Plural switch construction having rotary and linear switch contact assemblies operated by independent operators

US3940579A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• SWF-Spezialfabrik fur Autozubehor Gustav Rau GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Harro Buhl · Tauberbischofsheim, DE
• Herbert Erdelitsch · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE
• Otto Machalitzky · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE
• Wolf Seitter · Erbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 1974
• Grant date: Feb 24, 1976
• Expiry date: Jul 16, 1994

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H1/26
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A switch particularly for steering columns of automobiles for the selective operation of both light circuits and windshield wiper and washer circuits comprises a U-shaped spring contact having a first spring contact portion in a first plane and a second spring contact portion in a second plane. The switch includes a lever which is pivotal in both the first and second planes and which carries a rod member which may be engaged with the spring first portion to deflect it into engagement with a fixed contact for example for actuating a windshield wiper washer fluid supply circuit and which may be engaged during its pivotal movement for example in a vertical direction to move the spring second portion to engage a fixed contact which for example may operate a by-pass light circuit. The double spring contact actually includes the first spring portion which extends substantially vertical and at right angles to a horizontal portion. The switching lever is hollow and the rod portion is displaceable therein under a button control to engage one of the several spring contact portions.