Seesaw type switch

• US 5,285,039 A
• Filed: 09/09/1992
• Issued: 02/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Satoh, Yukihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARRETT, GLENN
• Application Number:
  US07/942,693
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 200/563, 200/562, 200/561, 200/557, 200/558, 200/553, 200/339, 200/302.3, 200/332, 200/547, 200/548, 200/549, 200/550, 200/551, 200/556, 200/5 A
• US Class Current: 200/563
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/854 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/164 with rectilinearly movable member carrying the contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/01 Application power window

Abstract

A seesaw type switch having a first lever pivotably mounted to a case, and a second lever pivotably mounted over the first lever such that a protruding portion of the second lever abuts a top surface of the first lever. A protruding portion of the first lever positions a slider relative to a stationary contact connected to the case. The first lever is pivoted by manual actuation of a knob connected to the second lever.

Claims

1. A seesaw type switch comprising:

a case having a bottom surface;

a stationary contact fixedly connected to said bottom surface;

a movable contact mounted on said bottom surface such that said movable contact is slidable along said bottom surface between and engaged position in which said movable contact electrically connects with said stationary contact, and a disengaged position in which said movable contact is electrically isolated from said stationary contact;

a first lever pivotally supported by said case, said first lever having a top surface and a first protrusion including an end, the end of said first protrusion engaging said movable contact such that when said first lever is in a first pivoted position, said moving contact is in said engaged position, and when said first lever is in a second pivoted position, said moving contact is in said disengaged position;

a cover fixedly connected to said case over said first lever; and

a second lever pivotally supported by said cover, said second lever having a second protrusion extending through said cover and engaging said top surface of said first lever such that when said second lever is in a third pivoted position, said first lever is in said first pivoted position, and when said second lever is in a fourth pivoted position, said first lever is in said second pivoted position.

2. The switch of claim 1 wherein said second protrusion defines hollow portion, and said second lever further comprises a spring and a driver rod disposed in said hollow portion, said driver rod being biased against said top surface by said spring.

3. The switch of claim 1 wherein said bottom surface comprises a printed circuit board fixedly connected to said case.

4. The switch of claim 1 further comprising a knob connected to said second lever such that said second lever is manually pivotably between said third pivoted position and said fourth pivoted position.

5. A switch assembly comprising:

a case having a bottom surface;

first and second stationary contacts formed on said bottom surface;

a cover fixedly connected to said case;

a toggle switch pivotably connected to said case, said toggle switch including a first movable contact for contacting said first stationary contact when said toggle switch is pivoted from a resting position, said toggle switch including biasing means for biasing said toggle switch into said resting position; and

a seesaw switch comprising;

a second movable contact mounted on said bottom surface such that said second movable contact is slidable along said bottom surface between and engaged position in which said second movable contact electrically connects with said second stationary contact, and a disengaged position in which said second movable contact is electrically isolated from said second stationary contact;

a first lever pivotally supported by said case, said first lever having a top surface and a first protrusion including an end, the end of said first protrusion engaging said second movable contact such that when said first lever is in a first pivoted position, said second moving contact is in said engaged position, and when said first lever is in a second pivoted position, said second moving contact is in said disengaged position; and

a second lever pivotally supported by said cover over said first lever, said second lever having a second protrusion extending through said cover and engaging said top surface of said first lever such that when said second lever is in a third pivoted position, said first lever is in said first pivoted position, and when said second lever is in a fourth pivoted position, said first lever is in said second pivoted position.

6. The switch assembly of claim 5 wherein said second protrusion defines hollow portion, and said second lever further comprises a spring and a driver rod disposed in said hollow portion, said driver rod being biased against said top surface by said spring.

7. The switch assembly of claim 5 wherein said bottom surface comprises a printed circuit board fixedly connected to said case.

8. The switch assembly of claim 5 further comprising a knob connected to said second lever such that said second lever is manually pivotably between said third pivoted position and said fourth pivoted position.