Lazy-man type switching circuit

Claim 2

A remotely energizable electric lamp assembly for use in combination with a source of electrical potential in circuit with at least first and second duplex-type outlet assemblies spaced from each other, wherein said first duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least first and second spaced outlets, wherein said second duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least third and fourth spaced outlets, wherein at least said first outlet is in series circuit with a switch member situated electrically between said first outlet and said source, and wherein at least one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, said lamp assembly comprising an electric bulb having two effective conditions one of which is an energized state and the other of which is a de-energized state, power conductor means electrically connected to said electrical bulb and adapted for electrical connection to said one of sAid third and fourth outlets or to said second outlet if only said first outlet of said first outlet assembly is in series circuit with said switch member, said power conductor means including switching means for at times completing an electrical circuit therethrough to said electrical bulb so as to thereby place said electrical bulb in said energized state, control means for at times causing said switching means to complete said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to said bulb and at other times causing said switching means to open said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to thereby place said electrical bulb in said de-energized state, said control means comprising control conductor means adapted for electrical connection to said first outlet of said first outlet assembly or to the other of said third and fourth outlets of said second outlet assembly if only said one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, and energizable actuating means being effective whenever an electrical circuit has been completed through said switch member for causing said switching means to be switched so as to thereby change the state of said electrical bulb from a then existing one of said two effective conditions to the other of said two effective conditions and manually controlled switch means in circuit with said source and having at least two operating positions, said manually controlled switch means being effective when actuated from one of said at least two operating positions to another of said at least two operating positions to cause the state of said bulb to be changed from an existing one of said two effective conditions to another of said two effective conditions regardless of whether said circuit through said switch member is electrically open or closed, said switch means comprising at least one thyristor, said energizable actuating means comprising gating circuitry, and said manually controlled switch means being in circuit with said source and said gating circuitry.

Claim 3

A lamp assembly according to claim 1 wherein said gating circuitry includes an isolation transformer.

Claim 4

A remotely energizable electric lamp assembly for use in combination with a source of electrical potential in circuit with at least first and second duplex-type outlet assemblies spaced from each other, wherein said first duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least first and second spaced outlets, wherein said second duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least third and fourth spaced outlets, wherein at least said first outlet is in series circuit with a switch member situated electrically between said first outlet and said source, and wherein at least one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, said lamp assembly comprising an electric bulb having two effective conditions one of which is an energized state and the other of which is a de-energized state, power conductor means electrically connected to said electrical bulb and adapted for electrical connection to said one of said third and fourth outlets or to said second outlet if only said first outlet of said first outlet assembly is in series circuit with said switch member, said power conductor means including switching means for at times completing an electrical circuit therethrough to said electrical bulb so as to thereby place said electrical bulb in said energized state, control means for at times causing said switching means to complete said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to said bulb and at other times causing said switching means to open said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to thereby place said electrical bulb in said de-energized state, said control means comprising control conductor means adapted for electrical connection to said first outlet of said first outlet assembly or to the other of said third and fourth outlets of said second outlet assembly if only said one Of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, and energizable actuating means being effective whenever an electrical circuit has been completed through said switch member for causing said switching means to be switched so as to thereby change the state of said electrical bulb from a then existing one of said two effective conditions to the other of said two effective conditions and manually controlled switch means in circuit with said source and having at least two operating positions, said manually controlled switch means being effective when actuated from one of said at least two operating positions to another of said at least two operating positions to cause the state of said bulb to be changed from an existing one of said two effective conditions to another of said two effective conditions regardless of whether said circuit through said switch member is electrically open or closed, said power conductor means and said control conductor means being grouped to form a single multiconductor cable coming from said lamp assembly and terminating in a plug having male prongs on one side associated with the said power conductor means and having male prongs on another side associated with said control conductor means.

Claim 5

A remotely energizable electric lamp assembly for use in combination with a source of electrical potential in circuit with at least first and second duplex-type outlet assemblies spaced from each other, wherein said first duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least first and second spaced outlets, wherein said second duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least third and fourth spaced outlets, wherein at least said first outlet is in series circuit with a switch member situated electrically between said first outlet and said source, and wherein at least one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, said lamp assembly comprising an electric bulb having two effective conditions one of which is an energized state and the other of which is a de-energized state, power conductor means electrically connected to said electrical bulb and adapted for electrical connection to said one of said third and fourth outlets or to said second outlet if only said first outlet of said first outlet assembly is in series circuit with said switch member, said power conductor means including switching means for at times completing an electrical circuit therethrough to said electrical bulb so as to thereby place said electrical bulb in said energized state, control means for at times causing said switching means to complete said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to said bulb and at other times causing said switching means to open said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to thereby place said electrical bulb in said de-energized state, said control means comprising control conductor means adapted for electrical connection to said first outlet of said first outlet assembly or to the other of said third and fourth outlets of said second outlet assembly if only said one Of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, and energizable actuating means being effective whenever an electrical circuit has been completed through said switch member for causing said switching means to be switched so as to thereby change the state of said electrical bulb from a then existing one of said two effective conditions to the other of said two effective conditions and manually controlled switch means in circuit with said source and having at least two operating positions, said manually controlled switch means being effective when actuated from one of said at least two operating positions to another of said at least two operating positions to cause the state of said bulb to be changed from an existing one of said two effective conditions to another of said two effective conditions regardless of whether said circuit through said switch member is electrically open or closed, said power conductor means and said control conductor means being grouped to form a single multiconductor cable coming from said lamp assembly and terminating in a plug having male prongs on one side associated with the said power conductor means and having male prongs on another side associated with said control conductor means.

Claim 6

A remotely energizable electric lamp assembly for use in combination with a source of electrical potential in circuit with at least first and second duplex-type outlet assemblies spaced from each other, wherein said first duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least first and second spaced outlets, wherein said second duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least third and fourth spaced outlets, wherein at least said first outlet is in series circuit with a switch member situated electrically between said first outlet and said source, and wherein at least one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, said lamp assembly comprising an electric bulb having two effective conditions one of which is an energized state and the other of which is a de-energized state, power conductor means electrically connected to said electrical bulb and adapted for electrical connection to said one of said third and fourth outlets or to said second outlet if only said first outlet of said first outlet assembly is in series circuit with said switch member, said power conductor means including switching means for at times completing an electrical circuit therethrough to said electrical bulb so as to thereby place said electrical bulb in said energized state, control means for at times causing said switching means to complete said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to said bulb and at other times causing said switching means to open said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to thereby place said electrical bulb in said de-energized state, said control means comprising control conductor means adapted for electrical connection to said first outlet of said first outlet assembly or to the other of said third and fourth outlets of said second outlet assembly if only said one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, and energizable actuating means being effective whenever an electrical circuit has been completed through said switch member for causing said switching means to be switched so as to thereby change the state of said electrical bulb from a then existing one of said two effective conditions to the other of said two effective conditions and manually controlled switch means in circuit with said source and having at least two operating positions, said manually controlled switch means being effective when actuated from one of said at least two operating positions to another of said at least two operating positions to cause the state of said bulb to be changed from an existing one of said two effective conditions to another of said two effective conditions regardless of whether said circuit through said switch member is electricAlly open or closed, said switching means further comprising a thyristor phase control circuit, and wherein said energizable actuating means acts to enable and inhibit said phase control circuit.

Claim 7

A remotely energizable electric lamp assembly for use in combination with a source of electrical potential in circuit with at least first and second duplex-type outlet assemblies spaced from each other, wherein said first duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least first and second spaced outlets, wherein said second duplex-type outlet assembly comprises at least third and fourth spaced outlets, wherein at least said first outlet is in series circuit with a switch member situated electrically between said first outlet and said source, and wherein at least one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, said lamp assembly comprising an electric bulb having two effective conditions one of which is an energized state and the other of which is a de-energized state, power conductor means electrically connected to said electrical bulb and adapted for electrical connection to said one of said third and fourth outlets or to said second outlet if only said first outlet of said first outlet assembly is in series circuit with said switch member, said power conductor means including switching means for at times completing an electrical circuit therethrough to said electrical bulb so as to thereby place said electrical bulb in said energized state, control means for at times causing said switching means to complete said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to said bulb and at other times causing said switching means to open said electrical circuit through said power conductor means to thereby place said electrical bulb in said de-energized state, said control means comprising control conductor means adapted for electrical connection to said first outlet of said first outlet assembly or to the other of said third and fourth outlets of said second outlet assembly if only said one of said third and fourth outlets is in a continuously closed circuit with said source, and energizable actuating means being effective whenever an electrical circuit has been completed through said switch member for causing said switching means to be switched so as to thereby change the state of said electrical bulb from a then existing one of said two effective conditions to the other of said two effective conditions and manually controlled switch means in circuit with said source and having at least two operating positions, said manually controlled switch means being effective when actuated from one of said at least two operating positions to another of said at least two operating positions to cause the state of said bulb to be changed from an existing one of said two effective conditions to another of said two effective conditions regardless of whether said circuit through said switch member is electricAlly open or closed, said switching means further comprising a thyristor phase control circuit, and wherein said energizable actuating means acts to enable and inhibit said phase control circuit.

Claim 8

An electric switching circuit for energizing an electric lamp having first and second lamp conductors from a source of electric potential having at least two output phases and one of said output phases having a first switch means in circuit therewith, comprising first and second power conductors adapted for connection to any of said output phases and to said first and second lamp conductors, thyristor switching means in series circuit with one of said power conductors, gate control means for said thyristor comprising first and second rectifier circuits in series opposing arrangement and connected to the gate and main terminal-1 electrodes of said thyristor, a first rectifier circuit control means comprising a second switch means connecting said first rectifier circuit and any of said output phases so that said first rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said second switch means, a second rectifier control circuit comprising an isolation transformer having one of its windings connected to said first switch means and having its other winding connected to said second rectifier circuit so that said second rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said first switch means, said first switch means and said second switch means being effective to independently energize or de-energize said lamp.

Claim 9

An electric switching circuit for energizing an electric lamp having first and second lamp conductors from a source of electric potential having at least two output phases and one of said output phases having a first switch means in circuit therewith, comprising first and second power conductors adapted for connection to any of said output phases and to said first and second lamp conductors, thyristor switching means in series circuit with one of said power conductors, gate control means for said thyristor comprising first and second rectifier circuits in series opposing arrangement and connected to the gate and main terminal-1 electrodes of said thyristor, a first rectifier circuit control means comprising a second switch means connecting said first rectifier circuit and any of said output phases so that said first rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said second switch means, a second rectifier control circuit comprising an isolation transformer having one of its windings connected to said first switch means and having its other winding connected to said second rectifier circuit so that said second rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said first switch means, said first switch means and said second switch means being effective to independently energize or de-energize said lamp.

Claim 10

An electric switching circuit for energizing an electric lamp having first and second lamp conductors from a source of electric potential having at least two output phases and one of said output phases having a first switch means in circuit therewith; comprising first and second power conductors adapted for connection to any of said output phases and to said first and second lamp conductors, first thyristor switching means in series circuit with one of said power conductors, first gate control means for said first thyristor to provide variable control of the firing angle of said first thyristor, including a bidirectional switching diode and a storage capacitor for providing the energy to turn on said first thyristor, a second thyristor in parallel with said storage capacitor for enabling or inhibiting said first gate control means; a second gate control means for said second thyristor comprising first and second rectifier circuits in series opposing arrangement and connected to the gate and main terminal-1 electrodes of said second thyristor, a first rectifier circuit control means comprising a second switch means connecting said first rectifier circuit and any of said output phases so that said first rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said second switch means, a second rectifier control circuit comprising an isolation transformer connected to said first switch means and having its other winding connected to said second rectifier circuit so that said second rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said first switch means; said first switch means and said second switch means being effective to independently energize or de-energize said lamp.

Claim 11

An electric switching circuit for energizing an electric lamp having first and second lamp conductors from a source of electric potential having at least two output phases and one of said output phases having a first switch means in circuit therewith; comprising first and second power conductors adapted for connection to any of said output phases and to said first and second lamp conductors, first thyristor switching means in series circuit with one of said power conductors, first gate control means for said first thyristor to provide variable control of the firing angle of said first thyristor, including a bidirectional switching diode and a storage capacitor for providing the energy to turn on said first thyristor, a second thyristor in parallel with said storage capacitor for enabling or inhibiting said first gate control means; a second gate control means for said second thyristor comprising first and second rectifier circuits in series opposing arrangement and connected to the gate and main terminal-1 electrodes of said second thyristor, a first rectifier circuit control means comprising a second switch means connecting said first rectifier circuit and any of said output phases so that said first rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said second switch means, a second rectifier control circuit comprising an isolation transformer connected to said first switch means and having its other winding connected to said second rectifier circuit so that said second rectifier circuit is placed in either an energized or de-energized state by said first switch means; said first switch means and said second switch means being effective to independently energize or de-energize said lamp.

Claim 12

An adapter assembly for turning an electric lamp assembly on or off independently from either a wall switch controlling a wall outlet or from a manual switch associated with said adapter, said adapter assembly comprising housing means, said housing means having a lower surface for resting on some other surface, manual switch means located for actuation at the upper surface of said housing means, electrical socket means located at a side surface of said housing means for receiving the plug from said electric lamp assembly, power conductor cord means extending from a side surface of said housing means and terminating in an electirc plug for connection to a continuously energized wall outlet, control condUctor cord means extending from a side surface of said housing means and terminating in an electric plug for connection to an outlet energized by a wall switch, a switch means within said housing means and in series circuit arrangement with said power conductor cord means and said electrical socket means, and energizable actuating means within said housing means for controlling said switch means and connected to said control conductor means.

Claim 13

An adapter assembly for turning an electric lamp assembly on or off independently from either a wall switch controlling a wall outlet or from a manual switch associated with said adapter, said adapter assembly comprising housing means, said housing means having a lower surface for resting on some other surface, manual switch means located for actuation at the upper surface of said housing means, electrical socket means located at a side surface of said housing means for receiving the plug from said electric lamp assembly, power conductor cord means extending from a side surface of said housing means and terminating in an electirc plug for connection to a continuously energized wall outlet, control condUctor cord means extending from a side surface of said housing means and terminating in an electric plug for connection to an outlet energized by a wall switch, a switch means within said housing means and in series circuit arrangement with said power conductor cord means and said electrical socket means, and energizable actuating means within said housing means for controlling said switch means and connected to said control conductor means.

Claim 14

An adapter assembly according to 7 wherein said switching means and said energizable actuating means comprise a single pole double throw relay and said manual switch means comprises a single pole double throw switch, and said power conductor cord means, said switch means, said manual switch means, and said electrical socket means are in series circuit arrangement.

Claim 15

An adapter assembly according to 7 wherein said switching means and said energizable actuating means comprise a single pole double throw relay and said manual switch means comprises a single pole double throw switch, and said power conductor cord means, said switch means, said manual switch means, and said electrical socket means are in series circuit arrangement.

Claim 16

An adapter assembly according to 8 wherein said switch means comprises a thyristor and said energizable actuating means comprises a gating circuit, said gating circuit comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other recitifer circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 17

An adapter assembly according to 8 wherein said switch means comprises a thyristor and said energizable actuating means comprises a gating circuit, said gating circuit comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other recitifer circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 18

An adapter assembly according to 8 wherein said switch means is a phase controlled thyristor circuit, and said energizable actuating means comprises a second thyristor which enables or inhibits said phase controlled thyristor circuit, the gating circuit for said second thyristor being comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other rectifier circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 19

An adapter assembly according to 8 wherein said switch means is a phase controlled thyristor circuit, and said energizable actuating means comprises a second thyristor which enables or inhibits said phase controlled thyristor circuit, the gating circuit for said second thyristor being comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other rectifier circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 20

An adapter assembly for turning an electric lamp assembly on or off independently from either a wall switch controlling a wall outlet or from a manual switch associated with said adapter, said adapter assembly comprising a first housing member, said first housing member having a back surface and attached thereto a single pair of male prongs for engagement with a continuously energized wall outlet, said single pair of male prongs being effective to provide electrical power to the assembly and hold the first housing member in position against the wall outlet, an electrical socket means on another surface of said first housing member for receiving the plug from said electric lamp assembly, control conductor cord means extending from a surface of said first housing means and terminating in a plug for electrical connection to a wall outlet controlled by a wall switch, manual switch conductor cord means extending from a face of said first housing member and terminating in a second housing member, said second housing member having a lower surface for resting on some other surface, manual switch means within said second housing member and located for actuation at the upper surface of said second housing member, switch means located within said first housing member and in series circuit arrangement with said male prongs and said electrical socket means, and energizable actuating means within said first housing means for controlling said switch means and connected to said control conductor cord means.

Claim 21

An adapter assembly for turning an electric lamp assembly on or off independently from either a wall switch controlling a wall outlet or from a manual switch associated with said adapter, said adapter assembly comprising a first housing member, said first housing member having a back surface and attached thereto a single pair of male prongs for engagement with a continuously energized wall outlet, said single pair of male prongs being effective to provide electrical power to the assembly and hold the first housing member in position against the wall outlet, an electrical socket means on another surface of said first housing member for receiving the plug from said electric lamp assembly, control conductor cord means extending from a surface of said first housing means and terminating in a plug for electrical connection to a wall outlet controlled by a wall switch, manual switch conductor cord means extending from a face of said first housing member and terminating in a second housing member, said second housing member having a lower surface for resting on some other surface, manual switch means within said second housing member and located for actuation at the upper surface of said second housing member, switch means located within said first housing member and in series circuit arrangement with said male prongs and said electrical socket means, and energizable actuating means within said first housing means for controlling said switch means and connected to said control conductor cord means.

Claim 22

An adapter assembly according to 11 wherein said switching means and said energizable actuating means comprise a single pole double throw relay and said manual switch means comprises a single pole double throw switch, and said power conductor cord means, said switch means, said manual switch means, and said electrical socket means are in series circuit arrangement.

Claim 23

An adapter assembly according to 11 wherein said switching means and said energizable actuating means comprise a single pole double throw relay and said manual switch means comprises a single pole double throw switch, and said power conductor cord means, said switch means, said manual switch means, and said electrical socket means are in series circuit arrangement.

Claim 24

An adapter assembly according to 11 wherein said switch means comprises a thyristor and said energizable actuating means comprises a gating circuit, said gating circuit comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other rectifier circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 25

An adapter assembly according to 11 wherein said switch means comprises a thyristor and said energizable actuating means comprises a gating circuit, said gating circuit comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other rectifier circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 26

An adapter assembly according to 11 wherein said switch means is a phase controlled thyristor circuit, and said energizable actuating means comprises a second thyristor which enables or inhibits said phase controlled thyristor circuit, the gating circuit for said second thyristor being comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other rectifier circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 27

An adapter assembly according to 11 wherein said switch means is a phase controlled thyristor circuit, and said energizable actuating means comprises a second thyristor which enables or inhibits said phase controlled thyristor circuit, the gating circuit for said second thyristor being comprised of two series opposing rectifier circuits, one of said rectifier circuits being controlled through the control conductor cord means by a wall switch and the other rectifier circuit being controlled by the manual switch, one of said rectifier circuits having an isolation transformer.

Claim 28

A lamp switching circuit for turning an electric lamp on or off independently from either of two switch stations comprising a source of electrical potential having at least two output phases, power conductor means connected to one of said output phases and said lamp, one of said power conductor means having in series circuit therewith a single pole double throw manual switch and a pair of thyristors having their main terminal 1 electrodes connected together and to said source and their main terminal 2 electrodes connected to the terminals of said manual switch, the armature side of said manual switch being connected to said electric lamp, control conductor means connected to said source through a switch means and to the primary winding of an isolation transformer, the secondary of said isolation transformer being connected to the gate terminal and main terminal 1 of one of said pair of thyristors through a rectifier and filter circuit so as to supply a d.c. signal to said one of said pair of thyristors when said switch means completes the circuit between said source and said primary winding, resistor means connected intermediate the main terminal 2 electrode of said one of said pair of thyristors and the gate terminal of the other of said pair of thyristors, resistor means connected intermediate the main terminal 2 electrode of said one of said pair of thyristors and the armature of said single pole double throw switch, said switch means being effective when turned on and off to alternately turn one or the other of said pair of thyristors on or off, said circuit being effective to change the state of energization of said lamp when the condition of either the switch means or the single pole double throw switch is changed.

Claim 29

A lamp switching circuit for turning an electric lamp on or off independently from either of two switch stations comprising a source of electrical potential having at least two output phases, power conductor means connected to one of said output phases and said lamp, one of said power conductor means having in series circuit therewith a single pole double throw manual switch and a pair of thyristors having their main terminal 1 electrodes connected together and to said source and their main terminal 2 electrodes connected to the terminals of said manual switch, the armature side of said manual switch being connected to said electric lamp, control conductor means connected to said source through a switch means and to the primary winding of an isolation transformer, the secondary of said isolation transformer being connected to the gate terminal and main terminal 1 of one of said pair of thyristors through a rectifier and filter circuit so as to supply a d.c. signal to said one of said pair of thyristors when said switch means completes the circuit between said source and said primary winding, resistor means connected intermediate the main terminal 2 electrode of said one of said pair of thyristors and the gate terminal of the other of said pair of thyristors, resistor means connected intermediate the main terminal 2 electrode of said one of said pair of thyristors and the armature of said single pole double throw switch, said switch means being effective when turned on and off to alternately turn one or the other of said pair of thyristors on or off, said circuit being effective to change the state of energization of said lamp when the condition of either the switch means or the single pole double throw switch is changed.