US 8,330,638 · Granted 2012-12-11
Lutron's Clip-Anywhere Remote That Fits Every Home's Style
Imagine a wireless remote control small enough to slip into any light-switch faceplate opening, but also tough enough to clip to your car visor, hang from a lanyard, or sit on a table. Lutron patented the idea of making one remote that works everywhere in your home with multiple ways to attach it.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a wireless remote control device designed to fit snugly inside a standard electrical faceplate opening, powered by an internal battery and equipped with a radio transmitter to control lights or dimming systems. What's protected here is the specific size and shape that allows the housing to slide into existing switch openings, plus the combination of multiple mounting options—lanyard loops, clip mechanisms, wall-mounting hardware, and flat-base designs—all integrated into a single device.
Why it matters
Lutron is a major player in home automation and lighting control, and this patent reflects a key practical advantage: instead of forcing customers to buy different remotes for different rooms or situations, one compact device works anywhere. By patenting the ability to fit standard faceplate openings while offering multiple attachment methods, Lutron protected a design approach that made wireless lighting control feel seamless and flexible rather than clunky. This kind of user-centric design innovation in home automation has helped establish their brand as both functional and versatile.
Real-world use
When you grab a Lutron wireless dimmer remote from your nightstand, clip it to your sun visor while driving, or mount it permanently next to your entryway, you're using a device engineered to this patent's flexibility specs.
Original USPTO abstract
A remote control for a wireless load control system comprises a housing having a length and a width slightly smaller than the length and the width of an opening of a standard faceplate, respectively, such that the housing is adapted to be received within the opening of the standard faceplate. The remote control comprises a controller, a radio-frequency transmitter coupled to the controller, and a battery coupled to provide power to the controller and the radio-frequency transmitter, which are all contained within the housing. The remote control may be provided with multiple mounting means. For example, the remote control may be coupled to a lanyard, clipped to a car visor, rested on a table top, or mounted to a wall.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 8,330,638
- Filing date
- 2009-03-06
- Grant date
- 2012-12-11
- Assignee
- Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
- Inventor(s)
- ALTONEN GREGORY, FELEGY, JR. EDWARD M., JACOBY ELLIOT G., SNYDER GREGORY M.
- CPC class
- H01H9/025
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