US3594528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature switch having indicating means
Assignee: SIBALCO W SIEGRIST AND CO
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Filing: 1969-06-16
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-06-16
Abstract
Abstract The movement of a pushbutton or of a knob causes a ball to be pressed against a tensed flat, ferromagnetic spring attracted to a permanent magnet, forcing the spring, which carries the movable break and make contacts, away from the magnet and to snap close the make contacts, the stationary one of which is mounted on a plate with conductive paths. When the ball is released, the magnet attracts the spring and snaps the switch back to its rest position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean C Viau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H5/00; H01H5/02; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/36; H01H1/40; H01H1/403; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/023; H01H15/00; H01H15/02; H01H15/06; H01H15/10; H01H15/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A miniature switch comprising a substantially in the form of a hollow cylindrical body, a plate positioned in said housing and extending along the longitudinal axis thereof, at least one flat ferromagnetic spring substantially extending along the longitudinal axis of said housing, fastening means fixedly securing one end of said flat spring to one end portion of said plate, said flat spring having a portion movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing, said movable portion and said plate provided with at least one pair of confronting electrical contacts, a magnet fixedly secured to said plate, one face of said magnet adjoining said movable portion for holding said flat spring in a first position against an inherent transverse biasing force of said flat spring, a ball positioned in said housing between said magnet and said fastening means in line with the plane of said plate, said ball bearing on one side of said plane against said movable portion, movable actuating means arranged of one end of said housing near said one end portion of said plate and extending into said housing for pressing said ball against said movable portion to free the latter from said magnet and to displace said movable portion into a second position upon operation of said actuating means, and a plurality of socket parts engaging an opposite end portion of said plate fixing said plate in said housing at the end thereof remote from said actuating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A miniature switch comprising a substantially in the form of a hollow cylindrical body, a plate positioned in said housing and extending along the longitudinal axis thereof, at least one flat ferromagnetic spring substantially extending along the longitudinal axis of said housing, fastening means fixedly securing one end of said flat spring to one end portion of said plate, said flat spring having a portion movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said housing, said movable portion and said plate provided with at least one pair of confronting electrical contacts, a magnet fixedly secured to said plate, one face of said magnet adjoining said movable portion for holding said flat spring in a first position against an inherent transverse biasing force of said flat spring, a ball positioned in said housing between said magnet and said fastening means in line with the plane of said plate, said ball bearing on one side of said plane against said movable portion, movable actuating means arranged of one end of said housing near said one end portion of said plate and extending into said housing for pressing said ball against said movable portion to free the latter from said magnet and to displace said movable portion into a second position upon operation of said actuating means, and a plurality of socket parts engaging an opposite end portion of said plate fixing said plate in said housing at the end thereof remote from said actuating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
A switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable portion of said flat spring includes a generally Z-shaped extremity, said plate having an opening traversed by said extremity, the latter provided on each longitudinal side with a mobile electrical contact confronting a respective face of said plate, each face of said plate provided with a respective stationary electrical contact cooperating with a respective one of said mobile contacts whereby in said first position of said movable portion one of said mobile contacts engages one of said stationary contacts whereas in said second position of said movable portion the other of said mobile contacts engages the other of said stationary contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A switch as defined in claim 2 wherein said opposite end portion of said plate projects beyond the end of said housing remote from said actuating means, said plate provided with electrically conducting paths for connecting said mobile and stationary contacts to the exposed part of said opposite end portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
A switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means is a pushbutton, furtHer comprising a first sleeve connected with said pushbutton for displacement thereby from a rest position in the axial direction of said housing, a coil spring axially spaced from said first sleeve and axially supported in said housing, a second sleeve interposed between said coil spring and said first sleeve for joint displacement with said first sleeve against the force of said coil spring, and a cam on said second sleeve for pushing said ball against said movable portion of said flat spring in response to axial movement of said sleeves from the rest position, said plate having an opening loosely receiving said ball and a retaining edge on the face of said plate remote from said flat spring for preventing said ball from falling out of said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
A switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means is a movable rigid knob with a sleeve extending into said housing, said ball adjoining an inside wall surface of said housing, a free end of said sleeve remote from said knob projecting between said ball and said inner wall surface for camming said ball against said movable portion of said flat spring upon inward movement of said sleeve by said knob, said sleeve having a shoulder at the end thereof adjacent said movable knob; further comprising a helical compression spring within said sleeve bearing at its one end against said shoulder and at its other end, remote from said knob, against said housing, and stop means for limiting the axial movement of said knob.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A switch as defined in claim 5 wherein said knob is a pushbutton, further comprising detent means for releasably locking said pushbutton in a depressed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A switch as defined in claim 5, comprising a further sleeve integral with said socket parts and in contact with the inner surface of said housing, said further sleeve having an aperture receiving said ball, and a collar centered on said aperture extending from said opening and surrounding said ball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A switch as defined in claim 5 wherein said knob is rotatable and has an opening receiving said ball whereby rotation of said knob and sleeve cams said ball out of said opening and against said movable portion of said flat spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A switch as defined in claim 8 wherein a further sleeve integral with said socket parts and in contact with the inner surface of said housing is provided with an aperture receiving said ball and with a collar centered on said aperture and extending therefrom around said ball, the first-mentioned sleeve having at least one longitudinal slot coacting with and at least one longitudinal shoulder on said further sleeve for limiting rotation of said knob.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A switch as defined in claim 1, further comprising a lamp mounted on said one end portion of said plate, said actuating means having a light-transmissive wall for making visible the light of said lamp, said plate provided with conductive paths leading to said opposite end portion thereof for supplying current to said lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
158 words
A switch as defined in claim 10 wherein said actuating means is a movable knob rigid with a sleeve and wherein said ball adjoins an inner wall surface of said housing, an end of said sleeve remote from said knob projecting between said ball and said inner wall surface for camming said ball against said movable portion of said flat spring upon displacement of said sleeve by said knob, said sleeve having a shoulder at the end thereof adjacent said knob; further comprising a helical compression spring within said sleeve bearing at one end against said shoulder, stop means for limiting the axial movement of said knob, and an electrically insulated disc mounted within said sleeve and supporting the other end of said helical spring, said disc having a central opening for holding the base of said lamp in contact with further electrical contacts on an end of said plate to complete an electrical circuit through said base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A switch as defined in claim 1 wherein said magnet is of the permanent type.
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) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |