Recessed protective apparatus for outdoor electrical outlets

Abstract

A mounting device for outdoor electrical outlets includes an upper plate and a lower plate arranged and interconnected in a generally V-shaped configuration, and is adapted for recessed installation into a power pedestal or other structure. The upper and lower plates may be contiguous along their inner edges. Alternatively, an intermediate plate may be disposed therebetween, giving the mounting device a trapezoidal configuration. Either or both of the upper and lower plates may be sloped, and side plates may extend between the side edges of the upper and lower plates. The upper plate has an aperture for an electrical outlet, which when installed in the aperture will face generally downward and thus be protected from rain and snow. The outer edges of the upper and lower plates, and of the side plates when present, may have mounting flanges to facilitate installation of the mounting device in a power pedestal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mounting device for an electrical outlet, said mounting device comprising:
 (a) an upper section having an inner edge, an outer edge, and opposing side edges extending between said inner and outer edges of the upper section, said upper section defining an aperture for mounting an electrical outlet; and   (b) a lower section having an inner edge, an outer edge, and opposing side edges extending between said inner and outer edges of the lower section;   
       wherein:
 (c) the upper and lower sections are contiguous along their respective inner edges; 
 (d) the planes of the upper and lower sections are angled relative to each other; and 
 (e) the mounting device is adapted for recessed mounting into a structure such that the aperture in the upper section is disposed at least partly within the structure. 
 
     
     
         2 . A mounting device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a side section extending between one of the side edges of the upper section and the corresponding side edge of the lower section. 
     
     
         3 . A mounting device as in  claim 1 , wherein the inner edge of at least one of the upper and lower sections has a flange adapted to facilitate installation of the mounting device. 
     
     
         4 . A mounting device as in  claim 2 , wherein the side section has a flange adapted to facilitate installation of the mounting device. 
     
     
         5 . A mounting device as in  claim 1 , wherein the upper section slopes upward from its inner edge toward its outer edge, and the lower section slopes downward from its inner edge toward its outer edge. 
     
     
         6 . A mounting device as in  claim 1 , wherein the upper section is horizontal, and the lower sections slopes downward from its inner edge toward its outer edge. 
     
     
         7 . A mounting device as in  claim 1 , wherein the upper section slopes upward from its inner edge toward its outer edge, and the lower section is horizontal. 
     
     
         8 . A mounting device as in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting device is of unitary construction. 
     
     
         9 . A mounting device as in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting device is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metallic materials, rigid polymeric materials, resilient polymeric materials, and moldable polymeric materials. 
     
     
         10 . A power pedestal comprising a vertical tubular member, wherein a mounting device as in  claim 1  is installed in an opening in a surface of the tubular member such that the aperture in the upper section is disposed at least partly within the structure. 
     
     
         11 . A mounting device for an electrical outlet, said mounting device comprising:
 (a) an upper section having an inner edge, an outer edge, and opposing side edges extending between said inner and outer edges of the upper section, said upper section defining an aperture for mounting an electrical outlet;   (b) a lower section having an inner edge, an outer edge, and opposing side edges extending between said inner and outer edges of the lower section; and   (c) an intermediate section having an upper edge contiguous with the inner edge of the upper section, and a lower edge contiguous with the inner edge of the lower section;   
       wherein:
 (d) the planes of the upper and lower sections are angled relative to each other; and 
 (e) the mounting device is adapted for recessed mounting into a structure such that the aperture in the upper section is disposed at least partly within the structure. 
 
     
     
         12 . A mounting device as in  claim 11 , further comprising a side section extending between one of the side edges of the upper section and the corresponding side edge of the lower section. 
     
     
         13 . A mounting device as in  claim 11 , wherein the inner edge of at least one of the upper and lower sections has a flange adapted to facilitate installation of the mounting device. 
     
     
         14 . A mounting device as in  claim 12 , wherein the side section has a flange adapted to facilitate installation of the mounting device. 
     
     
         15 . A mounting device as in  claim 11 , wherein the upper section slopes upward from its inner edge toward its outer edge, and the lower section slopes downward from its inner edge toward its outer edge. 
     
     
         16 . A mounting device as in  claim 11 , wherein the upper section is horizontal, and the lower sections slopes downward from its inner edge toward its outer edge. 
     
     
         17 . A mounting device as in  claim 11 , wherein the upper section slopes upward from its inner edge toward its outer edge, and the lower section is horizontal. 
     
     
         18 . A mounting device as in  claim 11 , wherein the mounting device is of unitary construction. 
     
     
         19 . A mounting device as in  claim 11 , wherein the mounting device is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metallic materials, rigid polymeric materials, resilient polymeric materials, and moldable polymeric materials. 
     
     
         20 . A power pedestal comprising a vertical tubular member, wherein a mounting device as in  claim 11  is installed in an opening in a surface of the tubular member such that the aperture in the upper section is disposed at least partly within the structure.