Patent · US Expired

Wall box dimming system and face plate and switch assembly therefor

US4893062A · kind A · utility

83Cited by
1References
41Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 21, 1987
Grant dateJan 9, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 21, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05B47/155
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A wall box dimming system assembly controls the intensity level of a plurality of groups of lights in accordance with a plurality of preset scenes. The electronics for carrying out the dimmer operations are preferably mounted in a housing adapted to fit in a standard four gang wall box. A face plate assembly is coupled to the housing and has a larger profile than the housing as viewed from an entry position located in front of the face plate assembly. At least some of the control switches which enable the operator to switch control over the dimming levels from scene to scene and/or turn the system off are located outside of the profile of the wall box housing. The face plate assembly includes a support plate and a window pivotally connected to the support plate and moveable between a closed position, wherein access to slide potentiometers which control the dimming levels of the lights is blocked, and an open position, wherein the operator can gain access to the slide potentiometers. A novel hinge structure maintains the window in the open position once the window has been moved into this position by the operator of the dimmer so that the operator can adjust the positions of the sli…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.