Expanding helical ratchet switch
US5586645A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H13/585
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A quiet smooth acting push button switch, which permits partial actuation without a change of state, including a body, a cover and a contact cup having one or more tabs, the cup rotatibly mounted on the cover. A plunger, actuator and a ratchet with radially expanding helical camming ramps are mounted in the body, which incrementally rotate the contact cup and tabs upon successive actuations of the switch. Two terminals mounted on the cover are interruptably in contact with the tabs as the tabs are rotated during switch operation. The actuator may be a pawl, bail or a resilient portion of the plunger and has at least one hook for engaging a helical camming surface of the ratchet and rotatibly driving the rachet in response to a depression and release of the plunger.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.