US3609255A - Sliding switch programmer for controlling multiple switches - Google Patents

Sliding switch programmer for controlling multiple switches Download PDF

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Publication number
US3609255A
US3609255A US860930A US3609255DA US3609255A US 3609255 A US3609255 A US 3609255A US 860930 A US860930 A US 860930A US 3609255D A US3609255D A US 3609255DA US 3609255 A US3609255 A US 3609255A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
sliders
contact members
slider
housing
pairs
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US860930A
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English (en)
Inventor
John Covell Collier
David William Rickards
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Vertex Industries Inc
Original Assignee
AMP Inc
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Publication date
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Publication of US3609255A publication Critical patent/US3609255A/en
Assigned to VERTEX INDUSTRIES, INC., A CORP.OF NJ reassignment VERTEX INDUSTRIES, INC., A CORP.OF NJ ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: AMP INCORPORATED A CORP. OF NJ
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/06—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by means which conduct current when a mark is sensed or absent, e.g. contact brush for a conductive mark

Definitions

  • a programming unit designed as a variable input unit for a data transmission system incorporates a number of sliders which are able to be moved to various positions to set up a program.
  • a switch matrix situated behind the sliders is operated by the sliders to set up a signal pattern which can be transmitted serially by a separate switch.
  • Such an electrical switch arrangement can be used as a variable data input device in a credit card system used in a shop.
  • Such an arrangement is provided in combination with a credit card reader in a data collection unit at each sales point inthe shop, the data collection units being linked by wires to a central processing station.
  • a customer makes a purchase which is to be debited against his account, he produces a credit card which carries his personal details relative to his account.
  • This credit card is placed in the credit card reader of the data collection unit at the sales point, which reader transmits the data concerning the purchaser from the credit card to the central processing station.
  • variable data input device It is necessary to send to the central processing station details of the purchase made, and the variable data input device is used for this.
  • variable data input device thus has to include means for setting up the required details and means for translating the details into an electric signal for transmission to the central processing station.
  • each operating member is a slider arranged for movement between a plurality of positions, in each of which positions the slider operates an individual one of the pairs of contacts of the associated set.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a sliding programming switch to set forth selected data to be transmitted to peripheral equipment for use thereby.
  • Another object is the provision of spring contacts of the sliding programming switch being in constant engagement with sliding members of the switch.
  • a further object is to provide means to maintain spring contacts of the sliding programming switch out of engagement with sliding members of the switch.
  • An additional object is the provision of a contact member for the sliding programming switch which has lamina, spring legs and enlarged ends disposed in a plane having long-wearing capability and they are easy and economical.
  • a still further object is to provide means to move all of the sliders simultaneously to their rest or zero positions.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a section on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a detail of two pairs of cooperating contacts
  • FIG. 4 is a section similar to that of FIG. 2 but of the second embodiment.
  • the arrangement includes a front panel 1 having six parallel slots 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, in it. At one end of the slots 2 to 7 are three transverse slots 8, 9, each spanning the width ofa pair of the slots 2 to 7.
  • Each of the sliders 12 to 17 is located beneath each of the slots 2 to 7. Each of the sliders 12 to 17 also projects below one of the transverse slots 8, 9 and 10. Each of the sliders 12 to 17 has 10, spaced, transverse grooves 11 on it, which show through the associated one of the slots 2 to 7, and which can be engaged by a suitable implement, for example a ballpoint pen, to move the slider.
  • the panel 1 is marked with the digitcharacters 0 to 9 adjacent the slot 2, the characters being spaced apart by equal distances corresponding to the distance between the grooves 11 in each slider 12 to 17.
  • Each of the sliders 12 to 17 carries on its upper surface a row of the digits 0 to 9 which are successively presented in the associated one of slots 8, 9 and 10 as the slider is moved.
  • a particular digit is presented in one of the slots 8 to 10 when the sliders 12 to 17 are in their uppermost (as seen in FIG. 1) position, with a groove 11 on each of sliders 12 to 17 in line with each of the digit characters 0 to 9 on the front panel I, by placing the suitable implement in the groove 11 in the appropriate one of sliders 12 to 17, in line with the particular digit character on the front panel 1, and then moving the slider downwards (as seen in FIG. 1) until the implement reaches the bottom of the one of slots 2 to 7 in which it is positioned.
  • a housing 25 which contains six sets of pairs of cooperating contacts, one set 26 in respect of each of sliders 12 to 17.
  • the sets 26 are identical, and each comprises a flat lamina 27 of spring copper having connection tabs 28 on one edge, for connection to supply leads, and a plurality of flexible spring arms 29 on the opposite edge.
  • Each spring arm 29 has an enlarged end 30 which bears against the underside of the associated one of sliders 12 to 17 to thereby frictionally hold the sliders between the spring arms 29 and the front panel 1.
  • Each spring arm 29 forms a movable pair of cooperating contacts, and contact rods 31 extending transversely through the housing 25 from relatively fixed contacts of the pairs of contacts for engagement by the arms 29.
  • Each spring arm 29 has a section extending outwardly from lamina 27 with a radiused configuration so that another section extends at about a 30 angle relative to an inner edge of lamina 27 to provide legs 29 with good spring characteristics.
  • Lamina 27, legs 29 and enlarged ends 30 are all in the same plane and contacts 26 are readily stamped from thin flat stock without any forming operation being formed thereon. The edges of enlarged ends 30 engage sliders 12- 17 and these contacts have been proven to have exceedingly long-wearing capability.
  • Each of the sliders 12 to 17 has a recess 32 formed in its underside, into which recess 32 the end 30 of any associated spring arm 29 can extend.
  • the lowermost contact rod 31 is contacted by its associated spring arm 29 with the enlarged end 30 of this arm 29 extending into the recess 32 in the slider 13.
  • the other contact rods 31 are not engaged by their associated spring arms 29 since the ends 30 of the other spring arms 29 engage the back of the slider 13 and thus the arms 29 are held off from the rods 31.
  • the contact rod 31 which is engaged has an electrical circuit completed to it via the inputs 28, 31 to the arrangement and an electrical signal indicative of the digit 9 is initiated by the arrangement.
  • the contact rods 31 are in use connected to the inputs of a scanning switch, for example a rotary stepping switch, which scans each of the rods 31 for each of the sets 26 in turn, and thus the digits set up on the sliders 12 to 17 are read out in succession.
  • a scanning switch for example a rotary stepping switch
  • the arrangement can be used as an encoder for setting up a complex digital program if a large number of sliders are provided.
  • the lamina 27 of a contact set 26 can be subdivided into a plurality of parts each with an individual tab 28. In this way many different programs can be set up on the arrangement.
  • the housing 25 carrying the contact sets 26 is mounted independently of the front panel 1 on a shaft 20, so that it can move between a position in which the ends 30 of the spring arms 29 engage the sliders 12 to 17, and a position in which there is no such engagement.
  • This arrangement prevents the spring arms 29 being constantly flexed as the sliders 12 to 17 are moved, and means that the spring arms 29 are in contact with the contact rods 31 in the rest position, thus ensuring that the area of contact between the arms 29 and the rods 31 is kept clean.
  • the sliders 12 to 17 are held to the back of the panel 1 by straps (not shown) which allow the required movement of the sliders 12 to 17.
  • the movement of the housing 25 is effected by an electromagnetic solenoid 21 which is mounted on the housing of the arrangement, and which is arranged to be energized when data set up on the sliders 12 to 17 is to be read, this moving the housing 25 so that the ends 30 of the spring arms 29 engage the sliders 12 to 17.
  • the solenoid 21 is deenergized when the data has been read, the housing 25 then returning to its initial position so that the ends 30 of the spring arms 29 move out of engagement with the sliders 12 to 17.
  • the housing 25 is moved by means of a cam lever 22 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 23 and which is connected to the plunger 33 of the solenoid 21 by way of a pin and slot connection 34.
  • the arrangement is provided with a lever 35 for simultaneously moving all of the sliders 12 to 17 to their rest position when the data has been read.
  • the lever 35 projects through a slot 36 in the front panel 1, and engages a bar (not shown) arranged beneath the lower ends of the sliders 12 to 17 (as seen in FIG. 1).
  • the bar engages the ends of the sliders 12 to 17 to push them upwards (as seen in FIG. 1) when they are to be returned to their rest position.
  • a programming switch comprising a series of contact members defining a matrix, each of the contact members including a lamina and a plurality of spring contact members extending outwardly from an inner edge of said lamina at an acute angle with respect to this inner edge defining movable contact members and stationary contact members disposed proximate outer ends of said spring contact members with said spring contact members in engagement therewith, and slider means movably disposed in engagement with said movable contact members and having means thereon to allow selected ones of said movable contact members to move into engagement with said stationary contact members.
  • An electrical switch arrangement including a plurality of pairs of cooperating contacts arranged in sets in a housing, each pair of cooperating contacts comprising a first contact fixed relative to the housing and a second contact in the form of a resilient arm movable relative to the first contact, a plurality of operating sliders respectively associated with the sets and arranged for movement between a plurality of positions, the sliders and the housing being mounted relative to each other such that the free ends of the resilient arms can engage the sliders, this engagement holding the resilient arms out of contact with the associated first contacts, each slider having a recess into WhlCh the free end of any one of the associated resilient arms can project when the slider is in an appropriate one of the plurality of positions, the one resilient arm then contacting the associated first contact.
  • An electrical switch arrangement including a plurality of pairs of cooperating contacts arranged in sets, each set having an individually associated operating member, in which each operating member is a slider arranged for movement between a plurality of positions, in each of which positions the slider operates an individual one of the pairs of contacts of the associated set, and in which the pairs of cooperating contacts are mounted in a housing in a matrix formation, and in which the housing is mounted for movement relative to the sliders between a first position in which none of the pairs of cooperating contacts can be operated by one associated slider, and a second position in which one of the pairs of cooperating contacts of each set can be operated by the associated slider.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Calculators And Similar Devices (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
US860930A 1968-09-27 1969-09-25 Sliding switch programmer for controlling multiple switches Expired - Lifetime US3609255A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB4587768 1968-09-27

Publications (1)

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US3609255A true US3609255A (en) 1971-09-28

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ID=10438946

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US860930A Expired - Lifetime US3609255A (en) 1968-09-27 1969-09-25 Sliding switch programmer for controlling multiple switches

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US (1) US3609255A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1250174A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2935577A (en) * 1957-11-05 1960-05-03 Switchcraft Push button switches
US3118025A (en) * 1962-03-26 1964-01-14 Martin W Boesl Selective push-button electric switch device
US3146320A (en) * 1961-06-01 1964-08-25 Wang Laboratories Multiple slide switch
US3205318A (en) * 1963-06-11 1965-09-07 Itt Wire spring pushbutton assembly
US3290439A (en) * 1963-04-29 1966-12-06 Willcox Data encoding keyboard
US3378652A (en) * 1966-06-20 1968-04-16 Hammond Corp Keyboard switch assembly with improved contact means
US3465113A (en) * 1968-02-19 1969-09-02 Cherry Electrical Prod Read-out slide switch

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2935577A (en) * 1957-11-05 1960-05-03 Switchcraft Push button switches
US3146320A (en) * 1961-06-01 1964-08-25 Wang Laboratories Multiple slide switch
US3118025A (en) * 1962-03-26 1964-01-14 Martin W Boesl Selective push-button electric switch device
US3290439A (en) * 1963-04-29 1966-12-06 Willcox Data encoding keyboard
US3205318A (en) * 1963-06-11 1965-09-07 Itt Wire spring pushbutton assembly
US3378652A (en) * 1966-06-20 1968-04-16 Hammond Corp Keyboard switch assembly with improved contact means
US3465113A (en) * 1968-02-19 1969-09-02 Cherry Electrical Prod Read-out slide switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1250174A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-10-20

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: VERTEX INDUSTRIES, INC., A CORP.OF NJ, NEW JERSEY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMP INCORPORATED A CORP. OF NJ;REEL/FRAME:004167/0768

Effective date: 19830602

Owner name: VERTEX INDUSTRIES, INC., CLIFTON, NJ A CORP.OF NJ

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:AMP INCORPORATED A CORP. OF NJ;REEL/FRAME:004167/0768

Effective date: 19830602