ALTERNATE ACTION SWITCH WITH SEALING BOOT GIVING VISUAL INDICATION OF SWITCH POSITION

• US 3,790,734 A
• Filed: 11/12/1971
• Issued: 02/05/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew F. Raab, William J. Schaad
• Original Assignee: Andrew F. Raab, William J. Schaad
• Inventors: Raab, Andrew F., Schaad, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schaefer, Robert K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vanderhye, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US05/198,328
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 200/168G,153J,16A,159R,159B,169PB,167R
• US Class Current: 200/302.2
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/58 with contact-driving member rotated step-wise in one direction

Abstract

The illustrated switch comprises a push button which is movable in a casing and is enclosed by a boot made of flexible material. A latching mechanism is provided in the casing to retain the push button in a partially depressed position after alternate depressions of the push button. The mechanism causes the push button to return to its fully extended position after the intermediate depressions of the push button. The end of the boot is caused to follow the movement of the push button, preferably by means of a disk on the push button which is received in an annular groove within the boot, or by clamping a flange on the boot between two disks on the push button. Thus, the length of the boot indicates the position of the push button. A contactor is connected to the push button and is movable to different positions corresponding to the fully extended and partially depressed positions of the push button. A stem or pin is provided between the push button and the contactor. The stem also extends through a latch which is rotatable in successive steps by the operation of the push button. In alternate positions of the latch, it engages elements on the casing which retain the push button in its partially depressed position. Camming elements are provided on the push button, the latch and the casing to rotate the latch, with the assistance of a spring, mounted on the stem and acting between the contactor and the latch. The contactor may engage a set of contacts in the partially depressed position of the push button. In a modified construction, a second set of contacts is also provided for engagement by the contactor in the extended position of the push button. To provide a make-beforebreak action, the contactor may comprise two disks with a spring therebetween, slidably mounted on a sleeve which in turn is slidably mounted on the pin or shaft.

Claims

1. A push action electrical switch, comprising a casing having an opening therein, a push button slidably mounted in said opening, a contactor movable within said casing and operable by said push button, resilient means for biasing said push button outwardly, a mechanism operable by depression of said push button for retaining said push button in a partially depressed position after alternate depressions of said push button, said mechanism being operative to return said push button to its fully extended position after the intermediate depressions of said push button, said contactor being movable to one position when said push button is fully extended while being operable to a second position when said push button is partially depressed, a flexible boot mounted on said casing and disposed around said push button to protect said push button from atmospheric conditions, said push button being operable by depressing said boot, and means for causing said boot to follow the movement of said push button, said boot thereby having an extended position when said push button is fully extended and a partially depressed position when said push button is retained in its partially depressed position, whereby the position of said boot gives a visual indication of the position of said push button and the position of said contactor, said boot comprising a generally cylindrical side wall and an end wall connected thereto for following and indicating the position of said push button, said push button having an outwardly projecting flange element thereon, said boot having an internal annular groove therein for receiving said flange element to cause said end wall of said boot to follow and indicate the position of said push button, said side wall having an outwardly projecting annular convolution thereon which is operative to bulge outwardly when said push button is depressed, said convolution thereby giving a further visual indication of the position of said push button.

2. A push action electrical switch, comprising a casing having an opening therein, a push button slidably mounted in said opening, a contactor movable within said casing and operable by said push button, resilient means for biasing said push button outwardly, a mechanism operable by depression of said push button for retaining said push button in a partially depressed position after alternate depressions of said push button, said mechanism being operative to return said push button to its fully extended position after the intermediate depressions of said push button, said contactor being operable to one position when said push button is fully extended while being operable to a second position when said push button is partially depressed, a flexible boot mounted on said casing and disposed around said push button to protect said push button from atmospheric conditions, and means for causing said boot to follow the movement of said push button, said boot thereby having an extended position when said push button is fully extended and a partially depressed position when said push button is retained in its partially depressed position, said boot having an annular side wall with an annular portion of reduced thickness, said annular portion bulging outwardly to form a pronounced convolution when said boot is in its partially depressed pOsition, whereby said boot gives a visual indication of the position of said push button and the position of said contactor.

3. A switch according to claim 2, in which said annular sidewall of said boot has an outer surface which is substantially cylindrical when the boot is extended, said sidewall having an inner surface which is shaped to provide said annular portion of reduced thickness.

4. A switch according to claim 2, in which said annular sidewall of said boot has an outer surface which is substantially cylindrical when the boot is extended, said sidewall having an inner surface which is barrel shaped to provide said annular portion of reduced thickness.

5. A push action electrical switch, comprising a casing having an opening therein, a push button slidably mounted in said opening, a contactor movable within said casing and operable by said push button, resilient means for biasing said push button outwardly, a mechanism operable by depression of said push button for retaining said push button in a partially depressed position after alternate depressions of said push button, said mechanism being operative to return said push button to its fully extended position after the intermediate depressions of said push button, said contactor being movable to one position when said push button is fully extended while being operable to a second position when said push button is partially depressed, a flexible boot mounted on said casing and disposed around said push button to protect said push button from atmospheric conditions, and interlocking flange elements on said push button and said boot for causing said boot to follow the movement of said push button, said boot thereby having an extended position when said push button is fully extended and a partially depressed position when said push button is retained in its partially depressed position, said boot having an annular sidewall with means thereon for bulging outwardly to form a pronounced convolution when said boot is in its partially depressed position whereby said boot gives a visual indication of the position of said push button and the position of said contactor.

6. A switch according to claim 5, in which said interlocking flange elements comprise an annular flange projecting inwardly on the upper portion of said boot, said push button having flange elements for securing said annular flange therebetween.

7. A switch according to claim 5, in which said interlocking flange elements include an annular flange projecting inwardly on the upper portion of said boot, and a pair of disks on said push button and clamping said annular flange therebetween.

8. A switch according to claim 5, in which said means on said annular sidewall comprise an outwardly projecting annular convolution for bulging outwardly to a pronounced extent when said push button is depressed.

9. A push action electrical switch, comprising a casing having an opening therein, a push button slidably mounted in said opening and movable between an extended position and a depressed position, means for temporarily retaining said push button alternately in said extended position and said depressed position, a contactor movable within said casing and operable by said push button, said contactor being operable to one position when said push button is in said extended position while being operable to a second position when said push button is in said depressed position, a flexible boot mounted on said casing and disposed around said push button to protect said push button from atmospheric conditions, and means for causing said boot to follow the movement of said push button, said boot thereby having an extended position when said push button is in its extended position and a depressed position when said push button is retained in its depressed position, said boot having an annular side waLl with an annular portion of reduced thickness, said annular portion bulging outwardly to form a pronounced convolution when said boot is in its depressed position, whereby said boot gives a visual indication of the position of said push button and the position of said contactor.

10. A push action electrical switch, comprising a casing having an opening therein, a push button slidably mounted in said opening and movable between an extended position and a depressed position, means for temporarily retaining said push button alternately in said extended position and said depressed position, a contactor movable within said casing and operable by said push button, said contactor being operable to one position when said push button is in said extended position while being operable to a second position when said push button is in said depressed position, a flexible boot mounted on said casing and disposed around said push button to protect said push button from atmospheric conditions, and means for causing said boot to follow the movement of said push button, said boot thereby having an extended position when said push button is in its extended position and a depressed position when said push button is retained in its depressed position, said boot having an annular side wall with means thereon for bulging outwardly to form a pronounced convolution when said boot is in its depressed position, whereby said boot gives a visual indication of the position of said push button and the position of said contactor.

11. A push action electrical switch, comprising a casing having an opening therein, a push button slidably mounted in said opening and movable between an extended position and a depressed position, means for temporarily retaining said push button alternately in said extended position and said depressed position, a contactor movable within said casing and operable by said push button, said contactor being operable to one position when said push button is in said extended position while being operable to a second position when said push button is in said depressed position, a flexible boot mounted on said casing and disposed around said push button to protect said push button from atmospheric conditions, and means for causing said boot to follow the movement of said push button, said boot thereby having an extended position when said push button is in its extended position and a depressed position when said push button is retained in its depressed position, said boot having an annular side wall with an outwardly projecting annular convolution thereon which is operative to buldge outwardly when said boot is in its depressed position, whereby said boot gives a visual indication of the position of said push button and the position of said contactor.