Title:
SWITCH WITH SHAPED FACE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2005117226
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
There is disclosed structure which overcomes the deficiencies with respect to prior art devices by providing a wiring device such as a switch having a paddle that pivots about its upper end and is biased to assume the same at rest position when either in its on position or off position. Repeated pressing and releasing the lower portion of the face of the switch paddle alternately closes and opens a set of contacts within the switch to alternately connect and disconnect a load from a source of electricity each time the paddle is pressed. Thus, regardless of whether adjacent switches are on-off switches or 3-way switches, they will always be in alignment. An on-off indicator such as a small light is provided to indicate to a user when the contacts of the switch are opened or closed. The paddle of the switch has a length-width ratio dimension that is proportioned to provide a finger contact surface of increased area to allow a user to more easily and quickly identify and operate a particular switch. The vertical axis of the switch has a surface of positive first differential, comprised of splines drawn between points if varying distance from a datum plane, and has along the horizontal axis a surface of a positive first differential and negative second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from the datum plane.
Inventors:
KUREK STEPHEN R (US)
ENDRES PAUL (US)
TUFANO ANTHONY (US)
ODDSEN DENNIS A (US)
ENDRES PAUL (US)
TUFANO ANTHONY (US)
ODDSEN DENNIS A (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2005/017937
Publication Date:
July 06, 2006
Filing Date:
May 20, 2005
Export Citation:
Assignee:
LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO (US)
International Classes:
H02G3/14
Foreign References:
| US6979791B2 | 2005-12-27 |
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