Patent · US Expired

Self adjusting switch mechanism

US5661275A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 16, 1996
Grant dateAug 26, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 16, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2003/167
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A self adjusting switch mechanism is provided which permits the specific location of a switch to be determined during an initial operation that moves a mounting plate relative to a bracket portion of the mechanism. This initial movement sets the switch in its proper position and prevents further movement. Subsequent operations of the device depress a plunger of the switch but do not change the relative position of the switch housing relative to a stationary structure, such as the housing of an appliance. Certain embodiments of the mechanism further incorporate a locking mechanism that can be manually set to prevent any further movement of the mounting plate relative to the bracket portion in response to jarring forces, such as when the door of an appliance is slammed shut.

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