Patent US3116432A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3676617A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3676617A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch having spider-shaped contact carrier
Assignee: General Automotive Speciality Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-10-16
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A movable contact shorting device is disclosed which may constitute an electrical component of a switch. The device is interposed between a fixed contact member and a movable actuator and includes a contact plate having a plurality of contact portions protruding from one surface and engageable with corresponding contact elements on the fixed member. A plurality of spring fingers integral with the plate depend longitudinally therefrom to bear against the actuator. The fingers may be formed from arcuate portions of the plate and serve to bias the plate against the fixed member. The contact portions may be arranged in any convenient pattern depending upon the requirements of the switch circuit. An open-ended enclosure or boot is sealably mountable on the switch to shield against adverse weather conditions and ambient foreign matter. The boot includes a transverse portion to overlie part of the switch and contains a passage through this portion having resilient walls to form a substantially weather-proof seal. The walls separate under pressure, as for example when a key is inserted, but conform to the shape of the key so as to maintain the seal. The boot may be rotatably mounted on the switch to turn with the key thereby minimizing any deformation tending to interfere with the seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin P Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H27/00; H01H27/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
In a switch having a first member and a second member movable relative thereto to a plurality of switch positions, the first member having a plurality of fixed contact elements, the improvement which includes a movable contact shorting device comprising: a substantially spider-shaped member having an upper body portion engaging the first member of the switch, and a plurality of spring fingers depending from said body portion to bear against the second member of the switch, said spider member being adapted to be rotated by the second member about an axis perpendicular to said body portion and having a plurality of electrically interconnected contact nodules protruding from said body portion toward the first member of the switch, each of said nodules engaging a corresponding one of the fixed contact elements to complete a circuit when the switch is in one switch position, and disengaging said contact elements to break said circuit as the second member is moved toward another switch position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a switch having a first member and a second member movable relative thereto to a plurality of switch positions, the first member having a plurality of fixed contact elements, the improvement which includes a movable contact shorting device comprising: a substantially spider-shaped member having an upper body portion engaging the first member of the switch, and a plurality of spring fingers depending from said body portion to bear against the second member of the switch, said spider member being adapted to be rotated by the second member about an axis perpendicular to said body portion and having a plurality of electrically interconnected contact nodules protruding from said body portion toward the first member of the switch, each of said nodules engaging a corresponding one of the fixed contact elements to complete a circuit when the switch is in one switch position, and disengaging said contact elements to break said circuit as the second member is moved toward another switch position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the number of said contact nodules and said spring fingers is three.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the distal ends of each of said spring fingers is upturned to form a substantially rounded surface area for engagement with the second member of the switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the number of said contact nodules is equal to the number of said spring fingers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said contact nodules is located respectively adjacent the point from which each of said fingers extends from said body portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said spring fingers is substantially equidistant from fingers adjacent thereto, and all of said spring fingers are symmetrical about the center of said body portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said spring fingers is formed from an integral part of said body portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as recited in claim 7 wherein each of said spring fingers is formed from an arcuate portion of said body portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device as recited in claim 8 wherein each of said arcuate portions is located along the perimeter of said body portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as recited in claim 9 wherein the number of said fingers is three and each of said arcuate portions is measured by substantially 70* of arc length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said body portion is electrically conductive, and each of said contact nodules comprises an integral substantially convex protuberance on said body portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as recited in claim 1, which comprises, in addition, polarizing means connected to said body portion for orienting said nodules relative to the fixed elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device as recited in claim 12 wherein said polarizing means comprises a pair of arms integral with said body portion and extending from diametrically opposite locations on the perimeter of said body plate, the arms having unequal widTh dimensions and being engageable with said second member.
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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |