Patent Publication Number: US-RE43156-E

Title: Receptacle with shaped surface

Description:
This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/236,406, filed Sep. 6, 2002, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/163,488 filed Jun. 6, 2002 now abandoned. 
     U.S. application Ser. No. 10/852,818 filed on May 25, 2004 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,285,723 on Oct. 23, 2007 is a continuation-in-part of International Application Number PCT/US2003/018115 having an international filing date of Jun. 6, 2003 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/236,198 filed on Sep. 6, 2002 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/163,934 filed on Jun. 6, 2002 now abandoned. U.S. application Ser. No. 10/852,818 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/236,406 filed on Sep. 6, 2002 now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/163,488 filed on Jun. 6, 2002 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of electrical wiring devices such as, by way of example, electrical switches and/or receptacles and accessories for said switches and/or receptacles of the type installed in building walls. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When modifying the wiring in an existing building, whether public, commercial or residential by adding a wiring device such as a switch, a receptacle or a combination of switches and receptacles, it is necessary to cut a hole in a wall of the building, install a box within the hole, attach the box to a vertical stud and install the wiring device(s) into the box. In new construction, the box is attached to a stud of an open wall and, thereafter, the wall, which may be sheet rock having an opening for access to the box, is placed over the studs. The conventional wall box has pairs of mounting ears for mounting the wiring devices to the box. After the wiring devices are connected to the various conductors which they will service, each is fastened with threaded fasteners such as screws to a pair of ears on the box. The process of connecting a wiring device to various conductors and then attaching the wiring device with the attached wires to the box is done for each wiring device located within the box. Thereafter, a wall plate is typically positioned around each wiring device in the box. 
     Typical installations can include one or multiple wiring devices positioned side by side in a common box. In installations where there are multiple wiring devices in a common box, the installation of the wall plate can be time consuming. The wiring devices must be aligned with each other, must be positioned parallel to each other and must be spaced from each other by a distance dictated by the spacing between the openings or windows in the wall plate. Misalignment and positioning problems are often caused by wall boxes that are skewed relative to the wall or by walls which may not be flat. It is only after all of the wiring devices are accurately positioned relative to each other that a wall plate can be installed around the wiring devices. 
     A common type of electrical wiring device in use today is the rocker type Decora-branded electrical switch whose activating member pivots about a centrally located horizontal axis and is flat in its horizontal plane. The trademark “Decora” is owned by the assignee of the present invention. To operate the switch, the rocker paddle (the actuating member) is pushed in at the top to supply electricity to a load such as a light, and is pushed in at the bottom to disconnect the source of electricity from the load. Thus, with two or more rocker type switches positioned side by side in a box, the actuating members or paddles of the switches can be in opposite positions at any one time. For example, with two or more rocker type switches positioned side-by-side in a box, the top edges of the paddles of the switches will not always be in alignment when they are not all in their “on” or “off” positions. The in-out positioning of adjacent switches can also occur when all the switches are in their on or off state if one of the switches is a 3-way or 4-way switch. The irregular in-out positioning of adjacent switches, particularly with 3-way and 4-way switches, can cause visual inconsistency in the mind of the user as to which switch is on and which switch is off when subsequent activation or deactivation of less than all of the rocker switches is desired by a user. Another type of wiring device in use today is a receptacle having a flat face. In normal use, it is not uncommon to gang a receptacle with a switch. A receptacle with a flat face, when ganged with a switch which is not flat in one plane, typically presents a visual discontinuous array of wiring devices which homeowners seem to find visually objectionable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a structure which overcomes the deficiencies with respect to the prior art devices by providing a wiring device such as a switch having an actuating paddle which pivots about its upper end and is biased with a spring to assume the same at-rest position when either in its on position or its off position. Repeated pressing and releasing of the lower portion of the face of the rocker paddle alternately closes and opens a set of contacts within the switch to alternately connect and disconnect a load such as a light from a source of electricity each time the paddle is so pressed. Thus, regardless of whether adjacent switches of a gang of switches are on-off switches or 3-way switches, they will always be in alignment. An on-off indicator such as a small light may be provided in the paddle to indicate to a user when the contacts of the switch are opened and closed. 
     The paddle of the switch has a length-width ratio dimension that is proportioned to provide a finger contact surface of increased area to allow a user to more easily and quickly identify and operate a particular switch. The vertical axis of the switch has a surface of positive first differential, comprised of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane, and has along the horizontal axis a surface of a positive first differential and negative second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from the datum plane. 
     A wall plate according to the present invention is located around the switch and has a single opening for accommodating one or more switches, with no dividing or separating members dividing the single opening, for receiving one or a gang of two or more wiring devices. The shape of the wall plate around the switch along a section which runs along its vertical axis defines a surface of positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The surface has zero second differential when the rate of height increase of individual splines is constant. The paddle of the switch is not located within a stationary frame. The wall plate, when composed of non-conducting material, can have a conductive coating on one of its surfaces to help provide a conductive path to a ground. 
     When the wiring device is a receptacle, the face of the receptacle across its width is flat in one plane and has a substantially constant radius along its length to allow for the proper seating of an inserted plug. 
     The present invention teaches an alignment plate which is capable of accommodating one or more electrical wiring devices. The conventional difficulties encountered with respect to mounting and visually positioning a plurality of wiring devices such as one or more receptacles and/or switches in a wall box and then attaching a wall plate are overcome with the use of the alignment plate of the present invention. Such difficulties have included attempting to position the wiring devices to be in alignment with each other, attempting to position the wiring devices to be parallel to each other, attempting to adjust the spacing between the different devices to be relatively equal and uniform, and attempting to fix all of the devices to be flat against the wall. The alignment plate of the present invention has a single centrally located opening sized to receive one or more wiring devices and a set of alignment pins for each wiring device. Each set of alignment pins on the alignment plate is located along a vertical axis which defines the longitudinal centerline for a wiring device, and each wiring device is equipped at or proximate the ends of its associated ground/mounting strap a multi-function clip for frictionally receiving and holding captive an alignment pin on the alignment plate. The alignment pins accurately position, align and locate all of the wiring devices relative to each other and, together with the multi-function clips, establishes a conductive path to ground. Thereafter the alignment plate and wiring devices attached to the alignment pins on the alignment plate can be attached to a box with mounting screws. The alignment pins accurately position, align and locate the wiring devices and the alignment plate positions all of the wiring devices to a flat plane. 
     In one embodiment of the switch according to the present invention, an articulated cam driver coupled to the rocker paddle of the switch causes a cam to rotate first in a clockwise direction and then in a counter clockwise direction each time the rocker paddle is depressed. Alternate rotation of the cam drives a slider member back and forth along a linear axis to open and close a set of contacts. A leaf spring of predetermined shape cooperates with a cam follower on the slider member to assist in the movement of the slider and to determine its rest positions. A spring, acting through the rigid member, urges the rocker paddle to always be in its out position when the switch is in its on position and its off at-rest position. An indicator such as an LED located in the paddle indicates the state of conduction of the switch. 
     In another embodiment of the switch according to the present invention, the cam driver coupled to the rocker paddle of the switch comprises an initially flat ribbon of flexible material such as spring steel formed with a blunt end having a generous radius which drives the cam. A spring urges the rocker paddle to always be in its out position when the switch is in its on and off at-rest position. 
     In still another embodiment of the switch according to the present invention, the cam driver coupled to the rocker paddle of the switch is a closely wound spring of, for example, piano wire coupled to a conical shaped tip which can be of plastic, metal or the like which drives the cam. A spring urges the rocker paddle to always be in its out position when the switch is in its on and off at-rest position. 
     The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, a preferred blending feature, for example, of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such other structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claim, and the accompanying drawings in which similar elements are given similar reference numerals. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a prior art switch and wall plate; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of a prior art switch, attachment plate and wall plate, and a box for receiving said prior art device; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a switch and wall plate in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the switch shown in  FIG. 3  showing the ground/mounting strap and multi-function clips; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of alignment plate, a switch fitted with multi-function clips on its ground/mounting strap, and a wall plate, all according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a receptacle and wall plate; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the receptacle of  FIG. 6  showing an exploded view of the ground/mounting strap and multi-function clips; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of alignment plate, receptacle and wall plate; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of alignment plate for a single wiring device; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of ground/mounting strap for a wiring device; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom perspective view showing ground/mounting strap attached to a switch; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of a multi-function clip according to the present invention, which is normally attached to the bottom end of the ground/mounting strap; 
         FIG. 12A  is a side view of the multi-function clip of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of multi-function clip normally attached to the top end of the ground/mounting strap; 
         FIG. 13A  is a sectional view of the multi-function clip of  FIG. 13  taken along line  13 A- 13 A; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of structure of the switch of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the base assembly of the switch of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the structure of the base assembly of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is another exploded perspective view of the switch according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is still another exploded perspective view of the switch according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a partial sectional exploded view of the cam driver of the switch of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective exploded view of the switch of  FIG. 18  including a printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 21A  is a plan view of the printed circuit board of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 21B  is a bottom perspective view of the printed circuit board of  FIG. 21A ; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective exploded view showing a light pipe in the paddle of the switch; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the light pipe; 
         FIG. 24  is a sectional view taken along the line  24 - 24  of the switch of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 25A-25C  are sectional views along the lines  25 A- 25 A,  25 B- 25 B,  25 C- 25 C of the paddle of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a perspective exploded view of the switch having another cam driver; 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 3  where the cam driver is that shown in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective exploded view of the switch having still another cam driver; 
         FIG. 29  is a sectional view along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 3  where the cam driver is that shown in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a front perspective view of a wall plate according to the present invention for accommodating a single wiring device; 
         FIGS. 31A-31C  are sectional views taken along the lines  31 A- 31 A,  31 B- 31 B and  31 C- 31 C of the wall plate of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view of the bottom edge of the wall plate of  FIG. 30  along the line  32 A- 32 A; 
         FIG. 33  is a sectional view of the top edge of the wall plate of  FIG. 30  along the line  33 A- 33 A; 
         FIGS. 34 ,  34 A are views of the top edge of the wall plate of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective of the pawl of the multi-function clip engaging the tooth shaped rack of the wall plate; 
         FIG. 36  is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional side view of the wall plate and tab of the alignment plate to indicate how the two components can be separated following latching; 
         FIG. 37  is an exploded perspective view of a box, alignment plate and wall plate capable of accommodating two wiring devices, according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 38  is an exploded view of alignment plate and wall plate capable of accommodating three wiring devices; 
         FIG. 39  is an exploded view of alignment plate and wall plate capable of accommodating four wiring devices; 
         FIG. 40  is an exploded view of alignment plate and wall plate capable of accommodating five wiring devices; and 
         FIG. 41  is an exploded view of alignment plate and wall plate capable of accommodating six wiring devices. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a front perspective view of a prior art “Decora” type electrical wall-type switch  18  and wall plate  16  forming assembly  10 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective exploded view of a box  13  and the prior art switch  18 , wall plate  16  and attachment plate  30 . A suitable aperture is cut into a wall (where there is an existing wall and this installation is not a new construction) to provide access to the box  13  mounted to a stud  15 , or to permit installation of a suitable box directly to the material of the wall (such as plasterboard). The box  13  is chosen to be large enough to accept as many wiring devices as are to be mounted therein. The box  13  is made of metal or plastic, depending upon local electrical Code requirements, and has one or more openings in its sides or back to permit the introduction of electrical wiring or cables into the interior of the box  13 . Box  13  has mounting means  19  to permit the box to be anchored to an adjacent stud  15 . The box is formed with a pair of mounting ears  21  for each wiring device that is to be mounted within the box. Each mounting ear contains a threaded aperture  23  for receiving a mounting screw of an associated wiring device such as, for example, switch  18  or a receptacle (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). In the normal order of assembly, electrical cables are passed through knock out openings  17 , for example, to the interior of the box. The ends of the electrical cables are stripped of insulation and attached to terminals (contacts) on the side or rear of the body  20  of the switch  18  or a receptacle. After the electrical cables are attached to terminals on the side or rear of the body  20  of the switch (or receptacle), the switch is pushed into the box and is held in position within the box by screws (not shown) that pass through clearance openings such as elongated mounting slots  25  formed in the mounting strap of the switch and thereafter into threaded engagement with threaded apertures  23  of ears  21 , thereby securing switch  18  within and to the box  13 . Thereafter, a conventional attachment plate  30  is positioned around the front of the switch and secured to the switch with mounting screws  26  which pass through clearance openings  32  in the attachment plate and are threaded into openings  24  formed in the ground/mounting strap of the wiring device. Attachment plate  30  contains a main aperture  34  of a shape complimentary with the profile of the front of the switch  18 , which extends through it. Main aperture  34  is rectangular to accept the front of the switch  18  or a receptacle. The head of the screw which passes through elongated mounting slot  25  of switch  18  and engages threaded aperture  23  of mounting ears  21  is larger than the inner dimension of slot  25  and, therefore, holds switch  18  or a receptacle captive to the box  13  and to a wall surface (not shown). In a similar manner, the head of the screw which passes through clearance opening  32  of the attachment plate  30  and engages threaded opening  24  of the ground/mounting strap of the switch is larger than the diameter of clearance opening  32  and, therefore, holds attachment plate  30  captive to switch  18 . 
     At each of the ends  36 ,  38  respectively, of attachment plate  30  are two latching pawls  40 ,  42  which are formed as extensions of attachment plate  30  but which are relatively thinner in cross-section. A narrow projection  48  located between the latching pawls  40  and bent at about a 45 degree angle with respect to the horizontal edge of end  36  of wall plate  30  is used to help release an attached wall plate. 
     Wall plate  16  is proportioned to fit over attachment plate  30  and box  13  into which the single wiring device, such as switch  18 , or a receptacle, is placed and to which it is fastened. 
     To attach wall plate  16  to attachment plate  30 , latching pawls  40 ,  42  which are a part of attachment plate  30  are made to engage saw-tooth shaped racks  81  on the inner surfaces of end walls  70  and  72  of wall plate  16  as the wall plate is pushed on. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a wiring device such as switch  110  and wall plate  138  in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the switch  110  of  FIG. 3  showing the ground/mounting strap  123  and multi-function clips  130 ,  151 ; and  FIG. 5  is an exploded view of  FIG. 3  showing alignment plate  114 , switch  110  with multi-function clips  130 ,  151  secured on ground/mounting strap  123  and wall plate  138 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the switch  110  has an actuating rocker paddle  111  which pivots about an axis at its upper end and is biased by an internally located spring member to assume the same at-rest position when in both its “on” and “off” position. Repeated pressing and releasing on the face of the rocker paddle  111  of the switch alternately closes and opens a set of contacts within the switch body to alternately connect and disconnect a load such as a light to a source of electricity each time the paddle is pressed and released. Thus, regardless of whether ganged switches are on-off switches, 3-way switches or 4-way switches, the top and bottom edges of each switch will always be aligned with the top and bottom edges of all the other switches that are ganged together. An on-off indicator such as a light  112  may be provided in the rocker paddle  111  to indicate to a user when the switch  110  is in its on position or off position. For example, when the light  112  is on, the switch will be in its off position, and when the light is off, the switch will be in its on position. Light  112  also serves the purpose of permitting the user to locate the switch  110  in the dark. The rocker paddle  111  of the switch  110  is not located within a frame and aesthetically complements the wall plate  138 . The rocker paddle  111  of the switch  110  has a length-width ratio dimension and surface configuration which provides a robust finger contact surface of increased size which is easier to identify and use. 
     The switch  110  is attached to a ground/mounting strap  123  having ends  122  which provide increased surface area for contact with the surface of a wall and provides support for multi-function clips  130 ,  151  attached to the ends  122  by fastener means such as screws, rivets, spot welds, pressure bonding, TOX process or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a perspective view of the ground/mounting strap  123  for a wiring device such as switch  110 . Ground/mounting strap  123  has a base support member  150  located between two intermediate support members  152  bent at right angles with respect to the base support member  150  and each of which terminates in an outward projecting end  122  of the ground/mounting strap. The two intermediate support members  152  and the base support member  150  cradle and are securely attached to the wiring device, such as switch  110 , with rivets, screws or the like  155  (see  FIG. 11  which is a bottom perspective view showing ground/mounting strap attached to a switch) which pass through openings  154  in the base support member  150 . A ground terminal  163  which projects out from the ground/mounting strap  123  and having a threaded opening for receiving a screw  127  (see  FIG. 5 ) is provided for connection to a ground wire. Each end  122  of the strap  123  is substantially rectangular in shape and has two openings  126  and  128 . Opening  126  can be circular, oval, square or rectangular and is a clearance opening for mounting screws  108  ( FIG. 8 ) which are normally provided by the manufacturer of the wiring device for attaching the wiring device to a box. The distance between centers of openings  126  in ends  122  of the ground/mounting strap is equal to the distance between the centers of threaded apertures  23  in mounting ears  21  of box  13  (see  FIG. 2 ) to allow mounting screws  108  to engage and be held captive by threaded apertures  23 . Opening  128  in each end  122  of the ground/mounting strap is a clearance opening for an alignment pin which is a part of and is located on an alignment plate. Additional openings can be provided in the ends  122  for attaching and/or aligning a multi-function clips  130 ,  151  to the ends of the ground/mounting strap. The ends  122  are substantially flat rectangular members which provide an increased area for increased contact with a wall surface. See  FIG. 2  which shows the relatively small ends of the prior art ground/mounting strap where, if the scored washers  31  are removed from the strap, the only surface left for contact with a wall surface is the material around the threaded opening  24  in the ground/mounting strap. 
     Returning to  FIG. 10 , the ends  122  of ground/mounting strap  123  has a width “X” of about 1.563 inches and a depth “Y” of about 0.802 inches. These dimensions are not critical. However, the distance between the edges  129  of the ends  122  of the ground/mounting strap  123  are preferably not greater than about 4.6 inches to allow a wall plate to fit over and cover the ground/mounting strap. The ground/mounting strap  123  can be of conducting material such as steel, etc., and is secured to the switch with screws, rivets or any convenient fastening means. Screw terminals  137  located on either side of the body of the switch (see  FIG. 11 ) are provided to receive phase and neutral wire conductors. 
     Multi-function clips  130 ,  151  according to the present invention are attached to the ends  122  of the ground/mounting strap. The multi-function clips can be composed of phosphor bronze, spring brass, spring steel or the like. Referring to  FIG. 12 , there is shown a plan view of multi-function clip  130  normally attached to the bottom end of the ground/mounting strap, and  FIG. 12A  is a side view of the multi-function clip  130  of  FIG. 12 . Multi-function clip  130  is attached to the bottom end  122  of ground/mounting strap  123  and has openings  132  and  134 . When multi-function clip  130  is attached to the end  122  of ground/mounting strap, opening  132  is aligned with opening  126  of the ground/mounting strap, and opening  134  is aligned with opening  128  in the strap end  122 . Opening  132  is a clearance opening for a threaded fastener such as screw  108  (see  FIGS. 5 and 8 ) used to couple the wiring device to a box. Opening  132  can be round, square, oval or rectangular to allow the threaded fastener to be moved in all directions to allow the threaded fastener  108  to be aligned with the threaded aperture in the box when attaching the wiring device to the box. 
     Looking at  FIG. 12 , opening  134  in multi-function clips  130  and  151  is generally circular but for three inwardly projecting members  133  which are formed upwardly at an angle of between 10 degrees and 30 degrees. An angle of 20 degrees was found to be preferred. The inner ends of the three inwardly projecting members  133  form an opening slightly smaller than the outer diameter of an alignment pin  118  on an alignment plate  121  (see  FIG. 9 ) and flex or bend upwardly as the alignment pin enters the opening  134  from the rear. The ends of the projecting members  133  frictionally engage and hold captive the alignment pin  118  to prevent undesired disengagement of the wiring device from the alignment plate. It is to be noted that the projecting members  133 , by physically contacting and holding captive the alignment pins  118  on the alignment plate  121  (see  FIG. 9 ), provide the desired alignment. Located at the end  147  of multi-function clip  130  are two latching pawls  140  each slightly more than one-half of an inch in length. The end  147  of each latching pawl  140  is bent downward at an angle of between 20 degrees and 60 degrees and is used to engage tooth shaped racks  80  on the inside surface of the ends of a wall plate to hold the wall plate captive (see  FIG. 35 ). The ends  147  of the latching pawls  140  capture and securely hold the wall plate when the downward bend of the latching pawl  140  relative to the ground/mounting strap is between 20 degrees and 60 degrees, and where a bend of about 40 degrees was found to be preferable (see  FIG. 35 ). The multi-function clips  130  and  151  are just that, clips which perform a combination of a plurality of functions not found in the prior art, including accurately aligning one or more wiring devices when the multi-function clip of the wiring device engages the alignment pins on the alignment plate; and, holding a wall plate to the wiring device and against a wall, even when a wall is not perfectly flat. 
     The openings  143  in the multi-function clip can be provided for attaching the clip to the end of the ground/mounting strap with, for example, rivets, screws, the TOX process etc. Openings  145  can be provided for alignment purposes when attaching the clip to the end  122  of the ground/mounting strap  123 . The distance between the side edges  154  of the multi-function clip should preferably not exceed 1.533 inches to allow the clip to be attached to the end of the ground/mounting strap without extending over the side edges of the strap  123 . The clip shown in  FIGS. 12  and  12 A is the clip that is attached to the bottom end of the ground/mounting strap and is slightly different from the multi-function clip that is attached to the top end of the ground/mounting strap. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is shown a plan view of the multi-function clip  151  normally attached to the top end of the ground/mounting strap and  FIG. 13A  is a sectional side view of the multi-function clip along line  13 A- 13 A of  FIG. 13 . The clip  151  shown in  FIGS. 13 and 13A  is similar to the clip  130  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 12A  except that end  157  of clip  151  is bent upward and opening  153  for the threaded fastener  108  (see  FIG. 5 ) has a fastener engaging tab  155  which extends into opening  153 , and is bent at a slight downward angle toward the back of the switch. Engaging tab  155  is provided to engage and hold captive the threaded body of threaded fastener  108  and, in addition, helps to provide a good electrical connection between the multi-function clip, the ground/mounting strap, the alignment plate and the box as the threaded fastener is tightened. As with multi-function clip  130 , openings  153  in multi-function clip  151  and opening  126  in the ground/mounting strap are aligned with each other during assembly to permit the threaded fastener  108  to be aligned with the threaded aperture in the box as the switch is being attached to the box. The distance between the side edges  148  of the multi-function clip should preferably not exceed 1.533 inches to allow the multi-function clip to be attached to the end  122  of the ground/mounting strap and not extend over the side edges of the ends  122  of the ground/mounting strap  123 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a front view of a receptacle  520  with its face located within wall plate  138 ;  FIG. 7  is a front perspective partial exploded view of the receptacle  520  of  FIG. 6  showing the ends  122  of ground/mounting strap  123  and multi-function clips  130 ,  151 ; and  FIG. 8  is a perspective exploded view of  FIG. 6  showing alignment plate  114 , receptacle  520  and wall plate  138 . Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the receptacle  520  is intended for 15 Amp. 125 V to 20 Amp. 125 V where, according to NEMA specification 5-15R, each individual receptacle has two slot openings  524  and  526  for receiving the flat blades of a suitable plug and a semi-circular ground blade opening  528 . Opening  526  is larger than the opening  524  to allow a two blade plug to be inserted in only one way to maintain correct electrical polarization. The contact in the larger slot is connected to the neutral conductor and, by maintaining the correct polarization, the external metal parts of appliances such as toasters, TV&#39;s etc. can be grounded through the neutral conductor. The semi-circular ground blade is normally connected to a ground and prevents a plug from making a reverse polarity connection with the receptacle and connects it to the ground conductor which provides a ground path for the plug-connected equipment. 
     Receptacle  520  is attached during assembly to a ground/mounting strap  123  as shown in  FIG. 10  having ends  122  which provide increased surface area for contact with the surface of a wall and provides support for multi-function clips  130 ,  151  (more fully shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  12 A,  13  and  13 A) attached to the ends  122  of ground/mounting strap  123  by fastening mean such as screws, rivets, spot welds, pressure bonding, TOX process or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , as stated above, there is shown a perspective view of the ground/mounting strap  123  for a wiring device such as a receptacle  520 , and (see  FIGS. 12 ,  12 A,  13  and  13 A) multi-function clips attached to the ends of the ground/mounting strap. Ground/mounting strap  123  and the multi-function clips  130 ,  151  for a receptacle are similar to the ground/mounting strap and multi-function clips shown and described above for a switch and, therefore, in the interest of brevity, the detailed description of the ground/mounting strap shown in  FIG. 10  and of the multi-function clips shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  12 A,  13  and  13 A for use with a receptacle will not again be here repeated. The multi-function clips can be composed of phosphor bronze, spring brass, spring steel or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a front perspective view of alignment plate  114  for a single wiring device such as a switch or a receptacle. Alignment plate  114 , which can be composed of any suitable material such as brass, aluminum, cold rolled steel, plastic, a plastic coated with a conducting material, etc., has a centrally located opening  116  sized to accept the body of a wiring device. Centrally located at opposite top and bottom ends of opening  116  and either opening into or separated from opening  116  are two clearance openings  117  for threaded fasteners  108  used to secure the wiring device (a switch or a receptacle) and the alignment plate  114  to box  13  and wall surface. When the wiring device is attached to the box, the alignment plate  114  is sandwiched between the ground/mounting strap of the wiring device and the box. Located between the outer edge of each clearance opening  117  and the edge  121  of alignment plate  114  is an alignment pin  118 . Clearance openings  117  in alignment plate  114  can have an open end as shown in  FIG. 9  or an opening fully encircled by material. When the alignment plate is attached to the ground/mounting strap, openings  128  at the ends  122  of the ground/mounting strap are clearance openings for alignment pins  118  and are aligned with openings  134  in multi-function clips  130 , 151 . Thus, the alignment pins  118  are positioned to enter openings  134  in multi-function clips  130 ,  151  attached to the lower and upper ends  122  of the ground/mounting strap  123  of the wiring device as the wiring device, either a switch or a receptacle, is being attached to an alignment plate. Alignment plate  114  can have two ribs  119  and a downwardly extending tab  120 . Tab  120  extends from the bottom edge of the alignment plate and is used to facilitate removal of a wall plate from around the face of a wiring device. The two ribs  119  are present to provide an alignment plate that resists flexing and is an optional feature which is not required as shown for the alignment plate  114  of  FIG. 8 . The alignment plate  114 , when attached to a wiring device, substantially covers the box in which the wiring device is installed. The alignment plate  114  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is for a single wiring device. 
     The alignment plate  114  helps to overcome difficulties encountered with respect to mounting and positioning wiring devices such as one or more switches, a switch and/or a receptacle, or one or more receptacles to a box prior to placing a wall plate around the wiring devices. Prior to mounting a wall plate, various difficulties can be encountered such as aligning the wiring devices with each other, positioning the wiring devices to be parallel to each other, adjusting the spacing between the wiring devices to be equal and uniform and fixing all of the wiring devices to be flat against the wall. These difficulties are overcome with alignment plate  114  which has a single opening  116  and a pair of alignment pins  118  in combination with the multi-function clips on the wiring devices of each wiring device that is to be mounted to the alignment plate in side by side relationship. The opening  116  in the alignment plate is sized to receive one or a gang of wiring devices positioned side by side in a box and the alignment plate has a pair of alignment pins  118  for each wiring device which engage the multi-function clips on each wiring device to hold and accurately position each wiring device relative to each other and along a flat plane. Each set of alignment pins on the alignment plate is located on a vertical axis which defines the center for a wiring device and each wiring device has a multi-function clip at each end of the ground/mounting strap for frictionally receiving and holding captive the alignment pins on the alignment plate. When being assembled, the wiring devices, normally after being connected to the electrical wires, may first be attached to the alignment plate and the alignment plate, which now holds captive the wiring devices, is attached to a wall box and wall surface by means of threaded fasteners. Thereafter, a wall plate is positioned around the wiring devices without requiring any further adjustments on the part of a user by simply pressing the wall plate in toward the wall to allow the latching pawls  140  at the end  147  of the multi-function clips to engage tooth shaped racks  80  on the inside ends of the wall plate. 
     The multi-function clips, in addition to clamping the wall plate to the ground/mounting strap, helps to overcome various difficulties encountered with respect to mounting and positioning one or more electrical wiring devices to a box to allow a wall plate to be quickly and easily positioned around one or more wiring devices and to also be flat against the wall. Each wiring device according to the present invention has at each end of the ground/mounting strap a multi-function clip that has locating openings  134  for receiving and engaging alignment pins  118  on the alignment plate  114 . The pins on the alignment plate, when engaged by the openings  134  in the multi-function clips, accurately positions each wiring device vertically and horizontally on the alignment plate, and the alignment plate itself positions the wiring device along a flat plane to allow a wall plate to be positioned around a single wiring device or a gang of two or more wiring devices without any further adjustments being required. Each pair of alignment pins on the alignment plate is located on a substantially vertical axis which accurately defines the center of a wiring device, although it is within the scope of the present invention to provide other alignments, as well. The opening  134  in combination with the projecting members  133  in each multi-function clip receives and holds captive an alignment pin  118 . The multi-function clips, in cooperation with the alignment pins, accurately positions and aligns all wiring devices, either singly or a gang relative to each other, and to the alignment plate. As noted previously, the opening  116  in the alignment plate can be made to receive one or more wiring devices. After the wiring device(s) are attached to the alignment plate, the wiring device(s), together with the alignment plate are attached to a wall box and wall surface by means of threaded fasteners such as screws which pass through openings  132  and  153  of multi-function clips  130  and  151 , openings  126  in the ground/mounting strap and openings  117  in alignment plate  114 . The alignment plate  114  provides a substantially flat rigid support for the wiring devices, and the alignment pins  118 , in combination with the multi-function clips insures that all the wiring devices are accurately positioned relative to each other when two or more are ganged together to allow a wall plate to be placed around the wiring devices without requiring any further adjustment. 
     When assembling wiring devices to a wall mounted box, the electrical cables that have been fed through openings to the confines of the box are stripped of insulation and attached to terminals on the side or back of the wiring device, such as a switch and/or receptacle that is to be mounted in the box. After the wires are attached to the wiring device, the alignment plate may be positioned behind the wiring device by threading the wiring device through the opening in the alignment plate. The alignment plate may have adhesive strips or the like to facilitate temporary positioning to the wall surface. The back face of the ends of the ground/mounting strap is now moved toward the front face of the alignment plate. As the wiring device moves toward the alignment plate, the alignment pins  118  on the alignment plate enter openings  128  in the ground/mounting strap and openings  134  in the multi-function clips  130 ,  151 . As the alignment pins enter the openings  134 , they force the upwardly bent projections  133  to resiliently move upward and spread slightly apart to allow the alignment pins to fully enter openings  134 . The ends of the upwardly bent projections  133  engage and hold captive alignment pins  118  and resist backward movement and withdrawal of the pins from the openings  134 . The body of the switch or receptacle which is now attached to the alignment plate and connected to the electrical wires, is pushed into the box. As the wiring device is pushed into the box, threaded fasteners  108  located in openings  132  and  153  in the multi-function clip  130  and opening  153  of multi-function clip  151  and clearance openings  117  in alignment plate  114  are aligned with and are threaded into threaded apertures  23  in mounting ears of box  13  to hold both the alignment plate and wiring device(s) to the box and wall surface. The head of the threaded fasteners which pass through opening  126  in the ends of the ground/mounting strap of the wiring device and openings  132 ,  153  in the multi-function clips are larger than either opening and, therefore, holds the wiring device and alignment plate  114  firmly to the box and wall. 
     The wall plate is now placed over the installed wiring devices. It is to be noted (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ) when the wiring device is a switch, as here disclosed, the rocker paddle  111  of switch  110  is frameless, it is not located within a frame. Thus, the switch must be accurately positioned within the wall plate to insure that the paddle is free to move without touching either the wall plate or a side surface of an adjacently positioned wiring device. 
     Each multi-function clip  130 ,  151  contains two side-by-side latching pawls  140 . See  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Each latching pawl  140  is bent downward toward the back of the wiring device at an angle of about 40 degrees more or less. After the wiring device is attached to the alignment plate, the two latching pawls  140  at the ends  147  of the multi-function clip  130  attached to the bottom end of the ground/mounting strap straddle downwardly extending tab  120  on the alignment plate. Tab  120  (see  FIG. 36 ) which is a part of alignment plate  114  functions as a tool pivot point to allow a wall plate  138  to be easily removed from around a switch or receptacle. A slot  74 ,  FIG. 5 , in the lower edge of the wall plate  138  provides access for the insertion of a small flat tool such as a screw driver to facilitate removal of the wall plate from the wiring device. 
     Wall plate  138  is proportioned to fit over alignment plate  114 , the ends  122  of the ground/mounting strap  123  and the box within which the wiring device is located. The wall plate  138  is located around the wiring device and locked in position by pushing the wall plate toward the wiring device until the ends of the latching pawls on the multi-function clips  130 ,  151  engage the tooth shaped racks  80  on the inside wall of the top and bottom edges of the wall plate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-24 , there is shown views of the switch shown generally in  FIGS. 3-5  where  FIG. 14  (which illustrates one of several construction embodiments of the present invention, shows a flexible actuator, as opposed to an alternative embodiment where a plunger/joystick mechanism may be used) is an exploded perspective view of the switch;  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the base assembly of the switch of  FIG. 14 ;  FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the base assembly of  FIG. 15 ;  FIG. 17  is another exploded perspective view of the switch;  FIG. 18  is still another exploded perspective view of the switch;  FIG. 19  is a partial sectional exploded view of the cam driver of the switch;  FIG. 20  is a perspective exploded view of the switch including a printed circuit board;  FIG. 21A  is a plan view of the printed circuit board;  FIG. 21B  is a bottom perspective view of the printed circuit board;  FIG. 22  is a perspective exploded view showing a light pipe in the paddle of the switch;  FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the light pipe; and,  FIG. 24  is a sectional view along the line  24 - 24  of the switch of  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 17 , there is shown exploded views of base assembly  300  and frame assembly  400  which, when joined together and coupled to the rocker paddle  111  forms the single pole switch  110 .  FIG. 15  shows a perspective top view of the various parts in base assembly  300  of switch  110 . Base assembly  300  includes shell member  302  composed of electrically insulating material and having a longitudinal channel  304  which extends along the length of shell member  302  and is centrally located between the side walls  306 ,  308  of member  302 . Channel  304  is sized to receive a slider  320  (more fully shown in  FIG. 16 ) which can slide back and forth in channel  304 . Located in shell member  302  and beyond each end of channel  304  are clearance openings  310  for receiving fastening means  124  (see  FIG. 18 ) such as rivets, screws or the like which secures the ground/mounting strap  123 , the base assembly  300  and the frame assembly  400  to each other. Side wall  308  of the shell member  302  has an opening  309  (see  FIG. 16 ) adapted to receive a stationary terminal assembly  312 , and side wall  306  has an opening  384  for receiving brush terminal assembly  346 , each more fully shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , stationary terminal assembly  312  which is of conducting material such as brass, etc. consists of a rectangular plate  313  and a substantially non-yielding contact bearing arm  314  bent at a right angle to the plate and having a contact  316 . A slot  318  located in rectangular plate  313  is a clearance opening for terminal screw  305  which threads into pressure plate  323  located behind rectangular plate  313 . In operation, as terminal screw  305  is tightened, the bottom surface of the head of terminal screw  305  and pressure plate  323  move toward each other to clamp the rectangular plate  313 . Stationary terminal assembly  312  is provided for connection to an electrical conductor by either placing a turn of electrical conductor such as a wire under the head of the terminal screw  305  or by inserting a straight end of the conductor between the pressure plate  323  and the rectangular plate  313 , and then tightening terminal screw  305  to lock the conductor between plates  313  and  323 , or the plate  313  and the head of the screw  305 . Looking at side wall  308  of shell member  302 , each of the two side edges  311  of opening  309  has a vertical slot or rail  315  for receiving and holding the side edges of rectangular plate  313  of the stationary terminal assembly. Sliding the rectangular plate  313  down into the slots or rails  315  in the edges of the opening  309  positions and holds the stationary terminal assembly  312  in position within opening  309  of side wall  308  of shell member  302 . 
     Brush terminal assembly  346  includes a rectangular plate  380  composed of electrical conducting material such as brass etc., which supports a yieldable contact bearing arm  344  having a contact  307 . A slot  381  located in rectangular plate  380  is a clearance opening for terminal screw  386  which freely passes through the slot  381  and threads into pressure plate  388 . Tightening terminal screw  386  clamps the rectangular plate  380  between the bottom surface of the head of the terminal screw  386  and the pressure plate  388 . Brush terminal assembly  346  is provided for connection to an electrical conductor by either placing a turn of the conductor under the head of the screw or inserting a straight end of the conductor between the pressure plate  388  and the rectangular plate  380 . Tightening the screw  386  locks the conductor between the screw head and rectangular plate  380 , or between plate  380  and pressure plate  388 . Looking at side wall  306  of shell member  302 , the two edges  303  of opening  384  each has a narrow vertical slot or rail  317  for receiving and holding the side edges of rectangular plate  380 . Sliding rectangular plate  380  of brush terminal assembly  346  down into slots or rails  317  in the edges  303  of opening  384  positions and holds the brush terminal assembly in opening  384  of the side wall  306  of the shell member  302 . 
     The stationary terminal assembly  312  and the brush terminal assembly  346  are made of conductive material so that a circuit can be completed between the conductive wires connected to screw terminals  305  and  386 . Preferably, the conductive components of the switch are all of substantial grade, good quality electrical materials so that substantial currents, for example 10 to 20 amperes, can repeatedly be carried for extended periods of time without significant heat generation, electrical losses or excessive arcing. Such materials can include silver alloys for the contacts, beryllium copper alloy for the brush arm and brass for the remaining conductive components. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , slider  320 , when positioned within longitudinal channel  304  can freely slide back and forth between the side walls  319 ,  321  from one end of the channel to the other end of the channel. Slider  320  has, at one end, a rectangular funnel shaped slot opening  322  which extends completely through the slider and is provided to receive cam follower  370  of cam  366 . It is understood that the rectangular funnel shaped slot opening  322  is not restricted to an end of the slider, but can be located anywhere along the slider. Projecting downward from the bottom surface of slider  320  and about mid-way between the ends of the slider is a triangular shaped cam follower  324 . Projecting upward from the top surface of the slider  320  and about mid-way between the slider ends is a hold down projection  326 . Also projecting upward from the top surface of the slider is a brush terminal control projection  327 . The space  329  between hold down projection  326  and brush terminal control projection  327  is provided to receive yieldable contact arm  344  of brush terminal assembly  346 . When yieldable contact arm  344  is positioned in space  329 , arm  344  is stressed in direction A and, therefore, pushes against projection  327  and urges the slider to move in direction B. Movement of the slider  320  in direction “A” will cause projection  327  to urge yieldable contact arm  344  to bend in direction A and move away from stationary contact  316 . Movement of the slider  320  in direction “B” causes brush terminal control projection  327  to move in direction B which allows yieldable contact arm  344  to spring back and allow contact  327  to make electrical contact with stationary contact  316 . A bumper support member  328  which projects outward from the side of the slider  320  provides support for a rubber O ring  330 . With the slider located in longitudinal channel  304 , O ring  330  moves back and forth between stops  332 ,  334  of opening  336  in side wall  321  (see  FIG. 15 ) as the slider is driven from one end of channel  304  to the other. The O ring  330  is used to cushion the stopping of the slider  320  by contacting stops  332 ,  334  located at the ends of opening  336  in wall  321 . Contact  317  of brush terminal assembly  346  (see  FIG. 16 ) is biased by yieldable contact arm  344  to move toward stationary contact  316 . To help offset some of the force exerted by arm  344  which urges slider  320  in direction B, a helper spring  338  is provided. Helper spring  338  also helps to balance the feel of the rocker paddle  111  as the switch is operated. 
     Yieldable contact arm  344  of brush terminal assembly  346  is spring biased to move contact  317  toward stationary contact  316 . Therefore, more force is needed by the slider  320  to move contact  317  on yieldable contact arm  344  out of engagement with stationary contact  316  than is needed to close the contacts. Referring to  FIG. 16 , helper spring  338  is used to help overcome this force. Helper spring  338  is a strip of flat spring metal folded about its center with a generous radius to have two legs  337 ,  339  which form an inverted V. The inverted V shaped helper spring  338  fits in chamber  340  at one end of channel  304  (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) with the apex of the V being at the top of the chamber. As slider  320  is moved in direction B, the spring bias of yieldable contact arm  344  assists in closing contacts  316 ,  317 . As the slider continues to move and the contacts close, the end  342  of slider  320  contacts leg  339  of helper spring  338  and urges it to move toward leg  337 . At this time, helper spring  338  is compressed and biases slider  320  to move in direction A. When the contacts  316 ,  317  are being opened, helper spring  338  urges slider  320  to move against the force of the yieldable contact arm  344 . Thus, helper spring  338  helps to overcome the force exerted by the yieldable contact arm  344  of the brush terminal assembly  346  as the yieldable contact arm  344  is being moved in direction A by the slider  320  to open contacts  316 ,  317 . 
     Wall  348  at an end of chamber  340  contains a slot opening  350  which allows the end  342  of slider  320  to enter chamber  340  and engage and move leg  339  toward leg  337  of helper spring  338 . Wall  348  helps to keep helper spring  338  within the chamber  340 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 24 , located directly beneath longitudinal channel  304  and opening into channel  304  is spring chamber  354 . Spring chamber  354  is elongated, has a rectangular cross-section and contains a flat cam shaped leaf spring  352 . The spring chamber  354  can be centrally and symmetrically disposed in the base assembly  302  and has support bars  356  spaced from each end for supporting flat cam shaped leaf spring  352 . Located beyond each support bar  356  is an end pocket  365 . The overall length of spring chamber  354  is determined by the length of the flat cam shaped leaf spring  352 . 
     Flat cam shaped leaf spring  352  can be formed from a flat strip of spring steel to form a flat cam shaped leaf spring having a profile substantially similar to that shown in  FIGS. 16 and 24 . The flat cam shaped leaf spring  352  has a profile that is symmetrical about a center apex  358 . Moving along the spring  352  from the apex  358  to an end, the spring has a short down sloping cam portion  359  on each side of the apex  358  which, together with support sections  357  forms a valley  360 ,  362  at each side of the apex. The support sections  357  rest on support bars  356  and terminate in U shaped outer end portions  364  which resides in end pockets  365 . The apex  358 , the centrally located rise of the spring and the short down sloping cam portions  359  on each side of the apex and joined by support sections  357  provide a surface discontinuity rather than a smooth transition for the cam follower  324  as it travels over the apex  358 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 16 and 24 , cam  366  is used to urge the slider  320  to move back and forth in longitudinal channel  304  to open and close the contacts  316 , 317  of the switch. Cam  366  has two cylindrical shaped projections  368  aligned with each other and which extend out from the sides to form a support shaft rotatably received by support bearing openings  378  located in side walls  319 ,  321  of the longitudinal channel  304 . In operation, cam  366  rocks back and forth in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction about the axel defined by the projections  368 . Extending downward and below the cylindrical shaped projections  368  is cam follower  370  which fits in the rectangular funnel shaped slot opening  322  in slider  320  with minimum clearance. Extending upward from projections  368  is cam control surface  430  (see  FIG. 16 ) having a first pocket  374  located at the left of the cam, and a second pocket  372  located at the right of the cam, see  FIG. 24 . Looking at the profile of the cam  366  as shown in  FIG. 24 , pocket  372  is at the right side of the axes of rotation of the cam, and pocket  374  is at the left side of the axes of rotation of the cam. Thus, when the slider is at its right hand position, application of a downward force on pocket  372  will cause the cam follower  370  to rotate in a clockwise direction to cause slider  320  to move to the left. In a similar way, application of a downward force on pocket  374 , when the slider is at its left hand position, will cause the cam follower  370  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to cause the slider to move to the right. Thus, pressing down on pocket  372  causes the cam to rotate clockwise which causes the cam follower  370  to move the slider to the left. Thereafter, pressing down on pocket  374  will now cause the cam to rotate counterclockwise to cause the cam follower to move the slider to the right. Alternately pressing on pockets  372  and  374  will cause the slider to move back and forth, first in one direction and then in the other direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 ,  17  and  18 , projecting upward from the bottom floor member  401  of frame assembly  400 , and of the same material as the floor member, are two hook shaped members  396  which are provided to engage and pivotally hold cooperating hook members  418  (see  FIG. 17 ) which project down from subplate  412  attached to rocker paddle  111 . Frame assembly  400  includes a clearance opening  402  located in floor member  401  which is aligned with the top of cam  366  and through which an actuator  405  (See  FIGS. 18 and 19 ) of cam driver  431  projects to engage and operate cam  366 . The opening  402  is at the bottom of an upwardly projecting cylinder and is adapted to receive a cover plate  404  (see  FIG. 19 ) having an opening  402  through which actuator  405  (see  FIGS. 18 and 19 ) of cam driver  431  projects through to engage and operate cam  366 . 
     Looking at  FIG. 19 , cam  366  is operated by cam driver  431  which consists of a cylindrical shaped member  409 , a plunger  403 , an actuator  405 , and a conical shaped coil spring  407 . The cam driver  431  engages and drives cam  366 , first in a clockwise direction, then in a counter-clockwise direction each time plunger  403  is moved down. The open ended cylindrical shaped member  409  is an integral part of the frame  400 , but is shown as a separate part for clarity. In the actual device, member  409  projects upward from the top surface of floor member  401  of frame assembly  400 . Member  409  contains a first opening  413  at its lower end and a second opening  415  at its upper end. The first opening  413  at the lower end of the cylindrical shaped member  409  is sufficiently large to avoid obstructing or interfering with clearance opening  399  located in cover plate  404  when cover plate  404  is coupled to the bottom surface of floor member  401 . The cylindrical shaped member  409  supports an internal ridge  417  located between openings  413 ,  415 . 
     To assemble the cam driver ( FIG. 19 ) plunger  403  is inserted through opening  399  in the floor member  401  and into member  409 . Plunger  403  slidably fits within member  409 . The outside diameter of plunger  403  is slightly smaller than the diameter of opening  415  in the upper end of cylindrical shaped member  409  to allow plunger  403  to move up and down in opening  415  without binding. Plunger  403  has a skirt  433  which forms an external, outwardly projecting ridge  429 . Shoulder  417  in cylindrical shaped member  409  and ridge  429  on plunger  403  engage each other to keep plunger  403  captive within member  409 . 
     Actuator  405  is then inserted through opening  399  and into plunger  403 . Actuator  405 , which can be composed of a metal such as brass or steel, or of a plastic having suitable characteristics, is a shaft  421  having a generous radius at one end  422  and first  423  and second  425  collars at the other end. Collar  423  is smaller in diameter than collar  425  and collar  423  has a diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of the apex of conical spring  407  and fits into and frictionally engages the apex end of spring  407 . The end of collar  425  is located within opening  428  of plunger  403  and contacts internal projection  427 . 
     Thereafter, spring  407  is inserted through opening  399  in the floor member  401  and onto shaft  421  of the actuator  405 . Spring  407  has a conical shape, the apex of which is wrapped around and frictionally engages collar  423  and the base of spring  407  has a diameter that is large enough to extend beyond clearance opening  399  in cover plate  404  when said plate  404  is secured to the bottom surface of the floor member  401  to avoid interfering with shaft  421  as it moves up and down and pivots back and forth in rectangular clearance opening  399 . Thereafter, cover plate  404  is positioned to cover opening  402  in the floor member  401  and is securely coupled to the bottom surface of the floor member  401  with adhesive or the like. Clearance opening  402  in the cover plate  404  can have a long dimension along the length of the switch and a small dimension along the width of the switch. The small dimension of opening  399  is slightly larger than the diameter of shaft  421  to permit the shaft  421  to move in opening  399  without binding and the long dimension of opening  399  allows shaft  421  to engage and freely rock back and forth while operating cam  366  without binding. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , cylindrical shaped member  409  which is an integral part of the floor member  401  and projects upward from said floor member is shown as being separated from said floor member for clarity only. If desired, a small projection  406  which extends upward from the floor member  401  of frame assembly  400  and of the same material as the floor member  401  can be provided to engage the lower end of a helical helper spring  408  (see  FIG. 24 ) which can be used, if desired, to help urge the rocker paddle  111  to its out position. In normal use, spring  407 , acting on plunger  403  through actuator  405  provides sufficient force to urge paddle  111  away from frame assembly  400 . However, in those instances where additional force may be desired, helper spring  408  can be provided. The outside diameter of the projection  406  (see  FIGS. 14 and 24 ) is slightly larger than the inside diameter of helical helper spring  408  and is inserted into the lower end of the helical helper spring. The upper end of helical helper spring  408  can be located within and held captive in a pocket  410  (see  FIGS. 17 and 24 ) located on subplate  412 . Subplate  412  is secured to the underside of the rocker paddle  111  by adhesive and/or by plastic locking projections which extend from the underside of the rocker paddle  111 , pass through openings  429  in the subplate and are then staked over, or the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , there is shown an exploded perspective view of the bottom of base assembly  300 , frame assembly  400  and rocker paddle  111  of a single pole switch. Referring to the frame assembly  400  which can be a unitary member formed of a suitable plastic, two projections  414  which are a part of the cover plate  404  extend out from the bottom surface of the floor  401  are positioned to contact the top surface of the axel support shall formed by the aligned cylindrical projections  368  of the cam  366 . Projections  414  help prevent the cylindrical projections  368  from moving out of their bearing surfaces in the side walls of the longitudinal slider receiving channel. Also projecting downward from the bottom surface of the frame assembly  400  is slider hold down projection  416  which slidably contacts hold down projection  326  on slider  320 . Projection  416 , by contacting projection  326  on slider  330 , prevents slider  320  from being pushed up and out of channel  304  by the upward force of flat cam shaped leaf spring  352  pushing up on cam follower  324 . 
     Subplate  412 , which is attached to the underside of rocker paddle  111 , is a unitary member of a plastic material having two hook shaped members  418  formed thereon which project down from the bottom surface. The hook shaped members  418  are positioned to engage hooks  396  (see  FIG. 14 ) on frame assembly  400 . Hooks  418 , when engaged by hooks  396 , allow the rocker puddle  111  to pivot about studs  420  rotatably coupled to openings  424  toward and away from the frame assembly  400  and, at the same time, prevent the subplate  412  and attached rocker paddle  111  from being separated from the frame assembly  400 . If desired, a downward extending ring can be provided on the subplate  412  which is aligned with projection  406  on the frame assembly  400  to hold the ends of helical helper spring  408  in position when a helper spring is used. The inside diameter of ring  410  should be slightly larger than the outside diameter of the helical helper spring to permit the end of the helper spring to be placed within ring  410 . 
     Two arms  422  which project beyond the rear end of the subplate  412  each supports a circular stud  420 , one on the outside surface of each arm, which are axially aligned with each other to form a common axel. The circular studs  420  snap into openings  424  in the frame assembly  400  to form a hinge about which the subplate  412  and the rocker paddle  111  pivot relative to the frame and base assemblies. The subplate  412  is secured to the bottom surface of the rocker paddle  111  with an adhesive and/or plastic locking projections or the like to form a unitary assembly. 
     The switch here disclosed has an on-off indicator  112  such as a light to indicate to a user when the switch is in its conducting state and in its non-conducting state. The light can be of a color or white. In practice, a blue light was found to be preferred. Referring to  FIGS. 21A and 21B , there is shown a top plan view and a bottom perspective view of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)  430  which fits within frame assembly  400 . Located on the top surface ( FIG. 21A ) of the PCB  430  is resistor  432 , diode  434  and LED  441  connected to spring terminals  436 ,  438 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , frame assembly  400  fits on top of base assembly  300  and has openings for spring terminals  436 ,  438  to project through the frame assembly and make contact with plate  313  of the stationary terminal assembly  312  and plate  380  of the brush terminal assembly  346  to supply power to the PCB. The LED  441  on the PCB indicates the conductive state of the switch by being “on” or “off”. In operation, LED  441  is “on” when the contacts of the switch are open, and the LED is “off” when the contacts of the switch are closed.  FIG. 21B  shows the conductive paths between the spring terminals and the electrical components. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 23 , there is shown a light pipe  440  which is connected to the underside of the rocker paddle  111  (see  FIG. 22 ) to optically connect the LED on the PCB to an opening in the lower edge of the rocker paddle  111 . One end  442  of the light pipe, which is positioned to receive light from the LED, has a spherical face  443  for receiving light from the LED, and the other end  446  of the light pipe has a diffuser texture exit surface  448  which is the indicator  112  in the edge of the rocker paddle  111  for indicating to a user the conductive state of the switch. The light pipe can have any desired serpentine shape to provide flexibility when positioning the PCB having the LED within the switch. In another embodiment, the indicator  112  can be located to be at any place on the rocker paddle  111 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 24 , as the switch is assembled, the helper spring  338  is inserted into chamber  340 , flat cam shaped leaf spring  352  is placed into spring chamber  354  and slider  320  is placed into longitudinal channel  304  and above leaf spring  352 . The end  342  of the slider  320  faces the helper spring  338  and the triangular shaped cam follower  324 , which projects from the bottom of the slider, slidably engages the top surface of flat cam shaped leaf spring  352 . Cylindrical projections  368  of cam  366  are placed within bearing surface openings  378  in side walls  319 ,  321  of longitudinal channel  304  with cam follower  370  being positioned within rectangular funnel shaped slot opening  322  of slider  320 . Stationary terminal assembly  312  is positioned in the opening  309 , and brush terminal assembly  346  is positioned within opening  384 . As the brush terminal assembly  346  is being placed in position, the yieldable contact arm  344  is moved backward against the force of the spring arm and is positioned within slot  329  located between the hold down projection  326  and the brush terminal control projection  327  of slider  320 . At this time all the various components are within the switch base  300 . 
     Referring now to the frame assembly  400  (see  FIG. 18 ) and the cam driver  431  (see  FIG. 19 ) which is coupled to and is an integral part of the frame assembly. Cam driver  431  has a plunger  403  which is positioned within cylindrical shaped member  409  by inserting the plunger  403  through the bottom opening  413  of the cylindrical shaped member  409  which projects upward from the top surface of the floor member  401  until the outwardly extending ridge  429  formed by the projecting skirt  433  engages inwardly projecting shoulder  417  in cylindrical shaped member  409 . Thereafter, actuator  405  is inserted through the bottom opening of the cylindrical shaped member  409  and into the plunger  403  until the top convex surface of collar  425  contacts internal projection  427  which extends downward from the inside surface of the top of the plunger  403 . The convex top surface of collar  425  is provided to allow the actuator  405  to more easily rock back and forth as it moves down and contacts cam  366 . Conical shaped coil spring  407  is now placed around the actuator  405  with the apex of the coil spring being positioned around the collar  423 . At this time the cover plate  404  is attached to the bottom surface of the floor member  401  and positioned to allow the shaft  421  to extend through the opening  399 . The PCB board is now positioned on to the floor member  401  with the spring contacts  436 ,  438  extending thru the openings in the floor member  401  to make electrical contact with stationary terminal assembly  312  and brush terminal assembly  346 . 
     The frame assemblage  400 , which includes the PCB having the LED, resistor, diode and spring terminals  436 ,  438 , is now placed over the switch base assembly  300  and the ground/mounting strap  123  is attached to base assembly  300  with screws, drive pins, rivets or the like to connect the ground/mounting strap  123 , switch base assemblage and frame assemblage together. In the embodiment shown, when the rocker paddle  111  is attached to the frame  400 , the conical shaped coil spring  407 , acting through the plunger  403 , exerts an upward force on the rocker paddle  111  and, in addition, spring  407  urges the plunger to its extended out position. The subplate  412  has a cutout  441  through which the plunger  403  passes to contact the underside of the rocker paddle  111 . Thus, the top surface of the plunger  403  contacts the bottom surface of the rocker paddle  111  and it is the upward force of the spring  407  which biases the paddle to its outward position and which a user must overcome when pressing on the paddle. In some instances, it may be desirable to have a switch which requires a greater force to operate. If a greater force is desired, it can be obtained with helical spring  408  where the lower end is placed over projection  406  on the frame and the top is placed within the pocket  410  of the subplate. The light pipe  440  is attached to the underside of the subplate and the end  443  is located to receive light from the LED and the end  446  is positioned in the opening in the bottom edge of the paddle and is the indicator which shows the conductive state of the switch. The projections  420  on the arms  422  of the subplate  412  are snapped into the openings  424  in the frame assembly  400  to form the hinge about which the rocker paddle  111  and the frame assembly  400  pivot relative to each other. Thereafter the rocker paddle  111  which includes the subplate  412 , is pressed down toward the frame assembly until hooks  418  engage hooks  396 . At this time the bottom or underside of the paddle contacts the top surface of the plunger  403  and the application of finger pressure on the rocker paddle will move it toward the frame assembly against the force of spring  407  to drive the shaft  421  of the actuator  405  down through opening  402  to engage the cam eccentric surfaces  372 ,  374  and operate cam  366 . 
       FIG. 24  is a sectional view of a single pole switch where the contacts of the switch are closed and the switch is in its conducting state. The next time the rocker paddle is pressed, actuator  405 , acting against the force of spring  407 , is urged to move down to contact the ramp of cam  366  and slide toward the right and enter pocket  372 . Continued pressing on the paddle causes the actuator  405  to continue to move down and rotate cam  366  clockwise about cylindrical projections  368 . This causes cam follower  370  to rotate in a clockwise direction and move slider  320  to the left. As slider  320  moves to the left, the triangular shaped cam follower  324  moves out of depression  360  of the flat cam shaped leaf spring and across the right support section  359  toward the centrally located apex  358 . As the slider continues to move to the left, triangular shaped cam  324  deflects leaf spring  352  downward because projection  326  on slider  320 , in cooperation with slider hold down projection  416 , prevents the slider  320  from moving upward. As the triangular shaped cam  324  moves over the top of apex  358  of the cam shaped leaf spring and toward the left support section  359  of the apex, the leaf spring starts to spring back to its original unstressed up position. This upward movement of the leaf spring, acting on the shaped cam follower  324 , helps drive the cam follower  324  and the slider  320  to the left until the cam follower  324  comes to rest in depression  362 . At this time the contacts of the switch are separated from each other and the switch is in its off state. Thus, the cam shaped leaf spring  352 , in combination with the cam follower  324  helps to move the slider to either the left or right depressions  362 ,  360  to help open and close the contacts. The next time that the rocker paddle is depressed, actuator  405  will enter pocket  374  of the cam to cause it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction which will cause cam follower  324  on the slider to depress the leaf spring as it moves to the right. As the cam follower  324  continues to move to the right and as it passes apex  358 , the depressed leaf spring starts to spring up to return to its original position. This upward movement of the leaf spring, in combination with the counterclockwise rotation of the cam  366  causes the cam follower  324  to move toward the right until it reaches depression  360  at which time the switch contacts are closed and the switch is in its on state. Continued pressing and releasing the rocker paddle of the switch alternately opens and closes the contacts of the switch. The state of conduction of the switch is displayed to a user by the absence or presence of light at the indicator  112  in the edge of rocker paddle  111 . The light can be from an LED, a neon lamp or a pilot light on the PCB which is connected to the stationary and brush terminal assemblies. When the contacts of the switch are closed, there is no potential difference across the lamp and the lamp will remain dark. When the contacts of the switch are open, there will be a potential difference across the lamp and the lamp will be lit. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25A ,  25 B and  25 C, there is shown sectional views of the rocker paddle of the switch of  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 25A  is a section along the line  25 A- 25 A of  FIG. 14 ;  FIG. 25B  is a section along the line  25 B- 25 B of  FIG. 14 ; and,  FIG. 25C  is a section along the line  25 C- 25 C of  FIG. 14 . The width of the paddle is substantially 1.80 inches and the length of the paddle is substantially 2.77 inches. The face of the paddle has a vertical axis along its length and a horizontal axis along its width where the face of the paddle along its vertical axis has a surface of positive first differential comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distances from a datum plane and zero second differential where the rate of height increase of the individual splines is constant. The horizontal axis has a surface of a positive first differential and negative second differential comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. Referring to  FIG. 25A , the surface along line  25 A- 25 A lies between two profile boundaries substantially 0.139 inches apart, perpendicular to a datum plane equally disposed about the true profile and positioned with respect to a datum plane. The basic dimensions and the profile tolerance establish a tolerance zone to control the shape and size of the surface. The surface is substantially 2.77 inches in length. Within that length, a surface is defined by the dimensions of about twenty equidistant points which are about 0.139 inches apart. Each dimension indicates that point&#39;s distance to a datum plane, the back, flat surface of the rocker paddle  111 . Moving from left to right in  FIG. 25A , the dimensions increase from about 0.277 to about 0.328 inches at the center, and then decreases to about 0.278 inches at the right end. This progression defines a surface of increasing and then decreasing height where the points are connected by individual splines. The points are not connected by a single are and the rate at which the surface height increases in not constant. The rate of height increase of the individual splines decreases from left to right to the center, and then increases from the center to the right end. Thus, the second differential of the surface is negative from each end toward the center. That is that the difference between some of the points distance dimension from an end toward the center decreases. Thus, from an end to the center, the surface has a contour of positive first differential and negative second differential, comprised of a combination of splices drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. This description substantially describes the paddle&#39;s face along the lines  25 A- 25 A,  25 B- 25 B and  25 C- 25 C of  FIG. 14 . 
     The section along line  25 B- 25 B of  FIG. 14  which runs along the horizontal center line of the paddle is shown in  FIG. 25B  and defines a surface having positive first differential and substantially negative second differential from an end to the center line. The second differential is substantially negative because not all successive points have a constant increase. 
     The section along line  25 C- 25 C of  FIG. 14  which runs along the diagonal of the paddle is shown in  FIG. 25C  and defines a surface having a positive first differential and substantially negative second differential from an end to the center line. The second differential is substantially negative because not all successive points have a constant increase. 
       FIGS. 25A-25C  disclose, in detail, the dimensions of the paddle and, therefore, in the interest of brevity, the dimensions shown in the  FIGS. 25A ,  25 B and  25 C are not here repeated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 26 , there is shown an exploded view of the switch with another cam driver embodiment; and  FIG. 27  is a sectional view along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 3  where the cam driver is that shown in  FIG. 26 . In this embodiment, the cam driver  431  shown in  FIG. 19  is replaced with cam driver  600 . Cam driver  600  is composed of a flat ribbon of semi-flexible material such as spring steel bent back upon itself at its center to form a blunt end  602  and having a generous radius which forms the blunt end  602  having a diameter which fits within the pockets  372 ,  374  of cam  366 . The ends  606  of the cam driver are bent outward at 90 degrees to form two legs  604  which lie in the same plane and each of which has an opening  608  for receiving a holding member for attaching cam driver  600  to the subplate  412 . In this embodiment, subplate  412  does not have cutout  433  (see  FIG. 18 ), but is continuous to allow the cam driver  600  to be attached to the subplate. Cam driver  600  can be attached to the subplate with rivets, plastic projections which protrude from the subplate and pass through the openings  608  in the legs  604  which are deformed with heat to secure the cam driver to the subplate, or by any other method. In this embodiment, spring  408  is used to urge the paddle to its “up” at rest position. If desired, a channel  610  can be formed on the subplate  412  for positioning at least one of the legs  604 . Except for the substitution of the cam driver  600  for the cam driver  431  disclosed in  FIG. 19 , and the absence of the cutout  433  in subplate  412 , the construction and operation of the switch of the embodiment disclosed in  FIGS. 26 and 27  is similar to that of the switch disclosed in  FIGS. 14-24 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , there is shown an exploded view of the switch with still another cam driver embodiment, and  FIG. 29 , is a sectional view along line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 3  where the cam driver is that of  FIG. 28 . In this embodiment, the cam driver  431  shown in  FIG. 19  is replaced with a semi-flexible cam driver having a sharp end  700 . Semi-flexible cam driver with sharp end  700  is composed of a closely wound helical spring  701  of, for example, piano wire coupled at one end to a tip  702  which has a front end having a conical shape and a back end having a cylindrical shape. The tip  702  can be of plastic, metal or the like. The outside diameter of the cylinder is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the spring  701  to enable it to be securely held by the spring  701  when inserted into the end of the spring, and is smaller than the diameter of the base of the conical shaped end to provide a shoulder which prevents the tip  702  from being pushed into spring  701 . In this embodiment, subplate  412  does not have a cutout  441 , but is continuous to provide support for the cam driver  700 . Subplate  412  has a small cylindrical shaped projection which extends out from the bottom of the subplate and has a diameter that fits snugly into and securely holds the top end of the closely wound spring  701 . The closely wound spring  701  is attached to the subplate by being pushed onto the projection on the subplate. The tip of the conical shaped end  702  has a small diameter which allows it to fit into pockets  372  and  374  of cam  366 . In this embodiment, the spring  408  is used to urge the paddle to its “up” at rest position. Except for the substitution of the cam driver  700  with conical end for the cam driver  431  disclosed in  FIG. 19 , and the absence of the cutout  433  on subplate  412 , the construction and operation of the switch of the embodiment disclosed in  FIGS. 28 and 29  is similar to that of the switch disclosed in  FIGS. 14-24 . 
       FIG. 30  is a front perspective view of a wall plate for a single wiring device such as a switch or a receptacle. The width of the face of the wiring device is approximately 55% of the width of the wall plate along the horizontal axis and approximately 56% of the length of the wall plate along the vertical axis. When the wiring device is a receptacle, the contour along the width of the receptacle face is substantially flat in one plane and is complex along the length of the face of the receptacle with a substantially constant radius that is greater than 10 inches and less than 40 inches, a preferred radius being substantially 30.724 inches. The shape of the receptacle face is different from that of the switch to allow for the proper seating of an inserted plug. When the wiring device is a switch, its face has a vertical axis along its length and a horizontal axis along its width where the face of the rocker paddle along its vertical axis has a shape of positive first differential comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distances from a datum plane and zero second differential when the rate of height increase of the individual splines is constant. The horizontal axis has a surface of a positive first differential and negative second differential comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The wall plate has a surface configuration which allows it to be placed around a switch or a receptacle, or both a switch and a receptacle placed side by side, and which blends with the wiring device, or wiring devices, even thou the surface configuration of the switch is different than that of the receptacle. Referring to  FIG. 30 , the wall plate is substantially 4.92 inches in length by 3.28 inches in width and has a single opening  100 . When the wall plate of  FIG. 30  is for more than a single wiring device, the opening  100  has no dividing members for receiving multiple wiring devices, either a switch which has no frame or a receptacle, or any combination of switches and receptacles. When the wall plate is for one wiring device, the dimensions of the wiring device is slightly less than 2.81 inches in length by 1.83 inches in width to fit within the opening  100 . The width of the wall plate varies depending upon the number of wiring devices ganged together in side-by-side relationship. The front surface of the wall plate here disclosed has a complex/compound shape such that the surface at the opening for the wiring device is further from the wall than it is at the outer edge of the wall plate. 
     Referring to  FIG. 31B  which is a sectional view along the line  31 B- 31 B of the wall plate of  FIG. 30  along the horizontal centerline, from point K, the outer left edge, to point L, the inner edge of the opening for the wiring device. As shown in  FIG. 31B , the surface lies between two profile boundaries substantially 0.002 inches apart, perpendicular to a datum plane, equally disposed about the true profile and positioned with respect to the datum plane. The basic dimensions of the profile establishes a tolerance zone which controls the shape and size of the surface. The surface is substantially 0.73 inches in width. Within this width, a shape is defined by the dimensions of ten equidistant points, more or less, which are approximately 0.073 inches apart. Each dimension indicates that point&#39;s distance to the datum plane, the back (flat) surface of the wall plate, which begins at point K. Moving from left to right, the dimensions increase from about 0.243 inches to about 0.302 inches. This progression defines a surface of increasing height, positive first differential, when the points are connected by individual splines. The points are not connected by a single are and the rate at which the surface height increases is not constant. The rate of height increase of the individual splines decreases from left to right, and the second differential of the shape is negative. That is, the difference between the first and second point&#39;s distance dimension is larger than the difference between the second and the third, etc. Thus, the surface has a contour of positive first differential and negative second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from the datum plane.  FIG. 31A  is a sectional view along the line  31 A- 31 A of  FIG. 30 ; and  FIG. 31C  is a sectional view along the line  31 C- 31 C of  FIG. 30 .  FIGS. 31A ;  31 B and  31 C show the wall plate for sections along lines  31 A- 31 A,  31 B- 31 B and  31 C- 31 C of  FIG. 30 . 
     The section along line  31 C- 31 C of  FIG. 30  (see  FIG. 31C ), which runs along the vertical centerline of the wall plate defines a surface contour having a positive first differential and zero second differential, comprised of a combination of splines drawn between points of varying distance from a datum plane. The difference between any two sequential point dimensions is substantially 0.0037 inches and this surface has a zero second differential because the rate of height increase of the individual splines is constant. 
     The wall plate  138  for a single wiring device shown in  FIG. 30  includes, along the inside top edge, and the inside bottom edge, tooth shaped racks  80  for engagement with latching pawls  140  on the end  147  of the multi-function clips  130 ,  151 .  FIG. 32  is a sectional view of the bottom edge of the wall plate  138  along the line  32 A- 32 A of  FIG. 30 ; and  FIG. 33  which is a sectional view of the top edge of the wall plate  138  along the line  33 A- 33 A of  FIG. 30 . The top outside edge of the wall plate (see  FIG. 33 ), has a recessed area  750  such as a channel having centrally located raised identifying nomenclature structure  752  such as letters of the alphabet, numbers and/or a symbol which can, for example, identify the manufacturer of the device.  FIGS. 34 ,  34 A show views of a portion of the top edge of the wall plate of  FIG. 30  showing the channel and identifying nomenclature structure. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 34 and 34A  a channel  750  is in the top outside edge of the wall plate  138 . The channel can be approximately three-quarters of an inch in length and have a width which is less than the width of the edge of the wall plate. As shown in  FIGS. 33 ,  34  and  34 A, channel  750  is a rectangular depression defined by four walls  754 ,  756 ,  758  and  760 . Located within the channel is raised identifying structure  752  such as the name of the manufacturer, i.e., “LEVITON”. The height of the raised identifying structure can be 0.010 of an inch where the top surface of the raised identifying structure is substantially flush with the surface of the top edge of the wall plate. 
     When the wiring device is a switch as is here shown, the surface of the rocker paddle of the switch is a continuation of contours of the wall plate, so that the surface of the wall plate complements the surface of the switch. When the wiring device is a receptacle, the contour along the width of the receptacle face is substantially flat in one plane and is complex along the length of the face of the receptacle with a substantially constant radius. The shape of the receptacle face is different from that of the switch to allow for the proper seating of an inserted plug. But, again, when the wiring device is a receptacle as is here shown, the surface of the wall plate complements the surface of the receptacle. The wall plate has no exposed mounting screws or other visible metal hardware. When the wall plate is placed around a wiring device, the only visible parts are the wall plate  138  and the wiring device, the switch or receptacle. No fastening means such as screws, etc. for holding the wall plate in place are visible. 
     To attach the wall plate  138  to a wiring device, the edges  147  of pawls  140  of the bottom and top multi-function clips  130 ,  151  engage tooth shaped racks  80  located on the inside surfaces of the top and bottom end walls  170  of wall plate  138 . There are two tooth shaped racks  80  on the inside edge of each end wall  170  of the wall plate  138 . Each tooth shaped rack  80  contains a number of teeth each having an inclined front face  84  and an inclined back face  86 . Referring to  FIG. 35 , there is shown a fragmentary, enlarged perspective of the end  147  of the latching pawl  144  of the multi-function clip engaging the tooth shaped rack  80  of the wall plate  138 . When attaching a wall plate to a wiring device, the wall plate is placed over the wiring device and pushed in toward the wall. As the wall plate moves toward the wall, the end  147  of latching pawl  140  of the multi-function clip engages the inclined front face  84  of a tooth, and the pawl  140  deflects as it moves past the tip of the first tooth. Once the end of the latching pawl  140  is past the tip of the first tooth, it returns to its initial position and takes a position between the inclined back face  86  of the tooth and the inclined from face of the next tooth. This operation is repeated as many times as is needed to position the top and bottom of wall plate  138  as close to the wall as possible. As tooth shaped racks  80  and pawls  140  at the top and bottom are independently operated, it is possible to position the wall plate  138  to closely follow the contour of the wall, even when the wall is not flat. This ability to follow the wall contour is appreciated when the wall plate  138  is large, such as a wall plate positioned around multiple wiring devices. 
     Referring to  FIG. 36 , there is shown a fragmentary, enlarged sectional side view of the wall plate  138  and tab  120  of the alignment plate  14  to indicate how the two components can be separated following latching. Once the ends of latching pawl  140  are positioned in a valley between two teeth, it becomes difficult to dislodge the wall plate  138  from the wiring device(s) and the wall. To help in the removal of the wall plate, a slot  74  is formed in the bottom end  170  of wall plate  138  to provide access to tab  120 . A small, flat tool blade such as a screw driver blade  76 , or the like, can be moved through slot  74  in end  170  to contact both the outer surface of tab  120  and the back wall of slot  74 . By moving the blade  76  using the back wall of slot  74  as a fulcrum, the force applied to tab  120  will separate wall plate  138  from the wiring device and the wall. As tool  76  can apply a great deal of force to tab  120 , it is possible to separate the pawl  140  from engagement with the tooth shaped racks  80  and thus the wall plate from the wiring device and the wall. 
     Referring to  FIG. 37 , there is shown an exploded view of a box, an alignment plate and a wall plate for two wiring devices. There is no partition or dividing member located in either the wall plate opening  100  or the alignment plate opening  116  to separate the two wiring devices from each other. The two wiring devices can be placed in a double ganged box  160  made up, for example, of two single boxes joined by fasteners  162  extending through the threaded apertures  164  of two joining ears  166 . Alignment plate  114  has a single opening  116 , four openings  117  and four alignment pins  118  for receiving the two wiring devices such as two switches, a receptacle and a switch, or two receptacles. 
     Wall plate  138  can have four tooth shaped racks  80  on the inside surface of the top and bottom end walls for receiving four latching pawls where the two center tooth shaped racks receive one pawl from each wiring device. Also, the alignment plate has two tabs  120 , which are accessible via slots  74  in the bottom end wall of wall plate  138 . The independent operation of the pawls  140  with their respective racks  80  allows the wall plate  138  to compensate somewhat for lack of flatness of a wall in which the wiring devices are installed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 38 , there is shown an exploded view of alignment plate  114  having a single opening  116  and a wall plate  138  for three wiring devices ganged together and mounted in three boxes (not illustrated). Wall plate  138  has a single opening  100  with no dividing or separating members for receiving three wiring devices positioned side by side and has three sets of tooth shaped racks  80  (one set for each wiring device) on the inside surface of the top and bottom end walls. The two end racks each receive a single latching pawl and the center racks receive two latching pawls. Alignment plate  114  has a single opening  116  with no dividing or separating members, three sets of openings  117  and three sets of alignment pins  118  for receiving three wiring devices. 
     Referring to  FIG. 39 , there is shown an exploded view of attachment plate  114  having a single opening  116  with no dividing or separating members for receiving four wiring devices and wall plate  138  for four wiring devices which are to be ganged together. Wall plate  138  has a single opening  100  with no dividing or separating members for receiving four wiring devices positioned side by side and the attachment plate  114  has a single opening  116  with no dividing or separating members for receiving four wiring devices positioned side by side, and four sets of openings  117  and four sets of alignment pins  118 . The wall plate has four sets of tooth shaped racks  80  (one set for each wiring device) on the inside surface of the top and bottom end walls. 
     Referring to  FIG. 40 , there is an exploded view of alignment plate  114  having a single opening  116  with no dividing or separating members for receiving five wiring devices and wall plate  138  for five wiring devices which are to be ganged together. Wall plate  138  has a single opening  100  with no dividing or separating members for receiving five wiring devices positioned side by side and the alignment plate  114  has a single opening  116  with no dividing or separating members for receiving five wiring devices positioned side by side, and five sets of openings  117  and five sets of alignment pins  118 . The wall plate  138  has five sets of tooth shaped racks  80  (one set for each wiring device) on the inside surface of the top and bottom end walls. 
     Referring to  FIG. 41 , there is shown an exploded view of alignment plate  114  having a single opening  116  with no dividing or separating members for receiving six wiring devices and wall plate  138  for six wiring devices which are to be ganged together. Wall plate  138  has a single opening  100  with no dividing or separating members for receiving six wiring devices positioned side by side and the alignment plate  114  has a single opening  116  with no dividing or separating members for receiving six wiring devices positioned side by side, and six sets of openings  117  and six sets of alignment pins  118 . The wall plate has six sets of tooth shaped racks  80  (one set for each wiring device) on the inside surface of the top and bottom end walls. 
     Each wall plate shown in the Figs. can be made of conductive material or of non-conductive material. Where the wall plate is made of non-conductive material such as plastic, a conductive coating can be sprayed, plated, etc. to the front, back or both the front and back surfaces of the wall plate to provide a conductive path from the wall plate to ground on the ground/mounting strap and/or the box through a conductive path. The conductive path can be from the wall plate, through the latching pawls  140  of the multi-function clips  130 ,  151 , the alignment pins  118  on the alignment plate contacting the multi-function clips, and the threaded fasteners contacting the multi-function clips and the box; or it can be through the latching pawls  140  of the multi-function clips and the threaded fasteners contacting the multi-function clips to the ground terminal on the ground/mounting strap and/or the ground connected to the box. 
     The present invention contemplates a system wherein multiple electrical wiring devices in numbers not expressly set forth hereinabove may be utilized, without departing from the spirit or lawful scope of the invention. 
     While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.