GB2303966A

GB2303966A - A decorative surround for an electric light switch or socket

Info

Publication number: GB2303966A
Application number: GB9515687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shirley Mary Curtis
Original assignee: CURTIS PETER JAMES
Current assignee: CURTIS PETER JAMES
Priority date: 1995-07-31
Filing date: 1995-07-31
Publication date: 1997-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-31
Also published as: GB2303966B; GB9515687D0

Abstract

A decorative surround (2) for an electric light switch (4) or socket comprises four sides (10) for fitting around and adjacent to the four sides of the light switch (4) or socket, a central aperture (12) through which the light switch (4) or socket is visible and accessible, and adhesive means on at least one of the four sides (10) for enabling the decorative surround (2) to be fitted around the light switch (4) or socket and retained in position without the need to unscrew the light switch (4) or socket.

Description

A DECORATIVE SURROUND FOR AN ELECTRIC LIGHT SWITCH OR SOCKET This invention relates to a decorative surround for an electric light switch or socket.

Electric light switches and sockets in walls are plain items which usually go unnoticed. It is an aim of the present invention to enable the light switches or sockets to be visually enhanced.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a decorative surround for an electric light switch or socket, which decorative surround comprises four sides for fitting around and adjacent to the four sides of the light switch or socket, a central aperture through which the light switch or socket is visible and accessible, and adhesive means on at least one of the four sides for enabling the decorative surround to be fitted around the light switch or socket and retained in position without the need to unscrew the light switch or socket.

The decorative surround visually enhances the appearance of the light switch or the socket. Because the decorative surround uses the adhesive means, it is easy to fit and there is no need to bore screw holes as would be the case if the decorative surround were to be screwed into position. Still further, there is no need to unscrew the light switch or socket and so the decorative surround can be fitted in complete safety.

Preferably, the decorative surround is one in which the four sides define a recess into which the light switch or socket fits, the decorative surround then being such that it overlaps the periphery of a front face of the light switch or socket. Such a decorative surround provides a very neat appearance.

Usually, the depth of the recess will be only just fractionally larger than the amount by which the light switch or socket extends proud of the wall in which the light switch or socket is fitted. The decorative surround is then able to be a very neat flush fit around the light switch or socket.

The adhesive means will usually be on all four sides of the decorative surround.

Usually, the adhesive means will be positioned on a rear face of the or each side so that when the decorative surround is installed, the decorative surround adheres to a wall containing the light switch or socket. Alternatively, if desired, the adhesive means may be positioned on a part of the or each side that is adjacent the light switch or socket so that when the decorative surround is installed, the decorative surround adheres to the light switch or socket. Where the decorative surround has the recess and the decorative surround is to adhere to the light switch or socket, then the adhesive means may be positioned on the part of the or each side that overlaps the periphery of the front face of the light switch or socket.

Usually, the adhesive means will comprise a layer of adhesive which is protected by a peel-off cover.

The layer of adhesive may be provided on a backing strip. The backing strip may be made of a plastics material or paper. Alternatively, if desired, the layer of adhesive may be provided on a foam plastics backing strip. The foam plastics backing strip may enable any uneven parts on a wall to be taken up when the decorative surround is fitted over the light switch or socket and pushed against the wall. The taking up of such uneven parts helps to firmly adhere the decorative surround in position and it also helps to avoid the rocking of the decorative surround after it has been installed.

The sides of the decorative surround may be made of wood or a plastics material. Any suitable and appropriate plastics material may be employed. Where a plastics material is employed, then the sides may be extruded. The sides may be extruded as beading which is then cut to size. The separate size can be mitred and secured together with metal pins, an adhesive or any other suitable and appropriate means.

The decorative surround may be produced to have any decorative effect. Thus the decorative surround may have a wood effect and examples of appropriate wood effects are light oak, dark oak, pine, ash, mahogany, rosewood, yew and bamboo. The desired decorative surround may be coloured and examples of colours are plain colours and pastel colours. If desired the decorative surround may be produced to have floral designs. The decorative surround may have a gold or brass effect for bedrooms. Generally, the decorative surround can be produced to be of any desired colour or decorative effect. Luminescent colours may enable light switches and sockets easily to be identified at night, thereby providing a safety feature in hospitals, care homes, office buildings and in homes in general.

The sides of the decorative surround may be produced in any suitable and appropriate cross sectional shapes. The production of a wide variety of cross sectional shapes is especially easy if the sides are moulded as long strips of material which are then cut to length.

The decorative surround may be mounted on a card for sale. The decorative surround will usually be sold in an assembled form, in which case the card may display a picture of the socket or switch such that the picture of the socket or switch is positioned in the central aperture of the decorative surround. Thus persons seeing the decorative surround in its packaged form will easily be able to appreciate how the decorative surround operates and can be installed.

If desired, the decorative surround may be sold in kit form for home assembly. Where the decorative surround is sold in kit form, the various sides can be cut to length if necessary. Where the decorative surround is sold in kit form, then the adhesive means will usually be provided on the sides. If desired however the adhesive means may be separate from the sides or it may be sold separately. Home assembly may be preferred for unusual sized light switches or sockets, such for example as treble light switches.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a decorative surround fitted around an electric light switch; Figure 2 is a rear view of the decorative surround shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a partial cross section of the decorative surround as shown in Figure 1 and shows also part of the light switch and a wall; Figures 4 - 7 are cross sections illustrating different types of decorative surrounds; Figure 8 is a front view of a decorative surround fitted around an electric socket; and Figure 9 is a rear view of the socket shown in Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a decorative surround 2 fitted around an electric light switch 4. The light switch 4 has an on/off switch 6 and a pair of holding screws 8.

The decorative surround 2 comprises four sides 10 which fit around and lie adjacent to the four sides of the light switch 4. The four sides 10 define a central aperture 12 through which the light switch 4 is visible and accessible.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the decorative surround 2 has adhesive means 14 along each of the four sides 10. The adhesive means 14 enables the decorative surround 2 to be fitted around the light switch 4 and retained in position without the need to unscrew the light switch 4 from the wall 14.

As can also best be seen from Figure 3, the four sides 10 define a recess 18 into which the light switch 4 fits. The decorative surround 2 is then such that when it is installed as shown in Figure 3, the decorative surround 2 overlaps the periphery of a front face 20 of the light switch 4. The overlapping is effected by a lip part 22 of the sides 10. The depth of the recess 18 is only just fractionally larger than the amount by which the light switch 4 extends proud of the wall 16. This enables the decorative surround 2 to be a neat close fit on the wall 16 and around the light switch 4. The depth of the recess 18 for all wall switches and all sockets except kitchen sockets is approximately 8mm. Kitchen sockets usually extend slightly more proud of the wall 16 and the recess 18 will normally need to be approximately 13mm for kitchen sockets.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the adhesive means 14 is positioned on a rear face 24 of each of the sides 10. As shown, the adhesive means 14 comprises a layer of adhesive which is provided on a backing strip. The backing strip is thus able to be stuck to the rear face 24. The adhesive will usually be protected by a peel-off cover (not shown) prior to use of the decorative surround 2.

Figure 2 also illustrates how the sides 10 are mitred and joined together at joints 26. Metals clips 28 are employed to fix the sides 10 together.

In Figure 3, the front face of the side 10 has been shown by dotted lines 30. This is to indicate that the sides 10 can be produced in a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing shapes. Examples of such shapes are shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Figure 8 shows a decorative surround 2 fitted to an electric double socket 32. Similar parts as in previous Figures have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. As can be seen from Figure 8, the socket 32 has two pairs of socket openings 34 each for receiving an electric plug (not shown).

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, for example, the lip 22 of the sides 10 could be omitted if desired. Also, the adhesive means 14 could be provided on a foam strip for taking up any unevenness on the face of the wall 16. The surround of the invention may be made in sizes to suit light switches and sockets made in other countries.

Claims

1. A decorative surround for an electric light switch or socket, which decorative surround comprises four sides for fitting around and adjacent to the four sides of the light switch or socket, a central aperture through which the light switch or socket is visible and accessible, and adhesive means on at least one of the four sides for enabling the decorative surround to be fitted around the light switch or socket and retained in position without the need to unscrew the light switch or socket.

2. A decorative surround according to claim 1 in which the four sides define a recess into which the light switch or socket fits, the decorative surround then being such that when it is installed it overlaps the periphery of a front face of the light switch or socket.

3. A decorative surround according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the adhesive means is on all four of the sides.

4. A decorative surround according to any one of the preceding claims in which the adhesive means is positioned on a rear face of the or each side so that when the decorative surround is installed, the decorative surround adheres to a wall containing the light switch or socket.

5. A decorative surround according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the adhesive means is positioned on a part of the or each side that is adjacent the light switch or socket so that when the decorative surround is installed, the decorative surround adheres to the light switch or socket.

6. A decorative surround according to claims 2 and 5 in which the adhesive means is positioned on the part of the or each side that overlaps the periphery of the front face of the light switch or socket.

7. A decorative surround according to any one of the preceding claims in which the adhesive means comprises a layer of adhesive which is protected by a peel-off cover.

8. A decorative surround according to claim 7 in which the layer of adhesive is provided on a backing strip.

9. A decorative surround according to claim 8 in which the backing strip is a plastics material backing strip, a paper backing strip, or a foam plastics backing strip.

10. A decorative surround according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sides are made of wood or a plastics material.

11. A decorative surround for an electric light switch or socket, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.