SWITCH ACTUATOR LOCK FOR PUSH BUTTON SWITCHES

• US 3,666,901 A
• Filed: 02/17/1971
• Issued: 05/30/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Rudolf Weinhart
• Inventors: Weinhart, Rudolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Hohauser, Herman J.
• Application Number:
  US05/116,084
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 200/42,42T,44
• US Class Current: 200/43.18
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/20 wherein an auxiliary movement thereof, or of an attachment thereto, is necessary before the main movement is possible or effective, e.g. for unlatching, for coupling

Abstract

An improved lock for preventing accidental actuation of a push button switch. The switch includes an actuating button mounted to slide in a housing between a released position and an actuated position. A substantially U-shaped locking member is attached to the sides of the button to pivot between locked and released positions. When the locking member is in the locked position, tabs project towards the housing to prohibit movement of the button to the actuated position by abutting the housing. A lip projects from the locking member to facilitate pivoting of the locking member to the released position.

Claims

1. In a push button switch having a switch actuating button mounted for lineal movement towards and away from a housing between a released position and an actuated position, said button having a surface adapted to be pushed to actuate said switch, an improved lock comprising a generally U-shaped locking member having two end portions spaced for receiving said button therebetween, means mounting said locking member on said button to pivot between a locked position and a released position, said mounting means pivotally attaching said end portions of said locking member to said button, and a tab projecting from said locking member from adjacent one of said end portions, said tab projecting toward said housing when said locking member is in said locked position to prohibit movement of said button towards said housing to the actuated position and, when said locking member is pivoted to said released position, said tab projecting away from said housing to permit movement of said button to the actuated position.

2. In a push button switch, an improved lock, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tab comprises a pair of tabs projecting from said locking member, one tab projecting from adjacent each of said end portions, each of said tabs abutting said housing to prohibit actuation of said switch when said locking member is in said locked position.

3. In a push button switch, an improved lock, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of pivot pins and means attaching a different one of said pivot pins to each of said end portions with said pivot pins projecting towards each other and coaxially aligned for engaging said button.

4. In a push button switch, an improved lock, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of pivot pins integrally formed on said end portions with said pivot pins projecting towards each other and coaxially aligned for engaging said button.

5. In a push button switch, an improved lock, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said locking member is located below said button surface when in the locked position, and further including a lip integrally formed on said U-shaped locking member, said lip being spaced from said end portions to facilitate pivoting said locking member to said released position.

6. In an indicator switch including a switch actuating button with a flat indicating surface adapted to be pushed to actuate said switch, said button moving in a housing between a released position and an actuated position, an improved lock comprising a generally U-shaped locking member having two end portions spaced to receive said button therebetween, a pair of pivot pins attaching said end portions to said button whereby said locking member pivots between a locked position and a released position, a pair of tabs, one projecting from each end portion of said locking member toward said housing when said locking member is in said locked position to prohibit movement of said button to the actuated position by abutting said housing and, when said locking member is pivoted to said released position, said tabs projecting away from said housing to permit movement of said button to the actuated position.

7. In an indicator switch, an improved lock, as set forth in claIm 6, and including a lip integrally formed on said U-shaped locking member, said lip being spaced from said end portions to facilitate pivoting said locking member to said released position.