Switch adapter mechanism

Claim 1

Apparatus for use with a wall mounted switch of the type having an outlet box including at least one fastening aperture adapted for receiving a cover plate mounting screw and a vertically moveable operating level for turning the switch on and off, said apparatus comprising: an elongate cover plate having an upper portion disposed overlying said outlet box and a lower portion depending therefrom, said upper portion including at least one mounting aperture adapted for receiving said mounting screw for stationarily securing said cover plate to said outlet box and an opening receiving said operating level for allowing local manual operation of said switch, said lower portion including a plurality of vertically spaced longitudinal slots; an elongate slide plate interposed between the wall and said cover plate, said slide plate including at least one longitudinal guide slot receiving said mounting screw for allowing limited vertical displacement of said slide plate relative to said cover plate, an opening receiving said lever for operating said switch in response to vertical movement of said slide plate, and a plurality of apertures each displaceable in a locus underlying a respective one of said cover plate longitudinal slots in response to vertical movement of said slide plate; and a single horizontally disposed operating member passing through a selected one of said cover plate longitudinal slots and snugly engaging the associated one of said slide plate apertures, said slide plate being moveable for operating said switch in response to vertical displacement of said operating member from an adjustable height above the floor corresponding to said selected cover plate longitudinal slot while said cover plate is maintained in a stationary orientation.