US3710048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle plunger type switch unit with self-adjusting shaft coupling connection
Assignee: BorgWarner Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-06-28
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A self-adjusting start inhibitor switch unit for installation on motor vehicles equipped with transmissions is disclosed. The switch unit alternatively allows for actuation of the vehicle''s engine starting circuit or completes the circuit to light the vehicle''s reverse lamps or does neither depending upon the axial displacement of a spool which is moved by a plunger which rides on a cam surface that responds to the transmission shift lever setting. A locking washer connection between the plunger and spool allows the plunger to automatically and inversetelescopically adjust to the correct arrangement as the switch unit is attached to the transmission housing or other seating and thus allows for a greater range of tolerances in the switch unit''s housing, the transmission housing and the use of less labor in affixing the switch unit.
Inventors
- 👤 C Schumacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/16; H01H3/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In a transmission electrical switch unit adapted to be activated in response to transmission control members, said switch unit being of the type having a plunger that is axially displaced from and returned to a position in response to movement of an activating member to and from a predetermined position to thereby break and make an electrical contact, and which unit is adapted to be affixed in a seating adjacent to said activating member, the improvement of having provision within the switch unit for adjusting and fixing the axial spacial relationship of the plunger with respect to the contact, in response to the initial arrangement of the switch unit in said seating and of said activating member in the predetermined position, into one axial spacial relation so that the contact and plunger are thereafter maintained during normal use rigidly coupled togetHer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a transmission electrical switch unit adapted to be activated in response to transmission control members, said switch unit being of the type having a plunger that is axially displaced from and returned to a position in response to movement of an activating member to and from a predetermined position to thereby break and make an electrical contact, and which unit is adapted to be affixed in a seating adjacent to said activating member, the improvement of having provision within the switch unit for adjusting and fixing the axial spacial relationship of the plunger with respect to the contact, in response to the initial arrangement of the switch unit in said seating and of said activating member in the predetermined position, into one axial spacial relation so that the contact and plunger are thereafter maintained during normal use rigidly coupled togetHer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The improvement, as defined in claim 1, in a transmission electrical switch unit of the type there set out, wherein: said adjusting means includes an internally located shaft (18A) and sleeve (26) arranged for inverse telescopic movement therewith during the affixing of said unit into its seating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The improvement, as defined in claim 2, in a transmission electrical switch unit of the type there set out, wherein: said adjusting means includes locking means (44) for locking to one of said shaft and said sleeve whereby determining that relative position during normal operation of the switch unit, but allows inverse telescopic motion therebetween for forces exceeding those encountered during normal operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement, as defined in claim 3, in a transmission electrical switch unit of the type there set out, wherein: said locking means is a locking washer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
155 words
A start inhibitor switch unit for use in motor vehicles equipped with transmissions comprising: a housing having a threaded portion for mounting the unit to the vehicle; a plunger (18) carried in said housing so as to be movable in response to an activating device of said vehicle; means, mounted on said housing, including at least one electrical terminal, for defining a breakable electric current path, said means further including a movable circuit breaking and making member (26); and self-adjusting means (40) coupling together said circuit breaking and making member and said plunger for adjustably locking said circuit breaking and making member and said plunger together, said locking means being made so as to, in response to the initial mounting of the unit into the vehicle, allow for the spacing between said member and said plunger to be adjusted so that said member is at a predetermined operating position in relation to the actuating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
155 words
A start inhibitor switch unit for use in motor vehicles equipped with transmissions comprising: a housing having a threaded portion for mounting the unit to the vehicle; a plunger (18) carried in said housing so as to be movable in response to an activating device of said vehicle; means, mounted on said housing, including at least one electrical terminal, for defining a breakable electric current path, said means further including a movable circuit breaking and making member (26); and self-adjusting means (40) coupling together said circuit breaking and making member and said plunger for adjustably locking said circuit breaking and making member and said plunger together, said locking means being made so as to, in response to the initial mounting of the unit into the vehicle, allow for the spacing between said member and said plunger to be adjusted so that said member is at a predetermined operating position in relation to the actuating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
A transmission electrical switch unit adapted to be fixed to a seating adjacent an activating member and to be activated in response to transmission control members, said switch unit comprising a plunger which is axially displaced from and returned to a position in response to movement of an activating member to and from a predetermined position to break and make an electrical contact, and means within the switch unit for adjusting the axial spacial relationship of the plunger with respect to the contact in response to the initial arrangement of the switch unit in said seating and of said activating member in the predetermined position, and for fixing said plunger and contact in that axial spacial relationship so that they remain in that relationship during normal use thereafter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
A transmission electrical switch unit adapted to be fixed to a seating adjacent an activating member and to be activated in response to transmission control members, said switch unit comprising a plunger which is axially displaced from and returned to a position in response to movement of an activating member to and from a predetermined position to break and make an electrical contact, and means within the switch unit for adjusting the axial spacial relationship of the plunger with respect to the contact in response to the initial arrangement of the switch unit in said seating and of said activating member in the predetermined position, and for fixing said plunger and contact in that axial spacial relationship so that they remain in that relationship during normal use thereafter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A switch unit according to claim 6, wherein adjusting means includes an internally located shaft and a sleeve arranged for telescopic movement therewith during the fixing of said unit into its seating.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A switch unit according to claim 6, wherein said adjusting means includes locking means for locking to said shaft and/or said sleeve, whereby determining their relative position during normal operation of the switch unit, but allows telescopic motion therebetween for forces exceeding those encountered during normal operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A switch unit according to claim 8, wherein said locking means is a locking washer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A switch unit according to claim 5, wherein the locking means comprises an axially split spring sleeve surrounding said plunger and engaging in a bore in said breaking and making member, said sleeve normally locking into said plunger but being slidable thereon when extra force is applied to said plunger during mounting of the unit on a vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A switch unit according to claim 10, wherein the breaking and making member comprises a spool of insulating material having a circumferential conducting ring selectively engageable with a resilient contact connected to the or each terminal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |