Light switch cover

• US 5,811,729 A
• Filed: 05/02/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William J. Rintz
• Original Assignee: William J. Rintz
• Inventors: Rintz, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/640,538
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, D 8/353, D13/177, 200/302.3, 200/333, 200/302.1, 200/317, 200/310
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/048 using a sealing boot, e.g. the casing having separate elastic body surrounding the operating member and hermetically closing the opening for it
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/186 using an electroluminiscent panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/04 Cases; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/14 Tumblers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/18 Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A light switch cover is disclosed for use with a conventional "rocker" type switch. The cover generally includes a mounting bracket which is attached to the electrical box, along with the "rocker" switch and a face plate which is attached to the mounting bracket. The face plate is preferably constructed from a soft material, to allow the user to operate the covered "rocker" switch. Preferably, the outer surface of the face plate is provided with a decorated design or other indicia. The light switch can also be utilized where more than one "rocker" switch is provided. In these cases, a diverter bar is provided on the mounting bracket, to absorb pressure being asserted on one "rocker" switch from also transferring to an adjacent "rocker" switch and inadvertently turning "off" or "on" the adjacent "rocker" switch. An electroluminescent lighting sheet can also be provided between the face plate and mounting bracket to highlight and enhance the decorative features of the present invention light switch cover.

Claims

1. A cover assembly for a plurality of "rocker" type light switches, comprising:

a face plate member having an outer surface and an inner surface, said face plate member constructed from a flexible material; and

means for attaching said face plate member so that it completely covers the light switches;

wherein the light switches are still operable when said face plate member is properly attached to cover the light switches;

a mounting bracket member, said mounting bracket member having at least one aperture for receipt therethrough of a portion of each of said light switches;

wherein the plurality of rocker switches are provided and said at least one aperture comprises a plurality of apertures, each of said apertures being associated with a corresponding one of the rocker switches;

wherein said mounting bracket further includes a diverter bar disposed between each adjacent pair of said apertures of said mounting bracket.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said face plate has indicia disposed on its outer surface.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching is at least one female receiving port attached to the inner surface of said face plate member and at least one protruding peg member attached to the outer surface of said mounting bracket;

each of said at least one receiving port associated with a respective protruding peg member, wherein a portion of said peg member is received within its respective receiving port when said cover plate member is properly attached to said mounting bracket.

4. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said lighting sheet is wired to at least one of said light switches.

5. The cover assembly of claim 4, wherein said lighting sheet is wired to said at least one of the light switches such that when said at least one of the light switches is in an "off" position, said lighting sheet is illuminated.

6. The cover assembly of claim 1 further including an electroluminescent lighting sheet disposed between said face plate and said mounting bracket, said electroluminescent lighting sheet electrically associated with electrical circuitry of at least one of the light switches.

7. The cover assembly of claim 6, wherein said lighting sheet is wired to said at least one of the light switches.

8. The cover assembly of claim 7, wherein said lighting sheet is wired to said at least one of the light switches such that when said at least one of the light switches is in an "off" position, said lighting sheet is illuminated.

9. A cover assembly for a "rocker" type light switch, said light switch attached to an electrical box and including electrical circuitry, comprising:

a face plate having an outer surface and an inner surface, said face plate constructed from a flexible material, said face plate including a lip member disposed around an outer edge area of said face plate, said lip member defining a groove;

a mounting bracket attached to the "rocker" type light switch, said mounting bracket having an opening, an operable portion of the light switch extending through said opening, said mounting bracket having an outer surface and an inner surface, said mounting bracket including a flange member disposed around an outer edge area of said mounting bracket; and

first means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket so that it completely covers the light switch;

wherein the light switch is still operable when said face plate is properly attached to said mounting bracket;

wherein said flange member disposed within said groove to define a second means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket;

an electroluminescent lighting sheet disposed between said face plate and said mounting bracket, said electroluminescent lighting sheet electrically associated with the electrical circuity of the light switch;

wherein said first means for attaching comprises;

a flexible sheet member having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface abutting said electroluminescent lighting sheet, said outer surface having a plurality of receiving ports disposed thereon, said flexible sheet member attached to said face plate; and

a plurality of protruding peg members disposed on said outer surface of said mounting bracket;

each of said receiving ports associated with a respective one of said peg members, a portion of said peg members being snugly received within their associated one of said receiving ports when said face plate is attached to said mounting bracket.

10. The cover assembly of claim 9 wherein said face plate has indicia disposed on its outer surface.

11. A cover assembly for a "rocker" type light switch, said light switch attached to an electrical box and including electrical circuitry, comprising:

a face plate having an outer surface and an inner surface, said face plate constructed from a flexible material, said face plate including a lip member disposed around an outer edge area of said face plate, said lip member defining a groove;

a mounting bracket having an opening, an operable portion of the light switch extending through said opening, said mounting bracket having an outer surface and an inner surface, said mounting bracket including a flange member disposed around an outer edge area of said mounting bracket;

first means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket so that it completely covers the light switch;

wherein the light switch is still operable when said face plate is properly attached to said mounting bracket;

wherein said flange member is disposed within said groove to define a second means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket;

wherein said mounting bracket is adapted to be attached to said light switch independently of the attachment of said face plate to said mounting bracket; and

an electroluminescent lighting sheet disposed between said face plate and said mounting bracket, said electroluminescent lighting sheet electrically associated with the electrical circuity of the light switch;

wherein said lighting sheet is wired to said light switch;

wherein said mounting bracket is provided with an aperture for passage of wiring running from said light switch to said lighting sheet.

12. A cover assembly for a "rocker" type light switch, said light switch attached to an electrical box and including electrical circuitry, comprising:

a face plate having an outer surface and an inner surface, said face plate constructed from a flexible material, said face plate including a lip member disposed around an outer edge area of said face plate, said lip member defining a groove;

a mounting bracket having an opening, an operable portion of the light switch extending through said opening, said mounting bracket having an outer surface and an inner surface, said mounting bracket including a flange member disposed around an outer edge area of said mounting bracket;

first means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket so that it completely covers the light switch;

wherein the light switch is still operable when said face plate is properly attached to said mounting bracket;

wherein said flange member is disposed within said groove to define a second means for attaching said face plate to said mounting bracket;

wherein said mounting bracket is adapted to be attached to said light switch independently of the attachment of said face plate to said mounting bracket;

an electroluminescent lighting sheet disposed between said face plate and said mounting bracket, said electroluminescent lighting sheet electrically associated with the electrical circuity of the light switch; and

an attachment sheet, said lighting sheet disposed between said face plate and said attachment sheet, said attachment sheet having a first surface, said first means for attaching associated with said first surface.

13. The cover assembly of claim 12 wherein said attachment sheet is provided with an aperture for passage of wiring running from said light switch to said lighting sheet.

14. A cover assembly for a light switch, comprising:

a face plate member having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a mounting bracket member abutting a wall area surrounding the light switch, said face plate member attached to said mounting bracket; and

an electroluminescent lighting sheet disposed between said face plate and said mounting bracket, said electroluminescent lighting sheet electrically associated with electrical circuitry of the light switch;

wherein said mounting bracket is provided with an aperture for passage of wiring running from said light switch to said lighting sheet.

15. A cover assembly for a plurality of light switches, comprising:

a face plate member constructed from a flexible material; and

a mounting bracket member having a plurality of apertures, each of said apertures being associated with and receiving a corresponding one of said light switches, said face plate member attached to said mounting bracket member, said mounting bracket having a diverter bar disposed between each adjacent pair of said apertures of said mounting bracket.