Weather-resistant arrangement for outdoor electrical devices

Abstract

Electrical devices of outdoor electrical receptacles are protected from weather conditions. A protective cover and a waterproofing gasket are pivotally mounted on a plate for movement along a circular path between a fully closed position, in which the gasket prevents water from reaching the device, and a fully open position, in which access to the electrical device is permitted. A leaf spring having a planar movable portion constantly and affirmatively urges the cover to the closed position. In order to ensure a reliable and automatic return of the cover to the closed position, an anti-over-the-center stop prevents a leading end of the cover, which engages the planar spring portion at a contact zone, from moving the latter beyond an imaginary line which extends from the center of curvature of the circular path in a radial direction towards, and at a right angle to, the plane of the spring portion. The cover is easily mounted by snap-type action to the plate under spring tension.