Multi-unit switch assembly

• US 5,036,168 A
• Filed: 08/31/1989
• Issued: 07/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asahi Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kikuchi, Atsushi, Tatsuo, Yoshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US07/401,233
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 R, 200/5 A, 200/315, 200/339, 200/294-296, 174/52.1, 174/53, 174/54, 174/55, 174/58, 174/66, 174/67, 361/331
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/025 Light-emitting indicators

Abstract

A multi-unit switch assembly has a single housing which is divided into a plurality of compartment for respectively accommodating therein a corresponding number of switch mechanisms. Each switch mechanism includes contacts and an actuator rockable within the housing for closing and opening the contacts. Each of the actuators is provided with a spring catch for detachable snap connection with each of operator handles which correspond in number to the number of the switch mechanisms and positioned exteriorly of the housing and thus rockable together with the corresponding actuators for contact closing and opening of the individual switch mechanisms. With the detachable connection of the handle and the actuator in each switch mechanism within the housing, the housing may be mounted to a wall or a like supporting surface prior to assembling the operator handle to the housing. An indicator lamp for showing the switch position is mounted in the housing and transparent portions on the actuator and operator handles permit viewing thereof.

Claims

1. A multi-unit switch assembly comprising:

a single housing which is divided into a plurality of compartments respectively accommodating therein a corresponding number of switch mechanisms, each switch mechanism having a movable contact and at least one stationary contact;

an actuator rockably mounted within said housing to move said movable contact into and out of contact engagement with at least one stationary contact, said actuator having a spring catch;

a plurality of operator handles corresponding in number to the number of said switch mechanisms, each operator handle being located exteriorly of said housing and detachably connected to said actuator of each switch mechanism by snap engagement with said spring catch so that the operator handle is rockable together with said actuator;

a mount bracket for mounting said switch assembly to a fixed wall surface, said mount bracket being secured to the upper surface of said housing and having a window through which said actuators are exposed for snap engagement with the corresponding operator handles;

a face plate placed over said mount bracket and detachably secured to said mounting bracket by fastening means, said face plate having an opening through which said operator handles are detachably coupled to the corresponding actuators, said face plate being formed at corners of said opening with lands for retaining said fastening means, said opening bearing configured such that said operator handles are arranged within said opening in a closely adjacent relation to one another so as to conceal therebehind said lands and fastening means, whereby exposing only the operator handles and said face plate while concealing therebehind said mount bracket, said fastening means, said individual switch mechanisms, and said housing.

2. A multi-unit switch assembly as set forth in claim 1, further including a plate frame detachably fixed and surrounding said mount bracket, said plate frame being located behind said face plate to be fitted on said fixed wall surface.

3. A multi-unit switch assembly as set forth in claim 1, further including an indicator lamp provided in at least one of said switch mechanisms and connected to said contacts for indication of the positon of said contacts, said lamp being supported on a printed board accommodated within said housing such that it is located below said actuator, said actuator having a transparent portion, said operator handle having a transparent window positioned such that said lamp can be viewed through said actuator, and through said transparent window.

4. A multi-unit switch assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said actuator is in the form of an opened top rectangular frame having opposed side walls, opposed end walls, and a bottom wall with said transparent portion, said spring catch being of generally U-shaped configuration comprising a pair of legs connected by a flat member with an opening therein defining a transparent portion, said spring catch being fitted within said actuator with said transparent portions thereof being in registration with each other and with said flat member secured to said bottom wall, each of said legs being formed with a detent for said snap engagement with a latch projection formed on the bottom of each operator handle.

5. A multi-unit switch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said operator handles, each in the form of a flat plate, are closely arranged in substantially the same plane in closely adjacent relation to one another in order to conceal said housing and said switch mechanisms therebehind.

6. A multi-unit switch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said operator handles, each in the form of a flat plate, are closely arranged in substantially the same plane in a closely adjacent relation to one another in order to leave no substantial gap between the adjacent edges thereof.

7. A multi-unit switch assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing 20 is composed of a base body and a top cover between which said switch mechanisms are received with each of said spring catch being exposed on the upper surface of said top cover, said mount bracket being placed on said top cover and secured to said base body by fastening means so as to hold said top cover between said base body and the mount bracket.