TAMPER-RESISTANT, ENERGY-HARVESTING SWITCH ASSEMBLIES

• US 20110272261A1
• Filed: 05/10/2011
• Published: 11/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jan F. Finlinson, Jeremy P. Willden, Martin R. Johnson, Robert E. Gooch
• Original Assignee: Jan F. Finlinson, Jeremy P. Willden, Martin R. Johnson, Robert E. Gooch
• Inventors: Johnson, Martin R., Finlinson, Jan F., Willden, Jeremy P., Gooch, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,592,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/339
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/22 with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/076 Key stroke generating power
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/02 Details

Abstract

Tamper-resistant, longer-lasting energy-harvesting switch assemblies that can accommodate longer antennas required for operation in the 315 MHz radio frequency band are provided. In order to accommodate longer antenna that will not fit within the energy-harvesting module, the front major face of the back plate is equipped with a perimetric channel or trough into which a wire antenna can be installed. The problem of rocker wear in prior-art devices caused by abrasive action of the bows is rectified by a redesign of the rocker and the manufacture of a wear-resistant insert that snaps into place at the rear of the rocker. The potential theft problem associated with prior-art devices has been resolved by redesigning the back plate and the retainer clip that engages latches on the redesigned back plate. Non-destructive removal of the retainer clip can be effected only with a special tool.

Claims

1. An improved, energy-harvesting switch assembly including a retainer clip having a generally rectangular frame, at least one rocker, a decorative face plate, an energy-harvesting switch module which generates and transmits a radio frequency signal packet in response to pressure on the rocker, and a carrier, wherein the improvement comprises:

modifying said at least one rocker so that it has at least two tabs which extend from an upper and lower edge thereof;

modifying the retainer clip so that it has recesses on upper and lower frame members, said recesses capturing the upper and lower edges of said at least one rocker so that said at least one rocker cannot be removed from the assembly without first removing the retainer clip; and

modifying the carrier and the retainer clip so that the both pieces latch together in a manner that precludes disassembly without a special tool used to unlatch the carrier and retainer clip.

2. The improved, energy-harvesting switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises:

modifying the decorative face plate so that it cannot be removed without first removing the retainer clip with the special tool.

3. The improved, energy-harvesting switch assembly of claim 1, wherein modification of the retainer clip comprises providing a plurality of snap arms located on a periphery of the rectangular frame, each of said snap arms having an aperture;

and wherein modification of the carrier comprises providing a plurality of latches which capture each of said snap arms; and

wherein the latches are accessible only with a laminar tool which can be inserted between an outer periphery of said at least one rocker and the inner periphery of the retainer clip.