The present invention relates to an electrical switch and socket mounting system'
More particulady the present invention relates to a system and method for an easy
and rapid mognting/ demounting/ replacement of the electical switches and
sockets from the switch plate or frame from front'
BACKGROI,JND AI\ID PRIOR ART:
Replacement/ removal of switches and sockets at the time of failure is an arduous
task. Usually it involves the removal of the whole mounting plate that also
damages the decorative wall paints. Removing the whole mounting plate each
time a switch or a socket fails creates problem for the user. It is desirable to have
a switch system with easy switch or socket replacement'
Publication No. US448 5282 relates to a plug-in type of safety wdl switch and
wall outlet. The wall switch and the wall outlet devices include a plug-in unit
respectively. After a simple wiring and working, a plug-in switch or an outlet unit
may respectively be inserted into a only niche in a power outlet assembly' or may
optionally be inserted into several niches in a power outlet assembly so as to have
them fixed in the niches, and to have their contacts directly come into contact
with the contacts installed at the bottom of said niches.
publication No. US5256g4l relates to a switch unit ttrat is removably inserted
within an appliance switch panel without requiring any auxiliary fastening means'
The elecnic switch is formed in the shape of a container having a front plate
adapted for lockingly engaging an opening in an appliance control panel when the
switch is rotatingly inserted within the opening in a clockwise direction.
publication No. EP1590819 relates to an assembly, the assembly comprising a
mounting plate, the mounting plate being formed with at least one opening, and a
housing which is attachable to the mounting plate such that a front portion of the
housing is accessible through the opening, ths housing and/or mounting plate
containing a rotative lock attachment means to allow the housing to be attached to
the mounting plate using a rotative action.
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Although front loading wasi made possible by flexible lock on the switch with
rigid plate but unloading of switch and socket was achieved only by pressing
them from back direction of the plate as there is no access for the lock from the
front direction. Due to which whole plate is removed for replacing switch and
socket. Efforts have been made in the past for front removal of switches using
different mechanisms. Reference may be made to the followingpublication
No. us77ggg30 relates to carry a building's electrical power to
switches and sockets, which can be readily changed by a homeowner' who merely
plugs-in or removes replacement Components by operating the lifting mechanism'
Publication No. EP264 8296 relates to a modular electrical device for switches,
sockets and other elecfiical components to be applied to a wall' It allows
separating easily the components of the frame if one wishes to act on the device
for maintenance or to change the electical components' The electical
components can be removed from the frame from the front' Removal can occur by
using a tool (for example a screwdriver) which allows, by acting from the rear
part of the frame, to apply a slight pressure to the flexible engagement member of
the electrical comPonent.
Publication No. US3681552 relates to provide a completely enclosed push button
switch with or without illumination of the push button and with molded modular,
highly reliable leaf spring switching. It comprises new and improved push button
electrical switch units which can be mounted and demounted from the front of a
panel.It provide new and improved pushbutton electrical switches which are
compact, have a new and improved structure which simplifies the assembly of the
switch, and provide low profile mounting brackets or clips
publication No. US89ll034 relates to a housing having a quick-dismounting
stnrcture so that a covering plate can be easily and quickly locked to or
disengaged from the housing. The housing includes a base plate, a covering plate
and a switch module. The base plate has a retaining portion'
.4-
The covering plate has one side corresponding to the retaining portion of the base
plate and formed with a switch recess thereon. The switch module is rotatably
disposed in the switch recess about a rotating axis'
The invention provides an improvement over the Indian Publication No'
2626IDEL12009 from the assignee itself. The publication relates to a modular
switch system and method which comprises switch socket and switch plate (inner
and outer). The invention comprises a snap locking system in which the locking
tab is provided in the switch and socket. A slot is also provided in the inner switch
plate and the locking of switch and socket takes place with the deflection of the
flexible member of the slot, provided in the mounting plate, against ttre switch
with the minimal application of force. In the same way, unlocking of the switch
and socket takes place when a minimal force is applied in the space provided for
the screw driver.
In the above application, although it was possible to replace the switches/ sockets
from the front, however, the present invention provides more easy way to remove
the switches/ sockets from the switch plate by applying minimal force and
without harming the switches/ sockets'
Thus the present invention aims at
mounting/ demounting/ replacement
mounting plate from front side easily.
providing a system and method for easy
of electrical switches and sockets from
OBJECTS OF THE IITTVENTION:
The principal objective of the present invention is to provide an electrical switctr/
socket mounting/ demounting system and method for easy and rapid replacement
of electrical switches and sockets from the switch plate frame.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch/
socket mounting/ demoturting system and method which provides easy
replacement of switches and socket from the frame without the removal of full
plate from the mounting box.
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Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an electical switch/
socket mounting/ demounting system and method that requires minimal force for
unlocking of switch and socket from switch plate'
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for
replacement of switches and sockets from front at the time of failure'
SUMMARY OF THE IITTVENTION:
In accordance of the said objectives, the present invention aims to provide an
electrical switch/ socket mognting and demounting system and method that
provides an easy and rapid replacement of the electrical switches and socket from
the switch plate or frame from front by applying minimum force' It comprises of a
snap locking system having locking tab in switch and socket, locking slot in
switch plate and slots on top and bottom periphery of switch plate.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electical switct/ socket
mounting and demounting system and method for easy and rapid replacement of
the electrical switches and sockets from the switch plate from front is provided.
The system comprises of a snap locking system between switctr/ socket and
switch plate for mounting of switches/ sockets having locking tabs in switch or
socket, locking slots in switch plate for receiving the locking tabs of switch or
socket and slots on the periphery of switch plate for demounting of switches or
socket from switch plate.
In another embodiment of the present invention, slot receiving locking tabs may
be provided in switch socket and locking tabs may be provided in switch plate.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the switch plate made up of
insulated material is fixed to the metal mounting box that is mounted to the wall
at a predetermined location with the help of screws. For the purpose of locking of
switches/ sockets locking tabs, locking slots are provided on the inner side of the
frame/switch plate near the switch/ socket slot.
.6-
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the walls used for resting of
switch and socket locking tabs is inclined at an angle in the range of l-20degree
so that the locking tabs in the switch easity slides into the slots provided in
mounting plate for locking by applying minimal operation of force.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, switches and sockets in the
system provided are mounted by placing of locking feature provided at one end at
the respective slots of the frame or switch plate; apptying force on the other side
of switch and socket making switch slide over the side wall due to the angle
provided; and locking occurs when locking tabs of the switch meets with locking
slot of inner switch Plate.
In another embodiment of the present invention, switches and sockets are
demounted from the switch plate by inserting a tool in any of the slots provided at
the periphery of the switch plate; pressing the switch snap lock engagement with
Frame by the tool; applying a minimal force to bend switctr/ socket snap lock for
disengaging the snap lock and demounting the switclr/ socket out from the switch
platelframe.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical
embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered for limiting
of i15 scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments'
Figure I shows an electrical switch/ socket mounting and demounting system
having various comPonents;
Figure 2 shows the lock feature for mounting of switches and socket into the
switch plate according to the present invention;
Figure 3 shorvs the method for removal of switch and socket from switch plate/
frame with the screw driver from front according to the present invention;
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
Accordingly the present invention relates to an elecfiical switctr/ socket mounting
anddemountingsystemthatprovidesaneasyandrapidreplacementofthe
electrical switches and sockets from the switch plate or frame without the removal
of full plate from the mounting box'
A snap locking system is provided in which locking tab is present in the switch
and socket and a slot feature is provided in the switch plate' Altemately' slot
receiving locking tabs may be provided in switch socket and locking tabs may be
provided in switch plate. A flexible part is provided in the switch and socket
accessories and an access for lock is provided from the front top and bottom
direction for the replacement of switch and socket'
Refening to the f,rg. 1, the system has a mounting box, big plate, switch plate'
switches and sockets. The metal mounting box is morurted to wall studs at a
predetermined location and big plate made of insulated material is fixed with the
mounting box with the help of screws. on big plate, switch plate or frame is
mounted which have slots for electrical switch and socket to be mourted with the
help of snap lock. Locking between switch and switch plate takes place with the
help of snap locks in which deflection takes place in the switctr/socket module
while mounting the switch and socket in the switch plate.
Fig.2 shows method for mounting of switches and socket into the switch plate'
Switches/ sockets are provided with the locking tab' During mounting' first of all
the locking features of the switch/ socket is placed at the respective slots of the
frame or switch plate and aligned with the locking slots provided in the switch
plate at one end. Then the force is apptied on the other side of the switctr/ socket
causing deflection in the plate which firther causes the switch/ socket to slide
through the wall'of slots and it gets lockecl when locking tabs of the switch meets
with locking slot of the inner switch plate. walls used for the resting of switch
and socket locking tabs are inclined at an angle in the range of l-20 degree so that
locking tabs in the switch can easily slide into the slot provided in the mounting
plate for the locking by applying minimal operation of forces.
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Fig。3 shows method fOr demomting/removd of swltchey sockets hm the
s宙tch plate.¶ にmetal molmting box(1)iS mOmted to Wall studs at a
predetemined location and big plate made of insulated mate五al is flxed with the
momting box(1)。On big plate,swltCh plate or frame(2)is momted which haVe
slots for electrica s宙tch and socket(3)to be mOmted宙th the help ofSnap lock。
The s宙tch/socket can be del■ounted ioln the swltch plate/tame by inserting
the screw driver kind of tool“ )in the S10ts(5)provided at the top and bottOm
pe五phery the SWltch plate(2)。For remo宙ng the swltch/Socket(3)fbm s宙tCh
plate 2),the SCrewdriver(4)is inSerted in any of the slots(5)provided in sWitch
plttc(2)and s宙th Snap lock engagement宙th ttalne is pressed by applying a
mininlal fbrce to bend swltCh/socket snap 10Ck for disengaging the snap 10Ck。
This ttects the smtch/socket(3)from the sⅦ tch plate(2)k》m theibnt.
Numerous modiications and adaptations of the system of the present invention
w11l be apparent to thoSe skilled in the art,and thus it is intended by the appended
cldms to cover dl Such modincatiOns and adaptations which fall宙thin the me
spirit and scope ofthis invention.
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WE CLAIM:
l. An electrical switch/ socket mounting and demounting system and method
comprising snap locking mechanism between switch/ socket and switch
plate for mounting of switch/ socket and slots in the switch plate for
receiving a tool for demounting of switch/ socket from switch plate or
frame from front characterized in that the slots are provided at the
periphery of the switch Plate'
z.The electrical switch/ socket mounting and demounting system and
method as claimed in claim 1 wherein snap locking mechanism between
switch/ socket and switch plate comprises locking tabs in switch/ socket
and locking slots in switch plate for receiving locking tabs of switch/
socket.
3. The electrical switch/ socket mounting and demounting system and
method as claimed in claim 1, wherein switch/ socket is mounted on
switch plate by aligning the locking tab of switch/ socket with the locking
slots present in the plate at one end; pushing the tab and slot arrangement
by applying minimal operation of force creating deflection in the plate
causing switch to slide through the walls of the slot to get fitted'
4. The electrical switch/ socket mounting and demounting system and
method as claimed in claim l,wherein the walls used for resting of switch
and socket locking tabs is inclined at an angle in the range of l-20degree'
5. The electrical switch/ socket mounting and demounting system and
method as claimed in claim l, wherein the method for demounting/
removing the switch/ socket from switch plate comprises the steps of inserting
a tool in any of the slots provided at the periphery of the switch
plate; pressing the switch snap lock engagement with Frame by the tool;
applying a minimal force to bend switch/ socket snap lock for disengaging
the snap lock and demounting the switch/ socket out from the switch plate/
frame.
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6.The electrical switch/ socket mounting and demounting system and method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool for demounting the switch/ socket from the switch plat from front is selected from screw driver or the like.