Light switch cover

A light switch cover is disclosed for use with a conventional "rocker" type switch. The cover generally includes a mounting bracket which is attached to the electrical box, along with the "rocker" switch and a face plate which is attached to the mounting bracket. The face plate is preferably constructed from a soft material, to allow the user to operate the covered "rocker" switch. Preferably, the outer surface of the face plate is provided with a decorated design or other indicia. The light switch can also be utilized where more than one "rocker" switch is provided. In these cases, a diverter bar is provided on the mounting bracket, to absorb pressure being asserted on one "rocker" switch from also transferring to an adjacent "rocker" switch and inadvertently turning "off" or "on" the adjacent "rocker" switch. An electroluminescent lighting sheet can also be provided between the face plate and mounting bracket to highlight and enhance the decorative features of the present invention light switch cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to light switch covers and receptacle 
covers particularly to a combination decorative light switch cover and 
mounting bracket for use with "rocker" type light switches. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Rigid light switch covers have been utilized in the past for safety means. 
Three disadvantages associated with the use of rigid light switch covers 
are (1) inoperability of covered light switch; (2) unattractiveness of the 
cover; and (3) difficulties in attaching the rigid light switch cover. To 
utilize the covered switch, the user must each time remove the cover. 
Conventional light switch covers have not been use in the past as a 
decorative element, but merely for safety purposes. 
Some examples of previous cover devices include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,227 
issued to Boxer (the "Boxer" device); U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,168 issued to 
Fujiyoshi et al (the "Fujiyoshi" device); U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,286 issued 
to Flasz (the "Flasz" device); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,024 issued to 
Colgate (the "Colgate" device). 
The Boxer device provides a sliding switch cover assembly which comprises a 
switch plate on which a toggle actuator is mounted by two sets of 
vertically aligned pins extending from the switch plate. Vertical slots 
are provided in the actuator in alignment with the two sets of vertically 
aligned pins. The toggle switch is turned off and on by the actuator plate 
which slides up and down the vertically aligned pins. 
The Fujiyoshi device provides a switch device comprising a mounting frame 
having a switch body. The switch is designed to be attachable or 
detachable from a switch working portion. 
The Flasz device provides a face plate assembly which is secured over an 
electrical switch or output source. The assembly includes a frame 
structure having at least one opening in a flat central area which 
surrounds an electricity controlled casing. A plurality of key plates are 
provided, with one key plate being positioned so that it can pivot. 
The Colgate device provides wall switch cover and actuator which is used 
with a standard wall toggle switch. The cover and actuator comprise a 
frame which is held in position on the switch and the switch cover plate. 
The switch actuator is held within the frame, and portions of the switch 
actuator abut opposite sides of the toggle switch. A cover is also mounted 
on the frame over the switch actuator. 
In new construction, "rocker" type light switches have virtually replaced 
previously used "toggle" type light switches. Thus, what is needed in the 
art is a light switch cover, which (1) can be utilized with "rocker" type 
light switches; (2) completely cover the underneath light switch; (3) 
provide a decorative element which adds artistic value to the room; and 
(4) provides an easy attachment method for attaching the cover. It is 
therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and 
shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a light switch cover which is preferably, 
utilized with a conventional "rocker" type switch. The cover includes a 
mounting bracket which is attached to the electrical box, along with the 
"rocker" switch and a face plate which is attached to the mounting 
bracket. The face plate is preferably constructed from a soft material, to 
allow the user to operate the covered "rocker" switch. Preferably, the 
outer surface of the face plate is provided with a decorated design, logo, 
picture, photograph, wording, indicia, or any other decorative, 
informational or promotional indicia. 
The present invention can also be utilized where more than one "rocker" 
switch is provided. In these cases, a diverter bar is provided on the 
mounting bracket, to absorb pressure being asserted on one "rocker" switch 
from also transferring to an adjacent "rocker" switch and inadvertently 
turning "off" or "on" the adjacent "rocker" switch. 
Additionally, an electroluminescent lighting sheet can also be provided 
between the face plate and mounting bracket to highlight and enhance the 
decorative features of the present invention light switch cover. The 
lighting sheet receives power via associated wires that are connected to 
the conventional "rocker" switch box. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light 
switch cover and mounting bracket for use in conjunction with a rocker 
switch. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a light switch 
cover that fully shields the rocker switch and receptacle from external 
access for safety purposes. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a light switch 
cover made of flexible materials to allow the covered rocker switch to be 
operable. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a light 
switch cover which provides aesthetic features. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a light switch 
cover which will illuminate when the rocker switch is in an "off" 
position. 
In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent 
hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular 
reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, a first embodiment of the present invention 
light switch cover is shown and generally designated as reference numeral 
15. Cover 15 generally consists of a face plate 20 and a mounting bracket 
36. 
Face plate 20 consists of a body member 21 having an outer surface 22 and 
inner surface 24. A top lip 26, a bottom lip 28, a first side lip 30, and 
a second side lip 32 can be provided and are preferably, constructed 
integral to respective edge portions of body member 21. Face plate 20 is 
preferably constructed from a castable, soft, flexible material such as 
neoprene, silicone, vinyl, etc., to allow a conventional rocker switch 46 
to be operated while face plate 20 is disposed over rocker switch 46 for 
safety purposes. Though not preferred, face plate 20 can also be 
constructed from a rigid plastic or the like. However, with the rigid 
material, the user cannot utilize covered rocker switch 46. Outer surface 
22 can be provided with any type of decorative design or indicia. Outer 
surface 22 can also be provided with a hand carved design, such as 
replicas of famous art. Additionally, a screen print design can be 
directly applied to face plate 20. As such, a plurality of interchangeable 
face plates 20 each having a different decorative design can be provided 
depending on the mood of the user. 
A plurality of female receiving ports 34 are provided on inner surface 24 
of body member 21 for receipt of respective dowel or peg members 38 
associated with mounting bracket 36, discussed in detail below. 
Preferably, four ports 34 and pegs 38 are provided. However, such is not 
limiting and a different number of ports 34 and pegs 38 can be utilized 
and is considered within the scope of the present invention. 
Mounting bracket 36 includes a body member 37 having an inner surface 39 
and an outer surface 41. Mounting bracket 36 can be constructed from a 
rigid epoxy, rigid plastic, castable plastic, etc. An opening 40 is 
provided through body member 37 to allow a protruding switch portion 44 of 
a rocker switch 46 to pass through when mounting bracket 36 is properly 
attached. As stated above, a plurality of protruding pegs 38 are provided 
and attached to inner surface 39 of body member 37. Mounting bracket 36 is 
also provided with preferably two apertures 52 for receipt of mounting 
screws 50. Preferably, apertures 52 are disposed above and below opening 
40, however, other locations for apertures 52 are considered within the 
scope of the invention. 
A wall 57 has embedded therein an electrical box 58 and conduit 60. Conduit 
60 houses electrical conducting wires 54. The exposed ends of electrical 
wires 54 are attached to a switch box 56 by conventional means. Switch box 
56 is housed within electrical box 58 by conventional means. Switch box 56 
is attached to a back portion of rocker switch 46, as well as being 
operatively associated with rocker switch 46. Rocker switch 46 is provided 
with outer flanges 48 preferably at a top and bottom end of rocker switch 
46. Flanges 48 are each provided with an aperture 49 for receipt of 
mounting screws 68 which attach rocker switch 46 to electrical box 58. 
The location of apertures 52 in body member 37 are chosen to align with 
mounting bracket attachment apertures of rocker switch 46 which are 
preferably disposed above or below apertures 49, to allow a respective 
mounting screw 50 to be inserted through apertures 52 and mounting bracket 
attachment aperture for attaching mounting bracket 36 to rocker switch 46 
when assembling light switch cover 15. The mounting bracket attachment 
apertures have been previously provided on rocker switch 46 for attachment 
of a conventional light face plate. 
To assemble light switch cover 15, mounting screws 68 are each inserted in 
their respective apertures 49 and corresponding conventional screw 
passageways (not shown) associated with embedded electrical box 58, to 
attach rocker switch 46 to electrical box 58. Mounting screws 50 are then 
inserted through respective apertures 52 and mounting bracket attachment 
apertures for attaching mounting bracket 36 to rocker switch 46. 
Preferably, all passageways and apertures, described in this paragraph, 
have interior threads which mate with exterior threads 51 of screws 50 and 
68 through use of conventional means such as a regular head or phillips 
head screwdriver. 
Once mounting screws 50 and 68 have been fully turned or inserted within 
their respective apertures and electrical box passageways, mounting 
bracket 36 is disposed flush or abutting wall 57 and a light activating 
portion 44 of rocker switch 46 protrudes out of wall 57 and through 
opening 40. 
When attaching face plate 20 to mounting bracket 36, female ports 34 are 
aligned with their respective protruding pegs 38, and face plate 20 is 
moved to allow each port 34 to receive its respective peg 38. The inner 
diameter of port 34 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of its 
respective peg 38 to provide a snug and tight fit to provide a secure 
attachment of face plate 20 to mounting bracket 36. The depth of face 
plate 20, which is defined by its lip members 26, 28, 30 and 32 is 
preferably approximately equal to the protruding length of pegs 38 to 
allow the edges of lip members 26, 28, 30 and 32 to abut wall 57 when face 
plate 20 is properly attached to mounting bracket 36. As face plate 20 is 
preferably constructed from a flexible material, rocker switch 46 can 
still be operated, while face plate 20 provides a safety means, as well as 
a decorative feature, by fully covering rocker switch 46. 
As an additional safety feature, a second attachment point for face plate 
20 to mounting bracket 36 can be provided. As best seen in FIG. 5, lip 
members 26, 28, 30 and 32 define an inner peripheral groove 35 which mates 
with a mounting bracket peripheral flange 43 to help prevent face plate 20 
from inadvertently being detached from mounting bracket 36. When attaching 
face plate 20 having a groove 35 to mounting bracket 36 having flange 43, 
initially the top portion of flange 43 is position within the portion of 
groove 35 defined by top lip member 26. Next the side portions of flange 
43 and positioned within the portions of groove 35 defined by side lip 
members 30 and 32, while also inserting pegs 38 within the respective 
receiving ports 34. Lastly the bottom portion of flexible face plate 20 is 
pulled down by the installer's hands or a small grabbing tool to allow the 
bottom portion of flange 43 to be inserted within the portion of groove 35 
defined by lip member 28. 
Once properly disposed, the installer releases the pull on the bottom 
portion of face plate 20, providing for a very secure and tight fit 
between face plate 20 and mounting bracket 36. To remove face plate 20, 
the steps described in the preceding paragraph for attaching face plate 20 
are performed in reverse with the installer initially pulling down on the 
bottom portion of face plate 20 either with his or her hands or by the 
previously mentioned small grabbing tool, thus causing the bottom portion 
of flange 43 to no longer be disposed within groove 35. 
Once light switch cover 15 is properly attached, a person wishing to 
position rocker switch 46 in an "off" or "on position, merely presses on 
soft face plate 20, which allows the person to also directly press switch 
46. 
The teachings of the first embodiment of the present invention can also be 
utilized when more than one rocker switch 146 is provided. As seen in 
FIGS. 6 and 7, a second embodiment light switch cover 100 of the present 
invention is illustrated incorporating a mounting bracket 136 having 
multiple openings 140 for receiving multiple protruding rocker switches 
146. Face plate 120 is attached to mounting bracket 136 similar to the two 
attachment methods (groove 35/flange 43 and/or ports 34/pegs 38) described 
above. Face plate 120 can be structured and constructed identical to face 
plate 20 of the first embodiment, with the exception of face plate 120 
being wider in its width in order to cover all of the rocker switches 146 
provided. 
Mounting bracket 136 is structured similar to mounting bracket 36 with the 
exception of mounting bracket 136 being wider in its width in order to 
provide a plurality of openings 140 equal to the number of rocker switches 
146 provided. Additionally, mounting bracket 136 is provided with a 
pressure absorption diverter bar 160 between each opening 140 and 
protruding outward from outer surface 141. Diverter bar 160 can also be 
constructed from a rigid epoxy, rigid plastic, castable plastic, etc. 
Furthermore, diverter bar 160 can be constructed integral with mounting 
bracket 136 or attached thereto by conventional means such as adhesives, 
hook and loop fasteners, tape, etc. 
Diverter bar 160 protrudes outward at least slightly further than the 
rocker switches 146 which are adjacent each side of diverter bar 160. 
Preferably, diverter bar 160 does not protrude as far outward as pegs 38 
so not to interfere with the attachment of face plate 120 to mounting 
bracket 136 by the insertion of pegs 38 within female receiving ports 34. 
Diverter bar 160 allows for the on or off operation of a singular rocker 
switch 146 without affecting the other rocker switches. Thus, pressure bar 
160 absorbs pressure placed on face plate 120 so that only the intended 
switch is turned either on or off as desired.. Though not shown, it is to 
be understood that a diverter bar 160 can be provided on mounting bracket 
146 between each pair of rocker switches 146 where more than two rocker 
switches are provided. 
FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention 
wherein the light switch cover is generally designated as reference 
numeral 200. In this embodiment, light switch cover 200 is generally 
provided with a face plate 210, mounting bracket 220, and 
electroluminescent lighting sheet or panel 240. 
Electroluminescent lighting sheet 240 highlights or enhances a design 
disposed on an outer surface of face plate 210, or itself can be a 
lighting effect design in lieu of a design on the outer surface of face 
plate 210. Additionally, a screen print design can be directly applied to 
lighting sheet 240, as well as face plate 210. Where, a screen print 
design is applied to lighting sheet 240, face plate 210 can merely be a 
clear cover. Lighting sheet 240 can provide cool, bright, uniform panels 
of light which can create a combination of various colors of light or a 
single color depending on the user's preference. Lighting sheet 240 can 
also be constructed to provide light patterns in an endless amount of 
shape configurations. Lighting sheet 240 will not delaminate in use and 
the tiny lamps associated with sheet 240 are highly resistant to moisture 
and humidity. Lighting sheet 240 provides a cool light so not to affect 
face plate 210. 
Lighting sheet 240 can be disposed between the female receiving ports of 
face plate 210. Lighting sheet 240 includes a pair of wires 242 which are 
conventionally connected to switch box 56 to energize lighting sheet 240. 
Wires 242 are fed from lighting sheet 240 through apertures 224 of 
mounting bracket 220 to switch box 56. To provide a larger lighting sheet 
240, the female ports associated with face plate 210 can be disposed on 
the back surface of lighting sheet 240, allowing lighting sheet 240 to be 
snugly inserted in the area defined by the lip members of face plate 210. 
Furthermore, in lieu of providing the female ports on lighting sheet 240 
(which would mate with protruding pegs 222), an additional attachment 
sheet 260 (FIG. 10), having female ports 262 on its outer surface 264 can 
be provided. Attachment sheet 260, as well as lighting sheet 240, are 
constructed from a soft material, in order to operate covered rocker 
switch 46. Attachment sheet 260 is provided with apertures 266 for feeding 
therethrough of wire 242 coming from lighting sheet 240. 
Face plate 210 can have a lip member, defining a mating groove, extending 
around it periphery, similar to the lip member of face plate 20 (FIG. 1). 
Alternatively, in lieu of face plate 210 having lip members, attachment 
sheet 260 can be provided with lip members around its periphery which 
define a groove for mating with the outer flange member of the bracket 
member. 
Lighting sheet 240 is sandwiched between face plate 210 and attachment 
sheet 260, and attachment sheet 260 is attached to face plate 210 by 
conventional means such as silicone. Once attachment sheet 260 is 
attached, wires 242 protrude out of apertures 266 and female ports 262 
mate with protruding peg members 222 of mounting bracket 220. Prior to 
attaching mounting bracket 220 to electrical box 58, wires 242 are routed 
through apertures 224 of mounting bracket 220 and connected to switch box 
56. Once wires 242 are properly attached, mounting bracket 220 is attached 
to electrical box 58, as previously described above for the first 
embodiment of the present invention. 
Face plate 210 and mounting bracket 220 can be provided with a lip/groove 
member and outer flange member, respectively, which are similar in 
construction and operation to the lip and flange members described for the 
first embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, the other 
features of light switch cover 200, not discussed, are similar to those 
discussed above for the first embodiment of the present invention. 
Similar to the second embodiment of the present invention, a light switch 
cover assembly, including an electroluminescent lighting sheet can also be 
utilized where more than one rocker switch is provided. Where more than 
one rocker switch is provided, the lighting sheet is larger in width as 
compared to lighting sheet 240 and the length of its width is dependent on 
the number of rocker switches provided. Additionally, a diverter bar, as 
described above, is provided. Also, the safety attachment of a mounting 
bracket outer flange and flange groove member, as described above, can 
also be provided for all of the embodiments of the present invention. 
Furthermore, where an attachment sheet is utilized, the attachment sheet 
is larger in width than attachment sheet 260 and the length of its width 
is dependent on the number of rocker switches provided. 
Wires 242 can be connected to switch box 56, by conventional means, so that 
when rocker switch 46 is in an "off" position, lighting sheet 240 is 
illuminated and when rocker switch 46 is in an "on" position, lighting 
sheet 240 is off. Lighting sheet 240 can have a useful life of one hundred 
thousand (100,000) hours and can be wired to 110 Volts AC. 
In all of the embodiments, the present invention provides a light switch 
cover which, in addition to providing for a safety device, also allows a 
user to utilize the covered light switch. Furthermore, the present 
invention allows an individual to continue to use a covered light switch, 
without having to have the light switch itself exposed and part of the 
design. Preferably, the present invention is installed by a certified 
electrician for safety purposes, or at least by a competent individual who 
carefully follows installation instructions. In all embodiments of the 
present invention, no modification of how the rocker switch is attached to 
the electrical box is necessary. The mounting bracket, for all 
embodiments, is attached to the rocker switch, normally where a 
conventional plate member is attached. 
It should also be understood, that the present invention can be utilized 
with other receptacles and light switches, such as plug receptacles, in 
addition to its preferred use with "rocker" type switches. 
The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is 
considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is 
recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the 
scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a 
person skilled in the art.