Electrical switch with identification features
OwnerMelissa Zunigainventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical switch with identifying features. Embodiments include a toggle assembly for an electrical switch that comprises a switch body including a contact mechanism configured to control an electrical circuit. A movement of the toggle assembly from a first position to a second position is mechanically communicated to the contact mechanism. The toggle assembly can also include a user-operable actuator portion elongated between the switch engagement portion and a front end of the toggle assembly enabling a user to pivot the toggle assembly from the first position to the second position. Embodiments include an interchangeable tile removably coupleable to the toggle. The interchangeable tile can comprise an identifier. Embodiments include an illuminating element and a cover.
Claims15
A toggle assembly for an electrical switch comprising a switch body including a contact assembly configured to control an electrical circuit, the toggle assembly comprising:
- an illuminating element comprising a circuit board comprising a light emitting diode;
- a switch engagement portion proximate and operably coupled to the switch body at a rear end of the toggle assembly, such that a movement of the toggle assembly from a first position to a second position is mechanically communicated to the contact assembly, the switch engagement portion comprising a toggle insert adapted to receive the illuminating element and to engage with a rear portion of an actuator portion;
- wherein the actuator portion is elongated between the switch engagement portion and a front end of the toggle assembly enabling a user to pivot the toggle assembly from the first position to the second position;
- an interchangeable tile removably coupleable to the actuator portion at the front end of the toggle assembly, the interchangeable tile comprising a front surface depicting an identifier, the interchangeable tile at least partially comprising a light-transmitting material, such that a light generated by the illuminating element can be seen at the front surface of the interchangeable tile when the interchangeable tile is coupled to the actuator portion;
- and
- a cover adapted to be removably coupleable about a front portion of the actuator portion, such that the interchangeable tile is arranged within the cover behind a front surface of the cover when the cover is coupled to the actuator portion;
- wherein the front surface of the cover is comprised of a light-transmitting material.
An electrical switch to control an electrical circuit comprising:
- a switch body including:
- a first terminal for electrical connection to a first lead of the electrical circuit,
- a second terminal for electrical connection to a second lead of the electrical circuit,
- a contact assembly including:
- a contact point electrically coupled to the first terminal, and
- a lever arm electrically coupled to the second terminal, the lever arm manipulable to selectively contact the contact point;
- a toggle assembly including:
- an illuminating element comprising a circuit board comprising a light emitting diode,
- a switch engagement portion proximate and operably coupled to the switch body at a rear end of the toggle assembly, such that when the toggle assembly is in a first position the lever arm is not in contact with the contact point, and when the toggle assembly is in a second position, the lever arm is in contact with the contact point, the switch engagement portion comprising a toggle insert adapted to receive the illuminating element and to engage with a rear portion of an actuator portion;
- wherein the actuator portion is elongated between the switch engagement portion and a front end of the toggle assembly enabling a user to pivot the toggle assembly from the first position to the second position;
- an interchangeable tile removably coupleable to the actuator portion at the front end of the toggle assembly, the interchangeable tile comprising a front surface depicting an identifier, the interchangeable tile at least partially comprising a light-transmitting material, such that a light generated by the illuminating element can be seen at the front surface of the interchangeable tile when the interchangeable tile is coupled to the actuator portion, and
- a cover adapted to be removably coupleable about a front portion of the actuator portion, such that the interchangeable tile is arranged within the cover behind a front surface of the cover when the cover is coupled to the actuator portion;
- wherein the front surface of the cover is comprised of a light-transmitting material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.