초록 ▼

A remote control electrical switch with omnidirectional access provides remote control of electrically connected devices. The remote control electrical switch allows electrical devices to be controlled with minimal physical dexterity, easing the physical efforts required for typical electrical switc

A remote control electrical switch with omnidirectional access provides remote control of electrically connected devices. The remote control electrical switch allows electrical devices to be controlled with minimal physical dexterity, easing the physical efforts required for typical electrical switching devices. A 360 degree switch access allows users to approach the remote control electrical switch from any direction to further facilitate its ease-of-use. A top portion of the remote control electrical switch provides a switch activation leverage area that rests on a switch fulcrum point, allowing activation of the switch via force applied to any point of the switch actuation surface. Instances of the switching mechanism can also include an illumination source to indicate the status of the remote control electrical switch from a visual perspective and/or to provide location of the switching mechanism in ambient light deficient areas. The illumination source can be implemented to provide omnidirectional illumination.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for remote control of an electrical device, comprising: an electrical switch that provides a depressible switching fulcrum to facilitate switch actuation; a base that provides a switch mounting area for the electrical switch; a pivotable switch actuator cap that

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for remote control of an electrical device, comprising: an electrical switch that provides a depressible switching fulcrum to facilitate switch actuation; a base that provides a switch mounting area for the electrical switch; a pivotable switch actuator cap that interacts with the depressible switching fulcrum at a substantially centered point, the switch actuator cap is substantially perpendicular to the electrical switch center axis when at rest and activates the electrical switch when a force is applied to the pivotable switch actuator cap; a connecting ring that is connected to the switch actuator cap and retained by the base to facilitate centering the switch actuator cap and the base; and a connecting ring retention device located near a top portion of the base that allows the connecting ring to move within the base while substantially inhibiting separation of the base and the connecting ring. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, the pivotable switch actuator cap provides omnidirectional activation of the electrical switch. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, the pivotable switch actuator cap is comprised of, at least in part, translucent material. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, the base is comprised of, at least in part, translucent material. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, the pivotable switch actuator cap provides a switch actuation surface area that is substantially equal in size to a diameter of the base. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pad affixed to the base to facilitate in inhibiting undesired movement of the apparatus. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a spring that applies opposing forces to the switch actuator cap and the base and resides within the connecting ring and the base, the spring providing a rebounding force to the switch actuator cap after switch activation by a user. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, the connecting ring comprising a ring constructed, at least partially, of translucent material. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, the connecting ring contains translucent shapes and/or symbols. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: at least one light source that transmits light through at least a portion of the connecting ring. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, the light source provides 360 degrees of illumination. 12. The apparatus of claim 10, the light source comprising at least one neon light source. 13. The apparatus of claim 10, the light source comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED) source. 14. The apparatus of claim 10, the light source indicates an operational state of the electrical switch. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, the light source is energized when a controlled device is energized and is de-energized when a controlled device is de-energized. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a switch post interposed between the base and the electrical switch to provide a mount for the electrical switch to the base. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, the switch post containing at least one light source mounting socket. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, the mounting socket comprising: a substantially cylindrical hole substantially parallel to a central axis of the switch post; an electrically conductive cylindrical sleeve that resides within the cylindrical hole and provides a first electrical path for a first electrical contact of a light source; an electrically inert cylindrical sleeve that resides within the conductive cylindrical sleeve and restricts electrical contact with the first electrical path; and an electrically conductive plug that resides within the inert cylindrical sleeve in a press-fit manner to provide an electrical connection of a second electrical contact of the light source to a second electrical path. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, the electrically conductive plug comprising a spherically-shaped plug. 20. The apparatus of claim 18, the electrically conductive plug comprising a cylindrically-shaped plug. 21. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a first conductive ring that resides within a cylindrical cavity at a base portion of the switch post and provides a common electrical path for first electrical contacts of at least one light source to a first electrical contact of the electrical switch. 22. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a second conductive ring that resides within a cylindrical cavity at a base portion of the switch post and provides a common electrical path for a second electrical contact of at least one light source to a second electrical contact of the electrical switch. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising: an insulating ring that encircles a portion of the electrically inert cylindrical sleeve that protrudes into the cylindrical cavity of the base portion of the switch post and facilitates in isolating electrical paths from interacting with the electrically conductive cylindrical sleeve. 24. A system for interrupting electrical power to an electrical device from a remote location that employs the apparatus of claim 1. 25. A remote lamp switch employing the apparatus of claim 1. 26. A tabletop light remote control device employing the apparatus of claim 1. 27. An apparatus for controlling appliances and/or lighting devices without requiring typical user dexterity, comprising: an electrical switch that provides a depressible switching fulcrum to facilitate switch actuation; a base that provides a switch mounting area for the electrical switch; a switch post interposed between the base and the electrical switch to provide a mount for the electrical switch to the base; a pivotable switch actuator cap that provides omnidirectional electrical switch activation and interacts with the depressible switching fulcrum at a substantially centered point, the switch actuator cap is substantially perpendicular to the electrical switch center axis when at rest and activates the electrical switch when a force is applied to the pivotable switch actuator cap; a tapered cylindrical connecting ring that is connected to the pivotable switch actuator cap and retained by the base to facilitate centering the pivotable switch actuator cap and the base; a tapered cylindrical connecting ring retention device located near a top portion of the base that allows the ring to move within the base while substantially inhibiting separation of the base and ring; a spring that applies opposing forces to the switch actuator cap and the base and resides within the tapered cylindrical connecting ring and the base, the spring providing a rebounding force to the switch actuator cap after switch activation by a user; and at least one light source that transmits omnidirectional light through at least a portion of the tapered cylindrical connecting ring, the light source mounted within the switch post.