Rolling-ball switch

• US 7,465,893 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tien-Ming Chou
• Original Assignee: Tien-Ming Chou
• Inventors: Chou, Tien-Ming
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad; Elvin G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fishman; Marina
• Application Number:
  US11/633,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20080078660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 200/61.45 R, 200/61.46, 200/61.47, 200/61.48, 200/61.5, 200/61.52, 200/292, 340/546, 340/429, 340/565, 340/566
• US Class Current: 200/61.45R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/16 by rolling; by wrapping; Roller or ball contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/141 Details

Abstract

A rolling-ball switch includes an insulative housing having a tubular wall that has an axial hole and two opposite open-end portions, and two lead terminals covering respectively the open-end portions. Each open-end portion has an end face and a retaining portion. Each lead terminal is a one-piece conductive body, and is provided with an engaging portion to engage the retaining portion. A ball unit is disposed rollably in the axial hole to contact the lead terminals.

Claims

1. A rolling-ball switch comprising:

an insulative housing having an outer surface, a tubular wall that has an axial hole and two opposite open-end portions, each of said open-end portions having an end face and a retaining portion, said retaining portion having an annular engaging groove formed in an inner wall face of said tubular wall;

two lead terminals covering respectively said open-end portions, each of said lead terminals being a one-piece conductive body and being provided with an engaging portion; and

a ball unit disposed rollably in said axial hole to contact said lead terminals;

wherein each of said lead terminals includes an insert portion disposed in said axial hole, and an end cap portion extending outwardly of the respective one of said open-end portions and abutting against said end face, said engaging portion having an annular protrusion formed on an outer surface of said insert portion to engage said annular engaging groove;

wherein said outer surface of said insert portion is further formed with a plurality of axial ribs to contact frictionally said inner wall face of said tubular wall, an annular receiving groove adjacent to said end cap portion, and a sealing gasket disposed in said annular receiving groove; and

wherein said outer surface of said insulative housing has a middle portion higher than portions at two opposite sides of said middle portion.

2. The rolling-ball switch of claim 1, wherein each of said lead terminals further includes a connecting leg extending outwardly from said end cap portion.

3. The rolling-ball switch of claim 1, wherein said ball unit includes two ball members contacting each other between said insert portions of said lead terminals.