GB2441190A

GB2441190A - An identification surround enabling the partially-sighted to identify an electrical fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2441190A
Application number: GB0714747A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacques Fauriot; Etienne Rejou; Benoit Thibaud
Original assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Current assignee: Legrand SNC; Legrand France SA
Priority date: 2006-08-23
Filing date: 2007-07-27
Publication date: 2008-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2027-07-27
Also published as: GB0714747D0; GB2441190B; FR2905193A1; FR2905193B1

Abstract

An identification surround 10 for an electrical fitting 20, the surround being in the form of plate having a flexible portion around a central opening 12 for pressing around the electrical fitting 20. The surround may be made at least in part out of a colour that makes it easily visible on a wall. The identification surround is intended to improve identifying an electrical fitting on a wall for partially-sighted or visually impaired people.

Description

1 2441190

AN IDENTIFICATION SURROUND ENABLING THE PARTIALLY-SIGHTED

TO IDENTIFY AN ELECTRICAL FITTING

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The present invention relates in general to accessories for electrical fittings to facilitate access to said fittings by people presenting defficient visual acuity.

The invention relates more particularly to an identification surround for identifying an electrical fitting placed on a wall.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

In most renovations and new dwellings at moderate rent, walls are given a uniform white color. Electrical fittings with front plates that are white in color are positioned on the walls. This also happens in hospitals.

Having the same color for the walls and electrical fittings makes the fittings difficult for visually handicapped people to detect. Provision is then made to show up such electrical fittings in dwellings for use by the partially-sighted.

Two means are generally used for performing this function.

A first means consists in painting a colored surround around each electrical fitting front plate in order to mark its position.

A second means consists in positioning around each front plate a surround of dark wallpaper so as to create visible contrast between the wall coating and the electrical fitting.

Those two identification means do not enable a well-presented finish to be achieved around each electrical fitting and they are time consuming to implement.

Documents GB 728 512, US 6 051 785, and DE 89 04 758 disclose rigid surrounds for electrical fittings, intended to protect the wall from being dirtied by users with dirty fingers. Such surrounds can be covered in decorative material.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In order to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention proposes a novel identification surround that is easy to install and that enables a well-presented finish to be obtained.

More particularly, the invention provides an identification surround for an electrical fitting, the surround being in the form of a plate having a flexible portion around a central opening for pressing around said electrical fitting.

Thus, by means of the invention, it is possible to put the surround into place without using a tool. Merely deforming the central portion of the identification surround enables it to be engaged on the fitting, such that the edge of its opening adheres to the edge of the electrical fitting and such that its rear face presses against the wall on which the electrical fitting is installed. The visible portion of the electrical fitting and the identification surround then form an assembly that is coherent, and consequently harmonious. The identification surround is also easily removed. It then presents the advantage of hiding any possible irregularity or dirtying on the wall around the electrical fitting.

Other characteristics of the identification surround of the invention that are advantageous but not limiting are as follows: over at least a fraction of its length, the edge of said central opening carries a margin of flexible material that lies in the plane of the central opening and that is for interposing between the electrical fitting and a wall on which said electrical fitting is mounted; the margin carries beside the front face of the identification surround centering studs for centering a fitting support in the central opening of the identification surround; * the edges of the margin form means for positioning the identification surround relative to a flush-mounting box set in the wall, such that the position of the fitting support centered by the studs of the margin is determined relative to the position of said flush-mounting box; * the surround is made entirely out of flexible material; the surround is made by molding; * the rear face of the identification surround as obtained by molding bulges slightly towards the front face of the identification surround; * the rear face of the identification surround includes portions for cutting to enable the identification surround to be cut to a desired shape; * the portions for cutting are formed by concentric ribs around the central opening; * the surround is made at least in part out of a color that makes it easily visible on the wall; and * the surround is made with a dark color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODDNT

The following description with reference to the

accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, makes it easy to understand what the invention consists in and how it can be performed.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic face view of an identification surround of the invention engaged on an electrical fitting; * Figure 2 is a diagrammatic rear view of the identification surround of Figure 1; * Figure 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in perspective of a fitting support placed in the identification surround of Figure 1; * Figure 4 is a diagrammatic detail view of zone IV of Figure 3; and * Figures 5, 6, and 7 are diagrams showing how the identification surround is assembled on the electrical fitting of Figure 1.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an identification surround 10 engaged on an electrical fitting 20 flush-mounted in a wall. The electrical fitting 20, well known to the person skilled in the art, is constituted by an electric switch with a piano key button.

As shown in Figure 5, such an electrical fitting 20 is generally positioned vertically on a wall 30.

The electrical fitting conventionally comprises a mechanism having a base mounted on a fitting support 24 (Figure 3) covered by a cover plate 21 (see Figure 1) The base of the fitting mechanism mounted on the fitting support 24 is housed in a flush-mounting box (not shown) set into the wall 30.

As shown in Figure 3, the fitting support 24 is in the form of a square plate having a plane central portion 26 bordered by a peripheral portion 27 that is likewise plane and proud relative to said central portion 26.

The central portion 26 of the fitting support 24 is placed in the plane of the front face of the wall 30 and closes the open front face of the flush-mounting box. It includes a central opening 28, rectangular in this example, in which there is mounted the base of the fitting mechanism.

A piano key button 22, accessible to the user, is pivotally mounted in notches 29 in the central opening 28.

It serves to control the opening and closing of electrical contacts in the fitting mechanism.

The central portion 26 of the fitting support 24 is also pierced by two fastener orifices 24A disposed on either side of the central opening 28. These fastener orifices 24A are adapted to receive fastener screws (not shown) for supporting the fitting 24 on the flush-mounting box.

As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the cover plate 21 is square in shape and of size greater than that of the fitting support 24 so that it comes to bear against the wall 30.

This cover plate 21 is of small thickness and includes a rectangular central opening through which the piano key button 22 projects.

On either side of the central opening, the cover plate also includes two small openings that receive fastener screws 23 screwed into tapped bores 24B in the fitting support 24.

In a variant, the fitting support and the cover plate may constitute a single part that is screwed onto the flush-mounting box. The mechanism of the fitting is then directly snap-fastened to said part.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the identification surround 10 constituting the subject matter of the present invention is in the form of a square plate.

For practical or appearance reasons, the shape of the plate could naturally be different, for example it might be round or rectangular.

The identification surround 10 has a central opening 12 that is square and of dimensions that are identical (ignoring clearance) to the dimensions of the outside edge of the cover plate 21 of the electrical fitting 20.

This central opening 12 is adapted to be engaged on the cover plate 21 of the electrical fitting 20 so that its edges fit against the outside edge 25 thereof.

It should be observed at this point that for an electrical fitting having a cover plate of rectangular shape, e.g. when the electrical fitting has a plurality of fitting mechanisms disposed side by side, the central opening of the identification surround likewise presents a shape that is rectangular.

The identification surround 10 has a rear face hA adapted to press against and adhere to the wall 30, and a front face 11B that is visible to the user and that bulges slightly away from the wall 30.

The shape of this front face is designed so that once the identification surround 10 has been placed around the electrical fitting 20, its front face 11B and the front face of the cover plate 21 present a surface that is continuous.

In a variant, the front face of the identification surround could naturally present other shapes in relief for decorative or functional purposes, enabling a visually handicapped or blind person to determine the function of the electrical fitting.

The overall thickness of the identification surround (including the thickness of rims) is equal to the thickness of the cover plate 21 so that the identification surround fits closely and pleasingly around the shape of the electrical fitting 20.

According to a characteristic that is particularly advantageous, the identification surround 10 includes a flexible portion surrounding the central opening 12 for the purpose of pressing around said electrical fitting 20.

Advantageously, said flexible portion is adapted to be deformed elastically a little so as to fit against the edge of said electrical fitting.

In this example, the identification surround is made entirely out of flexible material (by molding), i.e. out of a material that is elastically deforrnable. This flexible material may be an elastomer.

The rear face 111k of the identification surround 10 extends over a surface that bulges slightly towards the front face 11B of the identification surround 10. Thus, when the central opening 12 is engaged on the cover plate 21, the entire rear face hA of the identification surround comes into contact with the wall 30. In particular, the corners of the identification surround 10 thus do not have any tendency to curl up in unsightly manner away from the wall 30.

Advantageously, the identification surround 10 is made of a color that makes it easily seen on the wall 30. Since walls are generally painted white, the identification surround is preferably made of a dark color such as gray.

It can also be made in some other color such as red so as to avoid clashing with the appearance of the room in which it is to be found.

In a variant, the identification surround may present materials and colors that are different in distinct zones of its front face and its edge. For this purpose, the edge may be made for example by overrnolding a phosphorescent hard material that enables the location of the electrical fitting 20 to be perceived, even at night.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the edge of said central opening 12 carries, over at least a fraction of its length, a margin 13, 14 of flexible material that extends in the plane of the central opening 12 and that is for interposing between the electrical fitting 20 and the wall 30 on which said electrical fitting 20 is mounted.

The margin 13, 14 is thin so it is very flexible.

In this example, the flexible margin 13, 14 comprises more precisely two tongues 14 that extend from the middles of two opposite sides of the edge of the central opening 12 towards the inside thereof.

Overall, the tongues 14 are rectangular in shape each having one long side connected to the edge of the central opening 12 and its other long side free.

The tongues 14 present a width that is equal to about millimeters and a length that is of centimeter order.

Their width in this example is selected so that the distance between the two free edges of said tongues 14 is equal to the width of the flush-mounting box, so that the tongues 14 form means for centering the identification surround 10 relative to the flush-mounting box.

The margin 13, 14 also comprises four strips 13 that extend along the edge of the central opening 12 in each of its four corners, following the curvature of the corners of the central opening 12. They are of width that is slightly smaller than the width of the tongues 14.

Advantageously, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the strips 13 has two square-section studs 16 that form portions in relief projecting from the side of the front face 11B of the identification surround 10. These studs 16 then form indentations in the rear face ilA of the identification surround 10.

The studs 16 of each strip 13 are spaced apart from each other by a short distance. The two pairs of studs 16 of two adjacent strips 13 of the identification surround 10 are disposed on a common side of the edge of the central opening 12, while the two pairs of studs 16 of the other two strips 13 are disposed on the opposite side of the central opening 12.

In register with the studs 16, the fitting support 24 has four rectangular tabs 27A on two opposite sides of its edge. Each tab 27A is adapted to be disposed between the two studs of one of the strips 13 so that the studs 16 thus hold the fitting support 24 laterally. These studs 16 consequently form means for centering the fitting support 24 relative to the flush-mounting box (see Figures 3 and 4) The studs 16 are also adapted to be flattened while the cover plate 21 is being fastened on the fitting support 24.

Advantageously, the rear face hA of the identification surround 10 includes portions 15 for cutting the identification surround 10 to the desired shape. These portions for cutting are constituted by concentric ribs 15 that extend all around the central opening 12, parallel to its edge. Other ribs extend radially from the edge of the central opening 12 as far as the outer edge of the identification surround 10. Thus, if the electrical fitting is placed close to any projection on the wall, for example a door surround, it is possible to cut away portions of the identification surround with care following the shape of its ribs, so that the surround does not come into abutment against such a portion in relief.

The identification surround 10 can be mounted on the electrical fitting 20 when it is initially mounted by the electrical fitting installer on the wall, or it can be mounted after the fitting has already been installed.

While mounting the electrical fitting 20, the electrical fitting installer places the identification surround 10 against the wall after inserting the flush-mounting box in the hole that is to receive it. The identification surround 10 is centered relative to the flush-mounting box easily because of the presence of the tongues 14 that are designed so that their free edges become placed against the edges of two side walls of the flush-mounting box.

In order to center the fitting support 24 relative to the flush-mounting box, the installer places it on the margin of the identification surround 10 so that its tabs 27A are inserted between the studs 16 carried by the strips 13 of said margin.

The fitting support 24 is then screwed onto the flush-mounting box, after which the cover plate is in turn screwed onto the fitting support 24. The edge of the drop rim of the cover plate thus bears against the studs 16, thereby enabling the identification surround 10 to be held securely against the wall.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, if the electrical fitting is already fastened to the wall 30, the identification surround 10 is mounted on the electrical fitting 20 in three successive steps.

The first step consists in loosening the fastener screws 23 holding the cover plate 21 against the fitting support 24 and against the wall 30 (see Figure 5) During a second step, as shown in Figure 6, the central opening 12 of the identification surround 10 is engaged on the cover plate 21 by stretching it in such a manner that its margin 13, 14 becomes inserted under the cover plate 21 in the gap defined between the peripheral portion 27 of the fitting support 24 and the wall 30.

Since the identification surround 10 is elastically deformable, after it has been stretched, it returns to its initial shape and naturally presses against the wall 30, the edge of the central opening 12 of said surround fitting elastically against the edge of the cover plate 21.

During a third mounting step shown in Figure 7, the installer tightens the fastener screws 23 so as to ensure that the assembly constituted by the identification surround 10 and the electrical fitting 20 forms a rigid single piece.

The present invention is not limited in any way to the embodiment described and shown, and the person skilled in the art will know how to make any variant within its spirit.

In particular, the identification surround can be placed around an electrical fitting box that is mounted to project from a wall. Under such circumstances, its tongue is inserted between the fitting box and the wall.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. An identification surround (10) for an electrical fitting (20), the surround being in the form of a plate having a flexible portion around a central opening (12) for pressing around said electrical fitting (20)
2. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, over at least a fraction of its length, the edge of said central opening (12) carries a margin (13, 14) of flexible material that lies in the plane of the central opening (12) and that is for interposing between the electrical fitting (20) and a wall (30) on which said electrical fitting (20) is mounted.

3. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the margin (13, 14) carries beside the front face (11B) of the identification surround (10) centering studs (16) for centering a fitting support (24) in the central opening (12) of the identification surround (10) 4. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the edges of the margin (13, 14) form means for positioning the identification surround (10) relative to a flush-mounting box set in the wall (30), such that the position of the fitting support (24) centered by the studs (16) of the margin (13, 14) is determined relative to the position of said flush-mounting box.

5. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is made entirely out of flexible material.

6. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is made by molding.

7. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the rear face (hA) of the identification surround (10) as obtained by molding bulges slightly towards the front face (11B) of the identification surround (10) 8. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the rear face (hA) of the identification surround (10) includes portions (15) for cutting to enable the identification surround (10) to be cut to a desired shape.

9. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the portions for cutting are formed by concentric ribs (15) around the central opening (12).

10. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is made at least in part out of a color that makes it easily visible on the wall (30) 11. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is made with a dark color.

AMENDED CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLWED:

CLAIMS

1. An identification surround (10) for an electrical fitting (20), the surround being in the form of a plate having a flexible portion around a central opening (12), said flexible portion being adapted to be deformed elastically so as to fit against the edge of said electrical fitting (20).

2. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, over at least a fraction of its length, the edge of said central opening (12) carries a margin (13, 14) of flexible material that lies in the plane of the central opening (12) and that is for interposing between the electrical fitting (20) and a wall (30) on which said electrical fitting (20) is mounted.

3. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the margin (13, 14) carries beside the front face (11B) of the identification surround (10) centering studs (16) for centering a fitting SS* support (24) in the central opening (12) of the identification surround (10). . * * * **

4. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the edges of the margin (13, 14) form means for positioning the identification surround (10) relative to a flush-mounting box set in the wall (30), such that the position of the fitting support (24) centered by the studs (16) of the margin (13, 14) is determined relative to the position of said flush-mounting box.

5. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is made entirely out of flexible material.

6. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is made by molding.

7. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the rear face (hA) of the identification surround (10) as obtained by molding bulges slightly towards the front face (11B) of the identification surround (10).

8. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the rear face (hA) of the identification surround (10) includes portions (15) for cutting to enable the identification surround (10) to be cut to a desired shape.

9. An identification surround (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the portions for cutting are formed by concentric ribs (15) around the central opening (12).

* I...

10. An identification surround (10) according to any * preceding claim, characterized in that it is made at least in part out of a color that makes it easily visible on the wall (30) * S * *.S 11. An identification surround (10) according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it is made with a dark color.