103~64~
Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a switch assembly whieh eompresses a frame, a switeh carried by the frame, a pivotal switch actuator carried by the frame and engaging the switeh to actuate the same, a slider engag-ing the actuator and means connected to the slider for moving same, a rectangular slot provided in the slider, a spring guide slideably carried by the frame and engaging the rectangu-lar slot, a spring carried by the spring guide and biased against the frame, and stop means carried by the frame and engaging the slider.
Controls such as variable resistors and switches are commonly used in appliances such as televisions, radios, and stereos to control the volume output and to turn the appliances "on" and "off". When used in a television, for example, the "on - off" function and the volume control funetion are sometimes combined in a single unit by combining a variable resistor with a switeh. In sueh applieations, the switch is usually turned "on" and "off" by a pushing and pulling of a shaft, the shaft also being used to regulate a variable resistor. In such a eontrol it is highly desirable, if not a neeessity, that the push - pull foree be kept to a minimum, and further onee the shaft has been set to a partieu-lar position, that it beeomes "loeked" in sueh position until it is desired that its position be ehanged.
Aeeordingly it is a feature of the present invention to provide a push-pull type switch assembly which does not require an excessive push - pull force to operate the switch.
Another feature of the invention is to provide a push - pull type switch assembly which provides a positive locking of the switch in a particular position. Another feature 1~)366~9 of the invention is to provide such a switch assembly in combination with a variable resistor. Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a push - pull type switch assembly which utilizes a spring biased slider engaging a switch actuator, the spring of the slider being detachably engaged to a slot in the shape of a parallelogram such as a rectangular slot provided in the slider. Yet still another feature of the invention is to provide a switch assembly wherein a spring biased slider engages a switch actuator, and a pivotal stop means limits the travel of the slider.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of a switch assembly wherein a spring biased slider engages a switch actuator, and a pivotal stop means engages the slider to limit its travel in an opposite direction. These and other features of the invention will become apparent from the follow-ing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1-4 are top views of the switch assembly shown in four different operating positions; and FIGURE 5 is an exploded view showing the relation-ship of a spring guide and a slider of the switch assembly.
Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention there is provided a switch assembly comprising a frame, a switch carried by the frame, a pivotal switch actuator carried by the frame and engaging the switch, a slider engaging the actuator, means connected to the slider to move same, a coil spring carried by a spring guide and biased against the frame, a slot in the shape of a parallelgram such as a rectangle provided in the slider receiving the spring guide and stop means engaging the slider to limit its travel.

~Q36649 Referring now to the drawing there is shown a switch assembly 10 which, in general, includes a frame 12 upon which is carried a switch 14 and a variable resistor 16.
Frame 12 is generally U-shaped in structure having a base portion 18 (which carries switch 14 on its underneath surface) and a pair of upstanding legs 20 and 22 extending from the base. Variable resistor 16 is of the type generally known in the art and includes a terminal board 24 which carries electrical terminals 26, and resistance paths and a collector path (not shown) enclosed in cup shaped housing 28. Also enclosed in housing 28 is a rotor carried by shaft 30 which is slideably and rotatably carried in leg 20 of the frame.
An electrical contact (not shown) is carried by the rotor and electrically connect the resistance paths to the collector path. Rotation of shaft 30 causes a variation of electrical resistance in a manner well known in the art.
Switch 14 may be of the rotory type described in U. S. 2,820,864 issued January 21, 1958 to W. K. Newman, et al. As described in the patent electrical circuits are opened and closed in response to the pivoting of tangs 14' and 14".
Tangs 14' and 14" are pivoted in response to switch actuator 32. Switch actuator 32 includes a bar 34 that is carried by switch 14 through tangs 14' and 14", which engage apertures 36 and 38 of the switch actuator. At the opposed end of the bar 34 there is a V-shaped notch 40. Movement of switch actuator 32 pivots tangs 14' and 14" to actuate switch 14.
Switch actuator 32 is moved by spring biased slider 42 which includes a base portion 44 and an upstanding leg 46 `

'1(~3G649 and tongue 48, both of which extend from the base portion.
Tongue 48 is slideably carried in an aperture 50 of leg 22 of frame 12. Shaft 30 is rotatably journalled in leg 46 and is connected thereto by retaining ring 52. The slider is spring biased through coil spring 54 which is carried on spring guide 56. Spring guide 56 includes a bar 58 and a bent-over tang 60. Coil spring 54 is biased between tang 60 and leg 22 of frame 12. As more clearly shown in Figure 5, spring guide 56 is carried by slider 42 by inserting tang 60 diagonally across rectangular slot 62 provided in the base 44 of the slider and then rotating the spring guide until the base becomes engaged in slots fi4 and 66 of tang 60. The spring guide is slideably carried by leg 22 of frame 12 at the opposed end of bar 58 through aperture 68. The slider engages switch actuator 32 through tang 70, the tang engagimgg one of the slides of V-shaped notch 40, depending upon the position of the slider. A second, similar tang 72, is provided for engagement with another switch actuator should it be desired to provide a second switch.
Stop means 74 limits the travel of the slider and includes a bar 76 pivotly mounted on base 18 of frame 12, the bar having V-shaped notches 8n and 82 at opposed ends of the bar. These notches engage tangs (Figure 5) 84 and 86 extend-ing from the slider.
Referring to Figures 1-4, the operation of the switch assembly may be described as it could be used in a television, for example. In Figure 1, spring 54 is expanded and slider 42 "retracted" and the television is turned "on".
In Figure 2 the slider has been pushed in and the spring compressed. Bar 76 has engaged tang 86 to pivot bar 76 to 1~366~9 move it into an interference path with tang 84. In Figure 3, spring 54 has slightly expanded and slider 42 has "retracted" slightly until tang 84 has engaged bar 76. The use of the V-shaped notch 80 "locks" the slider in this position.
Switch actuator 32 has been moved to a position to actuate switch 14, and the television is now turned "off". In Figure 4, the slider has again been indexed in. Tang 86 has cammed bar 76 into such a position that retraction of the slider will permit the slider and the bar to reach the position of Figure 1 with the television turned "on".
During the time the television is on (Figure 1), shaft 30 may be rotated to vary the resistance of variable resistor 16 so as to vary the volume of the audio portion of the television.