Abstract: A switch having a pair of spring-biased switch pushbuttons (6, 10) for operating respective switches (8, 12). A slidable interlocking bar (24) allows depression of only one pushbutton at a time. The switches may be either double-throw (18, 20) or single-throw (22). The switch housing (2, 4) will accept a selected one of two interchangeable switch accessories including latching and auxiliary contact means having a pair of latching members (26, 28) pivotally mounted in the housing, a spring-biased release pushbutton (30) slidably mounted in the housing, and actuator (32) pivotally mounted on the release pushbutton for actuating either latching member, and auxiliary contacts (38, 40) for actuation by the release pushbutton, or a transformer (42) operated pilot light (44).

Abstract: A multiple push-button switch having three push-button actuators for operation of two contact carrying leaf spring strips each normally urged to a rest position by its natural resilience but adapted for flexing to an actuated position. Each strip is associated with a respective latch member adapted to releasibly retain the strip in its actuated position. A first of the actuators engages the two strips when depressed to deflect the strips from their rest positions to actuated positions in latched engagement with the latch members. The second actuator when depressed interacts with one strip and the latch member associated with the other strip to deflect the one strip from its rest position to its actuated position in latched engagement with its associated latch member and to concurrently disengage the other latch member from the other strip for return thereof to its rest position from an actuated positon.

Abstract: A combination blower and air conditioner switch is disclosed, comprising a blower switch and an air conditioner switch having respective first and second casings secured together, a blower control member movable along a path between an OFF position remote from the air conditioner switch and at least one ON position closer thereto, an air conditioner control member movable in the second casing between circuit opening and closing positions, a return spring for biasing the air conditioner control member toward its circuit opening position, a latching assembly including a latching element for latching the air conditioner control member in its circuit closing position, and an interlock mechanism movable between enabling and disabling positions and including a disabling member for engaging and disabling the latching element with the interlock assembly in its disabling position, the interlock mechanism including a link connected to the disabling member and operable by the blower control member for moving the disabli

Abstract: The invention relates to a push button switch mechanism that has a pair of spaced operating buttons and plurality of electrically and physically interconnected movable contacts. The switch includes a plurality of stationary contacts that are engaged by the movable contacts when one of the switch buttons is moved from an at-rest position and a mechanism that is positioned between the push buttons to prevent simultaneous actuation of the push buttons and provide a tactile indication of a plurality of operated positions when one of the push buttons is moved from the at-rest position.

Abstract: A handle switch assembly is arranged on the steering handle in the vicinity of a handle grip, and includes at least one switch comprising a plurality of first push buttons arranged on a surface of the switch housing, and a second push button arranged in a manner independent and separate from the first push buttons. Each of the first push buttons, when pushed, causes the switch to turn on and holds same in the on-state, while the second push button, when pushed, releases the switch from its on-state. The first push buttons are juxtaposed axially of the handle grip, and the second push button is spaced in a predetermined circumferential direction from a line connecting between side edges of the first push buttons facing in the same predetermined circumferential direction.

Abstract: A switch suitable for use in the remote control of electrically driven rearview mirrors of a motor vehicle. The switch is adapted to close and open a plurality of switch elements by means of a single or divided operation member. The switch occupies only a small space in an instrument panel, etc. of a motor vehicle because the switch is thin and small. Fixed contact pairs (3a, 4a) to (3f', 4f') forming fixed contact components are printed approximately point symmetrically around a specific center on an insulating base plate. Movable contact means is disposed on top of the fixed contact components, said movable contact means being adapted to electrically connect each of the fixed contact pairs (3a, 4a) to (3f', 4') when said means is pushed.

Abstract: A mechanical slide selector switch assembly for operating a series of pushbutton switches which includes an elongated support having a series of spaced parallel transverse members between which the switches are mounted, an elongated actuator slidably mounted on the support for reciprocal movement along the support, and a spring-loaded plunger mounted on the actuator to be moved across the transverse members from one switch to another to operate the switches as the actuator is moved to positions between successive pairs of the transverse members. When operating a switch the actuator is supported only by the switch and there is no contact between the actuator and the transverse members. However, when the actuator is moved off a switch it is supported by the transverse members until it engages the next switch.

Abstract: There is provided by this invention an interlock mechanism for converting two momentary electric control switches to the maintained control mode that is generally comprised of a single extension spring biasing the interlock mechanism in its last selected operating position.

Abstract: A push button switch is disclosed comprising first and second spring returned push buttons movable in a resinous plastic casing along parallel paths, switching contacts in the casing and operable by the first push button, a flexible resilient latching spring arm molded in one piece with the casing and extending between the push buttons, cooperative latching elements on the first push button and the latching spring arm for causing deflection of the spring arm followed by latching of the first push button in its depressed position, and cooperative unlatching elements on the second push button and the spring arm for deflecting the arm and thereby causing disengagement of the latching elements in response to depression of the second push button.

Abstract: A ganged push-button switch assembly having a plurality of switch blocks mounted in a common frame. Each switch block has an operation rod movable inwardly beyond a latchable position, a casing adapted to fit in corresponding mounting opening formed in the frame and a cover member attached to the casing and slidably receiving the operation rod. The casing has resilient arms adapted for engagement with the mounting opening of the frame, while the cover member has a pair of retainers engageable with the casing and is provided at its portion projecting forwardly from the frame with a groove which receives an engaging portion projected from an interlocking plate common to the switch blocks.

Abstract: The disclosure depicts a novel pushbutton switch mechanism having a pair of pushbutton switches with electrical contacts and an interlock mechanism between the switches. The interlock mechanism comprises; a shoulder on each of the pushbutton switches, an interlock plunger for contacting the shoulders of the pushbutton switches, and a return spring in contact with the interlock plunger for retaining the plunger in a predetermined position. A plunger support and a plunger guide in the pushbutton switch mechanism for defining an area in which the interlock plunger is contained. When one of the pushbutton switches is depressed, the interlock plunger contacts the shoulder of the other pushbutton switch thereby preventing the other pushbutton switch from being depressed simultaneously.

Abstract: A combination blower and air conditioner switch for vehicles, comprising a blower speed control switch component including a blower control member movable from an OFF position to a series of ON positions to provide different blower speeds, an air conditioner switch component including a push button control member movable between OFF and ON positions against the biasing action of a return spring, latching means including a latching element for latching the push button control member in its ON position, and an interlock member movable by the blower control member to a disabling position for disabling the latching means when said blower control member is in its OFF position, such interlock member being movable to an enabling position for enabling such latching means when the blower control member is moved away from its OFF position to any of its ON positions, whereby the push button air conditioner control member cannot be latched in its ON position when the blower control member is in its OFF position.

Abstract: A locked-type push button device has a plurality of push buttons and permits only any one of the push buttons to be locked in the depressed state when depressed. Each push button has a leaf spring for returning the push button to the initial non-depressing position, and has a cam engaging portion which can be engaged with a cam member when depressed. The cam member has a spring member to urge the cam member against the cam engaging portions. When more than two push-buttons are depressed, the total force of the two leaf springs of the two push buttons prevents the cam member from holding the cam engaging portions of two push buttons depressed.

Abstract: An electrical switch adapted to control a plurality of circuits therethrough has a plurality of push buttons reciprocally movable to effect the control of the circuits and including an "off" push button operable generally upon the depression thereof to open all of the circuits. Means is responsive to the depression of the "off" push button for precluding depression of certain of the other of the push buttons, and means actuated by an operator for rendering ineffective the precluding means includes one of the "off" push button and another of the push buttons.

Abstract: A base station microphone with a transmit bar and a monitor button, the latter being operable to actuate a switch to check for a clear channel before transmitting. The present invention relates to a simple mechanical interlock between the monitor button and the transmit bar, wherein the monitor button must be depressed before the transmit bar may be actuated for transmission. The improved interlock comprises a bell crank lever that has a portion disposed to block depression of the transmit bar. When the monitor button is depressed, the bell crank lever is shifted to move said portion from its blocking position.

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.

Abstract: A vibration-preventing mechanism for a lock type push button switch eliminates vibration, chattering and vibration noise of a resilient spring contact by forming a projection on each push button.

Abstract: A pushbutton controlled locking arrangement for a door or other entry, as a trunk lid, to a vehicle which selectively activates circuitry for achieving unlocking upon the engagement of a preselected combination of pushbuttons presented in panel form. The circuitry includes conventional components, such as single-pole and double-pole double-throw relays, electrolytic capacitors, a variable resistor, pushbutton type switches and silicon diodes, all arranged for convenient operation without the necessity of a key. The aforesaid pushbutton panel is typically mounted on the vehicle body proximate the door handle area and affords reliable usage through weatherproof pushbutton switch assemblies.The system also makes provision for illuminating the pushbutton control panel, the initiation of an optional alarm signaling arrangement in the event of unwanted attempted entry and, as well, overriding control when two pushbuttons are inadvertently depressed at the same time.

Abstract: A locked-type push-button device which has a plurality of push buttons and only one of the push buttons can be locked in the depressed state when it is depressed. A mechanism includes a cam for preventing the simultaneous locking of two adjacent push buttons, which has nearly a semicircular shape in cross section. The cam has notches at positions corresponding to the positions of the push buttons, and the notches each have a width greater than the width of the respective push buttons. The notches are alternately arrayed on opposite sides of the cam, and is thus urged to turn in the opposite directions when it is depressed by the neighboring push buttons.

Abstract: A reciprocal locking device for the movements of two push buttons includes a pivoting bolt having the shape of a "T" which oscillates in a plane perpendicular to the directions of displacement of the push buttons and is urged back into a central rest position by its own resilient means.

Abstract: The locking bar for mutually acting upon several push button switches, which is slideably arranged within an U-shaped fastening bar for the switches, which are arranged in parallel to each other, consists of a metal bar with punched holes, on which plastic locking elements can be snapped-on. A great variety of locking bars can be built up using only two simple piece parts.

Abstract: In a ganged push-button switch in which a plurality of push-button switches are mounted on a frame, each of said push-button switches having an operation rod with a cam portion formed in one side surface thereof, and a first interlocking plate is urged onto each of the cam portions of said push-button switches mounted on said frame, the improvement wherein a second cam portion is formed in the upper surface of said operation rod of each of said push-button switches, said second cam portion being formed at right angles with said cam portions, and a second interlocking plate is urged onto said second cam portion.

Abstract: A switching device comprises a flexible film of insulative material on which is printed a pictorial diagram or the like illustrating a plurality of controlled devices. A plurality of first conductive elements is arranged on a plane in contact with the illustration film and a plurality of second conductive elements is arranged on a second plane spaced from the first plane. In response to a pressure manually applied to the illustration film at a point corresponding to a desired controlled device, the first and second elements of the corresponding pair are brought into electrical contact to complete a circuit through a pair of terminals. Preferably, between each pair of corresponding first and second conductive elements is disposed an elastic element having resistance which varies from a non-conductive value to a conductive value in response to a pressure applied thereto.

Abstract: A ganged push button switch comprises at least two modular push button switches each of which includes a push button formed with a cam surface. A plate member is arranged in a manner so as to be laterally movable between the two switches and has oblique edges adapted to abut upon the respective cam surfaces. The plate member is provided at its center with elastic engaging portions, and slots are formed in the sides of the cases of the respective switches and serve to hold the plate member slidably. The plate member is attachable to the assembly by deforming one of the elastic engaging portion and inserting it through one of the slots. After attachment, the engaging portions abut against the cases of the respective switches to prevent the plate member from coming off.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly of ganged push-button switches each movable between a first position and a latching position. The assembly is comprised of a first switch block and a second switch block connected thereto. The operation rod of each push-button switch is formed with a symmetrical cam portion engaging a single latch member common to both blocks of switches so that any switch previously locked into its latched position will be unlatched by the latch member upon actuation of any one of the switches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control-key switch for installation in a control panel or the like, consisting of two parts, that is to say an actuator which is intended to be pushed in the direction of an axis of installation, which is at right angles to a support wall, through this support wall and to be attached to it, and of a counterpart, more particularly a switching device, which can be plugged together with the actuator in the direction of the axis of installation at the inside of the support wall and which is latchable against being pulled back.

Abstract: A multiple-switch arrangement wherein a battery of momentary and/or latching switches is mounted in a control panel and the inner end portions of switch housings have transversely extending channels for a centrally located tubular receptacle and two lateral control rails. The inner end portions of the housings carry adapters for blocks of microswitches which are actuated by motion transmitting posts secured to plungers which are reciprocable in the housings and can be depressed in response to displacement of knobs installed in the outer end portions of the housings. The posts which register with the receptacle can extend through the receptacle on their way into engagement with movable portions of the respective microswitches and thereby displace blocking members which are installed in the receptacle and serve to prevent simultaneous actuation of microswitches associated with two or more housings.

Abstract: A mechanical memory device comprising (a) a bar, (b) means supporting the bar for substantially linear movement, (c) input means for linearly moving the bar to plural selected positions, and (d) plural bar position sensing and actuating means, each having means for sensing a selected position of the bar, for storing the sensed bar position and for actuating the bar to cause it to occupy the position thereof corresponding to the stored position.

Abstract: An interlocking apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced elements each of which is controllably movable to an extended position upon actuation, and control means having a plurality of positions which are alterable for the extension of only respectively determined ones of said elements, said control means being prevented from altering its position while a said element is in its extended position.

Abstract: In a multiple pushbutton switch assembly, a flexible restoring tape has both ends affixed to the casing at both ends with a predetermined slack in such a manner that it is tensioned by depressing any one of the sliders which, when depressed, are locked alternately at a switch-on position and a switch-off position by elastic springs. The amount of the predetermined slack of the restoring tape corresponds to the amount of depression of each slider, so that when one slider is depressed, another one which has been depressed is restored or returned to its initial position, and only one slider is allowed to be depressed at any one time.

Abstract: Two standard momentary pushbuttons mounted in spaced-part relation on a common support normally directly actuate two switch units, respectively. A maintaining and interlocking attachment is interposed between the pushbuttons and switch units so that when one pushbutton is depressed, it will be maintained depressed and will restore and lock out the other pushbutton so that it cannot be depressed simultaneously. This is done by mounting a plurality of spacer rods between the pushbuttons and their associated switch units to provide space for a bracket secured therein and mounting a dual-spring-biased center-pivoted bistable toggle mechanism having a pair of driven pins, one for each pushbutton. A pair of push-levers are clamped to the standard washer-like drive plates of the respective pushbuttons and are provided with push-flanges and elongated drive slots.

Abstract: A multiple pushbutton switch is disclosed in which each pushbutton actuator has a rotatable cam mounted thereon that interacts with one or more lockout members positioned alongside of the actuator in the same plane as the cam. The interaction between the cam and the lockouts is such that one group of the pushbutton actuators can be depressed simultaneously while a second group of the actuators are blocked from simultaneous depression with the first group. Furthermore, a pushbutton actuator can be shifted from one group to the other merely by rotating the cam thereon to a different position.

Abstract: An electric switch having two pushbuttons for rocking a pivotal actuator alternately in opposite directions for alternately closing double-throw contacts. The pivotal actuator is snap-in assembled to a switch frame which is snap-in assembled to a switch base or housing that supports the contacts. The two pushbuttons are alike and are guided in their vertical reciprocal motion by the switch frame and by one another. To allow use of minimum height pushbuttons while having ample finger-engaging surface, the pushbuttons are provided with like but complementary guiding structures integrally molded thereon to guide one another in their relative vertically reciprocal movements without binding or "window-locking" with respect to one another or the switch frame.

Abstract: The noise suppression contact of a keyboard with a row of pushbutton-operated slide switches consists of a flat U-shaped contact spring forming a double armed lever one arm of which is actuated by the stop slider and the other contacting a fixed contact. The pushbutton operators are mutually interlocked by the stop slides. The noise suppression contact assembly is activated momentarily during the change over from one desired switching mode of operation to another switching mode of operation thereby preventing disturbing "clicks" caused by the shorting of an amplifier input.

Abstract: A remote control comprised of three switches for selective operation of a multifilament incandescent lamp and an "off" switch to break a circuit completed by operation of any one of the three switches. Operation of the first of said three switches completes a circuit to a first filament providing the least light intensity, operation of the second switch completes a second circuit to a second filament to increase the light intensity, and operation of the third switch completes a third circuit to both the first and second filaments to obtain a maximum degree of illumination. Operation of the off switch immediately breaks any one of the three circuits.

Abstract: Operation of a pushbutton or key mechanism by the operation of a single pushbutton or key through circuitry which may include fiber optics signals all keys on the keyboard included in the particular chord. The device may be built in or simply attached to the keyboard instrument. The keys are spring, and string or wire operated to return a key to its inoperative position when the next key is pressed down.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed in which manual adjustment of a contact spring pileup is avoided by closely controlling the interaction between (1) the contact springs, (2) a movable actuator including a plurality of cam surfaces, each of which is associated with an individual contact spring, and (3) a frame for supporting the actuator. This is achieved by molding a cam follower to one end portion and a mounting element to the other end portion of each contact spring. The mounting elements of the contact springs are positioned in engagement with one another and are secured to the frame. The mounting elements serve to orient the contact springs at a particular angle with respect to one another and accurately locate the contact springs and thereby the cam followers with respect to the cam surfaces of the actuator. The cam followers in combination with the associated cam surfaces serve to locate and provide a predetermined bias to the contact springs.

Abstract: First and second switch blocks comprising a plurality of first and second push button switches respectively are connected together in parallelism and in mirror symmetry and are provided with first and second latch bars common to the first and second switches respectively. The switch blocks are held together by detachable connectors which, in turn, support pivotal levers. The levers engage the ends of the switch block latch bars and cause interlocking of any pushbutton switch or switches in the depressed position and unlatch any previously depressed pushbutton switch or switches in either the first or second switch blocks.

Abstract: The keyswitch pad includes a plurality of keyswitches on a common backing member, each of the keyswitches including a fluid filled bag underneath a key cap. The bags of the keyswitches are interconnected and the system of bags is closed so as to be of limited volume so that only one keyswitch at a time can be depressed. Several different types of keyswitches can be used in any one switch pad and several types of switching, latching, and display mechanisms are disclosed for the keyswitches.

Abstract: A push-lock switch unit and assembly therefor. The push-lock switch unit utilizes an expanding spring extended between a housing of the switch unit and a movable member which reciprocally moves in the housing. The spring is biased diagonally in relation to the axial direction of the reciprocal movement so that the pushing force applied to the movable member to be pushed into the housing decreases as the movable member moves into the housing, thus enabling the operator to depress the switch with minimum force.

Abstract: An interlocked push-lock push-button switch assembly of the type in which when one of the switch buttons each formed integral with an operating-bridging member is depressed, it is locked in pushed-down position so that the movable contacts are made into contact with the mating stationary contacts, but when another switch button is depressed, the switch which has been locked in position is released. An inverted U-shaped movable contact member with the movable contacts attached to the ends thereof is retained in position by a movable-contact-member retaining member formed integral with the operating-bridging member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple push-switch apparatus comprising an exclusion mechanism which includes a plurality of slidably supported operation bodies and a flexible body, any one of said plurality of operation bodies being able to move by means of said flexible body, and a plurality of electric switches which are driven by said plurality of operation bodies, respectively. In addition, there is provided a multiple push-switch apparatus especially suitable as a station selecting apparatus for a television receiver. The apparatus can be operated by the use of a soft touch, permits the employment of various operation body arrangements, and prevents simultaneous operation of a plurality of electric switches by mistake.

Abstract: A keyboard shift and shift lock and release mechanism consisting of two shift keyswitches and one shift lock keyswitch is provided by the interaction of cams molded on the actuating plungers of the keyswitches and a slide member on each keyswitch which carries a cam follower pin and is constructed so as to move along a straight line relative to its associated housing upon actuation of the associated plunger. The two shift keyswitches have one type of cam and the slide members for these two switches are coupled together by a removable metal rod while the shift lock keyswitch has a second type of cam and its slide member interacts with the slide member of one of the shift keyswitches which is positioned adjacent to it.

Abstract: Operation of a pushbutton or key mechanism by the operation of a single pushbutton or key through circuitry which may include fiber optics signals all keys on the keyboard included in the particular chord. The device may be built in or simply attached to the keyboard instrument. The keys are spring, and string or wire operated to return a key to its inoperative position when the next key is pressed down.

Abstract: A finger operated switching device includes a key assemblage having a key and a key magnet which moves relative to a biasing magnet wherein the magnets are so dimensioned and mutually positioned so that the key assemblage is biased to a retracted position and when the key assemblage is pushed to an extended position the force required first increases to a peak and then rapidly decreases.

Abstract: Switching apparatus for switching an electrical load between alternative sources of electrical power includes a pair of switches having their load terminals connected in common to the load and their line terminals respectively connected to the two sources. The mechanisms of the switches are interconnected by a reciprocating slide which is manipulated such as to connect one or the other, but never both of the sources to the load.

Abstract: A multiple switch in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of pushbuttons that are movable between an extended and a depressed position and are biased toward the extended position. The pushbuttons are paired and each pushbutton pair is associated with an individual lockout, a releasing-latching bar (RL bar) that is common to all of the pairs, and an individual releasing-nonlatching and releasing-latching bar (RNRL bar). Each pushbutton interacts with all three members when it is depressed.The lockout permits either pushbutton of the associated pair to be depressed individually but prevents both pushbuttons from being depressed simultaneously. As any pushbutton is depressed, the RL bar acts to release all pushbuttons previously depressed and latches the activated pushbutton in its depressed position.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch mechanism includes a two-piece housing, a plurality of terminals positioned in the housing, a plurality of contact arms and a pivotally movable latch member within the housing. One of the housing sections has integrally molded pushbuttons mounted on integrally molded spring arms with the other housing section including integrally molded blockout members.

Abstract: An electrical switch apparatus has a pair of first switches and a second switch each with a spring-loaded part for actuating its contacts. The switches are arranged in a casing in which two slides are movable against springloading in convergent paths. Each slide has first and second cams to engage with and move the actuators of a respective first switch and the second switch, the arrangement being such that when one slide has commenced to move in the switch-actuating direction, it blocks the path of the other slide, with the result that each slide can be moved to actuate a respective first switch and thereafter the second switch, but it is impossible for both of the first switches to be actuated at the same time.

Abstract: An electric switch having two pushbuttons for rocking a pivotal actuator alternately in opposite directions for alternately closing double-throw contacts. The pivotal actuator is snap-in assembled to a switch frame which is snap-in assembled to a switch base or housing that supports the contacts. The two pushbuttons are alike and are guided in their vertical reciprocal motion by the switch frame and by one another. To allow use of minimum height pushbuttons while having ample finger-engaging surface, the pushbuttons are provided with like but complementary guiding structures integrally molded thereon to guide one another in their relative vertically reciprocal movements without binding or "window-locking" with respect to one another or the switch frame.