CA1294655C - Camstack and switch assembly utilizing same - Google Patents
Camstack and switch assembly utilizing sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1294655C CA1294655C CA000543447A CA543447A CA1294655C CA 1294655 C CA1294655 C CA 1294655C CA 000543447 A CA000543447 A CA 000543447A CA 543447 A CA543447 A CA 543447A CA 1294655 C CA1294655 C CA 1294655C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- camstack
- switch assembly
- cam
- hub
- ribs
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Landscapes
- Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
Abstract
CAMSTACK AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY
UTILIZING SAME
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
The hub of a camstack is in the shape of a cone. There are ribs carried on the cone surface with the ribs having cam surfaces that are substantially parallel to the cone surface. The camstack is particularly adaptable for actuating a plurality of individual switches that are carried by a single common support member.
UTILIZING SAME
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
The hub of a camstack is in the shape of a cone. There are ribs carried on the cone surface with the ribs having cam surfaces that are substantially parallel to the cone surface. The camstack is particularly adaptable for actuating a plurality of individual switches that are carried by a single common support member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE_INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camstack and more particularly to a camstack that is useful for actuating individual switches that are carried by a single common support.
Camstacks of the type of the present invention are used extensively in timing mechanisms to open and close electrical switches which in turn make and break electrical circuits to an appliance to control the appliance's functions. As the operation of appliances becomes more complicated, the need for more control cycles on the camstack becomes necessary. It is at the same time desirable, however, that the timing mechanisms remain small and compact. To this end, ways and means are continually being sought to keep the camstack as small as possible.
In U.S. 3,142,730 there is described and claimed a stepped cam wherein the steps decrease in diameter in going from the bottom of the camstack to the top. This arrangement aided in reducing the size of the camstack. The camstack of the present invention also aids in reducing the size of the camstack and in addition makes it easier to use individual switches carried by a single common support. This aids in reducing the size of a complete cam switch assembly and in addition, aids in reducing manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided a camstack which, in general, comprises a hub having an outer surface traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality of ribs extending from the outer surface, each of the ribs having a cam surface substantially parallel to the first outer surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
.
Figure 1 is a view of the camstack of the invention.
3~55 Figure 2 is a view showing switches that can be used with the camstack of the invention.
Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with a portion of the switches shown in conjunction with the camstack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a camstack 10 made in accordance with the invention. Camstack 10 includes a hub 12 and a plurality of ribs 14 extending from the hub.
The outer surface 16 of hub 12 is a cone. That is, surface 16 is traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex. The cam surfaces 18, 20, 22, 24, and all others not shown that are provided on ribs 14 are substantially parallet to the outer surface 16 of the hub 12. The camstack can be rotated through a shaft (not shown) which could be held in bearing 19. The camstack including the ribs and the bearing are fabricated of a thermoplastic material such as acetal.
In Figure 2, there is shown a set of electrical switch means 30 which can be used in conjunction with camstack 10. Switch means 30 includes a plurality of individual switches 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 carried by a common support member 42. Each of the switches includes electrical contac~ blades 44 and 46 each having mating electrical con~acts 48. Each of the blades 44 also includes a cam follower 50 which engage outer surface 16 or the cam surface of ribs 14. The blades and ~he electrical contacts are fabricated from a good electrically conductive material such as copper or silver.
Referring now to Figure 33 switch means 30 is shown in conjunction with camstack 10. As shown, cam Followers 50 are riding on either the hub outer surface 16 or the outer cam surfaces of ribs 14 to open and close electrical contacts 48 of blades 44 and 46, the contacts being opened when a cam follower engages outer surface 16 of hub 12 and closed when a cam follower engages the cam surfaces of ribs 14.
The present invention relates to a camstack and more particularly to a camstack that is useful for actuating individual switches that are carried by a single common support.
Camstacks of the type of the present invention are used extensively in timing mechanisms to open and close electrical switches which in turn make and break electrical circuits to an appliance to control the appliance's functions. As the operation of appliances becomes more complicated, the need for more control cycles on the camstack becomes necessary. It is at the same time desirable, however, that the timing mechanisms remain small and compact. To this end, ways and means are continually being sought to keep the camstack as small as possible.
In U.S. 3,142,730 there is described and claimed a stepped cam wherein the steps decrease in diameter in going from the bottom of the camstack to the top. This arrangement aided in reducing the size of the camstack. The camstack of the present invention also aids in reducing the size of the camstack and in addition makes it easier to use individual switches carried by a single common support. This aids in reducing the size of a complete cam switch assembly and in addition, aids in reducing manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided a camstack which, in general, comprises a hub having an outer surface traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality of ribs extending from the outer surface, each of the ribs having a cam surface substantially parallel to the first outer surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
.
Figure 1 is a view of the camstack of the invention.
3~55 Figure 2 is a view showing switches that can be used with the camstack of the invention.
Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with a portion of the switches shown in conjunction with the camstack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a camstack 10 made in accordance with the invention. Camstack 10 includes a hub 12 and a plurality of ribs 14 extending from the hub.
The outer surface 16 of hub 12 is a cone. That is, surface 16 is traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex. The cam surfaces 18, 20, 22, 24, and all others not shown that are provided on ribs 14 are substantially parallet to the outer surface 16 of the hub 12. The camstack can be rotated through a shaft (not shown) which could be held in bearing 19. The camstack including the ribs and the bearing are fabricated of a thermoplastic material such as acetal.
In Figure 2, there is shown a set of electrical switch means 30 which can be used in conjunction with camstack 10. Switch means 30 includes a plurality of individual switches 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 carried by a common support member 42. Each of the switches includes electrical contac~ blades 44 and 46 each having mating electrical con~acts 48. Each of the blades 44 also includes a cam follower 50 which engage outer surface 16 or the cam surface of ribs 14. The blades and ~he electrical contacts are fabricated from a good electrically conductive material such as copper or silver.
Referring now to Figure 33 switch means 30 is shown in conjunction with camstack 10. As shown, cam Followers 50 are riding on either the hub outer surface 16 or the outer cam surfaces of ribs 14 to open and close electrical contacts 48 of blades 44 and 46, the contacts being opened when a cam follower engages outer surface 16 of hub 12 and closed when a cam follower engages the cam surfaces of ribs 14.
Claims (6)
1. A camstack comprising a hub having an outer surface traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality of cam surfaces carried on said outer surface in a substantially parallel relationship to said outer surface.
2. A camstack according to claim 1 wherein said cam surfaces are provided by ribs extending from said outer surface.
3. A camstack according to claim 1 wherein said camstack is fabricated from a thermoplastic material.
4. A cam switch assembly comprising:
a camstack comprising a hub having an outer surface traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality of cam surfaces carried on said outer surface in a substantially parallel relationship to said outer surface.
a camstack comprising a hub having an outer surface traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality of cam surfaces carried on said outer surface in a substantially parallel relationship to said outer surface.
5. A cam - switch assembly according to claim 4 wherein said cam surfaces are provided by ribs extending from said outer surfaces.
6. A cam - switch assembly according to claim 4 wherein said camstack is fabricated of a thermoplastic material.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US93260686A | 1986-11-20 | 1986-11-20 | |
| US06/932,606 | 1986-11-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1294655C true CA1294655C (en) | 1992-01-21 |
Family
ID=25462583
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000543447A Expired - Lifetime CA1294655C (en) | 1986-11-20 | 1987-07-30 | Camstack and switch assembly utilizing same |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BR (1) | BR8705014A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1294655C (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-07-30 CA CA000543447A patent/CA1294655C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-09-29 BR BR8705014A patent/BR8705014A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR8705014A (en) | 1988-06-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |