Patent US3746923A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3746923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dimmer switch with linearly movable control
Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-18
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A dimmer switch is provided with a linearly moving slider knob which is attached to a linearly moving potentiometer. The potentiometer is connected to the control circuit of a triac device to adjust the firing angle of the triac, thereby to control the dimming of the light. The dimmer switch is placed in a conventional wall box and is connected to the available wiring circuit. A switch connected in series with the device terminals is operated by the linearly moving slider when the switch reaches an end position in its travel.
Inventors
- 👤 J Spira
- 👤 J Licata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H15/00; H01H15/02; H01C; H01C10/00; H01C10/50; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/0213; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S315/00; Y10S315/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A voltage control device comprising, in combination: a support plate having a front and rear surface; controllably conductive means for connection in series with an electrical load and having a control electrode; said controllably conductive means mounted relative to said support plate; control circuit means connected to said controllably conductive means for coNtrolling the conduction of said controllably conductive means in order to control the output voltage to said load; and an adjustable resistor constituting a component of said control circuit means; said adjustable resistor having a linearly movable control element; adjustment of said linearly movable control element causing the change in the output voltage to said load; said adjustable resistor being mounted relative to said support plate; said support plate having a straight, elongated slot therethrough; said linearly movable element of said adjustable resistor extending through said elongated slot and being operable from a position adjacent said front surface of said support plate; said support plate being of conductive material; and wherein said controllably conductive means, said control circuit means, and said adjustable resistor are each supported from said support plate, and are disposed on said rear surface of said plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A voltage control device comprising, in combination: a support plate having a front and rear surface; controllably conductive means for connection in series with an electrical load and having a control electrode; said controllably conductive means mounted relative to said support plate; control circuit means connected to said controllably conductive means for coNtrolling the conduction of said controllably conductive means in order to control the output voltage to said load; and an adjustable resistor constituting a component of said control circuit means; said adjustable resistor having a linearly movable control element; adjustment of said linearly movable control element causing the change in the output voltage to said load; said adjustable resistor being mounted relative to said support plate; said support plate having a straight, elongated slot therethrough; said linearly movable element of said adjustable resistor extending through said elongated slot and being operable from a position adjacent said front surface of said support plate; said support plate being of conductive material; and wherein said controllably conductive means, said control circuit means, and said adjustable resistor are each supported from said support plate, and are disposed on said rear surface of said plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 which further includes disconnect switch means connected in series with said controllably conductive means and an operating member connected to said disconnect switch means; said operating member being movable between first and second positions for operating said disconnect switch means between an engaged position and disengaged position, respectively; and an extension member extending from said linearly movable element and movable to engage said operating member of said switch means when said linearly movable element reaches a given position, thereby to operate said operating member from its said first position to its said second position; said disconnect switch means, operating member and extension member each mounted adjacent said rear surface of said support plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as set forth in claim 2 which includes an operating slider means disposed adjacent said front surface of said support plate and connected to said linearly movable element extending through said elongated slot in said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as set forth in claim 3 which includes a wall plate cover for covering said support plate; said wall plate cover secured to said support plate and having an elongated opening therein for exposing said operating slider means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as set forth in claim 2 which includes an insulation housing for enclosing, with a portion of said support plate, said controllably conductive means, said control circuit means, said adjustable resistor and said disconnect switch means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as set forth in claim 5 which further includes a pair of terminal leads connected in series with said controllably conductive means and said disconnect switch means and extending externally of said insulation housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said front surface of said support plate contains at least first and second laterally spaced, parallel projections for receiving said operating slider means therebetween and for guiding the motion thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said front surface of said support plate contains a plurality of parallel, spaced heat fins; a centrally disposed group of said heat fins terminating in a generally common plane, at least one of said centrally disposed group slidingly supporting the adjacent surface of said operating slider means, and at least one pair of outwardly disposed heat fins extending beyond said common plane serving as lateral guides for guiding the motion of said operating slider means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said front surface of said support plate contains a plurality of parallel, spaced heat fins; a centrally disposed group of said heat fins terminating in a generally common plane, at least one of said centrally disposed group slidingly supporting the adjacent surface of said operating slider means, and at least one pair of outwardly disposed heat fins extending beyond said common plane serving as lateral guides for guiding the motion of said operating slider means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support plate is adapted to be mounted in a wall box, and wherein said load is a lighting circuit load, and wherein said device is a light dimmer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 which includes an insulation housing for enclosing, with a portion of said conductive support plate, said controllably conductive means, said control circuit means, and said adjustable resistor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as set forth in claim 11 which further includes a pair of terminal leads connected in series with said controllably conductive means and extending externally of said insulation housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device as set forth in claim 11 which includes an opening slider means disposed adjacent said front surface of said conductive support plate and connected to said linearly movable element extending through said elongated slot in said plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device as set forth in claim 13 which includes a wall plate cover for covering said conductive support plate; said wall plate cover secured to said conductive support plate and having an elongated opening therein for exposing said operating slider means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electrical control device adapted for mounting in a wall box, comprising, in combination: a support plate having a front and rear surface, a straight elongated slot extending through said support plate; electrical current control means secured to said support plate at said rear surface thereof; an operating shaft connected to said electrical control means and extending through said elongated slot and movable along said elongated slot to operate said electrical control means; an operating slider means disposed adjacent said front surface of said support plate and connected to said operating shaft; a plurality of parallel spaced fins extending outwardly from said front surface of said support plate including a centrally disposed group of fins terminating in a generally common plate spaced from and parallel to said front surface, at least one of said centrally disposed group slidingly supporting said operating slider means, and further including at least a pair of fins on opposite sides of said centrally disposed group and extending beyond said common plane, and defining lateral guides for receiving the sides of said operating slider means and for guiding the motion thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electrical control device adapted for mounting in a wall box, comprising, in combination: a support plate having a front and rear surface, a straight elongated slot extending through said support plate; electrical current control means secured to said support plate at said rear surface thereof; an operating shaft connected to said electrical control means and extending through said elongated slot and movable along said elongated slot to operate said electrical control means; an operating slider means disposed adjacent said front surface of said support plate and connected to said operating shaft; a plurality of parallel spaced fins extending outwardly from said front surface of said support plate including a centrally disposed group of fins terminating in a generally common plate spaced from and parallel to said front surface, at least one of said centrally disposed group slidingly supporting said operating slider means, and further including at least a pair of fins on opposite sides of said centrally disposed group and extending beyond said common plane, and defining lateral guides for receiving the sides of said operating slider means and for guiding the motion thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control device of claim 15 wherein said pair of fins contain hook-shaped protrusions on the ends thereof which hook over the sides of said operating slider means to press said operating slider means against said group of fins.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control device of claim 16 wherein said operating slider means includes spring-type means connected to the sides thereof which press against said hook-shaped protrusions of said pair of fins.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
102 words
The control device of claim 15 wherein said plurality of spaced fins further include a second pair of fins outwardly displaced on either side of said pair of fins; and an escutcheon plate for covering the said front surface of said support plate; said escutcheon plate having an opening therethrough for permitting access to said operating slider means; the surface of said escutcheon plate which faces said support plate having snap-type connector means extending therefrom; said snap-type connector means being connectable to at least one of said plurality of fins for receiving said escutcheon plate in place relative to said support plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control device of claim 18 wherein said second pair of fins have snap connection means disposed generally at the outer ends thereof for receiving said snap-type connector means of said escutcheon plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
82 words
The control device of claim 18 wherein said escutcheon plate has first and second parallel elongated weakened sections defining break-off sections, extending along the length thereof and removed by the same distance from the sides of said escutcheon plate, and wherein said support plate has first and second parallel elongated weakened secTions defining break-off sections, extending parallel to said plurality of fins, and at the base of said fins, and disposed adjacent said first and second weakened sections in said escutcheon plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The electrical control device of claim 18 wherein the surface of said slider means includes position indicia thereon; said position indicia consisting of a plurality of raised dots spaced from one another in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said slider means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electrical control device of claim 18 wherein said escutcheon plate has a length longer than the length of said support plate whereby said escutcheon plate completely covers said support plate over a range of length of relative displacement between said escutcheon plate and said support plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The control device of claim 15 which includes elongated strip means connected to said operating shaft and movable between adjacent fins of said plurality of fins and substantially covering said elongated slot, regardless of the position of said operating shaft along the length of said slot.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
The control device of claim 15 which further includes an escutcheon plate for covering the said front surface of said support plate; said escutcheon plate having connector means extending from one surface thereof; said plurality of spaced fins including at least one pair of opposed fins having serrations in their opposing surfaces; said connector means extending from said one surface of said escutcheon plate being force-fit between said serrations in said opposing fin surfaces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
The control device of claim 15 which further includes an escutcheon plate for covering the said front surface of said support plate; said escutcheon plate having screws extending from one surface thereof; and said plurality of spaced fins including at least one pair of opposed fins having serrations in their opposing surfaces and adapted to receive said screws.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device as set forth in claim 1 which includes elongated strip means connected to said linearly movable element; said elongated strip means disposed adjacent said front surface of said support plate and covering said elongated slot regardless of the adjustment position of said linearly movable element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |