Modular device control unit
First Claim
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1. A backplate, comprising:
- a backplate housing providing a cavity to removably accept any of a plurality of device control assemblies, a device control assembly of the plurality of device control assemblies including a set of device control assembly electrical contacts, the backplate housing configured to mount to an electrical junction box;
a backplate junction box electrical connector configured to connect to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box;
a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts;
a translatable cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the cavity when translated to an open position; and
a lock configured to maintain the cover in the closed position unless the device control assembly is inserted into the cavity, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity engages the lock to allow the cover to be translated to the open position to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts.
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Abstract
An apparatus includes a backplate including at least one backplate contact, a cover, and a lock. The at least one backplate contact facilitates an electrical connection to a power source. The cover shields the at least one backplate contact when the cover is placed in a closed position. The cover is further translatable to an open position to conditionally expose the at least one backplate contact. The lock applies a force to the cover and positions the cover in the closed position unless a counter-force greater than the force is received by the lock.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A backplate, comprising:
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a backplate housing providing a cavity to removably accept any of a plurality of device control assemblies, a device control assembly of the plurality of device control assemblies including a set of device control assembly electrical contacts, the backplate housing configured to mount to an electrical junction box; a backplate junction box electrical connector configured to connect to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box; a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts; a translatable cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the cavity when translated to an open position; and a lock configured to maintain the cover in the closed position unless the device control assembly is inserted into the cavity, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity engages the lock to allow the cover to be translated to the open position to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A device control assembly, comprising:
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a set of device control assembly electrical contacts; and a device control assembly housing configured to be removably inserted into a cavity of any of a plurality of backplates, a backplate of the plurality of backplates configured to mount to an electrical junction box, the backplate further configured to connect to electrical wiring within an electrical junction box, the backplate comprising; a backplate housing providing the cavity to accept the device control assembly; a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts; a translatable cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the cavity when translated to an open position; and a lock configured to maintain the cover in the closed position unless the device control assembly is inserted into the cavity, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity engages the lock to allow the cover to be translated to the open position to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A modular control unit, comprising:
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a device control assembly, the device control assembly including a set of device control assembly electrical contacts; and a backplate configured to removably accept the device control assembly, the backplate configured to mount to an electrical junction box, the backplate further configured to connect to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box, the backplate comprising; a backplate housing providing a cavity to accept the device control assembly; a set of backplate electrical contacts configured to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts; a translatable cover, the cover configured to shield the set of backplate electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position, the cover further configured to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the cavity when translated to an open position; and a lock configured to maintain the cover in the closed position unless the device control assembly is inserted into the cavity, wherein inserting the device control assembly into the cavity engages the lock to allow the cover to be translated to the open position to expose the set of backplate electrical contacts to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification