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  Grommet cover assemblyUSPTO Application #: 20070273256Title: Grommet cover assembly Abstract: The present invention provides a grommet cover assembly for selectively substantially blocking view of at least one opening in a planar member surface. The assembly comprises a mounting coupler mounted to the planar member surface proximate the first opening and a cover. The cover includes a flat cover member and a cover coupler, wherein the cover member includes at least one supporting leg. The cover coupler links to the mounting coupler to provide a hinged axis the cover member is rotated around. Thus, when the cover member is adjacent the opening, at least a portion of the opening is blocked from view. Methods of use and assembly are also provided. (end of abstract) Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP - Milwaukee, WI, US Inventors: Kirt D. Martin, Davinder Singh Dhanoa, Francisco Javier Olvera USPTO Applicaton #: 20070273256 - Class: 3122236 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070273256. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]Not Applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002]Not Applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]The present invention relates to table grommet covers and more specifically to a hinged grommet door. [0004]Devices for passing a flexible cord such as a telephone cord or computer cable through one or more elements such as a desk top, a piece of furniture, a wall or other type of installation are known. Unfortunately, known devices of this type have one or more shortcomings. For instance, many known grommet covers can be complex, expensive and difficult to use. Further, many known grommet covers are difficult and costly to manufacture and install. Further still, many known grommet covers must be designed and dimensioned to fit a specific grommet opening. In many cases, at least a portion of a grommet cover is designed to fit within a grommet opening so that if there are ten openings of various dimensions, ten different grommet cover configurations are required. Thus, the inflexible design of many known grommet covers represents a long-standing problem in the field. [0005]Many known grommet covers are also aesthetically objectionable. For example, in many cases a grommet cover assumes a half-cocked position when a cable or wire is accommodated through a grommet opening. In these cases, the grommet cover does not fully shut over the cable/wire, causing the cover and cable/wire to appear relatively sloppy. Further, in many such cases, when a grommet cover is half-cocked, a person can see through the opening to other components below a top member forming the opening. [0006]Therefore, a need exists for a grommet cover assembly that is easy and efficient to use, that is easy to manufacture and install, and that can be used to cover many differently dimensioned grommet openings. It would also be advantageous if a grommet assembly met the above objectives and was aesthetically pleasing. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007]In a first version, the present invention provides an assembly for substantially blocking view of at least one opening in the surface of a planar member (such as a furniture top member and a wall member) surface. The assembly comprises a mounting coupler mounted to the planar surface proximate the first opening and a cover. The cover comprises a flat cover member and a cover coupler. The cover member has first and second oppositely facing surfaces and a lateral edge. A portion of the first surface proximate the lateral edge is a peripheral surface. The cover coupler extends from the peripheral surface of the cover member. The cover coupler is linkable to the mounting coupler to support the cover member adjacent the opening and substantially parallel to the first surface of the planar member. When the cover member is adjacent the opening, the peripheral surface along the entire lateral edge of the cover member is spaced apart from and faces the surrounding surface. Thus, when the cover member is adjacent the opening, at least a portion of the peripheral surface is spaced apart from and faces the surrounding surface. [0008]The space between the peripheral surface and the surrounding surface is between one eighth of an inch and one inch. The portion of the peripheral surface that faces the surrounding surface includes between one sixteenth inch and one inch ore more of the first surface adjacent the lateral edge. [0009]The mounting coupler includes at least a first hinge member linkable to at least a second hinge member on the cover coupler. When the hinge members are linked, the cover member is rotatable about a hinge axis between a closed position, wherein the cover member is adjacent and substantially blocking view of the opening, and an open position, wherein the cover member is angled with respect to the first surface of the planar member and the opening can be accessed. The second hinge member of the cover coupler is releasable from the first hinge member of the mounting coupler. [0010]In an alternate version, the first hinge member includes a first retainer feature and the second hinge member includes a second retainer feature. When the cover member is in the open position, the first and second retainer features cooperate to retain the cover member in the open position. The first and second retainer features comprise a rib and a recess. [0011]In an alternate version, the mounting coupler includes at least two first hinge members that cooperate with at least two second hinge members on the cover coupler. The hinge members of the cover member are positioned on the lateral edge, which includes at least a first straight edge portion that extends between first and second straight edge ends. Thus, the two second hinge members extend from the peripheral surface adjacent the first straight edge and the two second hinge members are spaced away from the first and second straight end edges. The hinge members facilitate rotation of the cover member between open and closed positions. The two hinge members of both the cover coupler and mounting coupler are separated by a space. [0012]The lateral edge of the grommet cover assembly includes at least a first straight edge portion that extends between first and second straight edge ends. The second hinge member extends from the peripheral surface adjacent the first straight edge. The second hinge member is spaced away from the first and second straight end edges. [0013]The mounting coupler may be mounted to the planar surface by either one of adhesive and/or screws and/or other mechanical devices. [0014]The cover also may comprise at least one supporting leg member that extends from the peripheral surface of the cover member to a distal end. Thus, when the cover member is adjacent the opening, the distal end of the supporting leg contacts the surrounding surface of the planar member adjacent the opening. The support members are positioned on the distal end of the cover. However, in alternate versions, the cover member may not have any supporting leg members. [0015]The cover member may be square, rectangular, circular, oval, triangular or polygonal in shape. [0016]In an alternate version, the present invention provides an assembly for substantially blocking view of an opening in a furniture member having a substantially flat surface such as a table top member. The assembly comprises a cover and a mounting coupler mounted to the surface of the furniture member proximate the opening. The cover includes a flat cover member and a cover coupler, with the cover member having first and second oppositely facing surfaces and a lateral edge. A portion of the first surface proximate the lateral edge is a peripheral surface, and the cover coupler, extending from the peripheral surface, may be linkable to the mounting coupler. Thus, the coupler supports the cover member adjacent the opening and substantially parallel to the first surface of the planar member. Therefore, when the cover member is adjacent the opening, at least a portion of the peripheral surface faces the surrounding surface. [0017]When the cover member is adjacent the opening, the peripheral surface faces and is spaced apart from the surrounding surface, thus forming a space for cable to pass between the first surface of the cover member and the first surface of the furniture member. The space rages between one eighth of an inch and includes at least one sixteenth to one quarter of an inch of the first surface adjacent the lateral edge. [0018]The mounting and cover couplers comprise complimentary first and second hinge members, thereby facilitating rotation of the cover member between open and closed positions. [0019]In an alternative version, the present invention provides a cover assembly for substantially blocking view of an opening in a furniture member having a substantially flat surface. The cover assembly comprises a coupler and a flat cover member having first and second oppositely facing surfaces and a lateral edge. The coupler is linked to and extends from the first surface of the cover member. Once linked, the cover member is supported over the opening and substantially parallel to the first surface of the furniture member with the cover assembly located completely outside the opening. The coupler is adhered to the surface of the furniture member. [0020]The coupler offsets the cover member from the furniture member so that a space exists between the first surface of the cover member and the first surface of the furniture member. Continue reading... Full patent description for Grommet cover assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Grommet cover assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Grommet cover assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Storage unit Next Patent Application: Cabinet receptacle apparatus and system Industry Class: Supports: cabinet structure ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Grommet cover assembly patent info. 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