Light switch cover
First Claim
1. An illuminated switching device for controlling AC powered loads, comprising:
- a source of AC power;
means for switching said source of AC power to at least one load;
a face plate member having an outer surface, a rigid perimeter portion, and a flexible portion within said rigid perimeter portion;
means for illuminating said outer surface;
means for attaching said face plate member to said means for switching so that said means for switching is operable through said flexible portion;
at least one battery;
means for sensing power loss from said source of AC power, said means for sensing power loss electrically connected to said at least one battery and including an inverter electrically connected to said means for illuminating said outer surface;
wherein when power from said source of AC power is lost, said outer surface is illuminated until power is restored.
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Accused Products
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 "rocker" type switches, the face plate is preferably constructed from a soft material to allow the user to operate the covered "rocker" switch, but can be made of a combination of hard and soft materials. For "toggle" type switches an aperture is provided in the face plate to operate the toggle. Preferably, the outer surface of the face plate is provided with a decorated design or other indicia. The light switch can also be utilized where more than one switch is provided. For multiple "rocker" switches, a diverter bar is provided on the mounting bracket, to absorb pressure being asserted on one "rocker" switch from also transferring to an adjacent "rocker" switch and inadvertently turning "off" or "on" the adjacent "rocker" switch. An electroluminescent lighting sheet can also be provided between the face plate and mounting bracket to highlight and enhance the decorative features of the present invention 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 utilized with pressure sensitive dome-type switches.
110 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An illuminated switching device for controlling AC powered loads, comprising:
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a source of AC power; means for switching said source of AC power to at least one load; a face plate member having an outer surface, a rigid perimeter portion, and a flexible portion within said rigid perimeter portion; means for illuminating said outer surface; means for attaching said face plate member to said means for switching so that said means for switching is operable through said flexible portion; at least one battery; means for sensing power loss from said source of AC power, said means for sensing power loss electrically connected to said at least one battery and including an inverter electrically connected to said means for illuminating said outer surface; wherein when power from said source of AC power is lost, said outer surface is illuminated until power is restored. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A portable night-light, comprising;
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an enclosure having means for switching attached thereto; a face plate member having an outer surface, a rigid perimeter portion, and a flexible portion within said rigid perimeter portion; means for illuminating said outer surface; means for attaching said face plate member to said enclosure so that said means for switching is operable through said flexible portion; at least one battery; means for recharging said at least one battery; wherein said means for switching activates and deactivates said means for illuminating said outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. An illuminated switching device, comprising:
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means for controlling a source of power; a face plate including a flexible member; means for attaching said face plate so that it covers said means for controlling and said means for controlling is operable through said flexible portion; an illumination member associated with said means for controlling; and means for energizing said illumination member when power from said source of power is lost. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification