Patent US5169337A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4567337A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4567337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible extension device for toggle switches
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-01-03
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2004-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A light switch extension for use with a conventional toggle type wall switch permits ready on and off operation of the switch by children, handicapped individuals and others. The extension includes a flexible component which engages the light switch toggle at least on the upper and lower surfaces thereof and is secured there by a pin passing through the toggle or by alternate devices such as cooperating bosses and recesses. The flexible component is secured to a vertically depending operator assembly by a suitable fastener such as a screw or by other agencies such as an adhesive. A first portion of the operator assembly is a rigid rod and the second portion is a flexible element such as a helical spring which is capable of axially transmitting sufficient force to the flexible component and switch toggle to turn it on and off but which is radially or laterally flexible such that radially or laterally applied forces will harmlessly deflect it.
Inventors
- 👤 I Karl E. Woods
- 👤 Evan Scott, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/12; H01H23/14; H01H23/141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A light switch extension for facilitating operation of a toggle type wall switch comprising, in combination, means for engaging the switch toggle of a wall switch, said engaging means including a first flexible strap having a first surface for disposition against an upper surface of such toggle, a second flexible strap having a second surface generally parallel to said first surface for disposition against a lower surface of such toggle, means for retaining said engaging means on said toggle, said retaining means defining a first axis disposed normal to said first and said second surfaces, said engaging means further including a terminal portion and a flexible intermediate portion disposed between said first and second surfaces and said terminal portion, and an elongate operator means coupled to said terminal portion for applying bi-directional force to such toggle, said operator means including a rigid portion and a helical spring coupled to said rigid portion and defining a second axis for bi-directionally transferring forces applied substantially along said second axis and deforming in response to forces applied obliquely and perpendicularly to said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A light switch extension for facilitating operation of a toggle type wall switch comprising, in combination, means for engaging the switch toggle of a wall switch, said engaging means including a first flexible strap having a first surface for disposition against an upper surface of such toggle, a second flexible strap having a second surface generally parallel to said first surface for disposition against a lower surface of such toggle, means for retaining said engaging means on said toggle, said retaining means defining a first axis disposed normal to said first and said second surfaces, said engaging means further including a terminal portion and a flexible intermediate portion disposed between said first and second surfaces and said terminal portion, and an elongate operator means coupled to said terminal portion for applying bi-directional force to such toggle, said operator means including a rigid portion and a helical spring coupled to said rigid portion and defining a second axis for bi-directionally transferring forces applied substantially along said second axis and deforming in response to forces applied obliquely and perpendicularly to said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light switch extension of claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes at least one member extending into such switch toggle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light switch extension of claim 2 wherein said straps are fabricated of leather.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light switch extension of claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a set screw means for engaging such switch toggle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light switch extension of claim 1 wherein said rigid portion includes complementary helical threads for engagement with said spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
A flexible light switch extension for facilitating operation of a toggle type wall switch comprising, in combination, an engagement means for securement to the toggle of a switch, said engagement means including a first flexible member for disposition against one surface of such toggle, a second flexible member for disposition against an opposed surface of such toggle, said first and said second flexible members secured to such toggle at substantially colinear sites by at least one retaining member extending into such toggle, said first and said second flexible members extending away from such switch toggle and merging into intimate juxtaposition to form a terminal portion and an elongate operator means coupled to said terminal portion for applying bi-directional force to such toggle, said operator means including a rigid portion and a flexible helical spring portion coupled to said rigid portion and defining an axis for bi-directionally transferring forces applied substantially along said axis and deforming in response to forces applied obliquely and perpendicularly to said axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
A flexible light switch extension for facilitating operation of a toggle type wall switch comprising, in combination, an engagement means for securement to the toggle of a switch, said engagement means including a first flexible member for disposition against one surface of such toggle, a second flexible member for disposition against an opposed surface of such toggle, said first and said second flexible members secured to such toggle at substantially colinear sites by at least one retaining member extending into such toggle, said first and said second flexible members extending away from such switch toggle and merging into intimate juxtaposition to form a terminal portion and an elongate operator means coupled to said terminal portion for applying bi-directional force to such toggle, said operator means including a rigid portion and a flexible helical spring portion coupled to said rigid portion and defining an axis for bi-directionally transferring forces applied substantially along said axis and deforming in response to forces applied obliquely and perpendicularly to said axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible light switch extension of claim 6 wherein said first and second flexible members are fabricated of leather.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flexible light switch extension of claim 6 wherein said first and second flexible members are fabricated of polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flexible light switch extension of claim 6 wherein such switch toggle defines a through aperture and said retaining member is a pin extending through said aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The flexible light switch extension of claim 6 wherein such switch toggle defines a pair of colinear recesses disposed on opposite sides of such switch toggle for receiving a respective said retaining member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flexible light switch extension of claim 6 wherein said rigid portion includes complementary helical threads for engagement with said spring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The flexible light switch extension of claim 6 further including a ball secured to the end of said flexible portion means opposite said rigid portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |