Material sensing switch

• US 4,031,342 A
• Filed: 02/11/1976
• Issued: 06/21/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reuben E. Peterson
• Original Assignee: Reuben E. Peterson
• Inventors: Peterson, Reuben E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/657,285
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.2, 200/61.21, 200/61.04-61.07, 200/83 B, 200/83 N, 200/835, 200/835 A, 200/329-332, 200/85 R
• US Class Current: 200/61.21
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/00 Switches operated by change of a physical condition operated by change of magnetic or electric field H01H36/00; thermally-actuated switches H01H37/00

Abstract

A material sensing switch comprising a hollow body having open opposite ends. A backing plate is removably secured to the body for closing one of the opposite ends. A flange extends outwardly from the body at the other of the opposite ends thereof for securing the body to a supporting member. A switch support plate is removably mounted in the body adjacent the other end thereof and has a central opening formed therein. A switch is secured to the switch support plate at the inner side thereof and has a movable switch arm extending outwardly through the central opening of the switch support plate. A pressure plate is removably secured to the body at the outer side of the switch support plate for activating the switch arm. A flexible member is removably secured to the body and covers the pressure plate and the other end of the body. A ring-shaped member secures the flexible member to the body. The apparatus is designed so that the backing plate may be removably secured to the other end of the body if desired and so that the switch support plate, pressure plate, flexible member and ring-shaped member may be secured to the one end of the body to enable the switch to be actuated from either end of the body depending upon the mounting of the same.

Claims

1. A material sensing switch assembly comprising, a hollow body means having open opposite ends,

connection means for securing said body means to a support means,

a substantially flat, circular backing plate means removably closing one of said opposite ends,

a substantially flat, circular switch support plate means removably mounted in said body means adjacent the other of said opposite ends, said switch support plate having inner end outer sides,

said switch support plate means having a centrally disposed opening formed therein,

a switch means mounted at the inner side of said switch support plate means,

switch actuator means comprising an elongated switch arm secured at one end to said inner side of said switch support plate means outwardly of the center thereof and extending towards said centrally disposed opening in a spaced relationship to said inner side, said switch arm having an end portion which extends through said centrally disposed opening and which has an actuator portion positioned outwardly of said outer face of said switch support plate means,

a pressure plate means removably mounted adjacent the outer side of said switch support plate means for engagement with said actuator portion of said switch arm when said pressure plate means is moved towards said switch support plate means,

said switch arm being positioned outwardly of said switch means and being adapted to actuate said switch means when said pressure plate means moves said actuator portion of said switch arm inwardly with respect to said switch support plate means,

a flexible member operatively removably secured to said body means and covering said pressure plate means for sealing said other end of said body means,

and means securing said flexible member to said body means.

2. The switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein an adjustment arm is selectively rotatably mounted on the inner side of said switch arm adjacent the said one end thereof, said adjustment arm being selectively movable from a first non-engaging position with respect to said switch arm to a second parallel and engaging position with respect to said switch arm whereby selective rotatable movement of said adjustment arm relative to said switch arm permitting pressure operation of said switch arm to be varied.

3. The switch apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch support plate means, said pressure plate means, said flexible member and said means securing said flexible member to said body means may be selectively reversibly mounted at said one end of said body means with said backing plate means removably closing the other end of said body means to enable the switch means to be activated from said one end of said body means when the aforesaid components are so reversibly positioned.