Pushbutton mechanical limiter switch including movable contact with conductive radial segment located in serrated housing passageway
First Claim
1. A mechanical limiter switch comprising:
- A substantially cylindrically shaped housing having a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction;
said housing having a pattern along said perimeter;
a spring mounted in said opening along said axial direction, and pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and in the axial direction, said spring having a radial member protruding through said pattern; and
a plunger mounted in said opening along said axial direction, abutting said spring for urging said spring in said axial direction and for moving said member in said pattern along said perimeter, to said contact pin;
wherein after a pre-determined number of activations of said plunger in said axial direction, said member comes to a terminating position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A mechanical limiter switch comprising:
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A substantially cylindrically shaped housing having a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction;
said housing having a pattern along said perimeter;
a spring mounted in said opening along said axial direction, and pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and in the axial direction, said spring having a radial member protruding through said pattern; and
a plunger mounted in said opening along said axial direction, abutting said spring for urging said spring in said axial direction and for moving said member in said pattern along said perimeter, to said contact pin;
wherein after a pre-determined number of activations of said plunger in said axial direction, said member comes to a terminating position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A mechanical limiter switch comprising:
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a substantially cylindrically shaped first housing having a first radius, a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction;
said first housing having a first pattern along said perimeter;
a substantially cylindrically shaped second housing having a second radius, larger than said first radius, and a second perimeter, said second housing having a second pattern along said second perimeter;
said second housing enclosing said first housing with said first pattern having a portion in common with said second pattern;
a spring mounted in said opening in said first housing along said axial direction, and pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction, said spring having a radial member protruding through said first pattern and second pattern; and
a plunger mounted in said opening along said axial direction, abutting said spring for urging said spring in said axial direction and for moving said member in said first and second patterns;
wherein after a pre-determined number of activations of said plunger in said axial direction, said member limits the operation of said switch. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A mechanical limiter switch comprising:
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a substrate;
a plurality of posts mounted on said substrate, spaced apart from one another forming an opening in an axial direction, with a pattern along the perimeter thereof having a termination position;
a spring mounted in said opening along said axial direction, and pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction, said spring having a radial member protruding through said pattern; and
a plunger mounted in said opening along said axial direction, through said substrate, abutting said spring for urging said spring in said axial direction and for moving said member in said pattern;
wherein after a pre-determined number of activations of said plunger in said axial direction, said member stops at said termination position and limits the operation of said switch. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A mechanical limiter switch comprising:
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a substrate;
a contact pin mounted on said substrate;
a housing mounted on said substrate, spaced apart from said contact pin, said housing having a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction;
said housing having a pattern along said perimeter;
a spring mounted in said opening along said axial direction and pre-stressed for radial movement;
said spring having a radial member protruding through said pattern;
a plunger mounted in said opening along said axial direction, abutting said spring for urging said spring in said axial direction and for moving said member in said pattern along said perimeter, to said contact pin;
wherein after a pre-determined number of activations of said plunger in said axial direction, said member will contact said contact pin. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A mechanical limiter switch comprising:
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a substrate having an opening therein in an axial direction, with a first surface and a second surface, opposite said first surface;
a plurality of posts mounted on said first surface of said substrate, spaced apart from one another and around said opening;
a first spring mounted in said opening along said axial direction on said first surface, and pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction; and
a plunger mounted in said opening along said axial direction, through said substrate, urged against said spring in said axial direction, said plunger having a contacting member portion rotatable about said axial direction;
a retaining clip holding said plunger on said second surface;
a second spring positioned between said retaining clip and said second surface, said second spring stronger than said first spring for holding said contacting member portion substantially near said first surface;
wherein after a pre-determined number of activations of said plunger in said axial direction, said contacting member portion stops at a termination position and limits the operation of said switch. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A mechanical system for limiting the number of activations of an electrical system, comprising:
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a housing;
a patterned opening extending in a radial direction around a portion of the housing;
an electrical contact member extending through the patterned opening;
a contact pin positioned adjacent to the housing; and
a plunger disposed for axial movement in the housing, wherein the electrical contact member advances along through the patterned opening from an initial position to a terminating position at which the electrical contact member touches the contact pin when the plunger has been depressed a pre-determined number of times. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification