Abstract: A light switch cover plate having mechanism for recording and playing back an audio sample through a speaker when the light switch is turned either on or off. Several messages can be recorded and they can be played back serially or randomly.

Abstract: A lamp socket is provided which contains a ballast, or lamp driver which remains in the socket when the tube is replaced and supports the gas discharge tube. The lamp socket includes connectors for attachment to the gas discharge tube, lamp driver circuitry including an oscillator, power semiconductors, and protective and filter circuitry, and a housing containing the lamp driver circuitry including an oscillator, power semiconductors, and protective and filter circuitry.

Abstract: A sliding plate engages moveable structure such as the actuating lever of an existing wall switch and separates or connects contacts to provide a momentary contact function in a potentially very thin but robust and economical switch suitable for inclusion within a switch plate cover. Momentary contact is provided at an intermediate location between extreme positions of the actuating lever of the existing switch or other moveable structure. Additional contacts can be provided to alter switch function and/or allow discrimination of direction of movement at an intermediate location. The switch can be retrofit to any existing structure without modification of that structure or disturbance of wiring to which that structure is connected.

Abstract: A sliding plate engages moveable structure such as the actuating lever of an existing wall switch and separates or connects contacts to provide a momentary contact function in a potentially very thin but robust and economical switch suitable for inclusion within a switch plate cover. Momentary contact is provided at an intermediate location between extreme positions of the actuating lever of the existing switch or other moveable structure. Additional contacts can be provided to alter switch function and/or allow discrimination of direction of movement at an intermediate location. The switch can be retrofit to any existing structure without modification of that structure or disturbance of wiring to which that structure is connected.

Abstract: A pair of sliding plates engage respective moveable structures such as the actuating lever of an existing wall switch and are housed in a dual-gang or larger cover plate body. A cam, preferably formed on an edge of each sliding plate, engages a cam follower on respective resilient conductive contact blades; a pair of contact blades being preferably positioned between edges of the sliding plates. Movement of either electrical switch operating levers through an intermediate position causes a respective contact blade to engage and form a momentary electrical contact with the other contact blade with a bi-directional wiping motion. Both contact blades may be simultaneously urged toward the other by respective cams.

Abstract: A sliding plate engages moveable structure such as the actuating lever of an existing wall switch and separates or connects contacts to provide a momentary contact function in a potentially very thin but robust and economical switch suitable for inclusion within a switch plate cover. Momentary contact is provided at an intermediate location between extreme positions of the actuating lever of the existing switch or other moveable structure. Additional contacts can be provided to alter switch function and/or allow discrimination of direction of movement at an intermediate location. The switch can be retrofit to any existing structure without modification of that structure or disturbance of wiring to which that structure is connected.