US4112267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coded switching device
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1976-08-18
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Granted: 1978-09-05
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Expires: 1996-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A coded switching device having a plurality of actuator dial knobs will, n set to a predetermined combination, provide electrical continuity between terminals on the device. Setting the dial knobs to another predetermined combination will enable the combination to be changed. The device consists of a number of stations, each comprising an actuator, a switch, and a detent mechanism, equal to the number of digits desired in the combination. Each switch is wired such that only one position will provide continuity through that switch. The switch rotors are connected to the actuators in a manner which will allow their angular relationship, and hence, the particular combination which will close all switches, to be changed by withdrawing the dial knobs in a direction outward from the device. A grooved rod extending transverse to the actuators gangs all of the actuators together for this combination change movement. Additionally, this rod restrains the switch rotors from angular rotation until the dial knobs are depressed and the actuators re-engaged with the switches.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy A. Zangrando
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:25
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00658; G07C9/00666; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7062; Y10T70/7068; Y10T70/7085; Y10T70/709; Y10T70/7153; Y10T70/7322; Y10T70/7328; Y10T70/7339
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
A coded switching device comprising at least one switch, each switch including: stationary contact means; rotatable contact means having a fixed number of angular orientations, in only one of which said contact means completes an electrical path through said switch; rotatable actuating means coaxial with said rotatable contact means and including indicia means for indicating its angular orientation; means for selectively engaging said actuating means with said rotatable contact means in any angular relation thereto; said actuating means being disengagable from said rotatable contact means to permit changing said angular rotation; and means for preventing said disengagement unless said rotatable contact means is in a particular angular orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A coded switching device comprising at least one switch, each switch including: stationary contact means; rotatable contact means having a fixed number of angular orientations, in only one of which said contact means completes an electrical path through said switch; rotatable actuating means coaxial with said rotatable contact means and including indicia means for indicating its angular orientation; means for selectively engaging said actuating means with said rotatable contact means in any angular relation thereto; said actuating means being disengagable from said rotatable contact means to permit changing said angular rotation; and means for preventing said disengagement unless said rotatable contact means is in a particular angular orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A switching device as in claim 1, wherein said particular orientation is different from said one orientation, to avoid inadvertent combination change during normal switch operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A switching device as in claim 1, further comprising resilient detent means for releasably holding said actuating means in any selected orientation, wherein said detent means comprises: a detent wheel, coaxially carried by said actuating means, having a number of periphery longitudinal grooves equal to said number of angular orientations; at least one detent ball engageable with one of said grooves; and spring means biasing said ball towards said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A switching device as in claim 1, wherein: said stationary contact means comprises a circular array of contact segments coaxial with the axis of rotation of said rotatable contact means; said rotatable contact means comprises a double-ended switch arm having two contacts engageable in each of said angular orientations with two of said contact segments; and means connecting the two segments engaged by said switch arm contacts in said one angular orientation to two external terminals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A switching device as in claim 1, wherein: said movable contact means comprises a disc-shaped rotor; said actuating means comprises a cylindrical member mounted for axial as well as rotary motion relative to said rotor; and said engaging means comprises a number of axial holes, equal to said number of angular orientations, disposed in a circle coaxial with said rotor, and an eccentric axial pin on said cylindrical member engageable with any one of said axial holes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
167 words
A switching device as in claim 5, wherein: said disengagement preventing means comprises: a peripheral ridge on said cylindrical member; a locking rod mounted adjacent to said rotor and said rib for rotation about an axis perpendicular to and radially spaced from the axis of rotation of said rotor and said cylindrical member, between two angular positions, said rod having a first longitudinal groove engageable with said rib in both of said positions, and a second longitudinal groove which engages a peripheral portion of said rotor in all except one angular orientation thereof and in the position of said rod wherein said cylindrical member is engaged with said rotor; a flat on said peripheral rotor portion, at one angular orientation thereof, located adjacent to said rod but out of path of said second groove, thereby permitting rotary motion of said rod and axial motion of said cylindrical member to withdraw said pin from said hole and change said angular relation, while preventing rotary motion of said rotor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switching device as in claim 6, wherein said disengagement preventing means further comprises resilient detent means for releasably holding said rod in either of said two positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A coded switching device as in claim 1, comprising a plurality of said switches, wherein the stationary contact means of adjacent switches are connected together to form a continuous electrical path through all of the switches when all of said rotatable contact means are in said one angular orientation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A coded switching device as in claim 8, wherein said disengagement preventing means of all of the switches are ganged together to prevent axial disengagement of any of said actuating means from said rotatable contact means unless all of said rotatable contact means are in said particular angular orientation.
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) | 1981-09-04 | 1982-03-06 | 1982-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-04 | 1986-03-06 | 1986-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-04 | 1990-03-06 | 1990-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |