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US3681547A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Snap action switch with free-floating roller and cam shaped actuator

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-11-19
•
Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1989-11-19
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Abstract

Abstract Principles of switching are disclosed which variously enable achievement of simplicity, high current for size, long life and automated production. The principles are applicable to most switching situations. Conductor elements which are discrete, loosely confined by casing, dropped into operating position during assembly, circular, rigid, rotatable, elongated, in the form of a laterally moving rod, serving as a snap action bus, and capable of double make and break are variously shown. Directing assemblies move the conductor elements along a first surface until a release region is reached. Resilient energy stored during that movement then propels the conductor element away from the first surface, against an opposed surface. Assemblies are shown which are movable and self adjustable so as to constrain the conductor element against either opposed surface. Directing assemblies featured have faces that constrain the conductor, wedge it forward and, after release, divert it to the opposed surface. Projecting members that define these faces are shown as actuators movable relative toward the contact surfaces. Resilient members are shown on the opposite side of the conductor element, confined between the latter and a formation of the housing. The resilient members are arranged to propel the conductor along a path lying at an acute angle to the path the conductor element followed earlier as it approached the release region.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lyndon W Burch
  • 👤 Hadley K Burch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 01:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/14; H01H13/18; H01H5/00; H01H5/04; H01H5/045

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 215 words
A snap action switch having a bridging bar of electrically conductive material, the bar having a circular cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a pair of electrical contacts across which said bar bridges to complete a circuit, and a snap action assembly including a cam and spring for snapping said bar toward or away frOm said electrical contacts, said bar being free floating and said snap action assembly comprising a resilient surface pressing against one side of said bar, urging the opposite side of said bar against said cam, said bar being free to move across and change its position on said resilient surface during said snap action, said switch including a moving device defining opposed push surfaces and adapted to push said bar back and forth, said cam being incorporated in stationary structure engaged by said bar during said movement, said push surfaces being adapted to move in unison and being spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of said bar, enabling one push surface to push said bar as it moves over said cam until the bar reaches an over-center position whereupon said bar may snap over-center while free of said push surfaces, the bar then moving into a position to be engaged by said other push surface for return movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 215 words
A snap action switch having a bridging bar of electrically conductive material, the bar having a circular cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a pair of electrical contacts across which said bar bridges to complete a circuit, and a snap action assembly including a cam and spring for snapping said bar toward or away frOm said electrical contacts, said bar being free floating and said snap action assembly comprising a resilient surface pressing against one side of said bar, urging the opposite side of said bar against said cam, said bar being free to move across and change its position on said resilient surface during said snap action, said switch including a moving device defining opposed push surfaces and adapted to push said bar back and forth, said cam being incorporated in stationary structure engaged by said bar during said movement, said push surfaces being adapted to move in unison and being spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of said bar, enabling one push surface to push said bar as it moves over said cam until the bar reaches an over-center position whereupon said bar may snap over-center while free of said push surfaces, the bar then moving into a position to be engaged by said other push surface for return movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 148 words
A snap action switch having a bridging bar of electrically conductive material, the bar having a circular cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a pair of electrical contacts across which said bar bridges to complete a circuit, and a snap action assembly including a cam and spring for snapping said bar toward or away from said electrical contacts, said bar being free floating and said snap action assembly comprising a resilient surface pressing against one side of said bar, urging the opposite side of said bar against said cam, said bar being free to move across and change its position on said resilient surface during said snap action, said switch including an actuator and a single spring provides the resiliency for said resilient surface and is arranged to apply return forces to said actuator, whereby upon release of actuating forces said actuator returns to its initial position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 148 words
A snap action switch having a bridging bar of electrically conductive material, the bar having a circular cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a pair of electrical contacts across which said bar bridges to complete a circuit, and a snap action assembly including a cam and spring for snapping said bar toward or away from said electrical contacts, said bar being free floating and said snap action assembly comprising a resilient surface pressing against one side of said bar, urging the opposite side of said bar against said cam, said bar being free to move across and change its position on said resilient surface during said snap action, said switch including an actuator and a single spring provides the resiliency for said resilient surface and is arranged to apply return forces to said actuator, whereby upon release of actuating forces said actuator returns to its initial position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
The snap action switch according to claim 2 wherein said spring comprises a coil spring and said actuator comprises a plunger having a cam-shaped end surface and a straight line of travel generally parallel to and toward the axis of said spring.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

FR841864A Cited
GB593859A Cited
US2447318A Cited
US2633510A Cited
DE1006040B Cited
FR1210942A Cited
US2945098A Cited
US3274355A Cited
US3600533A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-08-01 1976-01-31 1976-08-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-08-01 1980-01-31 1980-08-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-08-01 1984-01-31 1984-08-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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