US3225156A

US3225156A - Dual button switch with automatic detent ball return action

Info

Publication number: US3225156A
Application number: US336928A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward V Sahrbacker
Original assignee: CARLING ELECTRIC Inc
Current assignee: CARLING ELECTRIC Inc
Priority date: 1964-01-10
Filing date: 1964-01-10
Publication date: 1965-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-21

Description

6 1965 E. v. SAHRBACKER DUAL BUTTON SWITCH WITH AUTOMATIC DETENT BALL RETURN ACTION Filed Jan. 10, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 g 46 INVENTOR. 46 ammo IiB4fi/P544'KEQ BY ww Dec. 21, 1965 E. v. SAHRBACKER 3,225,156

DUAL BUTTON SWITCH WITH AUTOMATIC DETENT BALL RETURN ACTION Filed Jan. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 rig] I I. I "r 56' 65 a a W a 66 TliJ/PE) O D 5/ 6/ Rig I I 1h 99 Tlqia 96 if 64 @533 M M w 59 j A \XIQXX QQA ATTORNEY Dec. 21, 1965 E. v. SAHRBACKER 3,225,156

DUAL BUTTON SWITCH WITH AUTOMATIC DETENT BALL RETURN ACTION Filed Jan. 10, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. fbMFfl WH/PBACKEE ATTORNE United States Patent DUAL BUTTON SWITCH WITH AUTOMATIC DETENT BALL RETURN ACTION Edward V. Sahrbacker, Manchester, Conn., assignor to Carling Electric, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Jan. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 336,928

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-67) This invention relates to switches and more particularly to a novel multiple circuit which having improved automatic means for insuring a closing of only one circuit at a time.

The present invention comprises a switch assembly in which a pair of switch buttons each selectively control a separate pair of electrical circuits. Means are provided between said buttons for automatically opening the circuit previously closed by one of said buttons when a circuit is closed by the other of said buttons. While either button may be manipulated separately for selectively closing a single one of its respective two circuits, the novel means become operative when a circuit is to be closed by the other button, whereby a circuit previously closed by the first button is automatically opened.

The foregoing operation is achieved by pivotally mounting the two switch buttons adjacent each other with a spherical ball frictionally engaged between opposing faces of said buttons, said ball being held captive in a single recess in one button and movable into any one of three recesses for frictional engagement therewith. The center recess of the array of three recesses is somewhat shallower than the other two whereby the movement of said ball across said center recess reduces the frictional forces between said two buttons, permitting auxiliary spring means on each of said buttons to assist in returning either of them to its center open circuit position.

The foregoing improvement is achieved without any structural changes in previous switches of this type, except for the inexpensive molding of recesses in switch buttons and the addition of a small spherical ball held captive between said buttons.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification.

The features of novelty which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth herein and will best be understood, both as to their fundamental principles and as to their particular embodiments, by reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the switch of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a greatly enlarged vertical section view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the action of one of the buttons in circuit closing position, some parts being shown in elevation and some parts being shown in phantom outline;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective greatly enlarged of the inner face of one of the switch buttons;

FIGURE 5 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of the inner face of the other switch button;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged vertical section view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1, some parts being shown in elevation and some parts being omitted;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 1, some parts being broken away, some parts being omitted;

FIGURE 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 2,

some parts being omitted;

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of the pair of buttons in fragmentary view, some parts being broken away to show a portion of a second button;

ice

FIGURE 9a is a view greatly enlarged taken on line 9a-9a of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 10 is similar to FIGURE 9, showing one of the buttons in circuit closing position with the position of the captive ball in its location;

FIGURE 10a is a greatly enlarged section view taken on line Illa-10a of FIGURE 10 showing the location of the captive ball;

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 showing the manner in which the operation of the rear button causes the return of the front button to its center-off position;

FIGURE 11a is a greatly enlarged view taken of line Ila-11a of FIGURE 11 showing the location of the captive ball;

FIGURE 12 is a view of the two buttons showing the manner in which the front button is returnedto its neutral center-off position when the rear button is actuated at an opposite end; and

FIGURE 12a is a greatly enlarged section view taken on line 12a-12a of FIGURE 12 showing the location of the button in the operation shown in the action of FIGURE 12.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the switch of the present invention comprises a case, generally designated 21, formed or molded of a suitable insulating material such as Bakelite, nylon, or the like. Case 21 comprises a pair of side walls 22 and 23 and a pair of

end walls

24 and 25 all of which are bounded on the buttom by floor 27. Extending intermediate walls 22 and 23 and from end wall 24 to end wall 25 is an integrally formed partition 28 having a concave top edge. Partition 28, which is also bounded by floor 27, divides the interior of case 21 into two separate

circuit selector chambers

31 and 32 in which separate sets of contact elements and corresponding contact levers are located.

Extending through floor 27 of case 21, in each

chamber

31 and 32 are respective pairs of spaced apart electrically

conductive studs

33 and 34. The upper ends of

studs

33 and 34 have integrally formed

contact heads

36 and 37, respectively. The lower ends of

studs

33 and 34 terminate in

rivet heads

38 and 39, respectively, each of which secures respective electrically conductive L- shaped

terminal lugs

41 and 42 to the bottom of floor 27 Also extending through floor 27 intermediate each pair of

studs

33 and 34 are electrically conductive studs 46, each of which has an integral rivet head 47. FIGURES 2, 3 and 6. Secured by each rivet head 47 to floor 27 is an electrically conductive yoke 48, which has a pair of integrally formed, spaced apart, upwarly extending arms 51 and 52. Arms 51 and 52 each have a pair of upwardly extending spaced apart

fingers

53 and 54 which bound

horizontal shoulders

56 and 57, respectively, which function will be described hereinafter.

The bottom of each stud 46 terminates in an integral 1y formed rivet head 58 which secures an electrically conductive L-shaped terminal lug 59 to the bottom of floor 27.

Terminal lugs

41 and 42 are each connectable to separate respective circuits, while terminal lug 61 is connectable to a return or power line common to both of said circuits.

Positioned across the open top of case 21 is a cover plate 63 made of a deformable sheet metal stamping or the like. Integrally formed at each end of plate 63 is a pair of downwardly extending spaced apart legs 64, each of which terminates in a hook 66 bent inwardly and upwardly to engage a spur 67 integrally formed in each

end wall

24 and 25 for retaining said plate securely in position. Integrally formed at each end of plate 63 intermediate the upper ends of legs 64 are outwardly extending arms 68 which serve as means for mounting switch assembly in a suitable operating location.

Each longitudinal side of plate 63 has an integrally formed upwardly extending support element 81 of triangular shape, each of said elements having an aperture near its apex for supporting the opposite ends of pivot pin 82. Pivotally mounted side by side on pin 82 are two separately operated

actuator buttons

83 and 84, molded or otherwise formed of a suitable insulating material such as Bakelite, nylon, or the like.

Buttons

83 and 84, which are identical in shape, have

intersection actuator flats

85, 86 and 87, 88 which are arrayed at an obtuse angle in respect of each other.

Buttons

83 and 84 have respective front and

rear walls

91, 92 and 93, 94.

Buttons

83 and 84 each have an integral downwardly extending

stub

96 and 97, respectively, the lower portions of which extend freely through and move pivotally back and forth within the central aperture in mounting plate 63 and within the interior of case 21. The lower end portions of

stubs

96 and 97 are movable within

chambers

31 and 32, respectively.

The lower end of each

stub

96 and 97 has an elongated recess 98 which accommodates a respective spring 99. Movable longitudinally within each recess 98 is a nib 101 which has a recess 102 accommodating the lower end of spring 99, the upper end of which bears against the inner end of recess 98.. Springs 99 normally urge nibs 101 downwardly.

the

Positioned freely upon

shoulders

56 and 57 of yokes i 48 are respective V-shaped electrically

conductive contact levers

103 and 104, having oppositely extending

arms

105 and 106 the outer ends of which are adapted to selectively and alternatively close the electrical circuit between

contact heads

36 and 37, respectively, and yoke 48. As shown in FIGURES 2 :and 6, when buttons 83 and '84 are in their central neutral positions, nibs 101 are urged downwardly into the apices of

levers

103 and 104 each of which rest upon both

shoulders

56 and 57 in a position where both contact

arms

105 and 106 are spaced apart from

respective contact heads

36 and 37.

When button 83 is moved pivotally by depressing flat A 86 downwardly, to causestub 96 to move to the left as shown in FIG. 3, nib 101 rides along the top of contact lever arm 105 to cause lever 103 to pivot upon yoke shoulder 56 and to bring said arm into circuit closing position with contact head 36 and to retain it there while lever arm 106 is spaced apart still farther from contact head 37. In this position the circuit connected between

terminal lugs

41 and 59 underneath chamber 31 is closedf Alternatively, when button 83 is tipped in the opposite direction by depressing fiat 85, it is manifest that contact lever arm 106 is brought into circuit closing position with contact head 37 and retained there whereby the previously closed circuit is opened and the circuit connected between

terminal lugs

42 and 59 underneath chamber 31 is closed.

The same action described hereinbefore for the operation of front button 83 also obtains for the operation of rear button 84 whereby the latter selectively controls two circuits to which

terminal lugs

41 and 42 underneath chamber 32 are respectively connected, terminal lug 59 therebetween serving as the common power line terminal for each of said circuits. Thus, in this single switch assembly,

buttons

83 and 84 selectively control four separate circuits depending upon the direction in which any single button is actuated.

At each end of the central aperture in cover plate 63, the latter is upset to form a pair of upwardly extending integral tabs 111 which are engaged by the lower ends of respective springs 112, the upper ends of .which engage corresponding downwardly extending integral pins 113 formed on the undersides of corresponding wings of

buttons

83 and 84.

Normally, when either

button

83 or 84 is separately of spring 99 through nib 101 will cause the particular button to remain in the circuit closing position, as shown in FIGURE 3, for example, where button 83, in its pivoted position, maintains contact arm closed upon contact head 36. When, however, the two switch buttons are operated in conjunction with each other, then springs 112 operate to assist in the return of said buttons to their respective neutral central positions as will be explained hereinafter.

The intention is to arrange for only one of the four circuits controlled by the switch assembly herein to be closed at any one time. Either

button

83 or 84 can be manipulated separately to close either of its two circuits alternatively by pivotal manipulation in one direction or the other. Also, each button can be manipulated pivotally back to its central neutral position where both of its circuits are in the open condition.

When, however, either one of the switch buttons is in a circuit closing position, the manipulation of the other button into a circuit closing position will automatically return the first button back to its central neutral position where both its circuits are in the open condition.

The foregoing interaction between the two

buttons

83 and 84 is brought about by the provision of a mechanism which is operative between the inner face 121 of stub 96 and the opposing spaced apart inner face 122 of stub 97.

Formed in face 121 of stub 96 (button 83) is a circular concave deep recess 123 located centrally below the pivot axis of said button. Formed in face 122 of stub 97 (button 84) is a circular concave shallow recess 124 located centrally below the pivot axis of its respective button. Located on each side of recess 124 and in a slightly arcuate array therewith in face 122 (button 84) are circular concave

deep recesses

125 and 126, respectively. See FIGURES 4 and 5.

Frictionally engaged between

buttons

83 and 84 is a spherical detent bearing ball 127, the latter being held captive partially within recess 123 in button 83, and partially within any one of

recesses

124, 125 and 126 in button 84. See FIGURES 6 and 9 through 12a, incluslve.

In operation, when both switch

buttons

83 and 84 are in their central neutral positions where both of the circuits each controls are in the open condition, detent ball 127 is frictionally engaged between deep recess 123 and shallow recess 124 of

buttons

83 and 84, respectively. FIGURES 9 and 9a. When flat 86 of button83 is depressed, as shown in FIGURE 10, to close the circuit of contact head 36 in chamber 31, the pivoting action of button 83 moves recess 123 which carries and transfers ball 127 from shallow recess 124 to deep recess 125.

See FIGURE'10a. Button 84 remains in its central neutral condition.

When it is desired to close the circuit to contact head 36 in chamber 32, fiat 88 of button 84 is depressed, as shown in FIGURE 11, whereby the pivoting action of said button moves deep recess 126 into the central location vertically below the axis of said button. During the pivoting action of button 84, shallow recess 124 passes acrossball 127 and since there is a temporarily diminished frictional engagement of ball 127, spring 112 operating on the right side of button 83 pivotally returns the latter to its central neutral position. See FIGURE 11a. Button 83 is then maintained in the neutral position by the spring biased action of nib 101 upon central apex of contact lever-103. Thus the circuit of contact head 36 in chamber 31 has been automatically opened upon the closing of the circuit of contact head 36 in chamber 32.

The foregoing action described in connection with alternatively closing and opening the circuits of contact heads 36 in either chamber 31 or chamber 32 also applies for the alternative opening and closing of the circuits of contact heads 37 in chamber 31 or chamber 32.

That is, when one button is depressed on one side, the act of depressing the other button on the same side produces the automatic return of the first depressed button to its central neutral position.

Where button 83 has been depressed upon the right as shown in FIGURES and 10a, thereby closing the circuit of contact head 36 in chamber 31, and it is desired to close the circuit of contact head 37 in chamber 32, by depressing flat 87 of button 84, the action that takes place is illustrated in FIGURES 12 and 12a. When button 84 is moved pivotally from its neutral position (FIGURE 10a) deep recess 125 is moved into conjunction with detent ball 127 and since said ball is now grasped between two

deep recesses

125 and 123, sufficient energy is transmitted to button 83 to cause the latter to move pivotally back to its central neutral position as shown in FIGURE 12a, this action being assisted by spring 112 on the right side of button 83 also urging the latter back to its neutral position.

The foregoing action wherein the alternative opening and closing of the circuits of contact heads 36 and 37 in

chambers

31 and 32 applies also when either

button

83 or 84 is in a particular circuit closing position and it is desired to depress the other button in the opposite direction.

It is evident that the action of returning a previously depressed button by the actuation of the other button in the other direction is brought about by the interaction of detent ball 127 with deep recess 123 in button 83 and

deep recess

125 or 126 in button 84.

Shallow recess 124 in button 84 provides for a diminution of frictional resistance to facilitate the cooperating action of springs 112. Springs 112 on each side of each button are substantially equal in tension so that when frictional engagement is reduced upon detent ball 127 when crossed by shallow recess 124 the particular spring 112 that has previously been compressed acts, upon the conjunction of detent ball 127 with deep recess 123 and either of

deep recesses

125 or 126, to pivotally return the previously depressed button to its central neutral position. The foregoing forces for returning a button to the central neutral position are sufiicient to overcome the energy of spring biased nib 101 which has previously been urging a contact lever into the circuit closing position.

While ball 127 is always held captive within recess 123 of button 83, it remains captive in

recess

125 or 126 only when either button is being returned from a closed circuit position to its central off position by the actuation of the opposite end of the other button into a circuit closing position whereby both buttons are moving pivotally in the same direction, as shown by the arrows in FIGURE 12a.

When, however, the relative pivotal movement of the two switch buttons is in opposite directions, causing ball 127 to be disengaged from either

recess

125 or 126 and to traverse shallow recess 124, the diminished friction on ball 127 permits that button which is passivethat is, the one not being actuated-to automatically snap back to its center off position when the other button is being actuated to close a circuit.

It is understood that either button 83 manipulated separately, not only to selectively close either of the two circuits controlled thereby but also to return said button from a closed circuit position to its central open circuit position, as shown in FIGURE 2.

It is claimed:

1. A switch comprising a case, a first switch button and a second switch button mounted adjacent each other on the same pivot axis on said case, each of said buttons being separately pivotable from a central open circuit position into either of two circuit closing positions, means on each button for yieldably retaining it in either of its circuit closing positions, means connected to each button or 84 may be at least partially urging the latter into its respective open circuit position, means frictionally engaged between opposing faces of said first and second buttons, said friction means being operative in conjunction with said second mentioned means when one of said buttons is in a circuit closing position to return said button to its central open circuit position when the other button is moved into a circuit closing position.

2. A switch according to claim 1 wherein said friction means comprises a first recess on said first button, a second recess on said second button positioned opposite said first recess when both said buttons are in the open circuit position, third and fourth recesses on said second button, said second recess being positioned intermediate said third and fourth recesses, and a spherical ball partially engaged by said first recess and engageable by any one of said second, third, and fourth recesses, said second recess being shallower than said third and fourth recesses.

3. A switch according to claim 2, wherein said first, third and fourth recesses are of substantially equal depth.

4. A switch according to claim 3 wherein the means for at least partially urging said buttons into their respective open circuit positions comprise a separate spring connected between said case and each end of each button.

5'. A switch according to claim 4 wherein the frictional engagement of said ball between said first recess and either of said third and fourth recesses is of suflicient strength in conjunction with said springs when one of said buttons is moved pivotally from an open circuit position to overcome the force exerted by said means yieldably retaining the other of said buttons in its circuit closing position.

6. A switch according to claim 5 wherein said ball is frictionally engaged between said first and said second recesses when both of said buttons are in the open circuit position.

7. A switch comprising a case, a first pair of first and second spaced apart circuit elements in said case, a second pair of third and fourth spaced apart circuit elements in said case, a first switch button and a second switch button mounted adjacent one another on the same pivot axis on said case, said buttons being normally in a central open circuit position, said first button being pivotally movable alternatively into either of two positions for closing the circuits of said first and second circuit elements, said second button being pivotally movable alternatively into either of two positions for closing the circuits of said third and fourth circuit elements, a first recess on one side of said first button, second, third and fourth recesses on one side of said second button opposing said side of said first button, said third and fourth recesses being arrayed on opposite sides of said second recess, said second recess being somewhat shallower than said third and fourth recesses, a ball held captive in said first recess and frictionally engageable by any one of said second, third and fourth recesses, said first recess and said second recess being normally located opposite each other when both said buttons are in the central open circuit position, a spring biased element on each button, said element yieldably retaining its respective button in a circuit closing position, and a separate spring connected between said case and each end of each button, said last mentioned springs operating in conjunction with the ball engaged by said first recess and either of said third or fourth recesses to return a respective button to its open circuit position against the action of said spring biased element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1942 Meuer 20069 X 3/1960 Brown.

Claims

1. A SWITCH COMPRISING A CASE, A FIST SWITCH BUTTON AND A SECOND SWITCH BUTTON MOUNTED ADJACENT EACH OTHER ON THE SAME PIVOT AXIS ON SAID CASE, EACH OF SAID BUTTONS BEING SEPARATELY PIVOTABLE FROM A CENTRAL OPEN CIRCUIT POSITION INTO EITHER OF TWO CIRCUIT CLOSING POSITIONS, MEANS ON EACH BUTTON FOR YIELDABLY RETINING IT IN EITHER OF ITS CIRCUIT CLOSING POSITIONS, MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH BUTTON AT LEAST PARTIALLY URGING THE LATTER INTO ITS RESPECTIVE OPN CIRCUIT POSITION, MEANS FRICTIONALLY ENGAGED BETWEEN OP-