US2259304A - Push button switch - Google Patents

Description

' oca. 14, 1941. w. MQFOSTER 2,259,304"

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH original Filed Feb. :5, 1938 v/Mam /Z f'aser INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 14, 1941 PUSH BUTTON SWITCH William M. Foster, Bronson, Mich., assignor to H. A. Douglas Mfg. Co., Bronson, Mich.,'a corporation of Michigan i Continuation of application SerialNo. 188,445,

February 3, 1931i.v This application March 10, 1941, Serial No. 382,612

(Cl. Zilli-159) 13 claims.

This invention relates generally to switches, and particularly to a switch that is operable by a reciprocating member, and preferably adapted for use in connection with automotive vehicles mounting such'as the instrument panel of an automotive vehicle. The panel is provided with a circular aperture 2 through which the switch is adapted to be inserted from the front side of the panel. The switch may be heldin relation to the panel by the locking means generally designated 3, the'details of which will'be described'` for closing a circuit to start the motor. 5 later.

This application is a continuation of applica- 'I'he switch, in general, includes a cylindrical tion Serial No. 188,445, filed February 3, 1938. tubular metal casing I, a pair Voffplugconductor -One principal object of the invention is to `terminal receiving means generally designated5 design and construct a switch that may be ecoand 6 which are secured to` a switch back nl., nomically manufactured, and assembled on a l The switch among other thingsincludes ark pair commercial scale. of elongated outstanding spring'- contact fingers Another object is to provide a pair of elongated 8 and 9, which are permanently securedV to the spring contacts secured to a switch back, an contact means and 6, aswell as,r to the 4switch insulator secured to the back and extending beback .7. A bridge member III isadapted to be tween the contacts, and a bridge member receivmoved into effective electrical engagement with ing part of the insulator rwhereby to assist in the spring contacts 8 and 9 througlfthe agency guiding the bridge member into elective elecof a push button I I, and a helical springIZ withl trical engagement with'sa'id contacts. A in the casingis adapted tonormallymaintainthe v Another object of the invention is toprovide' bridge `member Ill out of electrical engagement Y van arrangement setfo'rth in the preceding para- 2 01with"said contacts. In other words. the spring graph, and including a washer of insulating ma- I2 `normallynmaintains the pushj button II in an terial and a spring for urging the Washer in a extended position, and automatically returnssaid Vdirection to lhold the insulator in relation to the button to said position subsequent t0 each inswitch back and the bridge member normally stroke thereof, t out of engagement with said contacts. YSaid The forward end extremity I3 of the casing 4 is washer also serves to prevent any possible short provided with an opening, and theltubular por lcircuit that might'otherwise occur between the l tion I4 of an outer flange I5 projects through spring and the base portions of said contacts. said opening, and the integral radial portion I6' AA further object is to provide improved bridge 0f the flange iS adapted t0 DrOieCtj Within the means which is adapted to electrically engage the Casing ,and engage the extremity |13. A bushing contacts carried by the switch back. I l is arranged between the lflange l5 and extrem- Many other objects and advantagesof the inity I3, as Clearly ShOWn in Figure 2l Obviously. vention will be obvious to those skilled in the art the bushing Il lS DI'OVlCled Wllfh an Opening 0f after reading the description hereinafter set forth f 'Substantially the same diameter as the opening in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto. in the extremity |3 0f the SWlDCh Casing in Order In the accompanying drawing: that the tubular portion I4 of the flange I5 may Figure 1 is an enlarged view in elevation, partly pIOjeCt therethrOUgh- The bushing iS of a diamin section, of the switch as applied to a mounting eter 0r Size whereby the Same llS snugly Within such as an instrument panel, and including a the aperture 2 DIOVlded ln lhefpanel, and said plug conductor terminal; 40 bushing is preferably tapered as indicated at I8, Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on in Order t0 aSSiSt in piloting the SWiCh into POS- line 2-2 of Figure 1, with the terminal shown tlOrl-v In Order that the flange I5 will bear uniin Figure 1 omitted; formly against the front face of the panel I. the Figure 3 is a bottom view of the switch with flange is provided With an inturned portion |9- the terminal omitted; and The push button I I may be of any desirable Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view .taken design and COIlSlSrUCed Of any Suitable material, substantially on line 4--4A ofv Figure 2, clearly but as here shownY it is preferably constructed showing certain details, and particularly the 0f metal, pressed into the form shown, which inmanner in which the elongatedspring contacts cludes an outwardly extending tubular cylindriand the plug conductor receiving means are se- Cal extremity 20. and an enlarged tubular cylincured together and to the switch back. drical extremity 2| of a greater diameter than Referring to the drawing; I represents a 20. These extremities are joined together by a shoulder 22. The extremities 20 and 2I of the button are'thus properly guided by the tubular portion I4 of the llange I5. and thr` casing 4 9 respectively, and outward movement of the push button is predetermined, by the shoulder engaging the radial portion I6 of said flange.

A bridge carrier 23 in the form of a disc of insulating material is mounted Awithin the ex,-

' tremity 2| of the push button and normally engages the shoulder-22m `force the bi'lttcmoiit-l wardlythroughi the agency of spring |2, and l also guide the bridge into relation with the contacts. 'I'he bridge member l0 is secured Within a central opening provided therefor in the bridge carrier. Said bridge member is preferably tubular inform, and the extremities Ithereof extend. Its lower beyond the plane of the carrier 23. extremity is flared as indicated at 24 in Vorder to properly receive the spring contacts 8 and 9.

Thel switch back 'l is made of a suitable insulating-material, and is provided with a plurality of peripheral notches 25 preferably four in number, and the flat base2|i of the locking means 3 is also preferablyprovided with four peripheral notches, w ch cooperate with notches 25.- The casing I4 'plurality of fingers 21 which projectjhl'Qu'gh thesefr-iotche's, and are clinched over against "ithe' lower'fa'ce of the switch back, as

position with respect to the switch back, and are mechanically and electrically connected to the base 40 of each of the spring contacts 8 and 9.

'The base portion 26 of the locking meane 3 is preferably provided with a relatively large substantially rectangular aperture. 4|- in order that the base will not engage said contacts to eiectuate a short circuit.

As most clearly shown in Figure 1, the switch back is provided with a pair of spaced apart apertures 42, which receive the legs 43 of an elongated insulator 44. The lower extremity of the insulator is preferably of a size whereby a portion thereof projects above the plane of the base -26 of the locking means 3, and as clearly shown in Figures 2 and-.4j extends upwardly between the spring contact members 8 and '9, with its upper extremity normally locatedwithin the tubular bridge member I0. The insulator is of a width to prevent the contacts 8 and 9 from engaging each other, and the upper extremity of the inclealrzseown-'inFigures rand. 3- The, base 261" of th locking`means'3is vthus held between the 'switch c'asing and the switch back. .-notedfthat the diameter of the switch n ist@ e han he diameter of the bushing i8'.

allyv .designated '5 and 6 is preferably roi/"ide substantially two channel' por-A b' iarbgdy fsutstanpiaiiy rectanguiar in Eacmbedyhasshoulders 30., and

plug conductor j teiminal of the vsnap Y Figure 1." A d `=.te'n i{ meansV 32 is slidablyy `arranged` withinl each body in abutting relation t9' the shoulders One end of4 each-detent,means is.preierably provided withia struck out pottion 33 which is, adapted to l:9110i ect ,into t-hxt reduced r emity 3|, and, cooperatewith the efplugm'f conductor 'terminal receiving r'omfa strip o f` sheet metal which" V` receivingfaperture formed vby the sulator functions to pilot the bridge member into 44 in an erect position between the contacts, a

, disc of insulating material 46 is preferably logroove 'formed-in the terminal,l A, helical spring` 34 is, arranged ineach body,with, one end engage` 'inghQ-SWltch backand the vother endreceived L by the-detent -means 32 whereby to normally maintaineach detent in the position shown.

Eachof the terminal receiving means 5 and 8 may besecured in any suitable manner to the switch-bacini. but Iashere shown, the channel portion 2 .8 of each contact means is provided witl;1' a,conti nuation-35 that yis adapted to project into a ,hole provided vthereforin the switch back as clearly shown in Figure 2.-v Each of the channelportions 28and 29 `has an outwardly extending -foot- 36 that isv adapted .tobear 4against the outer. face'of the switch back, and each of the channel portions 29 has an additional foot 31 that engagessaidsurface, all of which is clearly shown in Figures 11, 2,- and-3. Each of the channel portions 28 and 29j. is further provided with an elongated integral projection 38, which extends throughY an Aaperture provided therefor in the switch back and through a notch 39, provided in the base 40 of each of the spring contacts 8 and 9, and is clinched over upon said base. It is to be noted that each body has three feet extend-- ing outwardly from three sides thereof at desirable points. By this arrangement, the receiving means 5 and B are rmly anchored in an erect cated within'the casing, and the enlarged helical spring I2 is adapted to force the disc 46 against that portion of the lower extremity of the actuator. that projects above the base 26`of the lockingV means;

41,'provided in the disc.

Any suitable locking means may be whereby to hold the switch in relation to the instrument panel, but as here shown, the locking'means 3 is preferably constructed as shown,

andis comprised of the base 26, and a pair .of ntegra] resilient arms .48, which are providedwth camv portions 49, that cooperate with the arrises 5 0 of the notches 5| lformed in the panel to prevent rotation of the switch. By this arrangement, the arms 48, are pressed toward the switch casing when the switch is being inserted into the aperture ,2 of the instrument panel, and when it is moved to a position whereby the ange |5 engages the outer face of the instrument panel, th'e spring arms snap outwardly to the position most clearly shown in Figure 1, and hold the switch in place. A

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting. myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and .combination of parts, herein shown anddescribed. Moreover, it is to be understood that the term switch back is not only directed to a contact carrier which closes off the .open end of a switch casing, but also applies to any form of contact carrier. In order to make this perfectly clear the open end of the switch casing may be closed by a metal closure member and the closure member may be provided with an aperture of a size to receive a piece of insulation to which is secured contacts adapted to be engaged by a bridge means associated with the switching mechanism.

The spring'contacts`- 8 and 9, invcluding the insulator. project through an opening employed I claim:

1. A switch back, contacts securedto `and extending from said back, an upstanding insulator and beyond the free ends of said resilient .por-

tions, a push button carried by the forward ex'- tremity of said casing, a bridge carrier mounted l within said push button, a bridge member carried by said bridge carrier, a washer of insulating material arranged in the opposite extremity of said casing, a spring abutting said bridge carrier and said washer whereby to normally maintain said push button in'an extended position with said bridge member normally out of engagement with said resilient portions and functioning to hold said insulator in relation to said contact carrier.

3. A switch back provided with a plurality of spacedapart contacts, apertures provided in said switch back, an upstanding insulator mounted on said back between said contacts and provided with portions cooperating with said apertures, a substantially flat insulator engaging said upstandlng insulator, and means including a spring engaging said at insulator whereby to press and hold said upstanding insulator in relation to said switch back.

4. A contact carrier for a switch provided with a plurality of spaced apart contacts, an upstand ing insulator loosely mounted on said mounting carrier between said contacts, a` substantially flat insulator engaging said upstanding insulator and means including a spring for pressing and hold` ing said upstanding insulator in relation to said carrier.

5. A switch including in combination, a casing, a carrier of insulating material secured to said casing, contact means adapted to have conductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided with` spaced apart resilient portions projecting into said casing, an insulator loosely mounted on said carrier and extending between and beyond the free ends of said resilient portions, a push button carried by the forward extremity of said casing, a bridge carrier mounted on said push button, a bridge member carried by said bridge carrier and receiving a portion of said insulator, and a spring abutting said bridge carrier and arranged to normally maintain said push button in an extended position with said bridge member normally out of engagement with said resilient portions and also functioning to hold said insulator in relation to said contact carrier.

6. A switch including in combination, a casing, a carrier ofinsulating material secured to said casing, contact means adapted to have conductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided with spaced apart resilient portions projecting into said casing, an insulator loosely mounted on said carrier and extending between and beyond the free ends of said resilient pori tions, a bridge carrier arranged in said casing, a

bridge member mounted on said bridge carrier and receiving a portion of said insulator, and a spring arranged within said casing functioning to normally maintain said bridge member out of engagement with said resilient portions and to hold said insulator in relation to said contact carrier.

7. A switch `including in combination, a casing,

a carrier of insulating materiall secured to said casing, contact means adapted to have conductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided with spaced apart resilient portions `projecting into said casing,an insulatorv loosely mounted on said carrier. andrextend'ing Vbetween and beyond the ,freeends of said resilientporl tions, a push `button `carried by the,` f orwardrextremity ofsaid casing. a bridgecarriermounted onl said push button, a bridge membencarr-ied-by said bridge carrier, a compressed spring abuttingsaid bridge carrier whereby to `normallymaintain said push button in an extended position with said bridgernember 4normally out o'fA engagement withsaid resilient'portions and functioning to hold saiduinsulator in relation to said .contact I carrier. j 8. A switch including incom button in an extended position with said bridge member in a predetermined position with respect to said contact portions and hold said insulator in relation to said contact carrier. l

9. A switch including in combination, a casing a carrier of insulating material secured to said casing, contact means adapted to have conductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided with spaced apart resilient portions pro--` jecting into said casing, an insulator mounted on said carrier and extending between and beyond the free ends of said resilient portions, a push button carried by the forward extremity of said casing, a bridge-carrier mounted on said push button, a tubular bridge member carried by said bridge carrier and receiving a portion of said insulator, and a spring abutting said bridge carrier and arranged to normally maintain said push button in an extended postion with said bridge member normally out of engagement with said resilient portions.

l0. A switch including in combination, a casing, a` carrier of insulating material secured to said casing, contact means adapted to have conductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided with spaced apart resilient portions projecting into said casing, an insulator loosely mounted on said carrier and extending between and beyond the free ends of said resilient portions, a bridge carrier arranged in said casing, a tubular bridge member mounted on saidbridge carrier and receiving a portion of said insulator, and a spring arranged within said casing functioning to normally maintain said bridge member in a predetermined relatio'n with respect to said resilient portions and hold said insulator in relation to said contact carrier.

11. An electric switch including, a tubular casing, a carrier carrying contacts secured toone v brnuon a casing] a carrier of insulating material secured to said end of said casing, insulating means arranged in said casing over said contacts, operating means supporting a carrier carrying a tubular bridge member', said carrier being arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the casing to position the axis of the bridge member in alignment with said longitudinal axis, and resilient means engaging said insulating means to prevent electrical engagement between said resilient means and said contacts.

12. An electric switch including, a tubular casing, a carrier carrying contacts secured to one end of said casing, insluating means arranged in said casing over said contacts, operating means supporting a carrier carrying a tubular bridge member, said carrier being arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the casing to position the axis oi the bridge member in alignment with said longitudinal axis, and resilient means engaging said insulating means to prevent electrical engagement between said resilient means and said contacts, said resilient means also acting to press said operating means outwardly to predetermine the position of the bridge with respect to said contacts.

13. A mounting plate, a tubular casing secured to said plate with a portion of the plate extending into the casing to provide an abutment, a carrier carrying contacts secured to one end of said casing, insulating means arranged in said casing over said contacts, operating means projecting through the other end of said casing, said operating means having an enlargement supporting a carrier carryinga tubular bridge member, said carrier being arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis of the casing to position the axis of the bridge member in alignment with said longitudinal axis, and resilient means engaging said insulating means to prevent electrical engagement between said resilient ymeans and said contacts, said resilient means also functioning to press said operating means outwardly whereby the enlargement thereof engages the abutment from that part of the mounting plate disposed in the casing to predetermine the position of the bridge with respect to said contacts.

' WILLIAM M. FOSTER.

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