US4175221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible selector switch
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1977-12-07
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Granted: 1979-11-20
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Expires: 1997-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A selector switch for use as a pushbutton and rotary switch characterized by a rotatable switch actuator and at least two switch structures, the actuator having a shaft on which a handle is detachably mounted for operation in a plurality of modes to operate the switch structures in different combinations of open and closed conditions, the handle being detachably mounted on the shaft for rotating the cam through one limited sector thereof, and the handle being repositionable on the shaft for rotation through another limited sector thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Kellogg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/02; H01H19/03; H01H11/00; H01H11/0006; H01H19/54; H01H19/60; H01H19/635; H01H19/6355; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A rotary selector switch comprising a rotatable actuating unit, a tubular housing, said unit comprising an actuator within the housing and a switch handle on one end of the actuator, at least two switch structures mounted on the housing and operatively connected to the other end of the actuator, the handle being at one end of the housing and rotatable through one limited sector thereof, the handle being removable from the actuator for repositioning thereon in another limited sector of rotation, stop means for limiting rotation of said unit and comprising interengageable means between the housing and the handle, mutually interfitting means on the handle and actuator to enable said removal and repositioning, the interengageable means being more proximate to each other for rotation of the handle through one limited sector than for another sector, an operating cam on the other end of the actuator, each switch structure having a reciprocable contact operating member to effect opening and closing of a circuit through the switch structure, and the cam having cam operating surface means for actuating the contact operating members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A rotary selector switch comprising a rotatable actuating unit, a tubular housing, said unit comprising an actuator within the housing and a switch handle on one end of the actuator, at least two switch structures mounted on the housing and operatively connected to the other end of the actuator, the handle being at one end of the housing and rotatable through one limited sector thereof, the handle being removable from the actuator for repositioning thereon in another limited sector of rotation, stop means for limiting rotation of said unit and comprising interengageable means between the housing and the handle, mutually interfitting means on the handle and actuator to enable said removal and repositioning, the interengageable means being more proximate to each other for rotation of the handle through one limited sector than for another sector, an operating cam on the other end of the actuator, each switch structure having a reciprocable contact operating member to effect opening and closing of a circuit through the switch structure, and the cam having cam operating surface means for actuating the contact operating members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch of claim 1 in which said stop means comprises a first projection on the handle and a second projection on the housing and in the path of rotation of the first projection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch of claim 2 in which the unit is rotatable between at least two switch positions in each section of rotation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The switch of claim 3 in which there are detent means comprising a detent cam having cam notches between the housing and the actuating unit for holding the handle in a selected position which detent means also comprises at least one detent on the actuator engageable with the cam notches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The switch of claim 4 in which the detent is on said unit, the detent cam is on the housing, and spring bias means are on the side of the detent cam opposite the detent for holding the cam against the detent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switch of claim 5 in which the detent cam detent, and spring bias means are located between the actuator and the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The switch of claim 6 in which the actuator is a sleeve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The switch of claim 7 in which the sleeve has a spline and the operating cam includes projection means adjustably mounted in the spline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The switch of claim 6 in which the detent cam and the housing have mutually interfitting means extending longitudinally of the housing to enable longitudinal movement of the detent cam in the housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The switch of claim 9 in which the mutually interfitting means comprises a guide rib on the housing surface and a rib-engaging notch on the detent cam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch of claim 10 in which the portion of the rib adjacent the handle comprises said stop means for limiting rotation of the handle.
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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) | 1982-11-19 | 1983-05-21 | 1983-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-19 | 1987-05-21 | 1987-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-19 | 1991-05-21 | 1991-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |