US 11,901,139 B2
Control device base that attaches to the paddle actuator of a mechanical switch
William Taylor Shivell, Breinigsville, PA (US)
Assigned to Lutron Technology Company LLC, Coopersburg, PA (US)
Filed by Lutron Technology Company LLC, Coopersburg, PA (US)
Filed on Feb. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/112,183.
Application 18/112,183 is a continuation of application No. 17/363,052, filed on Jun. 30, 2021, granted, now 11,610,748.
Application 17/363,052 is a continuation of application No. 16/676,934, filed on Nov. 7, 2019, granted, now 11,069,493, issued on Jul. 20, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/878,527, filed on Jul. 25, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/756,637, filed on Nov. 7, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0197376 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01H 23/04 (2006.01); H05B 47/19 (2020.01); H01H 3/12 (2006.01); H01H 23/14 (2006.01); H01H 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 23/04 (2013.01) [H01H 3/12 (2013.01); H01H 23/145 (2013.01); H05B 47/19 (2020.01); H01H 2003/0293 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A base configured to be attached to a paddle actuator of an installed mechanical switch that controls whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the base comprising:
a frame that defines an opening that is configured to receive a protruding portion of the paddle actuator therein, the protruding portion of the paddle actuator projecting outward when the mechanical switch is operated into a position that causes power to be delivered to the electrical load, the protruding portion of the paddle actuator comprising a front surface that is configured to be pressed to operate the mechanical switch, a first side surface, and a second side surface, wherein, when the protruding portion is received in the opening, the frame at least partially surrounds the paddle actuator;
a clamp arm that is configured to secure the base to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, wherein the clamp arm is attached to the frame at a pivot joint located proximate to a midpoint of the frame; and
a screw that is operatively engaged with the clamp arm such that, when the screw is rotated in a first direction, the clamp arm is configured to pivot about the pivot joint such that the clamp arm is moved from a location proximate to an outer wall of the frame into the opening until the clamp arm abuts the first side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator,
wherein the clamp arm is configured to apply a force on the first side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator as the screw is further rotated when the clamp arm abuts the protruding portion of the paddle actuator, and wherein the force applied by the clamp arm is configured such that the frame engages the second side surface of the protruding portion of the paddle actuator to secure the base to the protruding portion of the paddle actuator.