[0001] This invention is a gang switch assembly and, in particular, a gang switch assembly with additional functionality. [0002] Gang switches comprise a number of independent switches arranged in parallel on a common switch plate. Gang switches can include light switches, where, for example, individual switches (or gangs) can be used to turn off and on individual lights. Therefore, each switch or gang is connected to an independent wiring loop. The present invention is directed to a multi-functional switch plate where individual switches can be actuated independently or all switches can be actuated simultaneously.

[0003] Therefore, according to the present invention there is provided a gang switch assembly comprising a plurality of rocker switches disposed in parallel on a switch plate, wherein each rocker switch comprises opposed first and second ends, each rocker switch being moveable independently between at least a first switching position where the first end is depressed and a second switching position where the second end is depressed, the switch assembly further comprising an actuating member arranged to engage with the first end of each of the rocker switches such that when the actuating member is actuated it moves all of the rocker switches to the first switching position.

[0004] Furthermore, the actuating member may be arranged to engage with both the first and second ends of each of the rocker switches, wherein when the actuating member is actuated at the second end it depresses all of the rocker switches to the second position. Therefore, a user may be able to independently move each rocker switch on the switch plate between the first and second switching positions or may, simultaneously, move all rocker switches to the first position or second position by actuating the actuating member.

[0005] The rocker switches may be pivotally attached to the switch plate and the pivot point of each rocker switch may be coaxial and the rocker switches are arranged in a parallel fashion on the switch plate. [0006] The actuating member may be pivotally attached to the switch plate and/or the rocker switches, and the pivot point of the actuating member may be coaxial with the pivot point of the rocker switches.

[0007] The furthermost parts of the first and second ends of the rocker switches may comprise an abutment surface to which the actuating member engages. The actuating member may therefore overlay or otherwise abut or engage with the ends of the rocker switches so that when the actuating member is actuated and pressed by a user this causes the actuating member to press down against the rocker switches and move them to the desired switching position.

[0008] The actuating member may comprise a rectangular frame surrounding the rocker switches, the frame comprising opposed side members aligned with the outermost side edges of the outer most rocker switches and opposed cross members extending between the side members, wherein the cross members abut the first and second ends of the rocker switches. Therefore, a user may press the cross member abutting the first or second end of the rocker switches in order to move all of the rocker switches to the desired switching position. The rectangular frame of the actuating member may comprise two opposed U-shaped frames, the U-shaped frames each comprising opposed side arms and a cross member extending between a first furthermost end of the side arms, the side arms being pivotally connected at a second furthermost end to the switch plate. The outer most side edges of the outer most rocker switches may comprise an outwardly extending peg aligned with the pivot point of the rocker switches, and the second furthermost end of the side arms of the U-shaped frames may comprise a clip, hook or other attachment means pivotally attached to the peg. Alternatively, the side arms of the U-shaped frames may be pivotally attached directly to the switch plate rather than to the rocker switch.

[0009] There may be alternative shapes of abutment member that fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the abutment member may be I-shaped, and comprise a central bar lying between the rocker switches, and comprise top and bottom cross members which overlie the abutment surfaces of the rocker switches. Alternatively, the actuating member could comprise a square bracket shape, with a single side member pivotally attached to the switch plate and/or rocker switches, the side member being joined to two cross members at the outer ends thereof.

[0010] Further, there could be provided two actuating members comprising cross members disposed across the abutment surfaces of the rocker switches, the ends of the cross members being suspended above the abutment surfaces on springs or other biasing element, permitting the independent actuation of the rocker switches and when pressed, the cross members actuate each of the rocker switches to the first or second switching positions.

[0011] An example of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a plan view of a gang switch assembly, according the present application;

[0013] Figure 2 is a top view of a rocker switch, according to the gang switch assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0014] Figure 3 is a first side view of the rocker switch of Figure 2;

[0015] Figure 4 is an underside view of the rocker switch of Figure 2 and Figure 3;

[0016] Figure 5 is another side view of the rocker switch of Figures 2 to 4;

[0017] Figure 6 is a plan view of the upper side of an actuating member arm, according to the gang switch assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0018] Figure 7 is an underside view of the actuating member arm of Figure

6;

[0019] Figure 8 is a side view of the actuating member arm of Figure 6 and Figure 7; and

[0020] Figure 9 is a plan view of a switch plate backing and switch component, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 8.

[0021] Turning first to Figure 1, there is shown a gang switch assembly generally indicated 10 comprising a switch plate generally indicated 20, a first rocker switch generally indicated 30; a second rocker switch generally indicated 40, an actuating member generally indicated 50 comprising a first actuating member arm generally indicated 60 and a second actuating member arm generally indicated 70.

[0022] The first and second actuating member arms 60, 70 are joined at a hinge assembly generally indicated 80. There is further provided a switch plate cover generally indicated 90 surrounding the actuating member 50 and overlying a switch plate backing (generally indicated 400 in Figure 9) which comprises the switch components.

[0023] The gang switch assembly 10 according to the present invention is not limited to any type of switch for any purpose. For example, the gang switch assembly 10 can comprise light switches, extractor fan switches, electrical power switches or similar. The embodiment discussed in Figures 1 to 9 is a so-called “smart switch”, which will be discussed in more detail later. Smart switches are not hard-wired into the loop that they are controlling. Instead, smart switches communicate wirelessly with a device to be actuated, sometimes via a communication device, using a known wireless communication protocol, such as RF, wi-fi, Bluetooth®, mesh network or the like.

[0024] The first rocker switch 30 of the present application can be actuated to increase or decrease room brightness, and the second rocker switch 40 can be actuated to raise or lower the room temperature, but these are just two of many examples of use. The gang switch assembly 10 comprises two gangs. A gang switch assembly according to the present application could comprise three or more gangs on a single switch plate, of which a plurality, but not necessarily all, could be further actuatable with the actuating member.

[0025] Figures 2 to 5 show top, side and underside views of a rocker switch 40 as shown in Figure 1 . The first rocker switch 30 and the second rocker switch 40 are mirror images of one another and are disposed in parallel on the switch plate 20. As such, like reference numerals will be used in respect of both rocker switches 30, 40. The rocker switches 30, 40 are pivotally attached to the switch plate 20 and are pivotable between at least first and second switching positions. [0026] The rocker switch 30, 40 comprises first side 110, open second side 120, first end 130, second end 140, base 150 and arcuate upper surface 160. Arcuate upper surface 160 defines an area that is exposed to a user during use, and is the area the user will press when actuating the rocker switches 30, 40. The arcuate upper surface 160 of the rocker switches is divided as shown with line x-x into a first half 170 and a second half 180.. In use, pressing the first half of the 170 of the arcuate upper surface 160 moves the rocker switch 30, 40 to a first switching position, and pressing the second half 180 of the arcuate upper surface 160 moves the rocker switch to a second switching position.

[0027] Adjacent the first and second ends 130, 140 are first and second abutment surfaces indicated 190 and 200 respectively. A cylindrical peg 210 extends from the first side 110 of the rocker switch 30, 40, equidistant from the first and second ends 130, 140.

[0028] In this embodiment, when the gang switch assembly 10 is fully assembled, the cylindrical peg 210 extends from the outermost side 110 of the first and second rocker switches 30, 40 when the first and second rocker switches 30, 40 are disposed in parallel on the switch plate 20. In some embodiments, where the gang switch assembly 10 comprises three or more parallel gangs, the rocker switches disposed between the outermost rocker switches may be otherwise identical to the outermost rocker switches, except they will omit the cylindrical peg.

[0029] As most clearly shown in Figure 4, the base 150 of the rocker switch 30, 40 comprises the underside of the first side 110 and the underside of the first and second abutment surfaces 190, 200. The first side 110, internal faces of the first and second ends 130, 140 and the underside of the upper surface 160 define a chamber generally indicated 220.

[0030] Disposed within chamber 220 on the underside of upper surface 160 are clips 230, said clips 230 comprising opposed arms for attachment to the switch plate backing 400, as will be discussed later. Attachment of the clips 230 permits pivotal movement of the rocker switches 30, 40 between the first and second switching position. Further disposed within chamber 220 on the underside of first and second halves 170, 180 of the upper surface 160 are first opposed projections 240, 250 respectively for actuating a switch component on the switch plate backing 400, as will be discussed later. Further disposed within chamber 220 on the underside of first and second halves 170, 180 of the upper surface 160 are second opposed pairs of projections 260, 270 respectively, which are provided to engage with a further switch on the switch plate backing 400 which will also be discussed later.

[0031] The cylindrical pegs 210 and the clips 230 are disposed coaxially on the rocker switches 30, 40.

[0032] Figures 6 to 8 show an actuating member 50 comprising a pair of opposed actuating arms 60, 70 (as shown in Figure 1 ). Both of actuating arms 60 and 70 are identical, and so like reference numerals will be used in respect of both arms 60, 70. As shown in Figure 1 , the first and second actuating arms 60, 70 are hinged at hinge assembly 80 to the rocker switch pegs 210. Each actuating arm 60, 70 comprises side arms 300 joined at one outermost end to a cross member. The other outermost end of side arms 300 comprises a downwardly-positioned clip 320 for pivotable attachment to the cylindrical peg 210 of the rocker switches 30, 40. The clips 320 extend from a common side of the end of the arms 300 (in the example shown in Figure 6, the right hand side and the left hand side of Figure 7, which is the arm of Figure 6 reversed) and are half as wide as the end of the side arms 300 from which they extend. Therefore, when the first and second actuating member arms 60, 70 are opposed and connected to the pegs 210, the clips 320 interlock.

[0033] The cross member 310 comprises a flange 330 which extends past the outermost edges of the abutment areas 190, 200 of the rocker switches when the gang switch assembly 10 is assembled, and an abutment area 340. When the gang switch assembly 10 is assembled the abutment area 340 abuts the abutment surfaces 190, 200 of the rocker switches 30, 40. An inward-facing edge 350 of the actuation arm 60, 70 mirrors the profile of the first and second ends 130, 140 of the rocker switches 30, 40.

[0034] At rest, as shown in Figure 1 , the rocker switches 30, 40 are in an intermediate position between the first and second switching position (though in certain embodiments, the rocker switches might rest in one of the first or second switching positions, for example to maintain a light on or off. The actuating member arms 60, 70 are resting on the rocker switches 30, 40, so that the abutment area 340 of the actuating member arms 60, 70 rest on the abutment areas 190, 200 of the rocker switches 30, 40. The flange 330 overlies the outermost edges of the abutment areas 190, 200 and the inward-facing edge 350 is aligned with the first and second ends 130, 40 of the rocker switches 30,40. [0035] As shown in Figure 9 there is provided a switch back plate generally indicated 400 for attachment to a wall or other surface. For this purpose, the back plate 400 comprises screw holes 410 for screwed attachment and optionally keyhole shaped guides 420 for removable attachment of the back plate 400 to screws or pegs on a wall. The back plate further comprises clips 430 to receive equivalently-positioned members on the reverse of the switch plate cover 90 (not shown). The switch plate 400 further comprises switch components which are provided behind cover 440. Members 450 are provided for clipped attachment of the clips 200 in the chamber 220 on the underside of the rocker switches 30, 40 (as shown in Figure 4) to cover 440.

[0036] The cover 440 is provided with cantilevers 460, 470, 480, 490, each disposed above a switch (not shown), the cantilevers being biased away from the switches, but moveable to contact the switch when pressure is applied to them. [0037] In this example, four switches are provided behind cantilevers 460, 470, 480, 490 and further switches 500, 510 are disposed along opposed sides of the cover 440. The further switches 500, 510 are provided with smart switches to send an RF message to a communication device when pressed to relay which switch has been actuated.

[0038] In use, the gang switch assembly 10 can be operated as follows. The first rocker switch 30 is movable between a first switching position when the first half 170 of the arcuate upper surface 160 is pressed, which causes the first rocker switch 30 to pivot about the clips 230 attached to the members 450 on the switch plate backing 400. The first projection 240 presses against the cantilever 460 on the cover 440 and this actuates a first switch. Simultaneously, the further projections 260 presses further switch 500 and sends a RF message to a communication device to indicate that the first switch has been pressed. The first rocker switch 30 can also be moved to a second switching position when the second half 180 of the arcuate upper surface 160 is pressed, which causes the first projection 250 to actuate the second cantilever 470 and simultaneously causes the further projection 270 to press further switch 510 to send an RF message to the communications device to indicate that the second switch has been pressed.

[0039] The second rocker switch 40 can also be moved between a first and second switching position, as previously described, wherein when the first half 170 of the arcuate upper surface 160 on the second rocker switch 40 is pressed the third cantilever 480 switch is activated alongside further switch 500, and when second rocker switch 40 is moved to the second switching position, the fourth cantilever 490 and further switch 510 are actuated simultaneously.

[0040] A user can also actuate the first and second rockers simultaneously to the first or second switching position by pressing the cross member 310 of one of the abutment member arms 60, 70, which causes the abutment area 340 on the underside of the cross member 310 to abut and press one of the abutment surfaces 190, 200 of both the first and second rocker switches 30, 40 simultaneously. Both rocker switches 30, 40 are then move to the first or second switching position simultaneously, which operate as described above. For example, a user can simultaneously switch on or switch off all lights that are wired into the gang switch assembly or are actuatable from a smart communication device.

[0041] Alternatively, in the case of a smart switch, actuating the first and second rocker switches 30, 40 into the first or second switching positions simultaneously could result in the sending of a signal that performs a third function. Therefore, a two-gang switch as shown in the present Figures could perform up to six different functions. Specifically, a first function could be operated by pressing the first rocker switch 30 into the first switching position, a second function could be performed by pressing the second rocker switch 40 into the first switching position, a third function could be operated by pressing the cross member 310 of actuating member arm 60 which abuts the abutment area 190 adjacent the first end 130 of the first and second rocker switches 30, 40, a fourth function could be operated by pressing the first rocker switch 30 into the second switching position, a fifth function could be performed by pressing the second rocker switch 40 into the second switching position, a sixth function could be operated by pressing the cross member 310 of actuating member arm 70 which abuts the abutment area 200 adjacent the second end 140 of the first and second rocker switches 30, 40.