US3727020A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switch unit
Assignee: Switchcraft Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-22
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A lever-operated illuminated electrical switch unit is provided having front of panel mounting and removal, front of panel relamping, front of panel color changes and front of panel switch module changes. A novel lamp assembly and a novel actuator assembly are provided which can be removed simply by removing an escutcheon plate which snaps into place. Simplified means for mounting the switch unit from the front of a panel are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 J Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/04; H01H9/00; H01H9/16; H01H9/161; H01H9/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An electrical switch unit having an illuminated actuator lever removably mounted in a switch housing, means for illuminating said actuator lever from within the switch housing comprising an actuator assembly having an internal passageway extending inwardly from said actuator, a cage removably mounted in said passageway and a lamp removably mounted in said cage, said cage having an outer and an inner end and sidewalls, the outer end of said cage being disposed toward said actuator and permitting the transmission of light rays to said actuator from said lamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An electrical switch unit having an illuminated actuator lever removably mounted in a switch housing, means for illuminating said actuator lever from within the switch housing comprising an actuator assembly having an internal passageway extending inwardly from said actuator, a cage removably mounted in said passageway and a lamp removably mounted in said cage, said cage having an outer and an inner end and sidewalls, the outer end of said cage being disposed toward said actuator and permitting the transmission of light rays to said actuator from said lamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A switch unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator is a lever and said actuator assembly is pivotally mounted with respeCt to said cage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A switch unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cage contains one or more color filters disposed between said lamp and said actuator lever in alignment with different positions of said actuator lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A switch unit as claimed in claim 3 in which said filters are readily removable and replaceable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A switch unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lamp is a single lamp centrally mounted in the inner end of said cage with its base extending outward and said cage comprises means for holding said lamp against accidental displacement while permitting removal of said lamp by pulling said base away from said cage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A switch unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a manually operable lever movable to different positions and said switch housing comprises means for restraining the movement of said cage during the movement of said lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switch unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuator assembly is bifurcated to form two side members and said cage is disposed between said side members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A switch unit as claimed in claim 7 in which said cage comprises outwardly extending pivot members and said side members contain openings adapted to receive said pivot members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3157771A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |