Abstract: A wall-mountable system for controlling electrical power to a load includes a switch and a dimmer, with the switch actuator being substantially larger than the dimmer actuator. Preferably, the switch is a short-throw, light-force switch and the dimmer is a linear slide dimmer. Another embodiment of the invention provides a wallbox-mountable, pushbutton-actuated electrical control device in which the pushbutton is resiliently supported on the device support.

Abstract: A wall mountable, fully modular lighting control system, is disclosed wherein several possible lighting scenes are user defined and stored in the lighting control system for recall by the user upon depression of a selected one of a plurality of scene select buttons. The lighting control system comprises at least one master control module, and, if desired, one or more slave control modules. Remote control units may also be provided.

Abstract: A system to control power from a source to a load consists of a cover plate, a touch-operable device that is mounted behind a flexible area on the cover plate, and a power control circuit that responds in accordance with a signal generated by the touch-operable device. The system is operated by touching a point within the flexible area of the cover plate to activate the device. In a preferred embodiment, the system provides power over a continuous range of values, depending on the particular point at which the device is activated. Alternatively, the system operates as a switch, alternately turning power on or off when any point on the flexible area is touched. The control circuit preferably includes an electronically adjustable voltage divider. The system is well-adapted to permit control of power to a load from multiple locations. The appearance of the front surface of the cover plate can be dictated entirely by aesthetic considerations and can, if desired, be entirely featureless.

Abstract: A wall mountable, fully modular lighting control system, is disclosed wherein several possible lighting scenes are user defined and stored in the lighting control system for recall by the user upon depression of a selected one of a plurality of scene select buttons. The lighting control system comprises at least one master control module, and, if desired, one or more slave control modules. Remote control units may also be provided.

Abstract: A hand-held programmer is provided for adjusting various functions of a multi-scene, multi-zone programmable lighting control. The programmer generally includes push-buttons for selecting particular scenes and zones to be programmed and for activating any one of the functions to be adjusted; namely, intensity, fade time, and fade delay. An alphanumeric LCD display includes a number of controllable display areas, adjacent to and aligned with the push-buttons, for identifying the names of the selected scene and zone and the function settings associated with them. A cylindrically elongated rotary encoder, having a knurled, rubbery surface, is easily manipulated to adjust the setting of the activated function and provides kinesthetic feedback, so that its adjustment can be coordinated with a visual perception of the lighting scene.

Abstract: A mounting frame facilitates the installation of ganged electrical devices into a single switchbox. The frame is a rectangular plate with a rectangular opening and provides a rigid support for the devices. Support is needed when the wall on which the devices are to be mounted is not planar or when the switchbox is not properly mounted into the wall. The frame can also include markings that help to align the devices to permit a multigang faceplate to snap onto the devices. An alignment frame provides markings to help align the devices, without also providing a rigid support.

Abstract: A wall box dimming system assembly controls the intensity level of a plurality of groups of lights in accordance with a plurality of preset scenes. A face plate assembly which is coupled to the housing of the wall box dimming system includes a face plate. The face plate is formed of a generally opaque material and has front and rear surfaces. A recess is formed in the face plate, the recess extending from the rear surface of the face plate to near the front surface thereof such that a relatively thin region of material remains adjacent the front surface. A lamp is located adjacent the rear surface of the face plate in the area of the recess. The thickness and opacity of the thin region of material and the intersity of light generated by the lamp are such that light can be seen from a position in front of the front surface of the face plate when the lamp is on.

Abstract: A mounting frame facilitates the installation of ganged electrical devices into a single switchbox. The frame is a rectangular plate with a rectangular opening and provides a rigid support for the devices. Support is needed when the wall on which devices are to be mounted is not planar or when the switchbox is not properly mounted into the wall. The frame can also include markings that help to align the devices to permit a multigang faceplate to snap onto the devices. An alignment frame provides markings to help align the devices, without also providing a rigid support.

Abstract: A wall box dimming system assembly controls the intensity level of a plurality of groups of lights in accordance with a plurality of preset scenes. The electronics for carrying out the dimmer operations are preferably mounted in a housing adapted to fit in a standard four gang wall box. A face plate assembly is coupled to the housing and has a larger profile than the housing as viewed from an entry position located in front of the face plate assembly. At least some of the control switches which enable the operator to switch control over the dimming levels from scene to scene and/or turn the system off are located outside of the profile of the wall box housing. The face plate assembly includes a support plate and a window pivotally connected to the support plate and moveable between a closed position, wherein access to slide potentiometers which control the dimming levels of the lights is blocked, and an open position, wherein the operator can gain access to the slide potentiometers.

Abstract: A cover and support plate arrangement for a wall mounted device, such as a wall switch, display, dimmer, etc., for mounting to a wall box embedded in the wall and having overall surface dimensions greater than that of the wall box. The cover plate is juxtaposed over the front surface of the support plate and is spaced therefrom to provide an air gap between the cover plate and the support plate creating a chimney through which air currents may flow. The device includes an electric circuit having a heat generating device, such as a triac, which is thermally connected to the support plate and in series electrically with a controlled load. The cover plate casts a shadow along vertical sides of the support plate such that the vertical sides of the support plate are visible only when viewed at extreme angles with respect to an imaginary line perpendicular to the plane of the support plate or the wall in which the device is mounted.

Abstract: In electrical control apparatus having a first member disposed in an opening in a second member, the first and second members being adapted and arranged for relative movement with respect to each other, a safety device for covering the open portions of the opening as the first member moves relative to the opening. A primary shield is located adjacent to and overlaps the opening. The primary shield is operatively associated with the first member for movement in response to relative movement of the first member. The primary shield has a shape adapted to permit unrestrained movement of the first member while overlapping the open portions of the opening to cover those portions for all positions of the first member in the opening.