Patent Publication Number: US-8536473-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for a combination light pipe and air gap switch

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical wiring devices and more particularly, to dimming devices having an air gap switch. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dimmer switches and electrical dimming devices can include the ability to completely disconnect the power that is provided to the load. The ability to completely disconnect the power may be necessary when maintenance needs to be completed on the load. Examples of maintaining a load can include, but are not limited to, changing a burned-out light bulb or florescent tube. 
     In conventional dimmer switches, when the dimmer setting is set at the lowest level a load will appear to be completely off. However, in this state there is still a measurable leakage current through the dimmer that may be potentially dangerous. Therefore, conventional dimmers are required to have a mechanical switch to fully open the circuit for purposes of conducting maintenance on the load. This mechanical switch is typically referred to as an air gap switch. 
     Most conventional air-gap mechanisms use a plastic pull-down switch that protrudes downwardly from the bottom of the switch faceplate. This pull-down switch is oriented parallel with and against the wall. When the circuit is closed, the air-gap actuator is slightly visible below the faceplate. To open the circuit, air-gap actuator is pulled downward or outward. The actuator manipulates a mechanical air-gap switch in response to the movement. Unfortunately this conventional design has several drawbacks, including the fact that the actuator has only one function, is rarely needed yet it is visible and unattractive along its positioning on the faceplate and it when it protrudes from the faceplate. 
     Furthermore, due to technological advances, changes to local and national codes, and consumer preferences, modern electrical switches need to have more features and additional capabilities. Examples of these features include, occupancy sensing, night lights, ambient light level detection, dimming, dimmer level notification, as well as the numerous types of manually adjustable electrical switches themselves. Individually, the use of one of these features is not problematic. However, as more and more of these features are desired in a single switching device, the amount of space to provide for these features on the faceplate of the switch is increasingly restricted. The ability to combine one or more features with the air gap switch and also possible hiding the air gap switch along the faceplate would provide increased flexibility and consumer satisfaction. 
     SUMMARY 
     A novel electrical switch includes an adjustable light pipe assembly that activates an air gap switch is shown and described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, an electrical switch can include a faceplate having an outer surface. The switch can also include a light pipe that can be configured to move in a substantially orthogonal direction from the outer surface of the faceplate from a first position to a second position. The light pipe can include a first end and a second distal end. In the first position, the first end of the light pipe can be positioned along the outer surface of the faceplate. In the second position the first end of the light pipe can extend out from the outer surface of the faceplate. The switch can also include an air gap switch that can be adjusted in response to movement of the light pipe. The air gap switch can include two or more contacts that are configured to open and close a circuit. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a method of manipulating an air gap switch can include the step of providing a switch device. The switch device can include a housing, faceplate, light pipe assembly, and an air gap switch. The faceplate can be coupled to the housing and can include an outer surface and a longitudinal axis. The light pipe assembly can include a light transmissive channel that can include a first end positioned along the outer surface of the faceplate and a second end distal from the first end. The light pipe assembly can also include a cam. The air gap switch can be positioned within the housing and can include a movable contact assembly and a stationary contact. The movable contact assembly can include a movable contact and a cam follower. The method can further include moving the light pipe assembly in a first direction that can cause the at least a portion of the light transmissive channel to extend outward from the faceplate in a substantially orthogonal direction from the longitudinal axis of the faceplate. The method can also include the cam follower engaging the cam and separating the movable contact from the stationary contact in response to the movement of the light pipe assembly. 
     These and other inventive concepts will be discussed herein below. The description hereinabove is not intended to be limiting in any manner and is simply a brief overview of some of the novel features of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and aspects of the invention are best understood with reference to the following description of certain exemplary embodiments, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a dimmer switch in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of combination light pipe and air gap switch of the dimmer switch of  FIG. 1  with the contacts in a closed position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of combination light pipe and air gap switch of the dimmer switch of  FIG. 1  with the contacts in an open position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is directed to a dimmer switch that includes a light pipe that both emits light generated by an LED and functions as an air gap switch to remove power from the dimmer switch. The end of the light pipe is designed to be flush with or substantially flush with the exterior of one of the switches, such as the dimmer switch  150  of  FIG. 1 , such that the full frontal appearance of the entire assembly (with the light pipe/air gap switch in the “on” position and the internal air gap switch closed, is that of a substantially smooth, uncluttered surface. When the light pipe/air gap switch is in the “on” (normally closed) position, the dimmer is electrically enabled, allowing a user to operate the dimmer by activating the main actuator to switch power on or off to a load. When the light pip/air gap switch is in the extended/“off” position, the dimmer is electrically disabled. Although the description of exemplary embodiments is provided below in conjunction with the dimmer switch, alternate embodiments of the invention are applicable to other types of electrical wiring devices that either emit LED light, sense ambient light adjacent to the device, or include an infrared (IR) sensor and transmitter and/or receiver so that the device is capable of communicating with an external IR controller for remote operation of the device. These types of devices include, but are not limited to, receptacles, switches, and any other electrical wiring device known to people having ordinary skill in the art. The invention is best understood by reading the following description of non-limiting, exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, wherein like parts of each of the figures are identified by like reference characters, and which are briefly described as follows. 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an in-wall dimmer switch  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the exemplary in-wall dimmer switch  100  has a rectangular or substantially rectangular shape and includes an upper coupling band  190 , a lower coupling band  192 , a housing  105 , and a faceplate  107 . While the exemplary dimmer switch  100  is described as having a rectangular shape, in alternative embodiments, the switch  100  is capable of being configured in any other geometric or non-geometric shape. 
     The upper coupling band  190  and the lower coupling band  192  are integrally formed with one-another and with a mounting plate  289  ( FIG. 2 ). A portion of the mounting plate  289  is disposed along the perimeter of the faceplate  107  and another portion is disposed between the housing  105  and the faceplate  107 . In an alternative embodiment, the upper coupling band  190 , the lower coupling band  192 , and optionally the mounting plate  289  are formed separately and individually coupled between the housing  105  and the faceplate  107 . The upper coupling band  190  and the lower coupling band  192  extend lengthwise out from the faceplate  107  and collectively extend beyond one dimension of the faceplate  107  in both directions. The upper coupling band  190  includes an aperture  191  and the lower coupling band  192  includes an aperture  193 . These apertures  191  and  193  are used to couple the in-wall dimmer switch  100  to a wall box (not shown) and are configured to receive a screw (not shown) or other fastening device known to people having ordinary skill in the art therethrough. The exemplary upper and lower coupling bands  190 ,  192  and mounting plate  289  are fabricated using a metal, such as steel. However, in alternative embodiments the bands  190 ,  192  and mounting plate  289  are capable of being fabricated using other materials known to people having ordinary skill in the art. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the housing  105  is removably coupled to either the mounting plate  289  or at least one of the upper and lower coupling bands  190 ,  192 . The exemplary housing  105  has a substantially rectangular shape. In alternative embodiments, the housing  105  is capable of being formed in other geometric or non-geometric shapes. In certain exemplary embodiments, the housing  105  includes electrical components. Some of these electrical components are shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  herein below. Exemplary electrical components include electrical contacts, for electrically coupling the dimmer switch  100  to building wires (not shown) and to load wires (not shown) that are electrically coupled to an associated load (not shown). The exemplary housing  105  is dimensioned to fit within the wall box. In certain exemplary embodiments, the housing  105  is fabricated using a non-conductive material, such as plastic. However, the housing  105  is capable of being fabricated using other materials known to those having ordinary skill in the art according to other exemplary embodiments. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the faceplate  107  is removably coupled to the mounting plate  289  ( FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, the faceplate  107  is capable of being removably coupled to at least one of the upper and lower coupling bands  190 ,  192 , and the housing  105 . The faceplate  107  remains visible to an end-user once the dimmer switch  100  is installed within the wall box. The exemplary faceplate  107  has a substantially rectangular shape. In alternative embodiments, the faceplate  107  is capable of being formed in other geometric or non-geometric shapes. In one exemplary embodiment, the faceplate  107  has a profile that is substantially similar to the profile of the housing  105  and is disposed over the housing  105  and all or at least a portion of the mounting plate  289 . The faceplate  107  includes, for example, an occupancy sensor window  110 , a night light  120 , a dimmer switch  150 , a dimmer level indicator  160 , and a manually operable switch  195 . In other exemplary embodiments, the night light  120 , dimmer level indicator  160 , occupancy sensor window  110 , and/or manually operable switch  150  are optionally removable from the faceplate  107 . According to one exemplary embodiment, the night light  120  is disposed adjacent the occupancy sensor window  110  and the manually operable switch  195 , such as, for example, being positioned between the occupancy sensor window  110  and the manually operable switch  195 . In one exemplary embodiment, the occupancy sensor window  110  is positioned along the top portion of the faceplate  107  and the manually operable switch  195  is positioned along the bottom portion of the faceplate  107 . In one exemplary embodiment, the occupancy sensor window is a Fresnel lens  113  that is positioned on a portion of the in-wall dimmer switch  100 . Although the positioning for the occupancy sensor window  110 , the night light  120 , and the manually operable switch  195  has been provided in accordance with one of the exemplary embodiments, other exemplary embodiments having alternative positioning for one or all of the components is within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. 
     While the exemplary dimmer switch  150  of  FIG. 1  is presented as a rocker-style switch, the dimmer switch  150  is capable of being any type of dimmer switch known to those of ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited to, slide-style switches, touchpads, rotary dimmer switches and the like. Manual adjustment of the dimmer switch  150  allows a user to adjust the amount of voltage across the load (not shown). For example, depressing the “up dimming” side  152  of the dimmer switch  150  will increase the amount of voltage across the load. Conversely, depressing the “down dimming” side  154  of the dimmer switch  150  will decrease the amount of voltage across the load. In one exemplary embodiment, the dimmer switch  150  is disposed on the faceplate between the occupancy sensor window  110  and the manually operable switch  195 . In alternative embodiments, the faceplate  107  does not include the manually operable switch  195  and instead only includes the dimmer switch  150  for adjusting power to the load. The dimmer level indicator  160  presents a visual indication of the level the dimmer switch  150  is operating at. In one exemplary embodiment, the dimmer level indictor  160  includes a translucent or transparent window and multiple LEDs capable of emitting light in one or more colors through the window. In this exemplary embodiment, the dimmer level indicator  160  is positioned on the faceplate  107  adjacent to the dimmer switch  150  and below the occupancy sensor window  110 . 
     The exemplary dimmer switch  100  also includes a load status window  114 . The load status window  114  is located adjacent to the night light  120  and the dimmer switch  150 . Alternatively, the load status window  114  is capable of being positioned anywhere on the dimmer switch  100  so long as the load status window  114  is visible to a user once the in-wall dimmer switch  100  is installed within the wall box. The load status window  114  is capable of receiving a light pipe assembly, light pipe channel, or light pipe cap discussed in greater detail with regard to  FIGS. 2 and 3  below. 
     In versions where the exemplary switch  100  includes a night light  120 , the night light  120  includes one or more LEDs (not shown), or LED packages. Although LEDs are described in the exemplary embodiment, other light sources known to people having ordinary skill in the art including, but not limited to, organic light emitting diodes (“OLEDs”) and liquid crystal display (“LCD”) screens, are used in alternative exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the exemplary embodiment. In certain exemplary embodiments, the night light  120  also optionally includes a lens  122  positioned over the LEDs or LED packages. The night light LEDs emit substantially white light having a color temperature between 2500 and 5000 degrees Kelvin. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, the night light  120  emits any color of light at various intensities of that color. The lens  122  is fabricated using an optically transmissive or clear material. In certain exemplary embodiments, the lens  122  provides environmental protection while transmitting light from the LEDs. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the lens  122  is a push-button lens that is used to turn on and off the night light  120  and/or dim the night light  120 . The exemplary push-button lens is substantially rectangular; however, other geometric or non-geometric shapes for the lens are capable without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. In certain exemplary embodiments, when the night light  120  turns on, the LEDs emit light through the lens  122 . When the night light  120  is dimmed, the intensity of the light emitted from the LEDs through the lens  122  is varied or the number of LEDs that are on is varied according to manufacturing desires. For example, the light intensity emitted from the night light  120  is varied by increasing or decreasing the power supplied to the LEDs. In another example, if the night light  120  includes ten LEDs, the number of LEDs that emit light can be increasingly or decreasingly varied from one LED to ten LEDs or ten LEDs to one LED to produce a dimming effect. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the lens  122  in pushed in and released to turn on and off the night light  120 . Once the night light  120  is on, the lens  122  is pushed in and held in to achieve dimming of the night light  120 . For example, once the night light  120  is turned on, the night light  120  emits light at its maximum intensity. The lens  122  is pushed in and held in to decrease the light intensity emitted from the night light  120  until the desired intensity is reached, at which time the end-user releases the lens  122 . If the end-user desires to increase the intensity of the light emitted from the night light  120 , the lens  122  is again pushed in and held in until the desired intensity is reached. In another embodiment, the night light  120  operation is the same, except that once the night light  120  is turned on, the night light  120  emits light at a pre-set intensity, which is set by the end-user and is between the maximum intensity and the minimum intensity. For example, the pre-set intensity is the intensity of the light that the night light  120  emitted immediately before being previously turned off. Thus, according to one exemplary embodiments, the lens  122  of the night light  120  is used to control the operation of the night light  120 . In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the lens  122  is repeated tapped to increase or decrease the intensity of the light emitted through the night light  120 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  are cross-sectional views of certain internal components of the dimmer switch  100  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Now referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the housing  105  of the dimmer switch  100  includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) assembly  240  disposed generally near a bottom end of the housing  105  and a second PCB assembly  205  positioned above the first PCB assembly  240 . Each PCB assembly  205 ,  240  includes a printed circuit board (PCB) defining a perimeter. The first PCB assembly  240  includes a top surface  242  and the second PCB assembly  205  includes a top surface  202 . 
     An exemplary light pipe assembly  210  includes an elongated channel member that includes a first end  226  with a first aperture, a second end  227  with a second aperture opposite from and distal of the first, and a channel  211  connecting the first and second ends  226 ,  227  such that a pathway through the light pipe  210  is created. In certain exemplary embodiments, the second aperture is covered by a light transmissive cap  225 . The light transmissive cap  225  can be clear, transparent, or translucent with a colored tint. The first end  226  of the light pipe  210  is disposed near or adjacent to the top surface  202 . The light pipe  210  extends up from near the top surface  202  of the second PCB assembly  205  such that a portion of the light transmissive cap  325  is disposed along the surface of or extends through the faceplate  107 . 
     A light source, such as, for example, an LED  215  is electrically coupled to the top surface  202  of the second PCB assembly  205 . In one exemplary embodiment, power for the LED  215  is supplied through traces (not shown) on the second PCB assembly  205 . The LED  215  is typically positioned adjacent to the first end  226  of the light pipe  210  so that light transmitted by the LED  215  is received by the light pipe  210  at the first end  226  transmitted through the channel  211  and emitted out of the second end  227 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, the LED  215  is replaced with a light sensor or IR sensor (not shown). 
     The emission of light (or lack thereof) by the LED, LED chip on board, or LED package  215  provides information to the end-user as to the load status, whether motion has been detected in the monitored area, and/or the location of the switch  100 . In one exemplary embodiment, the LED  215  emits a visible constant light at or near full intensity when a load associated with the in-wall dimmer switch  100  is on and emits a dimmed level of light when the load associated with the in-wall dimmer switch  100  is off. Also, in certain exemplary embodiments, the LED  215  emits a momentary flashing light when motion is detected within the monitored area and emits no light when motion is not detected within the monitored area. In alternative exemplary embodiments, other methods, such as using two or more independent LEDs or LED packages, can be used to show the load status or whether motion has been detected within the monitored area. In this alternative embodiment, for example, one LED or LED package indicates the load status while the second LED or LED package indicates whether motion has been detected in the monitored area. Distinguishing between the two could be accomplished by having each LED emit a different color of light through the light pipe  210 . 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, an optically transmissive or clear material (not shown) encapsulates at least a portion of each LED or LED package  215 . This encapsulating material provides environmental protection while transmitting light from the LEDs  215 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the encapsulating material includes a conformal coating, a silicone gel, a cured/curable polymer, an adhesive, or some other material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. In certain exemplary embodiments, phosphors are coated onto or dispersed in the encapsulating material for creating a desired light color. 
     For the alternative embodiments that include a light sensor (not shown), one or more light sensors are electrically coupled to the top surface  202  of the second PCB assembly  205 . In one exemplary embodiment, the light sensors are coupled to the second PCB assembly  205  and are disposed adjacent to the first end  226  of the light pipe  210 . In this exemplary embodiment, the light sensors receive ambient light from an area adjacent to and external to the switch  100  by the ambient light being transmitted through the cap  225  on the second end  227  of the light pipe  210 , through the channel  211 , and through the first end  226  of the light pipe  210  to the light sensor. Exemplary light sensors include a photocell, a photosensitive resistor, and/or a phototransistor. 
     For the alternative embodiments that include an IR sensor (not shown), one or more IR sensors are electrically coupled to the top surface  202  of the second PCB assembly  205 , disposed adjacent to the first end  226  of the light pipe  210 , and communicably coupled to a remote control transceiver or microcontroller (not shown) also disposed along one of the first and second PCB assemblies  205 ,  240 . In this exemplary embodiment, the IR sensor receives IR control signals from a master control device or remote control device by the IR control signals being transmitted through the cap  225 , through the channel  211 , and through the first end  226  of the light pipe  210  to the IR sensor. 
     The second PCB assembly  205  also includes an occupancy sensor  232  electrically coupled to the top surface  202  of the second PCB assembly  205 . The occupancy sensor  232  senses occupancy through the occupancy sensor window  110  in the monitored area and sends a signal to energize a load, maintains a signal to energize the load when sensing continuing occupancy of the monitored area, and enables settings for operating the occupancy sensor  232 . According to some exemplary embodiments, the occupancy sensor  232  includes one or more passive infrared (“PIR”) sensors (not shown). Although the exemplary occupancy sensor  232  includes PIR sensors, in alternative embodiments, the occupancy sensor  232  includes any one or a combination of different occupancy sensing technologies including, but not limited to, PIR, ultrasonic, microwave, and microphonic technologies in other exemplary embodiments. 
     According to one exemplary embodiment, the occupancy sensor  232  using the PIR sensors to detect occupancy, passively senses the occupancy of the monitored area through the window  110 , generates a signal upon detecting occupancy, and continues generating the signal upon sensing the continuing occupancy of the monitored area. In certain exemplary embodiments, when the occupancy sensor  232  generates the signal based upon detecting motion, the associated load is turned on (if the manually adjustable switch  195  is in a position designating that the load should be energized). The exemplary occupancy sensor  232  utilizes a passive technology that does not send out a signal to aid in the reception of a signal. However, in certain alternative exemplary embodiments, the occupancy sensor  232  utilizes an active technology, such as ultrasonic technology, or a combination of active and passive technologies. 
     In certain exemplary embodiments, the occupancy sensor  232  transmits one or more signals to the microcontroller so that the microcontroller is able to determine occupancy within a desired monitored area. In these exemplary embodiments, the occupancy sensor  232  automatically sends a signal to the microcontroller at predetermined time intervals, at random time intervals, or only when occupancy is detected. Alternatively, the microcontroller polls the occupancy sensor  232  for the occupancy detection sensor  232  to send a signal back to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is able to poll the occupancy sensor  232  automatically at predetermined time intervals or at random time intervals. 
     The exemplary light pipe assembly  210  also includes a slot  230 , indentation, or area without material adjacent to or just below the cap  225  and along the channel  211 . The slot  230  is sized and shaped to receive a fingernail, portion of a finger, or small thin object therein to pry the light pipe assembly  210  upward from the surface of the faceplate  107 . Coupled along the channel  211  adjacent the first end  226  is an elongated member  235 . The elongated member  235  extends downward from the channel  210  and has a longitudinal axis that is in a parallel or substantially parallel plane to the longitudinal axis of the channel  211 . The elongated member  235  is coupled at a first end  236  to the channel  211  and extends from the channel  211  through an aperture in the second PCB assembly  205  and further extends toward the first PCB assembly  240 . The elongated member includes a distal second end  237 . Along a surface  238  of the elongated member  235  near or adjacent to the second  237 , the elongated member includes a cam  245 . The cam is configured to engage a cam follower  255  on a movable switch  260  to separate a movable contact  270  from a stationary contact  275 . The cam  245  includes a detent  250  that the cam follower  255  engages and come to rest therein to maintain the contacts in an open configuration resulting in a short in the circuit. 
     The exemplary elongated member  235  also includes a position stop member  220  coupled to the elongated member. In one exemplary embodiment, the position stop member  220  extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally outward from the longitudinal axis of the elongated member  235  and is positioned along the surface  238  of the elongated member  235  near the first end  236 . The position stop  220  is sized and shaped so as to not fit through the aperture of the second PCB assembly  205  that the elongated member  235  extends through and to not fit through the aperture in the mounting plate  289  that the light pipe  210  and the first end  236  of the elongated member  235  fits through. In one exemplary embodiment, the position stop  220  is configured to engage the second PCB assembly when the light pipe  210  is in a first position, where the circuit is closed, and to engage the mounting plate  289  when the light pipe assembly  210  is in a second position having at least a portion extending out form the surface of the faceplate  107 , where the circuit is shorted. 
     The exemplary air gap assembly includes the movable contact assembly  260  and the stationary contact assembly  290 . The exemplary movable contact assembly  260  includes an elongated member that includes the cam follower  255  extending orthogonally or substantially orthogonally outward therefrom. The exemplary cam follower  255  is constructed of two adjoining members in a substantially “V” shaped formation with the members intersecting at an apex of the distance away from the elongated member of the movable switch  260 . While the exemplary cam follower  255  is V-shaped, other shapes and types of cam-followers known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be substituted without affecting the operation of the exemplary device  100 . The movable switch  260  also includes a contact mount  265 . In one exemplary embodiment, the contact mount  265  extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally from the elongated member of the movable switch  260 . The contact mount  265  is coupled to the movable contact  270 . In one exemplary embodiment, the movable contact  270  extends orthogonally or substantially orthogonally from the contact mount  265 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the movable contact assembly  260  is electrically coupled to the first PCB assembly  240  along the surface  242 . In addition, in certain exemplary embodiments, the movable contact assembly  260  is mechanically coupled to the first PCB assembly  240 . 
     The exemplary stationary contact assembly  290  includes an elongated member  290 . In one exemplary embodiment, the elongated member  290  has a longitudinal axis that is on a parallel plane with a longitudinal axis of the elongated member of the movable contact assembly  260 . The stationary contact assembly  290  also includes a lead contact  280  electrically coupled to the stationary contact assembly  290 . In one exemplary embodiment, the lead contact  280  is also mechanically coupled to the stationary contact assembly  290  along the elongated member  290 . The lead contact  280  is configured to electrically couple a wire or lead to the switch assembly  290 . The stationary contact assembly  290  also includes a stationary contact  275 . In one exemplary embodiment, the stationary contact  275  is coupled along one end of the elongated member  290 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the stationary contact assembly  290  is electrically coupled to the first PCB assembly  240  along the surface  242 . In addition, in certain exemplary embodiments, the stationary contact assembly  290  is mechanically coupled to the first PCB assembly  240 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the air gap switch is opened, resulting in a short in the circuit by engaging the slot  230  of the light pipe  210  with a fingernail or small device and prying the light pipe outward in an orthogonal or substantially orthogonal manner from the faceplate  107 . In certain exemplary embodiments, the air gap switch is a multi-terminal normally closed switch which makes a conductive path across its terminals when it is in the “on” (closed) position and breaks the conductive path when it is in the disconnected “off” (open) position. The air gap switch is typically coupled in series with the manually operable switch  195  so that when the air gap switch is in the “on” position, the manually operable switch  195  and the dimmer switch  150  are enabled, allowing a user to operate the dimmer  100 . On the other hand, when the air gap switch is in its disconnected “off” position, electrical power is disconnected from the dimmer so that the manually operable switch  195  and the dimmer switch  150  are disabled, preventing a user from operating the dimmer  100  thereby also preventing the user from activating the load electrically coupled to the dimmer  100 . 
     As the light pipe  210  continues to be moved outward from the faceplate  107 , the cam  245  moves in a direction from the first PCB assembly  240  towards the second PCB assembly  205 . As the cam  245  moves, the cam follower  255  engages the cam  245  and moves along the cam  245 . The movement of the cam follower  255  along the cam  245  causes a corresponding movement in the elongated member  260  of the movable contact assembly  260  the contact mount  265  and the movable contact  270  thereby separating the contacts  270 ,  275  and creating a short in the circuit for the device  100  or the dimmer portion of the device. As the light pipe  210  continues to be moved outward from the faceplate  107 , the position stop  220  hits or engages the mounting plate  289  or other stopping member and prevents the light pipe  210  from being pulled further outward. Also, as the position stop  220  is hitting the mounting plate  289  or other stopping member, the cam follower  255  enters or is in the detent  250  of the cam  245 . The cam follower  255  resting in the detent  250  allows the cam follower  255  to stay in that position, with the contacts  270 ,  275  still open until a subsequent force is applied to the light pipe  210 . With the contacts  270 ,  275  separated, the power to the load is prevented and the user is safe to conduct maintenance on the load. 
     When a user wants to resume normal operation for the load, the light pipe  210  is pushed back in an orthogonal or substantially orthogonal manner to the longitudinal axis of the faceplate  107  towards the housing. The movement of the light pipe assembly  210  causes a corresponding movement of the cam  245 . As the cam  245  moves in a direction most easily defined as from the second PCB assembly  205  towards the first PCB assembly  240 , the cam follower  255  moves out of the detent  250  and along the cam  245 . When the light pipe assembly  210  is pushed all the way back in, such that it is flush with or substantially flush with the surface of the faceplate  107 , the position stop  220  optionally engages the second PCB assembly  205  or other stop member to prevent further movement of the light pipe  210  assembly inward. The cam  255  moves to one end of the cam follower  245  causes a corresponding movement in the elongated member  260  of the movable contact assembly  260 , the contact mount  265 , and the movable contact  270  thereby allowing the exemplary normally closed contacts  270 ,  275  to re-engage one another and complete the circuit for the device  100  or the dimmer portion of the device. While the exemplary embodiment described above teaches the contact  275  with the lead mount  280  as being stationary and the other contact assembly  260  being movable the operations of each could be switched and is within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Although each exemplary embodiment has been described in detail, it is to be construed that any features and modifications that are applicable to one embodiment are also applicable to the other embodiments. Furthermore, although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these descriptions are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the description of the exemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or methods for carrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also be realized by those of ordinary skill in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It is therefore, contemplated that the claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.