Wall Box Dimmer

• US 20120160641A1
• Filed: 02/28/2012
• Published: 06/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crestron Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Crestron Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Wisniewski, Stan
• Granted Patent: US 8,599,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/297
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0018 for allowing different operating parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/22 Operating parts, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/14 Tumblers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/054 Application timeslot: duration of actuation or delay between or combination of subsequent actuations determines selected function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/16 adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0271 structurally combining a switch and an electronic component for relays H01H50/021
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/161 comprising light emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H03B 5/364 the amplifier comprising field effect transistors H03B5/366 takes precedence

Abstract

A dual function air-gap switch actuator (26) is incorporated into the generally planar face of a wall box dimmer. The switch actuator is finger operated and provides both a main power disconnect via air-gap contacts (211) and the means (212) to activate a secondary function. The dual function air-gap switch actuator is optionally fitted with an indicator lamp (265).

Claims

1. A wall box dimmer having a generally planar face and adapted to mount behind a faceplate (31), said dimmer comprising:

(a) an enclosure (21) containing a pair of cooperating air-gap contacts (211) interiorly thereof;

(b) a removable bezel kit (22) protruding through an opening in said faceplate and further comprising

(i) a bezel,

(ii) at least one primary function button (24) operable by a user to initiate a primary function,

(iii) a dual function air-gap switch actuator (26) mechanically cooperable with said pair of air-gap contacts and adapted to open and close said pair of air-gap contacts; and

(c) wherein the dual function air-gap switch actuator is further adapted to be operable by the user to initiate an internal software reset and the bezel kit is configured to allow various sized buttons to be snapped into the bezel prior to attachment with the dimmer enclosure.

2. A wall box dimmer having a generally planar face and adapted to mount behind a faceplate, said dimmer comprising:

(a) an enclosure containing a pair of cooperating air-gap contacts interiorly thereof;

(b) a removable bezel kit protruding through an opening in said faceplate and further comprising

(i) a bezel,

(ii) at least one primary function button operable by a user to initiate a primary function,

(iii) a dual function air-gap switch actuator mechanically co-operable with said pair of air-gap contacts and adapted to open and close said pair of air-gap contacts; and

(c) wherein the dual function air-gap switch actuator is further adapted to be operable by the user to adjust stored lighting preset levels and the bezel kit is configured to allow various sized buttons to be snapped into the bezel prior to attachment with the dimmer enclosure.

3. The wall box dimmer of claim 2 wherein the dual function air-gap switch actuator provides a save functionality when tapped to allow the end user to adjust stored lighting preset levels.

4. The wall box dimmer of claim 3 wherein the at least one primary function button is configured to raise light levels to a desired level and the dual function air gap switch is configured to adjust stored lighting preset level to the desired level.

5. A wall box dimmer having a generally planar face and adapted to mount behind a faceplate (31), said dimmer comprising:

(a) an enclosure (21) containing a pair of cooperating air-gap contacts (211) interiorly thereof;

(b) a removable bezel kit (22) protruding through an opening in said faceplate and further comprising

(i) a bezel,

(ii) at least one primary function button (24) operable by a user to initiate a primary function,

(iii) a dual function air-gap switch actuator (26) mechanically cooperable with said pair of air-gap contacts and adapted to open and close said pair of air-gap contacts; and

(c) wherein the dual function air-gap switch actuator is further adapted to be operable by the user to provide a synchronization function with a centralized lighting controller and the bezel kit is configured to allow various sized buttons to be snapped into the bezel prior to attachment with the dimmer enclosure.