Turn signal switch

Claim 2

A turn signal switch for automotive vehicles comprising a casing adapted to be fixedly mounted on the vehicle, an operating lever pivotally mounted on the casing for angular displacement about an axis extending through the casing, a circuit board with plural circuit paths thereon and being disposed within the casing adjacent and parallel to said axis, a first and second plurality of switch contact sets mounted on said board in spaced arrangement along said axis, each set including first and second contact support members with opposed contact elements thereon, said first contact support members being flexible, a barrel cam mounted in said casing for angular displacement about said axis with first and second cam lobe elements thereon engageable selectively with each of said first contact support members of a set to selectively close and open respective opposed contact elements, said operating lever being drivingly connected with said barrel cam for angular displacement thereof, detent means disposed between said casing and said lever and including means for holding said lever selectively in neutral, right-turn and left-turn positions, first and second groups of contact sets being electrically connected with respective electrical circuit paths on said board and being adapted to be connected with rightturn and left-turn signal circuits, respectively, the first and second cam lobe elements engaging the first and second group of contact sets, respectively, when said operating lever is in the right-turn and left-turn positions, respectively.

Claim 3

A turn signal switch for automotive vehicles comprising a casing adapted to be fixedly mounted on the vehicle, an operating lever pivotally mounted on the casing for angular displacement about an axis extending through the casing, a circuit board with plural circuit paths thereon and being disposed within the casing adjacent and parallel to said axis, a first and second plurality of switch contact sets mounted on said board in spaced arrangement along said axis, each set including first and second contact support members with opposed contact elements thereon, said first contact support members being flexible, a barrel cam mounted in said casing for angular displacement about said axis with first and second cam lobe elements thereon engageable selectively with each of said first contact support members of a set to selectively close and open respective opposed contact elements, said operating lever being drivingly connected with said barrel cam for angular displacement thereof, detent means disposed between said casing and said lever and including means for holding said lever selectively in neutral, right-turn and left-turn positions, first and second groups of contact sets being electrically connected with respective electrical circuit paths on said board and being adapted to be connected with right-turn and left-turn signal circuits, respectively, the first and second cam lobe elements engaging the first and second group of contact sets, respectively, when said operating lever is in the right-turn and left-turn positions, respectively.

Claim 4

A turn signal switch for automotive vehicles comprising a casing adapted to be fixedly mounted on the vehicle, an operating lever pivotally mounted on the casing for angular displacement about an axis extending through the casing, a circuit board with plural circuit paths thereon and being disposed within the casing adjacent and parallel to said axis, a first and second plurality of switch contact sets mounted on said board in spaced arrangement along said axis, each set including first and second contact support members with opposed contact elements thereon, said first contact support members being flexible, a barrel cam mounted in said casing for angular displacement about said axis with first and second cam lobe elements thereon engageable selectively with each of said first contact support members of a set to selectively close and open respective opposed contact elements, said operating lever being drivingly connected with said barrel cam for angular displacement thereof, detent means disposed between said casing and said lever and including means for holding said lever selectively in neutral, right-turn and left-turn positions, first and second groups of contact sets being electrically connected with respective electrical circuit paths on said board and being adapted to be connected with right-turn and left-turn signal circuits, respectively, the first and second cam lobe elements engaging the first and second group of contact sets, respectively, when said operating lever is in the right-turn and left-turn positions, respectively.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said first contact support members comprise flexible contact blades and include cam follower elements and wherein said cam lobe elements include a substantially radially extending shoulder adapted to engage and disengage the follower elements to impart snap action to said switch contact elements.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said detent means include a spring loaded plunger and a cam surface having recesses corresponding with said positions of the operating lever, said plunger and cam surface opposing movement of the lever away from said positions until an intermediate position is reached and aiding movement of the lever toward one of said positions After the intermediate position is reached, said cam lobe elements being located relative to said first contact blades and said intermediate positions so that said contact sets are operated with a snap action.

Claim 7

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said circuit board is a printed circuit board and metal rivets extending through the board and mounting said flexible contact blades thereon.

Claim 8

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said detent means also include means for holding said lever in a hazard warning position beyond one of said turn positions, said first and second group of contact sets being adapted to be connected with a hazard warning signal circuit and a third cam lobe element engaging said second group of contact sets when said lever is in the hazard warning position.

Claim 9

The invention as defined in claim 5 including a left and right brake switch contact sets and wherein said barrel cam includes fourth and fifth cam lobe elements thereon engaging the first contact blades respectively of the brake switch contact sets when said operating lever is in neutral position, is disengaged from one of said first contact blades when the lever is moved into the right turn or left-turn position, and is disengaged from both said first blades when the operating lever is in the hazard warning position.