Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
An ignition switch comprising a casing, a rotor in the casing, means mounting the rotor for rotation within the casing from a stable first position to a stable second position and from the stable second position to an unstable third position from which the rotor is resiliently urged back to said second position, first and second fixed contacts supported in the casing, a first bridging member rotatable with the rotor and operable to complete an electrical circuit between said first and second fixed contacts in said first position of the rotor, an arcuate cam track on the inner surface of the casing, resilient means urging said first bridging member into engagement with said cam track, and a cam surface forming part of said cam track and being engageable by said first bridging member during movement of the rotor from said second position to said first position unless the preceding movement of the rotor was from the first position to the second position, said cam surface being arranged so as to move said first bridging member, when engaged by the bridging member, in a direction such that in said third position said circuit between the first and second fixed contacts is not completed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
An ignition switch comprising a casing, a rotor in the casing, means mounting the rotor for rotation within the casing from a stable first position to a stable second position and from the stable second position to an unstable third position from which the rotor is resiliently urged back to said second position, first and second fixed contacts supported in the casing, a first bridging member rotatable with the rotor and operable to complete an electrical circuit between said first and second fixed contacts in said first position of the rotor, an arcuate cam track on the inner surface of the casing, resilient means urging said first bridging member into engagement with said cam track, and a cam surface forming part of said cam track and being engageable by said first bridging member during movement of the rotor from said second position to said first position unless the preceding movement of the rotor was from the first position to the second position, said cam surface being arranged so as to move said first bridging member, when engaged by the bridging member, in a direction such that in said third position said circuit between the first and second fixed contacts is not completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 and further including a third fixed contact and a second bridging member movable with the rotor, the second bridging member serving to bridge the first and third fixed contacts in the second and third positions of the rotor, and the first fixed contact defining the feed terminal of the switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein detent means releasably retains the rotor in each of said first and second stable positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rotor is movable to a further stable position in which locking means operable by the rotor can prevent movement of the gear selector shaft of a vehicle using the switch.