Movable electric switches that move to reveal underlying control areas
First Claim
1. A movable electric switch comprising:
- a base unit comprising an opening, the opening containing at least one control area;
an electric switch comprising at least one position, the electric switch covering the opening; and
a movement mechanism coupled to the electric switch and the base unit and allowing the electric switch to be moved to reveal at least part of the opening such that the at least one control area may be accessed, the electric switch remaining in electrical contact with the base unit when the control area is revealed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electric switches are disclosed that cover underlying control areas and that can be moved to reveal these underlying control areas. The underlying control area will preferably be a control panel, such as a touch screen or hard-switched control panel. These movable electric switches are made to blend in with the surrounding decor, preferably by having a decorative plate as the predominate artifact that is seen. These movable electric switches are also functional, in that pressing on areas of the decorative plate will allow different electric switch positions to be chosen and different functions to occur that correspond to the particular electric switch position.
Thus, the present invention allows any underlying control area to be covered by a movable electric switch, allows the electric switch to be used to control various electrical devices, and allows the electric switch to be moved to provide access to the underlying control area.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A movable electric switch comprising:
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a base unit comprising an opening, the opening containing at least one control area;
an electric switch comprising at least one position, the electric switch covering the opening; and
a movement mechanism coupled to the electric switch and the base unit and allowing the electric switch to be moved to reveal at least part of the opening such that the at least one control area may be accessed, the electric switch remaining in electrical contact with the base unit when the control area is revealed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A movable electric switch system comprising:
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an underlying control area;
an electric switch comprising at least one position, the switch covering the underlying control area; and
a movement mechanism coupled to the electric switch and allowing the electric switch to be moved to reveal at least part of the underlying control area such that the underlying control area may be accessed, the electric switch remaining in electrical contact with the base unit when the control area is revealed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of controlling electronic devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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moving an electric switch to reveal an opening containing a control panel, the electric switch remaining in electrical contact with a base unit containing the opening when the electric switch is moved; and
accessing the control panel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification