Patent Application
20110147037
1. Field of the Related Art
The present disclosure relates to wiring devices, and more particularly, to a frame or bezel interchangeably attached to a wiring device.
2. Background of the Related Art
There is an interest in customizing faceplates or receptacles to harmonize such devices with room decor such as wallpaper, drapes, furnishings and the like. Some people may prefer to personalize the faceplate or receptacle by displaying a favorite photographic or fanciful design. For example, in a child's room, it may be desirable to display a cartoon character or the likeness of an entertainer or sports figure on the faceplate or receptacle. Moreover, it may be desirable to display the logo of a favorite sports team or musical group. In business applications, it may be desirable to display a company logo or building safety/security information.
It will be appreciated that conventional faceplates or receptacles cannot accommodate such a wide variety of unique display requirements, most of which are personal. It will also be appreciated that such personal preferences may change from time-to-time, and that conventional faceplate or receptacle assemblies which utilize screw fasteners make such replacement difficult even when an appropriate decorator faceplate or receptacle may be found.
Objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the present disclosure.
Additional objects and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in, or will be apparent to those skilled in the art from, the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed steps, or features hereof may be practiced in various uses and embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of the present reference thereto. Such variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent steps, referenced or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various features, steps, parts, or the like. Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of the present disclosure may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features or parts or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description).
The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wiring device having a front facing perimeter base having at least one opening. The wiring device further includes a removable bezel having a front face and a back face, the back face of the removable bezel surrounding at least a portion of the front facing perimeter base. The back face of the removable bezel includes a shielding wall for shielding ambient light from a sensor positioned on the front face perimeter base.
The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to a method for customizing an appearance of a wiring device including removing a first bezel from the wiring device, the first bezel having a first aesthetic characteristic and attaching a second bezel to the wiring device, the second bezel having a second aesthetic characteristic. A back face of each of the first and second bezels includes a shielding wall for shielding ambient light from a sensor positioned on a front face perimeter base of the wiring device.
The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to a method for providing multiple aesthetic characteristic options with a single wiring device including selling the wiring device with a removable frame and providing alternative frames that differ in appearance. A back face of the removable frame includes a shielding wall for shielding ambient light from a sensor positioned on a front face perimeter base.
The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to a kit including a wiring device having a top facing perimeter base for receiving a removable frame and a plurality of removable frames each differing in an aesthetic from the other.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the present disclosure.
While the above-identified drawing figures set forth alternative embodiments, other embodiments of the present disclosure are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents illustrated embodiments by way of representation and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure proposes providing a faceplate assembly having a removable decorator insert frame or bezel which is retained without screw fasteners, and which may be easily removed and replaced with the use of a tool. The present disclosure further proposes providing an improved decorator frame or bezel assembly for an electrical wiring device, which covers the electrical wiring device and provides a clean, unbroken decorative appearance.
The present disclosure further proposes providing an improved wiring device assembly, in which a decorator insert frame or bezel may be installed and replaced without requiring removal of the wiring device or exposure of internal circuitry of the wiring device. Additionally, when the frame or bezel is removed, the wiring device remains fully functional without the exposure of any wiring or electrical components. The electrical components positioned within the wiring device are sealed off from the front surface of the wiring device, as well as from the frame or bezel at all times.
The present disclosure further proposes providing a shielding wall that prevents ambient light from inadvertently triggering a sensor placed on the front surface of the wiring device. The present disclosure further proposes that the bezel be a unitary, single-molded unit having no movable parts and no electrical parts.
Embodiments will be described below while referencing the accompanying figures. The accompanying figures are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively.
With reference to
In
The wiring device 24 may be installed in a conventional wall box. The wall box may be nailed against studs in a wall. The wall box may provide for a stable, protective enclosure in which the wiring device 24 may be safely mounted. Wiring leads (not shown) may be provided by the wiring device 24 for interconnection with electrical power distribution mechanisms for receiving power. The wiring device 24 may include a power supply, a processor, and a gate controlled power switch, all encapsulated within an insulation body (not shown). It is contemplated that the wiring device 24 may include a number of different electronic circuitry.
Moreover, wiring device 24 may be provided with two mounting straps, that is, a first mounting strap 20 and a second mounting strap 22 that are fastened on opposing ends of the wiring device 24 by suitable screw fasteners. Additionally, certain duplex outlets may include a threaded opening through a center portion for receiving a fastening screw for attaching the faceplate. Of course, one skilled in the art may contemplate a plurality of different wiring devices having a plurality of different frames or bezels for attachment to the wiring devices.
Referring back to
The frame 14 may be constructed or manufactured in a plurality of different colors, shapes, designs, patterns, and/or textures. The frame 14 may be considered a bezel. The frame 14 may be constructed in a rectangular shape. One skilled in the art may contemplate using a frame 14 in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The frame 14 may attach to the guide light 12 of the wiring device 24 by a snapping mechanism (i.e., snap-fit type mechanism). One skilled in the art may contemplate a plurality of different mechanism for attaching the frame 14 to the wiring device 24.
The frame 14 is positioned over or aligned with the guide light 12 to ensure proper alignment with the wiring device 24 when installation is completed with a press-fit engagement connection. The frame 14 may be installed and replaced without requiring removal of the wiring device 24, and without exposing the internal circuitry of the wiring device 24. In other words, before and after the installation of the frame 14 to the wiring device 24, no wirings are exposed.
The frame 14 may be constructed of any flexible or non-flexible material and imprinted with any fanciful logo, design, figure, pattern or aesthetic characteristic. The material may be a plastic material or a metal. Of course, one skilled in the art may contemplate using a plurality of different materials to construct the frame 14.
Referring back to
The sensor 34 may be positioned on any portion of the front surface of the wiring device 24. The front surface of the wiring device 24 may be a light guide. In addition, the light sensor 34 may be used to capture stray light within the window area of frame 14. The sensor 34 minimally interferes with the light output from the light array located within the wiring device 24. The electrical signal from this sensor 34 may be used to indicate the relative intensity of the light emitted by the light array. This signal may be used to regulate the power to the light array to maintain a desired light output. The light array may be a light emitting diode (LED) array. However, the light array may be any type of lighting means contemplated by one skilled in the art.
Additionally, the sensor 34 may be separated from the guide light 12 by a shielding wall 50 (see
Moreover, the wiring device 24 remains functional when the frame 14 is removed to be replaced with another bezel or frame. Also, the electrical components remain shielded when the frame 14 is removed to be replaced with another bezel or frame. The frame 14 may also be constructed as a unitary, single-molded unit that remains free from movable and electronic components. As a result, since no electrical components are exposed during removal and attachment of frames 14, the wiring device 24 remains a safe device. In a preferred configuration, a tool is used to remove the frame 14 from the wiring device 24. The tool may be configured to separate the frame 14 from the wiring device via the recesses 16, 18.
Additionally, a frame change kit may be provided. The kit may include a plurality of frames 14 or bezels, where each bezel may be of a different color, shape, design, pattern and/or texture. Each frame in the kit may include a different aesthetic characteristic. The kit may also include one or more wiring devices. A user may purchase a frame change kit in order to change the frame 14 as desired. The user may have the option to match the color of the wiring device 24 or the wall with the color of the frame 14. Of course, one skilled in the art may contemplate a plurality of different matching configurations. Moreover, a lens of the sensor 34 may be constructed from a different type of material with respect to the lens of the guide light 12. The kit may accommodate a plurality of different lenses for the sensor and the guide light.
With reference to
Alternately, the wiring device 24 may not include a guide light 12. In other words, the wiring device 24 may instead include one or more electrical outlets, such as a light, a receptacle, a switch, a dimmer, load controls (e.g., HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning)), shades, scene or zone controller, remote control, audio volume, etc. One skilled in the art may contemplate attaching a frame 14 or bezel to a plurality of different wall mounting systems. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to guide light fixtures. For example, the guide light may be replaced by a switch or any other suitable electronic or electromechanical device contemplated by one skilled in the art.
In summary, the present disclosure describes a system and method that provides for a faceplate design with an open framework for accommodating removable inserts (e.g., frames or bezels), where the frames or bezels are fastened directly over the wiring device. The present disclosure further describes a means for easily accommodating several color options into one wiring device. For example, a single wiring device may include a plurality of bezels, each bezel molded in a different color or shape or design or pattern or texture or aesthetic characteristic. The user may be permitted to choose different, for instance, color bezels, and snap the desired colored bezels on the wiring device without interfering with the functionality of the wiring device. Furthermore, custom color bezel kits may be provided to users for purchase. An added benefit of the present disclosure may be to enable a user to remove the frame or bezel during painting of a room, or when it gets dirty or damaged or when the next holiday approaches.
Although exemplary systems and methods have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the methods, devices, systems, etc. of the present disclosure. The abstract and the title are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure, as their purpose is to enable the appropriate authorities, as well as the general public, to quickly determine the general nature of the present disclosure.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art.
