US3528099A

US3528099A - Locking and release means in a switch assembly

Info

Publication number: US3528099A
Application number: US700492A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony A Di Pilla
Original assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Current assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Priority date: 1968-01-25
Filing date: 1968-01-25
Publication date: 1970-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 1987-09-08

Description

3,528,099 LOCKING AND RELEASE MEANS IN A SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 25, 1968 Sept. 8, 1970 A. A. D] PILLA s Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-I FIG-'2 74 TTO INVENTOR.

ANTHONY A. DiPlLLA HIS ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1970 A. A. DI PILLA 3,5

LOCKING AND RELEASE MEANS IN A SWITCH ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 25, 1968 s Shets-Sheetfi I04 46 v10a -1NVENTOR. ANTHONY A. DiPILLA ms ATTORNEYS $528,099 LOCKING AND RELEASE MEANS IN A SWITCH ASSEMBLY 5, 1968 p 1970 N A. A. DI PILLA 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

7 INVENTOR. ANTHONY A. DiPlLLA HIS ATTORNEYS m W F FIG-8 United States Patent 6 3,528,099 LOCKING AND RELEASE MEANS IN A SWITCH ASSEMBLY Anthony A. Di Pilla, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Robertshaw (Jontrols Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 700,492 Int. Cl. H01h 9/02, 9/18 US. Cl. 200-168 26 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A switch assembl has a casing into which a push button construction means is insertible. The push button construction means has an operator push actuator and a lamp holder means that are relatively movable with respect to each other, and are assembled as a unitary push button construction. The push button construction is insertible as a unit into the casing and is automatically locked during the insertion procedure. After the push button construction has been locked, the push actuator may be repeatedly pushed inward and released, and this causes a switcch actuating plunger correspondingly to acctuate and unactuate a switch means that is supported by the casing. The push button construction may be removed from the casing by first pulling out the push actuator, then pushing in the push actuator slightly, and then withdrawing the entire push button construction from the casing.

This invention relates to a locking and release means in a switch assembly.

One of the features of this invention includes a switch assembly having a casing and a push button construction or push button construction means insertible into and removable from the casing. The push button construction means includes an operator push actuator means and a lamp holder means which are relatively movable with respect to each other but unitarily assembled. The push button construction means may be inserted into the casing, and is automatically locked in the casing during such insertion procedure. The push button construction means may be removed from the casing by initially pulling out the push actuator, then pushing in the push actuator slightly to produce a release action, and then releasing the push actuator for spring actuated outward movement of the push button construction, and then withdrawing the entire push button construction means from the casing.

Another feature of this invention includes a lamp contactor and the plunger support base secured in the casing so that the lamps of the lamp holder assembly may be energized by the lamp contactors supported on the support base and so that the plunger of the support base may be actuated by the push actuator to actuate and unactuate a switch means that is carried by the casing.

Other features of this invention are apparent from this description, the appended claimed subject matter, and/or the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the switch assembly.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross section taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the lower section of the lamp holder means and certain cooperating parts.

FIG. 4 is a cross section showing the push button construction initially inserted to a position where a slight resistance is imparted to downward movement of the push actuator.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the Patented Sept. 8., 1970 push actuator further inserted into the casing, and the lamp holder assembly having been pushed upward to lock said lamp holder means in the casing.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, and showing the push actuator slightly further pushed in to position said push actuator in its normal upper operable condition.

FIG. 7 is a view somewhat similar to FIG. 6, and showing the push actuator pulled outwardly from the casing, preparatory to a withdrawal of the push button construction from the casing.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the push actuator and the lamp holder means, such view being taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of the lower section of the lamp holder means, taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 2, and showing diagrammatically certain parts cooperating therewith.

FIG. 10 is an upward view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 2.

Certain words may be used in this specificcation and the claimed subject matter indicating direction, relative position, and the like. Such words are used for the sake of brevity and clearness. It is to be understood, however, that such words are used only in connection with the views of the drawings, and that in actual use, any parts or movements described by such words may have entirely different direction, relative position, and the like. Examples of such words are vertical, horizontal, upper,

' lower, and the like.

This invention may include a push button construction or a push button construction means 20 insertible into, and removable from, a casing 22, such as into and from a casing aperture means, or casing upper end 24. The casing 22 may carry a switch means 26 at the lower end 28 of such casing.

The push button construction means 20 may include a push actuator 30, that may be downwardly pushed by the finger of an operator, if desired, or by any other operating means. The push button construction means 20 also may include a lamp holder means 32 that is unitarily assembled with the operator push actuator 30 so that such push button construction means 20 may be inserted as a unit into, and removed from, the aperture means 24 of the casing 22.

The casing 22 may contain a lamp contactor and plunger support base 34 which may be fixedly secured in the casing 22, such as by adhesive or rivets. Such base 34 may be initially located on the supports 36 which are secured to the casing 22.

The arrangement is such that the pushbutton construction means 20 may be inserted into the casing 22 an initial distance, such as shown in FIG. 4, where a perceptible resistance is produced against further downward movement of the push actuator 30. At this time, the lamp holder means 32 engages and comes to rest on the stationary support 38 within the casing 22. Thereafter the operator may continue to press with his finger downwardly against the push actuator 30 to push it to the position of FIG. 5. During this downward travel of the push actuator 30, the resistance created at FIG. 4 has terminated but a further resistance has been created, as will become obvious. Also the lamp holder means 32 has been moved upwardly from the supports 38 by spring action of springs 58 and to be described, and the catch bars 40 have been moved outwardly before arrival of the lamp holder assembly to the position of FIG. 5. As the holder means 32 continues to rise, the end flanges 42 of the bars 40 are inserted into the downwardly directed and reversely turning casing hooks 44 to arrest upward movement of the lamp holder means 32. The operator may continue to press his finger down on the actuator to move it to the position of FIG. 6, at which time the catch bars have been moved slightly inwardly, so that their inner flanges 46 are moved inwardly over the upper shoulders 48 of a cam construction 50 which is secured to the push actuator 30 by a vertical connector bar 52. The operators finger may be withdrawn at this time from the push actuator 30. The actuator 30 will then be in readiness at any time to be pushed further down to a position below that of FIG. 6 which will cause the lower end 54 of the connector bar 52 to push down a switch actuating plunger 56 far enough to engage and push down the switch actuator rod 57 of the switch means 26 to actuate the switch inside the switch means 26 to actuated condition. Thereafter, the operator may remove his finger from the push actuator 30, and then the plunger spring 58 will return the plunger 56 to the full line position of FIG. 6 and unactuate the switch means 26 by this upward movement, as is now obvious. The pushbutton construction means is now locked in the casing 20 until a withdrawal procedure is followed.

When it is desired to proceed with a withdrawal procedure, to remove the pushbuton construction means 20 from the casing 22, the operator may pull upward on the push actuator 30 by using the fingernail slots 60, if desired, as shown in FIG. 7. The push actuator 30 has pulled up the bar 52, cam 50 and lower end or enlargement 54 to the position of FIG. 7. The enlargement 54 acts on the horizontal rod 62 and the catch bars 40 to stop upward movement of the actuator 30. This occurs because the catch bars 40 have their outer ends or flanges 42 hooked under the casing hooks 44, so that the connector bar 52 cannot be pulled upwardly any further than shown in FIG. 7.

In order to accomplish the removal of the actuator 30 and lamp holder means 32, the actuator 10 then is pushed downward slightly from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 4. This will cause the inwardly spring biased bars 40 and their outer flanges 42 to move downward and inward from the casing hooks 44. Thereafter, the actuator 30 can be lifted up out of the casing 22 and will carry with it the vertical connector bar 52 and the lamp holder means 32 out of the casing 22 to the position, for example, which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Then, if desired, any adjustments or repairs may be made to the separated parts, such as a lamp replacement, etc; For example, a lamp 64 in the lamp holder means 32 may be pulled downwardly, in a well known manner, and removed from the lamp holder assembly 32 and the new lamp 64' may be reinserted therein.

Details of the parts so far described will now be further explained.

THE PUSH ACTUATOR 30 The push actuator 30 may be a lens holder which holds a lens 66 in a lens holding casing 68.

The lens casing 68 may include two lens casing side walls 70 carried by the top or horizontal bar 72 of a T formed with the connector bar 52. The horizontal bar 72 may be connected to both of the walls 70. These walls 70 may have upward resilient tongue 74 which securely hold the flanges 67 of the lens 66 between the tongues 74 and the flanges 76 of the side walls 70. Any other type of push actuator 30 may be used, however, which is capable of holding one or more lenses, and which may be connected to a vertical connector bar 52 in any desired manner.

THE LAMP HOLDER MEANS 32 The lamp holder means 32 may include a generally flat upper section 78 and a generally flat lower section 80. These sections have respectively notches 82. and 84 at opposite ends of the

sections

78 and 30. These notches permit inward and outward movement of the outer flanges 42, and allow the

sections

78 and 80 to pass down below the casing hooks 44, since the

notches

82 and 84 receive the hooks 44 and avoid stoppage of the

sections

78 and 80.

The lower section 80 of the lamp holder 30 may have a shallow channel 86, FIGS. 3 and 9, with side walls 88, which receive the lower part of each catch bar 40. The lower section 80 also has a slightly deeper channel which receives the horizontal bar or rod 62. The rod 62 has downwardly bent ends 92 which are received in the deep holes 94 and 96. The upper section 7 8 of lamp holder assembly 32 has downward cavities 98, FIG. 4, which receive compression springs 100, which springs have end plates 102 which engage the reversed ends 104 of the catch bars 40. The springs inwardly push the reversed ends 104 of the flanges 46, to push the catch bars 40' inwardly against the connector bar 52 below the cam construction 50, as in FIGS. 2 and 4.

The cam 50 has slanting edges 106, FIGS. 3 and 5, which act on the inner flanges 46 and reversed ends 104 of the catch bars 40 to push the catch bars 40 outward as in FIG. 5, where the vertical walls 108 of cam 50 hold the bars 40 in their outmost position until the cam 50 is pushed down to the position of FIG. 6. The upper shoulders 48 of the cam 50 pass under the bars 40 and thus hold the connector rod 52 and the actuator 30 in the lower position of FIG. 6. From this position, the actuator 30 can be pushed down below the position of FIG. 6, so that the lower end 54 of bar 52 will engage and push down the plunger 56 to the dotted line actuating position 59 of the lower end of plunger 56.

The lower end 54 of the connector bar 52 has a rectangular thick protrusion 110, FIGS. 3 and 7, which engages the horizontal bar 62, and this protrusion 110 limits and stops the upward movement of the bar 52 and actuator 30 at the end of the pull out action of FIG. 7.

The wedge-shaped protrusion 112 on bar 52, FIG. 3, has slanting

surfaces

114 and 116, which act on the bar 62 and bend such bar 62 sidewise, FIG. 9, to allow the connector bar 52 to move up and down with suitable resistances when the wedge-shaped member 112 passes the bar 62.

The lamps 64 will be of the flange type, which may be pulled down through cylindrical lamp openings 81, FIG. 10, in the

sections

78 and 80. The lamps have flanges 118, With contact buttons 120, which will come in contact with the contact heads 122. The lamps 64 may be mounted in the

sections

78 and 80 in any suitable or usual manner.

For example, a central conductive plate 117, FIG. 10, may be secured to the bottom of the lower section 80 by rivets 119. The plate 117 has conductive flanges 121 which extend upwardly into openings 81 and electrically contact the outer cylindrical contacts 125 of the lamps 64. The lamp contacts and are conductively connected with the filaments in the lamps 64 to provide illumination. The contacts 120 and 125 are electrically connected to the

terminal contacts

122 and 123, FIG. 1.

The plate 117 has an opening 129' which receives the downward extension 129 of the lower section 80 through which the lower end 54 of the bar 52 passes to actuate the plunger 56 t0 actuating position, which is below that of FIG. 6.

THE CASING 22 The casing 22 may be of any suitable type which may, for example, have straight side walls 124, to produce a rectangular or square tubular casing. The walls 124 may be integrally joined together or joined together by any other suitable means, as is obvious to those skilled in the art. A pair of the side walls 124 may have bottom flanges 126, which may support a bottom wall 128 which is riveted to such flanges 126, and which has an opening 130 to receive the plunger 56. A bracket supporting plate 132 may be supported on the flanges 126, and has downward clips 134. The bracket 136 may have its top wall 137 which receives the clips 134- to be held thereby, and may have an opening for the passage of the plunger 56.

The switch means 26 may be supported in the bracket 136 by suitable supports 138, which may be of the rivet and sleeve type.

The switch means 26 may have a plurality of terminal connectors 139 to be connected to any one or more conductors leading to any circuit or circuits to be controlled by the switch means 26.

The plate 132 may have a plastic bearing ring or the like 140 to receive the lower end of the plunger 56.

The plunger 56 may have a split ring 142 fixed in a suitable groove in the plunger to limit the upward movement of such plunger, as is shown in FIG. 2.

The support base 34 may be of insulating material and secured to the casing 22 by any suitable means, such as by adhesive material or the like. The metal fixtures 144 maybe spot welded or the like to the casing 22 and have lower ends 145 which may hold the base 34 down on stops 36. The fixtures 144 have arms 146 which are inwardly bent to form the stops 38, which stop the downward movement of the lamp holder means 32. The fixtures 144 also may form the hooks 44, which hold down the lamp holder means 32 in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The plunger 56 is upwardly biased by the spring 58, the lower end of which engages the flange 147 of the opening 148. The upper end of compression spring 58 engages a split ring 150 which is connected to a groove in the plunger 56. This upwardly biases the plunger 56 to the position shown in FIG. 2.

The contact heads 122 and 123 are formed at the upper ends of

slidable rods

152 and 153 which are slidable in the base 34 and have flanges 154 to stop the upward movement of

such rods

152 and 153. Electrical connector clips 156 may pass upwardly through the base 34, and may have horizontally bent plates 158, which have perforations which receive the

rods

152 and 153. The plates 158 form the lower supports for the metal coil springs 160 which upwardly urge the contact heads 122 and 123 of the

rods

152 and 153 and provide an eflicient electrical contact between the connectors 156 and the contact heads 122 and 123.

OPERATION The push button construction including the actuator and assembly 32 is initially inserted into the upper end of casing 22, FIGS. 1 and 2. The operator may push the push actuator 30 downward to the position shown in FIG. 4, where the lower section 80 of lamp holder means 32 engages the stops 38 and where the protrusion 112 engages the horizontal rod 62. The operator feels an increased resistance due to the engagement of the wedge 112 with the rod 62. However, a further pushing action by the operator on the push actuator 30 can cause the slanting wall 116, FIG. 3, of the protrusion 112 to push the rod 62 sidewise, as in FIG. 9, allowing the slanting edges 106 of cam 50 to push the catch bars 40- outwardly, before the lamp holder means 32 can move upwardly to the position of FIG. 5. The flanges 42 of the catch bars 40 will be outward ready to enter under the hooks 44 when the position of FIG. 5 is reached. The compression spring 160 and conductor heads 122 then move the lamp holder assembly or means 32 up-,

wardly from the supports 38, so that the flanges 42 enter under the hooks 44 as shown in FIG. 5. The operator continues to push down on the actuator 30' to the position of FIG. 6, where the cam has moved sufliciently down, so that the shoulders 48 of the cam 50 can move under the inner flanges 46 of the bars 40. This maintains the actuator 30 in the position of FIG. 6 ready to be further pushed down below the position of FIG. 6 to actuate the switch means 26. Therefore, at any time thereafter, the operator may push down on the push actuator 30 from the position of FIG. 6, and cause the plunger 56 to be pushed down 'by the lower end 54 of the bar 52 below the position of FIG. 6, to engage the switch actuator 57 to energize the switch 26, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6. When the operator releases the push actuator 30, the plunger spring 58 returns the plunger 56 to the full line position of FIG. 6. This may be repeated as often as desired.

When it is desired to proceed with a withdrawal action to remove the push button construction 20 from the casing 22, when the push button construction 20 is in the actuating position of FIG. 6, the push actuator 30 is pulled outwardly or upwardly by means of the fingernail slots 60 or the like. The cam 50 can be pulled up past the inner flanges 46 because of their rounded construction, which allows the edges 108 to force the flanges 46 slightly outward. Also the protrusion 112 can pass upwardly past the horizontal rod 62 because the slanting wall 114 bends the rod 62 outwardly or sidewise, as shown in FIG. 9, and then the square sided protrusion 110, FIG. 3, engages the rod 62, and stops the upward movement of the push actuator 30 at the position shown in FIG. 7, because the lamp assembly is locked under the hooks in FIG. 7.

Thereafter, the operator pushes the actuator 30 downwardly, so that the parts move down to the position shown in FIG. 4, with the flanges 42 slipping down from hooks 44 and then snapping inwardly of the hooks 44. Thereafter, the operator may pull the actuator 30 upwardly which lifts the lamp holder means 32 upward with the actuator 30 past the hooks 44 and out of the casing 22 to a position at or above that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The separated push button construction 20 and casing 22 may then be repaired, adjusted or the like. The push button construction 20 can then be returned in the casing 22 as previously described at the beginning of this operation description.

That is, a casing 20 is provided having receiving casing aperture means 24. Switch means 26 are connected with the casing 22. The push button construction means 20 is movable inward relatively to the casing aperture means by a pushing in action, such as from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIGS. 4-6. Locking and withdrawing means are provided to lock such push button means 20 in the operable locked condition of FIG. 6 by an initial locking pushing in action of the push button construction means 20 into the aperture means by the cooperation of certain parts heretofore described, and said locking and withdrawing means also releases said push button construction means 20 from the operable locked condition of FIG. 6, by an initial pulling out action of such push button construction means 20, as shown in FIG. 7, followed by a releasing pushing in action on the push button construction means to a position similar to that of FIG. 4. Thereafter the push button construction means 20 may be withdrawn from casing 22. This is accomplished by certain parts as has been previously described in detail.

Such locking and withdrawing means includes inward or first latch means 44 which may be hooks, and carried by the casing 22, and outwardly or second movable latch means 42 which may include latch bar 40 carried by the push button construction means 20, such latch means 42 being movable into latching engagement with the inward latch means 44 during the initial locking pushing in action which includes, for example, the pushing in action illustrated in the sequence shown and described in connection with FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6.

Also said locking and withdrawing means is provided to release the push button construction means 20 from the operable locked condition of FIG. 6 by an initial pulling out action of said push button construction means 20, as is accomplished by the various parts as shown and described in connection with FIG. 7 when compared with such parts in FIG. 6 followed by a release pushing in action on such push button construction means as shown and described in connection with FIG. 4 when compared with FIG. 7, including the action of the latch bar 40 which moves from a position with the latch means 42 in 7 the hook means 44 in FIG. 7 to the position where the bar 40 has moved to the position in FIG. 4.

Also the push button construction means 20 may include the push actuator 30 and the lamp holder means 32 relatively movably and unitarily secured together which may include the latch means 42 carried by the lamp holder Also the withdrawing means or action may include the pulling out action of said actuator means 30 followed by a releasing pushing in action of said actuator means to become in unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means 44.

Also certain other parts which have been described as carried by the push button construction means are also describable as carried by the actuator means and/or the lamp holder means which are parts of the push button construction means, as is to be understood in connection with the previous detailed descriptions thereof.

It is thus to be seen that a new, useful and unobvious locking and release or withdrawing means in a push button switch assembly has been provided.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed, as required by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the appended claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination:

a casing having a receiving casing aperture means;

switch means connected with said casing;

push button construction means disposed in said casing aperture means and being movable inward and outward relatively to said casing aperture means by a pushing in action and release action to actuate and unactuate said switch means by actuating means of said push button construction means being operatively associated with said switch means when said push button construction means is disposed in a locked condition in said casing aperture means;

and locking and withdrawing means carried by said casing and said push button construction means to lock said push button construction means in said operable locked condition by an initial locking pushing in action of said push button construction means into said casing aperture means, and to release said push button construction means from said operable locked condition by an initial pulling out action of said push button construction means followed by a releasing pushing in action on said push button construction means.

2. A combination according to claim 1 in which said locking and withdrawing means includes inward latch a means carried by said casing, and outwardly movalbe latch means carried by said push button construction means movable into latching engagement with said inward latch means during said initial locking pushing in action.

3. A combination according to claim 1 in which said locking and withdrawing means includes movable first latch means carried by said push button construction means and a second latch means carried by said casing, said first latch means being movable into latching engagement with said second latch means during said first named initial pushing in action.

4. A combination according to claim 3 in which said second latch means includes a hook means carried by said casing and said first latch means includes an outwardly and inwardly movable latch bar movable outwardly into latching engagement with said hook means during said initial locking pushing in action and is movable out of engagement with said hook means during said pulling out action followed by said releasing pushing in action.

5. In combination:

a casing having a receiving casing aperture means;

switch means connected with said casing;

and locking means carried by said casing and said push button construction means to lock said push button construction means in said operable locked condition by an initial pushing in action of said push but ton construction means into said casing aperture means, said locking means including stationary and reversely turning hook means to lock said push button construction means.

6. A combination according to claim 5 in which said hook means is carried by said casing.

7. A combination according to claim 6 in which said push button construction means has latch means movable to latch with said hook means.

8. A combination according to claim 7 in which said latch means includes a movable latch bar carried by said push button construction means which is movable to latch with said hook means during said initial pushing in action.

9. In combination:

a casing having a receiving casing aperture means;

switch means connected with said casing; push button construction means disposed in said casing aperture means and being movable inward and outward relatively to said casing aperture means by a pushing in action and release action to actuate and unactuate said switch means by actuating means of said push button construction means being operatively associated with said switch means when said push button construction means is disposed in a locked condition in said casing aperture means;

locking means carried by said casing and said push button construction means to lock said push button construction means in said operable locked condition by an initial pushing in action of said push button construction means into said casing aperture means, said locking means including stationary hook means carried by said casing to lock said push button construction means and including movable latch means carried by said push button construction to latch with said hook means, said latch means including a movable latch bar carried by said push button construction means which is movable to latch with said hook means during said initial pushing in action said locking means also including withdrawing means to release said push button construction means from said operable locked condition by an initial pulling out action of said push button construction means followed by a release pushing in action on said push button construction means.

10. A combination according to claim 9 in which said latch bar is unlatched from said hook means during said initial pulling out action followed by said last named pushing in action.

11. In combination: a casing having a receiving casing aperture means and a casing latch means;

switch means connected with said casing;

push button construction means disposed in said casing aperture means and being movable inward and outward relatively to said casing aperture means by a pushing in action and release action to actuate and unactuate said switch means by push actuator means of said push button construction means being operatively associated with said switch means when said push button construction means is disposed in a locked condition in said casing aperture means, said push button construction means including said push actuator means and a lamp holder means relatively movably and unitarily secured together, said lamp holder means having a lamp holder latch means to become in latching engagement with and in unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means; and locking and withdrawing means carried by said casing and said push button construction means to lock said push button construction means in said operable locked condition in said casing and including means to cause said lamp holder latch means to become in latching engagement with said casing latch means by an initial locking pushing in action of said push actuator means, and to release said push button construction means from said operable locked condition by an initial pulling out action of said push actuator means followed by a releasing pushing in action of said push actuator means to cause said lamp holder latch means to become in unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means.

12. A combination according to claim 11 in which said lamp holder latch means includes a catch bar having a catch bar latch means movable into latching engagement with and unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means.

13. A combination according to claim 12 in which said push actuator means has actuator cam means operatively associated with said catch bar to cause said catch bar to move into latching engagement with and unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means as said cam means is moved.

14. A combination according to claim 13 including spring means carried by said push button construction means and being operatively associated with said catch bar to move said catch bar into latching engagement with said casing latch means and wherein said actuator cam means moves said catch bar into disengagement from said casing latch means.

15. A combination according to claim 14 in which said casing latch means includes a plurality of casing hooks secured in said casing, said lamp holder means includes upper and lower sections, a plurality of catch bars carried by said push button construction means and being provided with spring means to move their respective catch bar latch means into latching engagement with said plurality of casing hooks, said actuator cam means moving said plurality of catch bars into disengagement with said respective casing hooks, said casing having a support base with upwardly biased lamp contactors and an upwardly biased switch means actuating plunger, said push actuator means having a vertical connector bar for engaging and disengaging said plunger to actuate and inactuate said switch means.

16. A combination according to claim 15 in which said upper and lower sections have a horizontal bar, and said vertical connector bar having a wedge shaped protrusion and an end protrusion to engage said horizontal bar to provide respectively a resistance to relative movement between said sections and said push actuator means and to provide a limit to relative separation between said sections and said push actuator means.

' 17. In combination:

a casing having a receiving casing aperture means;

a switch means connected to said casing;

a push actuator means and a lamp holder means relatively movably and unitarily secured together, said push actuator means and said lamp holder means being disposed in said casing aperture means and being insertable in and removable from said casing as a unit through said casing aperture means, said switch means being actuatable to actuated condition and unactuated condition by pushing in action and release action on said push actuator means which is operatively associated with said switch means when said lamp holder means in in a locked condition in said casing aperture means;

locking means carried by said casing and said lamp holder means to lock said lamp holder means in said locked condition in said casing by an initial pushing in action of said push actuator means, followed by a releasing action of said push actuator means;

and locking release means carried by said p'ush actuator means and said lamp holder means and being operatively associated with said locking means to release said lamp holder means from said locked condition by a pulling out action on said push actuator means followed by a releasing pushing in action of said push actuator means.

18. A combination according to claim 17 in which said casing has a casing latch means that defines part of said locking means, and said lamp holder means has a lamp holder latch means to become in latching engagement with and in unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means, said lamp holder latch means defining part of said locking means;

and said locking release means including means to cause said lamp holder latch means to become in latching engagement with said casing latch means by an initial locking pushing in action of said push actuator means, and to release said push actuator means and said lamp holder means from said operable locked condition by an initial pulling out action of said push actuator means followed by a releasing pushing in action of said push actuator means to cause said lamp holder latch means to become in unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means.

19. A combination according to claim 18 in which said lamp holder latch means includes a catch bar having a catch bar latch means movable into latching engagement with and unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means.

20. A combination according to claim 19 in which said actuator means has actuator cam means operatively associated with said catch bar to cause said catch bar to move into latching engagement with and unlatching disengagement from said casing latch means.

21. A combination according to claim 20 including spring means carried by said lamp holder means and being operatively associated with said catch bar to move said catch bar into latching engagement with said casing latch means and wherein said actuator cam means moves said catch bar into disengagement from said casing latch means.

22. A combination according to claim 21 in which said casing latch means includes a plurality of casing hooks secured in said casing, said lamp holder means includes upper and lower sections, said lamp holder means carrying a plurality of said catch bars with said spring means to move their respective catch bar latch means into latching engagement with said plurality of easing hooks, said actuator cam means moving said plurality of catch bars into disengagement with said respective casing hooks, said casing having a support base with upwardly biased lamp contactors and an upwardly biased switch means actuating plunger, said push actuator means having a vertical connector bar engaging and disengaging said plunger to actuate and unactuate said switch means.

23. A combination according to claim 22 in which said upper and lower sections have a horizontal bar, and said vertical connector bar having a wedge shaped protrusion and an end protrusion to engage said horizontal bar to provide respectively a resistance to relative movement between said sections and said push actuator means and to provide a limit to relative seperation between said sections and said push actuator means.

24. In combination:

a casing having a receiving casing aperture means;

switch means connected with said casing;

a push actuator means and a lamp holder means relatively movable and unitarily secured together, said push actuator means and said lamp holder means 11 12 being disposed in said aperture means and being inator means followed by a releasing pushing in acsertable in and removable from said casing as a tion of said push actuator means. unit, said switch means being actuatable to actuated 25. A combination according to claim 24 in which condition and unactuated condition by pushing in said latch means is fixed on said casing. action and release action on said push actuator 26. A combination according to claim 25 in which means which is operatively associated with said 5 said latch means is a book means. switch means when said lamp holder means is in a locked condition in said aperture means; References Cited locking means carried by said casing and said lamp UNI STATES A S holder means to lock said lamp holder means in said locked condition in said casing by an initial pushing in action of said push actuator means, followed by a releasing action of said push actuator means, said locking means including latch means carried by said casing and locking said lamp holder 15 means during said initial pushing in action;

and locking release means carried by said ush actuator means and said lamp holder means and being HERMAN JONES Pnmary Examiner operatively associated with said locking means to 1 release said lamp holder means from said locked 20 0 condition by a pulling out action on said push actu- 10 2,904,662 9/1959 Spring.

3,090,949 5/ 1963 Hallerberg 200-l59 3,197,598 7/1965 Andersen et al.

3,249,705 5/ 19-66 Amis et a1.

3,267,245 8/ 1966 Vincent.

3,274,354 9/ 1966 Stevens.