Trigger switch assembly

• US 4,820,889 A
• Filed: 01/14/1988
• Issued: 04/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Southwest Bank of St Louis (Missouri) (Bank of Montreal)
• Original Assignee: Essex Industries, Inc. (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Seghetti, Leland L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, Morris
• Application Number:
  US07/143,679
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.85, 200/1 B, 200/157, 200/153 T, 200/318, 200/319, 200/320, 200/321, 200/322, 200/323, 200/324, 200/325, 200/326, 200/327, 200/329, 200/340
• US Class Current: 200/61.85
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/64 wherein the switch has more than two electrically distinguishable positions, e.g. multi-position push-button switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/06 Casing of switch constituted by a handle serving a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. by the handle of a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

Apparatus in a trigger grip switch assembly for sequential actuation of first and second electrical switch banks. First and second actuating elements each have a base portion, a switch-actuating arm extending from the base portion, and a resilient pressure-transferring arm extending from the base portion at an acute angle to the respective switch-actuating arm. The respective base portions are mounted for pivotal movement relative to the respective first and second switches and for presenting the switch-actuating elements in respective proximity to the first and second switches for actuation thereof upon base portion pivoting movement and for presenting the pressure-transferring arms in mutually overlapping relation with a distal end portion of a first pressure-transferring arm in contact with a medial portion of a second pressure-transferring arm. The pressure-transferring arms form between them an angle at least slightly greater than 30 degrees to provide an over-centered stable relationship. Pressure transferred by a trigger switch button to a distal end portion of the second pressure-transferring arm causes destabilizing sequential collapsing movement from the overcentered relationship for corresponding sequential actuation of the switches.

Claims

1. Apparatus in combination with at least first and second electrical switches for sequential actuation thereof, comprising first and second actuating elements each having a base portion and a resilient pressure-transferring arm extending from the base portion, means for pivotally mounting the respective first and second switches for actuation of the first and second switches upon pivoting movement of the respective first and second switch-actuating elements, and for presenting the pressure-transferring arms in mutually overlapping relation with a distal portion of a first one of the pressure-transferring arms in contact with a portion of a second one of the pressure-transferring arms such that the first and second pressure-transferring arms form between them an angle sufficient or providing an overcentered stable relationship, and means for connecting each base portion to respective ones of the switches whereby pressure received by a distal end of the second pressure-transferring arm will cause sequential collapsing movement from the over-centered relationship of the pressure-transferring arms for corresponding sequential actuation of the first and second switches.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for connecting each base portion to respective ones of the switches comprise a switch-actuating arm extending from a respective base portion for switch-actuating movement upon said collapsing movement.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each switch-actuating arm forms with the respective pressure-transferring arm an acute angle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a distal end portion of each pressure-transferring arm is curved.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the distal end portion of each pressure-transferring arm.is C-shaped to define an outwardly convex configuration relative to the switches.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the second arm undergoes partial buckling in response to pressure for causing increased pressure to produce destabilization of the over-centered relationship.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the distal portion of at least one of the pressure-transferring arms carries a pad of resilient poromeric material for determining a rest position of the distal end portion of the first pressure-transferring arm relative to the second pressure-transferring arm.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the pad serves to transfer actuating force from the second pressure-transferring arm to the first pressure-transferring arm.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising a trigger switch button including a curvilinearly notched portion for engaging the distal end portion of the second pressure-transferring arm.

10. Apparatus in combination with at least first and second electrical switches for sequential actuation of said electrical switches, comprising first and second actuating elements each having a base portion, a switch-actuating arm extending from the base portion at an acute angle to the respective switch-actuating arm, and a pressure-transferring arm extending from the base portion at an acute angle to the respective switch-actuating arm, means for pivotally mounting the respective base portions for pivotal movement relative to the respective first and second switches and for presenting the switch-actuating elements in respective proximity to the first and second switches for actuation thereof upon pivoting movement of the respective first and second switch-actuating elements, and for presenting the pressure-transferring arms in mutually overlapping relation with a distal end portion of a first one of the pressure-transferring arms in contact with a medial portion of a second one of the pressure-transferring arms such that the first and second pressure transferring arms form between them an angle at least slightly greater than 30 degrees to provide an over-centered stable relationship, the first and second pressure-transferring arms being resilient, whereby pressure received by a distal end portion of the second pressure-transferring arm will cause destabilization of the over-centered relationship of the pressure-transferring arms for corresponding sequential actuation of the first and second switches.

11. In a trigger grip switch assembly including a moveable trigger switch button including an actuating portion, apparatus for sequential actuation of at least first and second electrical switches of said assembly, comprising first and second actuating elements each having a base portion, a switch-actuating arm extending from the base portion, and a pressure-transferring arm extending from the base portion at an acute angle to the respective switch-actuating arm, means for pivotally mounting the respective base portions for pivotal movement relative to the respective first and second switches and for presenting the switch-actuating elements in respective proximity to the first and second switches for actuation thereof upon pivoting movement of the respective first and second switch-actuating elements, and for presenting the pressure-transferring arms in mutually overlapping relation with a distal end portion of a first one of the pressure-transferring arms in contact with a medial portion of a second one of the pressure-transferring arms such that the first and second pressure-transferring arms form between them an angle at least slightly greater than 30 degrees to provide an over-centered stable relationship, the first and second pressure-transferring arms being resilient, the distal end portion of the second pressure-transferring arm being positioned for receiving actuating pressure from the actuating portion of the switch button whereby such pressure will cause destabilization of the over-centered relationship for causing sequential collapsing movement from the over-centered relationship of the pressure-transferring arms for corresponding sequential actuation of the first and second switches.