Patent US4739132A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4739132A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric steering column switch for motor vehicles
Assignee: SWF Auto Electric GmbH
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Filing: 1986-10-20
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Granted: 1988-04-19
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Expires: 2006-10-20
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a steering column switch with two switch units arranged in superposed planes, which switch units each have a board with injection-moulded metal conductors and plug contacts the ends of which are rectangularly bent. The ends of the plug contacts of the switch unit which, in the plugging direction, is farther away from the connector, are positioned laterally of the ends of the other switch unit with a spacing from a conceived plane through the housing, which spacing is larger than the spacing of the ends of the plug contacts of the other switch unit from this plane. Thus a compact construction of the connection area of the switch is ensured.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Erdelitsch
- 👤 Walter Hecht
- 👤 Horst Rachner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:26
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An electrical switch assembly for motor vehicles comprising a housing having at least a first and second switch unit positioned therein, said first and second switch units being arranged in at least partially superposed planes, said first switch unit including a first circuit board member having a first planar base plate member with first plug contacts formed thereon, said second switch unit including a second circuit board member having a second planar base plate member with second plug contacts formed thereon, said first and second plug contacts having proximal and distal end sections, said proximal end sections of said first and second contacts being embedded within the plane of said first and second base plate members, respectivley, and said contacts being bent substantially perpendicular to the planes of said base plate members at a position intermediate said proximal and distal end sections so that said distal end sections ofsaid first contacts are aligned in a first row and said second contacts are aligned in a second row extending laterally of said first row with said first row of contacts being positioned radially outwardly of said second row of contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
An electrical switch assembly for motor vehicles comprising a housing having at least a first and second switch unit positioned therein, said first and second switch units being arranged in at least partially superposed planes, said first switch unit including a first circuit board member having a first planar base plate member with first plug contacts formed thereon, said second switch unit including a second circuit board member having a second planar base plate member with second plug contacts formed thereon, said first and second plug contacts having proximal and distal end sections, said proximal end sections of said first and second contacts being embedded within the plane of said first and second base plate members, respectivley, and said contacts being bent substantially perpendicular to the planes of said base plate members at a position intermediate said proximal and distal end sections so that said distal end sections ofsaid first contacts are aligned in a first row and said second contacts are aligned in a second row extending laterally of said first row with said first row of contacts being positioned radially outwardly of said second row of contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said first row of plug contacts is arranged parallel to said second row of plug contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said rows of contacts is aligned in a substantially straight line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end sections of each of the plug contacts in at least one of said first and second rows are spaced substantially equidistant from each other longitudinally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switch assembly of claim 4 wherein the spacing between said distal end sections corresponds to half the width of said end sections transverse to their longitudinal axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end sections of said first contacts project into a frame which extends upwardly to abut said first base plate member and which extends downwardly below the distal end sections of said first and second plug contacts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The switch assembly of claim 6 wherein said frame has at least one guide surface formed at its downward end for accomodating a connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The switch assembly of claim 7 wherein said frame has a non-uniform decagonal cross-sectional shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The switch assembly of claim 8 wherein said frame is fastened to the second base plate member of said second switch unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch assembly of claim 6 wherein said frame and said second base plate member are formed in one piece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch assembly of claim 6 wherein the first plug contacts are partially embedded in a block of material, the contour of said block being at least partially adapted to abut with said frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch assembly of claim 11 wherein said block and said first base plate member are formed in one piece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The switch assembly of claim 11 wherein said block terminates at a position substantially in the same plane as the second base plate member to form a planar stop face for accomodating a connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switch assembly of claim 13 wherein said block and said frame are positioned within said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 wherein said distal end sections of said first and second plug contacts terminate substantially in the same lateral plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4336428A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-19 | 1991-10-19 | 1992-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-19 | 1995-10-19 | 1996-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-19 | 1999-10-19 | 2000-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |