US3761663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trigger switch with selective two-position trigger-depression limiting means
Assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
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Filing: 1971-12-08
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1991-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A trigger switch for portable tool such as an electric drill, sabre saw or the like having a selector built into the trigger for selecting either of two stop positions to which the trigger can be depressed to obtain different motor speeds. The trigger consists of a slide portion entering within the switch frame and an external finger engaging portion partly offset either below (contour trigger) or above (bathtub trigger) the slide portion. The selector consists of a rotary knob recessed in the finger engaging portion and having an eccentric pin on the end of its shaft that extends into a stop block within the slide portion. In one rotary position, this pin holds the slidable stop block up partly out of the slide portion to abut the switch frame for a first stop position and when rotated to another rotary position the pin retracts this stop block down within the slide portion to clear the switch frame to allow a full depression of the trigger for a second stop position. Placing the trigger return spring between a bore in the offset part of the finger engaging portion and the switch base or frame reduces the overall length. Two spaced catches on the stop block engagable by a conventional lock pin correspond to the two stop positions.
Inventors
- 👤 H Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/06; H01H9/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
A selective plural-position trigger switch comprising: a trigger having a linearly slidable portion and a finger engaging portion partly offset to one side of said linearly slidable portion; a switch housing including an insulating base and a frame secured to said base and including means restricting said linearly slidable portion of said trigger therebetween for limited movement between off and full-on positions; a recess in said finger-engaging offset portion of said trigger and trigger-return spring between said recess and said housing normally biasing said trigger away from the latter and allowing depression of said trigger against said return spring to actuate the switch; and a plural-position selector means for selecting a different depth of trigger depression in each position thereof for performing a plurality of switching operations comprising; a cavity substantially entirely in said linearly slidable portion of said trigger opening to one side thereof; a stop block in said cavity and means guiding said stop block for movement from within said cavity to a position partly out of said cavity; and a selector member having a shaft extending through said finger engaging portion into said cavity and having a coupling portion extending to said stop block whereby actuation of said selector member moves said stop block partly out of said cavity to abut said switch housing and to limit depression of said trigger to a first stop position, and actuation of said selector member reversely moves said stop block into said cavity to clear said switch housing and to allow full depression of said trigger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
A selective plural-position trigger switch comprising: a trigger having a linearly slidable portion and a finger engaging portion partly offset to one side of said linearly slidable portion; a switch housing including an insulating base and a frame secured to said base and including means restricting said linearly slidable portion of said trigger therebetween for limited movement between off and full-on positions; a recess in said finger-engaging offset portion of said trigger and trigger-return spring between said recess and said housing normally biasing said trigger away from the latter and allowing depression of said trigger against said return spring to actuate the switch; and a plural-position selector means for selecting a different depth of trigger depression in each position thereof for performing a plurality of switching operations comprising; a cavity substantially entirely in said linearly slidable portion of said trigger opening to one side thereof; a stop block in said cavity and means guiding said stop block for movement from within said cavity to a position partly out of said cavity; and a selector member having a shaft extending through said finger engaging portion into said cavity and having a coupling portion extending to said stop block whereby actuation of said selector member moves said stop block partly out of said cavity to abut said switch housing and to limit depression of said trigger to a first stop position, and actuation of said selector member reversely moves said stop block into said cavity to clear said switch housing and to allow full depression of said trigger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said selector member comprises: a knob on said shaft and said shaft having an eccentric pin on the end of said shaft extending into said stop block whereby manual rotation of said knob causes said eccentric pin to move said stop block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 2, wherein: said stop block comprises a laterally oblong hole into which said eccentric pin extends whereby rotation of said shaft causes said eccentric pin to raise or lower said stop block,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention defined in claim 2, wherein said plural-position selector means also comprises: detent means for resiliently holding said knob in its selective positions comprising: pairs of grooves in said shaft with the grooves of each pair being on opposite sides of said shaft; and a generally U-shaped leaf spring confined in said cavity and having a hump formed on each of the two arms thereof engaging the grooves of a pair thereof in each position of said knob.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein: said trigger is a ''''contour'''' trigger having its offset finger-engaging portion extending down from said linearly slidable portion in spaced parallel relation to the front wall of said base; said recess is in said downwardly extending portion so that said trigger-return spring is between said recess and said base; and said stop block wheN moved partly out of said cavity abuts the front edge of said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein: said trigger is a ''''bathtub'''' trigger having its offset finger-engaging portion extending up from said linearly slidable portion above the upper surface of the switch frame; said recess is in said upwardly extending portion so that said trigger-return spring is between said recess and an upstanding tab on said frame; and said stop block when moved partly out of said cavity abuts the front of said frame at said tab.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |