Light switch cover

• US 5,874,693 A
• Filed: 04/04/1997
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William J. Rintz
• Original Assignee: William J. Rintz
• Inventors: Rintz, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/826,643
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8, D 8/353, D13/177, 200/302.3, 200/333, 200/302.1, 200/317, 200/310
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/048 using a sealing boot, e.g. the casing having separate elastic body surrounding the operating member and hermetically closing the opening for it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/186 using an electroluminiscent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/04 Cases; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/14 Tumblers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/18 Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A light switch cover is disclosed for use with conventional "rocker" and "toggle" type switches. The cover generally includes a mounting bracket which is attached to the electrical box, along with the switch and a face plate which is attached to the mounting bracket. For light switches cover can also be utilized where more than one switch is provided. An electroluminescent lighting sheet can also be provided between the face plate and mounting bracket to highlight and enhance any decorative features of the light switch cover. A battery back-up and power loss sensing circuit can be included that illuminates the lighting sheet whenever power to the light switch is lost. Upon loss of power, the lighting sheet can be illuminated steadily or can blink at a preselected frequency. An on/off switch can be provided to manually turn the illuminated light switch cover off. The invention can be also utilized with pressure sensitive dome-type switches.

Claims

1. A cover assembly for a light switch comprising:

a face plate member having a perimeter portion;

means for illuminating at least a portion of said face plate member when power is lost to the light switch; and

means for attaching said face plate member to the light switch so that the light switch is operable through said face plate member.

2. A cover assembly for a plurality of light switches comprising:

a face plate member having a perimeter portion;

means for illuminating at least a portion of said face slate member when power is lost to the light switches; and

means for attaching said face plate member to the light switches so that the light switches are operable through the face plate member; and

at least one force diverter bar, one of said at least one force diverter bar mounted between each adjacent pair of said light switches.

3. A cover assembly for a light switch comprising:

a face plate member having a perimeter portion;

means for illuminating at least a portion of said face plate member; and

means for attaching said face plate member to the light switch so that the light switch is operable through said face plate member;

at least one battery;

means for sensing power loss to the light switch, said means for sensing electrically connected to said at least one battery and electrically connected to a microswitch, said microswitch switchable between a power "on" position and a power "off" position;

an inverter electrically connected to said microswitch and electrically connected to said means for illuminating;

said battery electrically connected to an input of said inverter when said microswitch is in said power "off" position;

wherein when power is lost to the light switch, said means for sensing switches said microswitch from said power "on" position to said power "off" position electrically connecting said battery, through said inverter, to said means for illuminating, the at least a portion of said face plate member being illuminated until said microswitch returns to said power "on" position by said means for sensing when power is restored to the light switch.

4. The cover assembly of claim 3 further including a manual switch to turn off said means for illuminating.

5. The cover assembly of claim 3 wherein said battery, said means for sensing power loss, and said microswitch are mounted in said perimeter portion of said face plate member.

6. A cover assembly for a light switch comprising:

a face plate member having a perimeter portion and at least one aperture for receiving at least a portion of the light switch;

means for illuminating at least a portion of said face plate member when power is lost to the light switch; and

means for attaching said face plate member to the light switch so that the at least a portion of the light switch is received and operable in said aperture.

7. The cover assembly of claim 6, further including a plurality of light switches and said at least one aperture is a plurality of apertures, at least a portion of each of said plurality of light switches received within a corresponding one of said plurality of apertures.

8. The cover assembly of claim 6 further including a plurality of female receiving ports mounted on an inner surface of said face plate member, said receiving ports sized to receive, and positioned to correspond to, a plurality of male protruding members mounted on said means for attaching said face plate member to the light switch.

9. The cover assembly of claim 6 further including a plurality of female receiving ports mounted on said means for attaching, said receiving ports sized to receive, and positioned to correspond to, a plurality of male protruding members mounted on an inner surface of said face plate member.

10. A cover assembly for a light switch comprising:

a face plate member having a perimeter portion and an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the light switch;

means for illuminating at least a portion of said face plate member; and

means for attaching said face plate member to the light switch so that the at least a portion of the light switch is received and operable in said aperture;

at least one battery;

means for sensing power loss to the light switch, said means for sensing electrically connected to said at least one battery and electrically connected to a microswitch, said microswitch switchable between a power "on" position and a power "off" position;

an inverter electrically connected to said microswitch and electrically connected to said means for illuminating;

said battery electrically connected to an input of said inverter when said microswitch is in said power "off" position;

wherein when power is lost to the light switch, said means for sensing switches said microswitch to said power "off" position electrically connecting said battery, through said inverter, to said means for illuminating, at least a portion of said face plate member being illuminated until said microswitch returns to said power "on" position by said means for sensing when power is restored to the light switch.

11. The cover assembly of claim 10 further including a manual switch to turn off said means for illuminating.

12. The cover assembly of claim 10 wherein said battery, said means for sensing power loss, and said microswitch are mounted in said perimeter portion of said face plate member.