Axially operated switch for electrical circuits

• US 5,595,285 A
• Filed: 03/25/1994
• Issued: 01/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Metagal Indãºstria E Comã©Rcio LTDA
• Original Assignee: Metagal Indãºstria E Comã©Rcio LTDA
• Inventors: Do Espirito Santo, Antonio F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US08/217,674
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 359/872, 359/873, 359/874, 359/875, 359/876, 359/877, 200/345, 200/520, 200/330, 200/329, 200/343, 200/547, 200/332, 200/335, 200/337, 200/341, 200/331, 200/344
• US Class Current: 200/330
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/002 having an operating member rectilinearly slidable in different directions

Abstract

An axially operated switch for electrical circuits a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, the switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end arranged to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction, a key arranged to act on the one end of the rod and to move the rod in the axial direction, and a direction changing device cooperating with the key so that the key being pressed by a user is displaced in direction of y axes substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod and also in direction of x axes substantially parallel to the axis of the rod and as a result acts on the one end of the rod so as to move the rod in the axial direction.

Claims

1. An axial switch for electrical circuits of a review mirror of a vehicle, comprising a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end adopted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction; and

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed toward said rod by a user is displaced in direction of a y axis which is substantially perpendicular to said axis o said rod and also in direction of an x axis substantially parallel to said axis of said rod without turning and as a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction.

2. A rearview mirror of a vehicle, comprising a mirror housing having a front opening provided with a finishing molding which has a front lower edge;

a mirror plate located in said housing;

courtesy lights located in a lower side of said housing and having an electric circuit lodges in said front opening; and

an axially operated switch assembly controlling said electric circuit of said courtesy lights, said switch assembly having a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end adapted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction; and

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed toward said rod by a user is displaced in direction of a y axes which is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said rod and also in direction of an x axes substantially parallel to said axis of said rod and as a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction.

3. A rearview mirror of a vehicle as defined in claim 2, wherein said housing has a window and an opening;

and further comprising an anti-glare mechanism operating lever extending through said window of said housing;

a supporting arm extending through said opening of said housing and having a free end; and

a base connected with said free end of said supporting arm and fixable to a vehicle.

4. An axially operated switch for electrical circuits, comprising a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end adapted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction; and

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed toward said rod by a user is translatorily displaced in direction of a y axes which is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said rod and also in direction of an x axis substantially parallel to said axis of said rod and as a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction.

5. A rearview mirror of a vehicle, comprising a mirror housing having a front opening provided with a finishing molding which has a front lower edge;

a mirror plate located in said housing;

courtesy lights located in a lower side of said housing and having an electric circuit lodges in said front opening; and

an axially operated switch assembly controlling said electric circuit of said courtesy lights, said switch assembly having a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end adapted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction; and

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed toward said rod by a user is translatorily displaced in direction of a y axes which is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said rod and also in direction of an x axes substantially parallel to said axis of said rod and as a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction.

6. An axially operated switch for electrical circuits, comprising a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end adapted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction;

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed by a user is translatorily displaced in direction of a y axes which is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said rod and also in direction of an x axis substantially parallel to said axis of said rod and a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction, said direction changing means including fitting means preventing a disengagement of said key and said rod in said x direction but permitting sliding of said key relative to said rod in said y direction, and guiding means slanted with respect to said rod and extending in the direction of said x and said y axis; and

a housing provided with a window in which said key is displaceable, said key having a front surface, said guiding means including an upper surface and a lower surface provided on said key and slanted with respect to said front surface of said key, said guiding means further including an upper surface and a lower surface provided in said window of said housing and being slanted with respect to said front surface of the key so that said upper and lower surfaces of said key slide over said upper and lower surfaces of said window of said housing.

7. An axially operated switch for electrical circuits as defined in claim 6, wherein said upper surface of said key has an intermediate stop, said key having lateral faces provided with shoulders, said window of said housing having sides which together with said intermediate stop and said shoulders define a stop motion and blocking device for said key in a rest position.

8. An axially operated switch for electrical circuits as defined in claim 7, wherein said lower surface of said window of said housing has walls which guide said lateral faces of said key.

9. An axially operated switch for electrical circuits, comprising a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end adapted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction; and

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed by a user is translatorily displaced in direction of a y axes which is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said rod and also in direction of an x axis substantially parallel to said axis of said rod and as a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction, said direction changing means including fitting means preventing a disengagement of said key and said rod in said x direction but permitting sliding of said key relative to said rod in said y direction, and guiding means slanted with respect to said rod and extending in the direction of said x and said y axis, said key having a back region, said fitting means including a slide rail extending in direction of said y-x axis and having a substantially T-shaped recess, and a groove provided in said one end of said rod and formed so that said slide rail engages in said groove and slides in it in direction of said y axis but cannot disengage from said groove in direction of said x axis.

10. An axial switch for electrical circuits of a rear view mirror of a vehicle, comprising a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end adapted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movements in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction; and

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed by a user is displaced in direction of a y axis which is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said rod and also in direction of an x axis substantially parallel to said axis of said rod and as a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction, said direction changing means including fitting means preventing a disengagement of said key and said rod in said x direction but permitting siding of said key relative to said rod in said y direction, and guiding means slanted with respect to said rod and extending in the direction of said x axis of said y axis.

11. An axial switch for electrical circuits of a rear view mirror, comprising a switch rod having an axis and arranged to move in an axial direction, said switch rod having one end to be actuated and an opposite end adapted to actuate electrical contacts upon its movement in an axial direction;

a key arranged to act on said one end of said rod and to move said rod in the axial direction; and

direction changing means cooperating with said key so that said key being pressed toward said rod by a user is displaced in direction of a y axis which is substantially perpendicular to said axis of said rod and also in direction of an x axis substantially parallel to said axis of said rod and as a result acts on said one end of said rod so as to move said rod in the axial direction; and

guiding means slanted with respect to said rod and extending in the direction of said x axis and said y axis for guiding said key.