Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Switch activation inhibitor – Actuator blocking device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-19
2001-07-03
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Switch activation inhibitor
Actuator blocking device
C200S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06255606
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dual-positional inhibitor for an electrical control switch. In particular, this invention provides an apparatus to controllably obstruct the toggling of an electric switch-toggle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Wall-mounted electric-switches to control electric lights (or other electrically powered devices) are a common feature in buildings equipped with alternating electric current. Such switches enable a person to freely toggle the projecting lever or switch-toggle in one of two positions relative to its pivot axis, typically closed or “on” when the switch-toggle is above or otherwise to one side of its pivot axis and open or “off” when the switch-toggle is below or otherwise to the opposite side of its pivot axis. The above (upward) and below (downward) positions of the switch-toggle relate to a horizontally oriented pivot axis behind the plane of the cover faceplate that obscures the electrical wiring connecting the switch to the alternating current source. The force required to rotate the switch-toggle along a short arc to its opposite setting is typically designed to be high enough to prevent gravity from pulling the switch-toggle from the upward position to the downward position, but also sufficiently small to enable anyone of even feeble physical exertion to easily manipulate the switch-toggle from the upward position to the downward position or vice versa.
Circumstances arise however, a switch may be set to a semi-permanent position, and the user desires to prevent inadvertent or unauthorized alteration of the switch-toggle position. One common remedy to inhibit switch toggling is applying a strip of adhesive tape covering over the switch as a visible and tactile mechanism to alert someone in visible proximity that the switch setting is not intended to be altered. However, such an artifice may appear unsightly or unprofessional, and cannot be altered without removal and/or replacement of the tape strip. In addition, upon removal of the tape strip unsightly adhesive residue may remain on the cover plate and/or the switch-toggle.
Toggle-switch covers that are hinged for removal of the toggle-obstacle have been employed for instrumentation. However, while considered appropriate for control panels, these may not be suitable for household or commercial use due to the additional clearance volume needed to position the cover from obstruction of the switch-toggle to non-obstruction. Hence a mechanism to provide a more directly utilitarian functionality and be aesthetic would be desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A switch inhibitor provides an obstacle for the switch-toggle, the obstacle having a switch-obstacle position and a switch-release position. The obstacle may be held to the switch-obstacle position by a spring, which may be overcome by applying force to a release mechanism. The switch inhibitor may be permanently or removably attached to the cover plate for the electric-switch.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The electric-switch inhibitor is intended to provide an obvious indication that an electric-switch has been toggled to a fixed position, and the switch-toggle cannot be disturbed without a deliberate effort to override the inhibitor's passive state that holds the switch-toggle in position. A person would thereby have implied notice that permission of that authority controlling the switch setting may be required before tampering with the electric-switch. The electric-switch cover provides a removable obstacle that requires little conscious effort to override, but nonetheless reduces the risk of accidental toggling or unauthorized manipulation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6118088 (2000-09-01), Thielman
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