Deako, Inc.

Allen Stedman

Patrick N Prendergast

Derek Richardson

Chris Keeser

Dan Blase

A backplate may include a backplate housing providing a cavity to removably accept any of a plurality of device control assemblies, where a device control assembly of the plurality of device control assemblies includes a set of device control assembly electrical contacts. The backplate housing may mount to an electrical junction box. The backplate may further include a backplate junction box electrical connector to connect to electrical wiring within the electrical junction box, and a set of backplate electrical contacts to couple to the set of device control assembly electrical contacts.

User-upgradeable load control network

A living space feature control apparatus includes a living space feature controller, a junction box controller receiver, wireless capabilities, and a programmable user interface. The living space feature control apparatus is configured with modular units including a junction box, backplate, device control assembly and faceplate making the control apparatus toollessly exchanged, upgraded or replaced. The control apparatus functions in a variety of ways including identifying different users, recording user preferences, automatically turning lights on and off according to user preferences, closing blinds automatically, initiating security actions, acting as an intercom system and triangulating occupant location. The living space feature controller may include inductive coils for inductive signal and power transfer and a rotary optical encoder for selectable user living space control.

System for controlling living space features

A method for installing a user-upgradeable load control network includes mounting backplates to electrical junction boxes throughout a building, where at least some backplates include a cavity to interchangeably accept device control assemblies, electrical contacts, and a translatable cover to shield the electrical contacts from the cavity when translated to a closed position and to expose the electrical contacts to inserted device control assemblies. The method may further include connecting the electrical contacts to electrical loads throughout the building. The method may further include installing device control assemblies into the backplates by inserting the one or more device control assemblies and translating the respective covers to the open positions. Further, an installed device control assembly is upgradeable by translating the cover to the closed position, removing the installed device control assembly, inserting device control assembly, and translating the cover to the open position.

An apparatus includes a backplate including at least one backplate contact, a cover, and a lock. The at least one backplate contact facilitates an electrical connection to a power source. The cover shields the at least one backplate contact when the cover is placed in a closed position. The cover is further translatable to an open position to conditionally expose the at least one backplate contact. The lock applies a force to the cover and positions the cover in the closed position unless a counter-force greater than the force is received by the lock.

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Bellevue, WA, United States of America

Allen Stedman