Multiple switch assembly with detented rocker actuator
First Claim
1. A switch assembly comprising:
- (a) housing means;
(b) a first and second switching means each having a contact member, movable between a first and a second position said switching means each operable by said movement to effect a switching function;
(c) a rocker member mounted for rotational movement in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction on said base means and formed of resilient electrically non-conductive material and having a user contactable position extending from said housing means for manual actuation thereof and other portions thereof defining pivot surfaces engaging corresponding surfaces of said housing means and a certain depending portion defining detent surfaces thereon;
(d) at least one beam spring disposed in generally spaced parallel arrangement and extending at generally right angles to the direction of said pivotal movement, said at least one beam spring resiliently engaging said detent surface to provide resilient detenting of said rocker member upon user movement thereof; and
,(e) a plurality of actuators operably responsive upon movement of said rocker in said directions to alternately effect said movement of said first and second switching means contact members between said first and second positions.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A switch assembly of the type having a rocker actuator user rotatable in opposite directions from a neutral position for alternate actuation of individual switches on opposite sides of the rocker each having a moveable actuator member movement of which by the rocker effects actuation of the switches. The rocker has a plurality of arcuately spaced recesses which are resiliently engaged to detent the rocker in a neutral and an actuated position. In one embodiment, the recesses engage a resilient wire beam spring extending parallel to the rocker axis. In another embodiment, the recesses are formed on a portion of the rocker which resiliently deflects to permit engagement and disengagement with a stationary pivot surface. In another embodiment, recesses in the rocker are engaged by a detent surface provided on a stationary resiliently deflectable beam extending at right angles to the rocker axis.
41 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A switch assembly comprising:
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(a) housing means; (b) a first and second switching means each having a contact member, movable between a first and a second position said switching means each operable by said movement to effect a switching function; (c) a rocker member mounted for rotational movement in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction on said base means and formed of resilient electrically non-conductive material and having a user contactable position extending from said housing means for manual actuation thereof and other portions thereof defining pivot surfaces engaging corresponding surfaces of said housing means and a certain depending portion defining detent surfaces thereon; (d) at least one beam spring disposed in generally spaced parallel arrangement and extending at generally right angles to the direction of said pivotal movement, said at least one beam spring resiliently engaging said detent surface to provide resilient detenting of said rocker member upon user movement thereof; and
,(e) a plurality of actuators operably responsive upon movement of said rocker in said directions to alternately effect said movement of said first and second switching means contact members between said first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A switch assembly comprising:
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(a) housing means; (b) a rocker member mounted for rotational movement in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction on said housing means and having integrally formed therewith a user-movable portion extending externally of said housing means an including another portion disposed interiorly of said housing means on the opposite side of said pivotal mount from said user-movable portion, said another portion defining a plurality of detent surfaces disposed in arcuately spaced arrangement; (c) a first and second switching means each having a contact member mounted on said housing means on opposite sides of said rocker pivotal mount and operable for movement between a first position and a second position said switching means each operable by said movement to effect a switching function; and
,(d) detent means mounted on said housing means and operable to effect resiliently releasable engagement of said detent surfaces at a neutral or centered position and upon said rotational movement of said rocker in either of said opposite directions at a position causing said movement of, respectively, one of said switching or control members;
wherein, said rocker member is operative upon user movement in said directions to alternately effect said movement of said first and second switching means contact members. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification