US3914570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alternate make and break type operating means for pushbutton switch assemblies
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-05
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1993-07-05
Abstract
Abstract A bi-stable switch having a plurality of spaced electrical terminals depending from the housing of the switch and adapted for plugging into a printed circuit board. The switch includes a carriage which is traversable within the housing to either of two stable throw positions. Electrical contacts mounted on the carriage bridge across selected terminals to complete an electrical circuit path between the selected terminals when the carriage is positioned in either of its two stable positions. A resilient spring in compression between the carriage and the housing seats the carriage against one end of the housing thereby retaining the carriage in its first stable position. An extension on the carriage protrudes through the one end of the carriage and is adapted for retraction in telescoping relationship within the housing. Upon such retraction the switch is traversed within the housing to its second stable position resiliently collapsing the spring. The carriage is maintained in its second stable position, either by a lever arm which is pivoted to overlie the end of the extension and retain it in telescoped position, or by a projection on the carriage which is received removably in a detent provided on the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Larue Lockard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H15/00; H01H15/005; H01H13/00; H01H13/50; H01H13/56; H01H13/562
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A bi-stable switch, comprising: a housing defined by a plurality of enclosing walls, a pair of said walls having spaced grooves therein, a plurality of electrical terminals in said grooves and maintained thereby in spaced relationship in said housing, a carriage displaceable back and forth in said housing, a pair of strip form terminals mounted on said carriage for electrically engaging selected terminals upon displacement of said carriage, an extension portion on said carriage prOtruding from said housing, said housing having a passageway in one of said enclosing walls arranged in a closed loop path, said carriage having a projection having one end received rotatably in said carriage and another end received in said passageway and forced to traverse along said passageway as said carriage is displaceable back and forth in said housing, said passageway having two spaced detent portions, said projection second end initially in seating engagement in a first detent portion, a spring in resilient compression between said carriage and said housing and being resiliently compressible and expansible in response to traverse of said carriage back and forth in said housing, said carriage being displaceable in a first direction to traverse said projection second end along said passageway out of seating engagement in said first detent portion, said carriage subsequently being displaceable in a second direction to traverse said projection second end along said passageway into engagement in a second detent portion of said passageway, and means on said carriage continuously and resiliently urging said projections to project said second end thereof into said passageway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A bi-stable switch, comprising: a housing defined by a plurality of enclosing walls, a pair of said walls having spaced grooves therein, a plurality of electrical terminals in said grooves and maintained thereby in spaced relationship in said housing, a carriage displaceable back and forth in said housing, a pair of strip form terminals mounted on said carriage for electrically engaging selected terminals upon displacement of said carriage, an extension portion on said carriage prOtruding from said housing, said housing having a passageway in one of said enclosing walls arranged in a closed loop path, said carriage having a projection having one end received rotatably in said carriage and another end received in said passageway and forced to traverse along said passageway as said carriage is displaceable back and forth in said housing, said passageway having two spaced detent portions, said projection second end initially in seating engagement in a first detent portion, a spring in resilient compression between said carriage and said housing and being resiliently compressible and expansible in response to traverse of said carriage back and forth in said housing, said carriage being displaceable in a first direction to traverse said projection second end along said passageway out of seating engagement in said first detent portion, said carriage subsequently being displaceable in a second direction to traverse said projection second end along said passageway into engagement in a second detent portion of said passageway, and means on said carriage continuously and resiliently urging said projections to project said second end thereof into said passageway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
130 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said passageway includes a bottom surface formed with a series of inclined ramps, with a shoulder defined between each adjacent pair of ramps, said projection second end being forced to traverse along said passageway in one direction as said carriage is displaced back and forth in said housing, said projection second end upon traverse along said passageway in a direction opposite to said one direction being stopped against one of said shoulders, which shoulder provides a barrier blocking the traverse of said projection second end in said direction opposite to said one direction, and said means comprises a resilient hinge on said carriage continuously and resiliently engaging and biasing said projection to project the second end thereof into receipt within said passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure as recited in claim 2, wherein, said carriage includes a recess receiving said hinge therein, said hinge having a recess rotatably receiving said projection first end therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: a lever pivotally mounted on said housing and having a flange portion pivotable by said lever to engage and overlie an end of said carriage extension portion.
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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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |