US3663774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key operated switch
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1971-03-04
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1991-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A key operated switch is provided having a locking portion operative in response to insertion of a key to unlock and rotate. A nonconductive actuation cylinder is coupled to and rotates with the lock. This actuation cylinder has a conductive contact bar mounted therein, and has a key slot through the center. Circuit means are provided for connecting the actuation cylinder contact bar and external circuitry when the actuation cylinder is rotated. The key is provided having a first portion for insertion into the lock means for unlocking and rotating the same, and a second portion for insertion through the actuation cylinder key slot. The second portion is operative to inhibit portions of the circuit means from engaging the actuation cylinder contact bar.
Inventors
- 👤 Alvin Feder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H27/00; H01H27/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A key operated switch including in combination; lock means having a first and second portion, said lock means operative in response to insertion of a key to unlock and allow rotation of said first portion with respect to said second portion, an actuation cylinder coupled to said lock means and rotatable therewith, said actuation cylinder including contact means therein, and having a key slot therethrough, circuit means for providing electrical contact with external circuitry, said circuit means being coupled to said actuation cylinder and engaging said actuation cylinder contact means when said lock means first portion is rotated and, a key having a first portion for insertion into said lock means for unlocking and rotating same, and a second portion for insertion through said actuation cylinder key slot, said second portion operative to inhibit portions of said circuit means from engaging said actuation cylinder contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A key operated switch including in combination; lock means having a first and second portion, said lock means operative in response to insertion of a key to unlock and allow rotation of said first portion with respect to said second portion, an actuation cylinder coupled to said lock means and rotatable therewith, said actuation cylinder including contact means therein, and having a key slot therethrough, circuit means for providing electrical contact with external circuitry, said circuit means being coupled to said actuation cylinder and engaging said actuation cylinder contact means when said lock means first portion is rotated and, a key having a first portion for insertion into said lock means for unlocking and rotating same, and a second portion for insertion through said actuation cylinder key slot, said second portion operative to inhibit portions of said circuit means from engaging said actuation cylinder contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The key operated switch of claim 1 further including housing means adapted to support said lock means, said actuation cylinder, and said circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The key operated switch of claim 2 wherein said circuit means includes circuit board means for providing electrical contact with said external circuitry, and a plurality of resilient conductive means mounted to said circuit board means for making electrical contact with said actuation cylinder contact means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
The key operated switch of claim 3 wherein said actuation cylinder is electrically nonconductive and said contact means is conductive said actuation cylinder including a plurality of guide channels in the cylindrical surface, parallel to the cylinder axis, for guiding said resilient conductive means, said contact means having portions extending into said guide channels for contacting said resilient conductive means, said actuation cylinder key slot extending into said guide channels, said key when inserted through said actuation cylinder key slot having portions extending into a plurality of said guide channels, for bearing against the resilient conductive means in said guide channels when rotated to inhibit contact with said contact means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The key operated switch of claim 4 wherein said key includes; a first portion having notches cut therein for actuating said lock means, and a second portion having notches cut therein at predetermined locations for allowing contact between a predetermined number of said resilient conductive means and said contact means, said second portion inhibiting contact between the remainder of said resilient conductive means and said contact means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The key operated switch of claim 5 wherein said circuit means includes a plurality of circuit boards each having a plurality of resilient conductive means mounted thereto said resilient conductive means being formed from spring wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The key operated switch of claim 6 wherein said contact means in said actuation cylinder is a contact bar, extending parallel to the axis of said actuation cylinder and perpendicular to said guide channels, said contact bar having a portion extending into said guide channels for contacting said resilient conductive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The key operated switch of claim 7 wherein said plurality of circuit boards is two circuit boards.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The key operated switch of claim 8 wherein said housing includes first and second identical sections and a retaining plate, said identical sections being coupled together, and said retaining plate being secured to said sections at one end thereof for retaining said lock means, circuit means, and actuation cylinder in assembled relation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
A key operated switch including in combination; lock means operative in Response to insertion of a key to unlock and allow rotation thereof in a predetermined arc to a first position, contact means coupled to said lock means and rotating therewith, circuit means for providing electrical contact with external circuitry, said circuit means including resilient conductive means coupled to said contact means when said lock is rotated to said first position and, a key having a first portion for insertion into said lock means for unlocking and rotating same, and a second portion in operative association with said resilient conductive means to inhibit particular of said resilient conductive means from engaging said contact means when said lock is in said first position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
A key operated switch including in combination; lock means operative in Response to insertion of a key to unlock and allow rotation thereof in a predetermined arc to a first position, contact means coupled to said lock means and rotating therewith, circuit means for providing electrical contact with external circuitry, said circuit means including resilient conductive means coupled to said contact means when said lock is rotated to said first position and, a key having a first portion for insertion into said lock means for unlocking and rotating same, and a second portion in operative association with said resilient conductive means to inhibit particular of said resilient conductive means from engaging said contact means when said lock is in said first position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The key operated switch of claim 10 further including a housing means adapted to support said lock means, said contact means, and said circuit means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
The key operated switch of claim 10 wherein said contact means is an electrically nonconductive actuation cylinder having a plurality of guide channels in the cylindrical surface thereof for guiding said resilient conductive means, said guide channels being parallel to one another and perpendicular to the cylinder axis, an electrically conductive contact bar mounted in said cylinder parallel to said cylinder axis, said contact bar having a first surface extending into said guide channels for contacting said resilient conductive means when said lock is rotated to said first position, and a key slot for accepting said key second portion, said key slot extending parallel to said cylinder axis and having a portion extending into said guide channels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The key operated switch of claim 12 wherein said circuit means includes a plurality of circuit boards each having a plurality of resilient conductive means mounted thereto, said resilient conductive means being formed from spring wire.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2921299A
Cited
US3174003A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |