MXPA98007321A - Lighting accessory with returned switch in the acciona - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting fixture with a switch retained in the actuator, particularly adapted for mounting on the surface to a variety of support surfaces, for example, the interior of a recreational vehicle, which includes a housing, a lens and mounting structure to suspend the switch inside the housing. The mounting structure consists of a pair of mutually spaced internal walls which contain slots adapted to receive the edges of the switch. The switch is positioned between the two internal walls, in such a way that the operating element of the switch is in ready position to be coupled with the switch actuator. The coupling of the switch operator and the actuator serve to fix them together and hold them both on the housing. To operate the switch, the user manipulates the actuator, which is fixed to the operating element of the switch, by sliding the actuator from side to side.

Description

LIGHTING ACCESSORY WITH RETURNED SWITCH IN THE ACTUATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of surface-mounted (or surface-mounted) lighting fixtures, which have an externally-operated, internally-mounted switch, and in particular. with a unique structure to mount such a switch inside the housing or accessory box. The. Surface-mounted lighting fixtures are particularly useful when space is limited and a permanently mounted light is desired, such as inside or outside of, for example, a recreational vehicle. Normally, a multi-position switch is mounted on the fixture and the illumination housing has an opening through which an actuator or operating element of the switch extends for access by the user. To operate the switch, the user, in some such devices, can manipulate the operating element directly or in other types can manipulate the externally accessible actuator, which causes the operating element of the internally mounted switch to move correspondingly. Since most of the most economical switches REP. 28208 tend to have a very utilitarian and non-aesthetic appearance and their operating elements are similarly not attractive, it is very desirable to mount the entire switch and its operating element inside the lighting housing, where it will be out of sight and use a more attractive and aesthetically designed actuator, located outside the housing for coupling and moving the operator of the hidden switch. A known type of lighting fixture having a two-position switch contains an actuator that extends to the outside of the fixture and operates a slide-type switch by depressing either one end or the other of its face-out surface. In such a system, for the slide type switch operator to be mounted on an oscillating assembly, which has a bolt that is mounted within the fitting housing and on which the actuator can rotate. The actuator has a "leg" either on one end or the other of its lower surface, each of which is adapted to be coupled with one side of the operating element when the user presses that side of the actuator, so as to slide to the operating element. operation to the on or off position. Although an oscillating type actuator has switches that are pleasant to the consumer and actually of the oscillating type, they involve a more expensive and high quality fitting, such pseudo-oscillating structure is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, such a structure having additional movable parts to each other is susceptible to malfunctioning. In another type of lighting fixture containing a two-position switch, an actuator holds the upper and lateral surfaces of the switch operating element, such that when the user slides the actuator, the operating element correspondingly slides to open or close the switch contacts. The actuator element of these systems surrounds the entire operating element of the switch, thus making the construction of the actuator complex and expensive. In addition, known switches of this type are normally mounted to the rear wall of the housing. In these lighting fixtures, the switch is secured with a rib structure that attaches to the back of the housing. However, the rear portion of the housing in the lighting fixtures of the type contemplated by the present invention frequently have a separable support plate (support or backrest) which is fabricated from thin sheet metal to reflect the light generated by a bulb. To keep the switch and its electrical contacts isolated and to avoid the incorporation of a separate structure to connect the switch to the rear wall, it is desirable to mount the switch within the polymeric housing, separate from the rear wall. Accordingly, there is provided a lighting fixture having a housing which contains an integrated mounting structure capable of retaining the switch separate from the metal support plate of the fixture. In addition, it is desirable that such a lighting fixture has an actuator, which will not only operate its switch repeatedly and reliably, but will also be attractive in appearance and will properly cover the breaker access opening in the housing to provide a protection appropriate to the weather. Furthermore, it is highly desirable that such an accessory uses a minimum number of parts and that the parts are relatively non-expensive to manufacture and easy to assemble, such that the fitting is also economical as reliable and the integrity and functionality of the switch is maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The interruption system of the lighting fixture of the present invention provides a solution to the insufficiencies and / or problems presented by the above known types of lighting fixtures, the switches contained therein and the structures or mounting for them. The housing or housing of the present lighting fixture is preferably constructed from a polymeric material and molded in such a way as to conform to various types of surfaces to which, for example, the interior of a recreational vehicle will be secured. The box has an opening in its front surface which is of sufficient size to admit portions of an actuator. The actuator has at least one leg which, when inserted into the opening of the housing, is adapted to flex and hold the side of the switch operating element, after the switch has been mounted in the box. The switch is mounted in the box in an inverted position, such that the switch body is located near the upper wall of the housing and the operating element of the switch extends down adjacent to, and approximately in the center of the opening . During assembly, the legs of the actuator are inserted into the housing opening. When the legs of the actuator come into contact with the operating element, the ramp surfaces, which are on the free ends of the legs, flex the legs outwards. As the actuator is further inserted into the opening of the housing or housing, the legs of the actuator flank both sides of the operating element, while the head of the actuator comes into contact with the outer surface of the housing, thereby preventing the additional movement inward of the actuator. In this position, the legs of the actuator are free to return to their normal position, that is, to flex back inwards. In addition, because the ramp surfaces of the legs define flange portions, the actuator "secures" the operating element of the switch to ensure that the actuator can not be inadvertently separated from the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the multi-position switch of the light fixture is held in the light fixture housing by two mutually spaced internal walls that are integral with the interior top section of the housing and are spaced a sufficient distance apart to accommodate the switch. Each inner wall contains a slot or slit which is adapted to receive one of the edges extending outwardly of the switch. The inner walls also contain elongated ribs of divergent or tapered cross-section which protrude from the opposite sides of the inner walls towards the interior of the space defined between the internal walls. These ribs engage the opposite sides of the switch as the switch is inserted between the two inner walls, to flex the walls outwardly by at least a slight amount and thus stabilize the switch within the housing and prevent it from sliding backward. and forward when driven, in spite of cases where normal manufacturing tolerances, could otherwise allow such displacement. Because the grooves in the inner walls fall above the opening in the housing, the operating element of the switch is arranged adjacent the opening in the housing when the switch is suspended from the head between the internal walls during assembly. In addition, the interengagement between the operation element of the switch and the actuator prevents the switch from sliding out of the inner walls of the housing and also retains the actuator in its proper position to serve as a normal mutual holding function. The housing also contains a polymer mounting plate integrally molded along its rear peripheral edge. The mounting plate contains a series of mounting receptacles adapted to retain the support plate of the lighting fixture. As well, the support plate of the lighting fixture contains mounting structures for carrying a bulb and because it is commonly constructed from thin sheet metal, it also disperses the light produced by the bulb. The mounting housings of the mounting plate of the housing box contain openings adapted to receive the holding structure to secure the housing to a supporting surface, such as the interior wall of a recreational vehicle. The outer surface of each mounting receptacle also has a edge or edge adapted to engage with the peripheral rim of each opening of the support plate, such that the plate remains connected to the housing. Importantly, the present invention overcomes the problems with the lighting fixtures of the prior art, since the switch is not mounted with separate support structures, attached either to the rear portion of the housing or the support surface. Also, the unique inner walls according to the present invention are molded directly to the upper interior section of the housing, the grooves or grooves of the internal walls are located above the opening in the housing. When the switch is mounted between the internal walls of the mounting structure, the operating element of the switch extends inwardly, in such a way that it easily engages with the actuator. The switch is economically mounted near the internal upper portion of the housing, separated from the metal support plate, to minimize the required connection structures and the probability of shorting the switch.

In addition, because the switch is separated from the back of the housing, the system can be easily disassembled to service system components, for example, the light bulb or the switch, without disassembly of the system, which includes mounting actuator / switch. Furthermore, the present invention does not compromise the integrity of the mechanical operation between the actuator and the operating element of the switch. This result is carried out efficiently and effectively because the actuator is not only a rigid component, unlike the prior art inventions, which use complex structures such as the oscillating assembly described above. As a result, the lighting actuator of the present invention is of high quality, aesthetically pleasing and not expensive to manufacture. These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description thereof, together with references to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the lighting fixture of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the lighting fixture of Figure 1, showing the multi-position switch mounted within the housing or housing; Figure 4 is a rear view of the lighting fixture, similar to Figure 3, without the multi-position switch; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a side view in cross section taken along the plane VI-VI of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along the plane VII-VII of Figure 3, showing the switch mounted inside the box; and Figure 8 is a perspective view, inverted, fragmentary, enlarged, showing the assembly of the lighting fixture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a lighting fixture 10 includes a housing or polymer case 11, a molded polymer lens 14 and an actuator 12 which 1 it passes through an opening 31 (shown in Figures 4 and 8) in the upper part of the housing. The housing and the lens are molded in such a way as to conform to each other, the lens is retained within the housing by interlocking tabs and recesses (not shown) around the edge (the lens is at least slightly flexible for coupling and decoupling by it). A mounting plate 22 (Figure 3 - described in more detail below) is molded along the lower rear edge 19 of the housing. The lens preferably contains prismatic ridges (not shown) which scatter the light generated by a bulb inside the housing. The interior of the housing also has a series of molded detents 17 (shown in FIG. 3) against which the upper edge of the lens rests to stabilize the lens 14 within the housing. Referring next to Figure 3, the rear part of the housing 11 is shown with the support plate (hereinafter described separately). Within the housing 11, the switch 16 of the lighting fixture 10 is mounted head-on, suspended from the lower side of the upper surface 13 of the housing by two internal walls 28, 29 spaced apart from each other. In a preferred embodiment the inner walls 28, 29 are molded to the inner upper surface 33 of the housing 11 and as best shown in Figure 4, are located either on one side or the other of an opening 31 in the upper portion 15 of the accommodation. With reference to figure 5, each inner wall 28, 29 has a pair of edges generally parallel, but preferably slightly curved and converging defining a slot 30 which has an open end 34 and a closed end 35. Each wall 28, 29 has an upper section 36, which is molding to the inner upper surface 13 of the housing 11 and a lower section 37, which integrally joins the upper section 36 at 35. The slots 30 are adapted to receive the switch 16, such that it is suspended from the head inside the accommodation 11 (figure 3). The lighting fixture 10 has a mounting plate 22 in a general U-shape, which is molded integrally along the trailing edge 19 of the housing 11 (Figures 3-6 inclusive). The mounting plate 22 has a series of mounting receptacles 23 adapted to receive attachment means (e.g., screws) for retaining the lighting fixture 10 to a support surface (not shown). Behind the mounting plate 22, the accessory 10 preferably includes a back plate or back plate (not shown), which, in the preferred embodiment, is constructed from a thin piece of sheet metal.

The rear closure plate is preferably adapted to carry the accessory bulb and due to its metallic properties, reflects the light emitted from the bulb. The rear closure plate contains a series of openings adapted to receive the mounting receptacles 23 of the mounting plate 22, each of the mounting receptacles 23, containing a flange or flange 27 designed to engage with the edge of the apertures of the support plate, to prevent the support plate from separating from the housing. The support plate also contains an opening through which the power supply wires for the lighting source can be powered for connection to a power source and the peripheral edges of this opening preferably have an integral laminated flange, made during the stamping operation, in which the support plate itself is formed, to avoid cutting or abrasion of such wires, without the need to use an inner ring or the like. The switch 16 has a main body or base 25 (figures 6 and 8) having an upper surface 24 through which an operating element 20 extends. To operate the switch, the operating element 20 must be slid. from side to side. The body 25 of the switch has a mounting plate 26 (figures 3 and 7) disposed along the upper surface 24, with fin-like ends which extend outwardly from the base or body 25. These fin-like ends of the plate 26 are adapted to slide into the slots 30 of the internal walls 28, 29 of the mounting structure. The slots 30 are positioned in the inner walls 28, 29, such that when the switch is inserted, the operating element 20 of the switch extends downwardly below the lower section 37 of each inner wall and in alignment with the opening. 31 in the housing, wherein the operating element will be in direct alignment with the actuator 12. As shown in Figure 3, the switch 16 also has a series of metal terminals 18 which extend outward from the bottom surface 21 of the switch body 25 and to which the wiring 60 is connected. As will be understood, the wiring is also connected to the bulb (not shown). Figures 6, 6a, 7 and 8 show the coupling between the components of the system. The actuator 12 has a base 39 that terminates in a pair of spaced legs 42, which enclose an opening 40. The legs 42 are lance-shaped, have ramp-shaped ends 44 that define rims 49 similar to rings located in the body. end of the base 39. The legs 42 are adapted to flex outwards and are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive the operating element 20 within the opening 40. During assembly, the switch 16 is placed in its position as indicated above and the actuator 12 is inserted through the opening 31 of the housing 13. As the ramp-shaped ends 44 of the legs 42 of the actuator move along opposite sides of the operating element 20, the legs 42 outwards but, at the point where the ramps 44 have moved past the operator 20, the legs 42 then return by spring action to their place, with the edges of the legs stakes 49 hooked around the operator 20, so as to fix the actuator 12 to the switch 16, to prevent inadvertent uncoupling between the two and to serve the mutual retention function indicated above. As best shown in Figures 3A, 4A and 7, each of the inner walls 28, 29 has an elongated rib 50 on its mutually facing sides, which, in the preferred embodiment, are molded integrally thereto. The ribs 50 and the walls 28, 29 are preferably dimensioned and spaced in such a way that the ribs 50 engage the sides of the switch body 25 (FIG. 3A) and flex the walls 28., 29 slightly outwardly as the switch is inserted therebetween, to ensure a snap fit between the switch body 25 and the inner walls 28, 29. In the preferred embodiment, the ribs 50 are divergent in cross section and rounded to allow uniform sliding engagement between the body 24 of the switch and the ribs. When mounted in this manner, the coupling between the switch body and the ribs stabilizes the switch laterally and holds it firmly in place, which aids in the mounting of the device and also helps ensure consistent and proper operation of the switch. As best shown in Figure 8, the base 39 of the actuator basically comprises a tongue or elongated tongue of rectangular cross-section, with legs 42 at one end and head 46 at the other. Immediately below the head 46, the base 39 is preferably "tapered" or somewhat narrow at 47 and directly below such that the base 39 has a ramp-like portion 38 formed integrally on each side. The narrow portion 37 allows the opening 31 of the housing to be reduced commensurately in width and facilitates coverage thereof at all times (in both travel positions) by the head 46 of the actuator. The ramps 38 allows the actuator 12 to be retained by itself on the housing 11, since they will slightly overlap the upper and lower edges of the opening 31. When the actuator is in its fully inserted position (see Figure 6A), after having resiliently flexed these edges to the extent necessary during the insertion of the base 39 of the actuator through the opening 31. This allows the actuator 12 to be inserted into a self-holding position prior to the insertion of the switch 16 during the assembly, in such a way that the actuator 12 does not need to be manually held in place during insertion of the switch 16 and also helps to provide a uniformly operating, hermetically connected and well-mounted product that has no loose, annoying or noisy parts. To mount the lighting fixture 10, the fin-like ends of the mounting plate 26 of the switch 16 slide to the slots 30 of the inner walls 28, 29. The switch 16 is suspended from the head of the internal walls, such as It is noted that when mounted, the operating element 20 of the switch extends down adjacent to and in alignment with the opening 31 in the housing 11. With the switch 16 positioned in this manner, the actuator 12 is inserted through the opening 31. of the housing until the legs 42 of the base 37 engage the operating element 20 of the switch 16. As the actuator 12 is further urged into the opening 31 in the housing 11, the legs 42 of the actuator 12 flex toward outside. After this, when the operating element 20 is wrapped or fully enclosed by the opening 40 of the actuator, the legs 42 of the actuator return to their normal position. As described above, the actuator remains fixed within the housing or housing because the flanges 49 of the ramp-shaped portions 44 of the actuator engage around the rear surfaces of the operating element 20 to capture the latter within the housing. opening 40. This prevents the decoupling of the actuator 12 from the switch 16 and the housing 12 during use and also retains the switch 16 in place, since the actuator 12 has a head 46 which is too large to fit through the opening 31 of the housing, in the event that the switch 16 slides backwardly in the slots 30. Preferably, the head 46 of the actuator has a concave surface 48 opposite the base 38, which facilitates manipulation by the user for make slide the operator 20 and turn the switch on and off. In this preferred configuration, the switch 16, when mounted to the internal upper surface 13 of the polymer housing, is kept separate from the metal support plate, to allow easy access to the bulb. In addition, a separate structure for connecting the switch is not necessary because the switch is not attached to the backing plate or the back of the housing. In addition, the present design efficiently utilizes the limited space contained within the fixture housing 11, is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and facilitates extensive easy and fast assembly while also maintaining the integrity of the mechanical operation of the actuator assembly. /switch. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as described herein may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (20)

1. Claims 1.
2. A lighting fixture, characterized in that it comprises: a housing or box; a lens; a switch having a body and an operating element that extends outward from the body; an actuator having at least one leg attached to a head, the leg extends to the housing; a mounting for holding the switch to the interior of the housing, in a position where the operator is aligned with the at least one leg of the actuator, the at least one leg engages and fixes the actuator to the operating element of the switch, such that the operator and the actuator are each retained in place with respect to the housing.
3. The lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing contains an opening adapted to receive the at least one leg of the actuator, the opening has a width sufficient to allow the movement side by side of the actuator between so minus two interruption positions.
4. The lighting fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one leg of the actuator defines an aperture adapted to receive the operating element of the switch.
5. The lighting fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening has sides which at least partially surround the perimeter of the operating element.
6. The lighting fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one leg of the actuator has a free end in the form of a ramp which is adapted to contact the operating element and flex outwards when the actuator it engages with the operating element during assembly.
7. The lighting fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that the free ramp-shaped end has a barb-like shoulder adapted to fit around a portion of the operating element to assist in retaining the switch within the opening of the actuator. actuator The lighting fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening of the actuator is adapted to surround at least portions of the operating element on all sides within a plane, to retain the operating element within the aperture. of the actuator, regardless of the direction of the forces applied within the plane.
8. 8. The lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch has a mounting plate with opposite end portions which project out of the rest of the body.
9. The lighting fixture according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing has a pair of mutually spaced internal walls, each containing a slot adapted to receive one of the opposite end portions of the switch body.
10. A lighting fixture according to claim 9, characterized in that the internal walls are spaced apart at a distance sufficient to receive portions of the body other than the opposite end portions and positioned in such a way that the operating element of the switch is arranged in alignment with the opening of the housing when the switch is received between the walls.
11. The lighting fixture according to claim 10, characterized in that each of the walls of the housing has a surface arranged opposite to and facing the other of said surfaces and each of the surfaces includes a cutout that is It generally extends along the groove.
12. The lighting fixture according to claim 11, characterized in that the cut-out engages the sides of the body portions disposed between the walls to stabilize the switch between the walls.
13. 13. The lighting fixture according to claim 12, characterized in that the housing has an integral rear end with a peripheral edge defining a mounting structure for attaching the fitting to a mounting surface.
14. The lighting fixture according to claim 13, characterized in that it includes a series of detents molded into the housing for stabilizing and retaining the lens.
15. 15. A lighting fixture, characterized in that it comprises: a housing or housing that includes a retainer structure of the switch and an opening for a switch actuator disposed proximate to the retaining structure; a switch that has an operation element; a switch actuator, which can extend through the opening and which can be coupled with the operating element when it is extended in this manner; the retaining structure is arranged to suspend the switch within the housing, with the operating element of the switch falling adjacent to the opening of the housing and the actuator is engageable with the operation element of the switch to make it move in a manner which sets in operation the switch and the actuator is at least partially supported and retained in its position, in relation to the housing, by the operating element by means of the coupling between them.
16. The lighting fixture according to claim 15, characterized in that the actuator is supported by engagement in a position where it is generally independent of the housing apart from and extending through the opening.
17. The lighting fixture according to claim 16, characterized in that the switch is at least partially retained in its position by coupling the actuator to the operating element.
18. 18. A lighting fixture, characterized in that it comprises: a housing or box having front, upper, lower and lateral portions defining a housing having an open rear end; a switch assembly within the enclosure of the housing, the switch assembly is oriented toward the rear end open and arranged to receive a switch inserted into the enclosure through the enclosure. open rear end and to hold the switch in its position relative to the upper, lower, front and side portions of the housing; and a switch actuator having at least portions disposed within the enclosure and arranged to mate with the switch when it has been inserted in this manner, the switch actuator, when coupled in this manner with the switch, retains the switch within of the enclosure by preventing movement of the switch back through the open rear end of the housing.
19. 19. The lighting fixture according to claim 18, characterized in that the switch assembly includes a pair of slots spaced to receive portions of the switch.
20. 20. The lighting fixture according to claim 19, characterized in that the switch has an operator, the actuator is coupled to the switch by the operator.