AU2017101173A4

AU2017101173A4 - Modified Extended Switch Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2017101173A4
Application number: AU2017101173A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael van Moorsel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-08-28
Filing date: 2017-08-28
Publication date: 2017-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-28

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to an assembly to activate the switch buttons of a general power outlet (GPO) that is hidden or made inaccessible by furniture items or appliances and the like. The assembly comprises a mechanical device or unit to activate the switch buttons. The device or unit is typically positioned above a convenient height above the GPO so as to enable access to the device. Figure 1

Description

2017101173 28Aug2017

Title of the Invention Modified Extended Switch Assembly Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an assembly to activate the switch buttons of a 5 general power outlet (GPO) that is hidden or made inaccessible by furniture items or appliances and the like.

Background of the Invention

Toggle-type and rocker-type electrical on-off switches are commonly employed in homes and buildings for controlling actuation of lights and other electrical appliances. .0 Typically, such switches are mounted to a vertical wall at a relatively standard height above the floor to be conveniently accessible to most people and to present minimal risk of obstruction by furniture. However, at such height, it is difficult, if not impossible, for small children or handicapped persons to reach and operate such wall switches. A number of devices and apparatus have been proposed in the past to .5 address this problem, the devices typically employing some form of extension rod or arm attached to and extending downwardly from the wall switch to a lower level at which a child or handicapped person can actuate the switch remotely using the extension rod or arm. Disadvantageously, many of such devices are unnecessarily complicated in construction and difficult to install, including in some cases the 20 undesirable necessity that the switch be partially disassembled (e.g., removal of the switch-covering plate) to accomplish installation.

Furthermore, the problem of accessing switch buttons of a general power outlet (GPO) that is hidden or by furniture items or appliances and the like remains. 2017101173 28Aug2017

The present invention aims to alleviate some of the problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an assembly for activating an electrical switch comprising: 5 a GPO (general power outlet) switch mounted to a wall by a plate, the switch having a rocker or toggle member extending outwardly from the wall for pivoting movement between alternate operating positions; and a device for remote actuation of the rocker or toggle member, the device comprising an elongate operating arm or lever or a pair of arms or levers of a .0 substantially flat planar configuration disposed in essentially continuous slidable outward surface abutment with the wall and the plate, one end of the arm being connected to the toggle or rocker switch only by shaft ball or balls covered by a housing member which slides over the plate, the opposite end of the arm having an actuating switch affixed rigidly thereto and extending outwardly from the arm away .5 from the wall for manually actuating longitudinal movement of the arm to cause pivoting movement of the toggle or rocker member.

Preferably, the actuation switch is housed in a box mounted to the wall, the box further supporting the arms extending vertically or at a desirable angle from the GPOs. 20 Preferably, on-off control of the switch on the GPO is activated by up and down action of the shaft ball(s). 2017101173 28Aug2017

Preferably, the shaft balls are controlled by extending arms supported by levers and hinges.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of activating a GPO switch using the assembly according to the present invention to access the switch. 5 Brief Description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows the assembly as an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2 shows the actuation switch component of the assembly as an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 3 shows the GPO switch component of the assembly as an embodiment of .0 the present invention

Figure 4 shows the angular arm variation of the assembly as an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the invention

The present invention relates to an assembly to activate the switch buttons of a 15 general power outlet (GPO) that is hidden or made inaccessible by furniture items or appliances and the like.

The assembly comprises a mechanical device or unit to activate the switch buttons. The device or unit is typically positioned at a convenient height usually above the GPO to enable access to the device. 20 Figure 1 as an embodiment of the present invention shows an assembly 1 as installed on an electrical GPO switch of the conventional rocker-type buttons having a switch body mounted within a building wall and covered by a switch plate through which a pivotable member extends outwardly for manual on-off control of the switch by pivoting the member alternately between upward and downward limit positions. The on-off control of the switch is actuated by a pair of shaft balls 3. Particularly, the 5 buttons 8 on the GPO switch 4 are activated by the shaft balls 3 being thrusted or rolled over them. Movement of the balls in one direction will turn the switch on and movement in the opposite direction will switch it off. In use, the balls simply slide back and forward over the GPO buttons. 2017101173 28Aug2017

In one embodiment, the assembly 1 includes an elongate operating arm or pair of .0 arms 2 housing the shaft balls at one (bottom) end 10 and a single or a set of activating switches 5 at the other (top) end 9. The shaft balls 3 are configured and dimensioned to snugly receive the switch rocker member 4. In this manner, the operating arm 2 extends vertically upwardly from the buttons 8 or switch rocker member of the light switch, the arm 2 being of a sufficient predetermined length, e.g., .5 approximately 1 to 2 metres in length, to position the activating switches 5 at an elevation above the existing GPO at which the activating switches 5 can be easily reached by persons, including handicapped persons and small children.

Specifically, upon manual movement of the switch 5 upwardly and downwardly within 20 the box 7, the corresponding upward and downward movement of the arm 2 causes the shaft balls 3 to activate the button 8 located on the switch 4 to move between upper and lower positions in which the button 8 acts to depress respectively the upper and lower angled surfaces of the switch or rocker member 4, thereby to pivot the rocker member 4 between its on and off limit positions. The activating or 25 extension switch allows operation of the switch to be controlled directly at the switch 4 2017101173 28Aug2017 location generally in the fashion of a rocket or toggle-type switch.

The gap between the inside of the bracket or switch cover and the GPO button is crucial to enable the ball to completely move the button into the alternating on and off positions. 5 The activating switches 5 comprising the top portion of the arm or pair of arms 9 are housed in a box 7 mountable to the wall to constrain the arm to longitudinal reciprocating movement upwardly and downwardly by corresponding manual upward and downward movement of the activating switch 5.

The assembly according to the present invention may be used in the form of the .0 arms or levers extending vertically from the GPO, or at an angle. In use, the vertical extension would allow easy access to GPO switches which are at a lower level and inaccessible.

Figure 2 shows the actuation switch component of the assembly as an embodiment of the present invention. The actuation switch component is contained in a box 7. .5 The arms or levers extend from the box to the GPO 4. Movement of the switch 5 activates the buttons 8 on the GPO rocker switch 4.

Figure 3 shows the GPO switch component of the assembly as an embodiment of the present invention. The GPO switch is mounted to a wall by a plate 12 and protected by a cover 6. The shaft balls 3 are configured and dimensioned to snugly 20 receive the switch rocker member 4.

Figure 4 shows the angular arm variation of the assembly as an embodiment of the present invention. The angular extension of the arm would allow easier access to 2017101173 28Aug2017 GPO switches at a reachable height but still not readily accessible. In this angular form, the arms are supported by levers and hinges 11.

The switch activating or actuating assembly and device of the present invention offer several distinct advantages over known actuating devices. First, as will be 5 understood from the above description, the device 1 is extremely simple and easy to install. The elongated arm and shaft balls connection between the top end of the actuating arm 9 and the lower arm member 10 substantially simulates the same on-off pivoting movement of the GPO switch member 4, so that the normal operation of the light switch 4 is essentially unchanged. Further, the arm members at both ends .0 are firmly secured by fixed structures, thereby minimizing the risk of damage or breakage of the device 1. The “off” standby mode enables power savings and protects the device from power surges. The assembly also reduces injury caused, for example, by bending over to reach inaccessible GPO units. Moreover, most of the houses do not have sufficient GPOs and the problem is compounded if one of these .5 GPOs is inaccessible by being behind a bed or couch etc, rendering the GPO unusable. The present assembly is designed to address this issue by moving the switching part to an easier to get to position.

The devices or units can be made from polylactide (PLA) which is a corn starch based biodegradable and environmentally friendly polymeric material. 20 While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from 2017101173 28Aug2017 the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. 5 7

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows: Claim 1 An assembly for activating an electrical switch comprising: a GPO (general power outlet) switch mounted to a wall by a plate, the switch having a rocker or toggle member extending outwardly from the wall for pivoting movement between alternate operating positions; and a device for remote actuation of the rocker or toggle member, the device comprising an elongate operating arm or lever or a pair of arms or levers of a substantially flat planar configuration disposed in essentially continuous slidable outward surface abutment with the wall and the plate, one end of the arm being connected to the toggle or rocker switch only by shaft ball or balls covered by a housing member which slides over the plate, the opposite end of the arm having an actuating switch affixed rigidly thereto and extending outwardly from the arm away from the wall for manually actuating longitudinal movement of the arm to cause pivoting movement of the toggle or rocker member.
Claim 2 The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the actuation switch is housed in a box mounted to the wall, the box further supporting the arms extending vertically or at a desirable angle from the GPOs.
Claim 3 The assembly according to any one of claims 1or 2 wherein on-off control of the switch on the GPO is activated by up and down action of the shaft ball(s).
Claim 4 The assembly according to any one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein the shaft balls are controlled by extending arms supported by levers and hinges.
Claim 5 A method of activating a GPO switch using the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to access and activate the switch.