US3718784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle direction switch with automatic return and headlight dimmer control
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1970-06-11
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1990-06-11
Abstract
Abstract An electrical switch including a base having a rotor mounted for angular movement thereon. A first set of electrical contacts is operable by angular movement of the rotor relative to the base, and an operating lever is pivotally mounted on the rotor for movement relative to the rotor about an axis at right angles to the axis of movement of the rotor. The lever is coupled to a slider capable of sliding movement relative to the base, and further electrical contacts are operable by the slider in response to sliding movement thereof. The operating lever is coupled to the slider in such a manner that movement of the lever in a direction parallel to its pivot axis takes place relative to the slider, and so moves the rotor relative to the base to operate the first set of contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 N Wilkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/40; B60Q1/42; B60Q1/425; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1446; B60Q1/1453; B60Q1/1461; B60Q1/1469
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
An electrical switch including a base, a rotor, means mounting the rotor for angular movement on the base, a first set of electrical contacts supported by the base, angular movement of the rotor relative to the base operating said first set of contacts, an operating lever, means pivotally mounting the operating lever on the rotor for movement relative to the rotor about an axis generally at right angles to the axis of movement of the rotor relative to the base, a slider, means mounting the slider on the base for sliding movement relative thereto in a direction generally parallel with the axis about which the rotor can move angularly relative to the base, a second set of electrical contacts supported by the base, movement of the slider relative to the base operating said second set of contacts, a fixed detent component carried by the base, a movable detent component carried by said slider and co-operating with the fixed detent component to define operative positions of the slider relative to the base, and, means coupling the operating lever to said slider in such a manner that pivotal movement of the lever relative to the rotor moves the slider relative to the base to operate said second set of contacts, whereas movement of the operating lever in a plane parallel to the pivotal axis of the lever takes place relative to the slider, and moves the rotor angularly relative to the base to operate the first set of electrical contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
An electrical switch including a base, a rotor, means mounting the rotor for angular movement on the base, a first set of electrical contacts supported by the base, angular movement of the rotor relative to the base operating said first set of contacts, an operating lever, means pivotally mounting the operating lever on the rotor for movement relative to the rotor about an axis generally at right angles to the axis of movement of the rotor relative to the base, a slider, means mounting the slider on the base for sliding movement relative thereto in a direction generally parallel with the axis about which the rotor can move angularly relative to the base, a second set of electrical contacts supported by the base, movement of the slider relative to the base operating said second set of contacts, a fixed detent component carried by the base, a movable detent component carried by said slider and co-operating with the fixed detent component to define operative positions of the slider relative to the base, and, means coupling the operating lever to said slider in such a manner that pivotal movement of the lever relative to the rotor moves the slider relative to the base to operate said second set of contacts, whereas movement of the operating lever in a plane parallel to the pivotal axis of the lever takes place relative to the slider, and moves the rotor angularly relative to the base to operate the first set of electrical contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fixed detent component comprises a fixed projection on the base and said movable detent component comprises a resilient portion having two grooves engageable with said fixed projection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein detent means is provided for maintaining the rotor in anyone of a plurality of angular positions relative to the base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein said plurality of angular positions comprises a first central position wherein no electrical circuitS are completed through said first set of electrical contacts a second position achieved by moving the rotor in one angular direction from said first position and in which a first electrical circuit is completed through said first set of electrical contacts, and a third position achieved by moving the rotor in the other angular direction from said first position and in which a second electrical circuit is completed through said first set of electrical contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
A switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second electrical circuits are completed during the respective movements of the rotor from the first position, prior to the rotor reaching its second or third positions respectively, and the switch includes means operable during movement of the rotor from its first position to its second position or its third position, to impart resistance to further movement of the rotor to its first position or its second position, said means being operable at points in the movement of the rotor such that said first circuit or said second circuit is completed, but where upon release of the rotor the rotor will be returned by said detent means to the first position,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A switch as claimed in claim 5 wherein said means for imparting resistance to movement of the rotor includes a member movable with the rotor and a channel on the base, said member being resiliently urged into engagement with the channel and resistance to movement of the rotor being imparted by engagement of said member with either end wall of the channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rotor carries a pair of resilient arms adapted to be engageable in use in the second and third positions of the rotor respectively by a cancelling striker which rotates with the steering column of the vehicle utilizing the switch, said arms serving to transmit cancelling movement of the striker to the rotor to return the rotor from either of its second and third positions to its first position. 8 A switch as claimed in claim 7 further including a striker mounted for rotation on the base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein said arms are engaged as a snap fit with the rotor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3359384A
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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) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |