Actuator for a switch
First Claim
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1. A variable bias actuator for a switch comprising, a housing having a fixed plate with a central portion and a rotatable plate at least partially closing the central portion, one of the plates mounting a depressible actuator contact surface;
- a force responsive switch mounted in the central portion in fixed relation to the other of said plates, the switch being electrically responsive to depressive contact by the actuator contact surface;
a resilient bias arm mounted in a position applying bias against the actuator contact surface resisting depressive contact and communicating a first force to the switch upon depressive contact; and
means for supporting the resilient bias arm at radially variably spaced apart regions, said means moveable with relative rotation of the rotatable plate in a manner wherein rotation of the rotatable plate changes the spacing between the spaced apart support regions thereby changing the resiliency of the resilient bias arm, allowing a changed resistance to depressive contact against the actuator contact surface to produce a second force, different from the first force, thereby allowing different forces to operate the switch based upon relative rotation of the rotatable plate.
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Abstract
An actuator for a switch, the actuator being movable between on and off positions against an adjustable resilient bias to provide a first signal when said actuator is in said on position and a second signal when said actuator is in said off position.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A variable bias actuator for a switch comprising, a housing having a fixed plate with a central portion and a rotatable plate at least partially closing the central portion, one of the plates mounting a depressible actuator contact surface;
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a force responsive switch mounted in the central portion in fixed relation to the other of said plates, the switch being electrically responsive to depressive contact by the actuator contact surface; a resilient bias arm mounted in a position applying bias against the actuator contact surface resisting depressive contact and communicating a first force to the switch upon depressive contact; and means for supporting the resilient bias arm at radially variably spaced apart regions, said means moveable with relative rotation of the rotatable plate in a manner wherein rotation of the rotatable plate changes the spacing between the spaced apart support regions thereby changing the resiliency of the resilient bias arm, allowing a changed resistance to depressive contact against the actuator contact surface to produce a second force, different from the first force, thereby allowing different forces to operate the switch based upon relative rotation of the rotatable plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification