Corner light switch assembly

• US 6,388,345 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aaron N. Stimpson
• Original Assignee: Aaron N. Stimpson
• Inventors: Stimpson, Aaron N.
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US09/562,090
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 307/112, 307/116, 307/119, 307/134, 307/154, 307/157, 174/66
• US Class Current: 307/119
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/085 by touch control

Abstract

A corner light switch assembly to be mounted against a corner edge of a wall corner at a predetermined location and vertical height. The corner light switch assembly includes 1) a main switch body; 2) a switch body cover plate of L-shape constructed of a transparent plastic material connected to the main switch body; 3) a touch sensitive switch assembly mounted in the main switch body and engageable with the switch body cover plate; and 4) a power supply cord to connect an appliance, table lamp or light fixture to the touch sensitive switch assembly for selective operation thereof The switch body cover plate has a sensor section with a plurality of sensor openings therein. The touch sensitive switch assembly includes a touch plate sensor connected to a touch sensitive switch circuit. The touch plate sensor is placed within one of the sensor openings in the sensor section of the switch body cover plate and having the touch plate sensor mounted therein. The touch sensitive switch circuit is known in the prior art.

Claims

1. A corner light switch assembly adapted to be mounted on a corner edge of a wall corner, comprising:

a) a main switch body having a switch body cover plate connected thereto;

b) said switch body cover plate mounted vertically on and encloses an inner or outer corner edge of a wall corner;

c) a touch sensitive switch assembly connected to said main switch body and to an electrical appliance; and

d) said touch sensitive switch assembly includes a touch plate sensor; and

, when said touch plate sensor is contacted by a person, electrical current flows to the appliance to cause energization thereof.

2. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 1, wherein:

a) said switch body cover plate includes a support section intregal with a sensor section; and

b) said sensor section includes a sensor opening having said touch plate sensor mounted therein allowing the person to insert a finger through the sensor opening to contact said touch plate sensor and control power supply to the appliance.

3. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 2, wherein:

a) said sensor section having a plurality of vertically spaced sensor openings therein; and

b) a plurality of said touch sensitive switch assembly provided, each mounted in a respective one of said sensor openings and connected to a respective appliance.

4. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 3, wherein:

a) each of said touch sensitive switch assemblies operable to electrically energize, de-energize, and control level of power supply to the respective appliance.

5. A corner light switch assembly adapted to be mounted on a corner edge of a wall corner, comprising:

a) a main switch body having a switch body cover plate connected thereto;

b) said main switch body mounted vertically on a corner edge of a wall corner;

c) a touch sensitive switch assembly connected to said main switch body and to an electrical appliance;

d) said touch sensitive switch assembly includes a touch plate sensor; and

, when said touch plate sensor is contacted by a person, electrical current flows to the appliance to cause energization thereof; and

e) said switch body cover plate of an L-shape operable to surround and enclose a portion of the corner edge thus being easy to locate in a dark area with a person'"'"'s hand on locating the wall corner.

6. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 5, wherein:

a) said switch body cover plate constructed of a transparent material which reveals an underlying wall surface.

7. A corner light switch assembly adapted to be mounted on a corner edge of a wall corner, comprising:

a) a main switch body having a switch body cover plate of an L-shape connected thereto;

b) said main switch body mounted at a preselected height on a corner edge of a wall corner;

c) a touch sensitive switch assembly connected to said main switch body and to an electrical light fixture;

d) said touch sensitive switch assembly includes a touch plate sensor; and

, when said touch plate sensor is contacted by a person, electrical current flows to the light fixture to cause energization thereof; and

e) said switch body cover plate contacts and encloses an inner or outer corner edge of the wall corner.

8. A corner light switch assembly adapted to be mounted on a corner edge of a wall corner, comprising:

a) a main switch body having a switch body cover plate connected thereto;

b) said main switch body mounted at a preselected height on a corner edge of a wall corner;

c) a touch sensitive switch assembly connected to said main switch body and to an electrical light fixture;

d) said touch sensitive switch assembly includes a touch plate sensor; and

, when said touch plate sensor is contacted by a person, electrical current flows to the light fixture to cause energization thereof; and

e) said switch body cover plate includes a support section with a sensor section so as to be of L-shape to completely surround and enclose a portion of the corner edge.

9. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 8, wherein:

a) said sensor section includes a sensor opening having said touch plate sensor mounted therein allowing the person to insert a finger through the sensor opening to control power supply to the light fixture.

10. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 8, wherein:

a) said sensor section having a plurality of spaced sensor openings therein; and

b) a plurality of said touch sensitive switch assembly provided, each mounted in a respective one of said sensor openings and connected to a respective light fixture.

11. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 10, wherein:

a) each of said touch sensitive switch assemblies operable to electrically energize, de-energize, and control level of power supply to the respective light fixture.

12. A corner light switch assembly adapted to be mounted on a corner edge of a wall corner, comprising:

a) a switch body cover plate adapted to be connected at a selected height on a corner edge of a wall corner;

b) said switch body cover plate of an L-shape to receive and enclose the corner edge so as to be easily located under conditions of darkness;

c) a touch sensitive switch assembly connected to said switch body cover plate and to an electrical member; and

d) said touch sensitive switch assembly includes a touch plate sensor; and

, when said touch plate sensor is contacted by a person, electrical current flows to the electrical member to achieve selective operation thereof.

13. A corner light switch assembly as described in claim 12, wherein:

a) said switch body cover plate includes a support section intregal with a sensor section to completely surround and enclose a portion of the corner edge;

b) said sensor section includes a plurality of sensor openings; and

c) a plurality of said touch sensitive switch assembly provided with a respective touch plate sensor mounted in respective ones of said sensor opening.