GB2406440A

GB2406440A - Light switch cover system

Info

Publication number: GB2406440A
Application number: GB0310544A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Oldman Sandison
Original assignee: SWITCHSWAP Ltd
Current assignee: SWITCHSWAP Ltd
Priority date: 2003-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-08
Publication date: 2005-03-30
Also published as: GB0310544D0

Abstract

The light switch cover system operates an existing light switch through the use of two identical rear clip parts (fig 2, 2) and an angled extrusion on the rear of the cover itself (fig 2, 10). The clips form the male spindles of the snap-on system and are attached to the light switch with the existing screws (fig 2, 13). The cover part (fig 2, 1) then snaps onto the clip spindles (fig 2, 3) via the protruding legs (fig 2, 9) which provide the female part of the snap-on system. The angled extrusion (fig 2, 10) engages the existing switch mechanism and by pressing either the top or bottom of the cover one is able to switch the light on or off. This invention does not require rewiring or replacement of the existing light switch, and has operational advantages in terms of safety, ease and novelty of use.

Description

1 2406440

LIGHT SWITCH COVER SYSTEM

The invention relates to a cover for light switches, which provides opportunity for decoration, to enhance a room's appearance, and has advantages in safety, and ease and novelty of use.

Most buildings contain at least one light swish in each room. Standard light switches are plain and unattractive. They can also be difficult to operate by people with restricted manual dexterity, hard to find in a dark room, and potentially dangerous in environments where users may have water on their hands. The invention places a large rocker over the existing switch, providing opportunity for decoration, making the switch easier to locate and operate, and placing an insulating barrier between users and the swish itself. Decorative switch covers do exist, but they either rely on rewiring of the switch, which is prohibitive and potentially dangerous to the user, or if rewiring is not required, they leave the existing switch accessible, giving limited decorative potential. This invention does not require rewiring, fitting directly on to the existing switch via the existing screw holes.

An object of this invention is to provide a light switch cover which gives a novel, easy and safe method of activating the switch, and provides a customizable, decorated appearance.

Accordingly, this invention provides two identical rear clip parts, which are attached to the existing light switch via the existing screw holes. These parts form the male spindles of a snap-on rotating system. A third part, of sufficient dimensions to cover the existing switch, has protruding legs, providing the female part of a snap-on rotating system. A section protruding from the rear of this part, suitably located, engages the switch when the male and female rotating connection is assembled. The larger part then forms a rocker, allowing activation of the light switch.

The parts will be made of a suitable material which can withstand stresses created during assembly of the snap-on system. The rocker plate can provide a decorative feature by its form that may be any three dimensional form, or by application of decorated stickers.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view of the assembly from the front (room side) FIGURE 2 is an exploded isometric view of the assembly from the rear (wall side) FIGURE 3 is a partially exploded isometric view, showing the two identical spindle parts fixed to the switch, via the screw holes.

FIGURE 4 shows the product fully assembled, with the switch in the 'off position.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of the exploded assembly.

FIGURE 6 is a detail isometric view of the two identical parts, which are to be fixed to the light switch, and provide the male spindle in the rotating 'rocker' mechanism.

FIGURE 7 is a side view of the assembled product, with the switch 'off.

FIGURE 8 is a section through the assembly, with the switch 'off.

FIGURE 9 is a side view of the assembled product, with the switch 'on'.

FIGURE 10 is a section through the assembly, with the switch ton'.

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the product consists of a rocker plate 1, which clips on to two identical rear clip parts 2, forming a rotating 'rocker' system. The rear clips are fixed to the existing switch box 14, by screws 13, and the existing screw holes 12. A protruding suitably shaped section 10, protruding from the rocker plate 1, engages me light switch 11 when the product is assembled over the switch.

Figure 3 shows the rear clips 2 attached to me switch box 14 via existing screw holes 12 and existing screws 13. The rear clip locating face 7 Figure 1, is butted against the edge of the switch box 14, aligning the spindle in the horizontal plane. Attachment is made possible without complete removal of the existing screws, by the screw channels 5. These channels are wide enough to allow the stems of the screws to pass Trough. The screw head is then tightened against me chamfered screw locating face 6 Figure 1. This area is elongated to accommodate slight variations in switch box dimensions. The chamfered face is angled to match the angle on the countersunk screw head.

Figure 4 shows the assembled produ*, in the 'switch off position. Two 'legs' 8 protruding from the rear of the rocker plate, wim cupped areas 9, at their ends provide the female parts of the rotating spindle mechanism. The rocker plate is snapped on to me rear clips, and retained by friction.

Figure 5 is a side view of the exploded assembly. This clearly shows the cupped area 9, on the rocker plate, which provides the female parts of the snap-on rocker mechanism.

Figure 6 is a detail of the rear clips. This shows the cylindrical spindles 3, which provide the male parts of me rocker assembly; the stiffening rib 4, preventing excessive deflection or breakage during straps assembly; the screw channel 5, which allows assembly without completely removing the screws; the chamfered screw head locating face 6, which is elongated to accommodate slight variations in switch box dimensions; and the locating face 7, which butts against me edge of the switch box, aligning the spindle horizontally.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the assembled produ*, in the 'switch offposition. Cross section Figure 8 shows that the switch engaging face 10, rests firmly against the switch.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the assembled produ*, in the 'switch on' position. Figure 10 is a cross section through the centre of the same view. This illustrates mat the angle of the switch engaging face 10, on the rocker plate, is such that when in me 'on' position, the rocker plate sits vertically. This makes for optimum covering of the existing switch box, when the switch is on, and means that any decoration on me rocker plate is presented best to the room, when the switch is on.

Claims

1. An auxiliary light switch operating mechanism.

2. An auxiliary light switch operating as Claimed in Claim 1 where clips are mounted on a light switch by means of the screw holes and screws.

3. An auxiliary light switch operating as Claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where a part, of sufficient dimension to cover the existing switch, has protruding legs to snap onto the clips and create a snap-on rotating system.

4. An auxiliary mechanism as claimed in preceding claims where a part, of sufficient dimension to cover the existing switch, has a protruding shape to activate the light switch.

5. An auxiliary mechanism as claimed in preceding claims facilitates a wide range of decorative and functional options of varying styles, colours, shapes, sizes and materials.