DESC:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to switch assemblies. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a switch assembly with replaceable operating panels.

BACKGROUND

Commonly, electrical switches are employed for operating a wide range of appliances by controlling the flow of current to such appliances. In particular, the electrical switches are employed in electrical circuits to divert or interrupt the flow of current toward the appliances, thereby switching ON or switching OFF such appliances.

Existing switch assemblies include a plurality of operating panels, a rocker assembly, a housing, a frame, etc. Each operating panel is adapted to be pivotally moved relative to the housing and the frame, upon applying a pushing force on the operating panel. The operating panel is adapted to be pressed/pushed to move the rocker assembly. The rocker assembly is adapted to be pivotally moved to operate the electrical switch assembly in an ON-state and an OFF-state.

In the existing switches, multiple operating panels may be employed for actuating multiple rockers electrically connected to different electrical devices. However, in some instances, a few rockers might be in an inactive state and not being used for operating any electrical devices. In such cases, the actuation of the operating panel corresponding to such an inactive rocker may not result in the intended operation of an electrical device. Therefore, the use of similar operating panels for all active and inactive rockers may lead to visual confusion for the user by operating the switches. In particular, the user might inadvertently actuate the operating panel corresponding to the inactive rocker. The user may be confused while operating such switches for an unidentified usable switch. This substantially affects the overall user experience while operating the switches.

Hence, in view of the above, it is desirable to provide a configuration of the switch assembly which eliminates the above-mentioned problem associated with the existing art.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a switch assembly with replaceable operating panels. The switch assembly includes a mounting plate, at least one rocker, and at least one operating panel. The at least one rocker may be coupled to the mounting plate. The at least one operating panel may be adapted to be removably supported on the at least one rocker. In such embodiment, the at least one operating panel is adapted to be moved to operate the at least one rocker between an ON state and an OFF state. If the at least one rocker is inactive, the at least one of operating panel corresponding to the rocker is removed and replaced by a static panel. The static panel is adapted to be coupled to the mounting plate.

In an embodiment, a first operating panel is supported on a first rocker, and a second operating panel is supported on a second rocker. The first rocker corresponding to the first operating panel is active, and the second rocker corresponding to the second operating panel is inactive. The second operating panel is removed and replaced with the static panel. In another embodiment, the first rocker corresponding to the first operating panel is inactive, and the second rocker corresponding to the second operative panel is active. The first operating panel is removed and replaced with the static panel.

The at least one operating panel may have a plurality of protrusions positioned on either side of the at least one operating panel. The plurality of protrusions may be snap-fitted into at least two snap-locks of the at least one rocker. It may be noted that the plurality of protrusions extends perpendicular to the either side of the at least one operating panel. The at least one operating panel may be pushed towards the at least one rocker, such that, the plurality of protrusions may be locked within the at least two snaps of the at least one rocker.

The present disclosure ensures a simple configuration of at least one operating panel adapted to be supported on the at least one rocker. Further, the present configuration includes the actuation of the at least one operating panel results in the operation of the ON state and the OFF state. The switch assembly provides the at least one of operating panel corresponding to the rocker, which is removed and replaced by the static panel, resulting in an effective user experience.

Furthermore, the at least one operating panel may make the switch assembly more compact and visually appealing. Also, the interchangeability and the positioning of the at least one operating panel in both positions (inverted and upright) enables uniform production of the at least one operating panel and also makes the process of installation simple for the at least one operating panel.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a switch assembly with replaceable operating panels, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figures 4a-4b illustrate different partially exploded views of the switch assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, a plurality of components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of a plurality of features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of the plurality of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “plurality of features” or “plurality of elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “plurality of” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be plurality of...” or “plurality of elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining a plurality of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, plurality of particular features and/or elements described in connection with plurality of embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although plurality of features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates an assembled view of a switch assembly 100 with replaceable operating panels, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity Figures 1, 2, and 3 are described together.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the switch assembly 100 with replaceable operating panels 104 may be employed in houses, corporate buildings, and similar premises for operating various electronic devices and electrical appliances such as household appliances, laptops, computers, etc. Further, the switch assembly 100 may be adapted to switch ON and/or switch OFF an operation of the electrical appliances. The switch assembly 100 with replaceable operating panels 104 may be adapted to be mounted on an installation surface, for example, a wall, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the switch assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to, at least one rocker 102 and at least one operating panel 104. In an embodiment, the at least one rocker 102 may be supported on a mounting plate 112, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the at least one operating panel 104 may be supported on the at least one rocker 102. Further, the at least one operating panel 104 may be attached to the at least one rocker 102.

In an embodiment, the switch assembly 100 includes at least one rocker 102 coupled to the mounting plate 112, and at least one operating panel 104 adapted to be removably supported on the at least one rocker 102. In such embodiment, the at least one operating panel 104 is adapted to be moved to operate the at least one rocker between an ON state and an OFF state. If the at least one rocker 102 is inactive, then the at least one of operating panel 104 corresponding to the rocker 102 is removed and replaced by a static panel 103. The static panel 103 may be adapted to be coupled to the mounting plate 112, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, a first operating panel 104a is supported on a first rocker 102a, and a second operating panel 104b is supported on a second rocker 102b. In such embodiment, the first rocker 102a corresponding to the first operating panel 104a is active and the second rocker 102b corresponding to the second operative panel 104b is inactive. The second operating panel 104b is removed and replaced with the static panel 103.

In another embodiment, the first rocker 102a corresponding to the first operating panel 104a is inactive and the second rocker 102b corresponding to the second operative panel 104b is active. The first operating panel 104b is removed and replaced with the static panel 103.

The at least one operating panel 104 may have a rectangular shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In another embodiment, the at least one operating panel 104 may have any other shape, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the at least two cover strips 106 may be adapted to cover an area adjacent to the at least one operating panel 104 and the at least two cover strips 106 attached to the mounting plate 112. In such embodiment, wherein the at least one operating panel 104 and the at least two cover strips 106 are adapted to conceal the mounting plate 112 ensuring the safety of the user.

The switch assembly 100 may include a plurality of edges 108 formed at a periphery of the at least one operating panel 104. The at least one rocker 102 extending towards the plurality edges 108 of the at least one operating panel 104. In such embodiment, the at least two cover strips 106 extending towards the plurality of edges 108 of the at least one operating panel 104, and the at least one operating panel 104 disposed adjacent to the at least two cover strips 106. Herein, the at least one operating panel 104 and the at least two cover strips 106 are of equal length.

The at least one rocker 102 is adapted to be accommodated in a cavity 114 defined by the mounting plate 112, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In such embodiment, the mounting plate 112 is affixed to an external structure (not shown in the figure).

Figures 4a-4b illustrate different partially exploded views of the switch assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The at least one operating panel 104 may have a plurality of protrusions 116 positioned on either side of the at least one operating panel 104. The plurality of protrusions 116 may be snap-fitted into at least two snap-locks 118 of the at least one rocker 102. It may be noted that the plurality of protrusions 116 extends perpendicular to the either side of the at least one operating panel 104. The at least one operating panel 104 may be pushed towards the at least one rocker 102, such that, the plurality of protrusions 116 may be locked within the at least two snap-locks 118 of the at least one rocker 102.

As would be gathered, the present disclosure ensures a simple configuration of at least one operating panel 104 adapted to be supported on the at least one rocker 102. Further, the present configuration includes the actuation of the at least one operating panel 104 results in the operation of the ON state and the OFF state. The switch assembly 100 provides the at least one of operating panel corresponding to the rocker, which is removed and replaced by the static panel, resulting in an effective user experience.

Further, the at least one operating panel 104 may make the switch assembly 100 more compact and visually appealing. Also, the interchangeability and the positioning of the at least one operating panel 104 in both positions (inverted and upright) enables uniform production of the at least one operating panel 104 and also makes the process of installation simple for the at least one operating panel 104.

While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:
1. A switch assembly (100), comprising:
a mounting plate (112);
at least one rocker (102) coupled to the mounting plate (112); and
at least one operating panel (104) adapted to be removably supported on the at least one rocker (102),
wherein the at least one operating panel (104) is adapted to be moved to operate the at least one rocker between an ON state and an OFF state,
wherein if the at least one rocker (102) is inactive, the at least one of operating panel (104) corresponding to the rocker (102) is removed and replaced by a static panel (103), wherein the static panel (103) is adapted to be coupled to the mounting plate (112).

2. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
a first operating panel (104a) is supported on a first rocker (102a); and
a second operating panel (104b) is supported on a second rocker (102b).

3. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
the first rocker (102a) corresponding to the first operating panel (104a) is active; and
the second rocker (102b) corresponding to the second operating panel (104b) is inactive,
wherein the second operating panel (104b) is removed and replaced with the static panel (103).

4. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
the first rocker (102a) corresponding to the first operating panel (104a) is inactive; and
the second rocker (102b) corresponding to the second operative panel (104b) is active,
wherein the first operating panel (104b) is removed and replaced with the static panel (103).

5. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one rocker (102) is adapted to be accommodated in a cavity (114) defined by the mounting plate (112).

6. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate (112) is affixed to an external structure.

7. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one rocker (102) comprises at least two snap-locks (118).

8. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at one operating panel (104) comprises a plurality of protrusions (116) positioned on either side of the at least one operating panel (104).

9. The switch assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of protrusions (116) is adapted to be snap-fitted into at least two snap-locks (118) of the at least one rocker (102).