Other

Jan Finlinson

Martin R Johnson

Jeremy Paul Willden

Robert E Gooch

Jeremy Cornell Smith

Phil Dietz

Sean Daniel Watkins

In one example, an active cover plate includes a faceplate, a load and a spring clip extending rearward from the faceplate to interface with a receptacle body, wherein the spring clip includes a flexible conductive portion connected to the face plate by a first end and a non-conductive portion connected to an opposite end of the flexible conductive portion, wherein the spring clips extract electrical power from the receptacle body to energize the load.

Active cover plates

A coded wireless sensor unit has a slot sized to receive a key card. When a key card is inserted into the slot, the act of insertion generates a energy-harvested power pulse, which powers circuitry that reads electrical device control information coded on the key card and creates a first information packet signal that is transmitted by an on-board transmitter. The signal can be read by a receiver and relayed to a control unit which controls certain electrical devices which consume line power in response to received information packet signals. The control unit decodes received information packet signals and either turns on or activates the electrical devices in accordance with the decoded device control information. Removal of a key card can also be used to generate a power pulse, which creates a second information packet signal that is used to turn off or deactivate the electrical devices.

Coded wireless key card sensor unit

Tamper-resistant, longer-lasting energy-harvesting switch assemblies that can accommodate longer antennas required for operation in the 315 MHz radio frequency band are provided. In order to accommodate longer antenna that will not fit within the energy-harvesting module, the front major face of the back plate is equipped with a perimetric channel or trough into which a wire antenna can be installed. The problem of rocker wear in prior-art devices caused by abrasive action of the bows is rectified by a redesign of the rocker and the manufacture of a wear-resistant insert that snaps into place at the rear of the rocker. The potential theft problem associated with prior-art devices has been resolved by redesigning the back plate and the retainer clip that engages latches on the redesigned back plate. Non-destructive removal of the retainer clip can be effected only with a special tool.

Growing community of inventors

Lindon, UT, United States of America

Jan Finlinson