Abstract:
Switch plate adapters comprising a body, at least one aperture and at least one hook for permanent or temporary attachment to existing switch plate covers are provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to adapters for switch plates, including light switch plates that comprise attachment means to an existing switch plate, one or more apertures and one or more protruding members, such as hooks, for storage of items, such as keys. 
     Many people live in apartments or other domiciles that include a multitude of switches having protective switch plates. Often, these protective plates can include one or more switches. Typically, two or more switches are arranged behind a single protective cover. 
     Often, people misplace their keys, such as their car keys or house keys after they enter their home, thus creating the need for a frustrating and prolonged search before leaving the home. 
     Further, the invention can be used to assist memory impaired individuals such as elderly people or Alzheimer&#39;s patients. By having a hook to hang an object proximal to a light switch ensures that a person will remember where the object was place and create a habitual behavior pattern to assist such individuals and prevent them from losing items. 
     Additionally, the invention can be used to assist young people such as teenagers. In such cases, the individual can use the invention to hang an item, such as keys or a cell phone, in the same place, near a light switch, thereby creating and promoting a responsible behavior pattern. 
     The present invention solves this problem by integrating at least one protruding member, such as a hook into a light switch plate cover. Thus, when a user enters a building, domicile, or any room, the user can hang keys or other important items on the device. When the user leaves the area, the keys or other items are conveniently available near the switch. The present invention is also advantageous in that it can be attached to any existing switch plate without having to remove the existing plate. The device can be both removable and movable between locations for convenience and efficiency. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention an apparatus comprises a. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a switch plate adapter comprises a body. The body includes a front surface, a back surface, a top end, a bottom end, a first aperture, and at least one hook protruding from the body. The body can be mounted to a switch plate cover such that a switch can protrude through the first aperture. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, an adhesive material is adhered to at least a portion of the back surface. The apparatus can be adhesively affixed to a switch plate cover. 
     In certain embodiments, the adhesive material is a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     In other embodiments, the layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is substantially an acrylic polymer. 
     In yet other embodiments, the adhesive material is a permanent adhesive. 
     In some embodiments, said adhesive material is a removable adhesive such that the adapter can be removed without damaging the switch plate cover. 
     In other embodiments, a second aperture is disposed proximally to the top end and a third aperture disposed proximally to the bottom end. The second and third apertures can be used to mount the adapter to a switch plate using screws. 
     In yet other embodiments, a plurality of second apertures can be disposed proximally to the top end and a plurality of third apertures disposed proximally to the bottom end. The plurality of second and third apertures can be used to mount the adapter to a switch plate cover having a plurality of switches using a plurality of screws. 
     In certain embodiments, the adapter body includes a plurality of hooks. 
     In some embodiments, a plurality of hooks is disposed proximally to the bottom end of the body. 
     In yet other embodiments, the at least one hook is disposed on the front surface proximate to the bottom end of the body. 
     In some embodiments, the body can be rectangular, elliptical, or oval. 
     Is some embodiments, the at least one hook can be integrally molded with the body 
     In another aspect of the invention, a kit comprises a light switch cover; an adapter including a body, the body can have at least one aperture and at least one protruding hook; means for attaching the adapter to the cover; and a package for containing and displaying the adapter system kit. 
     In one embodiment of this aspect, the means for attaching the adapter to the cover can be screws. 
     In another embodiment of this aspect, the means for attaching the adapter to the cover can be a hook and loop fastener system. 
     In certain embodiments, the means for attaching the adapter to the cover can be an adhesive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the switch plate adapter of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the switch plate adapter of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the switch plate adapter of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the term switch plate is defined as any protective cover protecting a switch or other electrical device. The terms switch plate and switch cover can be singular or plural and are used interchangeably herein. 
     As used herein, the terms switch plate adapter or adapter are used to define a device that is attached to a switch plate. These terms may be singular or plural and are used interchangeably herein. 
     As used herein a hook is defined as any protruding member that can be used to hang items, such as keys. A hook can be strait, curved, angled or any combination thereof. A hook can be a separate element or integrally molded with the body of an adapter. 
     As used herein, an aperture is a designed opening in an otherwise solid member. In this device, an aperture can function to allow for a through hole for an attachment means, such as a screw, or to allow for clearance such that the device fits over one or more features of a preexisting switch. 
     As used herein, an attachment means includes screws, nuts and bolts, adhesives, tapes, foams, hook and loop fastening systems (i.e. Velcro™) and the like. Attachment means for adapting or attaching the present invention, temporarily or permanently, removeably or non-removeably, to an existing switch plate will be known to those skilled in the mechanical or chemical arts. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, switch plate adapter  100  is mounted to standard switch plate  110 . The adapter comprises body  4  which has outward facing front surface  8 , back surface  12 , a top end  16 , bottom end  20 , first aperture  24 , and hooks  28  protruding from the body. In this embodiment, the body can be mounted to the switch via top and bottom apertures (screw holes not shown) by spaced apart screws  32  configured to fit a standard switch plate. Switch  120  protrudes through the first aperture allowing easy access to turn the switch on or off with the adapter in place. Any desirable number of hooks can be molded with the body or attached anywhere on the adapter body 
     The adapter can be manufactured using standard methods such as machining or molding. Any suitable material can be used. It is preferable that the material is a non-conductive, fire retardant polymer suitable for use in proximity to electrical devices. Such materials and manufacturing methods will be known to those skilled in the mechanical or materials engineering arts. For example, the adapter  100  can be made from the same or different polymer that the switch plate is made from such as a phenolic resin. A combination of materials can be used to impart color or a decorative pattern which may be desirable as an accent or to match the adapter and the switch plate. In one embodiment, the adapter can be a glow-in-the dark material that allows a user to access the switch or the hooks in the dark or semi-dark. 
     In another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the top and bottom apertures and screws can be eliminated thus reducing the number of parts and costs.  FIG. 4  depicts switch plate adapter  200  mounted to standard switch plate  210 . The adapter comprises body  140  which has outward facing front surface  148 , a back surface (not shown), a top end  156 , bottom end  160 , aperture  164 , and hooks  168  protruding from the body. In this embodiment, the body  140  can be mounted to the switch via a fastening means such as adhesive or hook and loop fasteners. In this way, the adapter forms a temporary removable or permanent attachment with switch cover  210 . Switch  220  protrudes through the aperture allowing for easy access to turn the switch on or off with the adapter in place. As described above, hooks  168  can be sized wide range to accommodate hanging items of various weights. Further, the hooks can be attached or molded integrally with the body such that any desirable number of hooks can be molded into the body or attached anywhere on the adapter body. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, switch plate adapter  300  mounted to standard switch plate  310 . The adapter comprises body  240  which has outward facing front surface  248 , a back surface (not shown), a top end  256 , bottom end  260 , first aperture  264 , and hooks  268  protruding from the body. In this embodiment, the body can be mounted to the switch via a fastening means such as adhesive or hook and loop fasteners or include apertures for screws  232 . In this way, the adapter forms a temporary or removable, or permanent bond with switch cover  310 . Switch  320  protrudes through the first rectangular aperture allowing easy access to turn the switch on or off with the adapter in place. The hooks  268  can be sized wide range to accommodate hanging items of various weights. Further, the hooks can be attached or molded integrally with the body such that a plurality of hooks can be molded into the body or attached thereto are available to the user. For example, the adapter can include one, two, four or six hooks. The hooks can be labeled or color coded for different users or for different purposes. For illustration purposes only, for example, 1=car keys, 2=boat keys, 3=house keys, and the like. 
     A plurality of geometries, configurations, and individual component configurations are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, the adapter can accommodate any number of switches, such as a single, double or triple switch plate. The aperture for clearance of the switch and for attachment means when required can be any shape that allows for clearance of the switch and operation thereof and the body can be any shape such as rectangular, oval, mandolin shaped and the like. 
     As mentioned above, all of the components of the present invention can be manufactured using materials and manufacturing methods known to one of skill in the art of manufacturing or materials and process engineering. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the disclosure herein.