HOLE COVER SYSTEM

Abstract

A cover plate includes a body portion having a plurality of side portions defining an outer perimeter of the body portion. A plurality of receiving slots is disposed along one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions of the cover plate. A plurality of connecting members outwardly extending from one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions of the cover plate. The cover plate is configured to couple to other cover plates of a similar configuration to define a hole cover system for covering holes in a support surface. The hole cover system may include a centrally disposed aperture for accommodating passage of a structural member therethrough.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a hole cover system for covering open apertures, and more specifically, to a hole cover system that can have multiple cover plate assemblies engaged with one another to sufficiently cover a hole on a surface.

BACKGROUND

In various construction projects, a number of floors may be provided. Interconnecting utilities, such as plumbing, electrical and the like, between adjacent floors requires creating holes through the floor, which may be comprised of wood, concrete or other like material. The resulting hole or aperture may be present in a floor for extended periods of time during the construction project. The open apertures must be covered in order to provide a safe and compliant jobsite. Further, holes may accommodate utilities, pipes, or other structures, but may still have a significant amount of open hope space remain. In these situations, a customizable hole cover system is desired to cover the open hole space sufficiently, while still allowing for the structures to pass through the hole. Presently known aperture covers are generally comprised of a flat wood piece (such as plywood) sufficiently sized to cover the hole, wherein a block of wood is generally fastened to an underside of the plywood and is received in the hole when the hole is covered by the plywood. Such a cover plate is prone to movement as the block of wood fastened to the underside of the plywood does not consistently engage the contours of the hole, but rather is set in-place member used to keep the plywood from shifting laterally. Further, such cover plates can be a tripping hazard. Thus, a hole cover system that can be easily installed using engaging retention features is desired.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, a cover plate includes a body portion having a plurality of side portions disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion. A plurality of receiving slots is disposed along one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions, and a plurality of connecting members outwardly extends from one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions.

In at least another aspect, a hole cover system includes a first cover plate having a body portion with a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion of the first cover plate. The front side portion and the first side portion of the first cover plate are positioned adjacent to one another and each include a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong. A second cover plate includes a body portion with a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion of the second cover plate. The rear side portion and the second side portion of the second cover plate are positioned adjacent to one another, and each include a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending therefrom. One or more of the connecting members of the plurality of connector members disposed along the rear side portion of the second cover plate are releasably received in one or more of the receiving slots of the plurality of receiving slots disposed along the front side portion of the first cover plate.

In at least another aspect, a hole cover system includes a plurality of cover plates, wherein each cover plate of the plurality of cover plates includes a body portion having a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion which cooperate to define an outer perimeter of the body portion. Each cover plate of the plurality of cover plates includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed along the rear side portion and a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending from the front side portions

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present device will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a cover plate;

FIG. 2 is a zoomed-in image of the cover plate of FIG. 1 taken at location II;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the cover plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a zoomed-in image of the cover plate of FIG. 1 taken at location IV;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cover plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the cover plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a receiving slot of the cover plate of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a connecting member of the cover plate of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the connecting member of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the cover plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of a cover plate connected to a second cover plate;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a hole cover system;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the hole cover system of FIG. 12 with a cover plate removed therefrom to reveal an aperture;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of another configuration of the hole cover system of FIG. 13 with a structural member extending through the aperture;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the hole cover system of FIG. 14 surrounding the structural member;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of another configuration of the hole cover system of FIG. 12 with a structural member extending through the aperture;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the hole cover system of FIG. 16 surrounding the structural member;

FIG. 18 is a top perspective of the hole cover system of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of a cover plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a cover plate. The cover plate 10 includes a body portion 12 with upper and lower surfaces 16, 18 (FIG. 6). The body portion 12 of the cover plate 10 is contemplated to be a generally planar portion disposed in a flat plate-like configuration, such that the upper surface 16 is generally planar. The cover plate 10 further includes a front side portion 20, a rear side portion 22, and first and second side portions 24, 26. The front side portion 20, the rear side portion 22, and the first and second side portions 24, 26, collectively referred to herein as the “side portions 20-26”, are positioned along an outer perimeter 14 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10, thereby surrounding the same. The front side portion 20 and the rear side portion 22 are disposed on opposite sides of the body portion 12 from one another as positioned on the outer perimeter 14 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10, and are therefore spaced-apart from one another. Similarly, the first and second side portions 24, 26 are disposed on opposite sides of the body portion 12 from one another as positioned on the outer perimeter 14 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10, and are therefore spaced-apart from one another. Thus, the first and second side portions 24, 26 interconnect the front and rear side portions 20, 22, and vice versa.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cover plate 10 is illustrated as a rectangular cover plate, wherein the front and rear side portions 20, 22 have a length L1 that is greater than a length L2 of the first and second side portions 24, 26. However, it is contemplated that the cover plate 10 may include a variety of configurations having more or fewer side portions.

The cover plate 10 may include a color (such as a bright caution yellow color) to provide a visible cautionary feature to the cover plate 10. The cover plate 10 may also include some cautionary indicia 6, 8, as shown in FIG. 19, to indicate to people that the cover plate 10 is covering a hole and is not meant to be a weight bearing plate.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10 includes a plurality of receiving slots 32 and the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10 also includes a plurality of receiving slots 33, as further described below with reference to FIG. 2. As further shown in FIG. 1, the rear side portion 22 of the cover plate 10 includes a plurality of connecting members 36 and the second side portion 26 of the cover plate 10 also includes a plurality of connecting members 37, as further described below with reference to FIG. 4. In the top perspective view of FIG. 1, a plurality of mounting apertures 28 are shown as being positioned through the cover plate 10. The mounting apertures 28 are contemplated to be vertically disposed mounting apertures that are used to mount the cover plate 10 with a fastener to a substrate, such as a concrete flooring substrate, to retain the cover plate 10 in place on a jobsite.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10 includes a plurality of corner portions 12A-12D, wherein a first corner portion 12A is positioned where the front side portion 20 and the first side portion 24 intersect, a second corner portion 12B is positioned where the rear side portion 22 and the second side portion 26 intersect, a third corner portion 12C is positioned where the front side portion 20 and the second side portion 26 intersect, and a fourth corner portion 12D is positioned where the rear side portion 22 and the first side portion 24 intersect.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the first corner portion 12A of the body portion 12 is shown wherein the front side portion 20 and the first side portion 24 intersect. Said differently, the front side portion 20 and the first side portion 24 are positioned adjacent to one another at the first corner portion 12A of the body portion 12. As noted above, the front side portion 20 and the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10 each include a plurality of receiving slots 32, 33, respectively. Individual receiving slots of the plurality of receiving slots 32, 33, are represented with the reference numeral 34, such that the description of one receiving slot will describe all receiving slots that make up the plurality of receiving slots 32, 33. As further shown in FIG. 2, the front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10 includes an outer surface 20A. The receiving slots 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 32 are inwardly and outwardly opening receiving slots 34 as further described below with reference to FIG. 7. Thus, each receiving slot 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 32 positioned along the front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10 extends inwardly into the outer surface 20A of the front side portion 20, and also extends downwardly from the upper surface 16 of the body portion 12. Similarly, the first side portion 24 also includes an outer surface 24A, such that each receiving slot 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 33 of the first side portion 24 extends inwardly into the outer surface 24A of the first side portion 24, and also extends downwardly from the upper surface 16 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10. Individual pins 35 are positioned between receiving slots 34 along the plurality of receiving slots 32, 33, and are evenly spaced-apart along the first side portion 24 and front side portion 20. As positioned between adjacent receiving slots 34, the pins 35 are structurally defined by the shape of the receiving slots 34 positioned on either side.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the mounting aperture 28 includes a beveled first portion 29 and a cylindrical second portion 30 extending downwardly therefrom. In this way, a fastener may be countersunk into the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10 when fastening the cover plate 10 to a substrate.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the cover plate 10 has been rotated such that the second corner portion 12B is provided in the forwardmost position.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the second corner portion 12B of the body portion 12 is shown wherein the rear side portion 22 and the second side portion 26 intersect. Said differently, the rear side portion 22 and the second side portion 26 are positioned adjacent to one another at the second corner portion 12B of the body portion 12. As noted above, the rear side portion 22 and the second side portion 26 of the cover plate 10 each include a plurality of connecting members 36, 37, respectively. Individual connecting members of the plurality of connecting members 36, 37 are represented with the reference numeral 38, such that the description of one connecting member will describe all connecting members that make up the plurality of connecting members 36, 37. As further shown in FIG. 4, the rear side portion 22 of the cover plate 10 includes an outer surface 22A. The connecting members 38 of the plurality of connecting members 36 outwardly extend from the outer surface 22A of the rear side portion 22, as further described below with reference to FIG. 8. Similarly, the second side portion 26 also includes an outer surface 26A, such that each connecting member 38 of the plurality of connecting members 37 of the second side portion 26 extends outwardly from the outer surface 26A of the second side portion 26.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the cover plate 10 is shown from a top plan view. In the top plan view of FIG. 5, the connecting members 38 are shown outwardly extending from the rear side portion 22 and the second side portion 26 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10. In this way, the connecting members 38 of the cover plate 10 are configured to outwardly extend and coupled to an adjacent cover plate, as further described below. Similarly, in the top plan view of FIG. 5, the receiving slots 34 disposed on the front side portion 20 and the first side portion 24 are positioned along the outer perimeter 14 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10 so as to receive connecting members from an adjacent cover plate, as further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the cover plate 10 is shown from a bottom plan view, wherein the lower surface 18 is shown. The lower surface 18 of the cover plate 10 includes a plurality of reinforcement ribs 39. The plurality of reinforcement ribs 39 includes reinforcement ribs 40 which run the length L1 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10 parallel to the front and rear side portions 20, 22. Further, the plurality of reinforcement ribs 39 includes reinforcement ribs 42 are positioned orthogonally to the reinforcement ribs 40, such that the reinforcement ribs 42 run the length L2 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10 parallel to the first and second side portions 24, 26. In this way, the reinforcement ribs 40, 42 provide structural rigidity to the cover plate 10. As further shown in the bottom plan view of FIG. 6, the front side portion 20 and the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10 include ledges 44, 46, respectively, that form bottom walls to the receiving slots 34, as further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a receiving slot 34 is shown positioned on the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10. The description of the receiving slot 34 shown in FIG. 7 will also describe the receiving slots 34 positioned along the front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10 as well. The receiving slot 34 includes a bottom wall 50 that is generally defined by the ledge 46 positioned on the lower surface 18 of the cover plate 10, as shown in FIG. 6. A sidewall 52 upwardly extends from the bottom wall 50 to define the shape of the receiving slot 34. The sidewall 52 includes first and second side portions 54, 56 and an inner wall 58. The first and second side portions 54, 56 of the sidewall 52 are interconnected by the inner wall 58. The first side portion 54 of the sidewall 52 includes a first end 54A and a second end 54B. Similarly, the second side portion 56 of the sidewall 52 includes a first end 56A and a second end 56B. The first ends 54A, 56A of the first and second side portions 54, 56 are positioned at an outer portion 51 of the receiving slot 34. The first and second side portions 54, 56 are outwardly angled in opposite directions from the first ends 54A, 56A thereof to the second ends 54B, 56B thereof. As such, the second ends 54B, 56B of the first and second side portions 54, 56 of the sidewall 52 are spaced-apart by a distance D2 that is greater than a distance D1 disposed between the first ends 54A, 56A of the first and second side portions 54, 56 of the sidewall 52. The second ends 54B, 56B of the first and second side portions 54, 56 of the sidewall 52 are positioned at an inner portion 53 of the receiving slot 34. In this way, the receiving slot 34 provides for a trapezoidal-shaped slot that opens both inwardly, in the direction as indicated by arrow 60, and upwardly, in the direction as indicated by arrow 62. As such, the receiving slot 34 is configured for vertical reception of a complimentary connecting member, such as connecting members 38 as further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a connecting member 38 is shown positioned on the rear side portion 22 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10. The description of the connecting member 38 shown in FIG. 8 will also describe the connecting members 38 positioned along the second side portion 26 of the cover plate 10 as well. As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting member 38 includes a body portion 70 having a top wall 72, a bottom wall 74, first and second sidewalls 76, 78, and an outer wall 80. The outer wall 80 interconnects the first and second sidewalls 76, 78. The first sidewall 76 of the body portion 70 of the connecting member 38 includes a first end 76A and a second end 76B. Similarly, the second sidewall 78 of the body portion 70 of the connecting member 38 includes a first end 78A and a second end 78B. The first ends 76A, 78A of the first and second sidewalls 76, 78 are positioned at an outer portion 81 of the body portion 70 of the connecting member 38. The first and second sidewalls 76, 78 taper inwardly from the first ends 76A, 78A thereof to the second ends 76B, 78B thereof. As such, the first ends 76A, 78A of the first and second sidewalls 76, 78 are spaced-apart by a distance D3 that is greater than a distance D4 disposed between the first ends 76A, 78A of the first and second sidewalls 76, 78. The second ends 76B, 78B of the first and second sidewalls 76, 78 are positioned at an inner portion 83 of the body portion 70 of the connecting member 38. In this way, the connecting member 38 provides for a trapezoidal-shaped body portion 70 that is configured for vertical reception in a corresponding receiving slot, such as receiving slot 34 shown in FIG. 7 in the vertical direction as indicated by arrow 62. Thus, the connecting members 38 of the cover plate 10 of the present concept are configured to be received within corresponding receiving slots 34 that have a complimentary shape to the body portions 70 of the connecting members 38.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the connecting member 38 described above with reference to FIG. 8 is shown from a bottom perspective view, such that the bottom wall 74 is shown. In the top perspective view of FIG. 8, the top wall 72 of the connecting member 38 is shown as extending outwardly from the upper surface 16 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10. In the bottom perspective view of FIG. 9, the bottom wall 74 of the connecting member 38 is shown as extending outwardly from the outer surface 22A of the rear side portion 22 at an approximate midpoint of the outer surface 22A. Thus, the body portion 70 of the connecting member 38 does not extend along an entirety of the outer surface 22A of the rear side portion 22. Similarly, the receiving slots 34 do not extend along an entirety of the outer surfaces 20A, 24A on which they are disposed, such that the receiving slot 34 do not define slots disposed entirely through the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10. With the receiving slots 34 terminating at a bottom wall 50, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, is contemplated that the bottom wall 74 of the connecting members 38 will abut the bottom wall 50 of a corresponding receiving slot 34 when received therein.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the third corner portion 12C is illustrated where the front side portion 20 and the second side portion 26 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10 intersect.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the cover plate 10 is shown having a connecting member 38 extending outwardly from the rear side portion 22 of the body portion 12 of the cover plate 10. As further shown in FIG. 11, a second cover plate 10A is provided. The second cover plate 10A includes all the same features as the cover plate 10 described above. As such, like reference numerals used to describe features of the cover plate 10 above will be used to describe the same features of the second cover plate 10A. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the second cover plate 10A includes a receiving slot 34 positioned on the front side portion 20. The connecting member 38 of cover plate 10 is shown as being received within the receiving slot 34 of the cover plate 10A and a close-fitting relationship to couple the cover plate 10 to the cover plate 10A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the trapezoidal-shaped body portion 70 of the connecting member 38 of the cover plate 10 is received in the trapezoidal-shaped receiving slot 34 of the second cover plate 10A. Thus, the first and second sidewalls 76, 78 of the connecting member 38 of the cover plate 10 are aligned with the first and second side portions 54, 56 of the sidewall 52 of the receiving slot 34 of the second cover plate 10A. Further, the outer wall 80 of the connecting member 38 of the cover plate 10 is aligned with the inner wall 58 of the receiving slot 34 of the second cover plate 10A. With the interconnection of the connecting member 38 of the cover plate 10 and the receiving slot 34 of the second cover plate 10A, the cover plate 10 and the second cover plate 10A are joined along the rear and front side portions 22, 20, respectively, thereof in a manner that resists being pulled apart. The pins 35 disposed on opposite sides of the receiving slot 34 of the second cover plate 10A ensure that the connecting member 38 of the cover plate 10 cannot be laterally pulled away from the second cover plate 10A.

As noted above, the first and second sidewalls 76, 78 of the connecting member 38 taper inwardly from the first ends 76A, 78A to the second ends 76B, 78B thereof. Said differently, the connecting member 38 defines an outwardly flaring tenon from the second ends 76B, 78B to the first ends 76A, 78A of the first and second sidewalls 76, 78 thereof. As further noted above, the first and second side portions 54, 56 of the sidewall 52 of the receiving slot 34 outwardly flare from the first ends 54A, 56A to the second ends 54B, 56B thereof. Said differently, the first and second side portions 54, 56 of the sidewall 52 of the receiving slot 34 taper inwardly from the second ends 54B, 56B to the first ends 54A, 56A thereof to define a mortise into which the connecting member 38 fits tightly to create an interlocking joint between the cover plate 10 and the second cover plate 10A. The type of joint illustrated in FIG. 11 may be referred to as a type of dovetail joint that resist pulling apart given the shape of the mortises and tenons. Such a connection is particularly suited for joining one cover plate to another along a side portion thereof. As shown above with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the cover plate 10 of the present concept includes pluralities of connecting members 36, 37 and receiving slots 32, 33 along the side portions thereof. Any number of connecting members 38 of the plurality of connecting members 36, 37 of one cover plate may be used to join to a like number of receiving slots 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 32, 33 of a connecting cover plate. Multiple cover plates 10 can be brought together and connected to one another to cover an aperture disposed in a wall or floor surface of a jobsite as part of a hole cover system, as further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a hole cover system 100 is shown. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the hole cover system 100 includes a plurality of cover plates 102. The plurality of cover plates 102 includes the cover plates 10A-10D. The cover plates 10A-10D of the hole cover system 100 each include all the same features as the cover plate 10 described above. As such, like reference numerals used to describe features of the cover plate 10 above will be used to describe the same features of the cover plates 10A-10D. The cover plates 10A-10D may be referenced in the description of the hole cover system 100 as first cover plate 10A, second cover plate 10B, third cover plate 10C, and forth cover plate 10D.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the cover plates 10A-10D are shown connected to one another at adjacent side portions thereof. To make up the configuration of the cover plates 10A-10D shown in FIG. 12, the following connections are made. The front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10A is coupled to the rear side portion 22 of the cover plate 10D, and the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10A is coupled to the second side portion 26 of the cover plate 10B. Further, the front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10B is coupled to the rear side portion 22 of the cover plate 10C, and the second side portion 26 of the cover plate 10C is coupled to the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10D. The sequential connections between the adjacent cover plates 10A-10D provides for the hole cover system 100 to be configured in such a way as to cover an aperture provided in a support surface. In FIG. 12, the hole cover system 100 is illustrated as being disposed on a support surface 104. The support surface 104 may include any type of support surface and is not limited to a particular support surface comprised of a particular substrate.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the connections between the adjacent cover plates 10A-10D incorporates all of the connecting members and receiving slots of adjacent side portions of the cover plates 10A-10D. Specifically, the plurality of connecting members 36 provided along the rear side portion 22 of cover plate 10D are received in the plurality of receiving slots 32 of the front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10A. Similarly, the plurality of connecting members 36 provided along the rear side portion 22 of cover plate 10C are received in the plurality of receiving slots 32 of the front side portion 20 of the cover plate 10B. Further, the plurality of connecting members 37 provided along the second side portion 26 of cover plate 10B are received in the plurality of receiving slots 33 of the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10A. Similarly, the plurality of connecting members 37 provided along the second side portion 26 of cover plate 10C are received in the plurality of receiving slots 33 of the first side portion 24 of the cover plate 10D. As such, each connecting member 38 of the plurality of connecting members 36, 37 are received in a reciprocal receiving slot 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 32, 33. Thus, the cover plates 10A-10D of the hole cover system 100 are closely connected with no spaces disposed therebetween. In this way, the first corner portion 12A of the first cover plate 10A, the second corner portion 12B of the third cover plate 10C, the third corner portion 12C of the second cover plate 10B, and the fourth corner portion 12D of the fourth cover plate 10D are all brought together at a center portion 110 of the hole cover system 100. Such a configuration is suitable for covering an aperture, such as aperture or hole 106 shown in FIG. 13 disposed in the support surface 104.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the cover plate 10C has been removed from the hole cover system 100 to reveal hole 106 provided in the support surface 104. It is contemplated that the hole cover system 100 can be secured to the support surface 104 over the hole 106 using fasteners that are contemplated to be received through any one of the mounting apertures 28 of the cover plates 10A-10D. It is contemplated that any configuration of the cover plates 10A-10D can be used to cover the hole 106, so long as the plurality of cover plates 102 is larger than the hole 106 when assembled together.

Referring now to FIG. 14, the hole 106 in the support surface 104 is shown having a structural member 118 extending through the hole 106. The structural member 118 may be a drainage or water supply pipe, electrical conduit, support post, or any other structural member on a jobsite that may be provided through a support surface. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the structural member 118 includes a front side surface 120, a rear side surface 122, a first side surface 124 and a second side surface 126. As further shown in the embodiment of FIG. 14, the cover plates 10A-10C of the hole cover system 100 have been rearranged to accommodate passage of the structural member 118 through the hole cover system 100, as further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 15, the cover plate 10D has been added to the hole cover system 100, such that the cover plates 10A-10D surround the structural member 118 and cover the hole 106 provided in the support surface 104. Thus, by moving the cover plates 10A-10D relative to one another, the corner portions 12A-12D noted above with reference to FIG. 12 are spaced-apart from one another, such that the center portion 110 of the hole cover system 100 defines an aperture 110A. The aperture 110A defined by the hole cover system 100 is best shown in FIG. 18, wherein another configuration of the hole cover system 100 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 15, the first side portion 24 of the first cover plate 10A is shown disposed along the second side surface 126 of the structural member 118. As further shown in FIG. 15, the front side portion 20 of the second cover plate 10B is shown disposed along the rear side surface 122 of the structural member 118. Still further shown in FIG. 15, the second side portion 26 of the third cover plate 10C is shown disposed along the first side surface 124 of the structural member 118. And finally, as shown in FIG. 15, the rear side portion 22 of the fourth cover plate 10D is shown disposed along the front side surface 120 of the structural member 118. Thus, portions of the first side portion 24 of the first cover plate 10A, the front side portion 20 of the second cover plate 10B, the second side portion 26 of the third cover plate 10C, and the rear side portion 22 of the fourth cover plate 10D define the boundaries of the aperture 110A provided by the configuration of the hole cover system 100. The hole cover system 100 may include connections between adjacent cover plates 10A-10D, wherein all of the available receiving slots 34 have connecting members 38 received therein (such as shown in FIG. 12), or some of the available receiving slots 34 may have connecting members 38 received therein (such as shown in FIGS. 14, 15). It is contemplated that when a centrally disposed aperture 110A of the hole cover system 100 needs to be as large as possible, a single connecting member 38 may be received in a single receiving slot 34 on adjacent side portions of adjacent cover plates to make for the largest centrally disposed aperture 110A possible. Thus, the sequential connections between the adjacent cover plates 10A-10D provides for the hole cover system 100 to be configured in such a way as to define a centrally disposed aperture 110A therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 16, the hole cover system 100 is shown in another arrangement of the plurality of cover plates 102. Specifically, the first cover plate 10A is shown as having a number of the receiving slots 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 33 disposed along the first side portion 24 thereof connected to a number of the connecting members 38 of the plurality of connecting members 36 of the rear side portion 22 of the fourth cover plate 10D. Further, a number of the connecting members 38 of the plurality of connecting members 36 of the rear side portion 22 of the first cover plate 10A are shown as being received in a number of the receiving slots 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 33 disposed along the first side portion 24 of the second cover plate 10B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the third cover plate 10C has been removed from the hole cover system 100 to reveal the structural member 118 extending through the hole 106 disposed in the support surface 104.

Referring now to FIG. 17, the third cover plate 10C is shown connected to the second cover plate 10B and the fourth cover plate 10D, such that the plurality of cover plates 102 of the hole cover system 100 surrounds the structural member 118 and completely covers the hole 106 provided in the support surface 104. Specifically, a number of the connecting members 38 of the plurality of connecting members 36 of the rear side portion 22 of the third cover plate 10C are shown as being received in a number of receiving slots 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 33 disposed along the first side portion 24 of the fourth cover plate 10D. Further, a number of the connecting members 38 of the plurality of connecting members 36 disposed along the rear side portion 22 of the second cover plate 10B are shown received in a number of the receiving slots 34 of the plurality of receiving slots 33 disposed along the first side portion 24 of the third cover plate 10C. With the cover plates 10A-10D all connected to one another in the configuration shown in FIG. 17, the rear side portion 22 of the first cover plate 10A is shown disposed along the second side surface 126 of the structural member 118. As further shown in FIG. 17, the rear side portion 22 of the second cover plate 10B is shown disposed along the rear side surface 122 of the structural member 118. Still further shown in FIG. 17, the rear side portion 22 of the third cover plate 10C is shown disposed along the first side surface 124 of the structural member 118. And finally, as shown in FIG. 17, the rear side portion 22 of the fourth cover plate 10D is shown disposed along the front side surface 120 of the structural member 118. Thus, the centrally disposed aperture 110A shown in FIG. 18 is defined by portions of the rear side portions 22 of the cover plates 10A-10D at the center portion 110 of the hole cover system 100. Thus, in comparing FIGS. 14, 15 with FIGS. 16-18, the hole cover system 100 can be provided in different configurations to provide for a centrally disposed aperture 110A that can accommodate a structural member, such a structural member 118, being disposed through an aperture, such as hole 106. To uncouple connected cover plates from one another in the hole cover system 100, connected cover plates are vertically displaced to order to release associated connecting members 38 from the respective receiving slots 34 in which they were releasably received.

In one aspect of the present concept, a cover plate includes a body portion having a plurality of side portions disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion. A plurality of receiving slots is disposed along one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions, and a plurality of connecting members outwardly extends from one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions.

According to another aspect, the plurality of side portions includes a front side portion and a rear side portion disposed on opposite sides of the body portion relative to one another. According to another aspect, the plurality of receiving slots is disposed along the front side portion.

According to another aspect, the plurality of connecting members is disposed along the rear side portion.

According to another aspect, the plurality of side portions further includes a first side portion and a second side portion disposed on opposite sides of the body portion relative to one another. The first side portion and the second side portion interconnect the front side portion and the rear side portion.

According to another aspect, the plurality of receiving slots is further disposed along the first side portion.

According to another aspect, the plurality of connecting members is further disposed along the second side portion.

According to another aspect, each receiving slot of the plurality of receiving slots includes a sidewall having first and second side portions. The first side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, and the second side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof in an opposite manner relative to the first side portion of the sidewall.

According to another aspect, each connecting member of the plurality of connecting members includes a body portion having first and second sidewalls that outwardly flare from an inner portion of the body portion of the connecting member to an outer portion of the body portion of the connecting member.

According to another aspect, at least one mounting aperture is disposed through the body portion of the cover plate.

In another aspect of the present concept, a hole cover system includes a first cover plate having a body portion with a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion of the first cover plate. The front side portion and the first side portion of the first cover plate are positioned adjacent to one another and each include a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong. A second cover plate includes a body portion with a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion of the second cover plate. The rear side portion and the second side portion of the second cover plate are positioned adjacent to one another, and each include a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending therefrom. One or more of the connecting members of the plurality of connector members disposed along the rear side portion of the second cover plate are releasably received in one or more of the receiving slots of the plurality of receiving slots disposed along the front side portion of the first cover plate.

According to another aspect, the first side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong.

According to another aspect, the second side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members disposed therealong.

According to another aspect, the rear side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending therefrom. The second side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending therefrom.

According to another aspect, the front side portion of the second cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong. The first side portion of the second cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong.

According to yet another aspect of the present concept, a hole cover system includes a plurality of cover plates, wherein each cover plate of the plurality of cover plates includes a body portion having a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion which cooperate to define an outer perimeter of the body portion. Each cover plate of the plurality of cover plates includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed along the rear side portion and a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending from the front side portions.

According to another aspect, the plurality of cover plates includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate, a third cover plate and a fourth cover plate. Each cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed along the first side portion. Each cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending from the second side portion.

According to another aspect, the first cover plate, the second cover plate, the third cover plate and the fourth cover plate are sequentially coupled to one another to define a centrally disposed aperture therebetween.

According to another aspect, each receiving slot of the plurality of receiving slots includes a sidewall having first and second side portions. The first side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, and the second side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof in an opposite manner relative to the first side portion of the sidewall.

According to another aspect, each connecting member of the plurality of connecting members includes a body portion having first and second sidewalls that outwardly flare from an inner portion of the body portion of the connecting member to an outer portion of the body portion of the connecting member.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.

Claims

1. A cover plate, comprising:

a body portion having a plurality of side portions disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion;

a plurality of receiving slots disposed along one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions; and

a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending from one or more of the side portions of the plurality of side portions.

2. The cover plate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of side portions includes a front side portion and a rear side portion disposed on opposite sides of the body portion relative to one another.

3. The cover plate of claim 2, wherein the plurality of receiving slots is disposed along the front side portion.

4. The cover plate of claim 3, wherein the plurality of connecting members is disposed along the rear side portion.

5. The cover plate of claim 4, wherein the plurality of side portions further includes a first side portion and a second side portion disposed on opposite sides of the body portion relative to one another, and further wherein the first side portion and the second side portion interconnect the front side portion and the rear side portion.

6. The cover plate of claim 5, wherein the plurality of receiving slots is further disposed along the first side portion.

7. The cover plate of claim 6, wherein the plurality of connecting members is further disposed along the second side portion.

8. The cover plate of claim 1, wherein each receiving slot of the plurality of receiving slots includes a sidewall having first and second side portions, and further wherein the first side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, and further wherein the second side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof in an opposite manner relative to the first side portion of the sidewall.

9. The cover plate of claim 8, wherein each connecting member of the plurality of connecting members includes a body portion having first and second sidewalls that outwardly flare from an inner portion of the body portion of the connecting member to an outer portion of the body portion of the connecting member.

10. The cover plate of claim 1, including:

at least one mounting aperture disposed through the body portion of the cover plate.

11. A hole cover system, comprising:

a first cover plate having a body portion with a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion of the first cover plate, wherein the front side portion and the first side portion of the first cover plate are positioned adjacent to one another, and further wherein the front side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong; and

a second cover plate having a body portion with a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion disposed along an outer perimeter of the body portion of the second cover plate, wherein the rear side portion and the second side portion of the second cover plate are positioned adjacent to one another, and further wherein the rear side portion of the second cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending therefrom, wherein one or more of the connecting members of the plurality of connector members disposed along the rear side portion of the second cover plate are releasably received in one or more of the receiving slots of the plurality of receiving slots disposed along the front side portion of the first cover plate.

12. The hole cover system of claim 11, wherein the first side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong.

13. The hole cover system of claim 12, wherein the second side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members disposed therealong.

14. The hole cover system of claim 13, wherein the rear side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending therefrom, and further wherein the second side portion of the first cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending therefrom.

15. The hole cover system of claim 14, wherein the front side portion of the second cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong, and further wherein the first side portion of the second cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed therealong.

16. A hole cover system, comprising:

a plurality of cover plates, wherein each cover plate of the plurality of cover plates includes a body portion having a front side portion, a rear side portion, a first side portion and a second side portion which cooperate to define an outer perimeter of the body portion, and further wherein each cover plate of the plurality of cover plates includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed along the rear side portion and a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending from the front side portions.

17. The hole cover system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of cover plates includes a first cover plate, a second cover plate, a third cover plate and a fourth cover plate, and further wherein each cover plate includes a plurality of receiving slots disposed along the first side portion, and further wherein each cover plate includes a plurality of connecting members outwardly extending from the second side portion.

18. The hole cover system of claim 17, wherein the first cover plate, the second cover plate, the third cover plate and the fourth cover plate are sequentially coupled to one another to define a centrally disposed aperture therebetween.

19. The hole cover system of claim 16, wherein each receiving slot of the plurality of receiving slots includes a sidewall having first and second side portions, and further wherein the first side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof, and further wherein the second side portion of the sidewall angles outwardly from a first end thereof to a second end thereof in an opposite manner relative to the first side portion of the sidewall.

20. The hole cover system of claim 19, wherein each connecting member of the plurality of connecting members includes a body portion having first and second sidewalls that outwardly flare from an inner portion of the body portion of the connecting member to an outer portion of the body portion of the connecting member.