US3674970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel-mounted switch
Assignee: Cherry Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-23
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A switch housing adapted to be mounted in an opening formed in a wall panel having a construction comprising complementary case and cover, each providing an inner structural configuration by which various switch actuators resulting in different conventional operations of the switch components, may be accommodated. The switch components employed with the various actuators comprise spaced apart terminals fixedly mounted in the switch housing, a combination terminal and pivot post for a switch blade, and a coil spring overcentering mechanism. The switch housing provides external yieldable arms by which the switch may be fixedly positioned in the opening formed in the wall panel, with the actuator exposed for ready operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael F Bedocs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/506; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/015; H02B1/04; H02B1/044; H02B1/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
386 words
A panel-mounted switch having a housing for the switch components including an open-sided casing provided with an escutcheonlike front plate having an opening through which an actuator plunger projects, and a side cover for closing the casing, and yieldable fingers provided by the casing and extending in the direction of and terminating short of the front wall thereof by which the housing is mounted on a panel, wherein the improvement comprises a. an elongated hollow actuator plunger having an inner end portion of a length less than the depth of the housing so as to be reciprocally movable axially therethrough, b. a sleeve having a closed end freely journalled in said plunger and an enlarged base flange seated against the open inner end of said plunger within the housing, c. a coil spring having one end seated within the housing and projecting longitudinally into said sleeve to bear said base flange thereof against said plunger to maintain said plunger in one position within the housing and for yieldably resisting movement of said plunger in one direction therethrough, d. means provided by said casing in contact with said one side of said flange of said sleeve for preventing movement of said sleeve with said plunger when the latter is moved axially in another direction through the housing, e. said plunger providing on the periphery of said inner end portion a relieved surface positioned to receive a movable end of one of the switch components when the plunger is in said one position relative thereto and for moving the same to actuate the switch upon axial movement of said plunger into other positions responsive to the direction of its movement through the housing, f. means provided by the casing and side cover extending parallel and to either side of said plunger for guiding the same during its reciprocal axial movement in either direction within the housing, g. and means provided by said plunger on its inner end portion for cooperating with said guiding means for guiding said plunger during its axial movement through the housing and for preventing rotation thereof about its axis during its axial movement so as to maintain said relieved portion in position to receive the movable end of one of the switch components when said plunger is in said one position within the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
386 words
A panel-mounted switch having a housing for the switch components including an open-sided casing provided with an escutcheonlike front plate having an opening through which an actuator plunger projects, and a side cover for closing the casing, and yieldable fingers provided by the casing and extending in the direction of and terminating short of the front wall thereof by which the housing is mounted on a panel, wherein the improvement comprises a. an elongated hollow actuator plunger having an inner end portion of a length less than the depth of the housing so as to be reciprocally movable axially therethrough, b. a sleeve having a closed end freely journalled in said plunger and an enlarged base flange seated against the open inner end of said plunger within the housing, c. a coil spring having one end seated within the housing and projecting longitudinally into said sleeve to bear said base flange thereof against said plunger to maintain said plunger in one position within the housing and for yieldably resisting movement of said plunger in one direction therethrough, d. means provided by said casing in contact with said one side of said flange of said sleeve for preventing movement of said sleeve with said plunger when the latter is moved axially in another direction through the housing, e. said plunger providing on the periphery of said inner end portion a relieved surface positioned to receive a movable end of one of the switch components when the plunger is in said one position relative thereto and for moving the same to actuate the switch upon axial movement of said plunger into other positions responsive to the direction of its movement through the housing, f. means provided by the casing and side cover extending parallel and to either side of said plunger for guiding the same during its reciprocal axial movement in either direction within the housing, g. and means provided by said plunger on its inner end portion for cooperating with said guiding means for guiding said plunger during its axial movement through the housing and for preventing rotation thereof about its axis during its axial movement so as to maintain said relieved portion in position to receive the movable end of one of the switch components when said plunger is in said one position within the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A panel-mounted switch as defined by claim 1 and including means provided by said sleeve for maintaining axial alignment of said sleeve within said plunger when sAid plunger is moved in another direction through the housing and said sleeve is prevented from moving therewith by said means provided by said casing in contact with said flange of said sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
A panel-mounted switch as defined by claim 1 wherein said means provided by the casing and said side cover for guiding the plunger, comprises spaced wall abutments extending parallelly to the axis of the opening provided by the front plate of the casing and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said plunger, with said wall abutments being spaced apart to receive therebetween the means provided by said plunger that cooperate with said wall abutments for guiding said plunger in its axial movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A panel-mounted switch as defined by claim 1 wherein said means provided by said plunger cooperating with said guiding means, comprise longitudinally extending ribs laterally projecting from the periphery of said plunger to either side of said means that is provided by said plunger for operatively actuating the switch components, with said ribs being of a width to pass between said guiding means provided by the casing and said side cover, so as to guide the plunger and prevent axial rotation thereof during its axial movement relative to the switch components.
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) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |