GB2512322A

GB2512322A - Switch adaptor

Info

Publication number: GB2512322A
Application number: GB201305479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Ward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-26
Filing date: 2013-03-26
Publication date: 2014-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-26
Also published as: GB201305479D0; GB2512322B

Abstract

A pull-cord adaptor 10 comprises a base 11 releasably mounted on a switch 50 and a mechanism 13 attached to the base that engages an actuator 51 and effects consecutive switching operations of actuator 51 in response to consecutive movements of adaptor actuator 16 in a first direction by an operator such as pulling a cord (fig 2A, 24). The mechanism may comprise a rotatable crank 15 to engage actuator 51, that is pivoted in a housing 12 and has pins 22 that are engaged by collars of a spring-loaded slider 17. A latch mechanism (fig 1B) alternately keeps the slider in one of two positions, effected by rotating the slider 17 using cams 33 on actuator 16 causing fins 40 in slider 17 to enter slots 28 in sleeve 14 upon alternate movements of actuator 16. The adaptor can be fixed to the switch by screws and allows operation of a rocker switch by children.

Description

I'I'FJIE; S'WTFCH ADAPTOR

DESCRIPTiON 1 (1

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to adaptors to iheilitate the operation of switches, in particular adaptors to facilitate the operation of rocker and toggle switches by those of small staiure, or by some form of disability confining them to a wheelchair or similar.

BA CK (JR OUNI) ART Electrical switches -.-including rocker and toggle switches for domestic use -are A'elI known and standardised e.g. in BS EN 60669.

DE4305S64 discloses a light switch aid adapted to he used with all standard available on/off switches and allowing a child to switch the light on and off without an adults help. The document discloses operation of a switch by alternating pulling by means of motion transformation throug.h pressing. wiping or tipping. The figures of the document all show devices having erie cord pull for switching on (cia') and another cord puil fbr switching off Caus Similar devices a-c disclosed in CA968835 and US 4745243.

DiSCLOSURE OF! INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided; an adaptor for a switch unit having a switch actuation member that is engageahie by-an operator to effect switching, the adaptor comprising: a base configured to he releasably mounted on a switch unit; and a mechanism attached to the base and having an adaptor actuation member, the mechanism being configured to engage a switch actuation member and to effect consecutive switching operations thereof in response to consecutive movements of the adaptor actuation member in a first direction.

By virtue of a mechanism that is configured to effect switching in response to movement of the adaptor actuation member in a first direction and to effect further switching in response to the next movement of the adaptor actuator member in the first direction, the 1 5 adaptor is simpler to operate. Moreover, where a cord is employed to move the adaptor actuation member, only a single cord pull is required, in contrast to the known adaptors discussed above and having two cord pulls.

ihe mechanism may comprise a crank rotatable about a first axis in response to movement of the adaptor actuation member, the first axis lying perpenthcular to the fit-st direction.

The crank may be configured to engaue a switch actuation member in a second direction in response to movement of the sdaptor actuation member, the second direction lying perpendicular to the first direction and to the first axis.

The mechanism may comprise a housing attached to the base. The crank may be pivoted in the housing.

the eranjc may have a crank arm having a free end displaceable substantially paraflel to the first direction.

The mechanism may comprise a slider moveable both in and against the first direction and having first and second abutments spaced in the first direction, the first abutment home configured to engage the free end of the crank arm when the slider is moved in the first direction, the second abutment being configured to engage the free end of the crank arm when the slider is moved in the second direction.

The slider may be cylindriea in form, The first and second abuments may he collars spaced along the longitudinal axk of the cylinder.

The adaptor actuation member may be configured to act on the slider in the first directIon. The mechanism. may comprise a spring configured to act on the slider against the first direction, The slider may he a hollow sleeve, the spring being at least partially located within the hollow sleeve, The slider may comprise a latch mechkmism configured to latch the slider in a first position near the end of the Lravei of the slider in the first direction.

The housing may he configured to guide the slider.

The latch mechanism may comprise a proiection on the slider that is engageahle with an abutment on the housing when the slider is in a first position ncar the end of the travel of the slider in the first direction, [he latch mechanism may comprise a plurality of abutment.s spaced around the circumference of the slider, The latch mechanism may he configured to rotate the slider about the axis of the first direction so as to alternately engage and disengage the projection with an abutment, a the latch mechanism may comprise a first Cain mechanism configured to convert movement of the adaptor actuation member in the fIrsi direction into rotation of the slider, The first cam mechanism may comprise a first cam surface on the adaptor actuation member and a first follower on the slider.

lUbe latch mechantsm may comprise a second cam meenanisin configured to convert movement of the slider against the first direction into rotation of the slider.

The second earn mechanism may comprise a second earn surface on the housing configured to engage the projection on the slider.

According, to the present invention there is also provided a system comprising: 1 0 a switch unit having a switch actuation member; and an adantor comprising a base releasably mounted on the switch unit and a mechanism attached to the base an in engagement with the switch actuation member, the mechanism having an adaptor actuation member and being configured to effect consecutive switching operations of the switch actuation member in. response to consecutive movements of the b adaptor actuation member in a first direction.

The system aspects of the invention can be partacularliseci using features of the adaptor described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINCIS

An embodiment of the invention wifl now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure lB is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism of the embodiment of figure IA;

S

Figure 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 28 and 2C are side and perspective views of the mechanism of the embodiment of figure IA, with the guide member partially cut away radiafly so as to betLer show the sieL-' fbrnied in the internal surface of the guide member; Figure 3A shows the embodiment of figure 2 in a first switching operation in response to a First downward movement of the adaptor actuation member; Figures 3D and 3C are corresponding side and perspective views of the mechanism; Figure 4A shows the embodiment of figure 2 in a consecutive state to that of figure 3A; Figures 4B and C are side and perspective views of the mechanism in the state of flaure 4A; Figures 4D and F are side and perspective views of the mechanism in a consecutive state to that of figures 48 and 4C; Figure SA shows the embodiment of figure 2 in a consecutive state to that of figures 4D and E; Figures 53 and C are side and perspective views of the mechanism in the state of figure 5 A; Figures SD and IF are side and perspective views of the mechanism in a consecutive state to that of figures SB and C; Figures 6A and B are side and. perspective views of the mechanism in a consecutive stite to that of figures 5 1) and F: Figure ÔC shows the embodiment of figure 2 in the state of figures 6.& and B. DETAILED DESCRWE1ON OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Figure IA is an exploded perspective view of an adaptor 10 ibr a switch unit 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown, the switch unit 50 is a UK domestic electrical switch unit having a switch actuation member in the finm of a rocking member 51 that earl he rocked by an operator (typically the operator's finger) bctwccn two positions to effect electrical switching. e.g. of a. lighting circuit. The unit is provided with holes 52 for screws to hold the unit 50 in place, e.g. in a pattress box 53. Such units are well known and consequently not discussed in any greater detail.

An adaptor 10 comprises a base ii which is provided with holes 9 that align with the holes 52 in the switch unit 50. Screws (indicated by dashed lines 8) are passed through holes 9 and 52 and into the pattrcss box 53, thereby releasably mounting the adaptor 10 to the face of the switch unit 50. Attached to the base I I is a housing 12 to which is atlached a mechanism 13 comprising, inter alia, a crank or rocker 15, a sleeve 17, an actuation member 16 and a guide member 14. In the alternative embodiment shown in figure 2, the housing may at least partially enclose the side surfaces of the switch unit. Base an.d housing are made of an appropriate moulded polycarbonate, plastic. resin-based material, metal or other material as appropriate.

Mechanism 1 3 is showi in more detail in the exploded perspective view of figure IBand the longitudinal sectional view of figure 2A, the latter corresponding substantially to that along the section line:\A in figure 1 A. Crank or rocker 1 5 is pivoted (at 20) in the housing for rotation about a laleral axis (indicated at BB in the embodiment of figure 1) that lies perpendicular to the axis CC of the downward pull direction P, discussed belo The rocker is provided with arms 21k 21B circumferentially spaced about the pivot axis (in the example shown by about 180 degrees) that engage with opposite snies of the rocking member Si, exerting torces on one or other side in a direction orthogonal to axes BR and CC so as to cause the rocking member 5 to move between switch positions. The roctdng member 51 is maintained in each position by the internal mechanism of the switch unit itself.

Oscillation of the rocker 15 is effected by a cylindrical sleeve 17 having first and second collars i7a, 17B spaced along its length and that alternately engage pins 22 at the free end ala fhrthcr arm 2 (Jo!' the rocker as the sleeve moves down and up. in and against the pull direction P, as indicated by arrows II) and 1). As discussed in more detail below, both up and down movements of the sleeve 17 result from a downward movement of the actuation niernber 16 as a result of a downward pull in direction P on an actuation cord 24.

In the embodiment shown, cord 24 has a stop (not shown, but typically fonned by a knot in the cord) which engages the upper surface 29 of the head 25 of the actuation member and which passes downward, through a bore 26 in the actuation membcr and a hole 27 in the housing, to hang below the adaptor so as to be aecessiNe at a lower height, e.g. by children.

As explained above, such a mechanism that effects consecutive switching operations in response to consecutive downward pulls on the cord is simpler to operate and requires only a single cord pull (also known as a cord knob', cord handle' and cord acorn').

In the embodiments shown, the head 25 of the actuation member 16 is of cylindrical.

term and has an outer circumferential surfhee 30 provided with a plurality of longitudinal ribs 31 The ribs 31 engage with a pluraliiy of longitudinal slots 28 formed in the internal surfitce of the tubular guidc member 14 fixed to the top 121 of the housing 12 (by means of an interposer 1.4' of rectangular section, although guide member 14 could also be made integral with the housing), thereby allowing the member 16 to slide up and down hut preventing it from rotating.

As shown in more detail in figure 1B, the iwer si.ufce 32 of the head 25 is provided with a plurality of contiguous, circumferential, inclined cam surfaces 33A%33B that are alternately inclined towards and away from the upper surEace 29 of the head (when considered in a clockwise direction viewed from above We upper surface of the head).

These cam surfaces engage at least one follower surface 34 formed at one end of a respective longitudinal projection or tin 40 forming part of an assembly 42 attached to and located inside -the sleeve i7. thereby exerting a rotational torque on the fin 40 and thus the sleeve 1 7. As shown, the assembly 42 comprises four fins 40 regularly spaced about longitudinal axis CC.

Each fin 40 also engages one of the longitudinal slots 28 formed in the internal surTh.ce of tubular guide member 14.. Figures 2B and C are side and perspective views respectively of the mechanism 13, with the guide mernhcr 14 partially cut away radially (as indicated by erosshatching) so as to better show the slots formed in the internal surface of the tubular guide member. Slot 28 cxterid Longitudinally along the guide member i 4 for such a length that, when the actuation member 16 is pulled down by an operator pulling on b cord 24 as shown in figure 2A, the fin 40, assembly 42 and sleeve 17 are prevented from rotating under the action of the cam 33A and are instead pushed downwards with the actuation member 16, against the action of a spring 48 located within the sleeve, As shown in figure 3A, the upper collar I 7A on the downwardly-moving sleeve 17 engages the pins 22 on rocker 15. which pivots, thereby moving the rocking member 51 of the switch unit as dcscri'bed above.

The maximum downward travel of the sleeve 17 is limited by the bottom 1 213 of the housing 12; however', the longitudinal slot 28 does not prevent rotation of the sleeve 17 for all, of that travel. Rather, as shown in figures 313 and 3C, the slot stops shortly bethre the end of travel, at which point the fin 40 is free to rotate under the action of the cam surface 33A until the follower st.trl.ice 134 reaches the end of that surface 33\ (the bottom, of the valley' formed by the alternately inclined surfaces 33A,33B), as shown in figure 4A.

Such incremental rotation brings the follower surface 34 into engagement with a further cam surthce 36A formed on the guide member 14 at a localion adjacent the end of S the longitudinal slot. 28 -see figures 4F3 and 4C. it will he appreciated that follower surface 34 is of sufficient wudth in a radial direction as to be able to engage both the cain surfaces 33A,B of the actuation member 16 and the cam surfaces 36A,B of the guide member 14, which iies co-axial with, and radially outwardly of, the actuation member 16, When the tension on the cord is released, spring 48 pushes the follower surface 34 up this further cam surface. 36A. thereby rotating the sleeve by another increment.

Moreover, as shown in figures 411) and 4E, when the follower surface 34 abuts the upmnost end of the further cam surface (this abutment being formed by the intersection of surface 36A and opposing, lorigitudinaily-extending face 36B), the sleeve 14 is held (latched) into the position shown in figure 4A, near the end of the travel of the slider in the direction P. Specifically, the lower collar 17B of the sleeve is prevented &omn moving so far as to engage the rocker 15, so that the rocking member Si of: the switch unit 50 remains in the position into wheh it has been moved (e.g. to complete a lighting circuit and switch on. a lamp). As a result of the incremental rotation, follower surthce 34 also rides up the cain surface 3313 of the actuation member 16 and into engagement wuth the next, contiguous cam surface 33A of that. member.

To efTèet a further switching operation (e.g. to break a lighting circuit and switch off a lamp), an operator pulls again on the cord 24, thereby pulling actuating metuber 16 down, engaging cam surface:33A with follower surface 34 and pushing fIn 40 down against spring 48 set hgurt SA \s chown n I gures SB nd C a longthichn ly extcuding ce 6B, facing the further cam surface 36A, is of such a length as to prevent the fin 4Ofrom rotating under the action of cam surface 33A until near the end of downward trave] -see figures SD and SE -at which point the follower surface 34 rotates under the action of the cam surface 33A.

On release oF the tension in the cord, the spring 48 forces the follower surface 34 against and along a third cam surface 44 which guides the follower surface 34 and fin 40 into another longitudinal slot 2.8 -as well as moving the FbI lower surface 34 along the cam surface 3313 and into engagement with cam surface 33A). Under the action of spring 48, fin moves upwards along the longitudinal slot 28 see figures 6A and 6F3.As shown in figure ÔC, this allows assembly 42. and sleeve 17 to. upwards, bottom collar I 7B to engage pm 2.2., rotation of the rocxer 15 and movement of the rocking member 51. This correspond to the starting condition. of figure 2A.

The mechanism is provided wfth a plurality of the slots 28, second and third cam suriacess described above and spaced circumferential! around the axis CC so that further 1 5 pulls P on the cord will repeat the cycle described above, incrementally rotating the slider about axis CC so as to alternately engage and disengage the projection with the abutments, In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the firsi, and second further slots may he formed in a guide member that exLen.ds upwardly from. and which may be integral with the bottom 12fl of the housing 12., the projection on the sleeve being located at the bottom end of the sleeve accordingly.

It will be appreciated that the adaptor of the present invention is not an electrical device and has no direct connection to the internal electrical wiring or mechanism of the light switch itself It is a mechanical device to enable remote operation of the switch. ii

In one embodiment, the mechanism is contained in a housing which ilLs over the face phite of a wail mounted light switch.. The device is secured to the existing light switch by removing the screws tha.t attach the existing light switch to the wall / base plate or recessed box, and replacing them with Longer screws that pass through both the device, then through the existing Ught switch fixing holes, holding both securely in place as a single integral, unit. (the screw positions of wall mounted light switches arc dcfincd by current standards and are common to all light switches). The longer screws needed, will be provided with the device.As such, the adaptor can be fitied by anyone with the simplest of DIV skills, simply requiring the removal of the two existing screws that hold the switch, in 1.0 place, and their replacemn.en.t with two new longer ones, holding both the switch and the device in place. When fitted to a walL mounted light switch, it enables the switch to he operated in a similar way to Ihe pull cord light switches commonly found fitted to the ceiling in bathrooms.

The potential uses for the device are varied, hut one significant markel may be parents having young children (toddlers arid above) that are too small to reach light switches, necessitating either leavin.g the lights on when not necessary (environmentally unfriendly as it wastes energy) or constanti.y having to switch lights on and off for them.

The device can he simply fitted over any existing switch to make it child usable; then removed when no longer needed.

The device can also assist people with impaired. vision by making the switch easy to locate via the hanging cord, or by those with limited upper body mobility, by making it unnecessary to raise the arm to operate the switch.

Another significant use may be to negate the high cost of making adaptations in properties.tbr people with disabilities such as wheel chair users, Typically; property adaptations for disabled residents and wheel chair users include lowering all light switches to wheel chair height, which is time consuming, expensive, and has later to be reversed ii the properly is no longer needed by a pcop].e with disabilities, The use of the aeviCe can make lowering of switches a simple and inexpensive job (compared to current costs) that is S easily reversible.

In a further embodiment (not shown), the actuation member may be configured to be accessible from the top or front of the housing. in particular, it may have a push button to allow the adaptor to he operated by pushing a button at the level of the switch unit (in addition to operation by pulling of a cord at a lower level), 1C U should he understood that this invention has been described by way of examples only and that a wide variety of modifications can be made withou.t departing from the scope of the invention.

For example. the adaptor may contain more than one mechanism so as to allow the operation of switch umts having multiple rocking members (as commonly found in halls, on stairs and landings ete).

Alternatively / in ad4ition, the housing may be dimensioned and adapted to fit narrow switches (commonly found alongside door architraves) or flush faced switches having no visible screws.

Moreover, the adaptor may configured to operate svitch units that do not conform to UK. standards: in particular. modifications to the rocker and fixing holes may be needed to operate i.oggle' switches of the kind commonly found in North America and other countries,

Claims

CIAIi\IS An adaptor for a switch unit having a switch actuation member that is engageable by an operator to effect switching, the adaptor comprising: a base configured to be releasably mounted on a switch unit; and a mechanism attached to the base and having an adaptor actuation mern her, the mechanism being configured to engage a switch actuation member and to effect consecutive switching operations thereof in response to consecutive movements of the adaptor actuation member in a first direction.
2. Adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a crank rotatable about a first axis in response to movement of the adaptor actuation member, the first axis lying perpendicidar to the first direction.
3. Adaptor according to chirn 2, wherein the crank is configured to engage a switch actuation member in a second direction in response to movement of the adaptor actuation member, the second direeLion].ymg perpendicu]a.r to the first direction and to the first axis.
4. Adaptor according to any preceding claim, wherein the mechanism comprises a housing attached to the base.
5. Adaptor according to claim 4 when dependent on cLaim 2 or 3, wherein the crank is pivoted in the housing.
6. Adaptor according to any preceding claim, wherein tile crank has a crank arm having a free end displaceabte substantially parallel to the first direction.
7. Adaptor according to any preceding ciaim, wherein the mechanism comprises a slider moveable both in and against the first direction and having first and second abutments spaced in the first direction, the flISt abutment being configured to engage the free end of the crank arm when the slider is moved in the first direction, the second abutment being configured to engage the free end of the crank arm when the slider is moved in the second direction.
8. Adaptor according to claim 7, wherein the slider is cylindrical in form,
9. Adaptor according to claim 8, wherein the first and second abutments are collars spaced along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.
10. Adaptor according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the adaptor actuation member is configured to act on the slider in the first direction.ii Adaptor according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the mechanism comprises a spring configured to act on the slider against the first direction.12. Adaptor according to any onc of claims 7 to ii, wherein the slider is a hollow sleeve, 1 0 the spring being at least partially located within the hollow sleeve.13. Adaptor according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the slider comprises a latch mechanism configured to latch the slider in a first position near the en.d of the travel of the slider in the first direction.14. Adaptor according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the housing is configured to guide the slider.15. Adaptor according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the]atch mechanism comprises a projection on the slider that is engageable with an abutment on the housing when the slider is in a first position near the end of the travel of the slider in the first direction.16. Adaptor according to claim 15, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a plurality of abutments spaced around the circumference of the slider.17. Adaptor according to claim 16, wherein the latch mechanism is configured to rotate the slider about the axis of the first direction so as to alternately engage and disengage the projection with an abutment, 18. Adaptor according-to claim 17, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a first cam mechanism configured to convert movement of the adaptor actuation member in the first drrectjon into rotation of the slider.19. Adapl.cr according to claim 18, whercrn the.lirst cam mechanism comprises a first cam surface on the adaptor actuation member and a first follower on the slider.20. Adaptor according to claim 19, wherein the latch meciiamsm comprises a second cam mecnanism configured to converL movement of the slider against the first direction into rotation of the slider.Adaptor according to claim 20, wherein the second cam mechanism comprise a second cam surface on the housing configured to engage the projection on the. slider.22. A system comprising: a switch unit having a switch actuation member; and an adaptor according to any preceding claim and comprising a base releasably mounted on the switch unit arid a mechanism attached to the base and in engagement with the switch actuation member, the mechanism having an adaptor actuation member and being cenfigured to efibet consecutive switching operations of the switch actuation member j response to consecutive movements of the adaptor actuation. member in. a first direction.