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Four-way key switch control mechanism

  • US 4,520,240 A
  • Filed: 12/01/1983
  • Issued: 05/28/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A four-way switch comprising:

  • a switch key having;

    a first switch topper having an upper and lower surface and an opening centrally located therein, said first switch topper also having a first and second pivot element positioned underneath said lower surface, said first and second pivot elements mounted at 90°

    to one another;

    a second switch topper having an upper and lower surface adapted to be positioned in the opening of said first switch topper so that the upper surfaces of said first and and second switch toppers are substantially flush with one another, said second switch topper having a pivot assembly on its lower surface adapted to engage said first pivot element in said first switch topper to thereby pivotably secure said second switch topper to said first switch topper to allow movement of said second switch topper along a first axis only, andbase means having a pivot assembly thereon adapted to engage said second pivot element on said first switch topper to thereby pivotably secure said first switch topper to said base to allow movement of said first switch topper along a second axis which is 90°

    from said first axis;

    protuberances located on the bottom surfaces of said first and second switch toppers at the terminal ends thereof; and

    spring means engaging each of the protuberances of said first and second switch toppers;

    a housing for accommodating said switch key, said housing having four apertures located therein around the periphery of said housing, said housing also comprising alignment means for positioning said switch key within said housing so that each of said protuberances is located directly above one of said apertures; and

    electrical switch means located below each of said apertures so that when an operator selectively pushes on the upper surface of either of the first and second switch toppers at the location of one of the protuberances, the electrical switch means located beneath the selected protuberance is activated.

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