GB2281816A

GB2281816A - Manually operated switch with a lock

Info

Publication number: GB2281816A
Application number: GB9418051A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans-Josef Broich; Howard Shaun
Original assignee: Kloeckner Moeller GmbH
Current assignee: Eaton Industries GmbH
Priority date: 1993-09-14
Filing date: 1994-09-07
Publication date: 1995-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-07
Also published as: AT401123B; ATA137494A; GB9418051D0; FR2710186B1; FR2710186A1; DE4331091C1; GB2281816B

Abstract

The invention relates to a manually operated switch, such as a cam-operated switch or selector switch (dial switch), having a switching shaft with a locking device, which can be operated by means of a pushbutton, for the switching shaft, in the case of which it is possible to switch the switching shaft onwards when the pushbutton is depressed only into the next position, and it is not possible to switch onwards from this position into the next position until the pushbutton has been released and/or pressed again. To this end, the switch shaft is equipped with two locking wheels to which in each case one moving latching element is assigned which can be operated when the pushbutton is pressed. … <IMAGE> …

Description

2281816 MANUALLY OPERATED SWITCH WITH A LOCK The invention relates to

manually operated switches, such as, for example, cam-operated switches or selector switches, which comprise a switching shaft and a locking device for the switching shaft which can be operated by means of an actuator.

It is known to provide cam-operated switches with a push-button lock, also known as a two-handed lock or two-handed operation, in which, in order to switch from one locked position or region to the next by rotating a switching shaft, a push-button must simultaneously be pressed. In a further known push-button lock for cam-operated switches, a push-button must be pressed and released again before further switching to the next position by means of rotation. 15 These known push- button locks for cam-operated switches or selector switches have the disadvantage that when the push-button is pressed, further switching to any arbitrary position can be carried out immediately, which has the disadvantage that switching positions which are not desired can be obtained. 20 An object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages of known locks for manually operated switches, for example cam-operated and selector switches, and to prevent further switching into any arbitrary position after pressing the push-button or other lock actuator. 25 According to the invention, there is provided a manual ly- operated switch comprising a switching shaft and a locking mechanism for the switching shaft, which locking mechanism is operated by means of a lock actuator, whereby, in order to switch from a locked position into a next position by rotating the switching shaft, the lock actuator must be operated at the same time, the locking mechanism being configured with a step-wise and selectable locking action in such a manner that further switching of the switching shaft when the lock actuator is actuated is possible only to the next position, and further switching from this position to the next (i.e. a further) position can only be carried out by releasing the lock actuator and actuating it again.

The invention finds particular application to a cam-operated 2 switch or a selector switch.

In one embodiment of the invention, the switching shaft is provided with two locking wheels, wherein the perimeter of each locking wheel is provided with recesses a. b, c defining locking positions, and each locking wheel has a moveable latching element which is subject to the force of a spring, for latching into the recesses of the respective locking wheel, and the latching elements are in effective contact with the push-button so that their movement can be triggered as a result of operation of the push-button. As soon as a latching element latches into a recess of one of the locking wheels, the rotation of the switching shaft is prevented. The arrangement of two locking wheels and two latching elements enables a step-wise and selectable locking action to be exercised upon the selector switch or cam-operated switch. Moreover, an additional locking action may be provided by means of a padlock which locks the push-button in the pressed and not pressed positions. When the switch is locked in an off-position it is then only possible to switch it again after removal of the padlock, by pressing the push-button once more. On the other hand the dual action of the latching elements allows the switch to be switched in the off-position in spite of locking by the push-button.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the subclaims. For example, it is also possible to replace the push-button by other actuators such as, for example, a cylinder lock.

An embodiment of the invention is described hereafter in more detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a selector switch; Figure 2 the section HH according to Figure 1; Figure 3 a rear view of the selector switch according to Figure 1, partially cut away; Figure 4 an enlarged view of part of the selector switch according to Figure 2 showing the action when the push-button is pressed; Figure 5a a latching element with a slider and mechanically fixed plunger; Figure 5b-e various views of the slider according to Figure 5; Figure 6a a latching element with a slide and front view of a plunger moveably inserted therein; Figure 6b-e various views of the slider according to Figure 6a; Figure 7a-d various views of the pushbutton of the selector switch according to Figure 1; 5 Figure 8a-e various views of the slider driving member for the push-button of the selector switch according to Figure 2; and Figure 9 a selector switch according to Figure 2 with a cylinder lock instead of a push-button, in cross-section. Figures 1 to 3 show the configuration of an embodiment of a selector switch with a lock according to the invention. This embodiment allows a step-wise and selectable locking action and an additional locking action by means of a padlock, in which the pushbutton is not pressed. The switching shaft 10, with a knob 30 indicated, is mounted in a multi-part housing 1, la, 1b, 1c. A drive shaft of a switching mechanism or the like can then be correspondingly coupled to the switching shaft 10. On the switching shaft 10 two locking wheels 11, 12 are fixed adjacent to one another coaxially to the axis Z of the switching shaf t. The locking wheels 11, 12 are configured with recesses a, b, c (see Figure 3) about their perimeter at desired pre-determined separations or regions. These locking wheels 11, 12 are then each associated with a latching element with a plunger 3 or 4 respectively, which can latch into these recesses a, b, c and thereby prevent the rotation of the switching shaft 10. The two latching elements each include a slider 5 or 6 in each of which a plunger 3 or 4 respectively is mounted.

In Figure 5a the slider 5 with the plunger 3 is shown in the view according to Figure 3, wherein the plunger 3 is mechanically fixed against a movement in the plunger axis X with a lateral projection 3a in a receiving groove 50 of the slider 5. The slider 5 is configured with a laterally projecting slider arm 51, which forms a receiving chamber 53 for a compression spring 7. The slider 5 is from then on shown in Figures 5b to 5e in its further possible embodiment. Figure 5b shows the rear view of the slider 5 according to Figure 5a, Figure 5c the view F2 according to 5b, Figure 5d the view F3 according to Figure b and Figure 5e the view Fl according to Figure 5b. On the rear side of the slider opposite to the arrangement of the plunger 3 on the slider 4 5, guide pins 56 for guiding the slider on the housing la are formed, _W likewise a recess 55. The laterally projecting slider arm 51 is also configured with an inclined wedge surface which projects from the rear of the slider, which acts as load and motion transmission for the slider 5 with the plunger 3. Also on the side of the slider where the plunger 3 is attached, a projecting cam 54 is configured for guiding.

The second latching element according to Figure 2 includes a slider 6 in which a plunger 4 is moveably mounted against the tension of the plunger spring 9 (see also the front view according to Figure 6a). Principally, the slider is configured so that it is also provided with a latching groove 60, which can latch onto the plunger 4 with the latching projection 4a and is thereby mechanically fixed. In this case the compression spring 9 can be dispensed with. In this way it is also possible to use the slider 6 with the plunger 4 in the action according to slider 5 according to Figure 5a and vice-versa. The slider 6 also has a laterally projecting slider arm 61 which however is formed on the other side, displaced by 1800 in relation to the plunger axis X and axis of movement of the plunger 4, compared to the slider 5 according to Figure 5a. The slider arm 61 of the slider 6 is also provided with a receiving chamber 63 for inserting a compression spring 8 (see Figure 3).

Figure 6b shows the rear of the slider 6 according to Figure 6a, Figure 6c the view E3 according to Figure 6b, Figure 6d the view El according to Figure 6b and Figure 6e the view E2 according to Figure 6b. The slider arm 61 is again on the side opposite the arrangement of the plunger 4 on the slider 6, with a wedge surface 62 projecting thereover to produce a driving surface. While the wedge surface 52 of the slider according to Figures 5b to 5e is arranged facing upwards in the direction of the plunger, the wedge surface 62 of the slider 6 is configured downwards on the side facing the plunger 4 of the slider 6, so that as shown in Figure 4, the two wedge surfaces 52, 62, run together one above the other forming an open angle when viewed laterally. As the sliders 5, 6 are arranged inverted with respect to one another, the slider arms 51, 61 (see Figure 3) are accommodated on the two sides of the plunger axis X in the housing 1 of the switch. The slider 6 according to Figures 6b to 6e is also provided with guide rails 66 on the rear side opposite to the mounting of the plunger 4, for guiding on the housing, as well as a guide nipple 67 for mounting the plunger spring 9.

The plungers 3, 4 which are mounted in the sliders 5, 6 are driven by means of the compression springs 7, 8 which are mounted in the receiving chambers 51, 61 of the slider 5 or 6 respectively (see Figure 3). The direction of drive of the slide 5 with the plunger 3 is thus carried out by the spring 7 in the direction of the locking wheel 11, that of the slider 6 with the plunger 4 by means of the spring 8 in the opposite direction towards the locking wheel 12. The push-button 20 for operating the plunger 3, 4 for locking the switching shaft 10 by latching the plunger in the locking wheels 11, 12 is located normally, as shown in Figure 2, in the non-pressed position, that is in the position projecting furthest out of the housing, wherein this position is determined by the compression springs 21. When the push-button 20 is pressed in the direction of the arrow P1, the movement of the push button is transferred to the slider 5, 6 by means of the slider driving member 2 which is fixed onto the inside of the end of the push-button by means of a screw 13 or the like.

In Figures 7a to 7d the configuration of the push-button 20 according to Figures 1 to 3 is shown in an embodiment. The push-button is configured with the front plate 200, onto which are attached lateral guide walls 201, 202 and a cover plate 207. In the cover plate 207 there are openings 205, 206 for insertion of padlocks. On the inside of the cover plate, centrally in a centre rib 203, a threaded bore 204 for the fixing screw 13 for the slider driving member 2 is provided. In the drawings, Figure 7c shows the front view of the push button, Figure 7a the rear view, Figure 7b the cross-section KK according to Figure 7a and Figure 7d the cross-section GG according to Figure 7a.

In Figures 8a to 8e the configuration of a slider driving member which transfers the movement of the push-button directly to the slider is shown in an embodiment according to Figure 2. In this Figure 8a shows the view of the slider driving member according to Figure 3, that is the side facing the sliders, Figure 8b the lateral view according to Figure 8a, Figure 8c the rear view according to Figure 8a, Figure 8d 6 the cross-section AB according to Figure 8a and Figure 8e the cross section CD according to Figure 8a. The slider driving member 2 is essentially provided with a front plate 210 which extends parallel to the front plate 200 of the push-buttons and which on its lateral end portions in each case forms a receiving sleeve 212, 213 respectively for the compression springs 21 (see Figure 2), wherein with respect to the central axis of the front plate 210, these receiving sleeves are configured offset to one another, and project in the direction of movement of the push-button 20. On the ends of the projecting sleeves 212, 213 guide wedge surfaces 216, 217 are formed which are in effective contact with the wedge surfaces 52, 62 of the slider 5. The inclined surfaces or guide wedge surfaces 216, 217 are at a distance from the central axis m of the slider driving member 2 corresponding to the distances of the wedge surfaces 52, 62 of the slider 5, 6 from the plunger axis X, wherein the plunger axis X and the central axis m of the slider driving member 2 are parallel to each other in the housing 1. Also in the front plate 210 of the slider driving member 2 a bore 211 is formed on the central axis for insertion of the fixing screw 13.

On the lateral ends of the front plate 210 lateral guide grooves 218, 219 are provided for guiding in the housing 1 of the switch.

The push-button 20 is also provided with lateral guide pins 208, 209 (see, for example, Figure 7c) for guiding in the housing.

The function of the co-operation of the lock according to the invention with sliders and push-button is shown schematically in an outline manner in Figure 4 and will be described hereafter.

A) As soon as the locked position a of the locking wheel 11 is obtained by rotating the locking wheel 11 by means of the knob 30 and the switching shaft 10, the plunger 3, which is mechanically fixed in the slide 5, drops into this area a due to the spring force of the spring 7 and prevents the rotation of the switching shaft 10.

B) If in this case it is necessary to secure the switch against a further operation, the push-button 20 can be locked by means of a padlock in the normal position, that is to say not pressed. For this purpose an aperture 17 is located in the housing portion 1c of the housing and an aperture 205 in the push-button 20, and the padlock can be inserted through these two apertures.

7 C) The plunger 4 is moveably mounted in the slider 6 and force is applied to it by the plunger spring 9. If a change in the switch position is now necessary, the push-button 20 is operated against the spring effect of the spring 21, that is to say it is pressed, and by means of the guide wedge surface 216 of the slider driving member 2 and the wedge surface 52 of the slider 5, the slider 5 with the plunger 3 moves against the force of the spring 7 so that the plunger 3 releases the locked position a of the locking wheel 11. At the same time, by means of the guide wedge surface 217 of the slider driving member 2 and the wedge surface 62 of the slider 6, the slider 6 is pressed in the direction of the locking wheel 12, wherein the plunger spring 9 presses the plunger 4 against the locking wheel 12. In this way the locking of the switching position a is released.

D) In the locking wheel 12 there are also locking regions a, b, c configured as locking positions, which are not shown. If rotation of the switch now takes place when the push-button 20 is pressed, by means of the knob 30, in the direction of the next locking position, upon reaching it, the plunger 4 now latches, constrained by the pretensioned plunger spring 9, into the locking region b of the locking wheel 12 and prevents the further rotation of the switching shaft 10.

E) If it is necessary in this case to secure the switch against a further operation in this locked position, the push-button 20 in the pressed position can be locked by means of a padlock. For this purpose the padlock can be inserted through the aperture 17 of the housing 1c on the front plate 200 of the pressed push-button 2 (see Figure 4).

F) With the lock and push-button configured according to the invention the following may be carried out:

If the off-position of the switch is locked when the push button is in the non-pressed position, in order to switch to the next position or next region the push-button 20 has to be pressed (see procedure described at C)).

After releasing the push-button 20 in the desired switching position it is now possible to lock the push-button by means of a padlock (see procedure described at B)). The switching position or the switching region is locked against further switching from the offposition. Because of the actual construction of the particular 8 configuration of the locking wheels 11 and 12 and the dual action by _W the plungers 3 and 4 and the mounting of the sliders 5 and 6 and the arrangement of the springs 7 and 8 and plunger spring 9, it is however i- possible to switch the switch in the off-position despite locking of the push-button 20 in the housing 1 by means of the padlock through the apertures 17 respectively 205, 206.

If the off-position is then reached, the plunger 3, constrained by the drive of the spring 7 on the slider 5, is pressed into the locking recess a of the locking wheel 11 and the switch is locked in the off-position. Further switching is now possible only when the padlock is removed and the push-button pushed again.

The procedure previously described in F) can also be carried out when the push-button 20 is replaced by a cylinder lock and the action thereof.

The push-button lock according to the invention thus does not allow further switching into any desired position after pressing the pushbutton, but always only to the next position, wherein this can also be a region. To further switch from this region the push-button must be released again. Moreover, the push-button lock can be equipped with an additional locking action by means of a padlock when the pushbutton is not pressed or when the push-button is pressed. In the normal position the push-button is thus lockable by means of a padlock.

4 1 - 9

Claims

- CLAIMS

W A m anually- operated switch comprising a switching shaf t and a locking mechanism for the switching shaft, which locking mechanism is operated by means of a lock actuator, whereby, in order to switch from a locked position into a next position by rotating the switching shaft, the lock actuator must be operated at the same time, the locking mechanism being configured with a step-wise and selectable locking action in such a manner that further switching of the switching shaft when the lock actuator is actuated is possible only to the next position, and further switching from this position to the next position can only be carried out by releasing the lock actuator and actuating it again.
2. A switch according to claim 1, wherein additional locking actions are provided by means of a padlock which locks the positions of the actuator when the actuator is actuated and when the actuator is not actuated.
3. A switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switching shaft is provided with two locking wheels, each locking wheel having recesses about its perimeter defining locking positions and being associated with a moveable latching element for latching, under the influence of the force of a spring, in the recesses of the respective locking wheel, the latching elements being in effective contact with the lock actuator so that their movement can be triggered as a result of actuation of the lock actuator.
4. A switch according to claim 3, wherein the latching elements include a plunger mounted in a slider, the plunger being mechanically fixed in the slider for one of the latching elements and the plunger being moveably mounted in the slider under the influence of a plunger spring for the other latching element.
5. A switch according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein one of the latching elements can be driven in the direction of the locking wheel under the influence of a spring and the other locking element can be driven in the opposite direction thereto under the influence of a spring.
6. A switch according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each slider is provided with a slider arm projecting laterally with respect to the direction of movement of the plunger, which forms a receiving chamber for the springs and a wedge surface as an operating surface for the driving of the slider when the lock actuator is actuated.
7. A switch according to claim 6, wherein the latching elements are arranged adjacently and parallel to the direction of movement of the plunger perpendicularly with respect to the axis of the switching shaft, wherein the slider arms of the slider project from opposite sides of the slider, and viewed from the side the wedge surfaces are arranged inclined with respect to one another forming an open angle.
8. A switch according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the lock actuator is moveable against the force of spring means parallel to the axis of the switching shaft.
9. A switch according to one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the lock actuator comprises a slider driving member, which is provided with guide wedge surfaces in an arrangement supplementary to the arrangement of wedge surfaces of the slider, for producing the operative interaction with the wedge surfaces of the slider when the lock actutor is actuated.
10. A switch according to claim 9, wherein the slider driving member is provided with a front plate, on each of the lateral areas of which a receiving chamber for the compression springs which operate on the actuator one of the two guiding wedge surfaces are formed, which, W viewed from the side, are arranged at a distance apart one behind the other and are inclined towards each other in such a manner that they 35 form a V-shape.
11 11. A switch according to one of the preceding claims wherein the locking wheels are arranged and fixed adjacently and coaxially on the switching shaft.
12. A swtich according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lock actuator is a push button.
13. A switch according to one of claim 12, wherein the push-button is provided with apertures which are perpendicular with respect to its 10 direction of movement for insertion of a padlock.
14. A switch according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lock actuator is a cylinder lock.
15. A switch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.