Linear motion snap-action mechanism

Claim 2

A linear motion snap-action mechanism comprising, in combination: a reference frame having a given longitudinal dimension, and said frame having at least one pair of carrier slots therein, with each carrier slot being provided along a generally lateral dimension; first and second detent members respectively disposed and moveably mounted in said carrier slots each of said detent members including roller bearing means and each detent member being independently movable relative to the other of said detent members; spring bias means for urging said first and second detent members respectively toward one end of the corresponding carrier slot; an input arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said input arm having first and second cam members, said cam members being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, and each cam member being adapted to engage the roller bearing means of one of said detent members in rolling friction engagement therewith thereby to move one of said first and second detent members away from said one end of said corresponding carrier slot as said input arm is translated into a corresponding position; an output arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said output arm having first and second detent slots, said detent slots being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, said first detent slot receiving said first detent member when said output arm is at a first position and said first detent member is urged toward said one end of said corresponding carrier slot, and said second detent slot receiving said second detent member when said output arm is at a second position and said second detent member is urged toward said one end of the other carrier slot; and a storage spring disposed between said input and output arms wherein said storage spring is compressed when said input arm is translated away from said output arm and wherein said output arm is translated back toward said input arm by the energy stored in said storage spring when either one of said cam members engages and moves said one of said first and second detent members.

Claim 3

A linear motion snap-action mechanism comprising, in combination: a reference frame having a given longitudinal dimension, and said frame having at least one pair of carrier slots therein, with each carrier slot being provided along a generally lateral dimension; first and second detent members respectively disposed and moveably mounted in said carrier slots; spring bias means for urging said first and second detent members respectively toward one end of the corresponding carrier slot; an input arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said input arm having first and second cam members, said cam members being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, and each cam member being adapted to engage and move one of said first and second detent members away from said one end of said corresponding carrier slot as said input arm is translated into a corresponding position; an output arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said output arm having first and second detent slots, said detent slots being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, said first detent slot receiving said first detent member when said output arm is at a first position and said first detent member is urged toward said one end of said corresponding carrier slot, and said second detent slot receiving said second detent member when said output arm is at a second position and said second detent member is urgEd toward said one end of the other carrier slot; a storage spring disposed between said input and output arms wherein said storage spring is compressed when said input arm is translated away from said output arm and wherein said output arm is translated back toward said input arm by the energy stored in said storage spring when either one of said cam members engages and moves said one of said first and second detent members; and locking means cooperating with said first and second cam members for preventing relative movement between said input arm and said reference frame when said output arm is translating back toward said input arm.

Claim 4

A linear motion snap-action mechanism comprising, in combination: a reference frame having a given longitudinal dimension, and said frame having at least one pair of carrier slots therein, with each carrier slot being provided along a generally lateral dimension; first and second detent members respectively disposed and moveably mounted in said carrier slots; spring bias means for urging said first and second detent members respectively toward one end of the corresponding carrier slot; an input arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said input arm having first and second cam members, said cam members being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, and each cam member being adapted to engage and move one of said first and second detent members away from said one end of said corresponding carrier slot as said input arm is translated into a corresponding position; an output arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said output arm having first and second detent slots, said detent slots being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, said first detent slot receiving said first detent member when said output arm is at a first position and said first detent member is urged toward said one end of said corresponding carrier slot, and said second detent slot receiving said second detent member when said output arm is at a second position and said second detent member is urgEd toward said one end of the other carrier slot; a storage spring disposed between said input and output arms wherein said storage spring is compressed when said input arm is translated away from said output arm and wherein said output arm is translated back toward said input arm by the energy stored in said storage spring when either one of said cam members engages and moves said one of said first and second detent members; and locking means cooperating with said first and second cam members for preventing relative movement between said input arm and said reference frame when said output arm is translating back toward said input arm.

Claim 5

The mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said locking means comprises first and second locking fingers projecting from said first and second cam members so that said first and second detent members are respectively trapped between said locking fingers and said cam members when said output arm is translating back toward said input arm.

Claim 6

The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said reference frame comprises first and second plate members each plate having one pair of carrier slots therein, and wherein said input arm and said output arm are mounted to said reference frame between said first and second plates.

Claim 7

The mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said storage spring is a coil spring having an axis along said longitudinal dimension and said coil spring being disposed between lateral projections of said input arm and said output arm.

Claim 8

A linear motion snap-action mechanism comprising, in combination: a reference frame having a given longitudinal dimension, and said frame having at least one pair of carrier slots therein, with each carrier slot being provided along a generally lateral dimension; first and second detent members respectively disposed and moveably mounted in said carrier slots; spring bias means for urging said first and second detent members respectively toward one end of the corresponding carrier slot; an input arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said input arm having first and second cam members, said cam members being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, and each cam member being adapted to engage and move one of said first and second detent members away from said one end of said corresponding carrier slot as said input arm is translated into a corresponding position; an output arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said output arm having first and second detent slots, said detent slots being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, said first detent slot receiving said first detent member when said output arm is at a first position and said first detent member is urged toward said one end of said corresponding carrier slot, and said second detent slot receiving said second detent member when said output arm is at a second position and said second detent member is urged toward said one end of the other carrier slot; a storage spring disposed between said input and output arms wherein said storage spring is compressed when said input arm is translated away from said output arm and wherein said output arm is translated back toward said input arm by the energy stored in said storage spring when either one of said cam members engages and moves said one of said first and second detent members; and wherein: said reference frame comprises first and second plate members each plate having one pair of carrier slots therein and wherein said input arm and said output arm are mounted to said reference frame between said first and second plates; wherein said storage spring is a coil spring having an axis along said longitudinal dimension and said coil spring being disposed between lateral projections of said input arm and said output arm; and, wherein said first anD second plates each include a guide slot along said given longitudinal dimension, and wherein said input arm includes bearing means disposed in one of said guide slots to constrain the movement of said input arm in a path solely along said longitudinal dimension and wherein said output arm includes bearing means disposed in one of said guide slots to constrain the movement of said output arm in a path solely along said longitudinal dimension.

Claim 9

A linear motion snap-action mechanism comprising, in combination: a reference frame having a given longitudinal dimension, and said frame having at least one pair of carrier slots therein, with each carrier slot being provided along a generally lateral dimension; first and second detent members respectively disposed and moveably mounted in said carrier slots; spring bias means for urging said first and second detent members respectively toward one end of the corresponding carrier slot; an input arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said input arm having first and second cam members, said cam members being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, and each cam member being adapted to engage and move one of said first and second detent members away from said one end of said corresponding carrier slot as said input arm is translated into a corresponding position; an output arm slidably mounted about said frame for translation in said given longitudinal dimension, said output arm having first and second detent slots, said detent slots being spaced from one another along said given longitudinal dimension, said first detent slot receiving said first detent member when said output arm is at a first position and said first detent member is urged toward said one end of said corresponding carrier slot, and said second detent slot receiving said second detent member when said output arm is at a second position and said second detent member is urged toward said one end of the other carrier slot; a storage spring disposed between said input and output arms wherein said storage spring is compressed when said input arm is translated away from said output arm and wherein said output arm is translated back toward said input arm by the energy stored in said storage spring when either one of said cam members engages and moves said one of said first and second detent members; and wherein: said reference frame comprises first and second plate members each plate having one pair of carrier slots therein and wherein said input arm and said output arm are mounted to said reference frame between said first and second plates; wherein said storage spring is a coil spring having an axis along said longitudinal dimension and said coil spring being disposed between lateral projections of said input arm and said output arm; and, wherein said first anD second plates each include a guide slot along said given longitudinal dimension, and wherein said input arm includes bearing means disposed in one of said guide slots to constrain the movement of said input arm in a path solely along said longitudinal dimension and wherein said output arm includes bearing means disposed in one of said guide slots to constrain the movement of said output arm in a path solely along said longitudinal dimension.