Switch positioning apparatus and method

• US 5,290,981 A
• Filed: 10/21/1992
• Issued: 03/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Compact Air Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lawrence F. Yuda
• Inventors: Yuda, Lawrence F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee S.
• Application Number:
  US07/964,059
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 200/296, 200/294, 200/293, 335/202, 338/315, 338/317, 361/417, 361/419, 361/420, 361/331, 248/500, 248/506
• US Class Current: 200/296
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/2892 characterised by the attachment means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 36/0033 Mountings; Housings; Connections

Abstract

Apparatus for positioning magnetic switches in alignment on a base member has a contact edge (C) at one end and a threaded post (D) adjacent the other end. Wedging the contact edge (C) into engagement with a lower surface of an elongated groove (A) is accomplished by tilting the switch upwardly at the other end by means of threadably manipulating the post so as to extend downwardly engaging the stop members (E) with the inward projections (B).

Claims

1. Apparatus for positioning a switch on a base member comprising:

an elongated groove on said base member forming a track;

sides forming said elongated groove;

aligned opposed inward projections forming first stop members at said sides;

a switch slidably carried in said groove having a transverse contact edge at one end thereof;

a post carried adjacent the other end of said switch projecting below said switch engaging the switch and a lower portion of said groove positioning said other end of said switch by urging said other end outwardly away from said lower portion of said groove; and

second stop members carried by said switch intermediate said contact edge and said post engaging said first stop members;

whereby said contact edge is wedged into engagement with a lower surface of said groove by reason of said switch being tilted upwardly at said other end by means of the post so as to extend downwardly toward said one end.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said post is threadably mounted in upright position on said switch.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wherein said first stop members are inwardly inclined inner sides of said groove and said second stop members are complementary sides adjacent said one end of said switch remote from said post.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said post is mounted adjacent one side of said switch.

5. The method of positioning a switch in alignment on a base member comprising the steps of:

slidably carrying a switch having a contact edge at one end thereof in an elongated groove having inwardly tapering sides;

threadably mounting a post adjacent the other end of said switch projecting below said switch engaging the switch and a lower portion of said groove;

providing stop members on said switch engaging said inwardly tapering sides; and

wedging said contact edge into engagement with a lower surface of said groove by reason of said switch being tilted upwardly at said other end by means of the post so as to extend downwardly toward said one end.