Patent Publication Number: US-7214898-B1

Title: Cover for light switch

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The field of this invention is covers for light switches, and more particularly, covers for light switches 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Light switches attached to a wall, or more precisely, the base plate that the wall light switch fits into, has been standardized in the United States for a long time. Notwithstanding that, there are two commonly found versions of light switches in terms of their physical structure. The first version shall be referred to as the “old-fashioned toggle light switch”. The second version shall be referred to as the “decor light switch”. All light switches within a particular version have the identical physical structure. Furthermore, all electrical light switches in both versions have a specific height and width, as measured by the wall plate that the switch is embedded into. 
   It should of course be understood that although the term “light switches attached to a wall” has been used, this term is intended to also include light switches that may be found on a ceiling or even on a beam within a home or office, for example a shut off switch for a boiler or air conditioning system. In short the two versions of light switches are intended to cover any light switch in whatever context that looks like the light switches appearing in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 12 , as explained more fully below. 
   For religious reasons, people and families that observe the Sabbath do not use electricity or electrical appliances. They do not turn lights on or off from during the period from sundown Friday through sundown Saturday. Sabbath observers spend a great deal of time preparing the home for the Sabbath including setting the lights in the home in the mode that it is desired that they be in for the duration of the Sabbath. A family prior to the Sabbath might for example set the lights in the house in a manner that the main light is “on” in certain rooms and off in other rooms, for example rooms in which the primary activity there is sleeping. There is a danger that the settings of the light switches in the home may be interfered with accidentally or deliberately during the Sabbath at the cost of placing the family in a situation of extreme inconvenience during the remainder of the Sabbath. Since many families have children in the home who may interfere with the settings of the light switches by turning them on or off, there is a need among Sabbath observer families to protect the light switches from such interference. 
   Furthermore, interference with the On/Off mode of the light switches can be caused accidentally by an adult also. An adult leaning against a wall may accidentally turn a light off in a room where light is required or turn a light on in a room where people need to sleep. Thus, there is a need to protect and maintain the light switch settings in the home. 
   In addition, strictly observant Sabbath observers are not even allowed to touch the light switch or electric outlet. Therefore, it is beneficial for them to have some kind of reminder system that reminds them not to touch these objects. 
   The preparations for the Sabbath involve many things, including food preparation and a myriad of tasks that have to be done to be able to manage during the day without work, such as turning on lights or using the telephone. It is therefore very important that the solution to problem of avoiding interference with the light switches be such as to not require a great deal of time. Even additional seconds can be a problem since there is an inevitable rush of tasks that have to be completed prior to the Sabbath and each additional one is burdensome if it is time-consuming. 
   An additional separate but related problem is the need to protect electrical outlets on the walls from being interfered with. There is a safety problem in that children can play with them. Electrical outlets on a wall (or ceiling) come in standardized form in which there are essentially three kinds of outlets of uniform size within each type. In addition, electrical wall outlets are formed on a base plate that is of uniform height and width. 
   In addition, there is a compelling safety and convenience need for preventing tampering with light switches in boiler rooms, “main lobby” lights or other switches that are kept on permanently or for long periods of time. This also saves energy from a switch being on when it should be off. In addition, the very act of turning light or electric switches on an off unnecessarily wastes unnecessary energy. 
   Thus there is a compelling need to cover the electrical outlets in a house in a way that is safe. Furthermore, there is need to protect the outlets in a way that is attractive and does not detract from the elegance of the decor of the home, and ideally in a way that enhances the decor. In addition, there is a need to cover the light switches in a way that is easy to apply and remove. Furthermore, there is a need to cover the light switches in a way that provides a convenient manner of storing the covers so that is easy to access them. In addition, there is a need for a way to cover light switches and electric outlets that is safe. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  show a prior art attempt to cover old-fashioned toggle light switches and arrive at a solution to the issues and problems referred to above. This involves unscrewing the two screws in the electric light switch, for example the two screws in the old-fashioned toggle light switch, and replacing them by female snap members. An oval cover containing male snap members is then snapped onto the light switch by mating the male and female snaps. 
   This prior art method and apparatus is inconvenient because it requires assembly and disassembly. The whole point of the cover is to create convenience for the Sabbath observant family and for the family who wishes to make electric outlets in their home safe. Since convenience is crucial, there is a need for a method and apparatus that does not create an additional task of something to do such as assembly and disassembly. In addition, because of the assembly and disassembly of the electric outlet or light switch base plate, there can be a danger and/or people will undoubtedly perceive a danger involved in working with electric apparatuses (light switches and electric outlets) by disassembling and reassembling them. There is a need for a more convenient way of covering light switches and electric outlets and one that is safer and perceived as safer. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention is a cover for a decor light switch or an old fashioned light switch, which can also be used to cover electric outlets. The cover for the decor light switch comprises a hollow frame having a left side, a right side, a top, a bottom, a flat or convex front and an open rear, a first small annular member projecting from the front in an area of the top and having a depth corresponding to a width of the left and right sides, a first cylindrical magnet inside the first small annular member, a second small annular member projecting from the front in an area of the bottom and having a depth corresponding to a width of the left and right side, a second cylindrical magnet inside the second small annular member, each of the magnets positioned so that they are aligned with and able to contact a head of a metal screw on the base plate, the magnets together strong enough to hold the cover. The main difference for the cover for the old fashioned light switch is that the cover has a convex front to accommodate the projecting switch. element. The convex front has a central area of sufficient height to receive the switch element of the old-fashioned toggle light switch. 
   IMPORTANT OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   The following important objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
   (1) to provide a cover for an electric switch that is sturdy because of its construction and the way it attaches; 
   (2) to provide such a cover that is elegant, sleek and attractive; 
   (3) to provide such a cover that is easier to make than prior art covers; 
   (4) to provide such a cover that is lightweight; 
   (5) to provide such a cover that is not bulky; 
   (6) to provide such a cover that requires no assembly or disassembly in order to use it on a light switch or on an outlet; 
   (7) to provide such a cover that can be attached in a rotated position for storage; 
   (8) to provide such a cover that can be attached in a rotated position for storage on an electric outlet and still allow lugs to be inserted into the outlet and appliances to be functioning; 
   (9) to provide such a cover that can be kept on the light switch or outlet permanently and hence is easier to find and to apply; 
   (10) to provide such a cover that is safe; 
   (11) to provide such a cover that is stackable; 
   (12) to provide such a cover that can be used on any electric light switch in the country; 
   (13) to provide such a cover that has a simple embodiment for both the decor light switches and for the old-fashioned toggle light switches; 
   (14) to provide such a cover that can also be applied safely to electrical outlets both those that have two screws and those that have one screw on their base plate; 
   (15) to provide such a cover that is very easy to apply and use; 
   (16) to provide such a cover that does not require taking off the base plate of the light switch or electric outlet in order to use the cover effectively; 
   (17) to provide such a cover that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture; 
   (18) to provide such a cover that requires the minimum physical structure needed to serve its function; 
   (19) to provide such a cover that can be rotated while in place; 
   (20) to provide such a structure that cannot easily be removed by sliding it off; 
   (21) to provide such a cover that prevents children from turning lights on or off during the Sabbath or during any other period of time that the household does not wish such lights to be tampered with; 
   (22) to provide a cover that serves as a reminder to warn people not to touch the light switch or outlet; 
   (23) to provide such a cover that prevents adults from accidentally turning a light switch on or off. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an old-fashioned toggle light switch and a prior art device for covering an old-fashioned toggle light switch; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of an old-fashioned toggle light switch and a rear view of the prior art device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of a cover of the present invention for a decor light switch; 
       FIG. 4  is a vertical sectional view of the cover of  FIG. 3  taken along the right side of the cover of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the cover of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the cover of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 5  alongside a decor light switch; 
       FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of a cover of the present invention for an old-fashioned toggle light switch; 
       FIG. 9  is a vertical sectional view of the cover of  FIG. 8  taken along the right side of the cover of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of the cover of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the cover of  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 10  alongside an old-fashioned toggle light switch; 
       FIG. 13  is a rear elevational view of a cover of the present invention for an electric outlet with one screw; 
       FIG. 14  is a vertical sectional view of the cover of  FIG. 13  taken along the right side of the cover of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of the cover of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a side view of the cover of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the cover of  FIG. 15  alongside an electric outlet with one screw; 
       FIG. 18  is a cover of the present invention for a decor light switch on the decor light switch in a rotated or stored position; 
       FIG. 19  is a cover of the present invention for an electric outlet on the electric outlet in a rotated or stored position; 
       FIG. 20  is a cover of the present invention for an old-fashioned toggle light switch on the old-fashioned toggle light switch in a rotated or stored position; 
       FIG. 21  is a (decor switch) cover of the present invention in its normal position during use on either an electric outlet or an electric outlet with one screw; 
       FIG. 22  is a cover of the present invention for a decor light switch on the decor light switch in its normal position during use; and 
       FIG. 23  is a cover of the present invention for an old-fashioned toggle light switch on the old-fashioned toggle light switch in its normal position during use. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As best seen in the left side of  FIG. 12 , the term “old-fashioned toggle light switch” as used herein shall refer to the kind of light switches depicted in  FIG. 12  that have been commonplace on walls for decades in the United States and structurally features a switch member that protrudes approximately half an inch away from the base plate and through a rectangular opening that is approximately ¾ inches by ¼ inches and wherein the switch member protrudes in both the “OFF” and “ON” position at a slanted angle with respect to the base plate. As explained previously, the term “walls” when speaking about light switches (or electric outlets) on “walls” as used herein is broad enough to include not just walls per se but also other entities that accommodate light switches or outlets, for example ceilings, floors, beams, etc. 
   The other kind of popular light switch is called the “decor light switch” and is best appreciated from the left side of  FIG. 7 . 
   The physical structure of all light switches within each of the two categories of light switches are identical. This includes the exact location of the screws. Thus the covers of the present invention are attachable to any light switch. 
   The apparatus of the present invention will now be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings in  FIGS. 1–23 . The cover of the present invention for the decor light switch has been assigned reference numeral  10  Other elements have been assigned the reference numerals referred to below. 
   As best seen in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22 , cover  10  is a cover for a decor light switch  5  of the type where the decor light switch  5  has a base plate  8 . Cover  10  comprises a hollow frame  12  having a left side  14 , a right side  16 , a top  18 , a bottom  20 , a flat front  22  and an open rear  24 . Cover  10  also includes a first small annular member  30  projecting from the “rear” wall  23  of the front  22  in an area of the top  18  and having a depth corresponding to a width of the left side  14  and the right sides  16 . 
   As best seen from  FIGS. 3–4 , cover  10  also includes a first cylindrical magnet  31  located securely inside the first small annular member  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the first cylindrical magnet  31  fits into the first small annular member snugly so that it cannot easily fall out during use. Cover  10  includes a second small annular member  33  projecting from the rear wall  23  of the front  22  in an area of the bottom  20  and having a depth corresponding to a width of the left and right side. Cover  10  also includes a second cylindrical magnet  34  located securely inside the second small annular member  33 . In a preferred embodiment, the second cylindrical magnet  34  fits into the second small annular member snugly so that it cannot easily fall out during use Each of the magnets  31 ,  34  is positioned so that they are aligned with and are able to contact a head of a metal screw  9  on the base plate  8  of the light switch  5 . 
   It is a requirement that the magnets  31 ,  34  be together strong enough to hold the cover  10  in place on the light switch  5 . In a preferred embodiment, the magnets are strong enough that only one of them is strong enough alone to hold the cover  10  in place on the light switch  5 . This is so that the cover  10  can be stored in a rotated position when not in use, as best seen in  FIG. 19 . This allows easily locating the cover  10 . It has the further advantage, when the cover is applied to an electrical outlet  113  (see  FIG. 19 ), of allowing appliances to be plugged in even when the cover is stored on an electric outlet. This is a convenience. 
   In a preferred embodiment, cover  10  includes a top internal horizontal wall  36  below the first small annular member  30  to make it harder to slide the cover up and down and includes a bottom internal horizontal wall  38  above the second small annular member  33 , to make it harder to slide the cover  10  up and down and thereby slide off light switch  5  accidentally or improperly. In addition, left  14  and right side  16  of cover  10  limit the ability of cover  10  to slide right and left and thereby slide off light switch accidentally or improperly. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the width of the cover is between approximately one and one quarter and approximately one and one half inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, this width can be more or less than this amount, provided cover  10  conceals the entirety of light switch  5  itself when cover  10  is in place covering light switch  5 . Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, cover  10  is just more than the minimum width necessary to cover lights switch  5 . In an alternative embodiment, cover  10  is wider than that but still less than the full width of base plate  8 . Although the present invention does contemplate that an elegant version of cover  10  can be as wide of base plate  8 , the preferred embodiment relies on the fact that the most elegant and lightweight version of cover  10  will not be as wide as base plate  8 . 
   In one preferred embodiment, the depth of the first cylindrical magnet  31  is less than the depth of the first small annular member  30  and the depth of the second cylindrical magnet  34  is less than the depth of the second small annular member  33 . This discrepancy is designed to accommodate the height of the head of the screws on the base plate  8  which project out slightly from the base plate  8 . 
   As best seen in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 23 , a cover  40  for an old-fashioned toggle light switch  35 , the old-fashioned toggle light switch  35  has a base plate  49 . The cover  40  comprises a hollow frame  42  having a left side  44 , a right side  46 , a top  48 , a bottom  50 , a convex front  52  and an open rear  54 . The convex front  52  has a central area  53  of sufficient height to receive a switch element  35   a  of the old-fashioned toggle light switch  35 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, cover  40  includes a first small annular member  60  projecting from the rear wall  53  of the front  52  in an area of the top  48  and has a depth corresponding to a width of the left side  44  and right sides  46 . 
   Cover  40  also has a first cylindrical magnet  61  located securely inside the first small annular member  60  and a second small annular member  63  projecting from the rear wall  53  of the front in an area of the bottom and having a depth corresponding to a width of the left side  44  and right side  46 . In a preferred embodiment, magnet  61  fits snugly inside member  60 . 
   Cover  40  includes a second cylindrical magnet  64  located securely inside the second small annular member  63 . In a preferred embodiment, magnet  64  fits snugly inside member  63 . Each of the magnets  61 ,  64  are positioned so that they are aligned with and able to contact a head of a metal screw  65  on the base plate  49 . 
   As with the cover  10  for the decor light switch, the magnets  61 ,  64  of cover  40  for the old-fashioned toggle light switch are together strong enough to hold the cover  40 . In a preferred embodiment, the magnets  61 ,  64  are strong enough that only one of them is strong enough alone to hold the cover  40  in place on the light switch. This is so that the cover  40  can be stored in a rotated position when not in use. This allows easily locating the cover  40 . It has the further advantage, when the cover is applied to electrical outlets, of allowing appliances to be plugged in even when the cover is stored on an electric outlet. This is a convenience. 
   The cover  40  also includes a top internal horizontal wall  77  below the first small annular member  60  to make it harder to slide the cover up and down (and off) and includes a bottom internal horizontal wall  78  above the second small annular member  63 . These walls  77 ,  78  are designed to make it more difficult to slide the cover  40  up and down and off light switch  35 . Therefore, the cover  40  would have to be removed by pulling against the force of the magnets  61 ,  64 . In a preferred embodiment, top internal horizontal wall  77  and bottom internal horizontal wall  78  together form a square along with the left side  44  and rights side  46 . In an alternative embodiment, walls  77 ,  78  and left side  44  and rights side  46  form a rectangle. 
   In one preferred embodiment, additional left internal wall  77   a  and right internal wall  77   b  closely surround light switch  35  and prevent sliding of cover  40  left and right. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the width of the cover  40  is between approximately one and one quarter and approximately one and one half inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, this width can be more or less than this amount, provided cover  40  conceals the entirety of light switch  35  itself when cover  40  is in place covering light switch  35 . Although the present invention does contemplate that an elegant version of cover  40  can be as wide of base plate  49 , the preferred embodiment relies on the fact that the most elegant and lightweight version of cover  40  will not be as wide as base plate  49 . 
   For the reasons provided earlier regarding accommodating the heads of the screws, as before, in one preferred embodiment, the depth of the first cylindrical magnet  61  is less than the depth of the first small annular member  60  and the depth of the second cylindrical magnet  64  is less than the depth of the second small annular member  63 . 
   It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment the magnets  61 ,  64  inside annular members  60 ,  63  of cover  40  are located further away from the top  48  and bottom  50  of cover  40  than are mgnets  31 ,  34  from their respective top  18  and bottom  20  in cover  10 . Accordingly, it is noted that  FIG. 20  is not intended to be a precise illustration of how cover  40  will fit on the base plate  49 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 13–17 , a slightly variant cover  80  but one that is basically similar to the cover  10  for the decor light switches, can be used on the electrical outlets that have a single screw. Accordingly, as best seen in  FIGS. 13–16 , cover  80  is a cover for an electric outlet having one screw. Cover  80  comprises a hollow frame  82  having a left side  84 , a right side  86 , a top  88 , a bottom  90 , a flat front  92  and an open rear  94 . Cover  80  also includes a first small annular member  100  projecting from the rear wall  93  of the front  92  in the center of frame  82  and having a depth corresponding to a width of the left side  84  and the right sides  86 . 
   As best seen from  FIGS. 3–4 , cover  80  also includes a first cylindrical magnet  101  located securely inside the first small annular member  100 . Preferably, magnet  101  fits snugly inside member  100 . Magnet  101  is positioned so that it is aligned with and is able to contact the head of metal screw  102  on the base plate  103  of the electric outlet  105 . 
   It is a requirement that the magnet  101  be strong enough to hold the cover  80  in place on the electric outlet  105 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, cover  10  includes a top internal horizontal wall  106  near top  88  and a bottom internal horizontal wall  108  near bottom  90  to make it harder to slide the cover  10  off accidentally or improperly. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the width of the cover  80  is between approximately one and one quarter and approximately one and one half inches. However, in other preferred embodiments, this width can be more or less than this amount, provided cover  80  conceals the entirety of the electric outlet  105  when cover  80  is in place. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, cover  80  is typically just more than the minimum width necessary to cover the electric outlet  105 . In an alternative embodiment, cover  80  is wider than that but still less than the full width of the base plate  103 . Although the present invention does contemplate that an elegant version of cover  80  can be as wide of base plate  103 , the preferred embodiment relies on the fact that the most elegant and lightweight version of cover  80  will not be as wide as base plate  103 . 
   In one preferred embodiment, the depth of the first cylindrical magnet  101  is less than the depth of the first small annular member  100  to accommodate the height of the head of the screws on the base plate  103  which project out slightly from the base plate  103 . 
   Covers  10  are easily stackable because their magnets  31 ,  34  are aligned. Similarly, covers  80  are easily stackable because their magnet  101  is aligned. 
   Although the present invention has been described with the use of cylindrical magnets inside annular openings. This is preferred because screw heads are circular. Notwithstanding this, it is contemplated by the present invention that in an alternative embodiment that may be inferior, magnets and opening having a different configuration than circular can be employed and still function in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. 
   An additional application of the present invention is a safety cover akin in structure to the decor cover  10  or the old fashioned toggle switch cover  40  except that inside the frame  12  or frame  42  there would be snugly placed between the left and right side walls  14 ,  16  or left and right side walls  44 ,  46  an insert that allows covers  10  or  40  to be inserted into an electric outlet. The insert, typically made of plastic, in one preferred embodiment would be comprised of a flat face that is “caught” between the left and right side walls  14  or  16  or left and right side walls  44 ,  46  of covers  10  or  40 . The flat face would have four prongs projecting perpendicularly therefrom that conform to and fit neatly into the four places along the outlet where typically two pairs of prongs from two electric plugs fit into. The prongs of the insert are integrally connected to the flat face of the insert. 
   It is to be understood that while the apparatus of this invention have been described and illustrated in detail, the above-described embodiments are simply illustrative of the principles of the invention. It is to be understood also that various other modifications and changes may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. The spirit and scope of this invention are limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.