Sub frame assembly for light switch assembly

• US 6,355,885 B1
• Filed: 04/17/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Angel L. Colon, William J. Rintz
• Original Assignee: Angel L. Colon, William J. Rintz
• Inventors: Rintz, William J., Colon, Angel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/550,532
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 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: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/20 Electroluminescent [EL] light sources
• 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 or tactile” 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 or tactile” 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 or tactile” 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 or tactile” switch and inadvertently turning “off” or “on” the adjacent “rocker or tactile” switch. An inner or sub-frame can be provided to allow for an outer frame of any shape with a standard shaped mounting bracket. This assembly includes an outer frame, a flexible decorative sheet, an inner/sub frame and a mounting bracket 1050. The cover assembly completely covers a switch assembly, while allowing the switch assembly to be operated while covered.

Claims

1. A cover assembly for a rocker or tactile switch attached to an electrical box and having an operating lever, comprising:

a cover plate including a substantially rigid outer frame having a peripheral shape and a flexible surface attached to the rigid outer frame;

an inner frame having a substantially same peripheral shape as the peripheral shape of said outer frame, said inner frame received within said outer frame;

a mounting bracket attached to said inner frame and adapted for abutment to a wall area surrounding the light switch such that the light switch operating lever is covered by the cover plate.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said flexible surface having indicia disposed on its outer surface.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said inner frame having an aperture having a substantially same shape as a peripheral shape of said mounting bracket;

wherein said mounting bracket received with the aperture of said inner frame when attaching said inner frame to said mounting bracket.

4. The cover assembly of claim 3 wherein said inner frame further including a second aperture and said mounting bracket including an aperture;

said second aperture of said inner frame and said mounting bracket aperture aligned with each other when attaching said inner frame to said mounting bracket to allow an attachment screw to be inserted in said inner frame second aperture and said mounting bracket aperture to securely attached said inner frame to said mounting bracket.

5. The cover assembly of claim 4 wherein said inner frame second aperture and said mounting bracket aperture are threaded.

6. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said light switch is operable when said cover plate covers the operating lever.

7. A cover assembly for a rocker or tactile type light switch, comprising:

a face plate member constructed from a flexible material; and

means for attaching said face plate member so that it completely covers an operating lever of a light switch;

wherein the light switch still being operable when said face plate member covers the operating lever.

8. The cover assembly of claim 7 further including a mounting bracket member, said mounting bracket member having at least one aperture for receipt therethrough of a portion of said light switch.

9. The cover assembly of claim 8 wherein a plurality of light switches are provided and said mounting bracket member provided with a plurality of aperture, each of said apertures being associated with corresponding one of said light switches.

10. The cover assembly of claim 9 wherein said mounting bracket further including a diverter bar disposed between each of said apertures of said mounting bracket.

11. A cover assembly for a rocker or tactile type light switch which is attached to an electrical box and includes an operating lever:

a face plate constructed from a flexible material, said face plate including a lip member disposed around an outer edge area of a front portion of said face plate, said lip member and said front portion defining a groove therebetween;

a mounting bracket adapted for attachment to the light light switch, said mounting bracket having an opening, the operating lever of the light switch extending through said opening, said mounting including a flange member disposed around an outer edge area of said mounting bracket; and

first means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket so that it completely covers the operating lever of the light switch;

wherein the light switch still being operable when said face plate covers the operating lever;

wherein said flange member disposed within said groove to define a second means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket.

12. The cover assembly of claim 11 wherein said first means for attaching includes a plurality of receiving ports disposed on said inner surface of said face plate and a plurality of protruding peg members disposed on said outer surface of said mounting bracket;

each of said receiving ports associated with a respective peg member, a portion of said peg members being snugly received within their associated receiving port when said face plate is attached to said mounting bracket.