Patent US3590647A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3590647A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Snap-action switch-operating mechanism
Assignee: STERER ENGINEERING AND Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1968-12-18
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A switch-actuating mechanism is designed to give a snap action to either make or break an electrical circuit in a fast, positive manner. The switch is held firmly open or closed until the time of actuation is reached and is thus insulated from the adverse effects of shock and vibration. The operating mechanism is especially adapted to operate overcenter types of switches wherein the switch contacts are subject to chatter when near the center of shifting position.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Eugene Monnich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:38
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H35/00; F16H35/14; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/24; H01H35/38; H01H5/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18416; Y10T74/18488; Y10T74/18496; Y10T74/18888; Y10T74/18896
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
A bidirectional snap-action-operating mechanism for controlling movement of a switch are or the like between two positions, comprising: a fixed pivot; a lever mounted to swing about the pivot and having means permitting bodily movement of the lever relative to the pivot; a switch arm engaged by and moved by said lever; a control member mounted for bidirectional movement in response to an externally applied force and having a surface parallel to the direction of bidirectional movement engageable with the lever in a first position in which the lever engages and holds the switch arm in a first position; a first biasing means normally urging the control member into a position in which it engages the lever on said surface; and a second biasing means biasing the lever toward said engagement with the control member and shifting the lever bodily away from the switch arm and about the pivot into a second position when travel of the control member moves said surface thereon out of contact with the lever, whereby the switch arm is released by the lever to move to an alternate position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A bidirectional snap-action-operating mechanism for controlling movement of a switch are or the like between two positions, comprising: a fixed pivot; a lever mounted to swing about the pivot and having means permitting bodily movement of the lever relative to the pivot; a switch arm engaged by and moved by said lever; a control member mounted for bidirectional movement in response to an externally applied force and having a surface parallel to the direction of bidirectional movement engageable with the lever in a first position in which the lever engages and holds the switch arm in a first position; a first biasing means normally urging the control member into a position in which it engages the lever on said surface; and a second biasing means biasing the lever toward said engagement with the control member and shifting the lever bodily away from the switch arm and about the pivot into a second position when travel of the control member moves said surface thereon out of contact with the lever, whereby the switch arm is released by the lever to move to an alternate position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A snap-action-operating mechanism as in claim 1 that also includes stop means limiting swinging motion of the lever about the pivot under the urging of the second biasing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A snap-action-operating mechanism as in claim 1 in which the control member is mounted for rectilinear movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A snap-action-operating mechanism as in claim 1 in which the control member is a rotor mounted for angular movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A snap-action-operating mechanism as in claim 1 in which the control member is provided with a shoulder at one end of said surface thereon, said shoulder engaging the lever on the return movement of the control member to rock the lever and return the lever to engagement with said surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A pressure-responsive switch mechanism comprising: a switch having a contact shift arm; an operating member movable in response to an externally applied pressure and having a rectilinear surface; a switch actuating lever engageable with the shift arm and having a rectilinear surface engageable with the first said rectilinear surface; pivot means mounting the lever for combined angular and bodily shifting movement relative to the pivot; a first biasing means urging the operating member to a position engaging the actuating lever; and a second biasing means urging the lever away from the shift arm and toward the operating member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A pressure-responsive switch mechanism comprising: a switch having a contact shift arm; an operating member movable in response to an externally applied pressure and having a rectilinear surface; a switch actuating lever engageable with the shift arm and having a rectilinear surface engageable with the first said rectilinear surface; pivot means mounting the lever for combined angular and bodily shifting movement relative to the pivot; a first biasing means urging the operating member to a position engaging the actuating lever; and a second biasing means urging the lever away from the shift arm and toward the operating member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
A pressure-responsive switch mechanism as in claim 6 in which the operating member has a surface parallel to the direction of member travel engaged by the actuating lever and terminating abruptly at a shoulder whereby the actuating lever is displaced in a direction away from the shift arm when the operating member disengages the actuating lever by movement in response to applied pressure and in opposition to the first biasing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pressure-responsive switch mechanism as in claim 7 in which the shoulder on the operating member engages the actuating lever after said displacement and during subsequent return movement of the control member by the first biasing means to return the lever to its initial position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pressure-responsive switch mechanism as in claim 8 in which initial movement of the actuating lever to its initial position is angular movement about the pivot means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A snap-action-operating mechanism as in claim 1 in which the lever has an opening wide enough in one dimension to snugly receive the pivot and permit swinging movement of the lever about the pivot, the opening being elongated transversely of said dimension to permit the lever to move bodily relative to the pivot; the switch arm engaging the lever at a position to be moved by said bodily movement of the lever.
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) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |