US3636622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for manufacturing thermostats
Assignee: Therm O Disc Inc
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Filing: 1969-02-03
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1989-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A snap disc operated thermostat in which the switch body and disc case are free of surfaces which would limit the final assembled position. Variations in the sizes of the component parts are compensated for by partially assembling the device until the switch first closes. This provides a reference point which compensates for component part size variations. The body and case are then moved to a final position of assembly through a predetermined distance arranged to insure proper snap operation of the switch in both opening and closing. Such predetermined distance is selected to compensate for existing ambient temperature during assembly and for the amount of creep between one position of stability and the adjacent position of instability.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H37/00; H01H37/02; H01H37/32; H01H37/52; H01H37/54; H01H37/5427; H01H2037/5445; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49004; Y10T29/49764; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/532; Y10T29/53248
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of assembling a condition-sensing switching device operated by a snap disc which has two positions of stability and which is subject to creep to adjacent positions of instability comprising mounting a switch on a body assembly, positioning a concave snap-acting disc in a cup-shaped case with the convex side exposed for switch engagement, sizing said body and case for an interference sliding fit, moving said body and case against the friction provided by said interference fit toward a final assembled position until they are in an intermediate position in which said switch engages said disc and first operates, determining when said intermediate position is reached by sensing the operation of said switch, and thereafter moving said body and case an additional predetermined distance to a final assembled position, said additional predetermined distance being at least equal to the amount of creep from the closest position of instability existing during assembly, and thereafter locking said case and body in said final assembled position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of assembling a condition-sensing switching device operated by a snap disc which has two positions of stability and which is subject to creep to adjacent positions of instability comprising mounting a switch on a body assembly, positioning a concave snap-acting disc in a cup-shaped case with the convex side exposed for switch engagement, sizing said body and case for an interference sliding fit, moving said body and case against the friction provided by said interference fit toward a final assembled position until they are in an intermediate position in which said switch engages said disc and first operates, determining when said intermediate position is reached by sensing the operation of said switch, and thereafter moving said body and case an additional predetermined distance to a final assembled position, said additional predetermined distance being at least equal to the amount of creep from the closest position of instability existing during assembly, and thereafter locking said case and body in said final assembled position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said assembly is performed without snapping said disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein a settable adhesive is applied to permanently lock said body and case in final assembled position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said case is an imperforate cup-shaped element, and sufficient adhesive is applied to completely close the open end of said case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said disc is a temperature-responsive bimetallic disc, and said predetermined distance is adjusted to compensate for the temperature of said disc during assembly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |