US3916128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quiet switch
Assignee: Hubbell Inc
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-10-28
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract An electric switch is provided with quiet switching action. A resilient rod is disposed between a housing portion and an operating handle portion to substantially reduce the noise generated by the collision of the operating handle portion with the housing. The operating handle portion is provided with planar, stroke-limiting stops which are disposed symmetrically about the axis of rotation of the operating handle. The planar stops compress the resilient rod uniformly as the operating handle rotates to the circuit closed or the circuit open position. The resilient rod has a circular cross section and resists radial deformation substantially linearly.
Inventors
- 👤 Emmett J Mclaughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/12; H01H3/00; H01H3/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
An electric switch comprising: a housing; a first electrical contact supported by said housing; a resilient arm supported by said housing; a second electrical contact carried on said resilient arm and disposed to engage said first electrical contact; an operating handle pivotally mounted in said housing, said operating handle having a cam surface projecting away from the axis of rotation and having first and second shoulder portions each having planar surfaces which intersect upon a line which is parallel to the axis of rotation of said operating handle, said shoulder portions being disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said operating handle, said operating handle being movable to a first position wherein said cam surface depresses said resilient arm so that said second electrical contact makes electrical connection with said first electrical contact, said operating handle being movable to a second position wherein said operating handle disengages said resilient arm so that said second electrical contact becomes electrically disconnected from said first electrical contact; spring means compressed between said operating handle and said housing, said spring means assisting in moving said operating handle in the direction of rotation as said operating handle is rotated to either said first position or to said second position; and a resilient rod having a circular cross section disposed between said housing and said operating handle, said rod being engaged by said first or said second planar surface of said operating handle and being compressed uniformly between said housing and said planar surface as said operating handle is rotated to said first position or to said second position; said rod being vertically confined between said intersecting planar surfaces and a grooved recess of said housing and being laterally confined within a notched portion of said operating handle; said shoulder portions being transversely grooved through said line of intersection thereby providing an opening for receiving said rod, the resulting vertical confinement imposing no compression upon said rod as said operating handle rotates through its center position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
An electric switch comprising: a housing; a first electrical contact supported by said housing; a resilient arm supported by said housing; a second electrical contact carried on said resilient arm and disposed to engage said first electrical contact; an operating handle pivotally mounted in said housing, said operating handle having a cam surface projecting away from the axis of rotation and having first and second shoulder portions each having planar surfaces which intersect upon a line which is parallel to the axis of rotation of said operating handle, said shoulder portions being disposed symmetrically about the centerline of said operating handle, said operating handle being movable to a first position wherein said cam surface depresses said resilient arm so that said second electrical contact makes electrical connection with said first electrical contact, said operating handle being movable to a second position wherein said operating handle disengages said resilient arm so that said second electrical contact becomes electrically disconnected from said first electrical contact; spring means compressed between said operating handle and said housing, said spring means assisting in moving said operating handle in the direction of rotation as said operating handle is rotated to either said first position or to said second position; and a resilient rod having a circular cross section disposed between said housing and said operating handle, said rod being engaged by said first or said second planar surface of said operating handle and being compressed uniformly between said housing and said planar surface as said operating handle is rotated to said first position or to said second position; said rod being vertically confined between said intersecting planar surfaces and a grooved recess of said housing and being laterally confined within a notched portion of said operating handle; said shoulder portions being transversely grooved through said line of intersection thereby providing an opening for receiving said rod, the resulting vertical confinement imposing no compression upon said rod as said operating handle rotates through its center position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 1, said resilient rod having an opening extending coaxially therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
In combination with an electric switch of the type wherein an operating handle is pivotally mounted within a housing and is movable from a first operating position to a second operating position, and a stopping member carried by said handle is forced against said housing as said handle is moved from one of said positions to the other said position, the improvement which comprises: a resilient rod having a curved cross section confined between said stopping member and said housing, the diameter of said rod being small as compared with its length, said rod being compressed uniformly along its length by said stopping member as said handle is moved from one of said positions to said other position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
In combination with an electric switch of the type wherein an operating handle is pivotally mounted within a housing and is movable from a first operating position to a second operating position, and a stopping member carried by said handle is forced against said housing as said handle is moved from one of said positions to the other said position, the improvement which comprises: a resilient rod having a curved cross section confined between said stopping member and said housing, the diameter of said rod being small as compared with its length, said rod being compressed uniformly along its length by said stopping member as said handle is moved from one of said positions to said other position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
173 words
The switch of claim 3, said stopping member comprising first and second shoulder portions each having a planar surface for engaging said resilient rod, said planar surfaces of said shoulder portions intersecting along a line which is parallel to the axis of rotation of said operating handle; said shoulder portions being transversely grooved through said line of intersection thereby providing an opening for receiving said rod, said stopping member being disposed adjacent said housing to provide a clearance between said planar surfaces and said housing which is less than the diameter of said rod when said operating handle is disposed in either of said operating positions, the clearance provided by said grooved opening in said housing being equal to or greater than the diameter of said rod; said rod being uniformly engaged and compressed by one of said planar surfaces as said operating handle is placed in either one of said operating positions, the compression of said rod being relieved as said handle is moved from one of said positions to the other.
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) | 1978-10-27 | 1979-04-28 | 1979-10-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-27 | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-04-28 | 1987-10-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |