Dual function switching apparatus
First Claim
1. Dual function switching apparatus for an instrument panel, comprising:
- a housing fastened to said panel to form a closed cavity defined in part by said panel and a rear face of said housing;
a set of stationary contacts formed in said cavity on the rear face of said housing;
a carrier element disposed within said cavity and supported on a shaft having a longitudinal axis, said shaft being supported within said cavity to permit rotation and axial displacement of said carrier element;
rotary and linear contact elements disposed between said carrier element and said stationary contacts;
means for coupling said rotary contact element to said carrier element for rotation therewith, and for biasing said rotary contact element into engagement with said set of stationary contacts, thereby defining a rotary switch assembly actuated by rotation of said carrier element; and
means for biasing said linear contact element into engagement with said carrier element, thereby defining a linear travel switch assembly actuated by axial displacement of said carrier element.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A switching apparatus providing both linear momentary and rotary switching, including a carrier element disposed within a switch housing and activated by the rotation or linear displacement of an operator manipulated button. The carrier is supported on a central transparent shaft which pipes light to a button-mounted indicator from a lamp disposed behind the switch apparatus. The carrier element supports rotary and linear contact rings in relation to a coplanar set of stationary contacts formed on the bottom of the housing. The rotary contact ring is resiliently biased into engagement with the stationary contacts, and is keyed to the carrier element for rotation therewith, defining a rotary travel switch. The linear contact ring is resiliently biased away from the stationary contacts and into engagement with a shoulder formed on the carrier element shaft, defining a linear travel momentary contact switch. Pyramidal indentations and protuberances formed on the interior periphery of the housing cooperate with a simple detent ball/spring assembly to provide both detent positions for the rotary switch and tactile feedback for the linear switch.
27 Citations
10 Claims
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1. Dual function switching apparatus for an instrument panel, comprising:
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a housing fastened to said panel to form a closed cavity defined in part by said panel and a rear face of said housing; a set of stationary contacts formed in said cavity on the rear face of said housing; a carrier element disposed within said cavity and supported on a shaft having a longitudinal axis, said shaft being supported within said cavity to permit rotation and axial displacement of said carrier element; rotary and linear contact elements disposed between said carrier element and said stationary contacts; means for coupling said rotary contact element to said carrier element for rotation therewith, and for biasing said rotary contact element into engagement with said set of stationary contacts, thereby defining a rotary switch assembly actuated by rotation of said carrier element; and means for biasing said linear contact element into engagement with said carrier element, thereby defining a linear travel switch assembly actuated by axial displacement of said carrier element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification