Wireless battery-powered remote control having multiple mounting means

• US 8,330,638 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Altonen, Gregory, Felegy, Edward M. Jr., Jacoby, Elliot G., Snyder, Gregory M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford
• Assistant Examiner(s): PARRIES, DRU M
• Application Number:
  US12/399,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20090251352A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6809 Control
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6818 using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/02 Bases, casings, or covers accommodating more than one switch or a switch and another electrical component H02B1/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/025 Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/088 by wireless means, e.g. infrared transmitting means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission

Abstract

A remote control for a wireless load control system comprises a housing having a length and a width slightly smaller than the length and the width of an opening of a standard faceplate, respectively, such that the housing is adapted to be received within the opening of the standard faceplate. The remote control comprises a controller, a radio-frequency transmitter coupled to the controller, and a battery coupled to provide power to the controller and the radio-frequency transmitter, which are all contained within the housing. The remote control may be provided with multiple mounting means. For example, the remote control may be coupled to a lanyard, clipped to a car visor, rested on a table top, or mounted to a wall.

Claims

1. A remote control for a wireless load control system, the remote control comprising:

a controller;

a wireless transmitter coupled to the controller;

a battery coupled to provide power to the controller and the wireless transmitter; and

a housing containing the controller, the wireless transmitter, and the battery;

wherein the housing has a length and a width slightly smaller than the length and the width of an opening of a standard faceplate, respectively, such that the housing is adapted to be received within the opening of the standard faceplate;

wherein the housing comprises a slide-receiving portion adapted to receive a plurality of mounting structures

the remote control further comprising a plate having two parallel slide rails extending along opposite sides of the plate;

wherein the slide-receiving portion of the housing comprises two parallel flanges arranged to slidingly receive the slide rails of the plate;

wherein the plate is adapted to be fastened to a substantially flat vertical surface to mount the housing to the surface;

the remote control further comprising a faceplate having a standard-sized opening and adapted to be mounted to the surface, such that an outer periphery of the housing is received within the opening of the faceplate.

2. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the plate is prevented from being removed from the slide-receiving portion when the housing is received within the opening of the faceplate.

3. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the faceplate comprises a multiple-gang faceplate having two standard-sized openings.

4. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the faceplate comprises a mounting hole for receipt of a screw to attach the faceplate to the vertical surface.

5. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the faceplate comprises a designer-style faceplate.

6. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the housing is characterized by a depth that is approximately equal to the distance between a front surface of the faceplate and the vertical surface.

7. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises a mounting hole for receipt of a screw to attach the plate to the surface.

8. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the plate comprises an adhesive for attaching the plate to the surface.

9. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the length of the housing is approximately 2.605 inches and the width of the housing is approximately 1.280 inches.

10. The remote control of claim 9, wherein the housing is characterized by a depth less than approximately 0.5 inches.

11. The remote control of claim 1, further comprising:

an actuator provided in a surface of the housing, the controller operable to cause the wireless transmitter to transmit a wireless transmission in response to an actuation of the actuator.

12. The remote control of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter comprises an RF transmitter.