Patent US3855439A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3855439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key switch
Assignee: TA Triumph-Adler GmbH
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Filing: 1973-07-06
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A Hall generator located in a housing of a key switch is actuated to produce a signal by magnetic actuating means carried on a plunger which is movable in an opening of the housing to an actuating position. The plunger is releasably secured to the housing by a pair of resilient holders which are received through corresponding openings in a wall of the plunger, and the plunger is urged from the actuated position to a normal raised position by a coiled compression spring disposed in the housing. The key switch may be converted to a detainable switch by removably securing a detaining spring to the plunger for acting in cooperation with a preformed detaining slot in the housing, and the key switch may be converted to an illuminated switch with the addition of a lamp. The leads of the lamp may be inserted through preformed openings in the plunger and the housing for suitable connections below, and the light produced from the lamp is visible through a transparent cap removably secured to the plunger.
Inventors
- 👤 H Hermann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:47
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/97; C; C07; C07C; C07C49/00; C07C49/76; C07C49/80; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/023; H01H13/50; H01H13/56; H01H13/562; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A key switch construction convertible from a momentary to a latching switch comprising an upwardly open box-like housing, a downwardly open box-like plunger telescopically mountable for movement in said housing, said plunger and housing having cooperating switching elements mounted thereon, operable to effect switching when said plunger is depressed, a spring mounted in said housing acting on said plunger to maintain it in a raised position and return said plunger following a depression and release of said plunger, means on said housing and plunger for limiting depression of said plunger and releasably latching said plunger against withdrawal from said housing, a resilient plunger latching element removably mountable on said plunger whenever conversion from a momentary to a latching switch is desired, said latching element having an end depending into said housing, a removable cap on said plunger providing for access into the interior of said plunger for releasing said plunger from said housing for withdrawal therefrom and for mounting said latch element, and a slot in said housing for guiding the end of said mounted resilient plunger latch element into and out of a detented position respectively in response to a first depression of said plunger to latch the plunger down and to a second depression to release said plunger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A key switch construction convertible from a momentary to a latching switch comprising an upwardly open box-like housing, a downwardly open box-like plunger telescopically mountable for movement in said housing, said plunger and housing having cooperating switching elements mounted thereon, operable to effect switching when said plunger is depressed, a spring mounted in said housing acting on said plunger to maintain it in a raised position and return said plunger following a depression and release of said plunger, means on said housing and plunger for limiting depression of said plunger and releasably latching said plunger against withdrawal from said housing, a resilient plunger latching element removably mountable on said plunger whenever conversion from a momentary to a latching switch is desired, said latching element having an end depending into said housing, a removable cap on said plunger providing for access into the interior of said plunger for releasing said plunger from said housing for withdrawal therefrom and for mounting said latch element, and a slot in said housing for guiding the end of said mounted resilient plunger latch element into and out of a detented position respectively in response to a first depression of said plunger to latch the plunger down and to a second depression to release said plunger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A key switch construction as recited in claim 1, said switching element in said housing having receptacles for accommodating wire terminals of a lamp, and said plunger having an opening in a top portion to allow insertion of said lamp wire terminals and to locate a connected lamp beneath the top cover, said top cover having a light transmissive portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A key switch construction as recited in claim 1, said switching elements mounted in said housing and said plunger respectively comprising a Hall generator and magnetic means acting on said Hall generator when said plunger is depressed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A key switch construction as recited In claim 3, said magnetic means comprising: a permanent magnet movable into proximity with said Hall generator upon depression of said plunger, and a magnetically conductive bracket secured to said permanent magnet and providing a return path for the flux associated with said magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A key switch construction as recited in claim 1, said means on said housing and said plunger for releasably latching said plunger against withdrawal comprising a pair of upstanding holding members secured to said housing and extending toward said plunger in the direction of the movement of said plunger, said pair of holding members being spaced apart and resilient with a hook portion formed on the free end thereof, said plunger having spaced-apart openings formed therein for receiving said holding members, camming means on said plunger for flexing said holding members toward one another for reception through said openings formed in said plunger as the plunger is mounted in said housing and latch said plunger in said housing, and said holding members serving to guide plunger movement.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |