US 2025/0022673 A1Published application

Rotary light switch for a lighting apparatus

AssigneeGantri, Inc.

InventorsZachary ROTHOLZ, Nathan MCCRACKEN, Yi YANG

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Abstract

Disclosed herein is an improved low-profile rotary light switch for controlling a lighting apparatus. In some embodiments, the rotary light switch can comprise a rotary potentiometer mounted to a PCB and comprising a keyed shaft protruding through the opening of a top switch enclosure. The rotary light switch can further comprise a button chassis comprising a keyhole passage defined therethrough. At least part of the keyed shaft can protrude into the keyhole passage when the button chassis is coupled to the keyed shaft by the fastener. The rotary switch can also comprise a button top configured to be non-detachably coupled to the button chassis when the button top is pressed onto the button chassis. Rotating the button top can rotate the button chassis and keyed shaft such that the brightness or intensity of the lighting load is controllable via rotation of the button top.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A rotary switch for controlling a brightness or intensity of a lighting load, comprising:

a top switch enclosure comprising an opening defined along a top surface of the top switch enclosure;
a bottom switch enclosure coupled to the top switch enclosure, wherein the top switch enclosure and the bottom switch enclosure form an enclosure cavity when coupled;
a printed circuit board (PCB) housed within the enclosure cavity;
a rotary potentiometer mounted to the PCB and comprising a keyed shaft protruding through the opening of the top switch enclosure when the PCB is housed within the enclosure cavity, wherein the keyed shaft comprises a threaded receptacle extending partially into the keyed shaft, wherein rotation of the keyed shaft varies a resistance of the rotary potentiometer;
a button chassis comprising a keyhole passage defined therethrough, wherein the button chassis is coupled to the keyed shaft by a fastener partly screwed into the threaded receptacle and wherein at least part of the keyed shaft protrudes into the keyhole passage when the button chassis is coupled to the keyed shaft by the fastener;
and
a button top configured to fit over and partially encapsulate the button chassis, wherein the button top is configured to be non-detachably coupled to the button chassis when the button top is pressed onto the button chassis, and wherein rotating the button top rotates the button chassis and keyed shaft such that the brightness or intensity of the lighting load is controllable via rotation of the button top.

4 more elements

A rotary switch for controlling a brightness or intensity of a lighting load, comprising:

a top switch enclosure comprising an opening defined along a top surface of the top switch enclosure;
a bottom switch enclosure coupled to the top switch enclosure, wherein the top switch enclosure and the bottom switch enclosure form an enclosure cavity when coupled;
a printed circuit board (PCB) housed within the enclosure cavity;
a rotary potentiometer mounted to the PCB and comprising a shaft protruding through the opening of the top switch enclosure when the PCB is housed within the enclosure cavity, wherein rotation of the shaft varies a resistance of the rotary potentiometer;
a button chassis comprising an enclosure-facing side, wherein the button chassis is coupled to the shaft;
a first annular disk adhered to the top switch enclosure, wherein the first annular disk is made of an ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polymer, and wherein the first annular disk encircles the opening defined along the top surface of the top switch enclosure;
a second annular disk adhered to the enclosure-facing side of the button chassis, wherein the second annular disk is made of the UHMW polymer, and wherein the first annular disk contacts the second annular disk to form a low-friction interface between the button chassis and the top switch enclosure when the button chassis is coupled to the shaft;
and
a button top configured to fit over and partially encapsulate the button chassis, wherein the button top is configured to be coupled to the button chassis, and wherein rotating the button top rotates the button chassis and the shaft such that the brightness or intensity of the lighting load is controllable via rotation of the button top.

6 more elements

A power cord and rotary switch assembly for controlling a brightness or intensity of a lighting load, comprising:

a top switch enclosure comprising an opening defined along a top surface of the top switch enclosure, wherein the top switch enclosure has a distal longitudinal end and a proximal longitudinal end opposite the distal longitudinal end, wherein the opening is positioned closer to the proximal longitudinal end than the distal longitudinal end, and wherein the top switch enclosure further comprises:
a pair of distal securement posts positioned closer to the distal longitudinal end than the proximal longitudinal end, wherein each of the distal securement posts comprises serrated protrusions extending from a lateral side of each of the distal securement posts;
a pair of proximal securement posts positioned closer to the proximal longitudinal end than the distal longitudinal end, wherein each of the proximal securement posts comprises serrated protrusions extending from a lateral side of each of the proximal securement posts;
a bottom switch enclosure configured to couple to the top switch enclosure, wherein the top switch enclosure is coupled to the bottom switch enclosure to form an enclosure cavity;
an input cord comprising an input live cable having input live wires extending therethrough and an input neutral cable having input neutral wires extending therethrough, wherein each of the input live cable and the input neutral cable is secured in part within the enclosure cavity by an interference fit between an interior wall segment on an underside of the top switch enclosure and one of the distal securement posts;
an output cord comprising an output live cable having output live wires extending therethrough and an output neutral cable having output neutral wires extending therethrough, wherein each of the output live cable and the output neutral cable is secured in part within the enclosure cavity by an interference fit between another interior wall segment on the underside of the top switch enclosure and one of the proximal securement posts;
a printed circuit board (PCB) housed within the enclosure cavity, wherein the input live wires, the input neutral wires, the output live wires, and the output neutral wires are electrically coupled to the PCB;
a rotary potentiometer mounted to the PCB and comprising a shaft protruding through the opening of the top switch enclosure when the PCB is housed within the enclosure cavity, wherein rotation of the shaft varies a resistance of the rotary potentiometer;
and
a button coupled to the shaft, wherein the shaft rotates in response to a rotation of the button, and wherein the brightness or intensity of the lighting load is controllable via the rotation of the button.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/742,274Filed 13 Jun 2024
Priority: 13 Jul 2023
Published: 16 Jan 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

H01C 10/50
Adjustable resistors: structurally combined with switching arrangements
H01H 19/14
Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon: operating parts, e.g. turn knob
H01C 10/36
The contact moving in an arcuate path: structurally combined with switching arrangements
H01C 10/48
Arrangements of fixed resistors with intervening connectors, e.g. taps: including contact movable in an arcuate path