Cam Actuated Patents (Class 200/6B)
  • Patent number: 4447689
    Abstract: A rocker switch comprises a contact spring in the shape of a loop, supported against a pivot member. The spring has a catch in the free end of the loop. The contact spring can be pivoted by means of a rocker lever into its open or closed position. The rocker lever is mounted on a roll provided with two additional cams in the form of a rocker. By means of an elastic switching arm arranged on the slide, the rocker is actuated by overrunning, thereby effecting the pivoting of the end support cam over the pivot member. This in turn yields movement of the contact springs into their open or closed positions. The contact springs may be arranged in series adjacently to each other and/or on a common axis successively to each other with their loop openings in the same or in opposing directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Max Kammerer GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Schiller
  • 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: 4444284
    Abstract: A control system for an industrial lift truck includes a housing, a cam plate rotatably mounted within said housing, and a plurality of switches urged against and riding on a surface of the cam plate. The cam plate is provided with grooves in its surface along a part of the paths defined by each switch traversing the plate. Accordingly, the movement of the plate actuates switches that are forced into or out of the corresponding groove. The closing and opening of switches produces signals which are used to select the speed and the drive direction of the lift truck.The cam plate can include detents which accommodate a ball as the cam is rotated to a position where the detent corresponds to the ball. The ball is urged into the detent by a spring. Consequently, the operator is able to select discrete speeds of the lift truck and the rotation of the cam plate is restricted.The control system can also include additional controllers for controlling other functions of the lift truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Big Joe Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Thomas O. Montemurro
  • Patent number: 4431876
    Abstract: A key switch comprises a casing, at least one key slide guided in the cas against the force of a spring and at least one J-shaped leaf spring having a long spring arm and a short spring arm connected to the long arm by a curved intermediate part, the leaf spring being clamped to assume a unilateral curvature between two abutments, one fixed and the other moveable, the leaf spring having the free end of its long spring arm supported in a first abutment in the key slide and its curved intermediate part in a second abutment formed in a fixed contact member provided in the casing. For providing a minimum space the leaf spring is mounted parallel to the sliding direction in an elongated recess of the key slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Preh Elektrofeinmechanische Werke Jakob Preh Nachf. GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Labude, Karl-Heinz Bauer, Edgar Maisch
  • 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: 4401864
    Abstract: A switch mechanism comprises an operating member having an outer surface including tabs formed on the left- and the right-hand half thereof, with switch operating protuberances formed on the rear surface thereof in alignment with the respective tabs. A recess is integrally formed in a housing of an electrical instrument, and the operating member is rockably disposed in the recess for seesaw motion therein. A pair of pushbutton switches are disposed on paths of movement of the protuberances, and are quickly operated by an angular movement of the operating member through a reduced angular stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 4400597
    Abstract: A rotary switch having a multiple throw axial cam rotor and operatively aligned detent teeth. One held stationary contact spring spider has plural radially disposed axially-movable cam follower switch contact arms engaging the axial cam, and also has plural detent springs engaging the axial detent teeth. A base has stationary contacts to be selectively engaged by the switch contacts, and a journal post upon which the rotor is rotatable. An externally accessible shaft upon the rotor has a surrounding resilient "O" ring. A housing sealed to the base and bearing upon the "O" ring seals the switch. The switch may be fabricated in DIP size and contact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: EECO Incorporated
    Inventors: Frank J. Bruder, Robert D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4399336
    Abstract: The rotary SIP switch (10) provides a single in-line package (SIP) having switching capabilities previously found in dual in-line packages (DIP) while providing more switch contacts in the same package area. The miniature rotary SIP switch (10) has a pair of oppositely disposed terminal and contact leafs (30) fixedly mounted in the base wall (27) of the switch housing (12), with the contact leaf portions (36) cantilevered within the interior of the switch housing (12). Lateral tabs (38) integral with the leaf contacts (36) effect equal spring loading upon a contact pin (44) disposed within an aperture (42) extending through a cylindrically shaped rotary driver (40). The contact pin (44) is free floating in the aperture (42) and self-centers when the rotary driver (40) is rotated and the ends of the contact pin (44) engage respective contact leafs (36). The rotary driver (40) has integral detent protrusions (48) for positioning the driver (40) and contact pin (44) in an open circuit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Greve
  • Patent number: 4398069
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism comprises a housing having top and sides with openings in the sides that extend into the top. A bottom member is latchably secured to the housing. A rocker member is mounted in the housing and is rockably moved about pie-shaped pivots. A leaf spring is disposed in a slot in the rocker member and extends across a central bore therein. A button is movably located in the central bore and is spring biased into engagement with the bottom member via the leaf spring which also biases the rocker member against an inside top surface of the housing. Actuating arms extend outwardly from the rocker member and through the openings for actuating the rocker member. Stop surfaces of the rocker member engage the inside top surface of the housing to limit movement of the rocker member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Billy E. Olsson
  • 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: 4389549
    Abstract: A miniature DIP switch (10) has actuator levers (82) projecting from a side of the housing (12). A plurality of cantilevered moveable contact arms (72) are supported by a section (34) of the base (30), and a plurality of oppositely disposed cantilevered contact arms (62) are supported by a complementary section (32) of the base. A plurality of insulative rotatable lever actuators (80) are supported each by a respective moveable contact arm (72). Each actuator (80) comprises a lever (82) projecting from a respective opening (18) In the housing (12), an arcuate bearing surface (86) engaging an arcuately shaped boss (22) in the housing, a pair of depending side walls (88) each having arcuately shaped ends (90), and a cam protrusion (87) disposed between the depending side walls (88) and engaging its respective moveable contact arm (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Brown
  • 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: 4335288
    Abstract: The electric switching apparatus assembled of a plurality of consecutively arranged modular units, includes snap action arresting means integrally formed on opposite side walls of each unit. The arresting means includes frame-shaped resilient arresting pieces leveled with the upper surface of the assigned side wall and being at one edge thereof integrally connected thereto and cooperating with matching arresting points on the adjoining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Starkstrom Gummersbach GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Ludwig, Jurgen Donner
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 4302637
    Abstract: A switch assembly including a base member having a contact receiving cavity open at the top and defined by a floor that is laterally enclosed by side wall means, first terminal means in the cavity adapted for electrical connection to outside circuitry, second terminal means in the cavity adapted for electrical connection to outside circuitry having a resilient contact blade portion with an end above the first terminal means. The contact blade portion is moveable between a normally open position wherein the end is spaced from the first terminal means in a closed position wherein the end contacts the first terminal means. A thin, stretchable, resilient, impermeable sealing gasket is provided on the base member which ovelies the cavity. A cover engages the periphery of the gasket and includes interengaging means cooperating with the base member to lock the covering gasket to the base member to form a hermetic seal over the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Albert F. Ditzig
  • Patent number: 4286125
    Abstract: An electric switch comprises a switch housing having a contact arm pivotally mounted on a conductive bearing. The contact arm includes a movable contact which is disposed in the housing to engage with a fixed contact of the housing in one position of the contact arm. It also includes a hook shaped end which engages on a cam surface of a slider portion of an actuating member. The contact arm is loaded by a tension spring which is mounted in the housing so that it is urged in a direction to engage the moving contact thereon with the fixed contact in the housing when the slider, which is moved by the actuating member is moved so as to permit the contact arm to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: J & J Marquardt
    Inventors: Alois Schaffeler, Uwe Stratmann
  • Patent number: 4272658
    Abstract: A multi-contact rotary switch in which arcuate cam lobes on the planar faces of a rotatable disc-shaped cam rotor selectively engage a plurality of switch elements. Each switch element is attached to one of two switch blocks positioned adjacent to either cam rotor face. Slots in the switch blocks laterally confine the switch elements to preserve their alignment. A raised annular bearing on the cam rotor face maintains the position of the cam rotor relative to the switch blocks. Terminal extensions from the switch elements extend perpendicular to and away from the planar faces of the cam rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Crosby
  • Patent number: 4267412
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a base (1) of electrically insulating material carrying an input contact (2) and a plurality of output contacts (3); a bridging contact (5) fixedly mounted on the base (1) in permanent connection with the input contact (2), and having a plurality of resilient contact arms (6) respectively associated with the output contacts (3), and an operating member mounted on the base and formed with a plurality of cam projections (11) adapted and arranged to engage the contact arms (6) of the bridging contact (5) as the operating member (8) is moved relative to the base (1), thereby to urge the contact arms (6) into contact with the associated output contacts (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Johannes T. M. Janssen, Hermanus P. J. Gilissen, Lucas Soes, Ludovicus C. Van Der Sanden, Petrus R. M. Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 4182939
    Abstract: An improved miniature switch construction of a type in which a plurality of included switches are mounted in a common housing element to be actuated by a single shaft extending longitudinally within said housing, and having included operating cams which are radially aligned by bearing journals integrally formed on each side of the housing, and fitted into correspondingly sized bores, molded into each half of a pair of housing members. The shaft is formed as a single piece of pinion stock which mates with a corresponding opening in each cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: Sonitronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Donavon L. Feaster
  • Patent number: 4181825
    Abstract: The drawings illustrate a double pole, double throw switch for use in selectively controlling energization of either a first or second electric circuit. The switch includes two sets of first, second and third terminals, with each of the second terminals being offset in opposite directions from one another, and a pivotally mounted actuator button. A pair of legs are formed on the inner portion of the actuator button for carrying first and second contact strips, the latter being mounted for universal movement with respect to the second terminals so as to normally contact respective opposite first or third terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Peter C. Epple
  • Patent number: 4176261
    Abstract: The drawings illustrate a double pole, double throw switch for use in selectively controlling energization of either a first or second electric circuit. The switch housing encompasses a pivotally mounted actuator button, two sets of first, second and third terminals mounted on a base member, and an insulator disc carrying two separate criss-crossing contact strips and pivotally mounted such that the strips normally contact respective first and third terminals of one set with one terminal contacting the second terminal of the other set. Oppositely disposed actuator elements are formed on the inner portion of the actuator button for contacting opposite edge portions of the pivotable base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Peter C. Epple
  • Patent number: 4160885
    Abstract: An electrical switch has a housing with a plurality of switch means movable therein for operation between circuit controlling positions. Means is movable in the housing for engaging each switch means of the switch means plurality to effect the operation thereof from one of the circuit controlling positions toward another of the circuit controlling positions, respectively. The engaging and actuating means include means interiorly of the housing for camming at least two switch means of the switch means plurality so as to effect the operation of the at least two switch means from the one circuit controlling positions toward the another circuit controlling position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold B. Ellicott, James P. Frank
  • Patent number: 4154991
    Abstract: A rotary switch for high current applications that rapidly actuates a first set of contacts in one direction of rotation of the switch and actuates the first set and a second set of contacts upon rotation of the switch in the other direction. Each set of contacts has a follower roller that is moved by a rotary cam biased axially by a detent assembly that prevents rotation of the cam below a predetermined rotational force. A torsion spring assembly is provided for overcoming the detent assembly force and rapidly rotating the cam by the energy stored in the torsional spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Stewart-Warner Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hickman, William R. Mayer
  • Patent number: 4133990
    Abstract: A rotary switch for use with electrical circuits and including a housing having a cavity therein for receiving a rotatable disc. The housing supports a plurality of spaced apart electrical terminals each independently connected to an electric circuit and also supports a plurality of opposed resilient contacts selectively engagable with the electrical terminals. The rotor includes opposed planar surfaces, one of the surfaces parallel to and adjacent the resilient contacts, the rotor surface supporting a plurality of cams projecting from the surface and functional upon rotation of the rotor to force selected ones of the resilient contacts into engagement with the terminals to provide an electrical bridge between pairs of the electrical terminals. The rotary switch rotor can include cam members on both of its opposite surfaces and the housings are constructed such that they can be stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Vernon W. Wanner, Richard W. Germuska
  • Patent number: 4117280
    Abstract: A group of miniature switches particularly adapted for soldering and/or installation upon the surfaces of printed circuit boards in a manner similar to that employed in installing integrated circuit chips. The switches are commonly known in the art as DIP switches, and are of a variety of types of manual actuation. As a group, the switches are characterized by a minimization of parts, ease of fabrication and assembly, and improved reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Sonitronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Donavon L. Feaster
  • Patent number: 4107482
    Abstract: A rotary plural contact switch in which a walking-beam-like conductor is incrementally moved to break electrical contact with stationary contacts. This movement is brought about by a revolvable cam rotor. The basic double-contact mechanical structure may be multiplied; thus, switching functions related to digital circuits can be performed. The switch is particularly adapted for small-size embodiments. The external portion of the contacts are spaced to enter an integrated circuit socket, or a printed circuit board having terminals spaced according to the standard grid.A tang on the internal portion of each contact is used to assemble the insulating enclosure of the switch by simple linear pressure upon the housing and the base parts of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Electronic Engineering Co. of California
    Inventor: Harry Rudolph Marker
  • Patent number: 4103132
    Abstract: A rotary switch includes a contact bar movable between a switch-open and a switch-closed position and a rotatable circular cam member controlling the movement of said contact bar. Spring means urges the contact bar into operative engagement with the surface of said cam member. The cam member is rotatably contained within a cavity in the switch housing, the cavity having a wall surface guiding the cam member during rotation of the latter. Biasing action of the spring means upon said contact bar urges the cam member against the wall surface of said cavity, with said wall surface serving as the only bearing surface for said cam member during rotation of the latter. A pin and slot coupling is also provided as an integral portion of the cam member and housing to limit rotary movement of said cam member between precise switch-open and switch-closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Unimax Switch Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 4088854
    Abstract: In a switch mechanism for an electronic timepiece, stationary switch electrodes are fitted in openings provided in a dielectric base plate. Movable contacts on a pivoted switch lever extend into the openings and are normally out of contact with the electrodes. The switch lever is movable by operation of the watch stem to bring one or another of the movable contacts into engagement with the respective electrode and thereby close the circuit, for example for adjusting the hour and minute displays of the timepiece. This construction permits making the timepiece thin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventor: Kenji Yajima
  • Patent number: 4086548
    Abstract: A switchable attenuator includes a split housing assembly formed of interlocking cover and support members. A plurality of rocker arms are mounted for pivotable movement between the cover and the support members and each rocker arm has lugs formed on opposite ends thereof which receive respective ones of a pair of shorting bars. Electrical circuit connectors, coupled to an attenuator circuit mounted adjacent to the support member, are aligned in pairs with each pair being positioned to receive a respective one of the pair of shorting bars associated with each rocker arm. The rocker arms are selectively pivoted to cause the shorting bars to move into and out of engagement with the electrical circuit connectors aligned therewith to selectively provide attenuation of different magnitudes to an external circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Robbins, Raymond O. Terry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4081632
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing with at least one fixed contact thereon and at least one resilient movable contact which has a fixed end secured on said housing and an opposite movable end with a contact portion which is held by the fixed end in a position spaced from the fixed contact. The housing includes a supporting member located between the movable and fixed ends of the movable contact and on the same side as the fixed contact. The movable contact is engageable by actuating means which includes a rotatable cam which first contacts an intermediate wave-shaped portion to cause an inwardly directed portion of the movable contact to move first into engagement with the support member and to subsequently cause the contact portion to move into engagement with the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Firma J. & J. Marquardt
    Inventor: Alois Schaffeler
  • Patent number: 4071720
    Abstract: Unusually long life and reliability in a selector switch are achieved by providing long-wearing components which, in turn, contribute to an essentially dust-free environment for the contact portions of the switch. Materials of all parts produce a minimum of abrasion dust and the conformation of the housing structure prevents the entry of exterior dust. A binary coded cam having multiple cam sections causes sliding contact between spring type contact elements and shorting bars. The rotary element and the two main housing portions are molded of a highly wear resistant, low friction material. The detent mechanism is separated from the contact elements and the metal housing clamp locks the housing portions in the mated position, and helps to seal the housing against exterior dust. All components provide maximum life expectancy and low wear properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Edward Krajci, John Joseph Marrella
  • Patent number: 4070555
    Abstract: A switching mechanism is disclosed which may be either a single pole or a multiple pole switch. Actuator means is provided to actuate first and second contact means between open and closed circuit conditions. This actuator means is shown as a lever which acts on an actuable portion of a contact blade or directly moves a contact portion into and out of engagement with an individual contact. For economy the actuator means lever may be unitary with a housing by means of a unitary hinge which not only permits movement of the lever but also provides a resilient force in first and second generally perpendicular directions. This resilient force is used to establish the contacts in a closed circuit condition and is also resisted by a detent so that the switch remains in that selected circuit condition. When the switching mechanism is constructed as a multiple pole switch, then a common conductor is provided which has individual contact portions actuated by a plurality of levers for an economically produced switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Assignee: The Alliance Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Alvin J. Carli
  • Patent number: 4059738
    Abstract: A multi-position switch comprising a housing which positions and generally encloses a rotator having a plurality of axially spaced cam tracks provided with collective, circumferentially staggered primary recesses for cooperating with detent portions of resilient conductors also positioned within the housing and in operational contact with the rotor so that the several circuits of the device may be selectively activated by the engagement of a selected conductor with a common contact. Each of the rotor cams is further provided with a plurality of intermediate, secondary recesses for resilient engagement with the remaining conductor detents so as to assure the switch will not become inadvertently positioned between contact positions thereof, and to further impart a more positive feel to the rotor as it is moved through its multiple positions by the appliance operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1977
    Assignee: Tower Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Roland E. Mongeau
  • Patent number: 4025738
    Abstract: A reversible snap-action switch including a drive member and a switch-actuating driven member connected by a lost motion coupling. The relative position between the drive and driven members is shifted by substantially the lost motion distance as the drive member moves the driven member through a switching zone and then reverses its direction to return to its original position. In each direction of movement a bidirectional accelerating means imparts a snap-action motion to the drive member. This motion is coordinated with the position of the driven member so that switching occurs during the snap-action motion in each direction of movement, thereby inhibiting any hesitation in making or breaking the switch contacts. The invention also includes a cement-free mounting for the switch contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Lloyd Erwin, Michael John Howett, Howard Hideo Nojiri
  • Patent number: 4012606
    Abstract: An electrical switch is provided with a casing having a plurality of means selectively operable for respectively completing a circuit through the casing. A pair of means are relatively movable generally linearly with respect to each other in the casing for controlling the operation of the circuit completing means, and means is rotatably mounted in the casing for driving the controlling means generally linearly relative to each other to effect the selective operation of the circuit completing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip Hutt
  • Patent number: 3999024
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises at least one fixed contact which is engageable by a movable contact contained on a first arm portion of a movable contact member which also has a second arm portion which is disposed at an angle to the first arm portion. An actuating member is engageable with the movable contact member and is displaceable over the second arm portion to engage the first arm portion and to pivot it in a direction to move the movable contact to engage the fixed contact. First spring means bias the actuating member in a direction toward engagement with the movable contact member and during the movement of the movable contact member the second arm portion is moved in a direction opposite to the direction of the first arm portion to force the first spring means to increase the biasing force thereof. In the closed position of the contact the first spring means may in one embodiment be increased in biasing force and in another embodiment be maintained at the same biasing force as its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1976
    Assignee: J. & J. Marquardt
    Inventor: Ewald Marquardt
  • Patent number: 3965319
    Abstract: A manually actuated momentary switch completes an electrical circuit for lighting a low voltage indicator light advantageously used for testing circuit continuity. The switch and indicator light are in combination within a miniature size housing having depending electrical terminals for pluggable connection on a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph Larue Lockard