Abstract:
A device includes an actuator and a connecting member. The actuator is structured to physically contact a switch, the switch is structured to open and close an electrically conductive path when an external force is applied to the actuator, and the electrically conductive path is configured to supply electrical power to an electrical appliance. The connecting member is structured to attach the actuator to the electrical appliance. The actuator is capable of movement relative to the connecting member when the actuator is attached to the electrical appliance by the connecting member and when the external force is applied to the actuator.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/677,515, filed on 3 May 2005, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/678,113, filed on 4 May 2005. U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/677,515 and 60/678,515 are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     This disclosure relates generally to electrical switching apparatus, and in particular, to mechanical actuators for use with electrical switches.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Devices such as table lamps, floor lamps, desk lamps, wall and ceiling mounted light fixtures, ceiling fans and light kits for ceiling fans, and floor fans and light fixtures are used in a variety of places such as homes, apartments, office buildings, ships, and restaurants.  
         [0006]     Electrical appliances typically include switches that are manually manipulated by a user in order to turn the electrical appliances off and on. The type of switch that is used may be a conventional switch such as a pull-chain switch, a rocker switch, a toggle switch, or a push and turn switch, where the name of the switch is descriptive of the type of device used to activate/deactivate the switch (e.g., rocker switch), the action that is used to activate/deactivate the switch (e.g., push and turn switch), or both (e.g., pull-chain switch). Touch-lamps are also known, where switching of a lamp is provided by touching the lamp.  
         [0007]     The conventional switches described above are not without their disadvantages, especially when the ability of handicapped persons to operate the switch is considered. For example, pull-chain switches require that a person physically pull the chain, which is sometimes not possible for those who lack fine motor skills. Similar drawbacks exist for toggle switches as well as push-and-turn switches. Rocker switches require a larger surface to have them installed and are difficult for the handicapped to turn on with their fists. To operate a touch-lamp, a user must be “grounded,” but persons who are wheel-chair bound are usually insulated by the rubber wheels of the wheel chair.  
         [0008]     Embodiments of the invention address these and other disadvantages of the conventional art. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational diagram of a floor lamp including a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational diagram of a floor lamp including a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  includes plan and elevational diagrams for some components of the lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 1 , including a handle ( FIG. 3   a ), a collar ( FIG. 3   b ), a stop washer ( FIG. 3   c ), and a pin ( FIG. 3   d ), as well as a plan and an elevational diagram for the assembled lever-action switch actuator ( FIG. 3   e ).  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  includes plan and elevational diagrams for the components of the lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 2 , including a handle ( FIG. 4   a ), a collar ( FIG. 4   b ), a stop washer ( FIG. 4   c ), and a pin ( FIG. 4   d ), as well as a plan and elevational diagram for the assembled lever-action switch actuator ( FIG. 4   e ).  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational diagram illustrating the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 1  configured to control a conventional light socket having a pull-chain switch.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are side elevational diagrams illustrating the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 2  configured to control the light sockets of a conventional S-cluster having two pull-chain switches.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   a  are side elevational diagrams illustrating the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 2  configured to control the light sockets of a dual socket arrangement having two conventional pull-chain switches.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8   a  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a detachable lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention, the lever-action switch actuator arranged to control the light sockets of a dual socket arrangement having two pull-chain switches.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8   b  is a plan diagram illustrating the detachable lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 8   a.    
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a desk lamp that includes a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with still other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10   a  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a combined ceiling fan/light fixture that includes a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with still other embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 10   b  is an enlargement of the portion of  FIG. 10   a  that is below the dashed line A-A′ illustrated in  FIG. 10   a.    
         [0020]      FIG. 11   a  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a combined ceiling fan/light fixture that includes a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with additional embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 11   b  is an enlargement of the portion of  FIG. 11   a  that is below the dashed line B-B′ illustrated in  FIG. 11   a.    
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp that includes a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with further embodiments of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp that includes a switch actuator in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp that includes a switch actuator in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention, the lever-action switch actuator configured to control a conventional light socket having a pull-chain switch.  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp that incorporates the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 15  according to some other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 17   a  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a double lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention, the double lever-action switch actuator arranged to control the light sockets of a dual socket arrangement having two pull-chain switches.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17   b  is a plan diagram illustrating the double lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 17   a.    
         [0028]      FIG. 18   a  illustrates a double lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention, and includes both a plan diagram and a side elevational diagram, where the right side of the side elevational diagram illustrates a cross-section of the actuator.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 18   b - 18   g  are diagrams that further illustrate some individual components of the double lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 17  as well as some individual components of the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 19  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp incorporating a double lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 20  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a combined ceiling fan/light fixture that includes a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “electrical appliance” refers generally to devices such as table lamps, floor lamps, desk lamps, wall and ceiling mounted light fixtures, ceiling fans and light kits for ceiling fans, and floor fans and light fixtures as well as other electrical devices that are designed to perform a specific function.  
         [0033]     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “switch” refers generally to an entirety of any conventional switch. That is, the term “switch” refers not only to the internal electrically conductive path that is opened and closed when the conventional switch is operated, but also to the external switching mechanism (e.g., pull-chain, rocker, toggle, push-button, etc.) that a person must physically touch and manually manipulate in order to open and close the internal electrically conductive path.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational diagram of a floor lamp  100  including a lever-action switch actuator  170  in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. The lever-action switch actuator  170  is illustrated in the circular area A of the diagram. The circular area B is an enlargement of the circular area A.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the floor lamp  100  includes a base  110 , a lamp column  120 , a light socket  130 , a pull chain  140 , an operating collar  160 , and the lever-action switch actuator  170 . According to these embodiments of the invention, the lever-action switch actuator  170  includes a handle  172 , a collar  174 , a stop washer  176 , and a pin  178 . Both the collar  174  and the stop washer  176  have circular openings with diameters slightly larger than the diameter of the lamp column  120 , which is inserted through the circular openings of the collar  174  and the stop washer  176 . The stop washer  176  is disposed beneath the collar  174 . The handle  172  is attached to the collar  174  with the pin  178 .  
         [0036]     The pin  178  creates a hinge where the handle  172  is attached to the collar  174 . As will be illustrated in greater detail below, the pull chain  140  is detachably affixed to the handle  172 . By pulling on the handle  172 , which forms a lever because of the hinging action at the pin  178 , the pull chain  140  may be operated to turn a light bulb (not shown) installed in the light socket  130  off and on.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational diagram of a floor lamp including a lever-action switch actuator  270  in accordance with other embodiments of the invention. The lever-action switch actuator  270  is illustrated in the circular area A of the diagram. The circular area B is an enlargement of the circular area A.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the floor lamp  200  includes a base  210 , a lamp column  220 , light sockets  230 , pull chains  240 , an operating collar  260 , and the lever-action switch actuator  270 .  
         [0039]     According to these embodiments of the invention, the lever-action switch actuator  270  includes handles  272 , a collar  274 , a stop washer  276 , and pins  278 . Both the collar  274  and the stop washer  276  have circular openings with diameters slightly larger than the diameter of the lamp column  220 , which is inserted through the circular openings of the collar  274  and the stop washer  276 . The stop washer  276  is disposed beneath the collar  274 . The handles  272  are attached to the collar  274  with the pins  278 .  
         [0040]     The pins  278  create a hinge where the handles  272  are attached to the collar  274 . As will be illustrated in greater detail below, each of the pull chains  240  are detachably affixed to a corresponding handle  272 . By pulling on the handle  272 , which forms a lever because of the hinging action at the pin  278 , the attached pull chain  240  may be operated to turn a light bulb (not shown) installed in the corresponding light socket  230  off and on.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  includes plan and elevational diagrams for components of the lever-action switch actuator  170  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , including the handle  172  ( FIG. 3   a ), the collar  174  ( FIG. 3   b ), the stop washer  176  ( FIG. 3   c ), and the pin  178  ( FIG. 3   d ), as well as a plan and an elevational diagram for the assembled lever-action switch actuator  170  ( FIG. 3   e ).  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3   a , the handle  172  includes a chain hole  172   a  perforating the handle. In these embodiments, the chain hole  172   a  is keyed. That is, one side of the chain hole  172   a  is large enough to insert the pull chain  140  through the chain hole. However, another side of the chain hole  172   a  is not large enough to allow the links of the pull chain  140  to pass through the chain hole. Rather, the smaller side of the chain hole  172   a  is sized to fit in between the links of the pull chain  140 , preventing the pull chain  140  from moving through the chain hole  172   a . Consequently, when the handle  172  is pulled the pull chain  140  is pulled as well.  
         [0043]     Because the chain hole  172   a  is keyed, the handle  172  is configured to grasp and pull the pull chain  140  between any two links of the pull chain, without regard to the length of the pull chain. However, it is preferred that the chain hole  172   a  engage the pull chain  140  between the links that result in the least amount of slack between the chain hole  172   a  and light socket  130 .  
         [0044]     In alternative embodiments, of course, the chain hole  172   a  need not be keyed. In those cases, the chain hole  172   a  need only be large enough to allow the pull chain  140  to pass through the chain hole, yet too small to allow a device attached to end of the pull chain (e.g., a decorative ball) to pass through the chain hole. In these cases the length of the pull chain  140  may have to be shortened so that any slack that exists in the pull chain between the chain hole  172   a  and the light socket  130  is removed.  
         [0045]     According to alternative embodiments of the invention, the handle  172  may have numerous chain holes  172   a  along the length of the handle. This would allow the pull chain  140  to be used in conjunction with the particular chain hole  172   a  that resulted in the least slack in the pull chain.  
         [0046]     In these embodiments, the sides of the handle  172  extend downwards from the upper surface of the handle. At one end of the handle  172 , there are a pair of holes  172   b , one in each side of the handle, the holes  172   b  passing substantially horizontally through the handle.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3   b , the collar  174  has two posts  174   a  that extend outwardly from the collar  174 . The posts  174   a  extend outwards in directions that are substantially parallel to each other. Each of the small posts  174   a  has a hole  174   b  that passes substantially horizontally through the post.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3   c , the stop washer  176  has a protrusion  176   a  that extends radially outward from the circular portion of the stop washer.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3   b , and  3   d , the pin  178  is preferably slightly longer than the distance between the outer surfaces of the two posts  174   a.    
         [0050]      FIG. 3   e  includes an elevational and plan diagram that illustrate how the components of  FIGS. 3   a - 3   d  will appear when they are assembled on the floor lamp  100  of  FIG. 1 . The end of the handle  172  that has the holes  172   b  is inserted between the two posts  174   a  of the collar  174 . The holes  172   b  of the handle  172  are substantially aligned with the holes  174   b  in the posts  174   a , and the pin  178  is inserted through these holes to attach the handle to the collar. After the pin  178  is inserted through the holes  172   b ,  174   b , the ends of the pin  178  are preferably flared so that the pin cannot be removed from the holes, locking the handle  172  into place. The stop washer  176  is disposed below the collar  174 , and is preferably arranged so that the protrusion  176   a  is aligned substantially between the posts  174   a  of the collar  174 . The protrusion  176   a  limits the angular extent to which the handle  172  may be pulled downwards.  
         [0051]     As shown in  FIG. 3   e , the collar  174  and the stop washer  176  are prevented from sliding upwards or downwards along the lamp column  120  by protrusions that exist in the lamp column.  
         [0052]      FIG. 4  includes plan and elevational diagrams for components of the lever-action switch actuator  270  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , including the handle  272  ( FIG. 4   a ), the collar  274  ( FIG. 4   b ), the stop washer  276  ( FIG. 4   c ), and the pin  278  ( FIG. 4   d ), as well as a plan and an elevational diagram for the assembled lever-action switch actuator  270  ( FIG. 4   e ).  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4   a , the handles  272  include a chain hole  272   a  perforating the handle. In these embodiments, the chain hole  272   a  is keyed. That is, one side of the chain hole  272   a  is large enough to insert the pull chain  240  through the chain hole. However, another side of the chain hole  272   a  is not large enough to allow the links of the pull chain  240  to pass through the chain hole. Rather, the smaller side of the chain hole  272   a  is sized to fit in between the links of the pull chain  240 , preventing the pull chain  240  from moving through the chain hole  272   a . Consequently, when the handle  272  is pulled the pull chain  240  is pulled as well.  
         [0054]     Because the chain hole  272   a  is keyed, the handle  272  is configured to grasp and pull the pull chain  240  between any two links of the pull chain, without regard to the length of the pull chain. However, it is preferred that the chain hole  272   a  engage the pull chain  240  between the links that result in the least amount of slack between the chain hole  272   a  and light socket  230 .  
         [0055]     In alternative embodiments, of course, the chain hole  272   a  need not be keyed. In those cases, the chain hole  272   a  need only be large enough to allow the pull chain  240  to pass through the chain hole, yet too small to allow a device attached to end of the pull chain (e.g., a decorative ball) to pass through the chain hole. In these cases the length of the pull chain  240  may have to be shortened so that any slack that exists in the pull chain between the chain hole  272   a  and the light socket  230  is removed.  
         [0056]     According to alternative embodiments of the invention, the handles  272  may have numerous chain holes  272   a  along the length of the handles. This would allow the pull chain  240  to be used in conjunction with the particular chain hole  272   a  that resulted in the least slack in the pull chain.  
         [0057]     In these embodiments, the sides of the handles  272  extend downwards from the upper surfaces of the handles. At one end of the handles  272 , there are a pair of holes  272   b , one in each side of the handle, the holes  272   b  passing substantially horizontally through the handle.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4   b , the collar  274  has four posts  274   a  that extend outwardly from the collar  274 , the posts arranged in pairs. Each pair of posts  274   a  extend outwards in directions that are substantially parallel to each other. Each of the posts  274   a  has a hole  274   b  that passes substantially horizontally through the post.  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4   c , the stop washer  276  has protrusions  276   a  that extend radially outwards from the circular portion of the stop washer.  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4   b , and  4   d , the pin  278  is preferably slightly longer than the distance between the outer surfaces of each pair of posts  274   a.    
         [0061]      FIG. 4   e  includes an elevational and plan diagram that illustrate how the components of  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  will appear when they are assembled on the floor lamp  200  of  FIG. 2 . The ends of the handles  272  that have the holes  272   b  are inserted between each of the two pairs of posts  274   a  of the collar  274 . The holes  272   b  of the handle  272  are substantially aligned with the holes  274   b  in the posts  274   a , and the pins  278  are inserted through these holes to attach the handles to the collars  274 . After the pins  278  are inserted through the holes  272   b ,  274   b , the ends of the pins  278  are preferably flared so that the pins cannot be removed from the holes, locking the handles  272  into place. The stop washer  276  is disposed below the collar  274 , and is preferably arranged so that the protrusions  276   a  are aligned substantially between the posts  274   a  of the collar  274 . The protrusion  276   a  limits the angular extent to which the handles  272  may be pulled downwards.  
         [0062]     As shown in  FIG. 4   e , the collar  274  and the stop washer  276  are prevented from sliding upwards or downwards along the lamp column  220  by protrusions that exist in the lamp column.  
         [0063]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational diagram illustrating the lever-action switch actuator  170  of  FIG. 1  configured to control a conventional light socket  130  having a pull-chain switch  140 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the lever-action switch actuator  170  is pulled to its lowermost position (dashed lines), the pull-chain switch  140  will also be pulled, activating or deactivating the light socket  130 .  
         [0064]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side elevational diagrams illustrating the lever-action switch actuator  270  of  FIG. 2  configured to control the light sockets  230  of a conventional S-cluster having two pull-chain switches  240 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , when the lever-action switch actuators  270  are pulled to their lowermost position (dashed lines), the pull-chain switches  240  will also be pulled, activating or deactivating the light sockets  230 .  
         [0065]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are side elevational diagrams illustrating the lever-action switch actuator  270  of  FIG. 2  configured to control the light sockets  230  of a dual socket arrangement having two conventional pull-chain switches  240 . As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , when the lever-action switch actuators  270  are pulled to their lowermost position (dashed lines), the pull-chain switches  240  are also pulled, activating or deactivating the light sockets  230 .  
         [0066]      FIG. 8A  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a detachable lever-action switch actuator  300  according to some other embodiments of the invention, the lever-action switch actuator  300  arranged to control the light sockets  230  of a dual socket arrangement having two pull-chain switches  240 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 8B  is a plan diagram illustrating the detachable lever-action switch actuator  300  of  FIG. 8A .  
         [0068]     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the detachable lever-action switch actuator  300  is similar to the lever-action switch actuator  270  described above, except that it includes a clamping collar  310  rather than a collar  240 . The clamping collar  310  is similar in shape to the collar  240  described above, however, it consists of two pieces that are held together by screws  320 . The radius of the circular opening of the clamping collar  310  may be any size to account for different sizes of lamp columns, and the screws  320  allow the lever-action switch actuator  300  to be retro-fitted to existing lamps, ceiling fans, etc.  
         [0069]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a desk lamp that includes a lever-action switch actuator  400  in accordance with still other embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the lever-action switch actuator  400  is different from the others described above in that it is designed to activate/deactivate a conventional push-button switch  450 . The lever-action switch actuator  400  includes a handle  401 , a hinging mechanism  405 , and a baseplate  410 . The handle  410  is configured to rest atop the conventional push-button switch  450 , and when pressed down, activates or deactivates the push-button switch.  
         [0070]      FIG. 10   a  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a combined ceiling fan/light fixture that includes a lever-action switch actuator  500  in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 10   b  is an enlargement of the portion of  FIG. 10   a  that is below the dashed line A-A′ illustrated in  FIG. 10   a . Referring to  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b , the lever-action switch actuator  500  includes a handle  505 , a hinging mechanism  510 , and a baseplate  515 . Similar to some of the other embodiments described above, the lever-action switch actuator  500  is configured to activate/deactivate a conventional pull-switch  240 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 11   a  is a side-elevational diagram illustrating a combined ceiling fan/light fixture that includes a lever-action switch actuator  600  in accordance with additional embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 11   b  is an enlargement of the portion of  FIG. 11   a  that is below the dashed line B-B′ illustrated in  FIG. 11   a.    
         [0072]     Referring to  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , the lever-action switch actuator  600  includes a handle  605 , a stop washer  610 , a collar  615 , and a pin  620 . The functions of the handle  605 , the stop washer  610 , the collar  615 , and the pin  620  are substantially the same as the functions described for embodiments of  FIG. 3  that included a handle  172 , a stop washer  176 , a collar  174 , and a pin  178 . As is evident from  FIG. 11 , these embodiments of the invention are designed to work in conjunction with a ceiling fan or ceiling light.  
         [0073]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp  1200  that includes a lever-action switch actuator  700  in accordance with further embodiments of the invention. The lever-action switch actuator  700  is illustrated in the circular area A of the diagram. The circular area B is an enlargement of the circular area A.  
         [0074]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the floor lamp  1200  includes a base  210 , a lamp column  220 , a conventional push-button switch  450 , and the lever-action switch actuator  700 . The lever-action switch actuator  700  includes a handle  705 , a hinging mechanism  710 , and a collar  715 . The collar  715  fits around the lamp column  220  and holds the handle  705  in position, contacting the push-button switch  450 .  
         [0075]     When the handle  705  of the switch actuator is grasped simultaneously along with the lamp column  220 , a simple squeeze of the hand is all that is needed to force the handle to pivot about the hinging mechanism  710 , causing the push-button switch  450  to activate/deactivate. The handle  705  provides a significantly larger surface area to grasp compared to the push-button switch  450  alone, which may provide increased convenience for users of the floor lamp  1200 . In particular persons with handicaps may find it easier to operate the floor lamp  1200 .  
         [0076]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp  1300  that includes a switch actuator  800  in accordance with other embodiments of the invention. The interaction of the switch actuator  800  with a conventional push-button switch  450  is illustrated in the circular area A of the diagram. The circular area B is an enlargement of the circular area A.  
         [0077]     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the floor lamp  1300  includes a base  210 , a lamp column  220 , the conventional push-button switch  450  on the base of the floor lamp, and the switch actuator  800 . The switch actuator  800  includes a support arm  800   a  and an actuator rod  800   b . The support arm  800   a  extends outward from the lamp column  220  and holds the actuator rod  800   b  at a set distance away from the lamp column. Although not shown in  FIG. 13 , there is a hole in the support arm  800   a  that allows the actuator rod  800   b  to slide through it. In other words, the support arm  800   a  does not substantially interfere with vertical movement of the actuator rod  800   b . The bottom of the actuator rod  800   b  is concave and sits atop the conventional push-button switch  450 . The concave bottom of the actuator rod  800   b  aids in keeping the actuator rod in position on top of the push-button switch  450 .  
         [0078]     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the top of the actuator rod  800   b  has a large handle which is situated at a convenient distance above the base  210 . Since the floor lamp  1300  may be positioned in places that make it difficult to reach the push-button switch  450 , such as behind large pieces of furniture, the switch actuator  800  provides a convenient way to activate/deactivate the floor lamp  1300  by manually pushing down on the handle portion of the actuator rod  800   b , which causes the push-button switch to be triggered.  
         [0079]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp  1400  that includes a switch actuator  900  in accordance with other embodiments of the invention.  
         [0080]     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the floor lamp  1400  includes a base  210 , a lamp column  220 , a light socket  230 , a conventional toggle switch  240 , and the switch actuator  900 . The switch actuator  900  includes support arms  900   a , an actuator rod  900   b , and a stop  900   c . Although not shown in  FIG. 14 , the upper end of the actuator rod  900   b  has a hole that is configured to fit over the end of the toggle switch  240 . The support arms  900   a  hold the actuator rod  900   b  at a set distance away from the lamp column  220 . Preferably, the actuator rod  900   b  is maintained in a position that is substantially parallel to the lamp column  220 . Although not shown in  FIG. 14 , there is a hole in the support arms  900   a  that allow the actuator rod  900   b  to slide through it. In other words, the support arms  900   a  do not substantially interfere with the vertical movement of the actuator rod  900   b . The stop  900   c  limits the extent to which the actuator rod  900   b  can travel towards the base  210  of the floor lamp  1400 , and prevents the actuator rod  900   b  from falling through the support arms  800   a  if it falls off the end of the toggle switch  240 , or if the toggle switch breaks.  
         [0081]     As shown in  FIG. 14 , the bottom of the actuator rod  900   b  has a large handle which is situated at a convenient distance below the toggle switch  240 . Since the floor lamp  1400  may be positioned in places that make it difficult to reach the toggle switch  240 , such as behind large pieces of furniture, the switch actuator  900  provides a convenient way to activate/deactivate the floor lamp  1400  by manually pushing down or pulling up on the handle portion of the actuator rod  900   b , which causes the toggle switch to be triggered.  
         [0082]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention, the lever-action switch actuator configured to control a conventional light socket having a pull-chain switch.  
         [0083]     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the light socket  130 , pull-chain  140 , and operating collar  160  are well-known and additional explanation is omitted. The lever-action switch actuator includes a collar  174  that is similar to the collar  174  shown in  FIG. 1 . The lever-action switch actuator also includes a handle  1510 , a connecting rod  1520 , a lower chain collar  1530 , an upper chain collar  1540 , and a chain washer  1550 . The chain washer  1550  is arranged horizontally in a position between the points of the arrows labeled  1550 . The handle  1510 , connecting rod  1520 , lower chain collar  1530 , upper chain collar  1540 , and chain washer  1550  are described in further detail below.  
         [0084]     The lower chain collar  1530 , upper chain collar  1540 , and chain washer  1550  work cooperatively to clasp the pull-chain  140 , and they are connected to the handle  1510  by the connecting rod  1520 . The lower end and the upper end of the connecting rod  1520  is threaded in order to engage matching threads disposed on an upper part of the handle  1510  and a lower part of the lower chain collar  1530 , respectively. An upper part of the lower chain collar  1530  is also threaded in order to engage matching threads disposed on a lower part of the upper chain collar  1540 . The lower chain collar  1530  and the upper chain collar  1540  are structured such that the chain washer  1550  is held snugly at the top of the lower chain collar when the upper chain collar and the lower chain collar engage each other with their matching threaded portions.  
         [0085]     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the handle  1510 , connecting rod  1520 , lower chain collar  1530 , upper chain collar  1540 , and chain washer  1550  are aligned such that a vertical axis D-D′ passes longitudinally through a center of each.  
         [0086]     To engage the pull chain  140 , the pull chain is first threaded through the upper chain collar  1540  in the manner that is indicated by  FIG. 15 . Next, the chain washer  1550  is placed around a desired junction between two adjacent ball portions of the pull chain. As will be illustrated in further detail below, the chain washer  1550  has a circular hole in the center of the chain washer, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the ball portions of the pull chain  140 . Additionally, an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter of the chain washer  1550  are not continuous. In other words, a gap exists in the chain washer  1550  which allows the central circular hole of the chain washer  1550  to be placed around the selected junction between two adjacent ball portions of the pull chain  140 .  
         [0087]     Once the chain washer  1550  is placed around the pull chain  140 , the chain washer is placed on top of the lower chain collar  1530 , so the end of the pull chain hangs below the chain washer, within the central cavity of one or more of the upper chain collar  1540 , lower chain collar  1530 , or connecting rod  1520 . With the chain washer  1550  in position, the upper chain collar  1540  is then threaded on the lower chain collar  1530  to hold the chain washer in position.  
         [0088]     A pin  174   a  on the collar  174   a  engages corresponding holes on either side of the upper portion of the handle  1510 . Thus, when the handle  1510  is pushed or pulled, the handle is swept in an arc about an axis passing horizontally through the pin  174   a . Pulling the handle  1510  results in a pulling of the pull chain  140 , which operates the light socket  130 .  
         [0089]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp that incorporates the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 15  according to some other embodiments of the invention. The lever-action switch actuator is illustrated in the circular area A of the diagram. The circular area B is an enlargement of the circular area A.  
         [0090]     The circular areas A and B show two different positions of the lever-action switch actuator. To avoid unnecessarily obscuring this aspect of the embodiment, the connecting rod  1520 , the lower chain collar  1530 , the upper chain collar  1540 , and the chain washer  1550  are not labeled.  
         [0091]      FIG. 17   a  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a double lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention, the double lever-action switch actuator arranged to control the light sockets of a dual socket arrangement having two pull-chain switches.  FIG. 17   b  is a plan diagram illustrating the double lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 17   a.    
         [0092]     The double lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 17  is similar to the double lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 8 , and for convenience only the portions of the double lever-action switch actuator that are different from those shown in  FIG. 8  are identified and discussed in further detail.  
         [0093]     The double lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 17  has two handles  1710 . Like the single lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 15 , a connecting rod  1720  is structured to connect to an upper part of each of the handles  1710 . Preferably, the lower part of the connecting rod  1720  has threads (not shown) that are structured to engage matching threads (not shown) on the handle  1710 . However, in alternative embodiments of the invention the connecting rod  1720  may be attached to the handle  1710  by other means that are known in the art.  
         [0094]     The double lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 17  also includes lower chain collars  1730  that are structured to attach to the connecting rods  1720 . Preferably, the lower chain collars  1730  include threads (not shown) that are structured to engage matching threads (not shown) on an upper part of the connecting rods  1720 , similar to the arrangement between the connecting rod  1520  ( FIG. 15 ) and the lower chain collar  1530  ( FIG. 15 ). However, in alternative embodiments of the invention the lower chain collar  1730  may be attached to the connecting rod  1720  by other means that are known in the art.  
         [0095]     The double lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 17  also includes upper chain collars  1740  that are structured to attach to the lower chain collars  1730 . Preferably, the upper chain collars  1740  include threads (not shown) that are structured to engage matching threads (not shown) on an upper part of the lower chain collars  1730 , similar to the arrangement between the upper chain collar  1540  ( FIG. 15 ) and the lower chain collar  1530  ( FIG. 15 ). However, in alternative embodiments of the invention the upper chain collar  1740  may be attached to the lower chain collar  1730  by other means that are known in the art.  
         [0096]     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the double lever-action switch actuator also includes chain washers that are preferably the same as the chain washers  1550  illustrated in  FIG. 15 .  
         [0097]     In operation, the double lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 17  works in a similar manner as the single lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 15  and the double lever-action switch actuator illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Thus, an unnecessarily duplicative description is omitted.  
         [0098]      FIG. 18   a  illustrates a double lever-action switch actuator according to some other embodiments of the invention, and includes both a plan diagram and a side elevational diagram, where the right side of the side elevational diagram illustrates a cross-section of the actuator. Preferably, as shown in the cross-section of the actuator, the handle  1710 , the connecting rod  1720 , the lower chain collar  1730 , the upper chain collar  1740 , and the chain washer  1750  have the same arrangement as the corresponding elements illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18   a  differs from the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 17  in that it has a collar  274 , similar to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0099]      FIGS. 18   b - 18   g  are diagrams that further illustrate some individual components of the double lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 17  as well as some individual components of the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0100]      FIG. 18   b  includes a plan diagram, a side-elevational diagram, and a cross-sectional diagram that are illustrative of either the handle  1510  of  FIG. 15  or the handle  1710  of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0101]      FIG. 18   c  includes a plan diagram that further illustrates the pin  174   a  of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0102]      FIG. 18   d  includes a plan diagram, a side-elevational diagram, and a cross-sectional diagram that are illustrative of either the upper chain collar  1540  of  FIG. 15  or the upper chain collar  1740  of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0103]      FIG. 18   e  includes a plan diagram that is illustrative of either the chain washer  1550  of  FIG. 15  or the chain washer  1750  of  FIG. 17 . As shown in  FIG. 18   e , the chain washer  1550 ,  1750  has a gap that allows the chain washer to be placed around the junction between two selected ball portions of a pull chain, e.g., the pull chain  140  of  FIG. 15 .  
         [0104]      FIG. 18   f  includes a plan diagram, a side-elevational diagram, and a cross-sectional diagram that are illustrative of either the lower chain collar  1530  of  FIG. 15  or the lower chain collar  1730  of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0105]      FIG. 18   g  includes a plan diagram, a side-elevational diagram, and cross-sectional diagram that are illustrative of either the connecting rod  1520  of  FIG. 15  or the connecting rod  1720  of  FIG. 17 .  
         [0106]      FIG. 19  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a floor lamp that incorporates the lever-action switch actuator of  FIG. 17  according to some other embodiments of the invention. The lever-action switch actuator is illustrated in the circular area A of the diagram. The circular area B is an enlargement of the circular area A.  
         [0107]     The circular areas A and B show two different positions of the double lever-action switch actuator. To avoid unnecessarily obscuring this aspect of the embodiment, the connecting rod  1720 , the lower chain collar  1730 , the upper chain collar  1740 , and the chain washer  1750  are not labeled.  
         [0108]      FIG. 20   a  is a side elevational diagram illustrating a combined ceiling fan/light fixture that includes a lever-action switch actuator in accordance with some other embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 20   b  is an enlargement of the portion of  FIG. 20   a  that is below the dashed line C-C′ illustrated in  FIG. 20   a . Referring to  FIGS. 20   a  and  20   b , the lever-action switch actuator includes a handle  2010 , a connecting rod  2020 , a lower chain collar  2030 , and an upper chain collar  2040 . Although not shown in  FIGS. 20   a  or  20   b , the lever-action switch actuator further includes a chain washer that is preferably similar to the chain washer  1550  of  FIG. 15 . Like some of the other embodiments described above, the lever-action switch actuator is configured to activate/deactivate a conventional pull-switch on the combined ceiling fan/light fixture.  
         [0109]     The construction and function of the handle  2010 , the connecting rod  2020 , the lower chain collar  2030 , and the upper chain collar  2040  are the same as the corresponding elements illustrated in  FIG. 15 , therefore an unnecessarily duplicative description is omitted.  
         [0110]     Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in several exemplary embodiments, it should be apparent that the exemplary embodiments may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. For example, the materials used to make the switch actuators described above may be any appropriate conventional material, such as metal, wood, or plastic. Furthermore, those or skill in the art will recognize that artistic design elements of the switch actuators described above, such as size and shape, may be altered to reflect the overall size or style of the particular lamp, fan, or appliance that incorporates the switch actuator.  
         [0111]     Furthermore, the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, “another”, or “some” embodiment(s) in various locations. It will be understood, however, that such use does not necessarily mean that each such reference is directed to the same embodiment(s), or that the features thereof only apply to a single embodiment. The inventor regards the subject matter of the invention to include all combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein.