Electrical switch control device

A removable electrical switch control device for use with a separate switch having a switch actuator for actuation in a first and in a second direction and having a switch plate, the device comprising:

• a coupler adapted to mechanically engage the switch actuator when the coupler is moved in the first direction and when the coupler is moved in the second direction;
• a bi-directional two position driver mechanically connected to the coupler for driving the coupler in the first direction when the driver is activated in the first position and for driving the coupler in the second direction when the driver is activated in the second position;
• a control element electrically connected to the driver for activating the driver;
• a removably mountable casing for enclosing the coupler, the driver, and the control element over the switch plate without modification to the switch plate;
• and
• a frame for mounting behind the switch plate and at least two clips on the casing, the clips for attaching the casing to the frame;
• wherein the control element activates the driver, which in turn drives the coupler to actuate the switch actuator.

A removable electrical switch control device for use with a separate switch having a switch actuator and a switch plate, the device comprising:

• a coupler adapted to mechanically engage the switch actuator;
• a driver mechanically connected to the coupler for driving the coupler, the driver having:
• a cam;
• a cam follower having two ends, a first end being mounted to the cam such that rotational movement of the cam produces movement of the cam follower, and a second end being attached to the coupler;
• and
• a motor mechanically connected to the cam for driving the cam in rotational movement;
• a control element electrically connected to the driver for activating the driver;
• a hollow casing that contains and supports the cam, the cam follower, the coupler, the driver, and the control element over the switch plate without modification to the switch plate;
• a frame for mounting behind the switch plate and at least two clips on the casing, the clips for attaching the casing to the frame;
• a release button on the casing;
• and
• an override button electrically connected to the control element;
• wherein the control element activates the driver, which in turn drives the coupler to actuate the switch actuator;
• wherein manually pressing the release button causes at least one of the clips to be moved such that, when the casing has been previously mounted on the frame, the casing is released from the frame;
• and wherein manually pressing the override button causes a signal to be sent to the motor to drive the cam.

A removable electrical switch control device for use with a separate switch having a switch actuator for actuation in a first and in a second direction and having a switch plate, the device comprising:

• a coupler adapted to mechanically engage the switch actuator when the coupler is moved in the first direction and when the coupler is moved in the second direction;
• a bi-directional two position driver mechanically connected to the coupler for driving the coupler in the first direction when the driver is activated in the first position and for driving the coupler in the second direction when the driver is activated in the second position, the driver having:
• a cam pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation;
• a cam follower having two ends, a first end being pivotally mounted to the cam about a second axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation being separate, such that rotational movement of the cam produces back and forth movement of the cam follower, and a second end being attached to the coupler, the second end driving the coupler in the first and second direction with the back and forth movement of the cam follower;
• and
• a motor;
• a control element electrically connected to the driver for activating the driver, the control element having a sensor that responds to pre-determined signals sent from a remote control unit, and the control element activates the driver after the sensor responds to the predetermined signals;
• said motor being mechanically connected to the cam and electrically connected to the control element for driving the cam in rotational movement upon activation by the control element;
• a removably mountable casing for enclosing the coupler, the driver, and the control element over the switch plate without modification to the switch plate, said cam being pivotally mounted to the casing;
• a release button on the casing;
• a frame for mounting behind the switch plate and at least two clips on the casing, the clips for attaching the casing to the frame;
• and
• a power interruptor in the casing, the power interruptor having a power interruptor actuator protruding from the casing;
• wherein the control element activates the driver, which in turn drives the coupler to actuate the switch actuator;
• wherein manually pressing the release button causes at least one of the clips to be moved such that, when the casing has been previously mounted on the frame, the casing is released from the frame;
• wherein the casing is adapted for mounting of the remote control unit;
• wherein mounting of the remote control unit on the casing in contact with the power interruptor actuator turns power to the sensor off;
• and
• wherein dismounting of the remote control unit from the casing turns power to the sensor on.