GB1231706A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,231,706. Mechanical switches. MAXISWITCH CO. 13 March, 1969, No. 13366/69. Heading H1N. [Also in Division G4] An encoding switch for converting from decimal to binary form comprises a row of push-rods 25 and a set of four actuating bars 70-73 mounted side by side and parallel to each other, two on each side of the row of push-rods 25. Each actuating bar 70-73 has a number of notches 85, 86, the number of notches being the same as the number of pushrods 25, some notches 85 being square, some notches 86 having sloping cam surfaces. Opposite the end of each bar 70-73 is a switch 80-83. On each side of each push-rod 25 is a pin 95 and when a push-rod 25 is depressed the pins 95 on that push-rod engage the four notches 85, 86 corresponding to that push-rod 25. If the pins 95 engage the sloping cam surfaces in notches 86 the corresponding bar 70-73 is moved to the right actuating the corresponding switch 80-83, if the pins 95 encounter a square notch 85 that bar is not moved. The push-rods 25 each correspond to a decimal integer, fifteen being shown, and each switch 80-83 corresponds to a binary integer so that by depressing a push-rod 25 corresponding to a decimal integer the switches 80-83 representing the corresponding binary integer are closed, thus converting from decimal to binary form. The push-rods 25 are retained depressed by a spring-loaded latch bar 60 having pins 61 which normally nest in slots 52 in the push-rods 25 but when a push-rod is depressed the bar 60 is moved so that the pin 61 for that push-rod rides out of slot 52 into slot 50. The push-rod 25 remains depressed until a second push-rod is depressed, moving bar 60 so that the pin 61 for the first push-rod is moved out of slot 50 freeing the first pushrod which moves upwards to its undepressed position under the action of retractive spring 44. The end 42 of each push-rod 25 is pointed and below the ends 42 on blocking slugs 75 so that only one push-rod 25 can be depressed at one time, there being sufficient clearance to enable the second push-rod 25 to free the first from the latch bar. At the end of the row of blocking slugs 75 a contact 79 may be located. In a modification, Fig. 10 (not shown), the actuating bars are formed from elements fastened in a channel section and shaped to provide the square or cam-surfaced notches.