NZ578760A - Switch plate with a button surround that can releasably mount a switch to a housing with a rotating locking means - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical switch assembly is disclosed. Components of the switch assembly are able to be releasably connected to a mounting plate (30). The assembly comprises a mounting plate (30) including a first opening (33). A button surround including a second opening is securable to the mounting plate with a switch (34), including a button for operating the switch, is securable relative to the mounting plate (30). The button is accessible through the first opening and the second opening. A cover plate, including a third opening, is securable to the mounting plate (30) such that the button is accessible through the third opening. The button surround and the switch (34) are adapted to be secured to each other; the switch (34) includes a housing which is attachable to the button surround. Both the housing and button surround both form a rotary lock attachment means to allow the housing to be attached to the button surround using a rotating action.

Description

578760 l ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY The present invention relates generally to an electrical switch assembly.

There are various types of electrical switch assembly, including electrical switch plates and electrical power outlets.

One known type of electrical switch assembly that is designed for use in extra low voltage applications includes a faceplate having a circular opening for providing access to a switch of the assembly. The switch is received by a switch ring which is received by the opening in the faceplate and which is secured relative to the faceplate.

Another type of known electrical switch assembly includes a mounting plate that is securable to a support structure. The mounting plate includes an electrical power outlet socket, and a switch operatively coupled to the socket to control the flow of electricity to the socket. The assembly also has a removable faceplate for the socket.

There is another type of known electrical switch assembly that includes a mounting plate including one or more electrical power outlet sockets, and a faceplate for each socket.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrical switch assembly comprising a mounting plate including a first opening, a button surround including a second opening, the button surround being securable to the mounting plate, a switch including a button for operating the switch, the switch being securable relative to the mounting plate and the button surround such that the button is accessible through the first opening and the second opening, and a cover plate including a third opening, the cover plate being securable to the mounting plate 578760 2 such that the button is accessible through the third opening; wherein the button surround and the switch are adapted to be secured to each other, the switch including a housing which is attachable to the button surround, the housing and button surround both forming a rotative lock attachment means to allow the housing to be attached to 5 the button surround using a rotative action.

The electrical switch assembly may be mounted to a wall, ceiling, floor, other type of support member and the like although it is envisaged that the assembly may also be mounted to any support member.

The mounting plate is provided for securing the button surround and cover 10 plate to, and for securing the switch relative to, and no unnecessary limitation is to be placed on the term "mounting plate". The size and shape of the mounting plate can vary as can the thickness and composition of the mounting plate. The mounting plate may be substantially planar but may also comprise curved mounting plates and mounting plates having complex geometry and the like. The mounting plate need not 15 be plate-like in configuration and the term is used to encompass anything to which the button surround and the cover plate may be secured, and which the switch may be secured relative to.

The shape and size of the first and second openings can vary, it being appreciated that one function of the first and second openings is to provide access to 20 the button. The first or second opening may be a circular or a substantially circular opening and will typically have a diameter of between 10-50 mm although this can vary. The first opening may alternatively be a rectangular or a substantially rectangular opening and will typically have a size of 400-5400 mm2. In one particular preferred form, both the first and second openings are circular or substantially circular 25 openings. In another particular preferred form, the first opening is a circular or a substantially circular opening, and the second opening is a rectangular or a substantially rectangular opening.

The mounting plate may include a plurality of the first openings, the button surround may include a plurality of the second openings, or the cover plate may 30 include a plurality of third openings so that the assembly can include a plurality of the switches. For example, the assembly may include 1 to 6 switches.

The shape and size of the button surround can vary. For example, the button surround may be circular, substantially circular, rectangular or substantially rectangular.

The button surround and the mounting plate may be secured to each other in any suitable manner. Preferably, the button surround and the mounting plate are adapted so that they are able to clip together. The button surround and the mounting plate may be secured to each other with one or more securing means. For example, the button surround and the mounting plate may be secured to each other with one or more screws.

The switch may be any suitable type of switch. Preferably, the switch is a rocker switch. In another preferred form, the switch is a pushbutton-type switch.

The button of" the switch may be any suitable size and shape. Preferably, the button is a circular button.

The rotative lock attachment means may comprise a bayonet type mounting or a twist lock type mounting which allows the housing to be removed and reattached many times with little or no damage or weakening of the attachment arrangement. Also, the rotative lock attachment means can be made more robust.

Typically, the rotative lock attachment means will comprise at least one projection on one of the parts (i.e. the housing or the button surround) which engages with a recess on the other part. Preferably, the housing will include the at least one projection, and the button surround will include the at least one recess. Alternatively, the housing and the button surround each include at least one projection and at least one recess.

It is preferred that the rotative lock attachment means comprises at least two projections which engage with at least two recesses, ft is more preferred that the rotative lock attachment means comprises more than two projections and may comprise between 3-6 projections (or even more) which engage in respective 3-6 recesses. This provides a good solid locking action which minimises any inadvertent removal of the housing from the button surround.

It is preferred that the rotative lock attachment means provides some form of 578760 4 locking action to prevent or at least reduce inadvertent counter rotation of the housing to inadvertently release the housing when not required. However, it is also envisaged that some separate means may be provided to lock or latch the housing relative to the button surround and which may be separate to or in addition to the rotative lock 5 attachment means. For ease of assembly, it is preferred that the rotative lock attachment means provides the locking action.

The button of the switch is accessible through the first, second and third openings. Thus, the button can be manipulated by a person's finger when the switch is secured relative to the mounting plate.

It is preferred that the electrical switch assembly includes an electrical socket secured to the mounting plate, and that the cover plates includes a fourth opening for providing access to the electrical socket. Preferably, the electrical switch assembly also includes a faceplate for covering the socket, the faceplate being securable to the mounting plate. The faceplate and the mounting plate may be secured to each other in 15 any suitable manner. Preferably, the faceplate and the mounting plate are adapted so that they are able to clip together.

It is preferred that the switch is coupled to the electrical socket so that the switch is operable to control the flow of electricity through the socket.

The cover plate may any suitable type of cover plate. Preferably, the cover 20 plate is a full face-style cover plate that is adapted to substantially cover a front face of the mounting plate.

The mounting plate, button surround, button, and cover plate of the electrical switch assembly may be manufactured from any suitable material or combination of materials. Typically, they will be manufactured from plastic material. In one 25 particular preferred embodiment the mounting plate, button surround and button are manufactured from plastic material, and the cover plate is manufactured from a combination of metal (e.g. stainless steel) and plastic material. In one embodiment, the cover plate includes one or more of metal, plastic, porcelain, leather and glass materials.

The mounting plate, button surround, button and cover plate may each be any suitable colour. For example, each of the aforementioned components of the electrical 578760 switch assembly may be the same colour. Alternatively, some of the components may have a different colour to some of the other components.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood and put into practice, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the 5 accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 depicts a mounting plate of a single switch and single socket electrical outlet assembly; Figure 2 depicts a button surround and a socket faceplate of the single switch and single socket electrical outlet assembly; Figure 3 depicts the button surround and the socket faceplate secured to the mounting plate of the single switch and single socket electrical outlet assembly; Figure 4 depicts a double switch and double socket electrical outlet assembly; Figure 5 depicts a mounting plate of a single electrical switch assembly; Figure 6 depicts a button surround of the single electrical switch assembly; 15 Figure 7 depicts a rocker switch of the single electrical switch assembly; Figure 8 depicts the partially assembled single electrical switch assembly; Figure 9 depicts the fully-assembled single electrical switch assembly; Figure 10 depicts a mounting plate of a six ganged electrical switch assembly; Figure 11 depicts a button surround of the six ganged electrical switch assembly; Figure 12 depicts the button surround secured to the mounting plate of the six ganged electrical switch assembly; and Figure 13 depicts a five ganged electrical switch assembly with a first type of 25 cover plate.

For convenience, like features of the various embodiments of the invention have been referenced with like reference numerals.

Referring to figure 1, a mounting plate 30 of a single switch and single socket electrical outlet assembly includes a substantially circular opening 31 and an electrical 30 socket 32.

An electrical rocker switch 33 which includes a circular button 34 for 578760 6 operating the switch 33 is secured to the rear of the mounting plate 30 such that the button 34 is accessible through the opening 31. Switch 33 is operatively coupled to the socket 32 to control the flow of electricity to the socket 32 from an electricity source.

A curved edge 35 of the mounting plate 30 which defines the opening 31 includes a flat region 36 and a pair of curved bumps 37 that project into the opening 31.

The electrical socket 32 includes three rectangular slots 38 in the mounting plate 30. Each slot 38 is able to receive a respective pin of an electrical power plug. 10 Mounting plate 30 includes a plurality of small rectangular openings 39 located around the perimeter of the socket 32, and a pair of elongate openings 40 located on opposite sides of the perimeter of the socket 32. In addition, mounting plate 30 includes a small opening 41 located between the slots 38.

Referring to figure 2, the single switch and single socket electrical outlet 15 assembly also includes a substantially circular button surround 50. Surround 50 includes an outer portion 51 and a raised or protruding inner portion 52. Outer portion 51 includes a plurality of catches 53. An edge 54 of the outer portion 51 includes a flat region 55 and a pair of curved recesses 56. Flat region 55 matches or is complementary to the flat region 36 of the mounting plate edge 35, and each recess 56 20 is complementary to a respective one of the bumps 37 of the edge 35.

Inner portion 52 of the button surround 50 defines a circular opening 57 for receiving the button 34.

In addition, the assembly includes a circular socket faceplate 60. Faceplate 60 includes three rectangular slots 61. As with the slots 38, each slot 61 is able to 25 receive a respective pin of an electrical power plug.

The faceplate 60 includes a respective catch 62 for inserting into each rectangular opening 39 in the mounting plate 30, and a respective tab 63 for inserting into each elongate opening 40 in the mounting plate 30.

Although not depicted in the drawings, faceplate 60 also includes a 30 rearwardly extending projection for inserting into the opening 41.

Referring to figure 3, the button surround 50 is inserted into the mounting 578760 7 plate opening 31 so that the flat regions 36 and 55 are located adjacent to each other, and so that each of the curved recesses 56 receive a respective one of the bumps 37. Also, each of the catches 53 catches against the mounting plate 30 so that the surround 50 and the mounting plate 30 thereby clip together.

Surround 50 is inhibited from rotating relative to the mounting plate 30 by the bumps 37 received by the recesses 56, and by the adjacent flat regions 36 and 55. Once in place, the surround 50 cannot be readily removed from the mounting plate 30 without permanently damaging the surround 50.

Button 34 projects from and is accessible through the opening 57 in the 10 button surround 50, and is able to be operated without being impeded by the surround 50.

The mounting plate 30 and the socket faceplate 60 clip together by inserting each faceplate catch 62 into a respective one of the openings 39 in the mounting plate 30 so that the catches 62 thereby secure the faceplate 60 to the mounting plate 30. 15 Once in place, the faceplate 60 cannot be readily removed from the mounting plate 30 without permanently damaging the faceplate 60. The rearwardly extending projection (not depicted) of the faceplate 60 is received by the opening 41, and each of the tabs 63 is received by a respective one of the elongate openings 40.

Each slot 61 in the faceplate 60 is aligned with a respective one of the slots 20 38 in the mounting plate 30 so that a respective pin of an electrical plug is able to be inserted into the slots 61 in the faceplate 60, and into the slots 38 in the mounting plate 30.

Although not depicted, the assembly also includes a full face-style cover plate that is designed to substantially cover the front and sides of the mounting plate 25 30, and that is able to detachably clip on to the mounting plate 30. In particular, a respective pair of catches 70 at each end of the mounting plate 30 are each designed to detachably engage with a respective pair of catches of the cover plate.

The cover plate includes a first circular opening through which the button 34 projects and is able to be accessed. The cover plate also includes a second circular 30 opening through which the socket 32 and faceplate 60 are able to be accessed.

Referring to figure 4, a double switch and double socket electrical outlet 578760 8 assembly 80 is similar to the assembly described with reference to figures 1 to 3.

Assembly 80 has two switches 33, with each switch 33 being operatively coupled to a respective electrical socket 32 so that the switches 33 are operable to control the flow of electricity to the sockets 32. Each switch 33 of the assembly 80 is 5 accessible through an opening 57 in a respective button surround 50 as well as a respective circular opening 81 in a cover plate 82. Each socket 32 of the assembly 80 is covered by a respective socket faceplate 60, and each faceplate 60 is accessible through a respective circular opening 83 in the cover plate 82. Cover plate 82 is detachably secured to a mounting plate of the assembly 80 which is similar to the 10 mounting plate 30 except that it includes two openings 31 for providing access to the buttons 34 of the switches 33, and two sockets 32.

Referring to figure 5, a mounting plate 90 of a single electrical switch assembly includes a substantially circular opening 91. An edge 92 of the mounting plate 90 which defines the opening 91 includes a pair of opposed recesses 93. 15 Mounting plate 90 includes four rearwardly extending catches 94 which are circumferentially-spaced around the perimeter of the opening 91 so that each of the catches 94 opposes another one of the catches 94. It also includes a pair of smaller rearwardly extending catches 95. Each catch 95 is located adjacent to a respective catch 94 of one of the opposing pairs of catches 94. In addition, the mounting plate 90 20 includes four rearwardly extending struts 96 which are also circumferentially-spaced around the perimeter of the opening 91. A respective pair of catches 97 extends from each end of the mounting plate 90.

Referring to figure 7, a rocker switch 100 of the single electrical switch assembly is the same as the rocker switch disclosed in W02004/070757, the contents 25 of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Switch 100 includes a rear housing 101 which supports a mechanism of the switch 100, including a circular button 102. The housing 101 is provided with small sockets or terminal attachments (not Illustrated) to couple to electric leads (not illustrated). The front of housing 101 pivotally supports the button 102. Button 102 30 pivots about a small pin in an aperture 103.

Housing 101 also includes four circumferentially-spaced projections 104. 578760 9 Each of the projections 104 is located opposite another one of the projections 104. Each projection 104 is L-shaped in configuration, having a first vertical portion 105 and a second substantially horizontal portion 106. The horizontal portion 106 of each projection 104 of one of the opposing pairs of projections 104 includes a small bump 5 107.

The single electrical switch assembly also includes a substantially circular button surround 110 which also functions as a switch ring for securing the switch 100 to the mounting plate 90. Surround 110 includes an outer portion 111 and a raised inner portion 112. Once in place, the surround 110 cannot be readily removed from 10 the mounting plate 90 without permanently damaging the surround 110.

A collar 113 extends from the outer portion 111. Collar 113 in the particular embodiment comprises two arcuate plate-like portions 114, and two arcuate plate-like portions 115 that extend rearwardly from the outer portion 111. Plates 114 protrude 15 laterally from the outer portion 111. Each of the plates 114 includes a rectangular opening 116 and a recess 117. Each of the plates 115 includes a catch 118.

Collar 113 also includes a respective recess 119 between each of the plates 114, 115. Each recess 119 is also substantially L-shaped and has a vertical leg portion and a horizontal leg portion.

Switch housing 101 is attached to the button surround 110 by a twist lock action. In particular, the projections 104 of the housing 101 pass into the recesses 119.

To provide a locking action to prevent the housing 101 from inadvertently twisting out of engagement with the surround 110, some (or all) of the recesses 119 25 are not exactly L-shaped but instead have a small domed portion 120 at the end of the horizontal leg portion of the L-shaped recess 119. The corresponding projection 104 of the housing 101 includes the small bump 107 on the horizontal part of the leg portion. The small bump 107 on the projection 104 press fits into the small domed portion 120 in the recess 119 to provide some locking or clamping action against 30 inadvertent release of the housing 101. It is preferred that some of the projections 104 are provided with the small bump 107, and some are not. The reason for this is that if 578760 all of the projections 104 were provided with a small bump 107, it might provide a quite large resistance against unlocking and removal of the housing 101 which means that the housing 101 will need to be very strong to counter rotate release it from the button surround 110. It is considered that such force is unnecessary and therefore only 5 some of the projections 104 are provided with a bump 107. Of course, various other means may be provided to provide this locking action. For instance, each projection 104 may be provided with a smaller bump 107 to provide a lower force to release the housing 101 from the button surround 110.

To release the housing 101 from the button surround 110, it is necessary to 10 apply an initial small force to separate the bump 107 on the projection 104 from engagement in the domed portion 120 in the recess 117. After that, the housing 101 can be simply twisted and lifted out of engagement with the button surround 110. The housing 101 can be simply reattached with little or no damage to the rotative locking means. Moreover, the housing 101 can be rotated by 90° and simply reattached such 15 that the button 102 works along a sideways motion as opposed to an up-and-down motion.

When the switch 100 is secured to the button surround 110, the button 102 projects from an opening 121 of the surround 110 so that the button 102 is accessible through the opening 121. Opening 121 is defined by the inner portion 112 of the 20 button surround 110.

Button surround 110 is secured to the mounting plate 90 by inserting the surround 110 into the opening 91 from the front of the plate 90. Before the surround 110 is inserted into the opening 91, each of the plates 115 is aligned with a respective one of the recesses 93. Surround 110 is then pressed into the opening 91 so that each 25 opening 116 receives a respective catch 94, so that each recess 117 receives a respective catch 95, and so that each catch 118 catches against the mounting plate 90. After the surround 110 has been fully inserted into the opening 91, each plate 114, 115 is reinforced or supported by a respective one of the struts 96.

Figure 9 depicts the complete single electrical switch assembly 130 which, in 30 addition to including the mounting plate 90, switch 100 and button surround 110, also includes a full face-style cover plate 131. Cover plate 131 includes catches (not 578760 li depicted) which correspond to the catches 97 of the mounting plate 90. The catches of the cover plate 131 and the mounting plate catches 97 are able to detachably engage with each other so that the cover plate 131 and the mounting plate 90 are able to thereby detachably clip onto each other.

Inner portion 112 of the button surround 110 is received by a circular opening 132 in the cover plate 131 so that the button 102 projects from and is also accessible through the opening 132.

Referring to figure 10, a mounting plate 140 of a ganged electrical switch assembly includes a substantially rectangular opening 141. A respective corner 10 support 142 is located at each corner of the opening 141, and is recessed below an upper surface of the plate 140. Each corner support 142 includes a circular hole 143. A respective pair of side supports 144 is located along each longer side of the opening 141, and is recessed below the upper surface of the plate 140. The side supports 144 extending along each side of the opening 141 are separated from each other and the 15 corner supports 142 by gaps 145. A plurality of recesses 146 are located along each of the shorter sides of the opening 141, and a respective recess 147 is located adjacent to each gap 145. A respective pair of catches 148 extends from each end of the mounting plate 140.

A button surround 150 of the ganged electrical switch assembly is depicted in 20 figure 11. Surround 150 also functions as a carrier for supporting a plurality of rocker switches 100.

Surround 150 has a substantially rectangular shape. The surround 150 includes six circular openings 151 that are each defined by a respective circular protrusion 152 extending from a front face of the mounting plate 150. 25 A respective collar 153 extends rearwardly from each opening 151. Each collar 153 comprises four arcuate plate-like portions 154 that are separated from each other by a respective recess 155 and that are supported by struts (not depicted). Each recess 155 is substantially L-shaped and has a vertical leg portion, a horizontal leg portion, and a small domed portion 156 at the end of the horizontal leg portion. 30 A respective switch 100 is able to be secured to each collar 153 by attaching the switch housing 101 to the collar 153 by twist lock action which is similar to that 578760 12 described in connection with the assembly 130 depicted in figure 9.

Button surround 150 also includes a plurality of catches 157 extending rearwardly from each of the longer sides of the surround 150, and a respective catch 158 extending rearwardly from each of the shorter sides of the surround 150. Each 5 catch 157 corresponds to a respective gap 145 and recess 147 of the mounting plate 140, and each catch 158 corresponds to a respective recess 146 of the mounting plate 140.

A respective blind circular hole (not depicted) extends into the button surround 150 from the rear thereof and is located adjacent to each corner of the 10 surround 150. Each hole corresponds to a respective one of the holes 143 of the mounting plate 140.

Figure 12 depicts the button surround 150 secured to the mounting plate 140. Surround 150 is detachably secured to the plate 140 by firstly inserting it into the opening 141 so that each catch 157 is received by its corresponding gap 145 and 15 recess 147 and catches against the plate 140, and so that each catch 158 is received by its corresponding recess 146 and catches against the plate 140 as well. Once the surround 150 has been fully inserted into the opening 141, a lower surface of the surround 150 rests on the supports 142, 144. Each hole 143 in the mounting plate 140 is aligned with a respective one of the blind holes in the button surround 150. Each 20 pair of aligned holes receives a respective screw which is screwed into the holes.

The six ganged electrical switch assembly also includes a full face-style cover plate (not depicted) that is designed to be detachably secured to the mounting plate 140, and to cover the front and sides of the plate 140. The cover plate and the mounting plate 140 are adapted to detachably clip together. In particular, the 25 respective pair of catches 148 at each end of the mounting plate 140 designed to detachably engage with a respective pair of catches of the cover plate.

The cover plate includes six circular openings that each receive a respective one of the protrusions 152. The openings in the cover plate allowed the buttons 102 of the switches 100 that are secured to the surround 150 to be accessed. 30 Figure 13 depicts a five ganged electrical switch assembly 160. Assembly 160 includes a mounting plate which is similar to the mounting plate 140. It also has 578760 13 a button surround 161 which is similar to the surround 150 except that surround 161 only has five openings 151. Moreover, assembly 160 includes a cover plate 162 that includes five openings 163 and that is detachably secured to the mounting plate of the assembly 160.

Throughout the specification and the claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires 10 otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications to the invention described herein will be apparent without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The variations and modifications as would be 15 apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, that reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. 578760 14

Claims (19)

CLAIMS:

1. An electrical switch assembly comprising: a mounting plate including a first opening, 5 a button surround including a second opening, the button surround being securable to the mounting plate, a switch including a button for operating the switch, the switch being securable relative to the mounting plate and the button surround such that the button is accessible through the first opening and the second opening, and 10 a cover plate including a third opening, the cover plate being securable to the mounting plate such that the button is accessible through the third opening: wherein the button surround and the switch are adapted to be secured to each other, the switch including a housing which is attachable to the button surround, the housing and button surround both forming a rotative lock attachment means to allow 15 the housing to be attached to the button surround using a rotative action.

2, An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 1. wherein the first opening is a circular or a substantially circular opening. 20

3. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second opening is either: a circular or a substantially circular opening, or a rectangular or a substantially rectangular opening.

4. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 25 wherein the mounting plate includes a plurality of the first openings, the button surround includes a plurality of the second openings, and the cover plate includes a plurality of third openings so that the assembly can include a plurality of the switches.

5. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 30 wherein the button surround and the mounting plate are adapted so that they are able to clip together. 578760 15

6. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch is either a rocker switch or a pushbutton-type switch, and the button is a circular button. 5

7. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotative lock attachment means comprises a bayonet type mounting or a twist lock type mounting. 10

8. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotative lock attachment means comprises at least one projection on one of the two parts, being the housing or the button surround, that engages with at least one recess of the other part. 15

9. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the housing includes the at least one projection, and the button surround will include the at least one recess. 20

10. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotative lock attachment means provides a locking action which impedes inadvertent removal of the housing from the button surround.

11. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 25 wherein the electrical switch assembly includes an electrical socket secured to the mounting plate, and that the cover plate includes a fourth opening for providing access to the electrical socket.

12. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electrical 30 switch assembly further includes a faceplate for covering the socket, the faceplate being securable to the mounting plate. 578760 16

13, An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the faceplate and the mounting plate are adapted so that they are able to clip together. 5

14. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the switch is coupled to the electrical socket so that the switch is operable to control the flow of electricity through the socket.

15. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, 10 wherein the cover plate is adapted to substantially cover a front face of the mounting plate.

16. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting plate, button surround, button, and cover plate of the electrical IS switch assembly include plastic material,

17. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover plate includes one or more of metal, plastic, porcelain, leather and glass materials. 20

18. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the mounting plate, button surround, button and cover plate has a different colour to the others. 25

19. An electrical switch assembly as claimed in nay one of claims 1 to 18, and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.