Abstract Indication of the state of energization of a rocker actuated electrical switch is provided by locating transparent indicia on two opaque panels mounted on opposite face portions of the rocker, and highly light reflective material underneath the rocker in alignment with the indicia on each panel so that pivotal movement of the rocker brings a panel and reflective surface together at the same time that the second panel and reflective surface are separated. When a panel and reflective surface are together, light is reflected from the reflective surface through the indicia thereby giving the effect of a light being turned on in the switch and when the reflective surface is separated from the panel, reflected light from the surface is effectively precluded from passing through the indicia thereby giving the effect of the light being turned off in the switch. Each reflective surface is resiliently mounted to ensure optimum alignment and a close contiguous relationship of the reflective surface with the panel when they are in the engaged position.
Inventors
👤 C Bodge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-03 23:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An electrical switch comprising a housing, a stationary electrical contact mounted in the housing, a movable electrical contact and means to cause the movable contact to move into and out of engagement with the stationary contact including a rocker pivotably mounted on the housing and pivotable from a first to a second position and back, the rocker having first and second window portions in first and second respective surfaces thereof on opposite sides of the rocker pivot, a panel mounted in each window portion, the panels having portions which are transparent, light reflecting surfaces mounted on the housing intermediate the housing and each panel so that pivotal movement of the rocker brings one of the first and second panels toward one of the light reflecting surfaces at the same time it brings the other of the first and second panels away from the other light reflecting surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An electrical switch comprising a housing, a stationary electrical contact mounted in the housing, a movable electrical contact and means to cause the movable contact to move into and out of engagement with the stationary contact including a rocker pivotably mounted on the housing and pivotable from a first to a second position and back, the rocker having first and second window portions in first and second respective surfaces thereof on opposite sides of the rocker pivot, a panel mounted in each window portion, the panels having portions which are transparent, light reflecting surfaces mounted on the housing intermediate the housing and each panel so that pivotal movement of the rocker brings one of the first and second panels toward one of the light reflecting surfaces at the same time it brings the other of the first and second panels away from the other light reflecting surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A switch according to claim 1 in which the light reflecting surfaces are movably mounted and the rocker displaces one surface in one of its first and second positions and the other surface in the other of its first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A switch according to claim 2 in which the light reflecting surfaces are mounted on a sponge-like block of material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switch according to claim 1 in which both panels are formed of opaque material except for the transparent portions which are formed in a desired indicia pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch according to claim 4 in which the indicia on the two panels are ''''off'''' and ''''on'''' respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switch according to claim 1 in which the pivot of the rocker is located intermediate a plane on which the light reflecting surfaces lie and the housing.