ULTRAVIOLET C STERILIZING GERMICIDAL LIGHT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light by the introduction of sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light to the surfaces of electrical switches and switch plates to sanitize the touching surfaces for a germ-free environment.

Description of the Prior Art

It is well established that germs from hands are easily communicated to a person’s face especially when the hands touch the face several times a minute, as for example the eyes are rubbed, the nose is touched and other times when the hands consciously and unconsciously touch the face. Since the exposed face, more than any other part of the human body, is more susceptible to transmitting germs to the body’s systems it impera tive to maintain as best as possible a germ free face and hands free of pathogens which can enter the eyes, ears, mouth, nose etc.

The prior art known to the inventor is represented by the following: Littles, U.S. Patent No. 4,777,570, issued October 11, 1988; Geringer et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0273243, published September 22, 2016; Martin et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0080253, published March 22, 2018; Martin et al.,

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0171669, published June 21, 2018; and, Gerhardt et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0342443. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to incorporate into electrical switches and switch plate covers sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light means for sterilization purposes.

Another object of the present invention is to utilize the electric power of the switch itself to power the provide the electrical power to energize the source of ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light.

The source of the ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light may be from, for example, one or more light emitting diodes, fiber optics, glass fibers, mercury bulbs or any other source and with the invention preferably being implemented into such electrical rocker switched, electrical toggle switched and alike.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means so that the system is automatically energized.

The foregoing and related objects are accomplished by the present invention, which provides an apparatus for sanitizing electrical switches with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light to provide a germ-free touching surface, which apparatus includes an electrical switch having a housing touching area whereby a user physically comes into physical contact, an electrical wall plate associated with the electrical switch, and one or more electric emitters that sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light onto the touching area of the electrical switch.

Preferably, the touching area of the electrical rocker switch is translucent so that the electric emitters that emit sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illuminate the touching surface to provide a germ-tree area.

Preferably, the electric emitters that emit sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light are located around the perimeter of the electrical rocker switch and/or around the electrical switch plate.

It is also preferable that the electric emitters that emit sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light are internally electrically powered by the same electrical power that powers the electrical rocker switch.

By providing sanitizing ultraviolet C sanitizing germicidal light to electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates results in a germ-free surface by disinfecting and sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch plates that are touched by a user hands. The hygienic reason for exposing electrical switches and electrical switch plates to ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light sterilizing light is to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids, disrupting their DNA/RNA and leaving them unable to function or reproduce.

The source of the ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light may be from one or more light emitting diodes, fiber optics, glass fibers, mercury bulbs or any other source .

The invention maybe implemented into such electrical rocker switched, electrical toggle switched and alike.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when considered in combination with the accompanying drawing figures, which illustrate certain preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should, however, be noted that the accompanying drawing figures are intended to illustrate only select preferred embodi ments of the claimed invention and are not intended as a means for defining the limits and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In the drawing figures, wherein similar features are denoted with similar reference numerals throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light that has incorporated within the confines of the electrical switch sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light;

FIG. 2 is front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light that has incorporated within the confines of the electrical switch and electrical switch cover plate sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light;

FIG. 3 is another front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light that has incorporated within the confines of the electrical switch and electrical switch cover plate sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light;

FIG. 4 is a summary of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light that has incorporated within the confines of the electrical switch and electrical switch cover plate sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating a rocker switch;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating a toggle switch;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch showing the coverage of the sanitation ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light;

FIG. 8 is an exploded front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch;

FIG. 9 is an exploded side elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch;

FIG. 10 is an exploded side elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation and side elevation view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational perspective view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating an electrical rocker switch; and,

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the apparatus for sterilizing electrical switches and electrical switch cover plates with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light illustrating the cover plate for an electrical rocker switch with the electrical rocker switch removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 wall

12 electrical switch plate

14 electrical rocker switch 16 sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light electric emitter embedded into touching surface of electrical rocker switch 16a sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light electric emitter located around the perimeter of electrical rocker switch 16b sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light electric emitter located around the perimeter of the electrical switch plate 18 sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light

20 translucent germ free touching area of electrical rocker switch 22 electrical toggle switch

24 external power source

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now, in detail to the accompanying drawing figures, FIG 1 shows the structure of the sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light of the present invention wherein electric rocker switch 14 is integrated with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16. The integrated sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16 of electrical rocker switch 14 are powered by electric current from the same electric power source that connects to electric rocker switch 14 and/or from external power source 24.

The touching area of electrical rocker switch 14 is constructed from translucent material so that the sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitted from sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitter 16 contacts the user’s hand and accordingly provides germ-free touching area 20 of electrical rocker switch 14. Sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16 are spaced within electrical rocker switch 14 so that the touching area 20 of electrical rocker switch 14 is covered with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light 18 for a germ-free surface 20. FIG 2 is a front elevational view of electrical switch plate 12 and positioned around the periphery of electrical rocker switch 14 are sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16a that emit sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light that covers the touching area 20 of electrical rocker switch 14.

FIG 3 is a front elevational view of electrical switch plate 12 and positioned around the periphery of electrical switch plate 12 are sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16b that emit sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light that covers the touching area 20 of electrical rocker switch 14.

FIG 4 shows the general structure of the sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light of the present invention wherein electric rocker switch 14 is integrated with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters.

FIG 5 is a side elevational exploded view of a typical electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components.

FIG 6 is a front elevational view of a typical electrical toggle switch 22.

FIG 7 is a front elevational view showing the structure of the sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light of the present invention wherein electric rocker switch 14 is sanitized and disinfected with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light by emitters 16a.

FIG 8 is a front elevational plan and exploded view of a typical electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components.

FIG 9 is a front elevational exploded plan view of a standard electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components.

FIG 10 is a right side elevational exploded plan view of a standard electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components.

FIG 11 is a top plan perspective view of a typical electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16a located around the perimeter of electrical rocker switch 14.

FIG 12 is a top plan perspective view of a typical electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16a located around the perimeter of electrical rocker switch 14 and sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light 18 emitting from emitters 16a.

FIG 13 is front and side view of a standard electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16a located around the perimeter of electrical rocker switch 14 and sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light 18 emitting from emitters 16a.

FIG 14 is front perspective elevational view of a typical electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16a located around the perimeter of electrical rocker switch 14 and power source 24 connected to electrical rocker switch 14.

FIG 15 is front elevational view of a typical electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various and power source 24 connected to electrical rocker switch 14.

FIG 16 is front perspective elevational view of a typical electrical rocker switch 14 indicating various components with sanitizing ultraviolet C sterilizing germicidal light emitters 16a located around the perimeter of electrical rocker switch 14.

While only several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.