Dimmer switch

• US 7,170,018 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2005
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Ilkhanov, Azer
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad; Elvin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anglo; Lheiren Mae A.
• Application Number:
  US11/242,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20060108208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1.R, 200/17.R, 200/18, 200/518, 200/552, 200/329, 200/330, 200/334, 200/339
• US Class Current: 200/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/22 Operating parts, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/044 Elastic part on actuator or casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/078 Different operating parts on a bigger one

Abstract

A switch for adjusting a plurality of states of a load is provided having a large paddle actuator for adjusting a first state of a lightning load and incorporating an integrated rocker switch for adjusting a second state of a lighting load. The switch also comprises a concealed air-gap switch for disconnecting the switch from line phase when the paddle actuator is placed in a disconnect position and connecting the switch to line phase when the paddle actuator is placed in a connect position.

Claims

1. A switch comprising;

a push pad for adjusting a first state of a load connected to said switch;

a rocker actuator for adjusting a second state of a load connected to said switch; and

a slide pivot coupled to said push pad wherein said push pad actuates said switch when depressed and disengages said switch from a line phase when pulled at its bottom.

2. The switch according to claim 1 wherein said push pad actuates a micro-switch when depressed.

3. The switch according to claim 1 wherein disengaging said switch comprises actuating an air-gap switch when said push pad is pulled at its bottom.

4. The switch according to claim 1 wherein said rocker activates at least one micro-switch when actuated.

5. The switch according to claim 1 wherein said rocker comprises a light pipe having individual legs.

6. The switch according to claim 5 wherein said individual legs can be placed on LEDs.

7. The switch according to claim 1 wherein said first state is one of an ON and OFF state.

8. The switch according to claim 1 wherein said second state is at least one of a DIM and BRIGHT state.

9. The switch according to claim 1 wherein said rocker actuator is located within said push pad.

10. The switch according to claim 1 wherein said rocker is biased by a pair of leaf springs.

11. A switch for adjusting the state of a load comprising:

a paddle actuator, said paddle actuator adapted to be biased to return to a rest position following actuation from a first position, said paddle actuator being further adapted to adjust a first state of the load connected to the switch;

a rocker actuator, said rocker actuator being adapted to be biased to return to a second rest position and further adapted to adjust a second state of the load connected to the switch when said rocker actuator is actuated by a user; and

a disconnect switch adapted to disconnect the switch from line phase when actuated and wherein when said paddle actuator is actuated by a user in said first position said first state of said load is adjusted and said paddle actuator is biased to return to said rest position and wherein when said paddle actuator is placed in a second position said disconnect switch is actuated thereby disconnecting the switch from said line phase.

12. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said rocker actuator further comprises a light pipe with individual legs.

13. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said individual legs of said light pipe are located adjacent to corresponding LEDs.

14. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said paddle actuator is biased by a leaf spring.

15. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said rocker actuator is biased by a pair of leaf springs.

16. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said first state is one of an OFF and ON state.

17. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said second state is one of a DIM and BRIGHT state.

18. The switch according to claim 11 wherein said disconnect switch is an air-gap switch.