Patent US3721789A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3721789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switch indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-17
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1992-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A push-button electrical switch indicator for simultaneously changing an electrical contact and readily indicating a new switch position. A drive member imparts a rotary motion to an indicia-bearing rotor which connects to a central shaft to change the electrical contacts. The rotor indicia are visible from the top and side of the switch assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 M Black
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 05:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/56; H01H13/58; H01H9/00; H01H9/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An indicator assembly comprising: a. a cylindrical housing, b. a base member attached to an end of said housing and having a central bore, c. a control device having a plurality of rotary positions, d. a cylindrical rotor concentrically oriented relative to said housing and adapted for rotation therein, e. means associated with said rotor for indicating a rotational position thereof, f. a shaft mounted within said rotor and extending through the central bore of said base member for connection to said control device, g. means for connecting the shaft to the rotor, h. a cylindrical drive member concentrically oriented relative to said housing and adapted for reciprocating linear motion along the axis of said housing, i. means on said drive member for viewing said indicating means, and j. means on said drive member, rotor and housing for translating the reciprocating linear movement of said drive member to rotational movement of said rotor and connecting shaft, whereby the rotor rotates to successive positions and the shaft simultaneously rotates said control device to successive positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An indicator assembly comprising: a. a cylindrical housing, b. a base member attached to an end of said housing and having a central bore, c. a control device having a plurality of rotary positions, d. a cylindrical rotor concentrically oriented relative to said housing and adapted for rotation therein, e. means associated with said rotor for indicating a rotational position thereof, f. a shaft mounted within said rotor and extending through the central bore of said base member for connection to said control device, g. means for connecting the shaft to the rotor, h. a cylindrical drive member concentrically oriented relative to said housing and adapted for reciprocating linear motion along the axis of said housing, i. means on said drive member for viewing said indicating means, and j. means on said drive member, rotor and housing for translating the reciprocating linear movement of said drive member to rotational movement of said rotor and connecting shaft, whereby the rotor rotates to successive positions and the shaft simultaneously rotates said control device to successive positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said control device is a rotary switch having a plurality of electrical switch positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein: a. the rotor has a top surface, b. the drive member has a top surface, c. said indicating means is provided on said top and cylindrical surfaces of said rotor, and d. said viewing means is provided on said top and cylindrical surface of said drive member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for connecting the shaft to the rotor comprises a frictional contact slidably movable along the direction of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for illuminating said indicating means of said rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said translating means comprises: a. a plurality of cam surfaces forming raised projections on the outer cylindrical surfaces of said rotor, b. a plurality of complementary cam surfaces forming raised projections on the inner surface of said housing, c. a plurality of teeth mounted on said drive member, d. a plurality of teeth mounted on said rotor and aligned to mesh with the teeth on said drive member, and e. means for biasing the rotor away from the base member, whereby the linear movement of said drive member toward said base member meshes the teeth of said rotor and drive member and aligns at least one cam surface with at least one complementary cam surface, and whereby, the biasing means causes the cam surface of said rotor to move across the complementary cam surface of said housing thereby rotating the rotor to successive rotational position and simultaneously rotating the shaft for actuating successive positions of said control device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said control device is a rotary switch having a plurality of electrical switch positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein: a. the rotor has a top surface, b. the drive member has a top surface, c. said indicating means is provided on said top and cylindrical surfaces of said rotor, and d. said viewing means is provided on said top and cylindrical surfaces of said drive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein the means of connecting the shaft to the rotor comprises a frictional contact slidably movable along the direction of the shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An indicator assembly as recited in claim 6 further comprising means for illuminating said indicating means of said rotor.
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) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |