GB2282914A

GB2282914A - Electric wall switches

Info

Publication number: GB2282914A
Application number: GB9419394A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Collins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-09
Filing date: 1994-09-27
Publication date: 1995-04-19
Also published as: GB9320826D0; GB9419394D0

Abstract

A wall switch assembly is made operable by small children by a line that hangs down from it adjacent the wall. A pull switch is carried behind a plate that fixes to a recessed box or to a pattress such that the pulling direction is substantially parallel to the plate. The plate has a flange projecting towards the wall with an aperture or cut out through which the line extends from the pull switch without significant deviation. The plate may be blank, so that the switch is operable only by the line, or it may carry a lever, toggle or button connected to the pull switch to give alternative operation. This connection may be mechanical, or electrical through a second two-way switch, the pull switch also being two-way. The plate may be illuminated and the line may include an optic fibre.

Description

"Im rovements relating to Electric Switches This invention relates to electric switches, and in particular to wall switches for lights and other appliances.

These are generally fitted over a metre from the ground, and often rather higher, in the range 1.2 to 1.5m.

They are thus out of reach of small children. However, while that might be a good thing for those at the toddling stage, most five or six year olds could be entrusted to operate lights if only they could reach them.

Re-wiring to set normal switches lower would be an extravagance, and leave adults groping when they came to operate them. One expedient could be to use pendant switches, which are normally fixed to ceilings in bathrooms and other places where electrical fittings should be out of reach. However, if a normal wall switch was replaced by one, it would project much further and the line by which it is operated would have to turn through 900 about quite a sharp corner. There would be added friction and a tendency to wear and break.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a switch which should largely answer this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a wall switch assembly comprising a plate for fitting to a recessed box or to a pattress and carrying on its side to be concealed a pull switch of the kind in which alternate pulls on an attached line turn the switch 'on' and 'off', the pull switch being oriented so that the pulling direction is substantially parallel to the plate, and the plate providing means for the line from the switch to pass beyond it without substantial deviation from the pulling direction.

The means for the line to pass beyond the plate may be an aperture or cutout in a flange around the periphery of the plate projecting towards the wall when the assembly is fitted. This will set the plate just proud of the wall when no pattress is used. This flange may be moulded entire with the plate in plastics material, with a weakened portion that can be easily pierced or broken away to provide the cutout or aperture. When installed, the plate will be arranged so that this part of the flange is lowermost, and the line will then hang vertically from the pull switch through the aperture or cutout without significant deviation.

The plate may be blank so that the switch can only be operated by the line. However it would be feasible for the plate to carry a lever, toggle or button for alternative operation of the switch assembly. The lever, toggle or button could be mechanically linked to the pull switch to operate the latter. Alternatively, the pull switch could be two-way, and the lever, toggle or button could operate another two-way switch carried by the plate. The two switches would then be electrically connected so that either pulling the line or actuating the lever, toggle or button would change the output of the assembly. In other words, there are then two modes of operation, one for adults and the other for children. Once the children of the house have grown up sufficiently not to need the line, the latter can simply be removed for tidiness sake, and no replacement switch will have to be fitted.

The plate may have an LED or other low powered source of light on its exposed face, energised when the switch is off, to show where it is in the dark. Alternatively, the material of which the plate is made may be translucent or fluorescent and thus show up by means of a light source on the concealed side. Preferably, the light would diffuse over the whole area of the plate. The line could incorporate one or more optic fibres so that the pull element at the free end would be illuminated by pin pricks of light derived from the source behind the plate.

The line may incorporate a weak link or connector that will part if too vigorous a pull is exerted, thus avoiding damage to the switch. Instead of a nondescript 'acorn' on the end, there could be a more entertaining element for a child to pull, such as a model animal.

This form of pull switch, especially one with a blank plate, could of course be used elsewhere than in children's rooms, and they may be preferred with certain wiring layouts for bathrooms and so on, rather than ceiling fittings.

When there is concern that the pull will chafe ayainst the wall, the switch can of course be mounted on a pattress to ensure that the line hangs clear.

Claims

1. A wall switch assembly comprising a plate for fitting to a recessed box or to a pattress and carrying on its side to be concealed a pull switch of the kind in which alternate pulls on an attached line turn the switch 'on' and 'off', the pull switch being oriented so that the pulling direction is substantially parallel to the plate, and the plate providing means for the line from the switch to pass beyond it without substantial deviation from the pulling.

2. A wall switch assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the plate has a peripheral flange which projects towards the wall when the assembly is fitted, and wherein the means for the line to pass beyond the plate is an aperture in or cut out from this flange.

3. A wall switch assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the plate and its flange are of moulded plastics material, initially with a weakened portion in the flange that can be pierced or broken away to form the aperture or cut out.

4. A wall switch assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the plate is blank and the switch is operable only by the line.

5. A wall switch assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the plate carries a lever, toggle or button for alternative operation for the switch assembly.

6. A wall switch assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the lever, toggle or button is mechanically linked to the pull switch to operate the latter.

7. A wall switch assembly as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the pull switch is two-way and the lever, toggle or button operate another two-way switch carried by the plate and electrically connected to the first two-way pull switch so that either pulling the line or actuating the lever, toggle or button changes the electrical output of the assembly.

8. A wall switch assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate carries means for illuminating itself when the switch assembly is off.

9. A wall switch assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the line includes an optic fibre for providing illumination of its free end from a source carried by the plate.

10. A wall switch assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the line incorporates a weak link or connector.