GB2362998A

GB2362998A - Switch plate cover

Info

Publication number: GB2362998A
Application number: GB0112436A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian James Hall
Original assignee: MOLL IND Ltd
Current assignee: MOLL IND Ltd
Priority date: 2000-05-31
Filing date: 2001-05-22
Publication date: 2001-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-22
Also published as: GB2362998B; GB0112436D0

Abstract

A switch plate cover 1 is adapted to fit over and cover in surrounding relation an electrical switch plate assembly. An aperture 7 in the switch plate cover receives a switch actuator 3 which is pivotally mounted with respect to the switch plate cover and positioned, in use, to act on a rocker switch of the electrical switch plate assembly.

Description

1 Title: Decorative Switch Plate Cover

DESCRIPTION

2362998 The present invention relates to electric light switches and in particular to a switch plate cover for an electric light switch.

The flush mounted electric light switches which are in common use in buildings, especially houses, flats and various commercial premises, comprise a switch plate to which is mounted an electrical switch block and which, most commonly, is operated by a rocker switch. The switch plate has two apertures at standardised spacings to receive screws for securing it with respect to a mounting box recessed into the wall. Most usually the switch plates and rocker switches are made of a white or off- white plastics material. The switch plates can be single or multi-gang.

The use of white or off-white does not fit in with all decorating schemes but the only alternative is to change the entire switch assembly for a better match.

However, the only readily available alternatives are metal and metal finish switches. However, these have several disadvantages. Firstly, their installation necessitates disconnection of the wires to the existing switch assembly and wiring up the new assembly which may present a safety hazard if the installer is not a qualified electrician. Secondly, the alternatives are more expensive than the standard units they replace and the limited selection of materials and their colours may not be entirely suitable to the chosen colour scheme.

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2 The present invention aims to provide a solution to the currently available options.

Accordingly, the present invention provides apparatus comprising a switch plate cover which is adapted to fit over and cover an electrical switch plate assembly in surrounding relation, an aperture in the cover to receive a switch actuator pivotally mounted with respect to the switch plate cover and positioned to act on a rocker switch of the electrical switch plate assembly.

The switch plate cover is made of coloured plastics and is available in a selection of colours. The switch actuator is preferably releasably connectable with the switch plate cover and may be the same or a different colour to the switch plate cover. There may be more than one switch actuator. The cover may be secured in place by adhesive or by frictional engagement. Preferably the switch plate cover has holes to receive fixing means for securing it over the switch plate assembly. It is particularly convenient of the holes are spaced to correspond to the spacing of the holes in the electrical switch plate assembly. The switch plate cover is held in place by removing the screws securing the electrical switch plate assembly in place and using the same screws or, where necessary, longer screws to hold both the switch plate cover and the electrical switch plate assembly in place. The external shape of the cover may mirror that of the switch plate or it may be any other chosen shape. It has to be larger than the switch plate in order to cover it.

The present invention has the advantage that it does not require the existing switch plate to be removed accordingly the wiring can remain in place without interference. The available colours can be chosen to suit decorating trends.

3 Another aspect of the invention provides apparatus comprising an electrical accessory plate cover which is adapted to fit over and cover in surrounding relation an electrical accessory plate.

The electrical accessory plate cover has a face which is surrounded by formations which define a recess in the underside of the cover which accommodates said electrical accessory plate. These formations may define the peripheral edge of the cover, or may be disposed within the periphery of the cover. The face preferably has apertures at spacings corresponding to the apertures provided in the electrical accessory plate for the fixing screws whereby the cover may be secured in place.

The invention has application to other types of electrical accessory plates such as for example a dimmer light switch, a fused housing, FM, TV and cable socket outlets and even blanking plates for recessed electrical mounting boxes, w here changing the colour would be desirable to match or complement the covers fitted over the electrical switch plates.

However, plug sockets present other problems whose solution may be the subject of a further patent application.

The present invention will now be described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a switch plate and actuator according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view of the switch plate and actuator according to the present invention, 1 -. '.:

4 Figure 3 is a front view of a switch plate cover according to another embodiment, and Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the cover of figure 3.

The present invention is illustrated with respect to a switch plate cover for fitting over a single gang electrical switch plate assembly of rocker switch type. In figures 1 and 2 the cover 1 comprises a plastics moulding which is substantially rectangular and recessed on the underside to accommodate the amount by which an electrical switch plate assembly projects from the wall surface. We have found that the most commonly available designs of electrical switch plate assembly are very similar in overall size and design, and our cover plate is designed to fit over a range of available designs. The switch plate cover has two holes 5 which have a spacing corresponding to that of the electrical switch plate assembly to be covered. These spacings are standardised. The holes are counter-sunk to receive countersunk fixing screws which serve to secure the cover plate over the existing electrical switch plate assembly via the holes in the existing electrical switch plate assembly. The switch plate cover has an aperture 7 to receive a switch actuator 3. In the illustrated embodiment the switch actuator is substantially rectangular and is mounted for pivotal movement on a pivot bar 9 which extends across the aperture. The switch plate has a recess 11 which permits it to be snap fitted releasably on to the pivot bar 9. In use the rocking movement of the switch actuator 3 causes the rocker of the electrical switch plate assembly to move according to the direction of movement of the switch actuator 3.

The switch plate and actuator are made from plastic material and are offered in a selection of colours and the customer can choose the appropriate colour to better suite the d6cor in the room in which it is to be installed. Because the switch actuator 3 is releasably connectable with the switch cover it can be changed so that it can be a contrasting colour to the switch cover is so desired.

Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the present invention. The decorative switch plate cover is dimensioned to fit over an existing insitu electrical switch plate in the same manner as described by way of example with reference to figures 1 and 2. However, figures 3 and 4 serve to illustrate that the external shape of the decoder switch plate cover does not need to mirror the external shape of the electrical switch plate over which it fits. It can be any shape. in the illustration the external periphery is portrayed as a stylised flower. It could be any shape, be it abstract or otherwise. We anticipate that it may take the form of stylised cars - say as viewed in silhouette, or a representation of an animal or. representations of some other item.

The under side of the moulding needs to be relieved to an extent sufficient to accommodate the electrical switch plate which it covers and surrounds. The minimum extent of the relieving is shown by the chain dotted lines.

Some form of abutment may be provided to centralise the decorated cover with respect to the electrical switch plate. The abutment could extend up to the chain dotted line X and can take any convenient form be it corner abutment - as at 25 or one or more abutments for contact with one or more sides of the switch plate - such as 26. It may be preferable if these are not the full depth of the moulding. Alternatively, positioning of the decorative cover with respect to the switch plate may dispense with any abutments and simply rely on the screws passing through holes 5. Aperturing for the switch actuator may be as previously described.

th 1 a 6 Whilst the invention has been described with respect to a single gang electrical switch plate assembly it will be appreciated that the design can be extended to cover multiple gang switches and may be configured to fit twin as well as single size mounting boxes. The detail arrangement of the aperturing and switch actuator will vary according to the spacing of the rocker switches on the electrical switch plate. For most designs the switch actuator aperture is made wider to accommodate the necessary number of switch actuators. For some applications it may be necessary to have a corresponding number of discrete apertures.

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Claims

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0 ' 1.9 Apparatus comprising a switch plate cover which is adapted to fit over and cover in surrounding relation an electrical switch plate assembly, an aperture in the switch plate cover to receive a switch actuator which is pivotally mounted with respect to the switch plate cover and positioned, in use, to act on a rocker switch of the electrical switch plate assembly.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the switch actuator is releasably connectable with the switch plate.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the aperture in the switch plate for the switch actuator has a pivot bar extending across the aperture to receive thereon one or more switch actuators.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the periphery of the cover is anything other than rectangular.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the cover has formations which define a recess in the underside of the cover which recess, in use, accommodates said electrical switch plate assembly.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the formations define peripheral edge formations of the cover.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the formations are set within the periphery of the cover.
8. Apparatus as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims in which the cover has holes at spacings corresponding to the spacing of the fixing ir 8 screw holes in the electrical switch plate or electrical accessory plate and is secured in place by screws by way of said holes. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when made from plastics. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 in which the cover and the switch actuator are different colours. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which multiple switch actuators are provided. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the electrical switch plate assembly is a multiple gang assembly. Apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of figures 1 and 2 or as modified according to the teaching of figures 3 and 4.
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