US3969609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated push button switch
Assignee: Globe Union Inc
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Filing: 1975-01-15
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Granted: 1976-07-13
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Expires: 1995-01-15
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated push button switch assembly has a self-contained light source and a switch portion having integral conductive terminals eminating therefrom. A removable nonconductive saddle is provided for mounting a pair of auxiliary conductive terminals on the switch assembly and connectors are provided for electrically coupling the light source to the auxiliary terminals when said saddle is in place or for coupling the light source to the switch terminals when said saddle is removed. The removable saddle enables switches to be uniformly constructed while having the flexibility of having the light source function either independently of or in conjunction with the activation of the switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Vernon Walter Wanner
- 👤 William Karl Lueschen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
An illuminated electrical switch comprising: a switch mechanism having a selector element extending from one end and two or more conductive switch terminals located in proximity to the other end of said switch mechanism; housing means coupled to said switch mechanism for containing a light source, said housing means including a socket for receiving said source located adjacent to said selector element and spaced conductive connector means engaging said light source, said connector means extending from said housing means and terminating in proximity to said switch terminals; and nonconductive saddle means removably mounted on said switch mechanism adjacent said housing means, said saddle means including pair of spaced auxiliary terminals spanning the sides of said switch mechanism and spaced from said switch terminals, said connector means contacting said auxiliary terminals and being held out of contact with said switch terminals when said saddle means is in place and contacting at least one of said switch terminals when said saddle means is removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
An illuminated electrical switch comprising: a switch mechanism having a selector element extending from one end and two or more conductive switch terminals located in proximity to the other end of said switch mechanism; housing means coupled to said switch mechanism for containing a light source, said housing means including a socket for receiving said source located adjacent to said selector element and spaced conductive connector means engaging said light source, said connector means extending from said housing means and terminating in proximity to said switch terminals; and nonconductive saddle means removably mounted on said switch mechanism adjacent said housing means, said saddle means including pair of spaced auxiliary terminals spanning the sides of said switch mechanism and spaced from said switch terminals, said connector means contacting said auxiliary terminals and being held out of contact with said switch terminals when said saddle means is in place and contacting at least one of said switch terminals when said saddle means is removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch recited in claim 1, wherein: said saddle means is generally U-shaped, the legs of said U spanning the sides of said switch mechanism, and said auxiliary terminals being mounted in said legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch recited in claim 2 wherein: said housing means having a projection extending therefrom spaced from the top of said switch mechanism for retaining said saddle means in place on said switch mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The switch recited in claim 1 wherein: said switch mechanism comprises a push button switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch recited in claim 4 wherein: said switch terminals comprise spaced parallel members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switch recited in claim 2 wherein: said saddle means having a slot formed in the base of said U for receiving at least two of said switch terminals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The switch recited in claim 6 including: button means mounted on said selector element, said button means having a translucent surface for visually indicating when said light source is on.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The switch recited in claim 7 wherein: said saddle means having nonconductive projections engaging a portion of said auxiliary terminals at the point of contact with said connector means for insulating said auxiliary terminals from said switch terminals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch recited in claim 5 wherein: said housing means having a projection extending therefrom spaced from the top of said switch mechanism for retaining said saddle means in place on said switch mechanism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3601567A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-07-13 | 1980-01-12 | 1980-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-13 | 1984-01-12 | 1984-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-13 | 1988-01-12 | 1988-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |