that extends rearwardly and inwardly from the panel, wherein the surrounding side panel has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein the surrounding side panel defines a rear opening, wherein the rear opening is smaller than the rear surface of the panel. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 1 , including a gasket adapted to be positioned adjacent the rear surface of the panel between the first side panel and the second side panel. 
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 14 , wherein the gasket is constructed of a compressible material. 
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 14 , wherein the gasket is comprised of a solid rectangular structure. 
     
     
         17 . The cover of  claim 14 , wherein the gasket is comprised of a rectangular structure with a central opening. 
     
     
         18 . A method of attaching the cover of  claim 1 , comprising:
 positioning the cover over a front end of the electrical box, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are adjacent a first side and a second side of the electrical box respectively.   
     
     
         19 . A cover for covering a front opening of an electrical box, comprising:
 a panel having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the panel has a substantially rectangular shape, wherein the rear surface of the panel has a width and height greater than width and height of the front opening of the electrical box, and wherein the panel is comprised of a flat structure;   a first side panel extending from a first side of the panel;   a second side panel extending from a second side of the panel, wherein the second side of the panel is opposite of the first side of the panel, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel mirror one another, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel both extend rearwardly and inwardly from the panel, and wherein the first side panel and the second side panel have approximately the same angle with respect to the rear surface of the panel;   a bottom panel extending from a bottom side of the panel, wherein the bottom panel extends between the first side panel and the second side panel; and   a top panel extending from a top side of the panel, wherein the top panel extends between the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the top side of the panel is opposite of the bottom side of the panel.   
     
     
         20 . A cover for covering a front opening of an electrical box, comprising:
 a panel having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the panel has a substantially rectangular shape, wherein the rear surface of the panel has a width and height greater than width and height of the front opening of the electrical box, and wherein the panel is comprised of a flat structure;   a first side panel extending from a first side of the panel;   a second side panel extending from a second side of the panel, wherein the second side of the panel is opposite of the first side of the panel, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel mirror one another, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel both extend rearwardly and inwardly from the panel, and wherein the first side panel and the second side panel have approximately the same angle with respect to the rear surface of the panel;   a bottom panel extending from a bottom side of the panel, wherein the bottom panel extends between the first side panel and the second side panel;   a top panel extending from a top side of the panel, wherein the top panel extends between the first side panel and the second side panel, wherein the top side of the panel is opposite of the bottom side of the panel;   wherein the bottom panel, the top panel, the first side panel and the second side panel form a surrounding side panel that extends rearwardly and inwardly from the panel, wherein the surrounding side panel has a rectangular shape.