US3185787A

US3185787A - Toggle mechanism employing elastic actuating means between opposed sockets

Info

Publication number: US3185787A
Application number: US283786A
Authority: US
Inventors: Deibel Charles; Jr Joseph Evanicsko
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-28
Filing date: 1963-05-28
Publication date: 1965-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-25

Description

May 25, 1965 Filed May 28, 1965 c. DEIBEL ETAL 3,185,787 TOGGLE MECHANISM EMPLOYING ELASTIC AGTUATING MEANS BETWEEN OPPOSED SOCKETS 3 Shets-Sheet 1 \v lgvyzzNToRs aux/ass 02/554 BY J 055' Pg EVAN/CS/(d, Jl?

y 25, I c DEIBEL ETAL 3,185,787

TOGGLE MECHANISM EMFLOYING ELASTIC ACTUATING MEANS BETWEEN OPPOSED SOCKETS Filed May 28, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 F76. 4/1 1 76. 45 F76. 4 C

INVENTORS y 25, 1965 c. DEIBEL ETAL 3,185,787

TOGGLE MECHANISM EMPLOYING ELASTIC ACTUATING MEANS BETWEEN OPPOSED SOCKETS Filed May 28, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M4 w /ag M0) 2 /42 //Z0 v A y I N VEN TORS United States Patent 3,185,787 TOGGLE MECHANISM EMPLOYING ELASTIC ACTUATING MEANS BETWEEN OPPOSED SOCKETS Charles Deibel, 414 N. 3rd St., and Joseph Evanicsko, Jiu, Spanish Villa, RD. 2, both of Jeannette, Pa. Filed May 28, 1963, Ser. No. 283,786 14 Claims. (Cl. 200--68) This invention relates to a toggle mechanism, and more particularly to a toggle mechanism having a novel action which permits a member to occupy two or more positions within or adjacent to a stationary member.

The present toggle mechanism finds particular utility when employed in a multiple-position electrical switch. However, the present toggle mechanism has equal utility as the operating means of other mechanisms such as valve positioners and the like.

According to the present invention a toggle mechanism is provided comprising a stationary member, a movable member and a novel elastic actuating means extending therebetween and which serves the unique and twofold purpose of being the source of self-actuating force for the movable member when the elastic actuating means is in an unstable compressed condition and the means by which the movable member is positioned with respect to the stationary member.

The members of the present toggle mechanism have surfaces, one each, which are disposed in close adjacent relation to one another. Each of the surfaces is provided with a plurality of arcuate sockets formed therein in side-by-side, intersecting relation. By presenting each of the sockets of the movable member in direct opposition with each socket of the stationary member, a plurality of cavities may be formed. As will be more fully described later in this specification, certain of these cavities define positions of the movable member with respect to the stationary member. The elastic actuating means is positioned within one cavity formed by a selected pair of directly opposite arcuate sockets and hence, serves to maintain the movable member in the position defined by each selected pair of directly opposite sockets.

Cooperating means also is provided for sequentially compressing the elastic actuating means into an unstabled compressed condition and expanding the elastic actuating means into its normally relaxed condition while the movable member is moved from a first position to a second position; and for moving the elastic actuating means into the next adjacent cavity which defines the second position. The cooperating means comprise edge portions, one each from each of the members, which are engaged with the elastic actuating means on opposed sides thereof. Each time the movable member is moved from one position to the next adjacent position, it is initially opposed by the compression of the elastic actuating means and thereafter is aided by the expansion of the elastic actuating means.

The elastic actuating means preferably comprises a disc of elastic material such as rubber. Hence, it should be evident that the present toggle mechanism is relatively silent in opera-tion. Furthermore, the cooperating means and the sockets are so constructed whereby the elastic actuating means rolls from one cavity to the next, thereby reducing the friction losses of the system to a minimum. Still further, because of the low frictional losses the present toggle mechanism possesses an inherently long operating life. Accordingly, the primary objects of the present invention include:

To provide a toggle mechanism which is relatively silent in operation;

To provide a toggle mechanism which is simple in construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture;

and within the circular opening 32.

3,185,787 Patented May 25, 1965 ice To provide a toggle mechanism having a novel elastic actuating means serving as a source of self-actuating force while in an unstabled compressed condition;

To provide a toggle mechanism having a novel elastic actuating means which serves as a positioner for the movable body of said toggle mechanism;

To provide a toggle mechanism having an inherently long operating life;

To provide a toggle mechanism having a novel elastic actuating means which pivots simultaneously about two opposed points thereby reducing the friction losses of the system to that associated with rolling surfaces;

To provide a toggle mechanism which is adaptable to a completely non-metallic construction; and

To provide a toggle mechanism which is especially adaptable for use as a multiple-position electrical switch.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the present toggle mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view illustrating the component parts of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the geometric construction of the arcuate sockets employed in the present toggle mechanism;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are views of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 with one side plate removed, illustrating the operation of the present toggle mechanism and its use as a two-position electrical switch;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are crosssectional views illustrating alternative embodiments of the present toggle mechanism; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are isometric views illustrating alternative embodiments of an elastic actuating means of the present invention.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 1 wherein one embodiment of the toggle mechanism of the present invention is illustrated and generally designated by the numeral =10. The toggle mechanism 10 comprises a movable member 12 contained within a stationary member 14. The movable member 12 is pivotally supported on the stationary member 14 for rotation about an axis indicated by the dash-dot line numbered 16. In this embodiment the movable member 12, when acted upon by an external force, will pivot about the axis 16 through an arc indicated by the dashed line marked 18 from a first position indicated by an extension line 20 to a second position indicated by another extension line 22. The movable member 12 is normally at rest at either of the

positions

20 or 22.

In FIG. 2, the toggle mechanism 10 has been illustrated in an exploded view in order to illustrate the component parts of this embodiment. As can be seen, the movable member 12 comprises a cylindrical body 24 having a handle or actuator 26 extending from the peripheiy thereof. Stub shafts 28 extend from either side of the cylindrical body 24 and are positioned centrally thereof. The central axis of the stub shafts 28 comprises the axis 16. It should be evident that the stub shafts 28 instead could comprise a single extrinsic shaft.

The stationary member 14 comprises an intermediate member 30 having a circular opening 32 provided therein and

side plates

34, 36 each having a central bore 38 adapted to receive one of the stub shafts 28 of the movable member 12. Fasteners 40 (only three shown) serve to secure the

side plates

34, 36 to the intermediate member 36 with the movable member 12 retained therebetween The toggle mechanism 10 also includes a novel actuating mechanism 52 which serves to position the movable member 12 in either of the positions Eti, 22 (see FIG. 1). The actuating mechanism 42 comprises an elastic actuating means a pair of

arcuate sockets

46, 48 formed in side-by-side, intersecting relation in a peripheral surface 50 of the movable member 12; and a pair of corresponding

arcuate sockets

52, 54 formed in side-byside, intersecting relation in a peripheral surface 56 of the intermediate member 31). As will be more fully described later in the specification, the elastic actuating means 44 is adapted to reside Within selected pairs of directly opposite arcuate sockets and thereby maintain the movable member 12 in either of the positions 21 22 of FIG. 1. As for example, when the movable member 12 is in the position 20, the elastic actuating means 44 will reside in the arcuate sockets 4S and 52. When the movable member 12 is in the position 22, the elastic actuating means 44 will reside in the

arcuate sockets

46 and 54. However, at points intermediate the

positions

20 and 22, the movable member 12 is either opposed or aided during its pivotal movement as will hereinafter be described.

The preferred geometric construction and the interrelations of the component parts of the actuating mechanism 4 2 will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. As hereinbefore stated, the arcuate sockets d6, 48 of the movable member 12 are formed in side-by-side intersecting relation. The

sockets

46, 48 preferably are semicircular in shape and each has a center 58, 6t respectively. The

centers

58, 60 preferably are positioned along a common circumference indicated by the dasheddot line 62. Alternatively, the

centers

58, 60 could be positioned on either of the

surfaces

50, 56 or anywhere in between. The important point is that they preferably lie on a common circumference. At the intersection of the

sockets

46, 48, there is formed an edge or pip 64 which is inboard of the peripheral surface 50 (see dotted line) of the movable member 12.

The arcuate sockets 52, 54- of the stationary member 14 are formed in side-by-side, intersecting relation. Each of the

sockets

52, 54 is circular in shape. The socket $4 and the socket 46 have the common center indicated at 53 while the

sockets

48 and 52 have the common center 60. At the intersection of the

arcuate sockets

52, 54, there is formed an edge or pip 66 which is inboard of the peripheral surface 56 (see dotted line) of the stationary member 1'4.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the

arcuate sockets

46, 54 comprise a selected pair of directly opposite arcuate sockets 68 which form a cavity 'Ftl having a center 58 within which th elastic actuating means 44 (not shown) will reside to maintain the stationary member 12 in the position 22. When the movable member 12 has been pivoted to position 29, the socket 48 will be moved to the position indicated in phantom outline at 48'. The sockets 4'3 and 52 comprise a second selected pair of directly opposite arcuate sockets '72 which form a cavity 74 having a center 66 within which the elastic actuating means 44 (not shown) will reside to maintain the movable member 12 in the position 21 The arcuate sockets are so constructed and arranged whereby an imaginary line (indicated by the dotted line 76), drawn between the outboard ends of the

pips

64, 66 also will pass through the center 58. Similarly, when the movable member 12 is rotated so that the socket 4S occupies the phantom line position 48', the imaginary line, indicated by the dotted line 7 6', will extend between the outboard ends of the pips 6d, d and also will pass through the center so. Hence, the imaginary lines '76 and 76' comprise a diameter of the cavities 7t) and 74, respectively. Furthermore, when the elastic actuating means 44 resides in either of the cavities '71) or 74, the imaginary lines '76 and '76 also will comprise a diameter of the elastic actuating means 44. This con struction provides a number of advantages for the operation of the actuating mechanism 42 which now will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B and 4C.

in FriG. 4A, the movable member 12 is disposed in the position 22. The elastic actuating means 14 resides within the cavity '79 for-med by the selected pair of directly opposite arcuate sockets 68 and is in a stable, normally relaxed condition. The elastic actuating means 44 preferably comprises a circular disc of elastic material, such as rubber, having a center '78 which is coincident with the center 58 (see FIG. 3) of the cavity 70.

In FIG. 4C, the movable member 12 is disposed in the position 20. The elastic actuating means 44 resides within the cavity '74 formed by the second pair of directly opposite arcuate sockets 72 and is in a stable, normally relaxed condition. The center 78 of the elastic actuating means 44 is coincident with the center 60 of the cavity 74.

In FIG. 4B, the movable member 12 is shown disposed at a dead-center position, i.e., midway between the

positions

20 and 22. As can be seen, the elastic actuating means 44 is compressed between the

opposed pips

64, 66. Since the

pips

64, 66 are in direct opposition with one another, the elastic actuating means 44 is com-pressed to its fullest extent and is therefore in an extremely unstable condition. That is to say, the elastic actuating means 44 now has the maximum amount of energy stored within it and consequently has the maximum potential to assume once again its stable, normally relaxed condition at either of the

positions

20, 22.

Assuming now that the movable member 12 is to be rotated clockwise from the position 22 illustrated in FIG. 4A, through the dead-center position illustrated in FIG. 4B and to the position 20 illustrated in FIG. 4C. When the movable member 12 begins its clockwise rotation, the

pips

64, 66 will engage the elastic actuating means 44 along a diameter indicated by the imaginary dotted line '76. From this instant in the clockwise rotation of the movable member 12 and until it reaches the dead-center position illustrated in FIG. 4B, the elastic actuating means 44 is steadily compressed and hence, hinders or opposes the movement of the movable member 12. When the pip 64 passes the deadcenter position of FIG. 4B, the elastic actuating means 44 begins to expand and hence, aid the clockwise movement of the movable member 12. It should be evident then, that an applied rotational force is required only during slightly more than the first half of the clockwise rotation of the movable member 12. Thereafter, the expansion of the elastic actuating means 44 provides the force required to complete the rotation of the movable member 12 into the position 20. The counterclockwise rotation of the movable member 12 will undergo the same sequence of first being opposed and then being aided in its pivotal movement from position 20 to position 22.

The hereinbefore described preferred geometric construction of the actuating mechanism 42 has the further advantage of increasing the useful life of the elastic actuatmg means 44. How this is accomplished, will become apparent by noting the action of the elastic actuating means 44 with respect to the

pips

64 and 66 in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 40. Since the pips 64-, 66 engage the elastic actuating means 44 along a diameter thereof, they will impress themselves in the elastic actuating means 44 and act as pivot points about which the elastic actuating means 44 may pivot. Thus, it should be evident that the elastic actuating means 44 rolls between the two

rest positions

20 and 22, pivoting simultaneously about the two

pips

64, 66. The frictional losses of the system in operation are therefore primarily restricted to the lower magnitude frictional losses encountered between rolling surfaces rather than the higher magnitude frictional losses encountered between sliding surfaces. Consequently, by minimizing the friction between the moving components, the present toggle mechanism possesses an inherently long operating life. It should be noted that the long operating life of the present toggle mechanism is obtained without the use of lubricants.

The toggle mechanism 10, as stated, is especially adaptable for use as a multiple-position electrical switch. This use has been schematically illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 40 wherein the toggle mechanism 10 includes first contact means 80 associated with the peripheral wall 50 of the movable member 12 and second contact means 82 associated with the peripheral wall 56 of the stationary member 14.

The first contact means 80 may comprise a strip 84 of conductive material having end portions 86 embedded in the movable member 12. Each of the second contact members 82 may comprise a contact 88 projecting through the peripheral wall 56 and which is biased toward the movable member 12 by means of a spring 90. Each contact member 88 includes a conductor 92 secured thereto for carrying an electrical current. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the position 22 corresponds to the off position since the second contact means 552 are open. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, the position corresponds to the on position since the first contact means 80 now connects the second contact means 82.

It should be understood that the specific illustration of the first and second contact means 80, 82 in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 40 have been shown only to illustrate the use of the toggle mechanism 10 as a two-position electrical switch and that other configurations of multiple electrical contacts are possible. Furthermore, the number of positions of the toggle mechanism 10 may be increased by providing additional arcuate sockets in each of the

members

12 and 14 in accordance with the teachings of FIG. 3.

In the toggle mechanism 10, the movable member 12 is supported for pivotal movement relative to the stationary member 14. Alternatively, a toggle mechanism employing the actuating mechanism 4-2 of the present invention, may be provided having a movable member which is supported for linear or sliding movement relative to the stationary member. Two alternative embodiments of the present toggle mechanism are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Corresponding numerals will be employed to identify corresponding parts already described.

In FIG. 5 there is illustrated a toggle mechanism 94 having a T-shaped movable member 96 comprising a handle 98 and a transverse body 100 having a plain surface 102; and a stationary member 104 having an elongated rectangular opening 106 within which the transverse body 100 is captively retained and supported for linear movement relative to the stationary member 104. The stationary member 104 also has a plain surface 108 which is adjacent to the plain surface 102 of the movable member 96.

The toggle mechanism 94 is provided with the actuating mechanism 42 which comprises the

arcuate sockets

46, 48 and the pip 64 in the plain surface 102; the

arcuate sockets

52, 54 and the pip 66 in the plain surface 108; and the elastic actuating means 44 shown here residing in the cavity 74 formed by the

actuate sockets

48, 52.

The operation of the toggle mechanism 94 is similar to the operation of the toggle mechanism 10 with the exception that the movable member 96 undergoes linear movement from a position illustrated in full lines at 96 to a second position indicated in phantom outline at 96'.

A further alternative embodiment of the present toggle mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment a toggle mechanism 110 comprises a stationary member 112 having an elongated rectangular opening 114 and a plain surface 116; and a movable member 118 comprising a body portion 120 with a plain surface 122 adjacent to the plain surface 116 and including an operating handle 124 contiguous therewith.

The movable member 118 is captively retained within the elongated opening 114 and is supported therein for linear movement relative to the stationary member 112. An actuating mechanism 126 is provided and comprises three

arcuate sockets

128, 130 and 132 which form two pips 134, 166 in the plain surface 116; three

arcuate sockets

138, 14% and 142 which form two pips 144, 146 in the plain surface 122; and the elastic actuating means The movable member 118 thus may be positioned at three positions. The first position is indicated by the operating handle 124 illustrated in full lines while the second and third positions are illustrated by the handle in phantom outline at 124 and 124", respectively,

The selected pairs of directly opposite arcuate sockets defining the three positions comprise sockets 123, 142 for the first position, sockets 130, for the second position, and

sockets

132, 138 for the third position. Thus, when the movable member is shifted from position one to position two, the elastic actuating means 44 will be initially compressed, as heretofore described, between the pips 134 and 14s and moved into the next adjacent cavity defined by the pairs of sockets 130, 140. When the movable member 118 is shifted from position two to position three, the elastic actuating means 44 will be initially compressed between the

pips

136, 144 and moved into the next adjacent cavity defined by the pairs of

sockets

132, 138.

It should be noted at this time that the placement of the arcuate sockets on the plain surfaces of the alternative embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is consistent with the teachings of FIG. 3. However, the geometric construction for the linear motion of the toggle mechanism 94 and 110 is obviously considerably more simple than the geometric construction for the pivotal motion of the toggle mechanism 10.

The elastic actuating means 44 has thus far been illustrated as having a cylindrical shape since this shape provides a most satisfactory action. Alternatively, the elastic actuating means may have a shape other than cylindrical provided it furnishes the action to operate the mechanism essentially as hereinbefore described. The elastic actuating means having shapes suitable for use in the present toggle mechanism are illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 as comprising a washer-like element 148 and a spherical element 150, respectively. The washer-like element 148 may be used in the

toggle mechanisms

10, 94 and 110 without requiring modifications to the arcuate sockets thereof. However, the spherical element 150 may be used most efiiciently in the

toggle mechanism

10, 94 and 110 if the sockets thereof are modified to have a substantially semispherical shape and the pips thereof are modified to have an arcuate shape.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:-

1. In a toggle mechanism, the combination comprising a pair of members having adjacent surfaces, a plurality of sockets formed in side-by-side relation in each of said surfaces, resilient actuating means disposed in a cavity formed by a selected pair of directly opposite sockets, cooperating means for sequentially compressing and expanding while moving said resilient actuating means into the next adjacent cavity formed by a second pair of directly opposite sockets, certain cavities thus formed comprising rest points for one of said members, and means supporting one of said members for reciprocal movement relative to the other of said members whereby when said one of said members is moved from one rest point to the next adjacent rest point it is sequentially opposed by the compression of said resilient actuating means and thereafter aided by the expansion of said resilient actuating means.

2. In a toggle mechanism, the combination comprising a pair of members having adjacent surfaces, a plurality of sockets formed in side-by-side relation in each of said surfaces, resilient actuatingmeans disposed between said members and within a cavity formed by a selected pair of directly opposite sockets, certain cavities thus formed comprising rest points for one of said members, cooperating means for moving said resilient actuating means into the next adjacent cavity formed by a second pair of directly opposite sockets, said cooperating means comprising projection means, one each from each of said members and each formed at the intersection of adjacent ones of said sockets of each of said members, and means supporting one of said members for reciprocal movement relative to the other of said members whereby when said one of said members is moved from one rest point to the next adjacent rest point said resilient actuating means will be initially compressed by said cooperating means to oppose the movement of said one of said members and thereafter said resilient actuating means will aid the movement of said one of said members by its expansion into the next adjacent cavity.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the outboard end of each of said projection means is disposed inboard of the surface in which it is formed whereby a space is provided between directly opposite ones of said projection means through which said resilient actuating means may move.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each said socket is substantially semicircular in shape whereby said pair of directly opposite sockets forms a circular cavity having a center positioned between said adjacent surfaces of said members.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said resilient actuating means is circular in shape and said projection means engage said resilient actuating means at points disposed along a diameter thereof.

6. In a toggle mechanism, the combination comprising a stationary member, a second member disposed adjacent to said stationary member, means supporting said second member for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member, means for positioning said second member at a plurality of rest points along said stationary member comprising elastic actuating means disposed between said stationary member and said second member, and means disposed centrally between each adjacent pair of said rest points for compressing said elastic actuating means into an unstable condition when said second member is moved from one rest point to the next adjacent rest point whereby said second member will be initially opposed by the compression of said elastic actuating means and thereafter aided by the expansion of said elastic actuating means, said elastic actuating means being of cylindrical shape.

7. In a toggle mechanism, the combination comprising a stationary member having a plurality of sockets formed in side-by-side relation in one surface thereof, each of said sockets defining a rest point, a second member disposed adjacent to said stationary member, means supporting said second member for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member, resilient actuating means disposed between said second member and one of said sockets, and projection means contiguous with said second member and adapted to engage said resilient actuating means for maintaining said second member at the rest point defined by said one of said sockets, said second memer being movable from one rest point to the next adjacent rest point only by the sequential compression of said resilient actuating means and the subsequent expansion thereof into the next adjacent socket, said resilient actuating means being rotated by the movement of said second member relative to said stationary member Whereby there is no relative motion between said resilient actuating means and the lines of said resilient actuating means in contact with said stationary member and said second member.

8. A toggle mechanism comprising a stationary memher, a second member disposed adjacent to said sta tionary member and maintained at a substantially fixed distance therefrom, said second member being supported for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member and being positionable at any one of a plurality of rest points along said stationary member, and elastic actuating means disposed between said stationary member and said second member for positioning said second membcr at any of said rest points, said elastic actuating means being in an unstable compressed condition when said second member is positioned between an adjacent pair of said rest points and being in a stable relaxed condition when said second member is positioned at one of said rest points, said elastic actuating means being of cylindrical shape.

9. In a toggle mechanism, the combination comprising a stationary member, a second member disposed adjacent to said stationary member, means supporting said second member for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member, said stationary member having a plurality of sockets formed in sid-by-side relation in one surface thereof, each of said sockets defining a position of said second member, elastic actuating means extending between said second member and one of said sockets, and projection means contiguous with said second memher and engaged with said elastic actuating means for maintaining said second member at each of said positions, said elastic actuating means being rotated by the movement of said second member relative to said stationary member whereby there is no relative motion between said elastic actuating means and the lines of said elastic actuating means in contact with said stationary member and said second member.

10. In a toggle mechanism, the combination comprising a stationary member having an elongated opening therein, a second member captively retained within said elongated opening and supported for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member, means for positioning said second member at any one of a plurality of rest points along said stationary member comprising elastic actuating means disposed between said stationary memher and said second member, and means disposed centrally between each pair of adjacent rest points for compressing said elastic actuating means into an unstable condition when said second member is moved from one rest point to the next adjacent rest point whereby said second member is initially opposed by the compression of said elastic actuating means and thereafter aided by the expansion of said elastic actuating means, said elastic actuating means being rotated by the movement of said second member relative to said stationary member whereby there is no relative motion between said elastic actuating means and the lines of said elastic actuating means in contact with said stationary member and said second member.

11. In a toggle mechanism, the combination comprising a stationary member having a cylindrical opening therein, a cylindrical member disposed Within said cylindrical opening and pivotal about an axis which is substantially coincident with the central axis of said cylindrical opening whereby said cylindrical member is supported for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member, means for positioning said cylindrical member at any one of a plurality of rest points along the periphery of said cylindrical opening comprising elastic actuating means disposed between the peripheries of said cylindrical opening and said cylindrical member, and cooperating means disposed centrally between each adjacent pair of said rest points for sequentially compressing said elastic actusting means into an unstable condition and expanding said elastic actuating means into a stable condition when said second member is moved from one rest point to the next adjacent rest point, said elastic actuating means being of cylindrical shape.

12. In a multiple-position electrical switch, the com bination comprising a pair of members having adjacent surfaces, a plurality of sockets formed in side-by-side relation in each of said surfaces, resilient actuating means disposed in a cavity formed by a selected pair of directly opposite sockets, cooperating means for sequentially compressing and expanding while moving said resilient actuating means into the next adjacent cavity formed by a second pair of directly opposite sockets, certain cavities thus formed comprising positions of said electrical switch, first contact means associated with one of said members, second contact means associated with the other of said members in spaced-apart relation, said second contact means corresponding to at least one of said positions, and means supporting one of said members for reciprocal movement relative to the other of said members whereby when said one of said members is moved from one of said positions to the next adjacent position it is sequentially opposed by the compression of said resilient actuating means and thereafter aided by the expansion of said resilient actuating means.

13. In a multiple-position electrical switch, the combination comprising a stationary member having an elongated opening therein, a second member captively retained within said elongated opening, the members having adjacent surfaces each of which has a plurality of sockets formed therein in side-by-side relation, elastic actuating means disposed between the members and within a cavity formed by a selected pair of directly opposite sockets, cooperating means for compressing while moving said elastic actuating means into the next adjacent cavity formed by a second pair of directly opposite sockets, certain cavities thus formed comprising positions of said electrical switch, first contact means associated with one of the members, second contact means associated with the other member in linearly spaced relation, said second contact means corresponding to at least one of said positions, and means supporting said second member for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member whereby when said second member is moved from one of said positions to the next adjacent position it is sequentially opposed by the compression of said elastic actuating means and thereafter aided by the expansion of said elastic actuating means.

14. In a multiple-position electrical switch, the combination comprising a stationary member having a cylindrical opening therein, a cylindrical member disposed within said cylindrical opening, the members having adjacent peripheral surfaces each of which has a plurality of sockets formed therein in side-by-side relation, elastic actuating means disposed between the members and within a cavity formed by a selected pair of directly opposite sockets, cooperating means for compressing while moving said elastic actuating means into the next adjacent cavity formed by a second pair of directly opposite sockets, certain ones of the cavities thus formed comprising positions of said electrical switch, first contact means associated with one of the members, second contact means associated with the other member in spaced-apart relation, said second contact means corresponding to at least one of said positions, and means pivotally supporting said second member for reciprocal movement relative to said stationary member about an axis which is substantially coincident with the central axis of said cylindrical opening whereby when said second member is moved from one of said positions to the next adjacent position it is sequentially opposed by the compression of said elastic actuating means and thereafter aided by the expansion of said elastic actuating means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/41 Bryant et a1. 200164 X 1/63 Gluck 200-16

Claims

1. IN A TOGGLE MECHANISM, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PAIR OF MEMBERS HAVING ADJACENT SURFACES, A PLURALITY OF SOCKETS FORMED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION IN EACH OF SAID SURFACES, RESILIENT ACTUATING MEANS DISPOSED IN A CAVITY FORMED BY A SELECTED PAIR OF DIRECTLY OPPOSITE SOCKETS, COOPERATING MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY COMPRESSING AND EXPANDING WHILE MOVING SAID RESILIENT ACTUATING MEANS INTO THE NEXT ADJACENT CAVITY FORMED BY A SECOND PAIR OF DIRECTLY OPPOSITE SOCKETS, CERTAIN CAVITIES THUS FORMED COMPRISING REST POINTS FOR ONE OF SAID MEMBERS, AND MEANS SUPPORTING ONE OF SAID MEMBERS FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE OTHER OF SAID MEMBERS WHEREBY WHEN SAID ONE OF SAID MEMBERS IS MOVED FROM ONE REST POINT TO THE NEXT ADJACENT REST POINT IT IS SEQUENTIALLY OPPOSED BY THE COMPRESSION OF SAID RESILIENT ACTUATING AND THEREAFTER AIDED BY THE EXPANSION OF SAID RESILIENT ACTUATING MEANS.