US3882290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multipole limit switch with an angularly resettable operating head
Assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-12
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A limit switch operating head is mountable onto a switch subassembly in a number of operating positions without changing resultant switch function or operation. The operating head includes an external operator and responsive mechanism for operating overlying and underlying push plate assemblies thereon. The underlying push plate assembly has an actuator pin oriented normal to the plate assembly and positioned to move therewith in the central longitudinal axis through the operating head assembly for all positions of the head on the switch subassembly. The pin protrudes through an aperture in an offset stage portion of the overlying push plate assembly, and along with the stage portion of the latter, forms two bearing portions capable of functioning independently and coaxially of each other in response to external operator movement. A coupling mechanism including rocker members transmits movement of the individual push plate assemblies to move contact actuators within the switch subassembly to actuate contacts therein. The switch subassembly provides a unique mounting arrangement for the aforementioned contact actuators which results in improved switch operation and a reduction in overall switch size. The actuators are pivotally connected in parallelorgram fashion by pairs of guide links which maintain the actuators a spaced distance apart within the switch subassembly to eliminate friction therebetween. The actuators move in response to respective push plate movements causing an overcenter toggle spring arrangement to move a contact carrier and movable contacts thereon into selected positions of actuation.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene F Duncan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H21/00; H01H21/02; H01H21/18; H01H21/22; H01H21/24; H01H21/28; H01H21/285; H01H2021/287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
350 words
A multipole limit switch comprising: a self-enclosed switch portion having an open end; a self-enclosed operating head having a mating end secured to said open end to close the latter and provide a limit switch allowing detachment of said operating head without any parts falling out, and rotation and repositioning of said operating head at a different angle on said open end of said switch portion without changing switch operation or function or requiring relocation of any operating parts; said switch portion comprising: a housing; stationary contact means mounted in said housing; movable contact means mounted in said housing; contact actuator means including first and second plunger members to cause movement of said movable contact means into selected positions of actuation with said stationary contact means; guiding means for said plunger members allowing low-friction movement thereof relative to one another; and a pair of pivoted levers at said open end of said switch portion for actuating the respective plungers, the first one of said levers having an engagable portion at the center of said open end, and the second leVer having an engagable portion radially spaced from said center; and said operating head comprising: a housing; an external operating arm mounted on said housing and adapted to be moved into at least two positions to operate said switch; first and second push plate means; means for transmitting operating motion from said external operating arm selectively to said first and second push plate means; said first push plate means having an actuator operably located generally centrally of said mating end to cause actuation of said first pivoted lever for all angular mounting positions of said operating head in response to movement of said operating arm to one of said positions; and said second push plate means having an actuator operably located generally concentrically around said first push plate actuator at the radius of said engagable portion of said second pivoted lever to cause actuation of said second pivoted lever for all angular mounting positions of said operating head in response to movement of said operating arm to another of said positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
350 words
A multipole limit switch comprising: a self-enclosed switch portion having an open end; a self-enclosed operating head having a mating end secured to said open end to close the latter and provide a limit switch allowing detachment of said operating head without any parts falling out, and rotation and repositioning of said operating head at a different angle on said open end of said switch portion without changing switch operation or function or requiring relocation of any operating parts; said switch portion comprising: a housing; stationary contact means mounted in said housing; movable contact means mounted in said housing; contact actuator means including first and second plunger members to cause movement of said movable contact means into selected positions of actuation with said stationary contact means; guiding means for said plunger members allowing low-friction movement thereof relative to one another; and a pair of pivoted levers at said open end of said switch portion for actuating the respective plungers, the first one of said levers having an engagable portion at the center of said open end, and the second leVer having an engagable portion radially spaced from said center; and said operating head comprising: a housing; an external operating arm mounted on said housing and adapted to be moved into at least two positions to operate said switch; first and second push plate means; means for transmitting operating motion from said external operating arm selectively to said first and second push plate means; said first push plate means having an actuator operably located generally centrally of said mating end to cause actuation of said first pivoted lever for all angular mounting positions of said operating head in response to movement of said operating arm to one of said positions; and said second push plate means having an actuator operably located generally concentrically around said first push plate actuator at the radius of said engagable portion of said second pivoted lever to cause actuation of said second pivoted lever for all angular mounting positions of said operating head in response to movement of said operating arm to another of said positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A limit switch according to claim 1, wherein: said plunger members are arranged parallel to one another; said guiding means comprise a pair of spaced cross-links pivotally connected at their ends to said plunger members and having a length to keep said plunger members slightly spaced apart to avoid friction while allowing relative longitudinal movement thereof by said pivoted levers; and said contact actuator means also comprises spring means biasing said plunger members against said pivoted levers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
A limit switch according to claim 1, wherein said first push plate actuator includes an underlying member having a pin mounted generally normal thereto and is responsive to movement of said operating arm to cause actuation of said first pivoted lever and the associated plunger member, and wherein said second push plate actuator includes an overlying member having an offset stage portion and an aperture therein for overlying and encircling said pin and to enable coaxial and independent operation of said second push plate means to cause movement of said second pivoted lever and the associated plunger member in response to movement of said operating arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A limit switch according to claim 3, wherein: said underlying member has a raised projection at one end thereof; and wherein: said overlying member has a second aperture therethrough for receiving said raised projection; and said pin and said projection cooperaitng with said apertures to block lateral movement of either of said push plate means relative to each other thereby to keep their actuators centered on said mating end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
280 words
A multiple limit switch comprising: a housing; switch means within said housing; operating head means within said housing adapted to operate said switch means; said switch means comprising: a plurality of stationary contact means mounted in said housing; contact actuator means operable to move said movable contact means in selected positions of engagement with said stationary contact means comprising: a pluality of side by side plunger members; and guide means pivotally coupled to said plunger members and adapted to maintain said plunger members spaced apart to eliminate sliding friction therebetween upon movement of one of said plunger members relative to the other plunger member; said housing includes separate enclosing means having mating end portions for enclosing and joining each of said switch means and said operating head means; said separate enclosing means may be positioned in a plurality of positions relative to each other; said operating head means has an external operating arm and first and second push plates; said first push plate having pusher means operably mounted generally centrally of said mating end to cause actuation of said first plunger member for all mounting positions of said enclosing means iN response to movement of said operating arm to one position; said second push plate having pusher means operably mounted generally around said first push plate means relative to the center of said mating end of said operating head means to cause actuation of said second plunger member for all mounting positions of said enclosing means in response to movement of said operating arm to a second position; and said contact actuator means also comprising means coupling said first and second push plate pusher means to the respective plunger members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
280 words
A multiple limit switch comprising: a housing; switch means within said housing; operating head means within said housing adapted to operate said switch means; said switch means comprising: a plurality of stationary contact means mounted in said housing; contact actuator means operable to move said movable contact means in selected positions of engagement with said stationary contact means comprising: a pluality of side by side plunger members; and guide means pivotally coupled to said plunger members and adapted to maintain said plunger members spaced apart to eliminate sliding friction therebetween upon movement of one of said plunger members relative to the other plunger member; said housing includes separate enclosing means having mating end portions for enclosing and joining each of said switch means and said operating head means; said separate enclosing means may be positioned in a plurality of positions relative to each other; said operating head means has an external operating arm and first and second push plates; said first push plate having pusher means operably mounted generally centrally of said mating end to cause actuation of said first plunger member for all mounting positions of said enclosing means iN response to movement of said operating arm to one position; said second push plate having pusher means operably mounted generally around said first push plate means relative to the center of said mating end of said operating head means to cause actuation of said second plunger member for all mounting positions of said enclosing means in response to movement of said operating arm to a second position; and said contact actuator means also comprising means coupling said first and second push plate pusher means to the respective plunger members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A limit switch to claim 5, wherein: said first push plate includes an underlying member having as said pusher means a pin mounted generally normal thereto that is responsive to movement of said operating arm to cause actuation of said first plunger member; and said second push plate includes an overlying member having an offset stage portion as said pusher means and an aperture therein for overlying and encircling said pin and to enable coaxial and independent operation of said second push plate pusher means to cause movement of said second plunger member in response to movement of said operating arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A limit switch according to claim 6 wherein said underlying member has a second raised projection at one posterior end thereof and wherein said overlying member has a second aperture therethrough for receiving said raised projection, said pin and said projection cooperating with said apertures to block lateral pivotal movement of the push plate assemblies relative to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
187 words
A multiple limit switch comprising: a housing; switch mean within said housing; operating head means within said housing adapted to operate said switch means; said switch means comprising: a plurality of stationary contact means mounted in said housing; contact actuator means operable to move said movable contact means in selected positions of engagement with said stationary contact means comprising: a plurality of side by side plunger members; and guide means pivotally coupled to said plunger members and adapted to maintain said plunger members spaced apart to eliminate sliding friction therebetween upon movement of one of said plunger members relative to the other plunger member; said guide means pivotally coupled to said plunger members comprises a plurality of links arranged in spaced-apart relation across said plunger members; a plurality of arms on each said plunger member with corresponding arms of a pair of said plunger members extending in opposite directions; and pivoted connections between a pair of corresponding arms of said pair of plunger members and the opposite ends of each said link with each said link having a length to keep said plunger members slightly spaced apart.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
187 words
A multiple limit switch comprising: a housing; switch mean within said housing; operating head means within said housing adapted to operate said switch means; said switch means comprising: a plurality of stationary contact means mounted in said housing; contact actuator means operable to move said movable contact means in selected positions of engagement with said stationary contact means comprising: a plurality of side by side plunger members; and guide means pivotally coupled to said plunger members and adapted to maintain said plunger members spaced apart to eliminate sliding friction therebetween upon movement of one of said plunger members relative to the other plunger member; said guide means pivotally coupled to said plunger members comprises a plurality of links arranged in spaced-apart relation across said plunger members; a plurality of arms on each said plunger member with corresponding arms of a pair of said plunger members extending in opposite directions; and pivoted connections between a pair of corresponding arms of said pair of plunger members and the opposite ends of each said link with each said link having a length to keep said plunger members slightly spaced apart.
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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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |