Dual function switching apparatus
US5204502A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 28, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2219/062
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switching apparatus providing both linear momentary and rotary switching, including a carrier element disposed within a switch housing and activated by the rotation or linear displacement of an operator manipulated button. The carrier is supported on a central transparent shaft which pipes light to a button-mounted indicator from a lamp disposed behind the switch apparatus. The carrier element supports rotary and linear contact rings in relation to a coplanar set of stationary contacts formed on the bottom of the housing. The rotary contact ring is resiliently biased into engagement with the stationary contacts, and is keyed to the carrier element for rotation therewith, defining a rotary travel switch. The linear contact ring is resiliently biased away from the stationary contacts and into engagement with a shoulder formed on the carrier element shaft, defining a linear travel momentary contact switch. Pyramidal indentations and protuberances formed on the interior periphery of the housing cooperate with a simple detent ball/spring assembly to provide both detent positions for the rotary switch and tactile feedback for the linear switch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.