Two-stage rocker switch for controlling a fluorescent lamp circuit
First Claim
1. A rocker switch assembly comprising:
- an open top housing;
a core fitted within the housing for mounting at least one pair of switch contacts;
a pair of normally closed switch contacts located near one end of the core, said pair of normally closed contacts includinga fixed contact positioned in vertically spaced relation to the top surface at the one end of the core,a movable contact positioned between the fixed contact and the top surface of the core, andspring biasing means for urging the movable contact upward toward the fixed contact;
a rocker button positioned in the opening of the housing above the core, the rocker button having a protuberance extending from the end of the button corresponding to the one end of the core;
a metal spring catch mounted in the housing for interfering engagement with the protuberance on the rocker button; and
means for supporting the rocker button for limited vertical and pivotal motion about a transverse axis at approximately its midpoint, said means restraining the button against movement in a direction parallel to the top of the housing transverse to the pivot axis, the rocker button acting to depress the movable contact in opposition to the spring biasing means out of conductive contact with the fixed contact when pivoted toward the one end of the core as the protuberance engages the spring catch, the catch bearing against the upper side of the protuberance to hold open the pair of contacts against the force exerted by the biasing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A rocker switch assembly for controlling at least one fluorescent lamp has a contact mounting block fitted in a housing, with a pair of normally closed contacts at one end of the block and at least one pair of normally open contacts at the other end. A rocker button is supported in an opening in the housing above the contacts on the mounting block for limited vertical and pivotal motion against spring biasing forces while being restrained against longitudinal movement. A preferred support means includes stub shafts extending laterally from each side of the rocker button that fit slidably in vertical bearing slots on each side of the opening in the housing. A spring detent catch mounted at the one end of the housing for interfering engagement with a protrusion on the adjacent end of the button provides a positive snap action between a horizontal or neutral "lamp on" button position and a tilted "lamp off" position in which the one end of the rocker button is depressed to open the pair of normally closed contacts. In an oppositely tilted momentary "lamp start" position, the other end of the rocker button is depressed against a biasing means to close each pair of normally open contacts.
89 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A rocker switch assembly comprising:
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an open top housing; a core fitted within the housing for mounting at least one pair of switch contacts; a pair of normally closed switch contacts located near one end of the core, said pair of normally closed contacts including a fixed contact positioned in vertically spaced relation to the top surface at the one end of the core, a movable contact positioned between the fixed contact and the top surface of the core, and spring biasing means for urging the movable contact upward toward the fixed contact; a rocker button positioned in the opening of the housing above the core, the rocker button having a protuberance extending from the end of the button corresponding to the one end of the core; a metal spring catch mounted in the housing for interfering engagement with the protuberance on the rocker button; and means for supporting the rocker button for limited vertical and pivotal motion about a transverse axis at approximately its midpoint, said means restraining the button against movement in a direction parallel to the top of the housing transverse to the pivot axis, the rocker button acting to depress the movable contact in opposition to the spring biasing means out of conductive contact with the fixed contact when pivoted toward the one end of the core as the protuberance engages the spring catch, the catch bearing against the upper side of the protuberance to hold open the pair of contacts against the force exerted by the biasing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification