RETROFIT REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20170352506A1
• Filed: 06/02/2017
• Published: 12/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Dimberg, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 10,211,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/14 Operating parts, e.g. turn knob
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/145 the actuating surface having two slightly inclined areas extending from the middle outward
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/02 Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a lighting load. The remote control device may comprise a base portion having planar extensions removably attached or affixed thereto. The planar extensions may be adapted to be received in a gap between a faceplate of the light switch and the toggle actuator for holding the remote control device against the faceplate. The planar extensions may comprise barbs that allow for insertion of the extensions in the gap, but may bite into the faceplate to hinder removal of the remote control device. The planar extensions may be defined by a mounting structure that is configured to be disposed between a yoke of the mechanical switch and the faceplate, and that protrudes beyond a front surface of the faceplate.

Claims

1. A remote control device adapted to be mounted over an actuator of a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch having a faceplate mounted thereto, the faceplate having an opening through which the actuator is received, the opening of the faceplate defining a gap between the faceplate and a toggle actuator, the remote control device comprising:

a wireless communication circuit;

a control circuit configured to transmit a digital message via the wireless communication circuit in response to a user input; and

a base portion having planar extensions adapted to be received in the gap between the faceplate and the toggle actuator for holding the remote control device against the faceplate.

2. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising:

an actuation portion for receiving the user input.

3. The remote control device of claim 2, wherein the actuation portion is supported by the base portion and is configured to move with respect to the base portion.

4. The remote control device of claim 3, wherein the actuation portion is configured to rotate with respect to the base portion.

5. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the planar extensions comprise barbs that allow for insertion of the planar extensions in the gap, but may bite into the faceplate to hinder removal of the remote control device.

6. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising:

a rotating portion configured to rotate with respect to the base portion;

wherein the control circuit is configured to transmit digital messages in response to rotations of the rotating portion.

7. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a toggle actuator or a paddle actuator.

8. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the remote control device comprises an input device, and wherein the input device comprises at least one of an actuation portion, a rotating portion, or a touch sensitive circuit.

9. A remote control device adapted to be mounted over an actuator of a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch having a faceplate mounted thereto, the faceplate defining an opening through which the actuator is received, the remote control device comprising:

a wireless communication circuit;

a control circuit that is configured to transmit a digital message via the wireless communication circuit in response to a user input; and

a mounting structure that is configured to be disposed between a yoke of the mechanical switch and the faceplate, the mounting structure defining at least one extension that is configured to be disposed into a gap between the opening of the faceplate and the actuator, and that protrudes beyond a front surface of the faceplate.

10. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the mounting structure defines four extensions that are configured to be disposed along corresponding portions of an inner perimeter of the opening.

11. The remote control device of claim 10, further comprising a control module, wherein the extensions define engagement members that are configured to engage with complimentary features of the control module to secure the control module in an attached position relative to the mechanical switch.

12. The remote control device of claim 10, further comprising:

a base portion; and

an actuation portion that is pivotally supported by the base portion and that is operably coupled to the control circuit to receive actuations by a user of the remote control device,

wherein the extensions define engagement members that are configured to engage with complimentary features of the base portion to secure the base portion in an attached position relative to the mechanical switch.

13. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the remote control device comprises an input device, and wherein the input device comprises at least one of an actuation portion, a rotating portion, or a touch sensitive circuit.

14. A remote control device adapted to be mounted over an actuator of a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch having a faceplate mounted thereto, the faceplate having an opening through which the actuator is received, the remote control device comprising:

a wireless communication circuit;

a control circuit configured to transmit a digital message via the wireless communication circuit in response to a user input; and

a base portion having at least two planar extensions removably attached or affixed thereto, wherein the at least two planar extensions are configured to extend through the opening of the faceplate for engaging the faceplate to hold the remote control device against the faceplate.

15. The remote control device of claim 14, wherein the at least two planar extensions are affixed to the base portion, wherein the opening of the faceplate defines a gap between the faceplate and a toggle actuator, and wherein the at least two planar extensions are adapted to be received in the gap between the faceplate and the toggle actuator for holding the remote control device against the faceplate.

16. The remote control device of claim 15, further comprising:

an actuation portion for receiving the user input.

17. The remote control device of claim 16, wherein the actuation portion is supported by the base portion and is configured to move with respect to the base portion.

18. The remote control device of claim 17, wherein the actuation portion is configured to rotate with respect to the base portion.

19. The remote control device of claim 15, wherein the at least two planar extensions comprise barbs that allow for insertion of the at least two planar extensions in the gap, but may bite into the faceplate to hinder removal of the remote control device.

20. The remote control device of claim 15, further comprising:

a rotating portion configured to rotate with respect to the base portion;

wherein the control circuit is configured to transmit digital messages in response to rotations of the rotating portion.

21. The remote control device of claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a toggle actuator or a paddle actuator.

22. The remote control device of claim 14, wherein the at least two planar extensions are defined by a mounting structure that is configured to be disposed between a yoke of the mechanical switch and the faceplate, and that protrudes beyond a front surface of the faceplate.

23. The remote control device of claim 22, wherein the mounting structure defines four planar extensions that are configured to be disposed along corresponding portions of an inner perimeter of the opening.

24. The remote control device of claim 23, further comprising a control module, wherein the at least two planar extensions define engagement members that are configured to engage with complimentary features of the control module to secure the control module in an attached position relative to the mechanical switch.

25. The remote control device of claim 23, further comprising:

an actuation portion that is pivotally supported by the base portion and that is operably coupled to the control circuit to receive actuations by a user of the remote control device,

wherein the at least two planar extensions define engagement members that are configured to engage with complimentary features of the base portion to secure the base portion in an attached position relative to the mechanical switch.

26. The remote control device of claim 14, wherein the remote control device comprises an input device, and wherein the input device comprises at least one of an actuation portion, a rotating portion, or a touch sensitive circuit.