US3737604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single switch with multiple transverse actuators
Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-11-03
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-11-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for operating an electrical switch including an actuator disposed for displacement in a particular direction from a first position with displacement to continue towards a second position, the switch having different switching states in the two positions of the actuator, actuator means operating in and along a plurality of different directions having angle smaller than 180* relative to the particular direction. Displacement transmission means including at least one transmission element and being operated by the actuator means for engagement with and displacement of the actuator, for the actuator to move in the particular direction as the actuator means is displaced in one of the different directions of the plurality. Means for limiting the displacement of the transmission element along one or more linear paths, the number of paths not exceeding the number of different directions of the plurality.
Inventors
- 👤 B Dietrich
- 👤 E Huber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/14; H01H13/70; H01H11/00; H01H11/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for operating an electrical switch including an actuator disposed for displacement in a particular direction from a first position with displacement to continue towards a second position, the switch having different switching states in the two position of the actuator, comprising: actuator means operating in and along a plurality of different directions, each direction having an angle positively smaller than 90* relative to the particular direction and being directed towards a common center or center line; a single, movable transmission element located on said center or center line and being physically separated from and disposed for being operated by the actuator means from each of said different directions as directed towards said center or center line for displacement of the element in direction which includes always at least a component of displacement in said particular direction, the element when displaced and operated by the actuator means, providing for engagement with and displacement of the actuator, so that the actuator moves in the particular direction as the actuator means is displaced in one of the different directions of the plurality; and means for limiting the displacement of the transmission element along one or more linear paths but resulting in a displacement component in said particular direction in either case, the number of paths not exceeding the number of different directions of the plurality.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for operating an electrical switch including an actuator disposed for displacement in a particular direction from a first position with displacement to continue towards a second position, the switch having different switching states in the two position of the actuator, comprising: actuator means operating in and along a plurality of different directions, each direction having an angle positively smaller than 90* relative to the particular direction and being directed towards a common center or center line; a single, movable transmission element located on said center or center line and being physically separated from and disposed for being operated by the actuator means from each of said different directions as directed towards said center or center line for displacement of the element in direction which includes always at least a component of displacement in said particular direction, the element when displaced and operated by the actuator means, providing for engagement with and displacement of the actuator, so that the actuator moves in the particular direction as the actuator means is displaced in one of the different directions of the plurality; and means for limiting the displacement of the transmission element along one or more linear paths but resulting in a displacement component in said particular direction in either case, the number of paths not exceeding the number of different directions of the plurality.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, the actuator means including a plurality of individual actuator elements, each one movable in one particular direction of the plurality.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, the single transmission element limited in its movement along a linear path colinear with the particular direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, the actuator means being plural actuator pins each having a displacement path for acting axially on the transmission element from different directions of advance and each one disposed for advancing into the displacement path and blocking the others when the one has been actuated and when having displaced the element so as to obtain mutually blocking displacement of the element by more than one actuator pin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the single element transmission means is a cylindrical body with an axis, being the center axis towards which the actuator means is directed, the meAns for limiting defining a displacement path for the body transverse to the axis thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, the transmission element being a prism having in cross section contour of a right angle isoceles triangle, the actuator means being two pins acting on the cathedes thereof, the hypothenuse being in engagement with the actuator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, the transmission element being a ball, the actuator means acting within a cone on the ball, the apex of the cone coinciding with the center of the ball when in resting position, the means for limiting, limiting the displacement of the path to displacement colinear with said one direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, the transmission element acting onto the actuator for pivoting same.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, the actuator means being two transversely oriented and acting actuator pins, the particular direction having about a 45* angle to each element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as in claim 9, there being a single transmission element peripherally acted upon by the pins, and including a cam for actuating one of the pins, while permitting unimpeded access to the other pin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for operating an electrical switch including an actuator disposed for displacement in a particular direction from a first position with displacement to continue towards a second position, the switch having different switching states in the two positions of the actuator; actuator means operating in and along a plurality of different directions having an angle smaller than 180* relative to the particular direction; a cylindrical transmission element having an axis and disposed for being acted upon by the actuator means from different directions and moved by the actuator means so that the resulting displacement of the transmission element includes always a component in the particular direction, said angle being smaller than 90*; and means for limiting the displacement of the cylindrical transmission element along one or more linear paths, transverse to the axis of the cylindrical element, the number of paths not exceeding the number of different directions of the plurality.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for operating an electrical switch including an actuator disposed for displacement in a particular direction from a first position with displacement to continue towards a second position, the switch having different switching states in the two positions of the actuator; actuator means operating in and along a plurality of different directions having an angle smaller than 180* relative to the particular direction; a cylindrical transmission element having an axis and disposed for being acted upon by the actuator means from different directions and moved by the actuator means so that the resulting displacement of the transmission element includes always a component in the particular direction, said angle being smaller than 90*; and means for limiting the displacement of the cylindrical transmission element along one or more linear paths, transverse to the axis of the cylindrical element, the number of paths not exceeding the number of different directions of the plurality.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 11, the actuator means including plural pins acting upon the cylinder surface, transverse to the axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 12, the pins positioned for mutual locking.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 12, there being two pins disposed for displacement in two different directions, the cylinder disposed for a linear displacement path having similar angles to the two different directions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for operating an electrical switch including an actuator disposed for displacement in a particular direction from a first position with displacement to continue towards a second position, the switch having different switching states in the two positions of the actuator; actuator means including two actuator pins, movable respectively in two directions, oriented by 90*, each direction having an angle smaller than 90* to the particular direction; a prism having a cross section contour of a right angle, isosceles triangle, the hypothenuse being in engagement with the actuator for moving the actuator in direction transverse to the hypothenuse of the triangle, the pins acting respectively on the cathedes of the triangle; and means for limiting displacement of the prism by the pins to run along said cathodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for operating an electrical switch including an actuator disposed for displacement in a particular direction from a first position with displacement to continue towards a second position, the switch having different switching states in the two positions of the actuator; actuator means including two actuator pins, movable respectively in two directions, oriented by 90*, each direction having an angle smaller than 90* to the particular direction; a prism having a cross section contour of a right angle, isosceles triangle, the hypothenuse being in engagement with the actuator for moving the actuator in direction transverse to the hypothenuse of the triangle, the pins acting respectively on the cathedes of the triangle; and means for limiting displacement of the prism by the pins to run along said cathodes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for operating an electric switch including a switching arm operated as a pivot lever, having a particular fulcrum point, one lever arm provided for receiving pivot action for pivoting the switch arm on the fulcrum point; a single transmission element having a center or center axis, the transmission element having disposition for displacement in a particular direction, running from the center or center axis (transverse to the latter) towards the one lever arm and engaging the lever arm remote from the fulcrum and when displaced in the particular direction for causing the switch arm to pivot on the fulcrum; and plural actuator elements disposed for acting on the transmission element from different directions, each having a non zero angle but less than 90* to the particular direction, and each acting towards the center or center axis of the transmission element for causing the transmission element to be displaced in the particular direction to obtain pivot action of the switch arm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for operating an electric switch including a switching arm operated as a pivot lever, having a particular fulcrum point, one lever arm provided for receiving pivot action for pivoting the switch arm on the fulcrum point; a single transmission element having a center or center axis, the transmission element having disposition for displacement in a particular direction, running from the center or center axis (transverse to the latter) towards the one lever arm and engaging the lever arm remote from the fulcrum and when displaced in the particular direction for causing the switch arm to pivot on the fulcrum; and plural actuator elements disposed for acting on the transmission element from different directions, each having a non zero angle but less than 90* to the particular direction, and each acting towards the center or center axis of the transmission element for causing the transmission element to be displaced in the particular direction to obtain pivot action of the switch arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 16, and means for limiting the displacement of the single transmission element along plural linear paths colinear respectively with the different directions of the plurality.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 16, and including means for limiting the displacement of the single transmission element along said particular direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for operating an electric switch including a switching arm operated as a pivot lever, having a particular fulcrum point; a plurality of actuator pins each having a transmission pin, the actuator pins with transmission pins each mounted for displacement and guided in one particular direction for each pin, the several actuator pins with transmission pin each displaceable in different directions, each direction having an angle less than 90* to a particular direction of actuation, the transmission pins all directed towards one particular point on the lever arm remote from the fulcrum, so that upon displacement of the respective pins a component direction of displacement of the respective pins a component direction of displacement results in said particular direction of actuation and for actuation of each said actuator pins, one at a time, thereby pivoting the switching arm on the fulcrum in either case; the transmission pins being mounted and having disposition to be normally disengaged from the lever arm so that upon actuation of one of them, the others are blocked from engagement of the lever arm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for operating an electric switch including a switching arm operated as a pivot lever, having a particular fulcrum point; a plurality of actuator pins each having a transmission pin, the actuator pins with transmission pins each mounted for displacement and guided in one particular direction for each pin, the several actuator pins with transmission pin each displaceable in different directions, each direction having an angle less than 90* to a particular direction of actuation, the transmission pins all directed towards one particular point on the lever arm remote from the fulcrum, so that upon displacement of the respective pins a component direction of displacement of the respective pins a component direction of displacement results in said particular direction of actuation and for actuation of each said actuator pins, one at a time, thereby pivoting the switching arm on the fulcrum in either case; the transmission pins being mounted and having disposition to be normally disengaged from the lever arm so that upon actuation of one of them, the others are blocked from engagement of the lever arm.
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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) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |