Control device base that attaches to the paddle actuator of a mechanical switch
AssigneeLutron Technology Company LLC
InventorWilliam Taylor Shivell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A remote control device may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be configured to be mounted over an installed mechanical switch having a paddle actuator and may include a base and a control unit that is configured to be removably attached to the base. The base may include a frame, a clamp arm, a screw, and/or a sleeve. The clamp arm may be configured to secure the base to a protruding portion of the paddle actuator. The clamp arm may be attached to the frame at a pivot joint. The clamp arm may be configured to pivot about the pivot joint. The pivot joint may be located proximate to an endpoint or a midpoint of the frame.
Claims27
A base configured to be attached to a paddle actuator of an installed mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the base comprising:
- a frame comprising an end wall, opposed side walls, and an edge that is distal from the end wall, wherein the frame defines an opening that is configured to receive a protruding portion of the paddle actuator therein, the protruding portion of the paddle actuator projecting outward when the mechanical switch is operated into a position that causes power to be delivered to the electrical load, the protruding portion of the paddle actuator comprising a front surface that is configured to be pressed to operate the mechanical switch, a first side surface, and a second side surface, wherein, when the protruding portion is received in the opening, the frame at least partially surrounds the paddle actuator;
- a clamp arm that is configured to secure the base to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, wherein the clamp arm is attached to the frame at a pivot joint located proximate to the edge of the frame;
- and
- a screw that is operatively engaged with the clamp arm such that, when the screw is rotated, the clamp arm is configured to pivot about the pivot joint such that the clamp arm is moved toward the protruding portion of the paddle actuator until the clamp arm abuts the first side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator,
- wherein the clamp arm is configured to apply a first force on the first side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator as the screw is further rotated when the clamp arm abuts the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, and wherein the first force applied by the clamp arm is configured such that the frame engages the second side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator to secure the base to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator.
A remote control device for use in a load control system, the remote control device configured to be mounted over an installed mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the remote control device comprising:
- a base comprising an end wall, opposed side walls, and an edge that is distal from the end wall, wherein the base defines an opening that is configured to receive a protruding portion of a paddle actuator of the mechanical switch therein, the protruding portion of the paddle actuator projecting outward when the mechanical switch is operated into a position that causes power to be delivered to the electrical load, the protruding portion of the paddle actuator comprising a front surface that is configured to be pressed to operate the mechanical switch, a first side surface, and a second side surface, wherein when the protruding portion is received in the opening, the base at least partially surrounds the paddle actuator;
- a control unit that is configured to be attached to the base, the control unit including a user interface, the control unit configured to translate a user input from the user interface into a control signal that controls a load control device;
- a clamp arm that is configured to secure the base to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, wherein the clamp arm is attached to the base at a pivot joint located proximate to the edge of the base;
- and
- a screw that is operatively engaged with the clamp arm such that, when the screw is rotated, the clamp arm is configured to pivot about the pivot joint such that the clamp arm is moved toward the protruding portion of the paddle actuator until the clamp arm abuts the first side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator,
- wherein the clamp arm is configured to apply a first force on the first side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator as the screw is further rotated when the clamp arm abuts the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, and wherein the first force applied by the clamp arm is configured such that the base engages the second side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator to secure the base to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.