Wall box dimmer switch with plural remote control switches

A power control system for a load which can be dimmed from at least a first location and can be switched on and off from at least a second location;

• said power control system comprising a dimmer switch mounted at said first location and a remote switch mounted at said second location;
• said dimmer switch comprising:
• first and second power leads connectable in series with a source of power and a load;
• a controllably conductive device having first and second main electrodes connected to said first and second power leads respectively, and further having a control electrode;
• control circuit means connected between at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode for applying a control signal having a maximum voltage substantially lower than the voltage of said source to said control electrode to cause said controllably conductive device to become conductive, and variable control means connected to said control circuit means to variably apply said control signal to said control electrode;
• a first air gap switch means operable between a conductive and a non-conductive condition and connected in said control circuit means and operatively connected between said at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode, whereby operation of said first switch means to one of its said conduction conditions prevents application of said control signal to said control electrode and renders said controllably conductive device non-conductive;
• a relay means operatively connected to said first switch means and operable in response to a voltage applied thereto to change the state of said first switch means;
• said remote switch comprising second switch means operable with short actuation distance and operable with low force and between a conductive and non-conductive condition;
• and
• circuit means including elongated low voltage, low current wires connecting said remote switch means in circuit relation with said relay means, whereby operation of said remote switch to one of its said conduction conditions will change the conduction state of said controllably conductive device.

A power control system for a load which can be switched on and off from at least first and second locations and which can be dimmed from said first location;

• said power control system comprising a switch device mounted at said first location and a remote switch mounted at said second location;
• said switch device comprising:
• first and second power leads connectable in series with a source of power and a load;
• a controllably conductive device having first and second main electrodes connected between said first and second power leads and further having a control electrode;
• control circuit means connected between at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode for applyiing a control signal having a maximum voltage substantially lower than the voltage of said source to said control electrode to cause said controllably conductive device to become conductive, and control means connected to said control circuit means to apply said control signal to said control electrode;
• first air gap disconnect switch means locally operable between an engaged and disengaged position, said first switch means connected in a series circuit which includes at least said controllably conductive device, said first switch means and said power leads, whereby opening said first switch means opens the electrical circuit between said conductive device and at least one of said power leads;
• second air gap disconnect switch means operable between an engaged and a disengaged position, said second switch connected in said control circuit means and being connected between said at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode, whereby operation of said second switch means to one of its said positions prevents application of said control signal to said control electrode and renders said controllably conductive device non-conductive;
• operating means connected to said second switch means for changing the state of said second switch means between its engaged and disengaged positions in response to energization of said operating means;
• a third air gap disconnect switch means and a remote air gap switch means located at said first and second locations, respectively, and operable between respective conductive and non-conductive conditions;
• and
• circuit means including elongated low voltage wires connecting said third switch means and said remote switch means to said operating means, whereby closure of either said third switch means or said remote switch means causes the energization of said operating means to change the state of said second switch means.

A switching device comprising:

• first and second power leads connectable in series with a source of power and a load;
• a controllably conductive device having first and second main electrodes connected to said first and second power leads respectively, and further having a control electrode;
• control circuit means connected between at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode for applying a control signal having a maximum voltage substantially lower than the voltage of said source to said control electrode to cause said controllably conductive device to become conductive, and variable control means connected to said control circuit means to variably apply said control signal to said control electrode;
• said variable control means including a movable adjustment member which is incrementally movable between a minimum and maximum setting to determine the magnitude of said control signal and
• switch means operable between a conductive and a non-conductive condition and an operating means therefor, said switch means connected in said control circuit means and being connected between said at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode, said variable control means being independent of said switch means whereby operation of said switch means to one of its said conditions prevents application of said control signal to said control electrode and renders said controllably conductive device non-conductive without altering a dimming setting associated with said device.

A power control system for a load which can be switched on and off from at least first and second locations;

• said power control system comprising a master switch mounted at said first location and a remote switch mounted at said second location;
• said master switch comprising:
• first and second power leads connectable in series with a source of power and a load;
• a controllably conductive device having first and second main electrodes connected to said first and second power leads respectively, and further having a control electrode;
• control circuit means connected between at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode for applying a control signal having a maximum voltage substantially lower than the voltage of said source to said control electrode to cause said controllably conductive device to become conductive;
• first switch means operable between a conductive and a non-conductive condition, said first switch means connected in said control circuit means and being connected between said at least one of said first and second main electrodes and said control electrode, whereby operation of said first switch means to one of its said conditions prevents application of said control signal to said control electrode and renders said controllably conductive device non-conductive;
• operating means connected to said first switch means for changing the conduction state of said first switch means in response to energization of said operating means;
• a second switch means and a remote switch means located at said first and second locations, respectively, and operable between respective conductive and non-conductive conditions;
• and
• circuit means including elongated low voltage wires connecting said second switch means and said remote switch means to said operating means, whereby closure of either said second switch means or said remote switch means causes the energization of said operating means to change the state of said first switch means.