Retrofit remote control device mounting assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11735897-B2
Application number	US-202217952769-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 26, 2022
Priority date	Jul 12, 2019
Publication date	Aug 22, 2023
Grant date	Aug 22, 2023

Abstract

A remote control device may be mounted to a structure. The remote control device may include a control unit, a base, a faceplate, an adapter, and a mounting plate. The adapter may be configured to be attached to the faceplate. The adapter may be configured to be secured to the structure. The mounting plate may float between the adapter and the structure when the adapter is secured to the structure. The mounting plate may include a frame, a mounting tab, and a plurality of spring arms. The mounting tab may extend from the frame, for example, a platform on the frame. The mounting tab may be configured to prevent rotation of the base of the remote control device when the base is attached to the mounting plate. The plurality of spring arms may be configured to bias the mounting tab away from the structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A remote control device that is configured to be mounted over an installed light switch, the light switch having an actuator that extends through a faceplate of the light switch, the actuator operable to control whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the remote control device comprising:
a control unit that includes an attachment portion and a rotating portion that is configured to rotate relative to the attachment portion;
a control base to which the control unit is attachable, the control base configured to releasably retain the control unit when the control unit is attached thereto, and the control base configured to be mounted over the actuator;
a cover portion to which the control base is attachable, the cover portion configured to releasably retain the control base thereto, the cover portion comprising a mounting tab that is configured to prevent rotation of the control base of the remote control device when the control base is attached to the cover portion;
a cover base to which the cover portion is attachable, the cover base configured to releasably retain the cover portion when the control base is attached to the cover portion, the cover base comprising:
a frame having a frame opening that extends therethrough, the frame opening configured to receive a portion of the actuator; and
an engagement mechanism that is operable to contact a first side of the actuator such that an opposed second side of the actuator is biased against a corresponding side of the frame that defines a side boundary of the frame opening, thereby securing the cover base in a mounted position relative to the actuator and causing a lower surface of the frame to be biased against an outer surface of the faceplate such that the actuator is maintained in a first position in which power is delivered to the electrical load;

wherein the control unit comprises a wireless communication circuit and a control circuit that is responsive to the rotating portion and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication circuit, the control circuit configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit a wireless signal in response to an actuation of the rotating portion.

2. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a clamp arm that extends into the frame opening, and wherein a first end of the clamp arm is pivotally supported by the frame such that a second end of the clamp arm is translatable toward a center of the frame opening.

3. The remote control device of claim 2 , wherein the clamp arm defines an edge that faces the center of the frame opening, the edge configured to abut the first side of the actuator as the second end of the clamp arm is translated toward the center of the frame opening.

4. The remote control device of claim 3 , wherein the cover base further comprises a screw that operably connects the second end of the clamp arm to the frame, wherein driving the screw causes the second end of the clamp arm to travel toward the center of the frame opening.

5. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the frame of the cover base defines slots that are configured to receive corresponding tabs of the cover portion to secure the cover portion to the cover base.

6. The remote control device of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener configured to secure the control base to the cover portion.

7. The remote control device of claim 6 , wherein the cover portion further comprises a platform from which the mounting tab extends, the platform extending from a front surface of the cover portion, and wherein the platform defines an aperture that is configured to receive the fastener.

8. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein a rear surface of the base abuts a front surface of the cover portion when the control base is secured to the cover portion.

9. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the control base comprises a release mechanism that is operable to cause the control unit to release from the control base.

10. The remote control device of claim 1 , wherein the cover portion covers the actuator of the installed light switch when attached to the cover base.

11. A mounting assembly for a remote control device that is configured to be mounted over an installed light switch, the light switch having an actuator that extends through a faceplate of the light switch, the actuator operable to control whether power is delivered to an electrical load, the mounting assembly comprising:
a cover portion to which the remote control device is attachable, the cover portion configured to releasably retain the remote control device thereto, the cover portion comprising a mounting tab that is configured to prevent rotation of a control base of the remote control device when the remote control device is attached to the cover portion; and
a cover base to which the cover portion is attachable, the cover base configured to releasably retain the cover portion when the control base is attached to the cover portion, the cover base comprising:
a frame having a frame opening that extends therethrough, the frame opening configured to receive a portion of the actuator; and
an engagement mechanism that is operable to contact a first side of the actuator such that an opposed second side of the actuator is biased against a corresponding side of the frame that defines a side boundary of the frame opening, thereby securing the cover base in a mounted position relative to the actuator and causing a lower surface of the frame to be biased against an outer surface of the faceplate such that the actuator is maintained in a first position in which power is delivered to the electrical load.

12. The mounting assembly of claim 11 , wherein the engagement mechanism comprises a clamp arm that extends into the frame opening, and wherein a first end of the clamp arm is pivotally supported by the frame such that a second end of the clamp arm is translatable toward a center of the frame opening.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 12 , wherein the clamp arm defines an edge that faces the center of the frame opening, the edge configured to abut the first side of the actuator as the second end of the clamp arm is translated toward the center of the frame opening.

14. The mounting assembly of claim 13 , wherein the cover base further comprises a screw that operably connects the second end of the clamp arm to the frame, wherein driving the screw causes the second end of the clamp arm to travel toward the center of the frame opening.

15. The mounting assembly of claim 11 , wherein the frame of the cover base defines slots that are configured to receive corresponding tabs of the cover portion to secure the cover portion to the cover base.

16. The mounting assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a fastener configured to secure the remote control device to the cover portion.

17. The mounting assembly of claim 16 , wherein the cover portion further comprises a platform from which the mounting tab extends, the platform extending from a front surface of the cover portion, and wherein the platform defines an aperture that is configured to receive the fastener.

18. The mounting assembly of claim 11 , wherein a rear surface of the remote control device abuts a front surface of the cover portion when the remote control device is secured to the cover portion.

19. The mounting assembly of claim 11 , wherein the control base comprises a release mechanism that is operable to cause the remote control device to release from the control ba

Assignees

• Lutron Tech Co Llc

Inventors

• Richter Isabel Jane Hunt
• Wilz Aaron Jeffrey

Classifications

• H05B47/1965

  using handheld communication devices · CPC title

• H05B47/19

  via wireless transmission · CPC title

• H02G3/14 Primary

  Fastening of cover or lid to box · CPC title

• H02G3/081 Primary

  Bases, casings or covers · CPC title

• H01H3/32 Primary

  Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts (snap-action arrangements H01H5/00; introducing a predetermined time delay H01H7/00) · CPC title