Light switch cover

• US 6,051,787 A
• Filed: 01/20/1998
• Issued: 04/18/2000
• 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): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/009,710
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8, 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: F21S 9/022 Emergency lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/00 Planar light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/20 Electroluminescent [EL] light sources
• 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 23/04 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 conventional "rocker" and "toggle" type switches. The cover generally includes a mounting bracket which is attached to the electrical box, along with the switch and a face plate which is attached to the mounting bracket. For "rocker" type switches, the face plate is preferably constructed from a soft material to allow the user to operate the covered "rocker" switch, but can be made of a combination of hard and soft materials. For "toggle" type switches an aperture is provided in the face plate to operate the toggle. 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 switch is provided. For multiple "rocker" switches, 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. A battery back-up and power loss sensing circuit can be included that illuminates the lighting sheet whenever power to the light switch is lost. Upon loss of power, the lighting sheet can be illuminated steadily or can blink at a preselected frequency. An on/off switch can be provided to manually turn the illuminated light switch cover off. The invention can be utilized with pressure sensitive dome-type switches.

Claims

1. An illuminated switching device for controlling AC powered loads, comprising:

a source of AC power;

means for switching said source of AC power to at least one load;

a face plate member having an outer surface, a rigid perimeter portion, and a flexible portion within said rigid perimeter portion;

means for illuminating said outer surface;

means for attaching said face plate member to said means for switching so that said means for switching is operable through said flexible portion;

at least one battery;

means for sensing power loss from said source of AC power, said means for sensing power loss electrically connected to said at least one battery and including an inverter electrically connected to said means for illuminating said outer surface;

wherein when power from said source of AC power is lost, said outer surface is illuminated until power is restored.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes at least one manual switch.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a plurality of switches for controlling AC power to a plurality of loads.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for illuminating said outer surface includes a pair of electrical contacts mateable with a pair of spring-loaded electrical contacts mounted on said means for switching.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one load can draw up to approximately 20 amps.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one load can draw greater than approximately 20 amps.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for switching is activated by motion.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for switching is activated by sound.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes at least one relay for switching said source of AC power to said at least one load.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said relay is time delayed.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a solid state device for switching said source of AC power to said at least one load.

12. A portable night-light, comprising;

an enclosure having means for switching attached thereto;

a face plate member having an outer surface, a rigid perimeter portion, and a flexible portion within said rigid perimeter portion;

means for illuminating said outer surface;

means for attaching said face plate member to said enclosure so that said means for switching is operable through said flexible portion;

at least one battery;

means for recharging said at least one battery;

wherein said means for switching activates and deactivates said means for illuminating said outer surface.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said means for switching further controls said means for illuminating by controlling an intensity of illumination.

14. An illuminated switching device, comprising:

means for controlling a source of power;

a face plate including a flexible member;

means for attaching said face plate so that it covers said means for controlling and said means for controlling is operable through said flexible portion;

an illumination member associated with said means for controlling; and

means for energizing said illumination member when power from said source of power is lost.

15. The illuminated switching device of claim 14 wherein illumination member is an electroluminescent lamp disposed on an inner surface of said flexible portion.

16. The illuminated switching device of claim 14 wherein said means for controlling includes at least one manual switch.

17. The illuminated switching device of claim 14 further including means for adjusting the brightness of said illumination member.

18. The illuminated switching device of claim 14 wherein said illumination member includes a pair of electrical contacts mateable with a pair of spring-loaded electrical contacts associated with said means for controlling.

19. The illuminated switching device of claim 14 wherein said means for energizing said illumination member is at least one battery.

20. The illuminated switching device of claim 19 further including means for recharging said at least one battery.