GB2417831A

GB2417831A - Bathroom dimmer switch

Info

Publication number: GB2417831A
Application number: GB0419657A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Woodgate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-03
Filing date: 2004-09-03
Publication date: 2006-03-08
Also published as: GB0419657D0

Abstract

An electrical light pull-cord switch with a dimming function, the pull-cord comprising a solid rod 2 made of non-conductive material. The dimming function may be performed by rotationally twisting the solid rod 2 with respect to the ceiling mount 1 or may be performed by pressing buttons [7, fig 2] disposed at the end of the solid rod. The solid rod and/or control pad may be illuminated, possibly with coloured light.

Description

1 2417831 Title.

Bathroom Dimmer Switch.

At present there is no means by which to dim your bathroom light within the room itself. The only way to dim your lights is by installing a dimmer switch on the outside of your bathroom wall. This entails having to open the bathroom door to raise or lower your lighting level.

This will also entail, if you have not got an external switch, a new installation, causing disruption and cost.

There currently exist pull cord devices, which can discolour and accumulate germ build up and does not look very appealing.

This invention will overcome these problems with a solid rod device that can be any shape or size, that will allow when turned a control of the lighting without breaking the regulations of switching control. This can be also operated by a simple pulling motion that will allow an on off instant mode, then twisted to level of lighting required. It is easy to install, requiring minimal disruption and cost, offers a more hygienic means of operation than the pull cord, and complies with electrical standards, effecting no contact by the user with electrical component parts. Easy to clean rather than continuing current practice of replacing the cord.

The present invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows the bathroom dimming light switch as constructed to be installed.

Figure 2 shows an alternative means of dimming the light electronically with a control pad.

Figure 3+4 shows an alternative way of supporting the control pad with a ball and socket application that will allow the egress of the control cables to the pad.

Figure I shows a base unit (1) that is attached to the hook and ring (3) extending from this is the solid construction non conductive rod (2), which when turned will operate the dimming mechanism (6).

This device will be able to replace the existing pull cord switch that is installed in your bathroom, with out the need to redecorate or re wire any component wiring. The light it self is controlled with the rotation of the solid rod (2) that when twisted on will in turn via the aid of the hook and ring (3), or in the same motion, pull on or pull off like a pull cord, then twist with the same action as before, be able to dim the light that is controlled with the mechanism that is in the base (1), this will allow the light to be adjusted to the current level that is required, very low for a long soak in the bath, not too bright for an early morning, adjusting it brighter as your eyes adjust to the new level of lighting, or very bright in the evening when preparing your make up or shaving for a night out.

Figure 2 shows an alternative way of dimming the light via a ball and socket (4) connection, connected to the base (1) with the solid rod (2) hanging down statically with a control pad (7) at the base.

The ball and socket (4) will allow the solid rod (2) to have a pendulum motion that will not turn, yet swing freely, the control pad (7), will have the ability to switch the supply on and off and dim as required via a plus and minus soft feel pad button, that is water proof and contained intrinsically.

Figure 3+4 shows the base (1) connected via the ball and socket (4) the solid rod (2) with the control pad (7) at the bottom of the solid rod.

It also shows a cross section of the ball and socket (5) with the entry hole (8) for the control cables that will feed the supply internally down to the control pad (7).

The control pad (7) will operate via the electronic dimming mechanism (6), the activation of the lighting control. The buttons will be a soft feel, water proof design, with three buttons in total, one for on/off, one for increasing the lighting and one for decreasing the lighting. Extra buttons may or may not be used for other purposes. The solid rod (2) can be illuminated as with the control pad (7), with a soft lighting effect that can be permanently on.

Claims

Claims.

I. a bathroom dimming switch with a solid rod fixture that will allow with a rotational twist the dimming of the bathroom lights with a conventional bathroom fixture.
2. a bathroom dimming switch according to claim 1, with a base that is of conforming size, to allow a straight forward swap with old existing pull cord device.
3. a bathroom dimming switch according to claim 1, in which the rod is constructed of a solid non conductive material rod, this can be made to any length and any shape, this is attached via a hook and ring that will allow the rod to operate the dimming mechanism situated in the base.
4. a bathroom dimming switch according to claim 1, with a dimming mechanism that will be installed to operate from the ceiling, this dimming mechanism will allow the solid rod via the hook and ring to rotate the mechanism to dim the light or vice versa. The same dimming mechanism will allow also the rod to pull down with a soft on/off clicking switch, like a conventional pull cord operation, and then control the light with the same rotational action.
5. a bathroom dimming switch according to claim 2, in which the solid non conductive rod will have a control pad, this control pad will operate the light via control wiring. The pad will have soft touch water proof buttons, which will allow the operation of the light without the need of mechanical operation.
6. a bathroom dimming switch according to claim 2, in which the solid rod will have a ball and socket type construction, the ball/knuckle will have a hole in which the control wiring will pass through to the control pad. It may come to pass that the control can be achieved through wireless technology. The ball and socket will allow the solid rod to have a swinging motion, yet will be able to incorporate a locking wing, to prevent rotation and loss of access to the control pad.
7. a bathroom dimming switch according to claim 2, in which the solid rod and control pad, will be able to have a soft light incorporated in to the construction for soft illumination, this will allow the users to see the control pad without the need to guess.

This will also provide a nice effect, with the lighting colours that can be installed to the desired choice.