The present invention is related to electrical installation devices, more particularly to electrical switching devices commonly used in domestic, commercial and industrial wiring installations and more specifically to switches and push button functions.

The present invention concerns a convertible electrical switch device, which can perform selectively either a proper two state switch function (as a so-called bistable mechanical switch, ON/OFF rocker switch or toggle switch) or a push-button function (as a so-called pulse, push or pressure switch).

The prior art already proposes switching devices which can perform various types of switching functions, by using the same basic components and construction.

Nevertheless, in these known adaptable switch solutions, the device is adapted during its manufacturing in order to perform one of the possible functions: it is therefore constructively "programmed" for one dedicated specific function at the manufacturing site and cannot be, at least not easily, readapted later on, for example at the installation site (during its first time mounting or later on).

EP-A-0 921 547 for example discloses such an adaptable switch assembly known from the prior art, which can be adapted to perform in particular either a rocker switch function or a push button function, depending on whether or not a return spring has been incorporated during manufacturing of the device.

Document GB 2,401,723 A discloses a convertible switch according to the preamble of claim 1. In order convert the switch from one function to the other, an intermediate member of the switch needs to be displaced. To gain access to the intermediate member, the switch needs to be partially disassembled. In particular, a digital operating member needs to be removed by use of a specific tool.

Thus, when leaving the production plant, these known devices are set in one of their possible functions (i.e. they are differentiated products) and no later possible function modification is foreseen or even materially feasable without a tedious and complicated disassembling or dismantling of said device (if at all possible).

It is a main goal of the present invention to provide a multifunctional electrical switch device whose function can be easily modified, preferably in a reversible way, by the installer upon installation of said device on the mounting site, or even later on.

This goal is achieved by the invention by providing a convertible electrical switch device according to claim 1. Additional features or alternative embodiments of the invention are mentioned in the dependent claims 2 to 15. The invention will be better understood thanks to the following description and drawings of embodiments of said invention given as non limitative examples thereof.

In the accompanying drawings:

• Figure 1 is a partially exploded view of a convertible electrical switch device according to a first embodiment of the invention (the cover plate is not shown);
• Figures 2A to 2D are sectional views, in a plane perpendicular to the toggling axis of the rocker of the double switch device shown on figure 1, in an ON/OFF switch configuration (figures 2A and 2B) and in a push-button configuration (figures 2C and 2D), the device being respectively open (figures 2A and 2C) and closed (figures 2B and 2D);
• Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of a convertible electrical switch device according to a second embodiment of the invention (bracket 5 and rocker 2 form a single piece);
• Figures 4A to 4D are perspective sectional views of the convertible double switch device shown on figure 3, with a first device set in an ON/OFF switch configuration (figure 4A and 4B) and a second device set in a push-button configuration (figures 4C and 4D), the devices being respectively open (figures 4A and 4C) and closed (figures 4B and 4D);
• Figure 5 is a sectional view of the switch device of figure 3, along a plane perpendicular to the switching axis of the rocker, shown in an ON/OFF switch configuration;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the actuation rocker of the switch device shown on figures 4 and 5, and,
• Figures 7A and 7B are respectively a perspective view and a top view of the actuation rocker of figure 6, before folding of the force transmission bracket or beam into the rocker head.

Figures 1 to 5 show a convertible electrical switch device 1 comprising an actuation means 2 which is drivingly engaging a selective electrical connection element 3 and movable between two opposed positions, each position inducing one of a connected state and a disconnected state (or position) of said connection element 3.

According to the invention, said device 1 also comprises an elastic force generating means 4 and an associated force transmission means 5, said force transmission means 5 being either i): functionally disconnected from said actuation means 2, and said device 1 thus functioning as an ON-OFF type switch device with two opposed stable positions, or ii): operatively linked to the actuation means 2 so that the force generating means 4 elastically urge said actuation means 2 towards one of the two opposed positions, and said device 1 thus functioning as a push-button device.

Thus, the same device 1 comprising the same components, in the same places, can be configured to perform two different functions, only by establishing or not an operative link between means 5 and 2. More precisely, and as illustrated on the enclosed figures, the actuation means 2 is a T-shaped actuation rocker with a hollow head portion 2' on which the press button or cover plate 8 of the device is mounted and a stem portion 2" engages directly or not the associated selective connection element 3. On the other hand, the elastic force generating means 4 comprise a spring, preferably a compression spring, able to urge the actuation means 2 into its position corresponding to the disconnected state of the associated connection element 3 (in the absence of pressure from the user), when said actuation means 2 and said force transmission means 5 are mutually and rigidly connected together (figures 2C and 4C).

Preferably, the potential operative link between the actuation means 2 and the force transmission means 5 is a mechanical link established by a clipping or snap-fitting assembly 6, 7 of said two means 2 and 5. Therefore, a rigid link is created between means 5 and 2 without using any additional fastening or connection means and without using a specific tool or having to execute a complicated manual operation or handling.

In order to prevent any unintentional disconnection between means 5 and 2, when the device is configured into a push button, the invention advantageously provides that the potential operative link between the actuation means 2 and the force transmission means 5 is a settable link which, once established, is maintained during normal use or actuation of said device 1, but could possibly be undone, if appropriate, upon specific action by the user on at least one of said means 2, 5.

As the space within such electrical devices is limited, an other issue which is dealt with by the invention can be seen as providing a solution calling for minimum space requirement to be implemented.

Thus, referring to a preferred practical construction of the inventive device, the force transmission means 5 can be accommodated or lodged within the actuation means 2, as a separate part or preferably an integrally formed part, the two means 2 and 5 being rigidly coupled together, and possibly uncoupled (after having been coupled), by means of a relative movement between them, resulting in a mechanical connection or engagement, or respectively a possible disconnection or disengagement.

As illustrated by way of example on the enclosed drawings, the actuation means can consist of an actuation means 2 is an actuation rocker, pivotably mounted so as to be able to swivel between the two opposed determined positions, said rocker 2 having a head portion 2' for bearing the press button or cover plate 8 and for lodging the force transmission means 5.

According to a preferred structural design of the device, the selectively connectable force transmission means 5 consists in an elongated bracket swively mounted within the hollow head portion 2' of the pivoting actuation rocker 2, preferably within lateral walls 9 of said head portion 2'.

Said walls 9 define an open receiving chamber 9' for said elongated bracket 5, form an elevated mounting support for the press button or cover plate 8 and are provided with means 10 for a hinged assembly with said bracket 5, such as bearing means (able to cooperate with pegs or turnions formed on said bracket 5), and with retention means 10' in order to hold the bracket 5 within the head portion 2', such as lateral pegs or shoulders (able to cooperate with recesses or complementary shoulders of the bracket 5).

Advantageously, the pivoting axis X' of the elongated force transmission bracket 5 and the pivoting axis X of the actuation rocker 2 are coplanar, preferably parallel to each other, and said elongated bracket 5 is permanently cinematically engaged at one end 5' with said actuation rocker 2, in one or a first direction of rotation, or physically linked to it, the other end 5" of said elongated bracket 5 being provided with clipping means 6 able to cooperate with complementary means 7 of said actuation rocker 2 to cinematically subject it to the latter in the opposite or second direction of rotation, whereby providing a rigid rotational linkage between said bracket 5 and said rocker 2 in both direction of rotation of said bracket 5.

The functioning of the device 1 is better understood by comparing figures 2A and 2B to figures 2C and 2D (or similarly figures 4A and 4B to figures 4C and 4D).

When considering figure 2A (or 4A), one can see that the beam like bracket 5 is only positively and rigidly driven by the rocker head 2' in figure 2A (or 4A) when the transverse lateral wall portion 9" presses on the end portion 5' of the bracket 5, i.e. in one direction of rotation.

More precisely, when said retention means 10' is cooperating with the hinged assembly between head portion 2' and bracket 5, this latter is maintained within the head portion 2' in a loose way, i.e. with a limited freedom of movement around the axis X' of the hinged assembly, when the means 6 and 7 are not mutually engaged (figures 2A and 2B - figures 4A and 4B).

This disposition allows to absorb the possible action of the compression means 4 when the rocker 2 is pivoted in its position in which it comes into bearing contact or abutment on said spring 4 (figure 2B or figure 4B). Indeed, the bracket 5 then freely swivels around axis X' without transmitting any pressure force to the head portion 2' (which would urge the rocker 2 back into its position of figure 2A or 4A).

Once the complementary snap fitting linking means 6 and 7 are mutually engaged, the bracket 5 is rotationally rigidly subjected or linked to the rocker 2 and then transmits the pressure force through the bracket 5 to the head portion 2' when said bracket 5 comes into bearing contact on said spring 4 (figure 2D or 4D).

As it is apparent on the enclosed figures, the top part of the compression spring 4 extends freely into the chamber 9' of the head portion 2', its end portion only engaging bracket 5.

In order to avoid an accidental engagement or disengagement of the complementary means 6, 7 of the snap-fitting assembly, during the use of the device 1 after installation and function setting, the invention may provide that the press button or cover plate 8 is mounted on the head portion 2' with a given distance to the force transmission means 5, in particular by providing lateral walls 9 having a sufficient height, with regard to said means 5, so as to prevent any contact between said button or plate 8 and said force transmission means 5, in particular when said button or plate 8 is moved by a user (plate 8 is only in contact with the walls 9 of head 2).

Furthermore, in order to prevent any non wanted resetting of the device 1 (from a planned function into an unplanned function), during manipulation and/or installation of said device 1 on the site, in particular during test operations needing actuation of the rocker 2 by the installer, it can be foreseen that the chamber 9' defined by the lateral walls 9 and lodging the force transmission means 5 has a top access passage or opening which is designed, in relation to shape and dimensions, so as to prevent the accidental use, or engagement with the actuation means 2, of said force transmission means 5, when the head portion 2' is contacted or moved by the user or installer, even without the button or plate 8 mounted on it.

In particular, the elongated gap between the two longitudinal walls 9 has a width limited to a fraction (for example 2/3 or 1/2) of the width of a human finger (preferably the thumb or the index).

So as to allow the setting of the device 1 into push-button function, a slot or cross-shaped recess 17 can be arranged in the bracket 5 in its corresponding end 5" for the tip of a screwdriver.

The snap-fitting engagement between 6' and 7 may be released by acting on wing 6.

According to a practical embodiment of the invention, the compression spring 4 forming the elastic force generating means presses against the elongated bracket 5 between its swivelling axis towards the actuation rocker 2 and its end 5" provided with clipping means 6, the pushing force of said compression spring 4 generating a torque directed in the opposite or second direction of rotation of said bracket 5.

As can be seen on figures 1, 4 and 7, the pivoting axis X' is advantageously shifted closely towards the end of the chamber 9' opposite the site 7.

Concerning the snap fit assembly, two practical alternate constructions are possible, one being shown on figures 1 and 2 and the other one being shown on figures 3 to 7.

Thus, the invention can provide that the clipping means 6 of said elongated bracket 5 or the complementary site 7 of the head portion 2' consist of an elastically deformable wing or flange part provided with hooking or notching means designed to come into engagement with the other component of the dual clipping arrangement 6, 7, in the form of a shoulder, a cut-out or an opening, and that said elongated bracket 5 also comprises a nipple, a chuck or a similar nesting formation 11 cooperating with the compression spring 4.

In the embodiment shown on figures 1 and 2, the beam like bracket 5 is made as a separate part.

Nevertheless, in order to facilitate the production and to reduce the costs, it can be envisaged, as shown on figures 3 to 7, that the actuation rocker 2 and the elongated bracket 5 are a single piece, preferably a single molded piece of plastic material, the elongated bracket 5 being linked through at least one foldable material bridge 14 to the head portion 2', opposite the means 7 intended to cooperate with the clipping means 6 of said bracket 5.

Advantageously, the elongated bracket 5 is formed with an integral trunnion 15 able to cooperate with bearing means 10 provided in the head portion 2' in order to constitute a swivelling or pivot link between said head portion 2' and said bracket 5.

In both illustrated embodiments, the device 1 comprises a housing 13 lodging at least one, preferably at least two set(s) of components incorporating each an actuation rocker 2 with an elongated force transmission bracket 5, a selective electrical connection element 3 and an elastic force generating means 4.

The rockers 2 are mounted in a swively manner on a platform 13' provided with support brackets 16 and forming a closing cover for the insulated electrical part of the device 1.

Said platform 13' also incorporates the mounting sites 12. Preferably, each elastic force generating means 4 is maintained uncompressed or under slight compression within a corresponding mounting site 12 arranged in said device 1 (connexion element 3).

The present invention is, of course, not limited to the preferred embodiments described and represented herein, changes can be made or equivalents used without departing from the scope of the claims.