US4024368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switch assembly having selective actuation sensitivity
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1975-10-02
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1995-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A switch assembly having a lighted display module for programmable character display where the module is an active part during switch actuation. The module has a force actuating line and is displaced by a predetermined portion of an applied switch actuating force because the module line for transmitting such force is selectively displaced from the line of the applied actuating force.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald Corroalles Shattuck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/84; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A switch assembly comprising: a. force transmitting means displaceable from a first non-actuation switch position to a second actuating switch position by an actuating force directed along a force transmitting line defined by the centerline of said force transmitting means, b. flexible indicator means for display of indicia, said flexible indicator means having a centerline defining a force transmitting line, and displaceable by said force transmitting means, c. said flexible indicator means centerline misaligned with said force transmitting means centerline by a selected distance so that displacement of said transmitting means by the actuating force displaces said indicator means, and said misaligned centerline reducing the transmitted actuating force by a first determinable portion, and d. switch means operable by said reduced actuating force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A switch assembly comprising: a. force transmitting means displaceable from a first non-actuation switch position to a second actuating switch position by an actuating force directed along a force transmitting line defined by the centerline of said force transmitting means, b. flexible indicator means for display of indicia, said flexible indicator means having a centerline defining a force transmitting line, and displaceable by said force transmitting means, c. said flexible indicator means centerline misaligned with said force transmitting means centerline by a selected distance so that displacement of said transmitting means by the actuating force displaces said indicator means, and said misaligned centerline reducing the transmitted actuating force by a first determinable portion, and d. switch means operable by said reduced actuating force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said flexible indicator means includes a resilient means absorbing a first portion of the reduced actuating force displacing said indicator means and transmitting a second portion of the reduced actuating force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch assembly of claim 2 in which said switch means is operable by said second portion of the reduced actuating force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said switch means defines a force transmitting centerline that is misaligned with said indicator means centerline by a selected distance, said misaligned indicator means and switch means centerlines reducing said reduced actuating force by a second determinable portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said force transmitting means are selectively transparent and said flexible means displays said indicia therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 in which said switch means defines a force transmitting centerline that is aligned with said indicator means centerline.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3870840A
Cited
US3800104A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |