Patent · US Expired

Rocker switch with centering torsion spring

US6566619B2 · kind B2 · utility

1,211Cited by

5References

12Claims

0Family size

Assignee

ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC · US

Inventors

Uwe Gillman · Berlin, DE
Michael Stoffers · Berlin, DE
Michael Cemerika · Berlin, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Apr 5, 2002
Grant date	May 20, 2003
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Apr 5, 2022

Classification

Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
CPC primaryH01H23/06
WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A rocker switch with a shaft (30) that can be pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise from a neutral position, which reliably returns to the same neutral position without “play”, and which is of simple design. A coil spring (25) which extends around the shaft, has front and rear opposite coil end portions (24, 26) with corresponding spring ends (27, 29), and which has a spring middle (28). Arms mounted on the shaft include a first arm (39′) engaged with the front spring end and a second arm (39) positioned to engage the spring middle. When the shaft is turned clockwise from the neutral position, the arms turn the first spring end (27) and spring middle (28) clockwise while loading only the rear coil end portion (26). When the shaft turns counterclockwise, the spring middle (28) is prevented from turning by a spring center support (43), so only the front coil portion (24) is loaded.

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