Light switch assembly

• US 6,608,253 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William J. Rintz
• Original Assignee: William J. Rintz
• Inventors: Rintz, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US10/094,746
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 200/302.1, 200/302.3, 200/310, 200/317, 200/333, D 8/353, D13/177
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/035 by means of plugging into a wall outlet, e.g. night light
• 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 23/025 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: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence
• 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 inner or sub-frame can be provided to allow for an outer frame of any shape with a standard shaped mounting bracket. This assembly includes an outer frame, a flexible decorative sheet, an inner/sub frame and a mounting bracket 1050. The cover assembly completely covers a switch assembly, while allowing the switch assembly to be operated while covered.

Claims

1. A light switch assembly comprising;

a mounting member;

a face plate member having a rigid perimeter portion;

a flexible light assembly including a lighting sheet or lamp associated with said rigid perimeter portion;

a circuit board having at least one switch, said at least one switch is accessible through said flexible light assembly; and

a first means for energizing said lighting sheet or lamp, said first means for energizing adapted for communication with a structure'"'"'s supply of electrical energy.

2. A light switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one switch is a plurality of switches.

3. The light switch assembly of claim 1 further including a second means for maintaining communication between said first means for energizing and the structure'"'"'s supply of electrical energy.

4. The light switch assembly of claim 1 further including a power source for powering said first means for energizing when the structure'"'"'s supply of electrical energy has been discontinued.

5. A light switch assembly in communication with an electrical box of a structure, said light switch assembly comprising:

a mounting member;

a face plate member having a rigid perimeter portion;

a flexible light assembly including a lighting sheet or lamp associated with said rigid perimeter portion;

a first means for energizing said lighting sheet or lamp;

a second means for removably attaching said first means for energizing said lighting sheet or lamp to said electrical box of a structure; and

a power source for powering said first means for energizing when said first means for energizing said flexible light assembly is removed from their attachment to the electrical box.

6. The light switch assembly of claim 5 further including at least one light switch in communication with said first means for energizing.

7. The light switch assembly of claim 5 wherein said power source is a battery.

8. The light switch assembly of claim 5 further including said first means for preventing detachment of said face plate member, said flexible light assembly and said first means for energizing when energy is being supplied to said first means for energizing through said electrical box.