US3720802A - Switch actuation with lever action - Google Patents

Switch actuation with lever action Download PDF

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Publication number
US3720802A
US3720802A US00260426A US3720802DA US3720802A US 3720802 A US3720802 A US 3720802A US 00260426 A US00260426 A US 00260426A US 3720802D A US3720802D A US 3720802DA US 3720802 A US3720802 A US 3720802A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
strip
plunger
switch
legs
lever
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
US00260426A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Fischer
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.)
Schaltbau GmbH
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Schaltbau GmbH
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Schaltbau GmbH filed Critical Schaltbau GmbH
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3720802A publication Critical patent/US3720802A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H13/14—Operating parts, e.g. push-button
    • H01H13/18—Operating parts, e.g. push-button adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift
    • H01H13/186—Operating parts, e.g. push-button adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift wherein the pushbutton is rectilinearly actuated by a lever pivoting on the housing of the switch

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to improvements in switch actuator construction, and more particularly, the invention relates to construction of a lever for transmitting a switch actuation desplacement and force to a reciprocating plunger which operates an electrical switch directly or indirectly (i.e. via other transmission elements); the actuation force and displacement is externally applied.
  • the switch to be actuated may be a limit switch to be responsive to particular position of an object which provides force and displacement for operating the switch.
  • Actuators for such push button or plunger operated switches include usually lever elements, and various configurations are known here for different purposes and operating conditions. As stated, such switches are frequently used as limit switches which respond to particular positions of displaceable parts in an apparatus, machine or the like. These switches are usually operated by rather stiff levers having a fulcrum point somewhere on the switch box or casing. Some of the known switches have lever actuators which have a springy portion between lever mount and the point of engagement with the plunger or push button. such levers are usually simpler to make as compared with levers that pivot on an axis. Some of these known actuators are connectable in various positions to the switch box so that the actuator lever can be mounted in correspondence to the direction of external actuation.
  • the actuator lever from springy strip having a U-shaped slot on one end which extends sufficiently deep into the strip so that (a) the bottom of the U is (or can be placed) rather close to the point of engagement with the plunger or button of the switch to be actuated; (b) portions of the leg of the U are bent back and engage laterally resiliently holders on the switch casing such as protruding bolts, noses or the like.
  • the other end of the strip is provided to offer its surface or a portion thereof in suitably adapted configuration to the externally applied force for switch actuation.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of disassembled components for practicing the preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 illustrates, also in perspective view, the components of FIG. 1, but in assembled configuration
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the switch actuator mechanism in different states of assembly.
  • a switch box or casing 1 has a relatively large surface carrying a cover plate 2 which in turn has a central opening.
  • a plunger 3 projects through the opening of plate 2.
  • the switch proper is contained in casing 1, and plunger 3 provides for immediate switching action in the box.
  • the particular relevant features pertain to the operation and actuation of plunger or button 3.
  • the actuating lever 5 of interest consists essentially of a strip of elastic, springy material (e.g. steel). One free end 12 of this strip is provided for exposure to an external element, part or object which provides switching actuating force and displacement (arrow A), so that the actuator lever 5 may transmit that force to the plunger 3.
  • actuator lever 5 has a U-shaped recess 6 with a bottom 7 which is located close to the point of engagement of actuator strip 5 and plunger 3 when the actuator is mounted to the switch (FIG. 2).
  • the two legs 8 of the U are bent back by about As actuator 5 is inserted, the bent back portions of legs are squeezed together in the plane of the U so that these leg portions can be shifted under the heads of bolts 4.
  • Indentations 9 in legs 8 receive the bolt shanks directly underneath the heads in resilient abutment.
  • bolts 4 are provided as corner points of a square; plate 2 may also be squareshaped which is incidental. However, it is important that the aperture in plate 2 and the location of plunger 3 is located in the center of the square as defined by bolts 4. Thus, the actuator lever 5 can be shifted into position from four directions as indicated by the arrows B in FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 can be modified within the scope of this invention.
  • bolts 4 could be provided on another side of box 3, e.g., on side 10.
  • the legs 8 need to be bent only by 90 for this case.
  • FIG. 3 Another modification is depicted in FIG. 3, showing the free lever arm of the actuator element to be enlarged (12'), thereby extending the lever arm as effective for receiving the externally applied force which can be smaller accordingly.
  • the actuator arm proper may carry an element 14 for mounting a pully, cam roll 15 or the like, in case the external actuator undergoes motion that has components not only in transverse orientation to the actuator but also of longitudinal orientation.
  • the free end of the actuator lever may have a crimped portion 16 which is beneficial in case the external force is applied through a broader surface.
  • FIGS. 3 to 6 can be combined in that, for example, the long arm of FIG. 3 or the bent back arm of FIG. 6 is crimped as per FIG. 5 or provided with a cam roll as per FIG. 4.
  • the width of the springy portions can be suitably proportioned so that upon actuation of lever arm 12 only the relatively narrow portions 11 of legs 8 are resiliently deformed.
  • deformation is to occur only, or only to any substantial degree, in that part of actuator strip 5 that extends between the mounting points of legs 8 at the rearmost two bolts 4 and the point of engagement of strip 5 with button 3.
  • the lever arm (12) portion as extending between the point or region of engagement with plunger 3 and the free end of the actuator strip is to be sufficiently broad, so that this portion acts like a stiff lever.
  • the bent portion 18 in FIG. 6 is to be wider than the width of arms 8 at 11 taken together, so that there is little resilient flexing at 18.
  • holder elements on the switch casing disposed for engaging the bent-back legs at the oppositely oriented edges upon resilient deformation of the bent back legs in the plane of the strip and in opposing directions therein, corresponding to the mutual edge orientation, clampingly receiving the bent back legs so that the plunger may engage the strip near the bottom of the U shaped recess;
  • the strip being bent back to provide for a surface portion for application of switch actuating forces in alignment with the plunger.

Landscapes

  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
US00260426A 1971-06-08 1972-06-07 Switch actuation with lever action Expired - Lifetime US3720802A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2128322A DE2128322A1 (de) 1971-06-08 1971-06-08 Betaetigungshebel fuer einen ueber einen stoessel zu betaetigenden elektrischen schalter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3720802A true US3720802A (en) 1973-03-13

Family

ID=5810122

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00260426A Expired - Lifetime US3720802A (en) 1971-06-08 1972-06-07 Switch actuation with lever action

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3720802A (ref)
DE (1) DE2128322A1 (ref)
FR (1) FR2140394B3 (ref)
GB (1) GB1347596A (ref)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3935410A (en) * 1974-09-03 1976-01-27 Howard Albert L Switch actuator with elongated lever
USD568824S1 (en) * 2007-06-07 2008-05-13 Benoit Alexander P Electrical switch

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3112097C2 (de) * 1981-03-27 1990-03-29 Euchner & Co, 7022 Leinfelden-Echterdingen "Sicherheitsschalter"
FR2632116A1 (fr) * 1988-05-27 1989-12-01 Joel Leblanc Capteur mecano-electrique sensible
CN105655161A (zh) * 2016-03-04 2016-06-08 国家电网公司 一种10kV防误操作绝缘操作杆
DE102016122423A1 (de) * 2016-11-22 2018-05-24 Johnson Electric Germany GmbH & Co. KG Schaltvorrichtung
DE102016122422A1 (de) * 2016-11-22 2018-05-24 Johnson Electric Germany GmbH & Co. KG Betätigungselement für einen Mikroschalter und Vorrichtung mit einem solchen zusätzlichen Betätigungselement

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2454341A (en) * 1944-09-07 1948-11-23 First Ind Corp Switch operating mechanism
US2911509A (en) * 1958-05-15 1959-11-03 American Radiator & Standard Switch actuating device
US3155807A (en) * 1960-01-19 1964-11-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Auxiliary actuating means for actuating a circuit controlling wiring device
US3198925A (en) * 1962-08-27 1965-08-03 Bendix Corp Miniature switch actuator with adjustable mounting means
US3264444A (en) * 1963-01-29 1966-08-02 Grundig Max Actuating means for microswitches
US3303708A (en) * 1965-01-26 1967-02-14 Robertshaw Controls Co Blade actuator and supporting bracket for switches and the like

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2454341A (en) * 1944-09-07 1948-11-23 First Ind Corp Switch operating mechanism
US2911509A (en) * 1958-05-15 1959-11-03 American Radiator & Standard Switch actuating device
US3155807A (en) * 1960-01-19 1964-11-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Auxiliary actuating means for actuating a circuit controlling wiring device
US3198925A (en) * 1962-08-27 1965-08-03 Bendix Corp Miniature switch actuator with adjustable mounting means
US3264444A (en) * 1963-01-29 1966-08-02 Grundig Max Actuating means for microswitches
US3303708A (en) * 1965-01-26 1967-02-14 Robertshaw Controls Co Blade actuator and supporting bracket for switches and the like

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3935410A (en) * 1974-09-03 1976-01-27 Howard Albert L Switch actuator with elongated lever
USD568824S1 (en) * 2007-06-07 2008-05-13 Benoit Alexander P Electrical switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2140394B3 (ref) 1974-10-31
DE2128322A1 (de) 1973-02-15
GB1347596A (en) 1974-02-27
FR2140394A1 (ref) 1973-01-19

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