Patent · US Expired

Electrical switch and dimmer control device

US6005308A · kind A · utility

220Cited by
9References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 1993
Grant dateDec 21, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S323/905
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electrical switch and dimmer device for controlling current applied to a load comprises a bezel assembly (16) which includes a bezel housing (17), a switch actuator (18) and a dimmer actuator (19). The bezel housing supports both switch and dimmer actuators for respective movement between first and second positions, whereby the on/off state of an electrical switch adapted to apply power to an electrical load (e.g. an electric light or fan) is controllable, as is the level of power applied to the load by the switch. The bezel housing and the switch/dimmer actuators which it supports comprise a self-contained assembly which can be releasably connected to a yoke member (20) on which an electrical switch and dimmer circuitry are mounted. Preferably, the switch actuator comprises a paddle-type actuator (18) which is pivotally mounted between a pair of opposing side walls (48A, 48B) of the bezel housing, and the dimmer actuator comprises a slidably mounted member (21) which is guided by a rectilinear slot (23) formed in one of the bezel walls adjacent an edge of the paddle actuator.

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