US3594774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plural module circuit signaling system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-12-31
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A signaling system including a plurality of switching modules each of which includes a manually operated member adapted to be selectively actuated to one of four positions and a remotely operated switch which, upon actuation, changes the position of the manually operated member. Each switching module further includes indicia means in the form of lightbulbs.
Inventors
- 👤 Herman L Dawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:01
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
In a signaling system, the combination comprising a plurality of module circuits, each said module circuit comprising a frame, a switch mounted on said frame and having a plurality of at least three contacts, the first and second of said contacts being normally in contact with one another and the third contact being normally out of contact with the second contact, electrically energizable indicia on said frame electrically connected to be energized selectively when the second contact is in contact with the first and third contacts, respectively, a manually operated member mounted on said frame and having at least four positions, one of said positions holding said first contact out of contact with said second contact, a second position wherein said first contact is permitted to contact the second contact, and a third position wherein said second contact is moved into contact with said third contact, a latch controlled by said manually operated member and operable when said member is moved to said thIrd position to latch said second contact into engagement with said third contact, an electrically operated means for disengaging said latch, said manually operated member being operable by movement to a fourth position to disengage said latch, and a switch remotely positioned with respect to said frame and adapted to be momentarily actuated for completing a circuit to energize said electrically operated means and thereby release said latch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a signaling system, the combination comprising a plurality of module circuits, each said module circuit comprising a frame, a switch mounted on said frame and having a plurality of at least three contacts, the first and second of said contacts being normally in contact with one another and the third contact being normally out of contact with the second contact, electrically energizable indicia on said frame electrically connected to be energized selectively when the second contact is in contact with the first and third contacts, respectively, a manually operated member mounted on said frame and having at least four positions, one of said positions holding said first contact out of contact with said second contact, a second position wherein said first contact is permitted to contact the second contact, and a third position wherein said second contact is moved into contact with said third contact, a latch controlled by said manually operated member and operable when said member is moved to said thIrd position to latch said second contact into engagement with said third contact, an electrically operated means for disengaging said latch, said manually operated member being operable by movement to a fourth position to disengage said latch, and a switch remotely positioned with respect to said frame and adapted to be momentarily actuated for completing a circuit to energize said electrically operated means and thereby release said latch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including electrically actuated indicia means energizable in the first and second positions of said manually operated member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 including remotely positioned electrically energized indicia means connected to the electrically energized indicia means on said frame and positioned remotely for indicating the energization of the respective first-mentioned indicia means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrically energizable indicia means comprises a pair of lights.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including detent means for holding said manually operated member in each of said first two positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including yielding means for returning said manually operated member to one of said first two positions after it has been moved to the third or fourth positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said manually operated member comprises a lever pivoted to said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said frame has detent means cooperating with said lever for holding said lever in each of said first two positions thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein said lever is pivoted to said frame and yielding means yieldingly urges said lever toward one of said two detent positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said switches comprise a plurality of leaf elements and a block for supporting said leaf elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 10 including a fourth switch element which is momentarily engaged during movement of said first contact by the manually operated member when the manually operated member is moved to the fourth position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said frame is generally U-shaped, said lever being mounted on the exterior of said member, said contacts being mounted on the interior of said member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said lever includes a detent pin thereon, said frame having spaced detents therein engaged by said pin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
210 words
For use in a signaling system, a module comprising a frame, a switch mounted on said frame and having a plurality of at least three contacts, the first and second of said contacts being normally in contact with one another and the third contact being normally out of contact with the second contact, electrically energizable indicia on said frame electrically connected to be energized selectively when the second contact is in contact with the first and third contacts, respectively, a manually operated member mounted on said frame and having at least four positions, one of said positions holding said first contact out of contact with said second contact, a second position wherein said first contact is permitted to contact the second contact, and a third position wherein said second contact is moved into contact with said third contact, a latch controlled by said manually operated member and operable when said member is moved to said third position to latch said second contact into engagement with said third contact, an electrically operated means for disengaging said latch, said manually operated member being operable by movement to a fourth position to disengage said latch, whereby when a circuit is momentarily actuated to energize said electric operated means and said latch is released.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
210 words
For use in a signaling system, a module comprising a frame, a switch mounted on said frame and having a plurality of at least three contacts, the first and second of said contacts being normally in contact with one another and the third contact being normally out of contact with the second contact, electrically energizable indicia on said frame electrically connected to be energized selectively when the second contact is in contact with the first and third contacts, respectively, a manually operated member mounted on said frame and having at least four positions, one of said positions holding said first contact out of contact with said second contact, a second position wherein said first contact is permitted to contact the second contact, and a third position wherein said second contact is moved into contact with said third contact, a latch controlled by said manually operated member and operable when said member is moved to said third position to latch said second contact into engagement with said third contact, an electrically operated means for disengaging said latch, said manually operated member being operable by movement to a fourth position to disengage said latch, whereby when a circuit is momentarily actuated to energize said electric operated means and said latch is released.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination set forth in claiM 14 including detent means for holding said manually operated member in each of said first two positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination set forth in claim 14 including yielding means for returning said manually operated member to one of said first two positions after it has been moved to the third or fourth positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein said manually operated member comprises a lever pivoted to said frame.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said frame has detent means cooperating with said lever for holding said lever in one of said first two positions thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein said lever is pivoted to said frame and yielding means yieldingly urging said lever toward one of said two detent positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein said switches comprise a plurality of leaf elements and a block for supporting said leaf elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 20 including a fourth switch element which is momentarily engaged during movement of said first contact by the manually operated member when the manually operated member is moved to the fourth position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said frame is generally U-shaped, said lever being mounted on the exterior of said member, said contacts being mounted on the interior of said member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination set forth in claim 22 wherein said lever includes a detent pin thereon, said frame having spaced detents therein engaged by said pin.
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 |