US3770916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle ignition switch
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1972-05-12
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-05-12
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle ignition switch having a plunger which operates a gearbox locking device. The switch has a housing and the plunger, which is rotatable relative to the housing, extends from the housing and slidable relative thereto into and out of a locking position. The housing carries fixed contacts for selective engagement by movable contacts carried by the plunger upon rotary movement of the latter. A slot in the housing is engaged by a projection carried by the plunger so that, in order to rotate the plunger to a position in which the fixed contacts are not engaged by any of the movable contacts, the plunger must be slid into its locking position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Cardwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/002; B60R25/003; B60R25/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A vehicle ignition switch for actuating a locking arrangement for a vehicle gearbox, said switch comprising a housing, a plunger slidable and rotatable in the housing, said plunger being engageable at one position of its sliding travel with said locking arrangement to actuate the latter, means for biassing the plunger away from the said one position of its sliding travel, a plurality of fixed contacts carried by said housing, a plurality of movable contacts connected with the plunger for rotary movement relative to the fixed contacts, a co-operating projection and slot means on said plunger and housing whereby the said plunger can be moved to said one position of its sliding travel when said movable contacts are in predetermined positions relative to said fixed contacts, and wherein the plunger has a portion of non-circular cross-section internally of the housing, a carrier supporting the movable contacts is mounted in the housing for rotary movement with the plunger, the plunger being slidable relative to the carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vehicle ignition switch for actuating a locking arrangement for a vehicle gearbox, said switch comprising a housing, a plunger slidable and rotatable in the housing, said plunger being engageable at one position of its sliding travel with said locking arrangement to actuate the latter, means for biassing the plunger away from the said one position of its sliding travel, a plurality of fixed contacts carried by said housing, a plurality of movable contacts connected with the plunger for rotary movement relative to the fixed contacts, a co-operating projection and slot means on said plunger and housing whereby the said plunger can be moved to said one position of its sliding travel when said movable contacts are in predetermined positions relative to said fixed contacts, and wherein the plunger has a portion of non-circular cross-section internally of the housing, a carrier supporting the movable contacts is mounted in the housing for rotary movement with the plunger, the plunger being slidable relative to the carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slot is provided with a step therein in such a position that the plunger has to be moved to said one position of its sliding travel to attain a position in which the fixed contacts are not electrically connected with any of the movable contacts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2046831A
Cited
US3145700A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |