US5051550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control mechanism for an on-off switch
Assignee: Mattel Inc
•
Filing: 1990-07-25
•
Granted: 1991-09-24
•
Expires: 2010-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A control mechanism operable for selectively moving an on-off switch into on and off positions includes an on-off switch having opposed, first and second ends simultaneously movable in opposite directions, an actuator disposed adjacent the on-off switch selectively movable for engaging the first end of the on-off switch and urging it in a first direction to an on position accompanied by movement of the second end of the on-off switch in the opposite direction, and a biasing device disposed adjacent the on-off switch and externally thereof for engaging the second end of the on-off switch and normally maintaining it in the off position. The biasing device yieldably resists movement of the actuator when it engages the first end of the on-off switch and moves it in the first direction toward the on position.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy S. Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:01
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H21/00; H01H21/02; H01H21/18; H01H21/22; H01H21/24; H01H21/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A control mechanism operable for selectively moving an off-on switch into its on and off positions comprising: in combination with a switch having opposed, first and second ends simultaneously movable in opposite directions, the switch achieving one switching state by movement of the first end in one of said directions and a second switching state by movement of the second end in said one of said directions; actuating means disposed adjacent the switch selectively movable for engaging the first end of the switch and urging the first end in said one direction to produce said one switching state, this movement being accomplished by movement of the second end of the switch in the opposite direction; said switch including return means for engaging the first end of the switch and normally urgin the first end in said opposite direct and the second end in said one direction to produce the second switching state; and biasing means disposed adjacent the switch and externally thereof engaging the second end of the switch and continuosly urging the second end of the switch in said one direction to produce said second switching state, said biasing means thus complementing the urging of said return means and yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A control mechanism operable for selectively moving an off-on switch into its on and off positions comprising: in combination with a switch having opposed, first and second ends simultaneously movable in opposite directions, the switch achieving one switching state by movement of the first end in one of said directions and a second switching state by movement of the second end in said one of said directions; actuating means disposed adjacent the switch selectively movable for engaging the first end of the switch and urging the first end in said one direction to produce said one switching state, this movement being accomplished by movement of the second end of the switch in the opposite direction; said switch including return means for engaging the first end of the switch and normally urgin the first end in said opposite direct and the second end in said one direction to produce the second switching state; and biasing means disposed adjacent the switch and externally thereof engaging the second end of the switch and continuosly urging the second end of the switch in said one direction to produce said second switching state, said biasing means thus complementing the urging of said return means and yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the biasing means is mounted on a base plate which supports the switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein the biasing means is a flexible, generally U-shaped clip spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination with a switch having opposed, first and second ends simultaneously movable in opposite directions, the switch achieving one switching state by movement of the first end in one of said directiobns and a second switching state by movement of the second end in said one of said directions; actuating means disposed adjacent the switch selectively movable for engaging the first end of the switch and urging it in said one direction to place the switch in its said one switching state with such movement accompanied by movement of the second end of the switch in the opposite direction; and biasing means disposed adjacent the switch and externally thereof for engaging the second end of the switch and normally maintaining the switch in the second switching state by urging the second end in said one direction, the biasing means yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means when the actuating means engages the first end of the switch and moves the first end in the first direction, the biasing means being a flexible member secured to the actuating means and extending toward the switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
In combination with a switch having opposed, first and second ends simultaneously movable in opposite directions, the switch achieving one switching state by movement of the first end in one of said directiobns and a second switching state by movement of the second end in said one of said directions; actuating means disposed adjacent the switch selectively movable for engaging the first end of the switch and urging it in said one direction to place the switch in its said one switching state with such movement accompanied by movement of the second end of the switch in the opposite direction; and biasing means disposed adjacent the switch and externally thereof for engaging the second end of the switch and normally maintaining the switch in the second switching state by urging the second end in said one direction, the biasing means yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means when the actuating means engages the first end of the switch and moves the first end in the first direction, the biasing means being a flexible member secured to the actuating means and extending toward the switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the biasing means is a flexible, generally bow-shaped spring member having an arcuate portion thereof continuously engaging the second end of the switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein the biasing means is a generally U-shaped clip spring formed with a portion which continuously engages the second end of the switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein the portion of the clip spring engaging the second end of the switch is offset from an adjacent portion to ensure continuous engagement with the second end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein the clip spring stores up spring tension when the actuating means moves the first end of the switch in said one direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
161 words
A control mechanism operable for selectively moving an on-off rocker assembly between on and off positions, the switch assembly having opposed first and second ends simultaneously moveable in opposite directions about a common axis, the control mechanism comprising: actuating means disposed adjacent the switch assembly selectively movable for engaging the first end of the switch assembly and urging it in a first direction to an on position accompanied by movement of the second end of the switch assembly in the opposite direction; and biasing means disposed adjacent the switch assembly and externally thereof for engaging the second end of the switch assembly and normally maintaining it in the off position, the biasing means yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means when it engages the first end of the switch assembly and moves it in the first direction toward the on position, the biasing means being defined by a flexible member secured to the actuating means and extending toward the switch assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
161 words
A control mechanism operable for selectively moving an on-off rocker assembly between on and off positions, the switch assembly having opposed first and second ends simultaneously moveable in opposite directions about a common axis, the control mechanism comprising: actuating means disposed adjacent the switch assembly selectively movable for engaging the first end of the switch assembly and urging it in a first direction to an on position accompanied by movement of the second end of the switch assembly in the opposite direction; and biasing means disposed adjacent the switch assembly and externally thereof for engaging the second end of the switch assembly and normally maintaining it in the off position, the biasing means yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means when it engages the first end of the switch assembly and moves it in the first direction toward the on position, the biasing means being defined by a flexible member secured to the actuating means and extending toward the switch assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control mechanism of claim 9 wherein the actuating means is a foot pedal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control mechanism of claim 9 wherein the biasing means is a generally U-shaped clip spring formed with a portion which continuously engages the second end of the on-off switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The control mechanism of claim 11 wherein the portion of the clip spring engaging the second end of the on-off switch is offset from its adjacent portion to ensure continuous engagement with the second end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control mechanism of claim 11 wherein the clip spring stores up spring tension when the actuating means moves the first end of the on-off switch into the on position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE1138448B
Cited
US3225156A
Cited
US3319031A
Cited
GB1520451A
Cited
DE2810368A1
Cited
US4292485A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-23 | 1995-03-25 | 1995-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-23 | 1999-03-25 | 1999-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-23 | 2003-03-25 | 2003-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |