Patent · US Expired

Snap-action switch actuator

US5207317A · kind A · utility

80Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 31, 1992
Grant dateMay 4, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 31, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H23/14
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A switch actuator having a bezel, paddle and spring-biased lever. The bezel has a pivot defining a first pivot axis and an outer surface defining a plane. The paddle has an outer surface and an inner surface facing in a direction opposite the outer surface. The inner surface has structure for actuating a switch in response to actuation of the paddle, which is pivotably supported in the bezel for limited pivoting movement about the first pivot axis between first and second positions. A lever is pivotably mounted on the bezel and disposed at an acute angle to said plane. The lever is pivotable with respect to the bezel and the paddle about a second pivot axis as the paddle is pivoted about the first pivot axis. The second pivot axis is spaced from and substantially parallel to the first pivot axis. A spring is disposed at an acute angle to the plane. A first end of the spring is received by a spring receiver on the paddle inner surface and a second end of the spring is received by a spring receiver on the lever. The spring is spaced a distance from the second pivot axis and positioned between the second pivot axis and the spring receiver on the lever. The spring biases the paddle to …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.