LATCHING SWITCH

• US 3,761,855 A
• Filed: 04/27/1972
• Issued: 09/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mark Allan Townsend
• Original Assignee: Mark Allan Townsend
• Inventors: Townsend, Mark Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilheany, Bernard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Grimley, A. T.
• Application Number:
  US05/248,043
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 337/55,75,76,77,78,102,104,105,95,356,357,358,359,362,365,370
• US Class Current: 337/78
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/10 Compensation for variation of ambient temperature or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 61/02 wherein the thermally-sensitive member is heated indirectly, e.g. resistively, inductively
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 67/24 Co-ordinate-type relay switches having an individual electromagnet at each cross-point

Abstract

A latching switch comprising two normally electrically isolated contact elements which mechanically latch to complete an electrical connection when deflected in a prearranged sequence in substantially orthogonal directions. Each element of the switch is comprised of a bimetal, deflection thereof being effected electrothermally.

Claims

1. A latching switch comprising first and second bimetallic contact elements each having a fixed end and a free end, means for supporting each of said elements at its fixed end to normally electrically isolate said elements from one another, actuating means including means for regulating the temperature of each of said elements for deflecting and releasing said elements individually to move said free ends in substantially orthogonal and intersecting paths, and stop means extending from said free end of said second element and adapting said free ends for mutual engagement in a latched configuration at the intersection of said paths, said stop means operative in said latched configuration for obstructing the release path of said first element when said second element is fully deflected in a direction away from said first element, whereby deflection and subsequent sequential release of said first and second elements engages said free ends thereof in said latched configuration, said free end of said first element contacting said free end and said stop means of said second element.

2. A latching switch in accordance with claim 2 wherein said free end of said second element further includes boss means for obstructing the deflection path of said first element when said first and second elements are engaged in said latched configuration, said boss means extending from said second element in the same direction as said stop means, whereby disengagement of said latched configuration by subsequent deflection of said first element is prevented.

3. A latching switch in accordance with claim 2 wherein said free end of said first element includes a finger adapted for contact with said free end of said second element between said stop means and said boss means.

4. A latching switch comprising first and second bimetallic contact elements each having a fixed end and a free end, said free end of said first element including a contact finger extending therefrom in a direction away from said fixed end of said first element, means for positioning said finger above and behind said second element, first temperature regulating means for deflecting said free end of said first element to position said first element free end in front of said second element, second Temperature regulating means for deflecting said second element to position said free end of said second element above said free end of said first element, and means disposed on said second element for stopping release of said first element in a position obstructing the release path of said second element, said stopping means including stop means extending from said second element for obstructing the release path of said first element finger when said second element is fully deflected upward from said first element.

5. A latching switch in accordance with claim 4 further including boss means extending from said second element for obstructing the deflection path of said first element finger when said first and second elements are in said latched configuration.

6. A latching switch comprising first and second contact elements each having a fixed end and a free end, the free end of said first element terminating in a contact finger normally positioned above and behind the free end of said second element, means for deflecting said first element so as to position said finger in front of said free end of said second element, means for deflecting said second element to position said free end of said second element above said finger, stop means extending from said free end of said second element operative when said second element is in a deflected position for stopping release of said contact finger of said first element in a position obstructing the release path of said second element such that deflection and subsequent release of said first and second elements in a predetermined sequence establishes said free end of said second element and said finger of said first element in a latched configuration, and boss means operative when said first and second elements are established in said latched configuration for preventing deflection of said first element finger from the release path of said second element.

7. A latching switch comprising first and second contact elements each having a fixed end and a free end, means for actuating said elements individually such that said free ends deflect in substantially orthogonal and intersecting paths, means adapting said free ends for mutual engagement in a latched configuration at the intersection of said paths, said adapting means stopping said first element in the release path of said second element, the improvement comprising means for preventing unlatching of said elements from said latched configuration in response to actuation of said first element, said preventing means including boss means disposed on said second element and operative when said first and second elements are engaged in said latched configuration for obstructing the deflection path of said first element.

8. A latching switch in accordance with claim 7 further comprising additional means for preventing unlatching of said elements from said latched configuration in response to actuation of said second element, said additional means including said adapting means operative when said second element is in a deflected position for obstructing the release path of said first element.

9. A latching switch in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said contact elements comprises a bimetal and said actuating means includes means for regulating the temperature of each of said elements.