LATCHABLE RECIPROCATING SWITCH CONSTRUCTION

• US 3,696,222 A
• Filed: 09/09/1970
• Issued: 10/03/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc. (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Charles R. Cobbeldick, John P. Langan
• Inventors: Langan, John P., Cobbeldick, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Staubly, R. F.
• Application Number:
  US05/070,821
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 200/16R,169A,169C,169PB,169R
• US Class Current: 200/16.00B
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1476 comprising switch controlling means located near the free end of the lever, e.g. press buttons, rotatable rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/64 wherein the switch has more than two electrically distinguishable positions, e.g. multi-position push-button switches

Abstract

A switch having an axially reciprocable actuator movable from a projected position to a number of retracted positions and return, and which carries conductive elements engageable and disengageable with fixed contacts in response to movements of the actuator. The actuator normally is latched in its projected position in which none of the conductive elements engage the contacts, but operating means is provided for releasing the latch and simultaneously shifting the actuator to an intermediate or partially retracted position in which engagement between at least one of the conductive elements and the fixed contacts is effected, and from which the actuator is movable to its fully retracted position. As the actuator is moved to its fully retracted position at least one of the conductive elements is deflected so as to disengage it and the fixed contacts.

Claims

1. A switch construction comprising a support member;

actuating means carried by said support member for reciprocating movements relative to said support member between first and second positions;

first and second contact means responsive to movements of said actuating means to engage and disengage one another;

latch means for disabling and enabling movement of said actuating means;

operating means movable relatively to said actuating means for latching and releasing said latch means; and

means operable in response to movement of said operating means following release of said latch means to move said actuating means to a third position between said first and second positions.

2. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said latch means comprises a first part carried by said actuating means and a second part carried by said operating means for movement relative to said first part into and out of engagement therewith.

3. The construction set forth in claim 2 wherein said second part is rotatable.

4. The construction set forth in claim 1 including biasing means constantly acting on said actuating means and urging the latter toward said first position.

5. The construction set forth in claim 1 wherein said operating means comprises a cam.

6. A switch construction comprising a support member;

first contact means carried by said support member;

an actuator member slidably mounted in said support member for reciprocating movements from a first position to a second position;

second contact means engageable with and disengageable from said first contact means in response to movements of said actuating member;

cooperable latch means operable releasably to latch said actuator member in said first position;

movable latch operating means for locking and releasing said latch means; and

means responsive to movement of said operating means following release of said latch means to effect movement of said actuating member from first poSition toward said second position.

7. The construction set forth in claim 6 wherein said operating means is rotatable.

8. The construction set forth in claim 7 wherein said responsive means comprises a cam.

9. A switch construction comprising an elongate support member;

contact means supported on said support member;

an actuating member carried by said support member for reciprocating movements longitudinally of said support member between first and second positions;

a plurality of conductive elements carried by said actuating member for movements therewith into and out of engagement with said contact means, at least one of said conductive elements being resilient;

means located in the path of movement of at least said one of said conductive elements as said actuating member moves from one of said positions toward the other position to deflect said one of said conductive elements out of engagement with said contact means;

latch means for disabling movement of said actuating member from said one position toward said second position, said latch means comprising a first part carried by said actuating member and a second part carried by said operating means for movement relative to said first part into and out of engagement therewith; and

operating means for latching and releasing said latch means.

10. The construction set forth in claim 9 wherein none of said conductive elements engages said switch contacts when said actuating member is in one of said positions and wherein all of said conductive elements engage said switch contacts when said actuating member is in an intermediate position between said first and second positions.

11. The construction set forth in claim 9 wherein said one of said conductive elements is of greater length than the others thereof.

12. The construction set forth in claim 9 wherein said second part is rotatable.

13. A switch construction comprising an elongate support member;

fixed contact means supported by said support member;

an actuating member carried by said support member for reciprocating movements longitudinally of said support member between projected and fully retracted positions;

a plurality of conductive elements carried by said actuating member for movements therewith into and out of engagement with said fixed contact means, at least one of said elements being resilient;

latch means carried by said actuating member for latching the latter in said projected position and in which none of said elements engages said contact means;

operating means carried by said support member and movable relatively to said actuating member for releasing said latch means;

means carried by said operating means and operable in response to movement thereof relative to said actuating member to move the latter from said projected position in a direction toward a partially retracted position and in which at least one of said elements engages said contact means; and

means located in the path of movement of said resilient one of said elements for deflecting the latter out of engagement with said contact means as said actuating member moves from said partially retracted position toward said fully retracted position.