Coding device

Claim 2

A coding device, comprising: a contact carrier; a coding disk which cooperates with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, wherein the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is coaxially connected; and indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions, said indexing means comprising a ring of teeth, and at least two stop springs configured as leaf springs, said stop springs cooperating with said ring of teeth.

Claim 3

The coding device of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a free end which is provided with a knurl.

Claim 4

The coding device of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a free end with a polyhedral configuration.

Claim 5

The coding device of claim 1, further comprising biasing means for biasing the coding disk toward its inactive position.

Claim 6

The coding device of claim 4, wherein the biasing means comprises a compression spring.

Claim 7

The coding device of claim 1, further comprising means for maintaining the coding disk in its active position.

Claim 8

The coding device of claim 1, wherein the contact carrier has a plurality of contacts and the coding disk has a contact surface which faces the contacts, the contact surface of the coding disk having at least one insulating region and at least one contact path which engages contacts of the contact carrier when the coding disk is in its active position.

Claim 9

The coding device of claim 7, wherein the contacts are at least partially resilient.

Claim 10

The coding device of claim 1, wherein the contact carrier is at least partially resilient.

Claim 11

The coding device of claim 1, further comprising a light emitting member to visibly signal whether the coding disk is in its active or inactive position.

Claim 12

The coding device of claim 1, wherein the ring of teeth is connected to the shaft.

Claim 13

A coding device, comprising: a contact carrier; a coding disk which cooperates with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, wherein the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is coaxially connected, the shaft having a blind bore and the coding disk having a hole which communicates with the blind bore; a guide pin which extends into the blind bore through the hole in the coding disk, the guide pin being stationary with respect to the contact carrier; and a compression spring in the blind bore to bias the coding disk toward its inactive position.

Claim 14

A coding device, comprising: a contact carrier; a coding disk which cooperates with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, wherein the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is coaxially connected, the shaft having a blind bore and the coding disk having a hole which communicates with the blind bore; a guide pin which extends into the blind bore through the hole in the coding disk, the guide pin being stationary with respect to the contact carrier; and a compression spring in the blind bore to bias the coding disk toward its inactive position.

Claim 15

The coding device of claim 12, further comprising indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions.

Claim 16

The coding device of claim 13, wherein the indexing means comprises a ring of teeth, and a stop spring which cooperates with the ring of teeth.

Claim 17

The coding device of claim 14, wherein the stop spring is configured as a leaf spring and has a latch cam to engage the ring of teeth, the latch cam having a rounded, partially spherical shape.

Claim 18

The coding device of claim 14, wherein the ring of teeth is connected to the shaft.

Claim 19

The coding device of claim 12, wherein the guide pin has an enlarged upper end which is disposed in the blind bore and which supports an end of the compression spring, and an elongated plunger which passes through the hole in the coding disk and which is supported by the contact carrier.

Claim 20

The coding device of claim 12, wherein the shaft has a free end which is provided with a knurl.

Claim 21

The coding device of claim 12, wherein the shaft has a free end with a polyhedral configuration.

Claim 22

The coding device of claim 12, wherein the contact carrier is at least partially resilient.

Claim 23

A coding device, comprising: a contact carrier; a coding disk which cooperates with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, where the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is coaxially connected; indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions, said indexing means comprising a ring of teeth on the rotatable shaft, and a leaf spring which cooperates with the ring of teeth; and first and second biasing means for biasing the coding disk toward its inactive position, the first biasing means comprising a compression spring which urges the shaft away from the contact carrier, the second biasing means being engaged by the leaf spring when the coding disk is in its active position.

Claim 24

A coding device, comprising: a contact carrier; a coding disk which cooperates with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, where the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is coaxially connected; indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions, said indexing means comprising a ring of teeth on the rotatable shaft, and a leaf spring which cooperates with the ring of teeth; and first and second biasing means for biasing the coding disk toward its inactive position, the first biasing means comprising a compression spring which urges the shaft away from the contact carrier, the second biasing means being engaged by the leaf spring when the coding disk is in its active position.

Claim 25

The coding device of claim 21, wherein the second biasing means comprises an annular protruding portion on the shaft, the annular protruding portion having an inwardly tapered surface which is engaged by the leaf spring.

Claim 26

A coding device, comprising: a hollow housing having: an end with a housing opening and another end with a housing passage; a housing wall having inner corners and housing recesses at the inner corners; and an inner housing surface around the housing passage; a contact carrier; a coding disk disposed inside the housing, and cooperating with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, wherein the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is coaxially connected, said rotatable shaft extending through the housing passage and including a radially projecting shoulder; sealing means for providing a seal between the housing and the shaft, and comprising a sealing ring around the shaft and between the shoulder and the inner housing surface; and indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions, said indexing means including a ring of teeth on the shaft, and a stop spring which cooperates with the ring of teeth, said stop spring being configured as a leaf spring which is secured to the housing wall and having a portion projecting toward the ring of teeth, said leaf spring further having ends extending into the housing recesses.

Claim 27

A coding device, comprising: a hollow housing having: an end with a housing opening and another end with a housing passage; a housing wall having inner corners and housing recesses at the inner corners; and an inner housing surface around the housing passage; a contact carrier; a coding disk disposed inside the housing, and cooperating with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, wherein the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is coaxially connected, said rotatable shaft extending through the housing passage and including a radially projecting shoulder; sealing means for providing a seal between the housing and the shaft, and comprising a sealing ring around the shaft and between the shoulder and the inner housing surface; and indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions, said indexing means including a ring of teeth on the shaft, and a stop spring which cooperates with the ring of teeth, said stop spring being configured as a leaf spring which is secured to the housing wall and having a portion projecting toward the ring of teeth, said leaf spring further having ends extending into the housing recesses.

Claim 28

The coding device of claim 23, wherein the contact carrier comprises contacts with terminals connected thereto, and further comprising an outlet closure plate to which the contact carrier is attached, the outlet closure plate closing the housing opening and having at least one passage through which the terminals extend.

Claim 29

The coding device of claim 23, further comprising biasing means for biasing the coding disk toward its inactive position.

Claim 30

The coding device of claim 25, wherein the biasing means comprises a compression spring.

Claim 31

A coding device, comprising: a contact carrier; a coding disk which cooperates with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, wherein the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is connected; indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions, said indexing means comprising a ring of teeth on the rotatable shaft, and a leaf spring which engages the ring of teeth when the coding disk is in its inactive position; and means for urging the coding disk towards its inactive position, said means for urging comprising an annular protruding portion on the shaft, the annular protruding portion having an inwardly tapered surface which is engaged by the leaf spring when the coding disk is in its active position.

Claim 32

A coding device, comprising: a contact carrier; a coding disk which cooperates with the contact carrier to set codes; mounting means for mounting the coding disk for rotary movement with respect to the contact carrier, the coding disk being rotatable through a plurality of rotary positions which correspond to the codes, and for mounting the coding disk for linear movement between an inactive position, wherein the coding disk is spaced apart from the contact carrier, and an active position, where the coding disk engages the contact carrier to set a code corresponding to a rotary position to which the coding disk was rotated while in the inactive position, said mounting means comprising a rotatable shaft to which the coding disk is connected; indexing means for latching the coding disk in at least one of the rotary positions, said indexing means comprising a ring of teeth on the rotatable shaft, and a leaf spring which engages the ring of teeth when the coding disk is in its inactive position; and means for urging the coding disk towards its inactive position, said means for urging comprising an annular protruding portion on the shaft, the annular protruding portion having an inwardly tapered surface which is engaged by the leaf spring when the coding disk is in its active position.