US3889088A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical component with push-push switch actuator
Assignee: CTS Corp
•
Filing: 1973-12-21
•
Granted: 1975-06-10
•
Expires: 1993-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An electrical component having a pair of rotary switches secured to a mounting bracket and simultaneously operable with a common axially movable shaft. A star cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket cooperates with the switches simultaneously operating both of the switches between two positions. A drive actuator interconnects the axially movable shaft with the star cam. A unidirectional axial force applied to the shaft causes one of a pair of laterally spaced shoulders or cams on the drive actuator to engage in the alternative one of the fingers of the star cam and pivotally shift the star cam through a predetermined angle from a first to a second switch position. A spring returns the shaft to its original position, and a subsequent unidirectional axial force applied to the shaft causes the other of the shoulders to engage the other of the fingers of the star cam and pivotally shift the star cam back to the first switch position. Such action results in opening and closing of the rotary switches.
Inventors
- 👤 John Zdanys
- 👤 William L Kelver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/56; H01H13/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket provided with a pair of openings, a pair of rotary switches fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, actuating means carried by each of the switches and extending through the openings in the mounting plate, one of the actuating means being 180* out of phase to the other of the actuating means, a star cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket between the switches and cooperable with the actuating means, the star cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers extending toward each other and defining a pair of slots, a drive actuator engageable with the star cam and movable in the slots defined by the fingers, and a shaft supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft causes the drive actuator to engage one of the fingers of the star cam and further axial movement of the shaft pivots the star cam until the actuating means shift from the first switch position through a labile position to a second switch position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket provided with a pair of openings, a pair of rotary switches fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, actuating means carried by each of the switches and extending through the openings in the mounting plate, one of the actuating means being 180* out of phase to the other of the actuating means, a star cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket between the switches and cooperable with the actuating means, the star cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers extending toward each other and defining a pair of slots, a drive actuator engageable with the star cam and movable in the slots defined by the fingers, and a shaft supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft causes the drive actuator to engage one of the fingers of the star cam and further axial movement of the shaft pivots the star cam until the actuating means shift from the first switch position through a labile position to a second switch position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
The electrical component of claim 1, wherein the drive actuator comprises a pair of laterally disposed shoulders cooperable with the fingers, one of the shoulders being engageable with one of the fingers for pivotally shifting the star cam in one direction through a predetermined angle, the other of the shoulders of the drive actuator being engageable with the other of the fingers for pivotally shifting the star cam in the other direction through the predetermined angle upon alternate axial movements of the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The electrical component of claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprises a pair of radially spaced tangs and the star cam comprises a pair of diametrically spaced lobes movable in an interference path with the spaced tangs for pivotally shifting the actuating means tHrough a predetermined angle during pivotal shifting of the star cam resulting from axial movement of the drive actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket, a rotary switch fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, actuating means carried by the switch, a cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket and cooperable with the actuating means, the cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers, a pivotally shiftable drive actuator engageable with the cam, and shaft means supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft means pivotally shifts the drive actuator toward and into engagement with one of the fingers of the cam and pivots the cam until the actuating means of the switch shifts from a first switch position through a labile position to a second switch position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket, a rotary switch fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, actuating means carried by the switch, a cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket and cooperable with the actuating means, the cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers, a pivotally shiftable drive actuator engageable with the cam, and shaft means supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft means pivotally shifts the drive actuator toward and into engagement with one of the fingers of the cam and pivots the cam until the actuating means of the switch shifts from a first switch position through a labile position to a second switch position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The electrical component of claim 4, wherein the drive actuator comprises a pair of laterally disposed shoulders cooperable with the fingers, one of the shoulders being engageable with one of the fingers for pivotally shifting the cam in one direction through a predetermined angle, the other of the shoulders of the drive actuator being engageable with the other of the fingers for pivotally shifting the cam in the other direction through the predetermined angle upon alternate axial movements of the shaft means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The electrical component of claim 4, wherein means maintain the drive actuator interconnected with the shaft means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A mechanism for operating a plurality of rotary switches comprising a mounting bracket, a reciprocating drive actuator supported by the mounting bracket, and a cam pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket between the rotary switches, the cam comprising a pair of lobes engageable with the rotary switches, and a pair of fingers engageable with the drive actuator whereby selective movement of the drive actuator causes the lobes to operate the switches simultaneously.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A mechanism for operating a plurality of rotary switches comprising a mounting bracket, a reciprocating drive actuator supported by the mounting bracket, and a cam pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket between the rotary switches, the cam comprising a pair of lobes engageable with the rotary switches, and a pair of fingers engageable with the drive actuator whereby selective movement of the drive actuator causes the lobes to operate the switches simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrical component of claim 7, wherein means maintain the drive actuator interconnected with the shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electrical component of claim 7, wherein the fingers define a slot therebetween, the drive actuator is disposed in the slot, and means maintain the actuator in the slot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket, a pair of rotary switches fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, a pair of spaced tangs carried by the actuating means, a cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket and cooperable with the actuating means, the cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers and a pair of diametrically spaced lobes movable in an interference path with the spaced tangs for pivotally shifting the actuating means through a predetermined angle, a drive actuator engageable with the cam, and shaft means supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft means shifts the drive actuator into engagement with one of the fingers pivoting the cam and the spaced lobes against the spaced tangs until the actuator means of the switch shifts from a first switch position through a labile position to a second switch position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
152 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket, a pair of rotary switches fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, a pair of spaced tangs carried by the actuating means, a cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket and cooperable with the actuating means, the cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers and a pair of diametrically spaced lobes movable in an interference path with the spaced tangs for pivotally shifting the actuating means through a predetermined angle, a drive actuator engageable with the cam, and shaft means supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft means shifts the drive actuator into engagement with one of the fingers pivoting the cam and the spaced lobes against the spaced tangs until the actuator means of the switch shifts from a first switch position through a labile position to a second switch position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket, a rotary switch fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, actuating means carried by the switch, a cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket and cooperable with the actuating means, the cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers defining a slot therebetween, a drive actuator engageable with the cam, means for maintaining the drive actuator in the slot defined by the fingers, and shaft means supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft means shifts the drive actuator into engagement with one of the fingers of the cam and pivots the cam until the actuating means of the switch shifts from a first switch position through a labile position to A second switch position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
In an electrical component, the combination of a mounting bracket, a rotary switch fixedly secured to the mounting bracket, actuating means carried by the switch, a cam pivotally secured to the mounting bracket and cooperable with the actuating means, the cam comprising a pair of laterally spaced fingers defining a slot therebetween, a drive actuator engageable with the cam, means for maintaining the drive actuator in the slot defined by the fingers, and shaft means supported by the bracket and interconnected with the drive actuator whereby initial axial movement of the shaft means shifts the drive actuator into engagement with one of the fingers of the cam and pivots the cam until the actuating means of the switch shifts from a first switch position through a labile position to A second switch position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrical component of claim 11, wherein the fingers extend toward each other and limit movement of the actuator in the slot defined by the fingers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical component of claim 11, wherein the drive actuator comprises a forwardly extending stem disposed in the slot.
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) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |