US3668338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature axial bridging rotary switch with improved housing
Assignee: Grayhill Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract Multi-position electrical switch including switch sections or decks arranged so that any desired number of sections can be used. Each section includes a rotor for selectively bridging switch contacts which can be arranged in different manners as required in different applications. A large number of switch positions, for example, 24, can be provided in a very small switch structure. The individual contacts for the different positions are embedded in a plastic insulating member to provide a solid insulated support therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J O'malley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/54; H01H19/56; H01H19/58; H01H19/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A rotary multi-position electrical switch structure including in combination, a molded cylindrical insulating member having a plurality of conductors molded therein, said conductors being substantially uniformly radially spaced about said insulating member and having external terminal portions and internal contact portions, an insulating plate engaging one end of said cylindrical insulating member, contact means in engagement with said insulating plate, a rotor structure within said insulating member having a rotary insulating member and at least one conducting contact moved by said member, said contact having portions selectively engaging said contact portions of said conductors and said contact means, and an insulating disc engaging said cylindrical insulating member at the end thereof opposite to said end engaging said insulating plate, said disc having a portion extending into said cylindrical insulating member and ridges extending between said contact portions, said disc and said cylindrical member having interengaging portions to insure that said disc is in a predetermined radial position with respect to said cylindrical member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A rotary multi-position electrical switch structure including in combination, a molded cylindrical insulating member having a plurality of conductors molded therein, said conductors being substantially uniformly radially spaced about said insulating member and having external terminal portions and internal contact portions, an insulating plate engaging one end of said cylindrical insulating member, contact means in engagement with said insulating plate, a rotor structure within said insulating member having a rotary insulating member and at least one conducting contact moved by said member, said contact having portions selectively engaging said contact portions of said conductors and said contact means, and an insulating disc engaging said cylindrical insulating member at the end thereof opposite to said end engaging said insulating plate, said disc having a portion extending into said cylindrical insulating member and ridges extending between said contact portions, said disc and said cylindrical member having interengaging portions to insure that said disc is in a predetermined radial position with respect to said cylindrical member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said internal contact portions have raised ends, and said contact of said rotor structure is U-shaped and has a first end adapted to selectively engage said contact portions and a second end adapted to engage said contact means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insulating disc extends within said cylindrical insulating member with one surface thereof flush with said opposite end of said insulating member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said ridges of said insulating disc have heights to be engaged by said contact of said rotary member when said contact moves from one of said contact portions to another, and wherein said ridges are constructed of a material which acts to clean said contact as said contact moves thereacross.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein said insulating disc has a central hub connected to said ridges and cooperating therewith and with the inside surface of said cylindrical insulating member to form wells under said contact portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insulating plate has a plurality of recesses therein and said contact means includes a plurality of flat conductors positioned in said recesses, with each conductor having a radial extent to be aligned with a plurality of said contact poRtions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rotor structure has a plurality of conducting contacts equal in number to the number of said flat conductors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A rotary electrical switch structure including in combination, a base member having an operating shaft supported thereby and means coupled to said shaft providing predetermined switching positions, a plurality of switch decks mounted on said base member each including a cylindrical insulating housing section having a plurality of conductors molded therein in radially spaced positions, an insulating disc in predetermined positional engagement with said housing section and having a central opening therein, contact means supported in fixed position with respect to said conductors, and a rotor within said housing section including a movable contact selectively bridging said conductors and said contact means, said rotor including a rotary insulating member having a hub extending into said central opening in said insulating disc, and drive means coupling said operating shaft to said rotor of each of said switch decks for simultaneously rotating the same.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
A rotary electrical switch structure including in combination, a base member having an operating shaft supported thereby and means coupled to said shaft providing predetermined switching positions, a plurality of switch decks mounted on said base member each including a cylindrical insulating housing section having a plurality of conductors molded therein in radially spaced positions, an insulating disc in predetermined positional engagement with said housing section and having a central opening therein, contact means supported in fixed position with respect to said conductors, and a rotor within said housing section including a movable contact selectively bridging said conductors and said contact means, said rotor including a rotary insulating member having a hub extending into said central opening in said insulating disc, and drive means coupling said operating shaft to said rotor of each of said switch decks for simultaneously rotating the same.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 8 wherein said conductors have portions extending outside said cylindrical housing section forming terminals, and portions extending within said housing section forming fixed contacts which are engaged by said movable contact of said rotor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A switch structure in accordance with claim 8 wherein said base member has a plurality of openings therein and including a pair of stop pins adapted to be positioned in said openings, and a stop plate coupled to said operating shaft having a stop arm adapted to engage said stop pins to limit rotation of said operating shaft, with the extent of rotation being determined by the positioning of said stop pins in said openings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rotary switch structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said insulating disc has a central opening therein, and said rotary insulating member has a hub extending into said central opening.
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) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |