Interchangeable Back System for Programmable Switches

• US 20150294816A1
• Filed: 04/15/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Christopher, Evers, Maaike Louise, Simonian, Michael, Simmons, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,583,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0018 for allowing different operating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/148 actuated by superimposed sliding element H01H23/141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/12 for flush mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/04 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]

Abstract

Systems and techniques are provided for an interchangeable back system for programmable switches. A programmable switch, remote interchangeable back, and toggle switch interchangeable back may be included. The remote interchangeable back may include a casing and a back plate, where the back plate of the remote interchangeable back may not have an opening. The toggle switch interchangeable back may include a casing and a back plate, where the back plate of the toggle switch interchangeable back may include an opening of sufficient size to accommodate a toggle light switch in the on position. The remote interchangeable back and the toggle switch interchangeable back may be interchangeably attachable to and removable from the programmable switch.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a programmable switch;

a remote interchangeable back comprising a casing and a back plate, wherein the back plate of the remote interchangeable back does not have an opening; and

a toggle switch interchangeable back comprising a casing and a back plate, wherein the back plate of the toggle switch interchangeable back comprises an opening of sufficient size to accommodate a toggle light switch in the on position,

wherein the remote interchangeable back and the toggle switch interchangeable back are interchangeably attachable to and removable from the programmable switch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a paddle switch interchangeable back comprising a casing and a back plate, wherein the back plate of the paddle switch interchangeable back comprises a cavity of sufficient depth and angle to accommodate a paddle light switch in the on position, and wherein the paddle switch interchangeable back is interchangeably attachable to and removable from the programmable switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the toggle switch interchangeable back further comprises at least one attachment strip attached to the back plate of the toggle switch interchangeable back such that the at least one attachment strip is exposed when the toggle switch interchangeable back is attached to the programmable switch.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the paddle switch interchangeable back further comprises at least one attachment strip attached to the back plate of the paddle switch interchangeable back such that the at least one attachment strip is exposed when the paddle switch interchangeable back is attached to the programmable switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programmable switch further comprises a battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote interchangeable back and the toggle switch interchangeable back each further comprise a battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote interchangeable back and the toggle switch interchangeable back are removably attachable to the programmable switch using non-adhesive attachment.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the removable attachment uses friction between the casing of one of the interchangeable backs and a rear casing of the programmable switch.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the removable attachment uses friction tabs to attach the casing of one of the interchangeable backs and a rear casing of the programmable switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the removable attachment uses slotted tabs to attach the casing of one of the interchangeable back and a rear casing of the programmable switch.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a casing; and

a back plate, wherein the back plate comprises one of;

a solid back plate;

a back plate with an opening, wherein the opening is sized to accommodate switch; and

a back plate with a cavity, wherein the cavity is sized to accommodate a switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

at least one attachment strip disposed on the back plate such that the at least one attachment strip is exposed when the apparatus is attached to a programmable switch.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a battery disposed within the casing.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the opening is sized to accommodate a toggle light switch in the on position, and wherein the casing is of sufficient depth to contain the toggle light switch.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cavity is sized to accommodate a paddle light switch in the on position, and wherein the casing is of sufficient depth to contain the paddle light switch.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the back plate is removably attached to the casing.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a programmable switch comprising a front plate, a switch, a rear casing, a battery, and home automation hardware, wherein the switch is disposed on the front plate; and

a toggle switch interchangeable back comprising a casing, a back plate, and an opening disposed on the back plate and of sufficient size to accommodate a toggle light switch, and wherein the toggle switch interchangeable back is removably attached to the programmable switch, the toggle switch interchangeable back is removably attachable to a cover plate for a toggle light switch, and the home automation hardware controls at least one light fixture electrically connected to the toggle light switch.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a paddle switch interchangeable back comprising a casing, a back plate, and a cavity disposed on the back plate and of sufficient size to accommodate a paddle light switch, and wherein the paddle switch interchangeable back is removably attached to the programmable switch in place of the toggle switch interchangeable back.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the programmable switch is removably attachable to the toggle switch interchangeable back using one item selected from the group consisting of:

friction fitting, friction tabs, and slotted tabs.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the programmable switch is removably attachable to the paddle switch interchangeable back using one item selected from the group consisting of:

friction fitting, friction tabs, and slotted tabs.