Patent ID: 7667155
Filing Date: 2010-02-23
Classification: H01H,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A switch assembly comprising: a mounting plate having at least one mounting opening therein for connecting the mounting plate to an electrical wall box; an electrical switch adapted to selectively apply power to a load from a power source, the switch assembly being supported by the mounting plate and having a switch actuator which is selectively operable to control an on/off state of the electrical switch; a dimmer adapted to control a level of power applied to the load, the dimmer being supported by the mounting plate and having a dimmer actuator which is selectively operable to control the level of power applied to the load by the switch; a backcover secured to the mounting plate, the backcover and mounting plate cooperating to form an enclosure to house the electrical switch assembly and the dimmer; and a bezel assembly comprising: a bezel housing; a first manually-manipulatable member movably mounted directly on and retained by the bezel housing and operatively coupled to the switch actuator when the bezel assembly is connected to the mounting plate, for selectively controlling an operation of the switch actuator; a spring and ball retaining assembly formed on an underside of the first manually manipulatable member, the retaining assembly configured to hold a spring device engaged with a spherical member at an end away from the first manually-manipulatable member, the spherical member being retained in the retention member and configured to extend partially through a hole in the end of the retention member away from the first manually manipulatable member when the spring exerts a force on the spherical member; a detent member formed on a bottom surface of the bezel housing, the bezel member configured to exert a pressure against the ball assembly to move the ball assembly away from the detent member when the ball assembly is moved over the detent member, the detent member being further configured to hold the first manually-manipulatable member in one of two pre-determined positions depending on a force exerted on the first manually manipulatable member.