GB2211997A

GB2211997A - A light switch cover

Info

Publication number: GB2211997A
Application number: GB8725865A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Susan Alicia Small; Andrew Gilbert Stiles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-11-04
Filing date: 1987-11-04
Publication date: 1989-07-12
Also published as: GB8725865D0

Abstract

A light switch cover 1 for a wall mounted light switch 5 having a switch housing 6 proud of the wall comprises a front face 2 and a rear mounting face provided with a recessed location 4 for receiving the light switch housing 6 as a substantially complementary fit. There is at least one opening 9 in the cover through which the adjustable switch operating member 8 may be operated. A means 10 for retaining the cover 1 on the housing 6 is provided which allows the switch cover to be easily removed, if desired. The front face may provide an aesthetically appealing design or surface for carrying information. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE "A light switch cover" TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND ART The present invention relates to a light switch cover and more particularly to a cover for a wall mounted light switch. The majority of modern wall mounted light switches are of a generally standard size or range of sizes and configuration, usually rectangular with one or more adjustable switch components located in the front of a housing for the switch. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for such a light switch which may readily be fitted in a safe and inexpensive manner to provide, for example, an aesthetically appealing design or a surface for carrying information.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION & ADVANTAGES According to the present invention there is provided a light switch cover for a wall mounted light switch having a switch housing proud of the wall and an adjustable switch component in a front of the housing and which cover comprises a front face and a rear mounting face; means defining a recessed location in the mounting face and within which location the proud switch housing is intended to be received, an opening in the cover from its front face to its rear face and through which the adjustable switch component is to be operated and means for retaining the cover on the housing.

Further according to the present invention there is provided the combination of a light switch cover as specified in the immediately preceding paragraph and a wall mounted light switch to which the cover is fitted and retained.

By the present invention it is envisaged that the cover, which will usually be formed of a lightweight and durable material such as a moulding of insulating plastics or resin, may be shaped and/or decorated to provide an aesthetically appealing front face which is displayed when the cover is fitted to a standard light switch housing (preferably so that the light switch housing is hidden behind the cover except for the adjustable switch component which is operable through the opening in the coupling).

It will be apparent that the cover can thus be decorated or designed in an appropriately appealing manner for use on light switches in nurseries, children's rooms or for generally decorative purposes or can serve a more functional purpose of carrying information which is readily visible on operating the light switch.

The general standardisation of light switches permits the recessed location to be formed to standard dimensions appropriate to the different sized switches and, preferably so that the switch housing is received in the recessed location as a substantially complementary fit. The recessed location can be defined by one or more walls or studs extending outwardly from the rear face of the cover.

Preferably however the location is in the form of a recess or a hollow portion of the cover and within which the proud switch housing is accommodated. The majority of light switches have a single adjustable switch component such as a rocker switch or rotational dimmer switch and the opening in the cover is located to coincide with this adjustable component and may be appropriately shaped to accomodate movement of the component, for example a rectagular opening for rocker switches and a circular opening for rotational dimmer switch components. Where a wall mounted light switch has multiple switch components then it will be appreciated that the cover can be provided with a corresponding number of openings for the respective switch components.

The cover is preferably retained on the switch housing by one or more double sided adhesive pads which are conveniently positioned within the recessed location to adhere to the front of the switch housing. Alternatively the retaining means may comprise a grub screw, spring or other form of clamp device which engages a side of the switch housing. By these proposals it will be apparent that the cover can easily be fitted to or removed from a light switch housing without interfering with the light switch or its electrical connections.

It will also be realised that the facility to remove the cover permits the surrounding wall to be decorated or painted without cutting into the area adjacent to the light switch since this area can be hidden behind the cover.

DRAWINGS One embodiment of a light switch cover constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the cover; Figure 2 is a front view of the cover shown in Figure 1 when fitted to a light switch housing having a rocker switch; Figure 3 shows the cover of Figure 1 being fitted to the light switch, the cover being shown in section along the line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cover in Figure 1 being fitted to the light switch; Figure 5 shows a modification of the cover in Figure 1 and suitable for fitting to a light switch housing having a rotational dimmer switch, and Figure 6 shows the cover of Figure 5 fitted to a dimmer switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The light switch cover 1 is moulded in an insulating plastics material, in the present example to provide a plate or panel having a front face 2 with a shape and colouring of a wormed bitten apple regarded as appealing to children. The rear face 3 of the cover has a rectangular recess 4 which substantially corresponds in shape to a standard rectangularly shaped wall mounted light switch 5 having a housing 6 which stands proud of a wall 7. In Figures 2 to 4 the light switch 5 has a conventional rocker switch 8 located in the front of the housing6. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 the cover is provided with a rectangular aperture 9 which corresponds in shape to, and is slightly larger than, the rocker switch 8.

The cover 1 is fitted to the light switch 5 so that the housing 6 is accommodated within the recess 4 and the rocker switch 8 coincides with the aperture 9 so that the switch can be operated through the aperture. For the purpose of retaining the cover 1, double sided adhesive pads 10 are provided on the cover within the recess 4 to abut and adhere to the front face of the switch housing 6.

In the modification of Figure 5 the opening 9a in the cover is circular to accommodate and permit adjustment of a rotational dimmer switch component 8a as shown in Figure 6.

Claims

CLAIrlS

1. A light switch cover for a wall mounted light switch having a switch housing proud of the wall and an adjustable switch component in front of the housing and which cover comprises a front face and a rear mounting face; means defining a recessed location in the mounting face and within which location the proud switch housing is intended to be received, an opening in the cover from its front face to its rear face an9 through which the adjustable switch component is to be operated and means for retaining the cover on the housing.

2. A light switch cover as claimed in Claim 1 wherein means are provided as to the combination of a light stitch cover and a wall mounted light switch to which the cover is fitted and retained.

3. A light switch cover as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the recessed location in the mounting face will be formed to standard dimensions appropriate to the different sized switches so that the switch housing is received in the recessed location as a substantially complementary fit.

4. A light switch cover as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the recessed location can be defined by one or more walls or studs extending outwardly from the rear face of the cover, or preferably the location is in the form CLAIMS Continued.

of a recess or hollow portion of the cover and within which the proud switch housing is accommodated.

5. A light switch cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein an opening in the cover from its front face to its rear face is located to coincide with the adjustable switch component and be appropriately shaped to accommodate movement of the component.

6. A light switch cover as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the opening in the cover mav he adapted (for example, if a wall mounted light switch has multiple site components), with a corresponding number of openings for the respective switch components.

7. A light switch cover as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a means is provided for retaining the cover on the housing, either by double-sided adhesive pads which are conveniently positioned within the recessed location or alternatively, the means may comprise a grub screw, spring or other form of clamp device which engages a side of the switch housing.

8. A light switch cover as substantially described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.