US1768513A

US1768513A - Horn button

Info

Publication number: US1768513A
Application number: US229670A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry M Denyes
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1927-10-29
Filing date: 1927-10-29
Publication date: 1930-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 1947-06-24

Description

June 24, 1930. DENYES 1,768,513

HORN BUTTON Filed Oc t. 29, 1927 14 m, a r I 2;?

Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY M. DENYES, OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS CORPO- RATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HORN BUTTON.

Application filed October 29, 1927. Serial No. 229,670.

This invention relates to an electric switch and more particularly a switch of the push button type for use on the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle.

6 It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved switch mechanism for a steering wheel which is simple in construction and comprises a minimum number of parts. It is a further object of the invention to provide a switch mechanism in which the parts are held firmly in position so that no rattle will occur.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and appended claims In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a steering wheel with parts broken away showing in section my improved switch mechanism mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is an ex loded view of the principal parts of the switch mechanism.

In the drawing I have illustrated a portion of a tubular steering shaft 10 at the upper end of which is mounted the steering wheel 12 provided on its upper side with a recess 13. The steering wheel 12 is held on the shaft 10 by means of a nut 14 threaded onto the shaft 10 and bearing against a washer 15 on the bottom of the recess 13.

Supported on the nut 14 is the switch mechanism comprising an insulating plug 16 provided with an outer frusto-conical surface.

The plug 16 has a small central opening extending axially of the steering wheel and is annularly recessed on its upper and lower sides as illustrated. The plug is partially covered by a grounding cap 18 provided on its lower edge with tabs 19 which are turned inward for holding the cap 18 on the insulating plug, the tabs 19 contacting with the upper surface of the nut 14. The cap 18 fits the outer surface of plug 16 and is formed with its upper part spaced from the upper part of the insulating plug by means of a spacing washer 20 and extended radially inward above the spacing washer 20 and provided with a central aperture 21. The washer 20 is of any usual insulating material.

Extending through the central opening in the insulting plug is a hollow metallic nipple 22, the upper end of which is spread outward and securely held'in place between the upper side of the insulating plug and a metallic disc 28 pressed downward by the insulating washer 20. A small aperture 26 is provided in the side of the nipple 22 for admittance of a drop of solder for fixing the upper stripped end of an insulated wire 24 firmly within the nipple. The insulating plug and associated parts are held firmly on the nut 14 by means of a cover plate 32 which is countersunk into the upper portion of the recess 13 where it is held in place by screws 34 extending therethrough and into the steering wheel.

The cover plate 32 is formed with a central opening surrounded by an upwardly extending annular flange 36. From the central opening downward the inner surface of the cover plate 32 is inclined outward, providing a frusto-conical surface fitting snugly over the similarly shaped outer surface of the cap 18 surrounding the insulating plug 16.

Arranged over the central opening is the depressible switch member which comprises a button 40 molded from any suitable material and provided with an outer downward extending flange 42 on the outside of the flange 36 of the cover plate 32. The button has a shank which comprises a central hollow metallic stem 44 extending downward through the central aperture 21 in the cover sheet 18 and a surrounding metallic spacing washer 46. The stem 44 is spread outward at its lower end to hold the washer 46 thereon for contacting with the under side of the grounding cap 18 and for preventing removal of the button and its stem 44 and spacing washer 46. A compressed coil spring 48 surrounds the stem between the button 40 and the cap 18 and constantly urges the button upward.

With this construction it is noted that the lower end of the stem 44 and the spacing washer 46 is normally held spaced from the contact disk 28 by the coil spring 48, and said contact disc 28 forming the terminal of wire 24 is insulated from contact with the metallic parts of the vehicle. When button 40 is pressed downward, until the lower end of the spacing washer 46 is forced into contact with the metallic disk 28, an electrical connection is established through the spacing washer 46 and cap 18 with the nut 14 and steering shaft- 10 and hence the metallic frame work of the car. The circuit is thus grounded and the signal caused to operate. lVhen the pressure on the button is released, the spring 48 causes the button to return to its raised position, thus disconnecting the circuit.

I claim:

1. In combination, a steering wheel, an insulating base on said wheel, a horn wire contact on said base, a conductor shell enveloping said base, a contact button held in place by said shell, and a plate clamping said shell to said wheel.

2. In combination, a steering wheel, an insulating base on said wheel, a horn wire contact on said base, a conductor shell enveloping said base, a button having a contact shank extending through said shell and retaining said button thereon, a spring between said shell and said button and a cover plate encircling said shell and secured to said wheel.

3. In combination, a steering column, a wheel secured at the upper end of said column, an insulating base on said column, a terminal contact in said base, a conductor shell enclosing said base and contacting with said column, a contact button resiliently supported on said shell and a cover plate around said shell and secured to said Wheel and clamping said shell and base on the upper end of said column.

4. A horn button assembly for a steering wheel or the like comprising an insulating base, a horn wire contact on said base, an enveloping conductor shell clamped over said base, and a button carried by said shell and dcpressihle therethrough against said horn wire contact.

In testimony whereoi I afiix my signature.

HARRY M. DENYES.