US3783204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple circuit control pushbutton switch assembly with improved pushbutton actuator latch bar mechanism and movable contacts
Assignee: Oak Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1972-09-11
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A pushbutton switch construction utilizes a shorting bar having integral but independently flexible arms. The shorting bar is positioned in the switch plunger and arranged to electrically connect at least two contact terminals within the switch housing. The cam follower which moves within a cam slot in the switch plunger also functions as a stop preventing accidental removal of the plunger. A plurality of such switches are fastened to a channel with blockout members being slidably arranged within the channel in front of the switch housings. There are cooperating portions on each blockout member and the adjacent plungers such that only one of such plungers may be moved inwardly to an operative position. A latch bar is positioned in the channel and arranged for sliding movement adjacent the blockout members. A latch bar spring is positioned on the front of the channel and has portions extending through the channel and into cooperative relationship with the latch bar.
Inventors
- 👤 M Kennedy
- 👤 B Golbeck
- 👤 R Lewandowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/70; H01H13/72; H01H13/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
In a pushbutton switch construction, a housing, a plunger reciprocal in said housing, contact terminals having portions positioned within said housing, and a shorting bar fixed to said plunger and positioned to provide an electrical connection between two contact terminals, said shorting bar including a base, independently flexible and integral arms extending away from said base and generally toward each other and arranged in a side-by-side manner, a slot in said plunger, said shorting bar being positioned in said slot, with portions of said plunger adjacent said slot overhanging the ends of each of said independently flexible and integral arms, and posts positioned at opposite ends of said slot, with said flexible arms pivoting about said posts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
In a pushbutton switch construction, a housing, a plunger reciprocal in said housing, contact terminals having portions positioned within said housing, and a shorting bar fixed to said plunger and positioned to provide an electrical connection between two contact terminals, said shorting bar including a base, independently flexible and integral arms extending away from said base and generally toward each other and arranged in a side-by-side manner, a slot in said plunger, said shorting bar being positioned in said slot, with portions of said plunger adjacent said slot overhanging the ends of each of said independently flexible and integral arms, and posts positioned at opposite ends of said slot, with said flexible arms pivoting about said posts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including means positioned within said slot, intermediate the posts, for holding said shorting bar within said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a pushbutton switch construction, a housing, a plunger reciprocal in said housing, contact terminals having portions positioned within said housing, a shorting bar fixed to said plunger and positioned to provide an electrical connection between two contacts, latching cam means formed on said plunger and a latching cam follower attached to the housing and having a portion within said housing which cooperates with said latching cam means to control movement of said plunger relative to said housing, a portion of said latching cam follower forming a stop preventing disengagement of said plunger from said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a pushbutton switch construction, a housing, a plunger reciprocal in said housing, contact terminals having portions positioned within said housing, a shorting bar fixed to said plunger and positioned to provide an electrical connection between two contacts, latching cam means formed on said plunger and a latching cam follower attached to the housing and having a portion within said housing which cooperates with said latching cam means to control movement of said plunger relative to said housing, a portion of said latching cam follower forming a stop preventing disengagement of said plunger from said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 3 further characterized by and including spring means positioned between a portion of said plunger and a portion of said housing normally biasing said plunger ouTwardly from said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said latching cam means includes an irregularly shaped groove in said plunger, with said latching follower having a portion thereof positioned to extend within said groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that a portion of said groove extends axially and opens at the inward end of said plunger to permit release of said latching cam follower from said plunger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that said portion of the latching cam follower positioned within said groove prevents said latching cam follower from moving in portions of said groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said contact terminals extend outwardly from opposite sides of said housing, with each contact terminal having an intermediate portion positioned within said housing and terminal portions positioned outside of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that said terminal portions are generally symmetrically arranged relative to said intermediate portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 8 further characterized by and including an opening in one of said terminal portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a pushbutton switch construction, a frame, a plurality of switch housings fastened to said frame, a reciprocal plunger for each housing, with each plunger having an operating portion extending through said frame, said frame defining a channel, with openings in said channel for independently mounting each housing, a latch bar positioned for sliding movement in said channel, and a spring extending through the front of the frame and into cooperative relationship with said latch bar to bias said latch bar in one direction within said channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a pushbutton switch construction, a frame, a plurality of switch housings fastened to said frame, a reciprocal plunger for each housing, with each plunger having an operating portion extending through said frame, said frame defining a channel, with openings in said channel for independently mounting each housing, a latch bar positioned for sliding movement in said channel, and a spring extending through the front of the frame and into cooperative relationship with said latch bar to bias said latch bar in one direction within said channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The structure of claim 11 further characterized by and including openings in said latch bar, with each opening being in alignment with a plunger, areas of the latch bar adjacent said openings having portions positioned to cooperate with portions of a plunger such that inward movement of one plunger releases other plungers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 12 further characterized in that each of said plungers has slots positioned to cooperate with said portions of a latch bar.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the portions of said spring extending through said channel are on opposite sides of a plunger.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 14 further characterized by and including at least one blockout member positioned for sliding movement in said channel adjacent said latch bar, said blockout member being positioned between adjacent plungers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 11 further characterized by and including cam surfaces on each plunger positioned to cooperate with a portion of said sliding latch bar.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |