US3175420A - Extension device for toggle switches - Google Patents

Extension device for toggle switches Download PDF

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Publication number
US3175420A
US3175420A US111841A US11184161A US3175420A US 3175420 A US3175420 A US 3175420A US 111841 A US111841 A US 111841A US 11184161 A US11184161 A US 11184161A US 3175420 A US3175420 A US 3175420A
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United States
Prior art keywords
toggle
cap
extension device
switch
toggle lever
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US111841A
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Burnie M Craig
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CO BAR ENTPR Inc
CO-BAR ENTERPRISES Inc
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CO BAR ENTPR Inc
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Priority to US111841A priority Critical patent/US3175420A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H23/14—Tumblers
    • H01H23/141—Tumblers provided with extensions, e.g. for actuation by a child
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20732—Handles
    • Y10T74/20738—Extension
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20732—Handles
    • Y10T74/20876—Caps and covers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an extension device for connection to a pivoted toggle or control lever of a wall located toggle switch to facilitate operation of the switch by a small child or another who is unable to reach to the level of the switch.
  • Switches 01" the foregoing type have a toggle lever pivotally extending through a cover plate normally set nearly flush in a vertical wall surface.
  • the switch is controlled by a snap action supplied to the toggle lever.
  • the device of ll. invention may be used with switches generally having a pivotally positioned control lever including high voltage switches.
  • Wall switches are customarily positioned at a height of four or five feet or so above the floor at a level that makes the switch easily operable by adults. Small children in order to use the switch must pull a chair or other furniture to the switch, or have the assistance of an adult.
  • Extension or operating arms of various types have been proposed heretofore but such devices have for the most part been unduly complex for the simple service which they perform.
  • the structures of the extension devices previously suggested have been rigidly connected through a pivot to the toggle lever of the wall toggle switch, with the result that damage to the switch occasionally occurs when a twisting force or a lateral force is applied to the toggle lever through the extension arm.
  • the extension devices commonly used have been frequently objected to because of their tendency to mar the switch with which they are used, both the cover plate and the toggle lever.
  • the structure of the improved extension device of the invention remedies the foregoing shortcomings commonly found in extension arms.
  • the extension device of the invention comprises a pliable, relatively nonrigid cap formed of a rubber material which is adapted to fit snugly over the toggle lever of a wall toggle switch.
  • An elongated arm member is pivotally supported on the rubber cap, and is adapted to swing about this pivot in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the toggle switch without deforming the rubber cap; and to swing laterally of the toggle switch by deformation of the rubber cap.
  • the cap upon application of a pulling force to the elongated arm more snugly engages the toggle lever.
  • the rubber cap has been found to permit limited twisting of the arm member without damage to the toggle switch.
  • the cap before placement over the toggle switch has a cylindrical cavity. Upon installation, the wall of the cylindrical cavity of the rubber cap deforms to conform substantially to the cross section of the toggle lever, thus providing a snug fit between the toggle lever and the rubber cap.
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the extension device positioned on a toggle lever of a toggle switch located in a wall;
  • FIG. 2 is a partial sectional View of the extension device
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is an end view of the device taken generally from the site of line 44 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an extension arm of the extension device taken along line 55 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.
  • the extension device 10 attached to a toggle lever 12 of a wall toggle swtich 14 set in a vertical wall 16.
  • the extension device 10 comprises a relatively nonrigid cap member 18 that is pivotally held to an elongated arm member 20.
  • the arm member 20 is preferably formed of a moldable plastic, and is provided at one end with a figure 24 which may be of interest to a child.
  • the cross section of the arm member 26 is best shown in FIG. 5 where it is seen to be reinforced at its outer ends by an increase of thickness.
  • the arm member 20 at its end opposite the figure 24 is bifurcated to provide two, spaced, parallel arms 26 and 28, each of which carries on its inner face an inwardly projecting pivot boss 39 and 32, respectively.
  • the two pivot bosses 30 and 32 are coaxial.
  • the rubber cap 18 of the extension device 10 of the invention may be made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or other elastic material having the general pliable nonrigid characteristics commonly associated with natural rubber.
  • the term rubber is used herein to include both synthetic and natural elastic materials.
  • the cap 18 is provided with a cavity 34 which preferably is cylindrical. With installation of the cap 18 over the toggle lever 12, the cavity 34 has its wall deformed to conform substantially to the cross section of the toggle lever and if necessary will circumferentially elongate to accept a larger lever. The deformation and elongation, as will be seen in FIG. 6, results in a snug fit between the toggle lever 12 and cap 18.
  • the cap 18 is preferably provided with a cylindrical outer wall having at one end away from the cavity 34, two aligned holes into which the pivot bosses 30 and 32 fit to provide a pivot mounting for the arm member 26.
  • Toggle levers of different switches generally have similar configurations and a rubber cap 18 of one size will by deflection and elongation accommodate a wide range of toggle levers.
  • the cap 18 permits twisting of the arm member 20 without damage to the toggle switch, and being made of rubber it guards against marring the swtich.
  • the design of the extension device of the invention as shown in phantom lines of FIG. 1 permits pivoting of the arm member 20 upwardly to lean against the wall above the switch, placing the extension device out of the reach of the child when desired.
  • the rubber cap 18 will more snugly engage the toggle lever with application of a pulling or twisting force to the elongated arm member 20.
  • An operating device for a toggle lever of a toggle switch comprising:
  • a pliable, relatively nonrigid cap formed of a rubber material and comprising a first section containing a cylindrical cavity and a second section integral with said first section and having a solid cross section, said cylindrical cavity of the first section being adapted to snugly engage the toggle lever, said snug engagement providing the sole means for retaining the rubber cap to the toggle lever;

Landscapes

  • Tumbler Switches (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)

Description

March 30, 1965 B. M. CRAIG EXTENSION DEVICE FOR TOGGLE SWITCHES R w w P M m 4 E s M y w m United States Patent 3,175,420 EXTENSHUN DEVICE FOR TDGGLE SWTTCHES Bnrnie M. Craig, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to (Io-Bar Enterprises, Tue, Reseda, Calif-, a corporation of California Filed May 22, 1961, Ser. No. 111,841 1 Claim. (Cl. 74-544) This invention relates to an extension device for connection to a pivoted toggle or control lever of a wall located toggle switch to facilitate operation of the switch by a small child or another who is unable to reach to the level of the switch.
Switches 01" the foregoing type have a toggle lever pivotally extending through a cover plate normally set nearly flush in a vertical wall surface. The switch is controlled by a snap action supplied to the toggle lever. The device of ll. invention may be used with switches generally having a pivotally positioned control lever including high voltage switches.
Wall switches are customarily positioned at a height of four or five feet or so above the floor at a level that makes the switch easily operable by adults. Small children in order to use the switch must pull a chair or other furniture to the switch, or have the assistance of an adult.
Extension or operating arms of various types have been proposed heretofore but such devices have for the most part been unduly complex for the simple service which they perform. Invariably the structures of the extension devices previously suggested have been rigidly connected through a pivot to the toggle lever of the wall toggle switch, with the result that damage to the switch occasionally occurs when a twisting force or a lateral force is applied to the toggle lever through the extension arm. The extension devices commonly used have been frequently objected to because of their tendency to mar the switch with which they are used, both the cover plate and the toggle lever.
The structure of the improved extension device of the invention remedies the foregoing shortcomings commonly found in extension arms. The extension device of the invention comprises a pliable, relatively nonrigid cap formed of a rubber material which is adapted to fit snugly over the toggle lever of a wall toggle switch. An elongated arm member is pivotally supported on the rubber cap, and is adapted to swing about this pivot in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the toggle switch without deforming the rubber cap; and to swing laterally of the toggle switch by deformation of the rubber cap. The cap upon application of a pulling force to the elongated arm more snugly engages the toggle lever. The rubber cap has been found to permit limited twisting of the arm member without damage to the toggle switch. Preferably, the cap before placement over the toggle switch has a cylindrical cavity. Upon installation, the wall of the cylindrical cavity of the rubber cap deforms to conform substantially to the cross section of the toggle lever, thus providing a snug fit between the toggle lever and the rubber cap.
These and other advantages of the structure of the invention will become more apparent in view of the following specification and drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the extension device positioned on a toggle lever of a toggle switch located in a wall;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional View of the extension device;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an end view of the device taken generally from the site of line 44 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an extension arm of the extension device taken along line 55 of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.
With reference to the drawing, there is illustrated an extension device 10 attached to a toggle lever 12 of a wall toggle swtich 14 set in a vertical wall 16. The extension device 10 comprises a relatively nonrigid cap member 18 that is pivotally held to an elongated arm member 20. The arm member 20 is preferably formed of a moldable plastic, and is provided at one end with a figure 24 which may be of interest to a child. The cross section of the arm member 26 is best shown in FIG. 5 where it is seen to be reinforced at its outer ends by an increase of thickness. The arm member 20 at its end opposite the figure 24 is bifurcated to provide two, spaced, parallel arms 26 and 28, each of which carries on its inner face an inwardly projecting pivot boss 39 and 32, respectively. The two pivot bosses 30 and 32 are coaxial.
The rubber cap 18 of the extension device 10 of the invention may be made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or other elastic material having the general pliable nonrigid characteristics commonly associated with natural rubber. The term rubber is used herein to include both synthetic and natural elastic materials. The cap 18 is provided with a cavity 34 which preferably is cylindrical. With installation of the cap 18 over the toggle lever 12, the cavity 34 has its wall deformed to conform substantially to the cross section of the toggle lever and if necessary will circumferentially elongate to accept a larger lever. The deformation and elongation, as will be seen in FIG. 6, results in a snug fit between the toggle lever 12 and cap 18. The cap 18 is preferably provided with a cylindrical outer wall having at one end away from the cavity 34, two aligned holes into which the pivot bosses 30 and 32 fit to provide a pivot mounting for the arm member 26. Toggle levers of different switches generally have similar configurations and a rubber cap 18 of one size will by deflection and elongation accommodate a wide range of toggle levers. The cap 18 permits twisting of the arm member 20 without damage to the toggle switch, and being made of rubber it guards against marring the swtich. The design of the extension device of the invention, as shown in phantom lines of FIG. 1 permits pivoting of the arm member 20 upwardly to lean against the wall above the switch, placing the extension device out of the reach of the child when desired.
The rubber cap 18 will more snugly engage the toggle lever with application of a pulling or twisting force to the elongated arm member 20.
Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications, and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claim which follows.
I claim:
An operating device for a toggle lever of a toggle switch comprising:
a pliable, relatively nonrigid cap formed of a rubber material and comprising a first section containing a cylindrical cavity and a second section integral with said first section and having a solid cross section, said cylindrical cavity of the first section being adapted to snugly engage the toggle lever, said snug engagement providing the sole means for retaining the rubber cap to the toggle lever; and
an elongated arm member pivotally held to the second section of the cap, said cap more snugly engaging the toggle lever with application of a pulling force to said elongated arm member and said rubber cap permit- 3 ting limited twisting by the arm member without 2,666,340 damage to the toggle switch. 2,692,932 2,7128% References Cited by the Examiner 2,726,303 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 333 2 1,370,730 3/21 Carver 74-563 g fi 1,487,276 3/24 Schwengel. 2,539,386 l/51 Albert 74566 X 2,574,423 11/51 Sweeney.
Hunt 74-551.9 Parke et a1 74-544 X Allen.
Berndsen 74503 X Koch 287-53 Proland.
Sanders et a1.
BRGUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner.
US111841A 1961-05-22 1961-05-22 Extension device for toggle switches Expired - Lifetime US3175420A (en)

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Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3279760A (en) * 1964-07-09 1966-10-18 Beebe Bros Inc Dielectric ratchet hoist
US3339051A (en) * 1966-05-13 1967-08-29 Vall Dolores R De Light switch extension arm
US3581037A (en) * 1969-10-15 1971-05-25 Richard A Schiffelbein Extension device for toggle switches
US3590648A (en) * 1969-08-19 1971-07-06 De Witt Y Gorman Remote light-switching apparatus
US3617676A (en) * 1970-06-24 1971-11-02 Arrow Hart Inc Switch handle for field assembly
US3722319A (en) * 1971-05-03 1973-03-27 A Reznik Device for operating the toggle arm of conventional light switch
US4141402A (en) * 1977-11-07 1979-02-27 Marathon Manufacturing Company Venetian blind tilter operating mechanism with snap-on wand connection
US4419556A (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-12-06 Hare Patrick H Extension control device and tubing member for controlling switch actuation
US4535648A (en) * 1983-07-05 1985-08-20 Stelzer Jack C Control handle extension
US5017746A (en) * 1990-02-28 1991-05-21 Guimarin Henry L Low cost light switch extension arm
US5046143A (en) * 1990-06-11 1991-09-03 Uher Roy A Switch actuating extension
US5124513A (en) * 1991-04-19 1992-06-23 Earl Blair Flexible electrical switch extender
US5396037A (en) * 1994-03-10 1995-03-07 Moore; Keith Light switch extension
US5782342A (en) * 1996-11-05 1998-07-21 Hewitt; Leslie N. Apparatus and method for light switch operation
US5875886A (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-03-02 Illumination S.L.E. Inc. Light switch extension
USD429222S (en) * 1999-03-18 2000-08-08 Charles Bryan Phillips Light switch extension
USD431229S (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-09-26 Grand General Accessories Manufacturing Inc. Extension cover for toggle switch levers
US6822177B1 (en) 2003-05-23 2004-11-23 Laplante Grant W. Switch actuator
US20050230234A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-20 James Zamecnik Light switch extension
US20100170773A1 (en) * 2008-09-22 2010-07-08 Anthony Grisby Decorative Light Switch Cover
US10141136B1 (en) * 2017-07-25 2018-11-27 John Volpe Light switch actuator

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1370730A (en) * 1919-06-20 1921-03-08 Carver Thomas Calrow Pedal-cover
US1487276A (en) * 1922-07-22 1924-03-18 Schwengel Oscar Time-controlled switch mechanism
US2539386A (en) * 1945-05-16 1951-01-30 Donald E Albert Rotary control mechanism
US2574423A (en) * 1951-02-09 1951-11-06 Leo M Sweeney Awning construction
US2666340A (en) * 1950-03-29 1954-01-19 Hunt Wilde Corp Handgrip
US2692932A (en) * 1952-07-23 1954-10-26 Donald C Parke Extension handle for toggle switches
US2719898A (en) * 1952-04-15 1955-10-04 Kay W Allen Switch operating attachment
US2726303A (en) * 1953-04-06 1955-12-06 William E Berndsen Attachment control for toggle switch
US2974984A (en) * 1959-05-18 1961-03-14 Westinghouse Electric Corp Coupling apparatus
US3041433A (en) * 1959-12-23 1962-06-26 Furnas Electric Co Connecting device for coupling reset plungers
US3121778A (en) * 1961-02-15 1964-02-18 Howard H Sander Switch extension attachment

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1370730A (en) * 1919-06-20 1921-03-08 Carver Thomas Calrow Pedal-cover
US1487276A (en) * 1922-07-22 1924-03-18 Schwengel Oscar Time-controlled switch mechanism
US2539386A (en) * 1945-05-16 1951-01-30 Donald E Albert Rotary control mechanism
US2666340A (en) * 1950-03-29 1954-01-19 Hunt Wilde Corp Handgrip
US2574423A (en) * 1951-02-09 1951-11-06 Leo M Sweeney Awning construction
US2719898A (en) * 1952-04-15 1955-10-04 Kay W Allen Switch operating attachment
US2692932A (en) * 1952-07-23 1954-10-26 Donald C Parke Extension handle for toggle switches
US2726303A (en) * 1953-04-06 1955-12-06 William E Berndsen Attachment control for toggle switch
US2974984A (en) * 1959-05-18 1961-03-14 Westinghouse Electric Corp Coupling apparatus
US3041433A (en) * 1959-12-23 1962-06-26 Furnas Electric Co Connecting device for coupling reset plungers
US3121778A (en) * 1961-02-15 1964-02-18 Howard H Sander Switch extension attachment

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3279760A (en) * 1964-07-09 1966-10-18 Beebe Bros Inc Dielectric ratchet hoist
US3339051A (en) * 1966-05-13 1967-08-29 Vall Dolores R De Light switch extension arm
US3590648A (en) * 1969-08-19 1971-07-06 De Witt Y Gorman Remote light-switching apparatus
US3581037A (en) * 1969-10-15 1971-05-25 Richard A Schiffelbein Extension device for toggle switches
US3617676A (en) * 1970-06-24 1971-11-02 Arrow Hart Inc Switch handle for field assembly
US3722319A (en) * 1971-05-03 1973-03-27 A Reznik Device for operating the toggle arm of conventional light switch
US4141402A (en) * 1977-11-07 1979-02-27 Marathon Manufacturing Company Venetian blind tilter operating mechanism with snap-on wand connection
US4419556A (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-12-06 Hare Patrick H Extension control device and tubing member for controlling switch actuation
US4535648A (en) * 1983-07-05 1985-08-20 Stelzer Jack C Control handle extension
US5017746A (en) * 1990-02-28 1991-05-21 Guimarin Henry L Low cost light switch extension arm
US5046143A (en) * 1990-06-11 1991-09-03 Uher Roy A Switch actuating extension
US5124513A (en) * 1991-04-19 1992-06-23 Earl Blair Flexible electrical switch extender
US5396037A (en) * 1994-03-10 1995-03-07 Moore; Keith Light switch extension
US5782342A (en) * 1996-11-05 1998-07-21 Hewitt; Leslie N. Apparatus and method for light switch operation
US5875886A (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-03-02 Illumination S.L.E. Inc. Light switch extension
USD429222S (en) * 1999-03-18 2000-08-08 Charles Bryan Phillips Light switch extension
USD431229S (en) * 1999-04-22 2000-09-26 Grand General Accessories Manufacturing Inc. Extension cover for toggle switch levers
US6822177B1 (en) 2003-05-23 2004-11-23 Laplante Grant W. Switch actuator
US20050230234A1 (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-20 James Zamecnik Light switch extension
US7038153B2 (en) 2004-03-31 2006-05-02 Z-Enterprises Light switch extension
US20100170773A1 (en) * 2008-09-22 2010-07-08 Anthony Grisby Decorative Light Switch Cover
US8253049B2 (en) 2008-09-22 2012-08-28 Anthony Grisby Decorative light switch cover
US10141136B1 (en) * 2017-07-25 2018-11-27 John Volpe Light switch actuator

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