Wallbox-mountable dimmer and switch

• US 4,939,383 A
• Filed: 10/14/1988
• Issued: 07/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Spira, Joel S., Tucker, Darryl W., Jacobs, Russell J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US07/257,499
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 307/112, 307/115, 307/125, 307/130, 307/131, 307/1, 307/135, 307/139, 307/140, 307/141, 307/141.4, 200/320, 200/335, 338/176, 338/179, 338/198, 338/199, 338/200
• US Class Current: 307/139
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/38 the contact moving along a straight path
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 10/50 structurally combined with switching arrangements H01C10/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/0213 Combined operation of electric switch and variable impedance, e.g. resistor, capacitor H01H9/061 takes precedence

Abstract

A dimmer and switch device is adapted for mounting on a wall. The elements of the device that are visible when it is mounted on a wall are easily replaced. In another embodiment, a linear slide dimmer and push-button switch device are arranged in juxtaposition, so that a section of the dimmer slider can pass through the switch mechanism. A high-power, push-button switching device combines a high-power switch and a latching device. A dimmer includes a potentiometer that is marked by detents to permit stable, reproducible dimmer settings. The switching device and dimmer are suitable for use in the dimmer/switch.

Claims

1. A wallbox-mountable device for controlling power to an electrical load, comprising, in combination,

(a) a switch actuated by a push button, to alternately turn power to said load on and off

(b) a dimmer, including a manually-operable actuator, for adjusting power to said load

(c) means for transmitting to said switch a force exerted on said push button, and

(d) an opening in said force transmitter to permit a section of said manually-operable actuator to pass through it.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said switch is a mechanical power switch.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said actuator adjusts power by moving linerearly and is substantially symmetrical about a centerline in its direction of motion.

4. The device of claim 3 in which said switch push button is substantially symmetrical about said actuator centerline.

5. The device of claim 3 in which said actuator is constrained to move between a pair of substantially parallel rails.

6. The device of claim 3 in which said actuator section is flexible.

7. The device of claim 3 in which said actuator motion is marked by a plurality of detents.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for supporting said device in a wallbox and a face plate for covering said support means.

9. The device of claim 8 in which said push button, said actuator, and said face plate comprise individually replaceable elements.

10. The device of claim 8 in which said face plate is actuator, and said face plate comprise individually replaceable elements.