Combined Pivoted And Reciprocating Contact Patents (Class 200/4)
  • Patent number: 4204099
    Abstract: An electrical switch of the kind wherein an operating lever is movable relative to the fixed body of the switch in whole or in part in different modes to operate contacts of the switch. The switch includes a contact carrier which is supported on the fixed body for movement relative thereto in a first plane between first and second positions. A movable contact member is supported by the carrier, but is movable relative to the carrier between first and second positions. First and second fixed electrical contacts are engageable by the contact member in the first position of the contact member while the contact carrier occupies its first position, and third and fourth fixed electrical contacts are spaced from the first and second fixed electrical contacts in the direction of movement of the contact carrier. The third and fourth fixed contacts are engageable by the movable contact member while the contact member is in its first position but with the carrier in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Edward Cryer
  • Patent number: 4191866
    Abstract: A three-function single-lever switch for a motorcycle which includes two mutually pivoted mounts and a slider on one of the mounts, whereby the slider is rotatable around two axes and slidable on a third, whereby selectively to make three possible circuit connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Nakajima, Kyoshi Sato, Toshimitsu Iio, Atsushi Kanda
  • Patent number: 4186284
    Abstract: An electrical switch construction having two pairs of cooperable contacts each pair of which is adapted to be opened and closed independently of the other pair, a single manipulator being carried by the construction and being operatively associated with the pairs of contacts to operate either pair independently of the other pair by a cam member carried by the manipulator and having a generally rectangular profile defined by two right angle corners and two rounded corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Robert Strachan
  • Patent number: 4175221
    Abstract: A selector switch for use as a pushbutton and rotary switch characterized by a rotatable switch actuator and at least two switch structures, the actuator having a shaft on which a handle is detachably mounted for operation in a plurality of modes to operate the switch structures in different combinations of open and closed conditions, the handle being detachably mounted on the shaft for rotating the cam through one limited sector thereof, and the handle being repositionable on the shaft for rotation through another limited sector thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Walter J. Kellogg
  • Patent number: 4175220
    Abstract: A rotary selector switch characterized by a rotatable switch actuator and at least two switch structures, the actuator having a shaft on which a handle is detachably mounted for operation in a plurality of modes to operate the switch structures in different combinations of open and closed conditions, the handle being detachably mounted on the shaft for rotating a cam through one limited sector thereof, the handle being repositionable on the shaft for rotation through another limited sector thereof, and the handle being rotatable between a pair of spaced ribs on the switch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Robert J. Johnston, Stephen G. Layciak, Stephen S. Dobrosielski
  • Patent number: 4164633
    Abstract: A push-pull rotary switch for controlling a plurality of lighting circuits on a motor vehicle that includes a longitudinally movable rod adapted to control at least one switch means during its longitudinal movement and an additional switch means when the rod is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Sheridan, Willard E. Graddy, Willis H. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4149048
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column switch has a direction indicator blinker light switch which includes two engagement positions and two change of lane tipping positions. The switch also is automatically readjustable such as by a head lamp low beam flasher switch. The switch includes an integral switching lever having a tubular switching arm through which electrical leads are guided. The switching lever includes a catch extension and an operating extension molded from a thermoplastic material. A removable slide is provided to facilitate assembly of the electrical leads within the switching lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Firma Leopold Kostal
    Inventors: Friedhelm Winter, Klaus Buhle, Ralf Eifer
  • Patent number: 4142076
    Abstract: An electrical switch including a body and a rotor mounted on the body for movement relative thereto about first and second spaced and generally mutually perpendicular axes. First and second fixed electrical contacts are carried by the body and are engageable by a first movable contact carried by the rotor. A plunger is movable generally parallel to the first axis by movement of the rotor about the second axis and a second movable contact carried by the plunger is engageable with a further fixed contact on the body. A conductive wire spring including a pair of resilient limbs which, in a rest position of the spring, are resiliently biassed in opposite directions respectively into engagement with the first fixed contact, has one of its limbs movable against its inherent bias by the rotor, during movement of the rotor about the first axis so as to engage the second fixed contact whereby the spring bridges the first and second fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Stephen J. Bird
  • Patent number: 4139749
    Abstract: A switch actuated by a control lever associated with a steering column for operating direction-indicating lamps, switching the headlights to low and high beam, operating the screen wiper and actuating similar functions includes a housing in which an end portion of a flexible band-type cable is fixed. The control lever is mounted in the housing for rocking about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes and actuating a pair of sliders each guided within the housing for movement along one of the axes. The band-type cable includes a plurality of printed conductors covered by an insulation. At the end portion of the cable, the conductors have exposed portions not covered by the insulation, which exposed portions form fixed contacts cooperating with movable contacts carried by the sliders. The remaining portion of the cable extends outwardly of the housing for connecting the fixed contacts to a power supply and the respective electrical devices operated by the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: Preh, Elektrofeinmechanische Werke, Jakob Preh Nachf
    Inventors: Wolfgang Scherzer, Ekkehard Woesthoff, Oswald Reuss
  • Patent number: 4135359
    Abstract: Switching functions of an electronic timepiece including switching for time amendment, are controlled by a stem which is rotatable and axially movable. When in neutral axial position, the stem is rotatable to display alternatively hours, minutes and seconds or month and date. When pulled out to its outer axial position, the stem is rotatable in one direction to select the time function (hours, minutes, month or date) to be amended and is rotatable in the opposite direction to supply pulses from a dividing circuit to the counter of the selected time function to effect the desired amendment. When pushed in to an inner axial position, the stem actuates which means to illuminate the time display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Inventor: Kenji Yajima
  • Patent number: 4129757
    Abstract: A multiposition, multicontact, hermetically-sealed electrical switch assembly includes a body, a movable element supported by the body for movement relative thereto, and first electrical contacts operable by movement of the element relative to the body. Extending from the movable element to facilitate movement of the element relative to the body is an operating lever and an operating member is carried by the lever adjacent its free end. The operating member is rotatable relative to the lever about the longitudinal axis of the free end region of the lever. A drive piece is mounted adjacent the movable element for rotation relative to the operating lever about the longitudinal axis of the region of the lever adjacent the movable element and second electrical contacts are operable by rotation of the drive piece relative to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Edward Cryer
  • Patent number: 4085301
    Abstract: A hand-held controller device including a two-piece outer housing shaped to be held in one hand of the user, an internal cylinder pivoted at one end and adapted to telescopically receive an elogated plunger from the other end, the plunger having a contact pin attached to the received end and a hand grip knob affixed to its other end. A first plurality of switch contacts are carried by the cylinder so as to engage a stationary contact in response to the pivotal positioning of the cylinder, and a second plurality of contact elements are also carried by the cylinder and engaged by the contact pin in response to the longitudinal positioning and the rotational positioning of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald A. Smith
  • Patent number: 4075593
    Abstract: A thermally actuated switch including a motive member which is adapted to move one contact either toward or away from its opposed mating contact in response to an increase or decrease in pressure in a fluid actuating heat sensing system, the fluid system translating temperature into fluid pressure. The assembly further includes a hydraulically actuated high temperature switch which is adapted to be rendered responsive to a preselected temperature, as for example, 550.degree. to 600.degree., the switch being utilized to control an external circuit, as for example, the deactivation of a door lock solenoid. The switch assembly includes two fixed contacts, the positions of which are fixed in response to the position of a cam element. A pair of mating movable contacts are controlled by a temperature responsive assembly, which temperature responsive assembly reacts in response to the sensed temperature of an oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: King-Seely Thermos Co.
    Inventor: Willi K. Beck
  • Patent number: 4064385
    Abstract: The invention is concerned with a multipoint mesh welding machine having a row of electrode holders on one side of the working plane of the mesh. The electrode holders are selectively electrically connectable to one of a number of busbars extending across the machine by individual adjustable switching members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Assignee: EVG Entwicklungs-u. Verwertungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Hans Gott, Josef Ritter, Klaus Ritter, Gerhard Ritter
  • Patent number: 4031341
    Abstract: A dual function pusher and rotate switch assembly for actuating, for example, a display light and/or time correction which includes a crown portion on the outside of the watch case and a shaft portion extending through the wall of the case. The shaft portion includes an intermediate section on the inside of the case which cooperates with a spring to provide a two position rotary detent action.In addition to permitting detent holding of the stem in the proper contact position, the spring arrangement also enables biased axial movement of the stem. The internal end of the shaft includes an eccentric tab which contacts a precisely positioned first switch blade when the stem being in a first detent position is pushed-in or contacts a second switch blade if the crown is rotated to a second detent position. If the crown is pushed-in while in the second detent position, both switch blades are engaged causing actuation of two functions such as causing simultaneous illumination and updating of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Wuthrich, Frank P. Mascia
  • Patent number: 4026048
    Abstract: A control lever extends through a cruciform opening in a control box and inside of the box fixed electrical contacts surround its inner end in an array corresponding to the shape of the cruciform opening. A common electrical contact is connected to the lever. Selective movement of the lever into the guideways provided by the cruciform opening selectively completes electrical contact of the common contact with the fixed electrical contacts to energize a desired electrical circuit. The lever is spring biased so that, when the operating force is removed, the lever returns to a neutral position out of engagement with all fixed contacts. A solenoid is selectively engageable with the lever to restrict movement thereof from the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Jack C. Hill, David E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4000382
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a manual selector-push electrical multiswitch, for example, having an actuating member including a plurality of actuating portions which can be rotatably positioned with respect to the switches to select a predetermined control pattern and reciprocally moved to actuate and deactuate the switches to bring the control pattern about, where the actuating portions can be selectively removed to provide further patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1973
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Edgar Christian Kolb
  • Patent number: 3988574
    Abstract: A switch, particularly for a combined switch housing for a windhsield wiper and washer installation of a motor vehicle which controls both a multistage wiper system as also the washer system combined therewith, the switch housing is a two-partite housing whose upper part is rotatable with respect to the lower part, for example, for purposes of controlling the windshield wiper system whereas it is axially displaceably guided together with the lower part, for example, for purposes of engaging the windshield washer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Peitsmeier
  • Patent number: 3978296
    Abstract: A switching system for an electronic timepiece has: a plurality of display sections which are individually activated in response to movement of manual member for effecting an amendment of said display sections. A switching mechanism is operated by axial movement and rotational movement of said manual member for effecting the desired amendment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Tokio Moriya, Hirotomo Hirai
  • Patent number: 3969597
    Abstract: A lockable electric grounding switch comprises a two-piece switch housing which has an upper conductive portion into which a hollow cylindrical insulating portion is inserted, with the two portions secured together. The upper conductive portion has a slot in it for accommodating a key, and cam surfaces are provided on the underside of the end of the conductive housing to cause the key to be cammed downwardly when it is rotated to push a resiliently biased metal contact out of engagement with a shoulder of the metal portion of the housing. This opens the circuit between a terminal mounted in the other end of the insulating portion of the housing. The contact and the terminal are normally electrically interconnected by a compression spring which biases the contact into engagement with the metal housing when the key is removed or is rotated to an "off" position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: McGill Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Osika
  • Patent number: 3959609
    Abstract: A double action switch, for example having both a rotary action and a pushbutton action, is provided with a removable insert which blocks one action while permitting the other. The switch has a frame in which a shaft is supported, for rotational and axial movements. An insert slides into the frame and engages with the shaft to prevent movement of the shaft for one of the actions, while permitting movement of the shaft for the other action. The switch is particularly useful in a telephone unit in which one or more optional operational features are available. The units can be produced, wired and ready for all options, only those required and paid for being available by use of inserts in the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1976
    Assignee: Northern Electric Company Limited
    Inventors: Graham Stirling Laing, Ronald Joseph Morrell
  • Patent number: 3952176
    Abstract: A multiple pole bushbutton rotary switch has axial as well as rotary travel. A first dimple in the back of the rotor of a stem and rotor assembly is rotatable over a desired number of position indicating detents for selective positioning of the rotor. The stem is then pushable on its axis to make a second dimple located on the opposite surface of the rotor travel into a second detent on a substrate and make electrical contact between the rotor and contact within the second detent which is preferably coupled to circuit conductors on the substrate. An embodiment of the pushbutton rotary switch is particularly useful for controlling a plurality of different time-date setting functions of electronic watches with a single switch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Dalton Holder, Dale Bruce Alexander
  • Patent number: 3940579
    Abstract: A switch particularly for steering columns of automobiles for the selective operation of both light circuits and windshield wiper and washer circuits comprises a U-shaped spring contact having a first spring contact portion in a first plane and a second spring contact portion in a second plane. The switch includes a lever which is pivotal in both the first and second planes and which carries a rod member which may be engaged with the spring first portion to deflect it into engagement with a fixed contact for example for actuating a windshield wiper washer fluid supply circuit and which may be engaged during its pivotal movement for example in a vertical direction to move the spring second portion to engage a fixed contact which for example may operate a by-pass light circuit. The double spring contact actually includes the first spring portion which extends substantially vertical and at right angles to a horizontal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1976
    Assignee: SWF-Spezialfabrik fur Autozubehor Gustav Rau GmbH
    Inventors: Harro Buhl, Herbert Erdelitsch, Otto Machalitzky, Wolf Seitter
  • Patent number: 3936623
    Abstract: A helical rotary switch having a helical coil formed of an insulating band like plate, a plurality of contact segments attached to said helical coil, a shaft for said helical coil rotatably supported by a pair of panels, a supporting member supported by said panels and supporting said helical coil between said pair of panels, and a sliding member with contact members engageable with said helical coil and said contact segments. The sliding member is mounted on said shaft such that when the shaft is rotated, said contact members of said sliding member successively contact the plurality of contact segments attached to said helical coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Inventor: Eitaro Shimoda