US3564166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical lever actuated key switch with improved cam positioning means
Assignee: Painton and Co Ltd
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Filing: 1969-04-22
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1989-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A versatile electrical key switch and components for forming the same, comprising a switch body supporting pivotally a switch lever, the lever carrying cam means of any desired shape which are engaged by a resilient member carried by the body and which biases the lever to at least one stable position, this position being dependent upon the cam configuration of the cam means.
Inventors
- 👤 John Anthony Cartwright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H23/00; H01H23/28; H01H23/30; H01H23/02; H01H23/12; H01H23/16; H01H23/20; H01H11/00; H01H11/0006; H01H2011/0043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A key switch comprising: a body moulded from a plastics material; a resilient member formed integrally with such body; a detent on said resilient member; a lever pivotally mounted on the body; electrical contacts mounted on the body and actuable in response to movement of the lever; cam means on said lever; at least one cam face on the cam means for cooperation with said detent on said member to urge the lever to at least one particular stable position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A key switch comprising: a body moulded from a plastics material; a resilient member formed integrally with such body; a detent on said resilient member; a lever pivotally mounted on the body; electrical contacts mounted on the body and actuable in response to movement of the lever; cam means on said lever; at least one cam face on the cam means for cooperation with said detent on said member to urge the lever to at least one particular stable position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of cam faces are provided on said cam means and the cam means may be assembled with respect to the body so that a selected one of said cam faces is engaged by the resilient member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A key switch according to claim 2, wherein said cam faces have different configurations so that the switching characteristics of the switch may be altered by altering the orientation of the cam means with respect to the resilient member of the switch body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein the cam means are formed integrally with the lever.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein the cam means are detachably secured to the lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein at least one cam face is detachably secured to the remainder of the cam means to enable such cam surface to be replaced by a surface of a different configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein members associated with said electrical contacts are provided and the cam means has portions which are provided to actuate such members to effect the switching.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A key switch according to claim 7, wherein extensions of such contacts constitute saId members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A key switch according to claim 7, wherein slidable shoes constitute said members which are associated with said contacts and such shoes engage such contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein at least two electrical contact assemblages are carried by the body, the contacts of such assemblages being adapted to be moved in response to movement of such lever with respect to the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein two sidewalls of the body define a hollow and said lever is mounted on the body with the cam means within such hollow, the cam faces being provided on those faces of the cam member which lie adjacent said body sidewalls and one of such cam faces being engaged by said detent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein said cam member is bifurcated and the bifurcations each carry a cam surface, a portion of said resilient member extending between the bifurcations so that the detent engages one only of said cam surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein the lever and cam member are moulded from a plastics material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A key switch according to claim 1, wherein said body is formed integrally with means for firmly mounting said body on a mounting plate or the like.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |