Patent US3697713A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3697713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alternate action mechanism with driving member movable out of engagement with latching channel in unlatched position
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-10-21
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A pushbutton switch of the type actuated by a push-push motion of a control member is provided with a compact miniaturized structure having means to facilitate smooth operation with a minimum of frictional resistance and at the same time to provide a sharp and reliable switching action. The switch body is provided with a generally heart-shaped channel adapted to receive the upstanding end of a driving member which in turn is carried by a push rod slidable into and out of the switch body between its two operative positions. The channel is stepped to provide positive snap action switching and means are provided to impart a seesaw motion to the driving member, thereby to move the upstanding end thereof into positive camming engagement with the stepped upper surface of the channel, yet to maintain that upstanding end spaced from the upper surface of the channel over a substantial portion of its operating path. Means are provided on the switch body for engaging the driving member first on one side and then at the other side of the pivotal support projection thereby to bias the upstanding end of the driving member into and out of engagement with the stepped channel surface as the push rod is moved between its two operative positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Masao Ohkita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/56; H01H13/562; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A pushbutton switch comprising a body with a surface, a channel in said surface, said channel having side walls and a bottom wall, a push rod movable relative to said surface in a given direction between first and second operative positions, a driving member carried by said push rod and having a part received in said channel, detent means on said bottom wall of said channel, and means active on said driving member to urge said part toward said bottom wall of said channel and into engagement with said detent means during a first portion of the travel of said part along said channel as it traverses said detent means and to urge said part out of engagement with said bottom wall of said channel during a second portion of its travel along said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A pushbutton switch comprising a body with a surface, a channel in said surface, said channel having side walls and a bottom wall, a push rod movable relative to said surface in a given direction between first and second operative positions, a driving member carried by said push rod and having a part received in said channel, detent means on said bottom wall of said channel, and means active on said driving member to urge said part toward said bottom wall of said channel and into engagement with said detent means during a first portion of the travel of said part along said channel as it traverses said detent means and to urge said part out of engagement with said bottom wall of said channel during a second portion of its travel along said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 1, wherein said driving member is eLongated, said part being disposed at one end thereof, said urging means comprising means for imparting a seesaw motion to said driving member in response to the movement of said push rod between its first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 2, in which said push rod is provided with a recess facing said body surface, said driving member being received in and said part of said driving member extending beyond said recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 2, wherein said seesaw motion imparting means comprises means pivotally mounting said driving member for rotation about an axis substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said push rod and biasing means on said switch body engaging said driving member first at one side and then at the other side of said pivot axis as said push rod moves between its first and second operative positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 4, in which said push rod is provided with a recess facing said body surface, said driving member being received in and said part of said driving member extending beyond said recess.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 1, wherein said channel provides two stable positions for said part of said driving member received therein and wherein said detent means comprises first and second step means on either side of one of said stable positions of said part, said first step means being traversed by said part as it moves from one to the other of said stable positions and effective to prevent snapback of said part to said one stable position, said second step means being traversed as said part moves from said other stable position to said one stable position and effective to prevent snapback of said part to said other stable position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 3, wherein said recess is generally fan-shaped, said driving member being pivotally mounted at its other end at the narrow end of its recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 5, wherein said recess is generally fan-shaped, said driving member being pivotally mounted at its other end at the narrow end of its recess.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 6, wherein said seesaw motion imparting means comprises means pivotally mounting said driving member for rotation about an axis substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said push rod and biasing means on said switch body engaging said driving member first at one side and then at the other side of said pivot axis as said push rod moves between its first and second operative positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 6, in which said push rod is provided with a recess facing said body surface, said driving member being received in and said part of said driving member extending beyond said recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 10, wherein said seesaw motion imparting means comprises means pivotally mounting said driving member for rotation about an axis substantially transverse to the direction of movement of said push rod and biasing means on said switch body engaging said driving member first at one side and then at the other side of said pivot axis as said push rod moves between its first and second operative positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 4, further comprising means urging said push rod in said given direction to one of said first or second positions, said push rod urging means operatively engaging said biasing means and being effective to urge said biasing means against said driving member as said push rod is moved to the other of said first or second positions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 12, in which said push rod is provided with a recess facing said body surface, said driving member being received in and said part of said driving member extending beyond said recess.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
112 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 12, wherein said channel provides two stable positions for said part of said driving member received therein and wherein said detent means comprises first and second step means on either side of one of said stable positions of said part, said first step means being traversed by said part as it moves from one to the other of said stable positions and effective to prevent snapback of said part to said one stable position, said second step means being traversed as said part moves from said other stable position to said one stable position and effective to prevent snapback of said part to said other stable position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 4, wherein said driving member comprises an elongated main body portion and wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises means projecting up from said recess, said main body portion of said driving member rockingly engaging said projecting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The pushbutton switch of claim 4, wherein said driving member comprises an elongated main body portion, and wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises means on said main body portion projecting downwardly and adapted to rockingly engage said push rod.
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) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |