US3632914A - Key-operated electrical switch - Google Patents

Key-operated electrical switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3632914A
US3632914A US101934A US3632914DA US3632914A US 3632914 A US3632914 A US 3632914A US 101934 A US101934 A US 101934A US 3632914D A US3632914D A US 3632914DA US 3632914 A US3632914 A US 3632914A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
rocker
key
switch
carrier
carrier member
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
US101934A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Thomas F Osika
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.)
McGill Manufacturing Co Inc
Original Assignee
McGill Manufacturing Co Inc
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 McGill Manufacturing Co Inc filed Critical McGill Manufacturing Co Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3632914A publication Critical patent/US3632914A/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
    • H01H27/00—Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T70/00—Locks
    • Y10T70/50—Special application
    • Y10T70/5611—For control and machine elements
    • Y10T70/569—Lever
    • Y10T70/573—Single
    • Y10T70/5735—Externally mounted locking device
    • Y10T70/5739—With padlock
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T70/00—Locks
    • Y10T70/50—Special application
    • Y10T70/5611—For control and machine elements
    • Y10T70/569—Lever
    • Y10T70/573—Single
    • Y10T70/5743—Disconnectable

Definitions

  • a key-operated electrical switch includes a rocker member which is rotatably mounted about an axle connected between two trunnions on the top of the switch easing.
  • a carrier member is likewise mounted about the axle and has a portion which extends into the switch casing to operate the bridge mechanism for opening and closing the switch contacts.
  • rocker and the carrier member are free to rotate relative to one another about the axle with the carrier member moving into a cavity in the rocker.
  • the lcey is inserted into the rocker and carrier to connect them together such that movement of the rocker will move the carrier in unison therewith to operate the switch.
  • a keyoperated electrical switch includes a switch housing which encloses contacts and a bridge member.
  • a carrier member for operating the bridge member to selectively open and close the contacts is rotatably mounted to a pin member or axle which extends between first and second trunnions connected to the top of the switch housing.
  • a rocker member has an integral portion which is also rotatingly mounted about the axle and extends into the carrier member. In this manner the carrier member and the rocker member are movable relative to one another with the carrier member moving into a hollow portion in the body of the rocker member.
  • a key is removably positioned to extend through the rocker member and into the carrier member. It acts to connect the two so they move in unison and not relative to one another with operation of the rocker to selectively open and close the contacts. With the key removed from the members, the rocker moves relative to the carrier to render the switch inoperative.
  • movement of the rocker member in a direction to open the switch contacts will cause the carrier member to engage the rocker in an interference fit with the restricted portion of the opening in the rocker member, so continued movement of the rocker moves the carrier to open the switch contacts even though the key has been removed.
  • any at tempt to move the rocker member to close the contacts will cause the rocker to move relative to the carrier member with the carrier moving into the unrestricted opposite end of the hollow portion of the body of the rocker thereby rendering the switch inoperative.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of the key operated switch in accordance with this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of the switch of FIG. 1 illustrating a different operating position thereof;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of the switch of F IG. 1 showing the key removed;
  • FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the switch of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of a further embodiment of the switch of FIG. 1 in accordance with this invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a switch casing con taining a switch mechanism therein which includes contacts 12 and 14, which are electrically connected to terminals 16 and 18.
  • a bridge member 20 has a contact portion 22 on the end thereof which mates with the contact surface 12 to complete the circuit between the terminals 16 and 18 through contacts 14 and 12 and the bridge member 20.
  • a pair of supports or trunnions 24 and 26 (FIG. 4) are connected to the switch casing 10 in a spaced relation to one another.
  • a pin member 28 extends between the trunnions 24 and 26 and acts as an axle for pivotingly and rotatingly mounting a carrier member 30 between the trunnions.
  • the carrier member 30 has a portion 32 which extends downwardly into the switch casing.
  • a plunger 34 is resiliently mounted (not shown) within the portion 32 in the known manner.
  • a boss portion 36 on the contact 14 provides for detent operation of the bridge member 20.
  • the plunger 34 As viewed in FIG. I is on the left hand side of contact 14 and its support 17 and resiliently biases the bridge member and the contact portion 22 to make an electrical connection with the contact 12 of terminal 16 thereby completing the circuit.
  • the plunger 34 As shown in FIG. 2 with the carrier member 30 positioned to its second predetermined position, the plunger 34 has now been moved to the right hand side of the contact 14 thereby resiliently biasing the bridge member 20 to break the electrical connection between the contacts 22 and 12.
  • the end of the bridge member 20 opposite the contact portion 22 rests on an insulated step portion 40 within the switch casing with the switch in an off position.
  • a rocker member 45 is provided as the switch operator.
  • the rocker 45 has a hollow cavity or portion 47, a leg member 50 is integrally molded between the walls of the rocker 45, and extends outwardly of the hollow portion 47 downwardly into a cavity in the carrier member 30.
  • This leg portion 50 is also rotatingly and pivotally mounted about the axle 28 in the same fashion as the carrier 30. Therefore, the rocker 45 and the carrier 30 may be rotated relative to one another about the axle 28 with the carrier member rotating within the hollow cavity 47 of the rocker 45.
  • a key member is provided to connect the rocker 45 and the carrier 30 together such that they will rotate in unison about the axle 28 to selectively bridge the contacts 12 and 14 to render the switch on" and to open the contacts 12 and 14 to render the switch off.”
  • the key 60 is positioned through an aperture 62 (FIG. 4) in rocker 45 and extends downwardly into a keyway 64 which is positioned immediately adjacent the leg 50 of the rocker 45.
  • the key is shaped to fit the curvature of the rocker and includes a leg 65 which extends into the keyway and wedges against the leg 50 of the rocker 45. This firmly connects the rocker to the carrier permitting the two pieces to move in unison to operate the switch.
  • This switch therefore, operates like any rocker switch with the key in position. However, it provides an excellent safety feature for instance with power tools and the like where the operator by removing the key is able to render the switch inoperative until the key is replaced.
  • a further safety feature can be provided in this switch. If the switch is in the on" position as shown in FIG. 1, and for some reason the key 60 is removed, the operator can still turn the switch off in case of an emergency. To provide this a projection is formed within the cavity 47 of the rocker 45 simply by extending the thickness of the walls of the cavity at the end 72 of the rocker 45 thereby restricting the opening therein. As shown in FIG. 1, with the carrier member in the first predetermined or on" position should the key 60 be removed, movement of the rocker 45 relative to the carrier 30 toward the second predetermined or off position will cause the wall 70 forming the cavity 47 to interfere with the stop member 78 extending from the carrier 30 such that continued movement of the rocker will operate the carrier to open the bridge and break the contacts.
  • any attempt to move the rocker 45 in a manner to close the switch contacts simply causes the rocker 45 to move relative to the carrier member 30 with the cavity 47 of the rocker 45 rotating about the carrier 30.
  • the member 78 not only provides an interference fit with the cavity wall 70 in the manner heretofore described, but it also serves as a stop (FIG. 3) to set the first predetermined or on" position of the carrier 30 against the spring pressure of the plunger 34.
  • the member 82 serves as a stop to set the second predetermined or off" position of the carrier 30.
  • the rocker 90 takes on a different shape than the rocker 45 of the switch shown in FIG. 1.
  • the key 95 rather than having one leg 65 as does the key 60 of the switch of FIG. 1, has two legs 96 and 97. These legs fit into two keyways provided on either side of the leg 50 which is connected to the rocker 90.
  • raised portions 100 and 101 are located on legs 96 and 97 of the key 95 and are matched with corresponding ledges 102 and 103 of the rocker 90 such that they provide a detent action when the key is properly inserted into the switch when joining the rocker 90 and the carrier member 30.
  • a key-operated electrical switch including in combination, a switch housing enclosing a switch mechanism therein, first moveable means coupled to said switch housing for operating said switch mechanism, rocker means coupled to said switch housing and moveable by the switch operator relative to said first means, and a key member for selectively connecting said first means and said rocker means, said key member extending through said rocker means and into said first means thereby connecting said first means and said rocker means so movement of said rocker means moves said first means and said key member in unison therewith to operate the switch, with said key member being removed from said first means and said rocker means said rocker means moves relative to said first means thereby rendering the switch inoperable 2.
  • the key operated electrical switch of claim 1 further including second means mechanically cooperating with one of said first means and said rocker means, said second means for connecting said first means and said rocker means only with the switch in the on" position and with said key member being removed thereby disconnecting said first means and said rocker means so movement of said rocker means moves said first means in unison therewith to turn the switch off.
  • a key-operated electrical switch including in combination, a switch housing enclosing contact means and a bridge member, a carrier member for operating said bridge member for selectively opening and closing said contact means, first and second support means connected to said switch housing in a spaced relation to one another, a pin member extending between said support means, said carrier member being rotatingly mounted to said pin member between said support means, said carrier member moveable between a first or on position and a second or off position for operating said contact means, a rocker member having a body with a hollow portion therein and a leg member integral with said body and extending outwardly of the hollow portion, said leg member extending into said carrier member and being rotatingly mounted to said pin member, said carrier member and said rocker member being moveable relative to one another about said pin member with the hollow portion of said rocker member rotating about said carrier member, and key means removably positioned to extend through said rocker member and into said carrier member, said key means in said position connecting said rocker member to said carrier member so the same move in unison with
  • the key-operated electrical switch of claim 3 further including means integral with one of said carrier member and said rocker member for connecting said members so the same move in unison with said key means being removed from said position, said means acting to connect said members only with said rocker member and carrier member positioned to close said contact means thereby permitting said rocker member to be moved to open said contact means being removed from the switch.
  • said means includes a portion of the body of said rocker member extending into and restricting a portion of the opening of said hollow portion thereof, whereby with said rocker member and said carrier member being positioned to close said contact means and said key means being removed therefrom, said extended body portion of said rocker portion interferes with and prohibits the hollow portion of said rocker member from rotating about said carrier member with said rocker member being rotated about said pin member so said members move in unison to open said contact means, and with said carrier member positioned to open said contacts further movement of said rocker member about said pin member to close said contacts moves the same relative to said carrier member with the hollow portion of said rocker member rotating about said carrier member to render the switch inoperative.

Landscapes

  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
US101934A 1970-12-28 1970-12-28 Key-operated electrical switch Expired - Lifetime US3632914A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10193470A 1970-12-28 1970-12-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3632914A true US3632914A (en) 1972-01-04

Family

ID=22287249

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US101934A Expired - Lifetime US3632914A (en) 1970-12-28 1970-12-28 Key-operated electrical switch

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3632914A (de)
CA (1) CA936206A (de)
DE (2) DE7147102U (de)
FR (1) FR2120845A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1338036A (de)
IT (1) IT945270B (de)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3906176A (en) * 1974-08-02 1975-09-16 Hubbell Inc Harvey Tamperproof switch
US4230917A (en) * 1979-02-12 1980-10-28 Mcgill Manufacturing Company, Inc. Removable-key rocker type switch for two circuits
US4359615A (en) * 1981-08-14 1982-11-16 Black & Decker Inc. Switch and means to prevent unauthorized operation thereof
US4767895A (en) * 1987-10-27 1988-08-30 Eaton Corporation Removable key off-lock switch having improved locking actuator
US5239143A (en) * 1988-06-28 1993-08-24 Judco Manufacturing, Inc. Rocker switch operator means
US20050248893A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-10 Gary Anderson Power tool lockdown device
US20050247348A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-10 Gary Anderson Pneumatic tool lock
US20060045290A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-03-02 Lin Shih-Wei Mechanical roller controller
US20080223012A1 (en) * 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Black & Decker, Inc. Cordless electric mower fail-safe charge lockout
US20090219118A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2009-09-03 Gary Anderson Power tool lockdown device
US20140346026A1 (en) * 2013-05-22 2014-11-27 Omron Corporation Switch and control method thereof

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1076787B (de) * 1957-12-10 1960-03-03 Berker Geb Verschliessbarer elektrischer Wippenschalter
DE1106391B (de) * 1959-09-26 1961-05-10 Berker Geb Verschliessbarer elektrischer Wippenschalter

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1076787B (de) * 1957-12-10 1960-03-03 Berker Geb Verschliessbarer elektrischer Wippenschalter
DE1106391B (de) * 1959-09-26 1961-05-10 Berker Geb Verschliessbarer elektrischer Wippenschalter

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3906176A (en) * 1974-08-02 1975-09-16 Hubbell Inc Harvey Tamperproof switch
US4230917A (en) * 1979-02-12 1980-10-28 Mcgill Manufacturing Company, Inc. Removable-key rocker type switch for two circuits
US4359615A (en) * 1981-08-14 1982-11-16 Black & Decker Inc. Switch and means to prevent unauthorized operation thereof
US4767895A (en) * 1987-10-27 1988-08-30 Eaton Corporation Removable key off-lock switch having improved locking actuator
US5239143A (en) * 1988-06-28 1993-08-24 Judco Manufacturing, Inc. Rocker switch operator means
US20050247348A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-10 Gary Anderson Pneumatic tool lock
US20050248893A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2005-11-10 Gary Anderson Power tool lockdown device
US7007712B2 (en) 2004-05-10 2006-03-07 Gary Anderson Pneumatic tool lock
US7317263B2 (en) 2004-05-10 2008-01-08 Gary Anderson Power tool lockdown device
US20090219118A1 (en) * 2004-05-10 2009-09-03 Gary Anderson Power tool lockdown device
US7750509B2 (en) 2004-05-10 2010-07-06 Gary Anderson Power tool lockdown device
US20060045290A1 (en) * 2004-08-27 2006-03-02 Lin Shih-Wei Mechanical roller controller
US20080223012A1 (en) * 2007-03-13 2008-09-18 Black & Decker, Inc. Cordless electric mower fail-safe charge lockout
US20140346026A1 (en) * 2013-05-22 2014-11-27 Omron Corporation Switch and control method thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2120845A5 (de) 1972-08-18
DE2162079B2 (de) 1973-08-30
DE2162079A1 (de) 1972-06-29
DE2162079C3 (de) 1974-03-28
GB1338036A (en) 1973-11-21
CA936206A (en) 1973-10-30
DE7147102U (de) 1972-04-20
IT945270B (it) 1973-05-10

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