US3610860A - Electrical switches incorporating position-indicating means - Google Patents

Electrical switches incorporating position-indicating means Download PDF

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Publication number
US3610860A
US3610860A US823561A US3610860DA US3610860A US 3610860 A US3610860 A US 3610860A US 823561 A US823561 A US 823561A US 3610860D A US3610860D A US 3610860DA US 3610860 A US3610860 A US 3610860A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
base
lens
switch
light source
casing
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
US823561A
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English (en)
Inventor
John Granville Baldwin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZF International UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Lucas Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lucas Industries Ltd filed Critical Lucas Industries Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3610860A publication Critical patent/US3610860A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/025—Light-emitting indicators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H23/16—Driving mechanisms
    • H01H23/164—Driving mechanisms with rectilinearly movable member carrying the contacts

Definitions

  • the base carries fixed contacts, and slidable within the casing is a movable contact carrier carrying a movable contact engageable with the fixed contacts.
  • the contact carrier and the movable contact are movable by an operating member which in turn is movable manually to operate the switch.
  • a light source carried by the base of the switch, and a lens positioned in the operating member of the switch. in one operating position of the switch the contact carrier prevents light from the light source shining through the lens, and so the lens is not illuminated. However, in a second operating position of the switch the contact carrier is displaced from the light source, and so light from the light source shines through the lens, thereby illuminating the lens and giving an indication of the operative position of the switch.
  • This invention relates to electrical switches.
  • a switch includes a casing having a base, fixed contacts on the inner surface of the base, a contact carrier mounted for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to the base, operating means for moving the contact carrier relative to the base between first and second positions, a movable contact carried by said carrier and cooperable with said fixed contacts, a light source carried by said base, and a lens in a surface of the switch remote from the base, said light source directing light within the casing to illuminate said lens, and the arrangement being such that in said second position the contact carrier masks said light source from said lens so that said lens is not illuminated while in said first position. Said contact carrier exposes said light source to said lens so that said lens is illuminated, thereby giving an indication that the switch is in said first position.
  • the switch includes an open boxlike housing 11 which is moulded in transparent synthetic resin material, and which includes an outwardly directed peripheral flange 12 at its open end.
  • the housing 11 is adapted to be engaged as a snap fit in a hole in the facia panel 13 of a road vehicle.
  • the base 14 Adjacent one end of the base 14 of the housing 11, the base 14 includes an integral socket 15 which receives a bulb holder 16 carrying a bulb 17.
  • the bulb holder 16 is wired into the lighting circuit of the road vehicle so that the bulb 17 is illuminated whenever the side lights of the vehicle are switched on.
  • the base 14 carries the fixed switch contacts 18 of the switch, and each of the contacts 18 includes an external terminal member 19 through which the contacts are connected into the circuitry of the vehicle.
  • Slidable within the housing 11, in a plane parallel to the base 14, is a molded synthetic resin contact block 21, which carries a pair of movable contacts 22 cooperable with the contacts 18.
  • the contacts 22 are urged into engagement with the contacts 18 by respective springs 23 acting between the block 21 and the contacts 22, and the block 21 is held against movement away from the base 14 by pegs 24 integral with the housing 1 l.
  • a rocker-type operating member 25 Pivotally mounted in the open end of the housing 11, and closing the open end of the housing 11, is a rocker-type operating member 25.
  • the operating member 25 is molded in opaque synthetic resin and includes an integral finger 26 which extends towards the base 14.
  • the finger 26 is operatively connected to the block 21 through an overcenter mechanism 27, in such a manner that rocking movements of the operating member 25 relative to the housing 11 between first and second positions causes sliding movement of the block 21 relative to the base 14, between first and second positions.
  • the operating member 25 is provided with an aperture, which is closed by a molded lens 28, the lens 28 being engaged as a snap fit with the member 25.
  • the dimensions of the block 21 and the base 14 are such that when the block 21 is in said first position, as shown in the drawings, then the socket 15 is exposed, and light from the bulb l7 shines from the socket 15, upwardly through the housing 11, and through the lens 28. However, when the block 2
  • the first position of the block 21 corresponds to an on position of the switch, and an indication that the switch is in its on position is given to the driver of the vehicle by the illumination of the lens 28.
  • the inner diameter of the socket 15 tapers from a minimum adjacent the base 14, to a maximum part way along the length of the socket l5, and so a frustoconical surface 29 is defined around the bulb 17.
  • the housing 11 and the socket 15 are molded in transparent synthetic resin material,
  • the flange 12 of the housing 11 constitutes an illuminated bezel surrounding the operating member 25 of the switch, thereby rendering the location of the switch visible at night, and it will be appreciated that the flange 12 is illuminated irrespective of the position of the block 21.
  • the bulb holder 16 and the bulb 17 are replaced by one end of an optical cable and an associated lens, the other end of the optical cable being positioned adjacent one of the side lights of the vehicle so that the side light bulb is used to illuminate the flange 12 and the lens 28 through the optical cable.
  • An electrical switch including a casing formed from transparent material, said casing having a base, fixed contacts on the inner surface of said base, a contact carrier mounted for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to said base, operating means for moving said contact carrier relative to said base between first and second positions, a moveable contact carried by said carrier and cooperable with said fixed contacts, a light source carried by an elongated portion of the base of said case, and a lens in a surface of the switch remote from said base, said light source directing light within the easing to illuminate said lens, and the arrangement being such that in said second position, the contact carrier masks said light source from said lens so that said lens is not illuminated while, in said first position, said contact carrier exposes said light source to said lens so that said lens is illuminated thereby giving an indication that the switch is in said first position, and wherein said elongated socket portion of the base of said casing has an inner diameter which is tapered from a minimum adjacent said base to a maximum part way along the length of said socket thereby defining a f

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
US823561A 1968-05-20 1969-05-12 Electrical switches incorporating position-indicating means Expired - Lifetime US3610860A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2383668 1968-05-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3610860A true US3610860A (en) 1971-10-05

Family

ID=10202098

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US823561A Expired - Lifetime US3610860A (en) 1968-05-20 1969-05-12 Electrical switches incorporating position-indicating means

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3610860A (de)
JP (1) JPS4726277B1 (de)
ES (1) ES149026Y (de)
FR (1) FR2008872A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1252457A (de)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3735077A (en) * 1971-02-05 1973-05-22 Nihon Kaiheiki Ind Co Ltd Illuminated miniature switch
US3766349A (en) * 1971-11-12 1973-10-16 G Codrino Pushbutton switch, provided with a lighted ideogram
US3767879A (en) * 1971-12-01 1973-10-23 Heinemann Electric Co Circuit breaker with improved lighted indicator
US3928743A (en) * 1973-11-20 1975-12-23 Nihon Kaiheiki Ind Co Ltd Rocker switch with position indicator
US4016388A (en) * 1973-07-27 1977-04-05 Oak Industries Inc. Keyboard switch
DE2625780A1 (de) * 1976-06-09 1977-12-15 Rau Swf Autozubehoer Elektrischer schalter mit beleuchtungseinrichtung
US4064380A (en) * 1976-02-25 1977-12-20 Lucerne Products, Inc. Movable contact carrier for an electrical control
US4071726A (en) * 1975-02-11 1978-01-31 Lucas Electrical Company, Limited Electrical switch having actuator light transmissive region, intermediate lens and light source
US4705920A (en) * 1986-04-08 1987-11-10 Lucerne Products, Inc. Electrical switch with rocker actuator having removable locking key
US5810109A (en) * 1995-12-18 1998-09-22 Defond Manufacturing Limited Electrical switch
US20180104833A1 (en) * 2016-10-17 2018-04-19 Fanuc Corporation Robot and method of installing signal lamp in robot
US11280462B1 (en) * 2021-06-10 2022-03-22 Steve Wriggle Safety sign having a safety switch with an integrated light

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2419581A1 (fr) * 1978-03-09 1979-10-05 Legrand Sa Coupe-circuit a prehenseur et indicateur de fusion
GB2318453B (en) * 1996-10-16 2000-09-06 Tenby Ind Ltd Switch

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2400849A (en) * 1944-05-05 1946-05-21 Jason C Stearns Waterproof electric switch
US3053337A (en) * 1958-04-23 1962-09-11 Rau Swf Autozubehoer Instrument housing for motor vehicles and switch construction therefor
US3174023A (en) * 1961-10-11 1965-03-16 V & E Friedland Ltd Electric switch having unitary housing and indicator means
US3224279A (en) * 1962-06-28 1965-12-21 Giannini Controls Corp Accelerometer
US3247352A (en) * 1962-02-12 1966-04-19 Reiner Ind Inc Modular electrical components having means for side-by-side physical and electrical inter-connection
US3339032A (en) * 1966-03-16 1967-08-29 Cutler Hammer Inc Positive action switches with improved sliding contact supporting rail structure
FR1554943A (de) * 1967-01-28 1969-01-24
US3476482A (en) * 1967-09-27 1969-11-04 Conrac Corp Opacimeter for comparing light from different areas of sample sheet

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2400849A (en) * 1944-05-05 1946-05-21 Jason C Stearns Waterproof electric switch
US3053337A (en) * 1958-04-23 1962-09-11 Rau Swf Autozubehoer Instrument housing for motor vehicles and switch construction therefor
US3174023A (en) * 1961-10-11 1965-03-16 V & E Friedland Ltd Electric switch having unitary housing and indicator means
US3247352A (en) * 1962-02-12 1966-04-19 Reiner Ind Inc Modular electrical components having means for side-by-side physical and electrical inter-connection
US3224279A (en) * 1962-06-28 1965-12-21 Giannini Controls Corp Accelerometer
US3339032A (en) * 1966-03-16 1967-08-29 Cutler Hammer Inc Positive action switches with improved sliding contact supporting rail structure
FR1554943A (de) * 1967-01-28 1969-01-24
US3476482A (en) * 1967-09-27 1969-11-04 Conrac Corp Opacimeter for comparing light from different areas of sample sheet

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3735077A (en) * 1971-02-05 1973-05-22 Nihon Kaiheiki Ind Co Ltd Illuminated miniature switch
US3766349A (en) * 1971-11-12 1973-10-16 G Codrino Pushbutton switch, provided with a lighted ideogram
US3767879A (en) * 1971-12-01 1973-10-23 Heinemann Electric Co Circuit breaker with improved lighted indicator
US4016388A (en) * 1973-07-27 1977-04-05 Oak Industries Inc. Keyboard switch
US3928743A (en) * 1973-11-20 1975-12-23 Nihon Kaiheiki Ind Co Ltd Rocker switch with position indicator
US4071726A (en) * 1975-02-11 1978-01-31 Lucas Electrical Company, Limited Electrical switch having actuator light transmissive region, intermediate lens and light source
US4064380A (en) * 1976-02-25 1977-12-20 Lucerne Products, Inc. Movable contact carrier for an electrical control
DE2625780A1 (de) * 1976-06-09 1977-12-15 Rau Swf Autozubehoer Elektrischer schalter mit beleuchtungseinrichtung
US4705920A (en) * 1986-04-08 1987-11-10 Lucerne Products, Inc. Electrical switch with rocker actuator having removable locking key
US5810109A (en) * 1995-12-18 1998-09-22 Defond Manufacturing Limited Electrical switch
US20180104833A1 (en) * 2016-10-17 2018-04-19 Fanuc Corporation Robot and method of installing signal lamp in robot
US11280462B1 (en) * 2021-06-10 2022-03-22 Steve Wriggle Safety sign having a safety switch with an integrated light

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2008872A1 (de) 1970-01-30
GB1252457A (de) 1971-11-03
ES149026U (es) 1969-09-01
ES149026Y (es) 1973-02-01
JPS4726277B1 (de) 1972-07-15

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