US3780248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical switches
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-23
•
Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-02-23
Abstract
Abstract An electrical switch provided with a transparent, slidable, onoff operating member and a prism mounted in the operating member. The prism has a reflecting surface formed of two mutually inclined portions, each portion being disposed to reflect an image of one of a pair of legends indicating the operative condition of the switch so that either of the two images can be viewed at the end of the operating member depending upon the condition of the switch.
Inventors
- 👤 R Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/04; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/023; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/06; H01H2219/062; H01H2219/0621; H01H9/00; H01H9/18; H01H9/182; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/28; Y10S200/00; Y10S200/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
An electrical switch comprising a casing, an operating member carried by the casing for movement relative thereto between a pair of spaced positions corresponding to a pair of operative states of the switch, a prism mounted for movement with the operating member, a pair of legends associated with the operating member and being indicative of the operative states of the switch, and means for illuminating the legends, said prism comprising a transparent body having first, second and third surfaces, the second surface being positioned adjacent the pair of legends, the first surface being disposed to be visible at one end of the operating member, and the third surface having mutually inclined portions arranged so that, in use, when the operating member is in one of its positions, an image of one of the legends is reflected from one of the mutually inclined portions towards a predetermined area of the first surface and when the operating member is in the other of its positions, an image of the other legend is reflected from the other mutually inclined portion towards said predetermined area of the first surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electrical switch comprising a casing, an operating member carried by the casing for movement relative thereto between a pair of spaced positions corresponding to a pair of operative states of the switch, a prism mounted for movement with the operating member, a pair of legends associated with the operating member and being indicative of the operative states of the switch, and means for illuminating the legends, said prism comprising a transparent body having first, second and third surfaces, the second surface being positioned adjacent the pair of legends, the first surface being disposed to be visible at one end of the operating member, and the third surface having mutually inclined portions arranged so that, in use, when the operating member is in one of its positions, an image of one of the legends is reflected from one of the mutually inclined portions towards a predetermined area of the first surface and when the operating member is in the other of its positions, an image of the other legend is reflected from the other mutually inclined portion towards said predetermined area of the first surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An electrical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for illuminating the legends is defined by an aperture in the casing through which light can pass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electrical switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the casing is adapted to receive one end of an optical cable adjacent the aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
An electrical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third surface of the prism is formed with a centrally disposed groove so as to extend transversely across the first and second portions thereof, the base of the groove defining within the prism a convex, reflective surface arranged so that, in use, light reflected by the third surface in each of the first and second positions of the operating member issues from said first surface over the whole area of the surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electrical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surface is serrated so as to diffuse the light directed towards the first surface in use.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electrical switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer surface of the prism adjacent the first surface is also serrated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the legends are mounted on said second surface of the prism.
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) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |