Wireless multiple position switching system

• US 5,239,205 A
• Filed: 05/02/1991
• Issued: 08/24/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heathco LLC (Transom Capital Group)
• Original Assignee: Heath Company
• Inventors: Wieder, Klaus, Hoffman, Miles K., Jenson, Brad
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US07/694,649
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 307/112, 307/113-114, 307/116, 307/117-119, 307/125, 307/127, 307/139, 200/6 R, 200/277, 200/277.2, 200/339, 200/400
• US Class Current: 307/117
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/00 Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/0002 using ultrasonic means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00022 using wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00036 the elements or equipment being or involving switches, relays or circuit breakers circuits for indication of single switches H01H9/167
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/18 using switches, relays or circuit breakers, e.g. intelligent electronic devices [IED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/246 the system involving the remote operation of lamps or lighting equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/12 characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/126 using wireless data transmission

Abstract

A wireless multiple position switching system is disclosed for controlling the application of power to a load device from a plurality of remote locations. The switching system includes a power source, a load device, a master toggle switch and one or more slave toggle switches. A slave toggle switch generates an electromagnetic switching signal which changes the state of the master switch. The master switch is connected in series with the power source and the load device and controls the application of power to the load device in response to the switching signal from the slave switch or actuation of its own toggle.

Claims

1. A multiple position switching system for connecting and disconnecting a circuit between a load device and a power source from a plurality of remote locations, said switching system comprising:

a slave switching means for reversing the energization state of said load device, said slave switching means including switching signal generation means for producing a switching signal comprised of electromagnetic radiation;

switching signal activation means, including a momentary contact, two-position toggle switch, for activating said switching signal generation means; and

a master switching means responsive to said switching signal for reversing the energization state of said load device upon receipt of said switching signal, said master switching means connected in series with said power source and said load device.

2. A multiple position switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said master switching means further includes manual activation means for manually reversing the energization state of said load device.

3. A multiple position switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said slave switching means further includes a battery power source for supplying power to said signal generation means.

4. A multiple position switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switching signal activation means further includes a toggle lever having a first stable resting position and a second stable resting position, and said switching signal activation means is activated by moving said toggle lever from said first stable resting position to said second stable resting position, and said switching activation means is also activated by moving said toggle lever from said second stable resting position to said first stable resting position.

5. A multiple position switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switching signal activation means further includes a toggle lever, a compression spring, a ball bearing, and one set of contacts, said toggle lever including a compression spring aperture for accommodating said compression spring, said compression spring situated within said compression spring aperture and applying a force to said ball bearing such that said ball bearing momentarily rests across said set of contacts when said switching signal activation means is activated to momentarily complete an electrical circuit across said contacts.

6. A multiple position switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said load device includes a standard electrical wall outlet.

7. A multiple position switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said master switching means further includes plug means for plugging said master switching means into a standard electrical wall outlet, and socket means for accepting said load device.

8. A multiple position switching system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said master switching means further includes threaded screw means for screwing said master switching means into a standard light bulb socket, and threaded socket means for accepting said load device.

9. A multiple position switching system for connecting and disconnecting a circuit between a load device and a power source from a plurality of remote locations, said switching system comprising:

a slave switching means for reversing the energization state of said load device, said slave switching means including switching signal generation means for producing a switching signal;

switching signal activation means, including a momentary contact, two-position toggle switch, for activating said switching signal generation means; and

a master switching means responsive to said switching signal for reversing the energization state of said load device upon receipt of said switching signal, said master switching means connected in series with said power source and said load device.

10. A wireless switching system for connecting and disconnecting a circuit between a load device and a power source from a plurality of remote locations, said switching system comprising:

a slave switching means for reversing the energization state of said load device, said slave switching means including switching signal generation means for producing a switching signal compromised of electromagnetic radiation;

switching signal activation means, including a momentary contact, two-position toggle switch, for activating said switching signal generation means; and

a master switching means responsive to said switching signal for reversing the energization state of said load device upon receipt of said switching signal, said master switching means connected in series with said power source and said load device;

said master switching means including plug means for plugging said master switching means into a standard electrical wall outlet, and socket means for accepting said load device.

11. A wireless switching system for connecting and disconnecting a circuit between a load device and a power source from a plurality of remote locations, said switching system comprising:

a power source;

a load device;

a slave switching means for reversing the energization state of said load device, said slave switching means including switching signal generation means for producing a switching signal comprised of electromagnetic radiation;

switching signal activation means, including a momentary contact, two-position toggle switch, for activating said switching signal generation means; and

a master switching means responsive to said switching signal for reversing the energization state of said load device upon receipt of said switching signal, said master switching means connected in series with said power source and said load device;

said master switching means including threaded screw means for screwing said master switching means into a standard light bulb socket, and threaded socket means for accepting said load device.