Rocker switch with improved rocker actuator
US5412169A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 2, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H23/143
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electrical switch assembly is disclosed to include a housing mounting a pair of spaced switches. A rocker actuator is rockably mounted for movement relative to the housing about a rotational axis between the spaced switches, and with wing portions of the actuator on opposite sides of the rotational axis provided for alternatingly actuating the pair of switches. The rocker actuator is a one-piece component and includes a relatively stiff rocker arm rockable about the rotational axis, a connecting flange projecting outwardly from the periphery of the rocker arm, and an integral flexible intermediate wall joining the rocker arm and the connecting flange. The flexible intermediate wall supports the rocker arm in a neutral position. However, the rocker arm flexes the intermediate wall when the rocker arm is rotated about the axis in either opposite direction from the neutral position to alternate actuating positions. The flexible intermediate wall is of a material to return the rocker arm automatically to the neutral position when pressure on the rocker arm is released.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.