US4954672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground start key switch
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-30
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Granted: 1990-09-04
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Expires: 2009-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A ground start key switch for use with a modular duplex adapter to permit momentarily shorting a pair of jack terminals includes a switch actuator mechanism adapted to be mounted onto the modular duplex adapter having a pair of jack terminals and a conductor member attached to the switch actuator mechanism. The switch actuator mechanism includes a resilient lever arm which is depressible for causing engagement of the conductor member with the pair of jack terminals so as to electrically short the pair of jack terminals together. When the resilient lever arm is released, the resiliency thereof returns the conductor member thereof to its normal position at which the conductor member is disengaged from the pair of jack terminals such that the latter are not longer shorted together.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Ruehl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R31/00; H01R31/08; H01H; H01H21/00; H01H21/02; H01H21/18; H01H21/22; H01H21/24; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0293; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/14; H01H1/24; H01H1/245; H01R24/00; H01R24/60; H01R24/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A ground start key switch for use with a modular duplex adapter to permit shorting momentarily a pair of jack terminals comprising: switch actuator means adapted to be mounted onto a modular duplex adapter having a pair of jack terminals; conductor means attached to said switch actuator means; and said switch actuator means including a resilient lever arm being depressible for causing engagement of said conductor means with said pair of jack terminals so as to electrically short said pair of jack terminals together, said lever arm causing disengagement of said conductor means with said pair of jack terminals when released.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A ground start key switch for use with a modular duplex adapter to permit shorting momentarily a pair of jack terminals comprising: switch actuator means adapted to be mounted onto a modular duplex adapter having a pair of jack terminals; conductor means attached to said switch actuator means; and said switch actuator means including a resilient lever arm being depressible for causing engagement of said conductor means with said pair of jack terminals so as to electrically short said pair of jack terminals together, said lever arm causing disengagement of said conductor means with said pair of jack terminals when released.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A ground start key switch as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said switch actuator means includes a substantially planar support member, and a substantially three-sided U-shaped slot is defined within said planar support member so as to in turn define said resilient lever arm integrally mounted upon said planar support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch actuator means is comprised of a switch actuator mechanism having said lever arm formed substantially in a central portion thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lever arm includes an outwardly-extending projection serving as an actuating member which extends out of a plane of said switch actuator mechanism on one side thereof and an inwardly-extending mounting member which extends out of said plane of said switch actuating mechanism on another side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein said conductor means comprises a conductive member formed of a flat plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein said mounting member is formed with a horizontal slit in an intermediate area thereof for retaining said flat plate therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein said flat plate is made of phosphor bronze.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
A ground start key switch as set forth in claim 5, wherein: said pair of jack terminals are disposed within parallel vertical planes; and said conductive member flat plate is disposed within a horizontal plane so as to electrically bridge said pair of jack terminals when said resilient lever arm is depressed so as to cause engagement of said conductive member flat plate with said pair of jack terminals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch actuating mechanism is provided with upper and lower tabs on a back side thereof which are adapted to be received in corresponding openings formed in the duplex adapter so as to facilitate their alignment and interengagement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch actuator mechanism is made of an electrical insulating material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch actuator mechanism is fixedly secured to said duplex adapter by sonic welding.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
149 words
A ground start key switch for permitting shorting momentarily of a line of a telephone company's central office to a ground potential when a private branch exchange is inoperative, comprising in combination: a modular duplex adapter having a first jack terminal adapted for connection to the line of the telephone company's central office and a second jack terminal adapted for connection to the ground potential; switch actuator means adapted to be mounted onto said modular duplex adapter; conductor means attached to said switch actuator means; and said switch actuator means including a resilient lever arm being depressible for causing engagement of said conductor means with said first and second jack terminals so as to electrically short said first and second jack terminals together in order to provide a closed loop path, said lever arm causing disengagement of said conductor means with said first and second jack terminals when released.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
149 words
A ground start key switch for permitting shorting momentarily of a line of a telephone company's central office to a ground potential when a private branch exchange is inoperative, comprising in combination: a modular duplex adapter having a first jack terminal adapted for connection to the line of the telephone company's central office and a second jack terminal adapted for connection to the ground potential; switch actuator means adapted to be mounted onto said modular duplex adapter; conductor means attached to said switch actuator means; and said switch actuator means including a resilient lever arm being depressible for causing engagement of said conductor means with said first and second jack terminals so as to electrically short said first and second jack terminals together in order to provide a closed loop path, said lever arm causing disengagement of said conductor means with said first and second jack terminals when released.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A ground start key switch as set forth in claim 12, wherein said switch actuator means further comprises: a substantially planar support member; and a substantially three-sided U-shaped slot defined within said planar support member for, in turn, defining said resilient lever arm integrally mounted upon said planar support member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein said switch actuator means is comprised of a switch actuator mechanism having said lever arm formed substantially in a central portion thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein said lever arm includes an outwardly-extending projection serving as an actuating member which extends out of a plane of said switch actuator mechanism on one side thereof and an inwardly-extending mounting member which extends out of said plane of said switch actuating mechanism on another side thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 15, wherein said conductor means comprises a conductive member formed of a flat plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 16, wherein said flat plate is made of phosphor bronze.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mounting member is formed with a horizontal slit in an intermediate area thereof for retaining said flat plate therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A ground start key switch as set forth in claim 16, wherein: said first and second jack terminals are disposed within parallel vertical planes; and said conductive member flat plate is disposed within a horizontal plane so as to electrically bridge said first and second jack terminals when said resilient lever arm is depressed so as to cause engagement of said conductive member flat plate with said first and second jack terminals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein said switch actuator mechanism is fixedly secured to said duplex adapter by sonic welding.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein said switch actuating mechanism is provided with upper and lower tabs on a back side thereof which are adapted to be received in corresponding openings formed in the duplex adapter so as to facilitate their alignment and interengagement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A ground start key switch as claimed in claim 21, wherein said switch actuator mechanism is made of an electrical insulating material.
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) | 1993-09-03 | 1994-03-05 | 1994-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-03 | 1998-03-05 | 1998-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-03 | 2002-03-05 | 2002-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |