Patent US3770923A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3770923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alternate-action switch actuator with pawl stop plate also providing a guide for stroke-control means
Assignee: Cherry Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-14
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A push-button key switch having an actuator movable within a hollow casing normally closed by a base plate that provides support for a fixed contact-bearing terminal and a second movable contact-bearing terminal as well as an actuator control plate which cooperates with a stroke-control member carried by and movable with the actuator, which movement results in alternate full and half strokes of the actuator, which in turn determine the making, maintaining, and breaking of circuit-making contact between the terminals.
Inventors
- 👤 J Habecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/56; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636; Y10T74/20666
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An alternate-action switch actuator reciprocally movable through a housing including a pair of circuit-making contacts carried by spaced apart current-conducting terminals, one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable relative thereto by the actuator, wherein the improvement comprises a. an elongated actuator having a normal position and a linear stroke path reciprocally through the housing, b. a stroke-control means rotatably carried by and movable with said actuator for controlling the length of movement of said actuator through the housing, c. a stroke-control plate within said housing and extending in a spaced parallel relation to the path of movement of said actuator, d. said plate providing a pawl in the path of movement of said stroke-control means for rotating the same during each stroke of said actuator in one direction, e. a stop carried by said plate in a parallel vertical spaced offset relation to said pawl and extending in an opposite direction with respect thereto, f. said stop being disposed in the path of rotatable movement of said stroke-control means after the same has been initially rotated by said pawl for arresting movement of said actuator in an opposite direction upon each alternate stroke of said actuator in said one direction, and g. said plate providing a guide for said stroke-control means for guiding the reciprocal stroke of said actuator and said stroke-control means within said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
An alternate-action switch actuator reciprocally movable through a housing including a pair of circuit-making contacts carried by spaced apart current-conducting terminals, one of which is stationary and the other of which is movable relative thereto by the actuator, wherein the improvement comprises a. an elongated actuator having a normal position and a linear stroke path reciprocally through the housing, b. a stroke-control means rotatably carried by and movable with said actuator for controlling the length of movement of said actuator through the housing, c. a stroke-control plate within said housing and extending in a spaced parallel relation to the path of movement of said actuator, d. said plate providing a pawl in the path of movement of said stroke-control means for rotating the same during each stroke of said actuator in one direction, e. a stop carried by said plate in a parallel vertical spaced offset relation to said pawl and extending in an opposite direction with respect thereto, f. said stop being disposed in the path of rotatable movement of said stroke-control means after the same has been initially rotated by said pawl for arresting movement of said actuator in an opposite direction upon each alternate stroke of said actuator in said one direction, and g. said plate providing a guide for said stroke-control means for guiding the reciprocal stroke of said actuator and said stroke-control means within said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
An alternate-action switch actuator as defined by claim 1 wherein said stroke control means comprises a star wheel rotatably mounted on said actuator and having a plurality of equally spaced radial arms, each arm having a head providing a trip member and a cam finger which successively contact said pawl to rotate said star wheel during each stroke of said actuator in one direction, said trip member rotatable into contact with said stop by each alternate stroke of said actuator in one direction for controlling the length of movement of said actuator in said opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An alternate-action switch actuator as defined by claim 2 and including means rotatably connecting said star wheel onto one side of said actuator, said means comprising a stud having an enlarged head, with said head cooperating with a guide provided within the housing for guiding the reciprocal movement of said actuator.
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) | 1976-11-05 | 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 |