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Optical micro-switch

  • US 3,949,219 A
  • Filed: 01/20/1975
  • Issued: 04/06/1976
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1975
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A switch comprising:

  • a. a housing defining first, second and third cavities therein, said first cavity adapted to enclose means for generating photons, said second cavity adapted to enclose means for controlling an electrical circuit when illuminated by said photons, said third cavity extending completely through said housing and located at least partially between said first and second cavities and adapted to mount a reciprocal plunger therein, said housing further defining an optical path from said first cavity to said second cavity through said third cavity;

    b. plunger means mounted for reciprocal movement in said third cavity between a first position and a second position, said plunger means comprising an elongated body having varying cross-sectional dimensions and extending completely through said housing, the first end of said plunger being no larger than the central portion thereof, the central portion of said plunger having first and second optical apertures therethrough, said optical apertures passing transversely to the longitudinal axis of said plunger and at right angles to each other, said first optical aperture aligning with said optical path when said plunger is in said first position and said second optical aperture aligning with said optical path when said plunger is in said second position and rotated 90°

    about its longitudinal axis, the opposite end of said plunger having an expanded cap which prevents said opposite end from entering said third cavity, the portion of said plunger adjacent said opposite end having rectangular dimensions in cross-section and mating with the opening in said housing adjacent said second end to prevent rotation of said plunger, said plunger further having an intermediate portion between said central portion and said portion having rectangular dimensions in cross-section, the largest cross-sectional dimension of said intermediate portion being less than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of said portion adjacent said end cap, whereby rotation of said plunger is prevented when said plunger is in said first position, said second position, and during transition therebetween, but permitted when said plunger is drawn from said first position past said second position, thereby permitting said switch to be changed from normally open to normally closed and vice versa without disassembling said switch housing, andc. resilient means for urging said plunger toward said first position.

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