US3663781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switch having a flexible one-piece actuator
Assignee: SCM Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-23
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract In an embodiment of an electrical switch, a rectangular translucent elastic plate having projections which extend from two opposing edges is coupled to a supporting structure. The supporting structure includes a rectangular base, two opposing side walls having projections over the base, and a fulcrum projecting from the base which is parallel to and equidistant from both walls. The plate rests on the fulcrum and the side wall projections overlap the plate projections thereby preventing clockwise rotation of one end of the plate and counterclockwise rotation of the opposing end of the plate. In each of the cavities created by the plate and supporting structure there is mounted a microswitch having a plunger which is triggered by a force responsive flexing of the plate and an indicator light which indicates the state of the microswitch.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Zimmerman
- 👤 James R Lindsay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/023; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12; H01H3/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An electric switch of the type actuated by force exerting means, comprising: a base; an elastic plate coupled to said base; a fulcrum, coupled to said base, for pivoting the plate; means, coupled to the base, for preventing clockwise rotation about the fulcrum of one end of the plate; means coupled to the base, for preventing counterclockwise rotation about the fulcrum of another end of the plate; means, coupled to the base, responsive to the flexing of the plate by said force exerting means for providing electrical signals; and said plate is a rectangular sheet of plastic having a first extending section at said one end and a second extending section at said another end; said means for preventing clockwise rotation include means engaging said first extending section; and said means for preventing counterclockwise rotation include means engaging said second extending section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electric switch of the type actuated by force exerting means, comprising: a base; an elastic plate coupled to said base; a fulcrum, coupled to said base, for pivoting the plate; means, coupled to the base, for preventing clockwise rotation about the fulcrum of one end of the plate; means coupled to the base, for preventing counterclockwise rotation about the fulcrum of another end of the plate; means, coupled to the base, responsive to the flexing of the plate by said force exerting means for providing electrical signals; and said plate is a rectangular sheet of plastic having a first extending section at said one end and a second extending section at said another end; said means for preventing clockwise rotation include means engaging said first extending section; and said means for preventing counterclockwise rotation include means engaging said second extending section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electric switch, according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to the flexing of said plate includes a first microswitch responsive to the flexing of said one end and a second microswitch responsive to the flexing of said another end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
An electric switch, according to claim 2 further including: a first bulb and socket, coupled to said base, responsive to the electrical signal provided by said first microswitch; and, a second bulb and socket, coupled to said base, responsive to the electrical signal provided by said second microswitch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electric switch, according to claim 3, further including first elastic means, coupled to said base, for supporting said one end; and, second elastic means, coupled to said base, for supporting said other end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electric switch, according to claim 4, wherein said fulcrum is positioned equidistant from said one end and said another End.
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) | 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 |