Patent US3764762A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3764762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-10
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1991-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A multi-position electrical switch is provided in which the position of the switch can be determined by tactile sensation or pressure feel. The switch includes an actuating push button which is engageable with an actuating cam. The button and cam are slidably disposed on a central detent rod provided with a plurality of radially inwardly extending detent grooves and camming surfaces which determine the various positions of the switch and which provide tactile information regarding the position of the switch. Balls which are positioned between the button and the cam are receivable successively in the grooves as the switch is moved from one position to another. A coil spring resiliently biases the cam and push button against movement in one direction, and a second preloaded coil spring can be provided for providing additional biasing force on the cam and push button when the push button is depressed to a predetermined extent, thereby providing further tactile information regarding the position of the switch. Longitudinally extending contact legs are mounted within the casing, and each contact leg is provided with a camming surface to permit the cam to urge the contact leg outwardly into contact with a terminal when the cam is in one of the switch positions. The specific embodiment described and illustrated is a three position switch having two poles in which one contact leg of each pole is made and the other not made in the first position, the contacts of the first pole are reversed while the contacts of the second pole remain unchanged when the switch is moved to the second position, and the contacts of the second pole are changed while the contacts of the first pole remain unchanged when the switch is moved from the second to the third position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Roeser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:16
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H11/00; H01H11/0006; H01H11/0012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
An electrical switch comprising elongated casing means, a pair of terminals mounted in the casing means and extending therefrom, a pair of longitudinally extending contact legs within the casing means, each of the contact legs being provided with a camming surface, the camming surfaces of the contact legs being longitudinally spaced, actuating means including a cam movably mounted within the casing means for longitudinal movement between first and second positions, the cam engaging the camming surface of one of the contact legs to force said one contact leg into engagement with one of the terminals when the actuating means is in the first position, the cam engaging the camming surface of the other contact leg to force the other contact leg into engagement with the other terminal when the actuating means is in the second position, detent means within the casing means engageable with the actuating means for resisting movement of the actuating means from one position to another, and spring means within the casing engaging the actuating means for resiliently biasing the actuating means against movement from the first to the second positions, the detent means including a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical detent rod mounted within the casing means and having longitudinally spaced radially inwardly extending annular grooves formed therein, the portion of the rod between adjacent grooves being generally V-shaped in longitudinal cross section to provide a pair of camming surfaces, a ball engageable with the actuating means and receivable successively in each of the annular grooves as the actuating means moves from the first to the second positions, the ball being cammed outwardly by one of the camming surfaces as the actuating means is moved between two adjacent positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
An electrical switch comprising elongated casing means, a pair of terminals mounted in the casing means and extending therefrom, a pair of longitudinally extending contact legs within the casing means, each of the contact legs being provided with a camming surface, the camming surfaces of the contact legs being longitudinally spaced, actuating means including a cam movably mounted within the casing means for longitudinal movement between first and second positions, the cam engaging the camming surface of one of the contact legs to force said one contact leg into engagement with one of the terminals when the actuating means is in the first position, the cam engaging the camming surface of the other contact leg to force the other contact leg into engagement with the other terminal when the actuating means is in the second position, detent means within the casing means engageable with the actuating means for resisting movement of the actuating means from one position to another, and spring means within the casing engaging the actuating means for resiliently biasing the actuating means against movement from the first to the second positions, the detent means including a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical detent rod mounted within the casing means and having longitudinally spaced radially inwardly extending annular grooves formed therein, the portion of the rod between adjacent grooves being generally V-shaped in longitudinal cross section to provide a pair of camming surfaces, a ball engageable with the actuating means and receivable successively in each of the annular grooves as the actuating means moves from the first to the second positions, the ball being cammed outwardly by one of the camming surfaces as the actuating means is moved between two adjacent positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The switch of claim 1 in which the detent rod is provided with three of said inwardly extending annular grooves, the actuating means being movable between first, second and third positions, the ball being receivable successively in each of the grooves as the actuating means moves from the first to the third positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
The switch of claim 1 in which the actuating means includes a sleeve and an actuating button slidably disposed and longitudinally spaced along the detent rod, the cam extending radially outwardly from the sleeve, the spring means urging the sleeve toward the actuating button, the end of the sleeve adjacent the actuating button having a camming surface extending longitudinally away from the button and radially inwardly, the ball being positioned between the camming surface of the sleeve and the button and being urged radially inwardly against the detent rod by the camming surface of the sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The switch of claim 2 in which the spring means includes a first coil spring engaging the actuating means as the actuating means moves between the first and third positions and a second coil spring concentric with the first spring and being engageable with the actuating means when the actuating means moves between the second and third positions whereby a greater biasing force acts on the actuating means when the actuating means moves between the second and third positions than when the actuating means moves betwen the first and second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The switch of claim 2 in which the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the first annular groove to the second annular groove has a different inclination than the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the second annular groove to the third annular groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The switch of claim 2 in which the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the third annular groove to the second annular groove has a different inclination than the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the second annular groove to the first annular groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
220 words
An electrical switch comprising elongated casing means, a plurality of terminals mounted in the casing means and extending therefrom, a plurality of longitudinally extending contact legs within the casing means, each of the contact legs being provided with a camming surface and being resiliently biased away from an associated terminal, a longitudinally extending detent rod mounted within the casing means and having three longitudinally spaced transversely inwardly extending recesses formed therein, actuating means including a cam mounted for longitudinal movement along the detent rod between first, second and third positions, a detent member engageable with the actuating means and receivable in the recesses of the detent rod as the actuating means moves from one position to another, spring means within the casing means engaging the actuating means for resiliently biasing the actuating means against movement from the first to the second positions and from the second to the third positions, the cam being engageable with the camming surface of each of the contact legs as the actuating means moves longitudinally along the detent rod, each contact leg being forced into engagement with one of the terminals when the cam engages the camming surface of that contact leg and being out of engagement with a terminal when the cam is out of engagement with the camming surface of that contact leg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
220 words
An electrical switch comprising elongated casing means, a plurality of terminals mounted in the casing means and extending therefrom, a plurality of longitudinally extending contact legs within the casing means, each of the contact legs being provided with a camming surface and being resiliently biased away from an associated terminal, a longitudinally extending detent rod mounted within the casing means and having three longitudinally spaced transversely inwardly extending recesses formed therein, actuating means including a cam mounted for longitudinal movement along the detent rod between first, second and third positions, a detent member engageable with the actuating means and receivable in the recesses of the detent rod as the actuating means moves from one position to another, spring means within the casing means engaging the actuating means for resiliently biasing the actuating means against movement from the first to the second positions and from the second to the third positions, the cam being engageable with the camming surface of each of the contact legs as the actuating means moves longitudinally along the detent rod, each contact leg being forced into engagement with one of the terminals when the cam engages the camming surface of that contact leg and being out of engagement with a terminal when the cam is out of engagement with the camming surface of that contact leg.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
The switch of claIm 7 in which the detent rod is generally cylindrical and the recesses are radially inwardly extending annular grooves formed in the rod, the portions of the rod between adjacent grooves being generally V-shaped in longitudinal cross section to provide a pair of camming surfaces, the detent member being a ball engageable with the actuating means and receivable successively in each of the grooves as the actuating means moves from the first to the third position, the ball being cammed outwardly by one of the camming surfaces as the actuating means is moved between two adjacent positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The switch of claim 8 in which one pair of the contact legs is electrically connected to one of the terminals and another pair of contact legs is electrically connected to another terminal to provide a double pole switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The switch of claim 8 in which the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the first annular groove to the second annular groove has a different inclination than the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the second annular groove to the third annular groove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The switch of claim 8 in which the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the third annular groove to the second annular groove has a different inclination than the camming surface of the detent rod engaged by the ball as it moves from the second annular groove to the first annular groove.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
The switch of claim 7 in which the actuating means includes a sleeve and an actuating button slidably disposed and longitudinally spaced along the detent rod, the cam extending radially outwardly from the sleeve, the spring means urging the sleeve toward the actuating button, the end of the sleeve adjacent the actuating button having a camming surface extending longitudinally away from the button and radially inwardly, the ball being positioned between the camming surface of the sleeve and the button and being urged radially inwardly against the detent rod by the camming surface of the sleeve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
The switch of claim 7 in which the spring means includes a first coil spring engaging the actuating means as the actuating means moves between the first and third positions and a second coil spring concentric with the first spring and being engageable with the actuating means when the actuating means moves between the second and third positions whereby a greater biasing force acts on the actuating means when the actuating means moves between the second and third positions than when the actuating means moves between the first and second positions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The switch of claim 7 in which the casing means is provided with a longitudinally extending slot and the actuating means includes a transversely extending lug slidably received in the slot, abutment means on the casing means engageable with the lug to provide a limit stop for the actuating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch of claim 14 in which the slot is terminated by an end wall which provides the abutment means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switch of claim 14 in which the abutment means is provided by a closure member for the slot which prevents the lug from being withdrawn from the slot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
169 words
An electrical switch comprising elongated casing means, at least a pair of terminals mounted in the casing means and extending therefrom, at least a pair of longitudinally extending contact legs within the casing means, each of the contact legs being provided with a camming surface, actuating means including a cam movably mounted within the casing means for longitudinal movement between at least two positions, the cam having a transversely outwardly extending projection thereon at a single longitudinal position of the cam, the camming surface of each contact leg having a different configuration, the camming surface of one of the contact legs being engageable with the projection of the cam when the cam is in both of the two cam positions and forced thereby into engagement with one of the terminals, the camming surface of the other contact leg being engageable with the projection of the cam when the cam is in only one of the two cam positions and forced thereby into engagement with the other of the terminals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
169 words
An electrical switch comprising elongated casing means, at least a pair of terminals mounted in the casing means and extending therefrom, at least a pair of longitudinally extending contact legs within the casing means, each of the contact legs being provided with a camming surface, actuating means including a cam movably mounted within the casing means for longitudinal movement between at least two positions, the cam having a transversely outwardly extending projection thereon at a single longitudinal position of the cam, the camming surface of each contact leg having a different configuration, the camming surface of one of the contact legs being engageable with the projection of the cam when the cam is in both of the two cam positions and forced thereby into engagement with one of the terminals, the camming surface of the other contact leg being engageable with the projection of the cam when the cam is in only one of the two cam positions and forced thereby into engagement with the other of the terminals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
273 words
The switch of claim 17 in which the switch is a double pole switch and includes four of said terminals mounted within the casing means and extending therefrom and first and second pairs of said contact legs, the first pair of contact legs providing one pole and the second pair of contact legs providing the other pole, the actuating means and the cam being movable between first, second and third positions, the camming surfaces of the contact legs being shaped so that one of the contact legs of the first pair is engageable by the projection on the cam when the cam is in one of the cam positions but is not so engageable when the cam is in the other two cam positions, the other contact leg of the first pair being engageable when the cam is in said other two cam positions but is not so engageable when the cam is in said one cam position, one of the contact legs of the second pair being engageable by the projection on the cam when the cam is in two of the cam positions but not so engageable when the cam is in the third cam position, the other contact leg of the second pair being engageable by the projection on the cam when the cam is in said third cam position but not so engageable when the cam is in said two cam positions whereby one and only one of the contact legs of each pole is engaged by the projection on the cam and forced thereby into engagement with one of the terminals in each of the three cam positions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
The switch of claim 17 in which the contact legs are electrically connected to a third terminal extending from the casing means whereby said one terminal is electrically connected to the third terminal when the actuating means is in the first position and said other terminal is electrically connected to the third terminal when the actuating means is in the second position.
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) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |