1. Field of the Invention
This description relates to handheld housings for controllers.
2. Description of Related Art
Wall-mount electrical controllers, such as light switches and dimmers, have been around for many years. These controllers are designed, configured, and dimensioned to be installed into standardized electrical junction boxes. As such, these controllers have mounting brackets, tabs, and mounting holes having specific configurations and dimensions. These controllers are installed into the junction box and usually covered by standardized cover plates. The problem with these wall-mount controllers is that the user must be near the junction box to operate the electrical device.
In recent years, small handheld remote-control devices have been developed that allow users to control electrical devices, such as lights and ceiling fans, remotely. With these remote control devices, the user can operate the electrical device from anywhere within the operational range of the remote control. These remote control devices usually include a small housing and one or more self-powered internal circuit boards that are connected to input buttons and switches that can be accessed by the user. The housing and the circuit boards are designed together so that the circuit boards fit properly into the housing. The problem with these remote control devices is that the housing can only be used with its corresponding circuit boards and control circuitry.
Although the foregoing devices represent great strides in the area of electrical controllers, many shortcomings remain.
Referring to
In the embodiment shown, handheld housing 15 comprises an upper portion 33 and a lower portion 35. Portions 33, 35 are sized to allow module 13 to be installed within a volume formed when portions 33, 35 are assembled together. Upper portion 33 has a faceplate 37, and lower portion 35 has a base plate 39. Four posts 41 protrude from an inner surface of faceplate 37, and portions 33, 35 may be assembled together by aligning portions 33, 35 and inserting each post 41 into one of four corresponding cylindrical receptacles 43, which protrude from an inner surface of base plate 39. When portions 33, 35 are assembled, faceplate 37 and base plate 39 are spaced from each other, such that a sufficient space is created for module 13 within housing 15. Module 13 is attached to upper portion 33 at mounting posts 45, which also protrude from an inner surface of faceplate 37 and correspond to the positions of holes 29 in mounting flanges 27. Module 13 may be secured to posts 45 using, for example, a threaded fastener, or module may be secured using other types of connections, such as by press fitting holes 29 onto posts 45. Alternatively, posts 45 may protrude from an inner surface of base plate 39 on lower portion 35. Another type of mounting involves inserting posts 45 into holes 29 for longitudinally and laterally locating module 13 within housing 15, while base plate 39 is used to maintain the positioning of module 13 on posts 45. When portions 33, 35 are assembled to form housing 15, housing 15 preferably has a comfortable, ergonomic shape and may have, for example, a narrowed section 47 to provide for user comfort when gripping housing 15.
When installed in housing 15, module 13 is positioned so that controls 19, 21 are visible and accessible through an aperture 49 formed in faceplate 37, and this positioning is readily seen in
Remote-control module 55 is similar in construction and function to module 13, described above, and is a self-powered remote-control module configured for attachment to a standard wall box. Controls, such as fan switches 59 and light switches 61, are located on faceplate 63, and a mounting plate 65 has opposing mounting flanges 67 for attaching module 13 to a wall box. A switch housing 69 is located on the opposite side of mounting plate 65 from faceplate 63.
Handheld housing 57 comprises an upper portion 71 and a lower portion 73, and portions 71, 73 are sized to allow module 55 to be installed within a volume formed when portions 71, 73 are assembled together. Module 55 is located within housing 57 using mounting posts 75, which protrude from an inner surface of upper portion 71 and correspond to the positions of holes in mounting flanges 67. When portions 71, 73 are assembled to form housing 57, housing 57 preferably has a comfortable, ergonomic shape to provide for user comfort when gripping housing 57. In the embodiment shown, portions 71, 73 are assembled together using a snap-fit configuration, and this is visible in the areas indicated by reference number 77.
When installed in housing 57, module 55 is positioned so that switches 59, 61 are visible and accessible through an aperture 79 formed in upper portion 71, and this positioning is readily seen in
It should be noted that the module and housing of each embodiment may be sold or otherwise provided to the user separately or as a kit. One embodiment of a kit may include one remote-control module and one handheld housing, and another embodiment of a kit may include two remote-control modules and one handheld housing, allowing the user to install one module in a wall box and another module in the handheld housing. It should also be noted that each handheld housing may incorporate a weather-resistant seal or seals for allowing reliable use of the remote-control assembly in an outdoor setting. Also, though each illustrated embodiment of the handheld housing is shown as being formed from two portions, the housing may be formed as one piece that is configured for receiving the remote-control module. The invention of the present application has many benefits and advantages, including, providing the ability to use a wide variety of standardized wall-mount remote-control controllers in a handheld housing.
While illustrative embodiments have been described above, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and other embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60921682 | Apr 2007 | US |