Reciprocating Contact Patents (Class 200/16R)
  • Patent number: 4918264
    Abstract: A switching device comprising a rubber switch, an operating member displaceable between at least two operative positions and a neutral position, and a cooperating member shiftable between the at least two cooperative positions and neutral position in response to displacement of the operating member. The operating member and the cooperating member are held in their neutral position due to the resilience of the rubber switch, while one contact is brought into engagement with a corresponding conductive element in the rubber switch when the corresponding cooperating member is shifted to one of the cooperative positions in response to the displacement of the operating member against the resilience of the rubber switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Masato Yamamoto, Masahiro Nakajima, Toshimasa Yamanaka, Kouji Satou
  • Patent number: 4871885
    Abstract: The on-off operation of the switch as the slide switch is effected by moving the operating knob in the first horizontal direction, namely, the X-direction to move the slider A together with the slider B in the same direction and thereby sliding the first contactor in the X-direction on an associated pattern formed on a switch board. On the other hand, the on-off operation of the switch as the push switch is effected by pushing the operating knob in the second horizontal direction, namely, the Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction to engage the cam M of the slider A with the engageable portion of the slider C and move the slider C in the Z-direction perpendicular to the Y-direction against the biasing force of the second spring, and thereby sliding the second contactor in the Z-direction on an associated pattern on the switch board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soetsu Kamada
  • Patent number: 4871893
    Abstract: A slide-type switch for controlling electrical output to a light or motor. The switch includes a printed circuit board having a sliding variable resistor mounted thereon. When the variable resistor is adjusted for minimum current flow, the slide on the variable resistor comes into contact with an actuator arm also mounted on the printed circuit board. The actuator arm then becomes detached from a butt contact, breaking the circuit. A novel knob arrangement is also disclosed for use with standard all face plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Lightolier, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Slovak, Raymond T. Griffin, Steven R. Carson
  • Patent number: 4857678
    Abstract: A housing has flat terminals, such as traces on a circuit board, along a flat side. A contact carrier having first and second contacts mounted on it is slidable in the housing so that the contacts may slide along the traces in a first direction. First spring blades bias the first contacts against the traces while a second spring blade biases a pivotable member holding the second contacts away from the traces. A plunger mounted on and slidable with the carrier includes a ramp which forces the pivotable member towards the traces when the plunger is depressed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to cause the second contacts to contact the traces. The carrier comprises two body portions which are held together with a tongue in groove, snap-in latch system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ellis P. Lipp
  • Patent number: 4822961
    Abstract: A soft break switch for forming a short circuit between two conductors while the switch is in a closed position, for forming an increasingly resistive circuit between the conductors while the switch is being moved to an open position, and for forming an open circuit between the conductors when the switch is in an open position. The resistive circuit enhances arc suppression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventors: Peter E. Hugin, Ted N. Tilman
  • Patent number: 4816662
    Abstract: A remote control switch for posture adjustment of automotive mirrors comprises plural fixed contact groups each having a first to third fixed contacts formed on both sides of a substrate and plural pairs of moving contacts disposed corresponding to the fixed contact groups, respectively. Each of the moving contact pairs consists of two electrically-conductive rolling elements movable on the substrate while being so kept by slidable actuating members disposed correspondingly to each moving contact pair. Each of the actuating members are forced by a resilient member disposed correspondingly to the actuating member in a direction where each moving contact pair takes a first contact position in which it is put into contact with the first and second fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited
    Inventor: Tatsuo Kyoden
  • Patent number: 4742188
    Abstract: A sliding electrical control provides a method for controlling the power to electrical systems, such as lamps, motors, etc. from more than one location. The control is designed to be mounted on one side of a plate and operated from the other side. It thus permits a slide for operating the control to be mounted closer to a wall than was possible before. In a preferred embodiment, the control includes a biasing spring, which reduces any tendency to rock, rather than slide, when the motion of the slide is begun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Buehler, Michael J. Rowen
  • Patent number: 4731509
    Abstract: A multi-slider electrical assembly includes a plurality of electrical devices slidable on conductive patterns printed on a single substrate structure. The substrate structure consists of a first insulative film having the conductive patterns printed on its surface and a second insulative film having lead ciricuit patterns so that the patterns are heat-sealed at their opposed connection lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 4725808
    Abstract: A switching device has employed a linearly operating variable resistor in place of the rotatively operating variable resistor. The switching device comprises a guide shaft and an operating knob rotatably slidably mounted thereon. The knob has an actuating arm extending from the guide shaft which mates with a longitudinal groove of a contact holder. The contact holder is movable between a first and second position by rotation of the operating knob about the guide shaft. An operating element linearly movable relative to the axis of the guide shaft, is mated with the operating knob to move the operating element to selectively adjust the variable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yukio Mizuta
  • Patent number: 4716263
    Abstract: A rotary switch comprises a rotary member with a flexible conducting bridging element which may be rotated to aligned position with a selective one of contact pairs angularly arranged on a stationary member. A slider is arranged on the rotary member for reciprocating movement to engage and disengage the bridging element with the contact pair in the aligned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Inventor: Karel Havel
  • Patent number: 4703712
    Abstract: A manual selector includes a frame fixedly seated on a base forming oppositely opening internal grooves. A slide is slideable lengthwise in the grooves between discrete selective positions. A position identifying colored surface of the base is visible through a slot in the top of the frame for distinguishing between the selector positions. The slide includes a plurality of feet at opposite sides of the slide. The feet contact the colored base surface only at the opposite margins of the surface. A slide-locating assembly includes an interengageable member carried by the slide and a plurality of cooperating interengageable members carried by the frame. The engagement of the slide interengageable member with one of the frame interengageable members defines one of plurality of selective positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: Marvin Christman
  • Patent number: 4659882
    Abstract: A slide switch comprising a slidable knob having a slanting surface formed in its inside, a holder arranged to be moved by the slanting surface in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the knob, an insulator plate disposed in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the holder and provided with fixed contacts on the holder side, a first elastic body disposed on the insulator plate and provided with an opening portion widely opened toward the insulator plate and with a movable contact on an inner surface opposite to the fixed contacts, and a second elastic body interposed between the holder and the first elastic body and having an elastic modulus larger than that of the first elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Hayashi, Masayosi Iwata, Mikio Tada, Hirotoshi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 4658101
    Abstract: A switch section of a sliding-type DIP switch includes a slider and a pair of opposing contacts each consisting of a resilient metal plate member and having a V-shaped urged portion and a linear portion connected to the urged portion. When the slider is slid, each opposing side wall thereof presses the distal end of the respective urge portion of one contact into contact with the linear portion of the other contact to achieve a reliable electrical switching action. A number of these contact pairs are integrated with the bottom portion of a housing by insert molding to facilitate fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Akimoto, Akio Kai, Masao Kobayashi, Haruo Itoh
  • Patent number: 4639566
    Abstract: A miniature screw switch assembly is provided with side extending leads that are spaced apart at DIP standard distances. Each segment of the segmented body, which facilitates separation into individual switches, is molded around a pair of opposed, lead contact portions. A socket is provided in the segment between the contact portions for receiving a headed screw forming a bridging member between the two pole forming contact portions. Central portions of the leads extend substantially perpendicular from the body and segment sides and are bent downwardly at right angles to terminate in end portions. The end portions are intended to be inserted in through openings in printed circuit boards or surface-mounted on printed circuit boards. The disclosed assembly facilitates automatic manufacture, carrying to circuit board assembliers and insertion or surface-mounting on circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Abbott-Interfast Corporation
    Inventor: Lon DeHaitre
  • Patent number: 4612423
    Abstract: A line switch for twin-wire cable comprises a switch housing of one-piece clamshell-type construction, a pair of terminals mounted within the housing, a leaf spring having a pair of movable contact portions within the housing, and an armature for moving the movable contact portions between a closed and an open position. A cover portion and a body portion of the switch housing are hinged together along a common longitudinal edge which serves as a living hinge. The housing has a channel in which an open elongated electrical wire is laid, and a piercing projection integral with a stationary contact portion of the terminals is operative to pierce through and electromechanically engage the open wire when the cover portion is pivoted to close the body portion in an assembled position. Snap-action legs maintain the cover and body portions in the assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Eagle Electric Mfg. Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Munroe
  • Patent number: 4590338
    Abstract: A switch for adjustably tilting a mirror member of each of a pair of right and left outer mirrors of a motor vehicle in upward, downward, rightward and leftward directions. The switch includes a switch casing, a changeover switch for selecting one of the outer mirrors and an operating switch for adjustably tilting the mirror member of the selected one of the outer mirrors such that a changeover switch knob of the changeover switch is movably tilted in an opening formed at a central portion of an operating switch knob of the operating switch. The operating switch knob is formed with an inner peripheral face and an outer peripheral face such that a lower end of the inner peripheral face is disposed more adjacent to a bottom wall of the switch casing than that of the outer peripheral face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4588877
    Abstract: A thin type push-button switch of momentary operation, comprising a movable contact piece which includes an inversion portion and arms formed in a manner to hold the inversion portion therebetween. The inversion portion is formed with a movable contact portion having tongues, and is integrally formed of a resilient metal sheet. A case includes a groove held in engagement with one of the arms and stationary contacts are fixed within the case. A slider includes a push-button portion and a groove held in engagement with the other arm and is slidable with respect to the case. When the push-button portion is depressed, the inversion portion of the movable contact piece is inverted to electrically connect the movable contact portion and the stationary contacts. When the depressing force is released, the inversion portion is restored by the resiliency of the movable contact piece, to disconnect the movable contact portion and the stationary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Mizuta, Shiro Kondo, Michitada Akazawa
  • Patent number: 4539446
    Abstract: A slide action electrical switch, comprising a casing, a carriage mounted in the casing for sliding movement along a predetermined path, an electrically conductive contactor mounted on the carriage, electrical contact means on the casing and selectively engageable by the contactor during movement thereof with the carriage along the path, such casing having a front wall with a rearwardly facing surface along which the carriage is slidable, such casing having a slot extending through the front wall and generally parallel with such path of the carriage, and an operating member slidable along the front surface of the front wall, such operating member comprising a rearwardly extending portion including a pair of prongs extending through and slidable along the slot, such carriage having a retaining slot for receiving the prongs, such prongs being flexible and resilient and having rear end portions with ratchet teeth thereon for deflecting the prongs toward each other as they are inserted through the retaining slot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Indak Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Raab, Albert R. Cobb, III
  • Patent number: 4531030
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises an electrical contact assembly which includes a dielectric frame in which a series of aligned stationary contact members are disposed. Electrical contact sections of the stationary contact members are exposed in recesses in a top surface of the dielectric frame. A movable electrical contact member is pivotally mounted on one of the contact sections in each of the recesses to electrically connect the stationary contact sections in one position and to disconnect the contact sections in another position. A housing is latchably secured onto the dielectric frame and has linearly-movable actuating members mounted therein in operative association with respective movable contact members. Each of the linearly-movable actuating members comprises a slide member in which a spring is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: David J. Gingerich, William H. Rose, David W. Rupnik, David T. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4529851
    Abstract: A machine insertable miniature DIP switch (10) comprises a housing (12) insert molded about a plurality of terminals (40). The terminals (40) are oppositely disposed pairs having interior portions (44) located within housing chambers (30) formed by transversely extending walls (20), with the ends of the pairs of terminals separated by an open area (A) comprising a depression. An actuator (60) includes an upward extension (64) above a top plate (62) with a contactor receptacle (66) located therebelow, a depending detent wall (68) with a detent protrusion (70) on one side of the actuator, and an oppositely disposed depending actuator side wall (72). The detent protrusion (70) is received by detent openings (22) within the associated transverse wall (20), top plate extensions (63) are positioned over the associated transverse wall, and the oppositely disposed actuator side wall (72) is positioned for engagement with a shelf (24) located in the associated transverse wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Durward H. Priebe, Norman C. Weingart, John Zdanys, Jr., Jack A. English
  • Patent number: 4525607
    Abstract: A simplified electric switch is disclosed which includes: an insulating base (3) which may include an electronic circuit and printed circuit board, a switch cover (4) mounted on the base; terminals (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) disposed on the base, internal lead wires (16a, 16b, 17a, 17b) opposed to each other and connected to the terminals, a rocking type movable contact element (6) in the form of an electrically conductive plate and a push member (7) which may be a slide member, toggle member, or rotary member. The movable contact element has a gently curved belly portion (15), reversely bent shoulder portions (14) on opposite sides of the belly portion, and polygonal pyramidal shaped contact ends (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). The belly portion is centrally provided with a projection (12). The movable contact element is mounted on the insulating base and rocks about the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: Yasutaka Senoh
  • Patent number: 4507627
    Abstract: A CATV system comprises two coaxial cables (11, 12) for transmitting information obtained from a center unit, a slide switch (1), and a CATV converter (30). As a slider (73) of the slide switch is slided in one direction with the same in contact with a common contact (101) connected to the CATV converter, the slider is placed in contact with a first fixed contact (104) connected to one coaxial cable while a first terminating contact (110) connected to a first terminating resistor (13) is separated from the first fixed contact. When the slider is slided in the other direction, the slider is placed in contact with a second fixed contact (107) connected to the other coaxial cable, while a second terminating contact (111) connected to the second terminating resistor (14) is separated from the second fixed contact. Accordingly, each of the coaxial cables is not opened through selection of the slide switch, whereby mixing of an image is prevented from occurring due to mismatching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Ito, Bunjiro Murata, Kazunori Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 4506118
    Abstract: A multiple position switch includes a housing containing a plurality of membrane switches located in a predetermined pattern. A spring-based, normally centered actuator is mounted in the housing for selective movement to actuate one of the switches. A finder plate is attached to the housing and has a notched circular opening in alignment with the plurality of switches. The actuator is guided to a selective switch location by its engagement with one of the finder plate notches when the actuator is moved in close proximity to a selective switch location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Walter G. Mollman
  • Patent number: 4497983
    Abstract: A hook switch comprises a dielectric base member having series of stationary electrical contact members secured in aligned rows therein; the contact members in one row are offset with respect to the contact members in the other row and they include V-shaped contact sections and terminal sections. A dielectric cover member is latchably secured onto the base member. A movable contact assembly mounted in the cover member includes an operating member and a contact-carrying member. The operating member is linearly movable within an opening in the cover member from a normally inoperative position to an operative position against spring members extending betweeen the operating member and the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael D. Galloway, David J. Gingerich, David T. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 4496806
    Abstract: A high frequency R-F switch includes a switch body or housing made from a conductive material or a non-conductive resin having a conductive layer plated on the body surfaces. The switching device includes a first external connector, a first conductor having a switching contact member connected to the first external connector for switching a connection with the switch contact member. A conductive housing supports the first conductor, a second external connector and second conductor. The switch body or housing is in electrical connection with the second external conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Kozo Maenishi, Masaaki Adachi, Yoshihide Bando
  • Patent number: 4475020
    Abstract: An operating device for switching a slide switch by moving a slide member of the slide switch in response to movement of an operating member includes an acting member which is provided on the operating member, is engageable with the slide member, and is movable against elastic force of an elastic member. The elastic force is slightly larger than the force necessary for slidable movement of the slide member and the stroke of the operating member is larger than that of the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Takai, Yasuo Yamada, Satoshi Takagi, Yukio Itoh
  • Patent number: 4467159
    Abstract: A selectively lockable push switch adapted to be turned on in a multistage manner, including a casing, a holder movable together with a knob projecting out of a through-opening of the casing, a compression spring for urging the holder upwardly, an uneven portion formed on either one of the holder and the casing, a coiled spring provided with a lever member having an engageable portion formed at its one end such that the engageable portion is moved along a grooved displacement passage formed on the uneven portion in response to upward and downward displacement of the holder, and switch means selectively turned on in the multistage manner in response to displacement of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ota, Mitsuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4454391
    Abstract: An electrical switch of the dual-in-line package type comprises a dielectric housing having a recess in a top surface thereof. Stationary electrical contact members are sealingly secured in the housing at spaced intervals along opposed sides of the housing as opposed pairs of contact members. Inner contact sections of the contact members are located within the recess and outer contact sections of the contact members extend outwardly from the housing. Bow-shaped movable contact members are secured to dielectric operating members for electrically connecting respective pairs of contact members in a first position and for disconnecting the pairs of contact members in a second position. A cover member is sealingly secured onto the top surface of the housing and openings extend through the cover member. An operating section of the operating members extends through a respective one of the openings and the operating members include flexible cover sections covering the movable contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Billy E. Olsson
  • Patent number: 4446342
    Abstract: The present invention provides low cost electrical switch assemblies. The switch assembly comprises an array of resiliently flexible metallic conductors arranged in predetermined circuit pathways on a dielectric carrier panel. A plurality of apertures or cavities are provided at predetermined locations in the carrier panel. The switch contacts comprise a pair of generally L-shaped fingers which are integral extensions of the flexible conductors. The fingers extend cantilevered from opposite edge surfaces of the carrier panel defining an associated aperture or cavity, to beyond the geometric center of the said associated aperture or cavity, with the free ends of the fingers terminating adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Advanced Circuit Technology
    Inventor: Joseph A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4441000
    Abstract: A slide switch mechanism having a guide member and a slide member slidable along the guide member, in which the mutually contacting faces of the members have projections or recesses for mutual positioning of the member. The slide member can also be assembled in a reversed manner in the guide member, and at least one of the faces coming into contact in such inverted assembly of the slide member has additional projections or recesses so that the slide member can have different positions from those in the normal assembly of the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaname Suwa
  • Patent number: 4429202
    Abstract: A switch actuator mechanism including a slider which can execute movement in steps along a linear track, the step-wise movement being governed by the interaction of a pair of cam-followers, carried by the slider, with respective cam-surfaces disposed alongside the track, one to either side thereof. The cam-followers are resiliently urged into contact with their respective cam surfaces and permit the slider to assume, alternately, stable and unstable conditions at locations disposed in series along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Thorn EMI Instruments Limited
    Inventors: David C. Tedd, Kenneth Gatland
  • Patent number: 4426559
    Abstract: Disclosed is a two-motion push-button switch comprising first and second switch portions, each including a movable contact piece 4 formed of a thin elastic metal plate, which has a reversing portion 4b provided with a movable contact portion and arms 4a and 4a' formed to grip the reversing portion therebetween, an auxiliary spring 9 or 9' to be engaged with said arms and a fixed contact portion 2a or 3a formed at a position confronting the movable contact portion in a case 1 or 6, wherein the movable contact pieces are reversed by one slider 5 dismountably disposed in the case to drive said two switch portions and the reversing force by the movable contact piece and auxiliary spring constituting the first switch portion is different from the reversing force by the movable contact piece and auxiliary spring constituting the second switch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Kondo, Ken Mizuta
  • Patent number: 4412108
    Abstract: A rocker-actuating mechanism comprises a housing having top and sides with openings in the sides that extend part way into the top. A bottom member is latchably secured to the housing. A rocker member is rockably mounted in the housing and includes pie-shaped members extending outwardly from the sides of the rocker member with apexes of the pie-shaped members and an apex of a top surface of the rocker member engaging the inside surface of the top of the housing thereby defining a pivot about which the rocker member rocks. Arcuate surfaces of the pie-shaped members are for engaging the bottom member when the rocker member is moved. Actuating arms extend outwardly from the rocker member and are disposed in the openings for actuating the rocker member. A spring-biased button is disposed in a cavity of the rocker member and moves along the bottom member. Stop surfaces on the rocker member engage the inside top surface of the housing to limit movement of the rocker member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Patrick R. McCarty
  • Patent number: 4403126
    Abstract: A screw-switch assembly for use in place of present Dual-Inline-Package (DIP) slide-or snap-action switch assemblies is disclosed. An insulative body is molded to form a strip of joined segments arranged side-by-side, each segment constituting a single, independent switch having two poles and a single bridging contact member in the form of a screw head. The segments provide two passageways opening to both the top surface and the bottom surface of the segment and a socket opening to at least the top surface of the segment adjacent alternating passageways in sequential segments. A headed stake is inserted through the passageway of each segment adjacent the socket and a bent stake is inserted through the other passageway of each segment. The top portions of the stakes of each segment are formed to provide electrical contact surfaces adjacent the socket of that segment. The bottom portions of the stakes extend beyond the bottom surface of the segment for mounting in a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Abbott-Interfast Corporation
    Inventor: Lon DeHaitre
  • Patent number: 4398070
    Abstract: Disclosed is a two-motion push-button switch which comprises first and second switch portions, each switch portion including a movable contact piece 4 or 6 formed of an elastic thin metal plate and having a reversing portion provided with a movable contact portion and arms formed to grip the reversing portion therebetween and fixed contact portions 2a,3a or 8a,9a formed in a case 1 or 7 at the position confronting said movable contact portion, and one slider 5 slidably arranged in the case, wherein the movable contact pieces are reversed by said slider to drive said two switch portions so that the reversing force of the moving contact piece of the first switch portion is made different from that of the movable contact piece of the second switch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Kondo, Ken Mizuta
  • Patent number: 4395609
    Abstract: A linear motion switch assembly suitable for a set switch of a vehicle automatic speed control contains two cam operated switches which are actuated in a specific sequence, i.e. the first switch and then the second switch is actuated upon the movement of the actuator in one direction and then the first switch and then the second switch is actuated during the opposite direction of movement of the actuator. To accomplish this, a cam fixed on the actuator operates one of the switches but a second cam connected to the actuator by a lost motion connection operates the second switch. The actuator is a reciprocating element guided along a guideway molded in the switch housing and the switch elements comprise a leaf spring fixed at one end to a circuit board and the other end free to move toward or from a stationary contact also on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Sowash
  • Patent number: 4392031
    Abstract: A dual in-line package miniature electrical switch module has its active members, the contact members and sliding actuators, mounted on a unitary frame member to minimize misalignment problems. The cover serves primarily a protective function. The contacts have integral terminal pins and clamp to an edge of the frame to simplify assembly. A substrate having an electrical circuit pattern applied on one or both major surfaces can be contacted and clamped by the contact members against the bottom of the frame to form an integral switch and circuit module, such as an attenuator switch. Two or more sliding actuators may be rigidly interconnected to form a gang unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: Hazen Curtis, III
  • Patent number: 4376234
    Abstract: A miniature switch adapted for printed circuit board mounting has a plurality of switch sections in a rectangular housing constructed of insulating material. Terminal leads project from opposite side walls of the housing and a pocket within the housing has a plurality of springy bridge-like slide contacts which are selectively movable into contact with contact surfaces formed by extensions of the respective terminal leads. The housing includes a base and a cover portion, and the slide contact is biased against the contact surfaces when the cover is placed on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Inventors: James P. Liataud, David L. Maloney
  • Patent number: 4367379
    Abstract: Multiple-circuit switch with selective operation, especially applicable to automotive vehicles, consisting of a chassis with a dentate configuration on its upper part, inside of which is housed a pin-bearing part and above it a cam-bearing part, and above the latter another part having a cross-section in the shape of a crown with a dentate configuration on its upper part linked to an operating lever ending in a fork so that the angular movements of the lever bring about longitudinal movements of the cam-bearing part and with it the crown part. There are contacts between the dentate surfaces which will bring about successive retentions of the movements, pushing downward the cam-bearing part in a successive and selective fashion, resulting in downward motion of some pins inserted in the pin-bearing part, the pins acting on contact plates in order to activate distinct associated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Disyuntor-Regulador A.S.D.,S.A.
    Inventor: Eduardo S. Tome
  • Patent number: 4366351
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an improved miniature electrical slide switch and method of mounting the same and, more particularly, to such a switch which has a flush through design and a self-adjusting contact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: RE-AL, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert F. Ditzig
  • Patent number: 4358646
    Abstract: A mechanical slide selector switch assembly, or the like, is provided which includes a plurality of multi-contact switches mounted in side-by-side relationship, and which also includes a slidable actuator mounted in transverse relationship with the switches for successively actuating the switches as the actuator is moved back and forth along a rectilinear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: T.A.D. Avanti, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur T. Martinez
  • Patent number: 4354069
    Abstract: A push-pull switch unit includes a rectangular casing having a threaded mounted hub to clamp the casing to a support wall. The casing has a flat contact wall and an opposed flat latch wall. At least one pair of electrical contacts are secured to the contact wall in selected spaced relation to each other. A contact roller is mounted in a movable carrier within the housing adjacent the contact wall. A latch roller is also mounted in the opposite wall of the carrier in alignment with said contact roller. Springs urge the contact roller and the latch roller outwardly into engagement with the adjacent opposed walls. The opposite flat casing wall includes latch recesses into which the latch roller moves to hold said carrier in position. A push-pull operating rod is secured to the carrier for positioning thereof. The carrier includes an opening in the front wall having an outwardly extending slot defining a resiliently movable opening wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Clum Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Ragen
  • Patent number: 4352964
    Abstract: A miniature insert molded slide (10) or rocker (12) switch assembly is designed for machine insertion on printed circuit boards. A metallic strip (90) is blanked to form pairs of oppositely disposed terminals (22) still attached to the carrier strip (92). The insert-molding operation forms a box-like housing (14) about the terminals (22) on the strip (90), each pair of terminals (22) being embedded in the base (16) of said housing (14). During the insert-molding operation, the die forms the terminal head (28) of each terminal (22). The housing-terminals construction is utilized for both the slide (10) and rocker (12) switch assemblies. The slide switch assembly (10) includes an actuator (40) having a double cantilevered resilient contactor (50) entrapped in a through opening (48) in the actuator (40), the contactor (50) having a depending arcuately shaped contactor head (54) for engaging and disengaging the terminal heads (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Jack A. English
  • Patent number: 4348559
    Abstract: A switch using one or more flexible circuit members provides for rolling contact between circuit members. One circuit member is attached to and wraps round a roller, and the other circuit member, which may be flexible or rigid is supported so that as the roller rotates it rolls, the circuit member attached to the roller changing its contact position with the other circuit member. Conductive patterns on the circuit members are moved into contact and out of contact with each other and can provide varying forms of switching arrangements, for example, normally made to break, normally broken to make, and transfer. Electronic devices can be mounted on either or both circuit members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Pak-Jong Chu
  • Patent number: 4331844
    Abstract: An electric switch device, particularly for toys, has contacts for closing and opening an electric circuit, and a switch button element which is movable between a first position in which it does not act on the contacts so that the latter opens the electric circuit, a second position in which a user applies a pressure to the button element and the latter acts on the contact so that the latter closes the electric circuit, but after removal of the user's pressure the button element returns to the first position, and a third position in which the button element acts on the contacts even after removal of the user's pressure so that the contacts keep the electric circuit closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Inventor: Shigeru Saitoh
  • Patent number: 4326110
    Abstract: A preprogrammed slide switch assembly (10) is provided for the simultaneous opening or closing of a series of switches disposed within a housing (12). A slider (60) having a grip (66) extending through an longitudinal opening (14) in the housing (12), has a plurality of contactor bars (54) attached thereto and extending laterally, each in a predetermined direction. A two part base (22) has each part (24, 26) molded about a plurality of terminals (28) so that when the parts (24, 26) are coupled together, pairs of oppositely disposed terminals (28) will each be positioned for engagement with a respective one of the lateral contactor bars (54). The lateral contactor bars (54) engage either one or both of the terminals (28) of the respective set of terminals in one of two transverse positions of the slider (60), and in a predetermined pattern of open and closed switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: John Zdanys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4324956
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid-proof slide switch having at least a pair of contacts contained in a housing, and a horizontally movable slider for electrical connection or disconnection of the contacts.A flexible sealing member is placed between the slider and contacts to form a fluid-proof chamber containing the contacts. The sealing member is deformed in response to the movement of said slider to make the electrical connection or disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakakino, Hiroyoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 4319100
    Abstract: A slide switch construction including two spaced-apart stationary contacts and a free-ended serpentine shaped leaf spring bridging contactor which undergoes both a rocking and sliding motion in making/breaking bridging contact across the stationary contacts. The slide actuator includes camming surfaces which in addition to urging the bridging contactor into the make/break position, coacts therewith to provide a detent holding of the switch in the "on" and "off" position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: AMF Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexander Tallody
  • Patent number: 4316067
    Abstract: A slide switch intended for mounting on a circuit board to switch terminal pads on the board comprises a channel-shaped sheet metal switch housing, an insulating slide member captured between the sidewalls of the housing, and switch contact members mounted on the outwardly facing surface of the slide member. When the switch is mounted on the circuit board, the switch contact members contact the terminal pads on the circuit board. Retaining means and detent means for the slide member are formed from the sidewalls of the sheet metal housing. Switches can be produced in strip form with the switch housings integral with, and extending laterally from, a continuous carrier strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert N. Whiteman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4311884
    Abstract: A miniature switch assembly of dual-in-line configuration having a plurality of switching chambers, each of the switching chambers having at least a pair of terminal lands disposed therein. Each switching chamber is sealed by means of an electrically-insulative, elastic membrane and has an electrically-conductive contact within each chamber disposed closely adjacent the membrane. The contact is permitted to float within its respective chamber and is adapted to interconnect one of the pair of contact lands with the other of the pair of contact lands by means of an actuator which flexes the membrane from outside of the chamber without extending through the membrane. An actuator of a rocker-type is retained in either an OFF or an ON position by means of a bezel which engages a detent on the upper surface of the actuator. The membrane and contact together bias the actuator in a desired operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Assignee: C & K Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Henley, Blake W. Reynolds