Switch

• US 20080067052A1
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Exeloo Limited
• Original Assignee: Daniel Glew
• Inventors: Glew, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,884,299 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/600
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960755 Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches

Abstract

A switch adapted to make and/or break a connection in an electric circuit to operate a device has a front to face the user and a rear to face away from the user, a housing, and switch mechanism. The switch mechanism includes in operative connection, a lens facing the front, information means, control means, lighting means, capacitive sensing means and power means to operate the lighting means and sensing means. The switch includes communication means to provide electrical connection to the device and is activated by the control means when a change in capacitance is sensed by the capacitive sensing means such that the information means and lighting means can be viewed through the lens and the device is operated.

Claims

1. A switch adapted to make and/or break a connection in an electric circuit to operate a device, the switch including a front to face the user and a rear to face away from the user, a housing, and switch mechanism, the switch mechanism includes in operative connection, a lens facing the front, information means, control means, lighting means, capacitive sensing means and power means to operate the lighting means and sensing means, whereby the switch includes communication means to provide electrical connection to the device wherein the switch is activated by the control means when a change in capacitance is sensed by the capacitive sensing means such that the information means and lighting means can be viewed through the lens and the device is operated.

2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the switch is fluid-proof whereby fluid originating from weather and/or from cleaning does not affect the working of the switch wherein the switch includes a sealing means therein comprising an O-ring located around the lens, and sealingly engaging with the housing.

3. A switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sensing means of the switch is capacitance sensing.

4. A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein the switch is substantially vandal proof whereby front surface is substantially flush mounted to a support surface.

5. A switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein a cover threadingly engages with the rear of the housing to cover the sensing means, information means and control means.

6. A switch as claimed in claim 5 wherein the information means is in the form of a disc located under the lens and the control means is located under the disc whereby the disc functions to cover the control means.

7. A switch as claimed in claim 6 wherein the disc also functions to increase the activation field or sensitivity range from the capacitor sensing means and provide information.

8. A switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sensing means is located under the disc.

9. A switch as claimed in claim 8 wherein the control means includes a PC Board (printed circuit board).

10. A switch as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lighting means which includes LED'"'"'s (light emitting diodes) located on the PC board.

11. A switch as claimed in claim 10 wherein the lens is an impact resistant see-through high impact acrylic material.

12. A switch as claimed in claim 11 wherein the disc has at least one word and/or symbol thereon to face the user through the lens.

13. A switch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.