Wireless multiple position switching system

• US 5,340,954 A
• Filed: 03/04/1993
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heathco LLC (Transom Capital Group)
• Original Assignee: Heath Company
• Inventors: Jenson, Brad, Wieder, Klaus, Hoffman, Miles K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krishnan, Aditya
• Application Number:
  US08/026,392
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 307/116, 307/113, 307/121, 307/125, 307/139, 307/117, 307/125, 307/139, 200/6 R, 200/6 A, 200/533, 200/6 C, 200/6 B, 200/6 BB, 200/277.2, 200/339,400
• US Class Current: 200/277.2
• 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 two-position switch comprising:

a ball bearing having an electrically conductive surface;

a compression spring;

a set of electrical contacts; and

activation means including a toggle lever for activating said switch;

said toggle lever having a first stable non-conductive resting position and a second stable non-conductive resting position, said activation means activated by moving said toggle lever from said first stable non-conductive resting position to said second stable non-conductive resting position, said activation means activated by moving said toggle lever from said second stable non-conductive resting position to said first stable non-conductive resting position;

said toggle lever further 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 activation means is activated, to momentarily complete an electrical circuit across said contacts.

2. A two-position switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ball bearing, said compression spring, and said set of contacts are fabricated of metal, and all remaining components are fabricated from plastic.

3. A two-position switch as set forth in claim 1 further including current source means for applying a low-voltage direct current across said contacts, and current sensing means for sensing whether or not said contacts have been momentarily closed.

4. A two-position switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said activation means requires the application of a force similar in magnitude to the force required to activate a standard household light switch.

5. A two-position switch as set forth in claim 2 wherein said movement of said toggle lever from said first position to said second stable resting position requires the application of a force similar in magnitude to the force required to activate a standard household light switch.

6. A two-position switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein said toggle lever is fabricated of plastic.

7. A two-position switch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the color of said toggle 1ever is selected from the group consisting of white, ivory, black and brown.