US3801761A

US3801761A - Combination electrical switch

Info

Publication number: US3801761A
Application number: US00376695A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-07-05
Filing date: 1973-07-05
Publication date: 1974-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-02

Abstract

A combination electrical switch having a plurality of rotary tumblers successively operated by means of an assembly including a combination dial rotatably coupled with a push button, which is mounted for independent reciprocating movements to successively position an operator in driving association with each of the tumblers. Each tumbler serves to drive a contact element along an annular path into circuit closing engagement with a blade contact, which is selectively positioned within one of a plurality of radially opening apertures formed in the switch casing to facilitate change of combination.

Description

United States Patent Green 1 51 Apr. 2, 1974 l COMBINATION ELECTRICAL SWITCH [76] Inventor: Franklin L. Green, Box 77, Pmfwry f schzfefer Machias 1410] Assistant bxammerYV|lllam J. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Ftrm--Bean & Bean [22] Filed: July 5, I973 21 Appl. No.: 376,695 1 ABSTRACT A combination electrical switch having a plurality of rotary tumblers successively operated by means of an "f 200/43 i gg ig assembly including a combination dial rotatably cou- [58] Field of Search..... 200/43; 307/10 AT; 70/302, pied *P i whch mmmed 70/303 R 311 pendent reciprocating movements to successively position an operator in driving association with each of [56] References Cited the tumblers. Each tumbler serves to drive a contact element along an annular path into circuit closing en- UNITED STATES PATENTS gagement with a blade contact, which is selectively 3,691,328 9/1972 Davidson 200/43 positioned within one of a plurality of radially opening g lg apertures formed in the switch casing to facilitate avi son h f 2,934,615 4/ l960 Goral 200/43 c angeo com malon 2,797,271 6/1957 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Augustine 200/43 PATENTEUAPR 21914 SREU 3 OF 3 NR NNR Y 1 COMBINATION ELECTRICAL SWITCH SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to improvements in combination electrical switches of the type employing a manually operated combination dial to drive a plurality of rotary tumblers into circuit closing positions and more particularly to improvements in the tumbler driving and combination changing mechanisms for such switches.

In the present switch construction, a combination dial is rotatably coupled to a push button, which is in turn mounted for reciprocating movements in order to successively position an operator in driving association with each of a plurality of tumblers; rotations of the combination dial being thereafter imparted to the tumblers through the operator. Each of the tumblers serves in turn to-drive a bridging contact along an annular path within the confines of a combination contact housing non-rotatably fixed within a switch casing. The contact housings and the casing are formed with annularly spaced, radially aligned'openings through which combination or blade contacts may be removably inserted for the purpose of defining the switch operating combination.

If desired, the last operated of the tumblers and its associated contact housing may be employed to form a short throw ON-OFF switch, thereby permitting a device, such as the ignition system of a vehicle or an electrically operated door, with which the present switch is associated to be turned ON" and OFF without the necessity of reworking the combination. In

this arrangement, the remaining tumblers would be employed to form the combination and the setting of the combination dial, which positions the last operated tumbler in either its OFF or ON condition, would not reveal any number of the combination.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the switch of the present invention; 1

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a tumbler and its associated combination contact housing;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4--4 in FIG. 1; a

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the area generally designated as FIG. Sin FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 66 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view illustrating the manner of interfitting adjacent tumblers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As by way of specific example, combination electrical switch of the present invention, which is generally designated as 10 in FIGS. 1, 2. and 4, will be described ably or otherwise suitably connected outer and inner clamping ring devices 16 and 18, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4. If required, access to portions of switch 10, which are disposed rearwardly of plate 12, for the purpose of changing the switch operating combination in the manner to be described, may be normally prevented by enclosing same within an additional plate mounted security box, not shown.

By again referring principally to FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be understood that switch 10 generally includes a dial 20; a cup shaped push button 22; movement transmitting assembly 24; a switch casing 26; a plurality of tumblers 28-31; a plurality of combination contact housings 32-35, which are associated one with each of the tumblers; a plurality of combination contacts 36-39, which are removably associated one with each of housings 32-35; a tumbler operator 40; and a reset latch device 42.

Dial 20 is best shown in FIG. 4 as including a body portion 50, an annular rear flange or rim portion 52 and a front face or rim portion 54, which may be interconnected in any desired manner. Body portion 50 is formed with a stepped through bore opening 56 having a reduced diameter front end portion 56a dimensioned to slideably receive assembly 24, and an enlarged diameter rear end portion 56b dimensioned to accommodate a relatively strong coil or other suitable compression spring 58 and slideably receive a cylinder extension 60 of outer clamping ring 16, whereby to movably support dial 20 on plate 12. The rear face 62 of body portion 50 and rim 52 define stops cooperating with an annular flange 64 formed on outer clamping ring 16 to define normal extended and retracted positions of the dial, which are shown in full and phantom line, respectively, in FIG. 4. As will be apparent, spring 58-tends to normally bias dial 20 into its extended position.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the front face of rim portion 52 bears combination indicia, which upon rotation of dial 20 may be individually placed in registration with a reference mark 66 applied to plate 12. In the illustrated switch construction, the indicia includes a 0" position and counter-clockwise arranged numerical or combination setting positions 1 through 11. As will be apparent from again viewing FIG. 4, the rear face of rim 52 is formed'with an annularly extending recess 68, which terminates between the 0" and 1" positions at one end and the 0 and 1 1 positions at its other end, whereby to define a 0" position located operator surface 70 for engaging latch device 42. It will be understood that this arrangement prevents operating engagement of dial 20 with latch device 42, except when its 0 position is aligned with reference mark 66 and the dial is moved against the bias of spring 58 into its retracted position.

The front surface of body portion 50 is formed with inner and outer annular recesses 72 and 74, respectively, which are disposed concentrically of bore opening 56. Inner recess 72 is dimensioned to accommodate a-rear end'of a relatively strong coil or other suitable compression spring 76, whereas other recess 74 is dimensioned to slideably receive an enlarged annular rim portion 78 of push button 22. Spring 76 is relatively weaker than above-mentioned spring 58.

Movement transmitting assembly 24 includes an outer member 80, which has its front or outer end movably supported within dial bore opening portion 56a and an aligned through bore opening 82 formed in outer clamping ring 16 and has its rear or inner end movably supported by a casing carried guide pin 84 received within a rear opening cavity 86; and an inner or stem member 88, which is slideably supported within a front opening cavity 90 defined by outer member 80.

Members

80 and 88 are coupled for simultaneous rotary movements and for limited relative axial movements by means of an outer member carried pin 92, which is slideably received within inner member slot opening 94; pin 92 additionally being received within a slot 96 formed in body portion 50 for the purpose of coupling assembly 24 for rotation with dial 20, while providing forlimited axial movement therebetween.

Outer member 80 is additionally formed with an enlarged front or head end portion 98, which is engaged by the the front end of spring 76; a pair of side opening apertures 100, which are disposed in communication with the base or closed inner end 102 of front opening cavity 90; and an axially extending slot or recess 104, which is adapted to slideably receive a pin 106 carried by tumbler operator 40 for the purpose of coupling the tumbler operator for rotation with the outer member, while providing for limited axial movement therebetween. By this arrangement, pairs of

apertures

108, 110 and 112, which are formed in tumbler operator 40 are maintained in radial alignment with outer member apertures 100, during relative axial movement between the outer member and tumbler operator in the manner to be hereinafter described.

Inner member 88 has an enlarged head end portion 114 fixed to its outer end and a pair of operating or pusher fingers 116 pivotally supported on its inner end, as by means of a pin shaft 118. Head end portion 114 is preferably fixed to the inner surface of push button 22, but may be merely retained in engagement therewith by means ofa relatively weak coil or other suitable compression spring 120, which bears upon the outer end of outer member 80 and is relatively weak as compared to spring 76.

Outer member 80 is normally maintained in its normal extended or outer position shown in FIG. 4, wherein an outer member carried abutment, such as a snap-on C-ring 122, engages with the inner face of outer clamping ring 16, by the cooperative action of

springs

58, 76 and'124; spring 124 bearing on the inner end of tumbler operator 40, which in turn bears upon C-ring 122. An inner or operating position of outer member 80, not shown, may be variously defined as for instance by engagement of the closed end or base 125 of rear opening cavity 86 with the front end of pin 84.

Inner member 88 is normally maintained in an extended or outer position relative to outer member 80 by spring 120, wherein the free ends of fingers 116 extend into but not through outer member apertures 100, as shown in FIG. 4. An inner or operating position of inner member. 88 relative to outer member 80, not shown, may be variously defined as for instance by engagement of the inner end of the inner member 88 with base 102 of front opening cavity 90. As will be apparent, movement of inner member 88 inwardly relative to outer member 80 against the bias of spring 120 serves to force fingers 116 to move outwardly through apertures 100 for receipt within

tumbler operator apertures

108, 110 and 112 when aligned therewith.

Again referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, it will be-seen that tumbler operator 40 is additionally formed with three,

axially spaced, frusto-conically shaped

annular flanges

126, 128 and 130; and a pair of radially extending tumbler driving pins 132, which are dimensioned to be slideably received within a pair of axially extending slots 134 formed on the cylindrical inner surface of each of tumblers 28-31. While pins 132, and thus slots 134, are preferably annularly spaced apart through about 120, as best shown in FIG. 6, they are shown in FIG. 4 as having a 180 spacing in order to facilitate identification of parts.

As best shown in FIG. 7, rearward and forward facing surfaces of adjacent tumblers are relatively inclined and cut away to define

cooperating ratchet teeth

136 and 138 respectively, whereas the forwardly facing surface of frontmost tumbler 28 and the rearwardly facing surface of rearmost tumbler 31 are planer and essentially parallel, except for the provision of a forwardly extending lug 140 on the front face of tumbler 28. It will be understood that when

ratchet teeth

136 and 138 of any pair of adjacent tumblers are engaged, slots 134, as well as pairs of slots 142 formed on the outer cylindrical surface of each tumbler are maintained in relative axial alignment. With

teeth

136 and 138 of adjacent tumblers engaged, driven rotation of tumbler 28 in a clockwise direction (such direction corresponding to the direction dial 20 is rotated to successively position numeral positions 1 through 11 in alignment with reference mark 56) will produce like rotations of tumblers 29-31. Conversely, when the teeth of all of the tumblers are engaged, driven rotation of tumbler 31 in a counter-clockwise direction will produce like rotations of tumblers 28-30.

Tumblers 28-31 are normally biased into face to face abutting engagement and frontmost tumbler 28 biased into axial bearing engagement with the inner end of a cylindrical front part 144 of casing 26 by means of a coil spring 146 acting through a bearing sleeve 148.

Front casing part 144 additionally defines a radially inwardly extending stop 150 with which lug 140 of tumbler 28 is arranged to engage for the purpose of limiting rotational movements of the latter to a value less than 360. The front end of front part 144 may be clamped between ringdevices 16 and 18 in order to support casing 26 on plate 12.

In that contact housings 32-35 are of identical construction, only frontmost housing 32, which is associated with tumbler 28, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, and like parts of housings 33 through 35 will be identified by like numbers. Housing 32 is best shown in FIG. 3 as including an insulated bridging contact ring 152, which is coupled for rotation with tumbler 28 by a pair of projections 154 slideably fitted within tumbler slots 142 and carries a bridging or through electrical contact pin 156; an insulated front housing ring 158, which is formed with a plurality of annularly spaced, rearwardly and radially outwardly opening positioning slots or openings 160, and has a radially outwardly projecting positioning lug 162; and an insulated rear housing ring 164, which is formed with an annular recess 166 whose base or radial surface is coated or covered with a ring or band 168 of electrically conductive material and has a radial outwardly projecting positioning lug 170. A metal contact pin 172, which has its inner end arranged in electrical contact with ring 168, extends radially outwardly through rear housing ring 164 for the reason to be hereinafter described. When housing rings 158 and 164 are clamped in engagement, contact ring 152 is positioned in recess 166 with the rear end of its bridging contact 156 disposed in electrical contact with band 168 and housing ring 164 rearwardly closes slots 160. For any given construction, the number of slot openings 160 formed in each front housing ring and the annular spacing therebetween corresponds to the number and relative annular placement of numeral positions 1" through 11 of dial positioning lug 162 of each front housing ring corresponding to the 0 position of the dial 20 andbeing disposed in alignment therewith when the 0 position of the dial is disposed in registry with reference mark 66.

Casing 26 additionally includes an insulated central or main part 174, which is dimensioned to slideably accommodate housings 32-35; and a rear or cap part 176, which serves both to mount guide pin 84 and to axially clamp housings 32-35 in assembled condition within central part 174. Housing part 174 is formed with a plurality of radially opening stepped apertures 178; and an elongated slot opening 180, which serves to receive

ring positioning lugs

162 and 170 in order to prevent rotation of rings 158 and 164 of the contact housings relative to the casing. By referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, it will be understood that casing apertures 178 are arranged as axially spaced, groups of apertures corresponding in number to the number of contact housings and that the apertures of each group are arranged in radial alignment one with each slot opening 160 of an associated contact housing. 7

In the illustrated construction, the combination setting of switch 10 is selectively determined by identi cally shaped combination'contacts 36-39, which are removably inserted into one aperture of each group of apertures 178, as generally indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Contacts 36-39 include an insulated pull 184 serving to mount a metal contact blade 186, an associated lead wire to be described and a pair of metal mounting fingers 188, which are resiliently deformable to permit a contact to be removably snap-fitted into one of apertures 178, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Contact blade 186 is dimensioned to be removably inserted through one of apertures 178 for snug sliding fit in an aligned slot opening 160 for electrical contact with the front end of bridging contact pin 156. As will be apparent, various wear compensating means may be provided to insure proper electrical contact between blade 186 and contact pin 156 over an extended period of use, such as by constructing the blade to resiliently deform when contacted by the forward end of the contact pin.

Latch device 42 includes an operator member 190, which freely projects through an aperture 192 formed in plate 12 for engagement with dial operator surface 70; a retainer member 194; an L-shaped link 196, which is pivotally supported by a pin shaft 198 and is pivotally interconnected with

members

190 and 194 by

pin shafts

200 and 202, respectively; and a spring 204. Spring 204, which may be conveniently supported on pin shaft 198 for engagement with rear surface of plate 12 and link 196, is employed to normally bias

members

190, 194 and 196 for movement in a clockwise direction into the rest or normal position shown in full line in F IG 4. In this rest position, the lower end of member 194 is positioned closely adjacent the cylindrical outer surface of tumbler operator 40 for engagement with

flanges

126, 128 and 130. Pin shaft l98may be suitably mounted, as for example, on the rear surface of plate 12 and such rear surface may additionally serve as a convenient stop for limiting clockwise rotation of member 196.

Operation of switch 10 will now be described, it being assumed for purposes of illustration that contacts 36-39 have been positioned to establish a switch operating combination of 6-9-7-1 1 that dial 20 is initially set with its 0 position in registration with reference mark 66; and that assembly 24 and tumbler operator 40 occupy the positions illustrated in FIG. 4. A person having knowledge of the combination may operate switch 10 by first rotating dial 20 in a clockwise direction until numeral position 6" is positioned in registry with reference mark 66; this operation serving to drive contact ring 152 associated with contact housing 32 in a clockwise direction to bring the front end of its associated bridge contact pin 156 into electrical contact with blade 186 of contact 36, which is positioned in the 6 position of the first group of apertures 178. During this operation,- contact ring 152 of contact housing 32 is coupled for rotation with dial 20 via tumbler 28, tumbler operator 40 and outer member tumblers 29-31 rotating with tumbler 28 due to the coupling effect of

ratchet teeth

136 and 138 in order to maintain their respective slots 134 in axial alignment.

After this initial setting of dial 20, push button 22 is momentarily depressed for the purpose of stepping pins 132 of tumbler operator 40 into operative engagement with slots 134 of tumbler 29. Upon initial depression of push button 22, relatively weak spring 120 is compressed to allow movement of inner member 88 inwardly relative to outer member 80; such relative movement serving to cam fingers 116 outwardly through outer member openings for receipt'within tumbler operator openings 108 and terminating upon engagement of inner member 88 with base end 102 of outer member front cavity 90. Thereafter,

members

80 and 88 and tumbler operator 40, are coupled for continued inwardly or rearwardly directed axial movement against the bias of

springs

76 and 124 until movement thereof is arrested by engagement of the forward end ing cavity 86. When this movement is completed, tumbler'operator 40 has been moved axially through a distance sufficient to position pins 132 within slots 134 of tumbler 29 and to position flange 126 axially inwardly of the lower end of retainer member 194; such retainer member havingbeen momentarily cammed upwardly against the bias of spring 204, due to engagement of the rear or conically shaped surface of flange 126 therewith. Upon release of push button 22, engagement of latch member 194 with the forward face of flange 126 retains tumbler operator 40 in its first depressed position, not shown, against the bias of spring 124.

Springs

120 and 76 are, however, effective for removing fingers 116 from within tumbler operator openings 108 and then returning outer member 80 and inner member 88 to their initial positions shown in FIG. 4. When this is accomplished, outer member apertures 100 are positioned in radial alignment with operator member apertures and the switch is ready for the step of setting the next number of the combination. Preferably, spring 58 is sufficiently strong to prevent rearwardly directed movements of dial 20 when push button 22 is operated in the manner described above.

Dial 20 is again rotated in a clockwise direction until numeral position 9 is placed in registry with reference mark 66; this operation serving to drive contact ring 152 associated with contact housing 33 in a clockwise direction to bring its associated bridging contact pin into electrical engagement with blade 186 of contact 37 positioned in the 9 position of the second group of apertures 178. During this operation,

tumblers

30 and 31 remain coupled for clockwise rotation with tumbler 29, while tumbler 28 remains at rest; spring 146 yielding sufficiently to permit slight axial movement of tumblers 29-31 relative to tumbler 28 as a result of camming engagement between the relatively inclined facing surfaces of

tumblers

28 and 29. Suitable friction forces within housing 32 are relied upon to prevent movement of the bridging contact pin from registry with the contact blade of contact 36, as tumbler 29 is moved relative to tumbler 28.

After this second setting of dial 20, push button 22 is again momentarily depressed for the purpose of stepping pins 132 of tumbler operator 40 into operative engagement within slots 134 of tumbler 30. Upon release of the push button,

members

80 and 88 are again returned to their initial positions in the manner described above, but tumbler operator 40 is retained in its second depressed position, not shown, due to engagement of latch member 194 with the forward face of flange 128. In this position of the tumbler operator, its apertures 112 are automatically aligned with apertures 100 of outer member 80 when the latter is returned to its initial or rest position.

The third combination number is set by again rotating dial 20 in a clockwise direction until numeral position 7 is placed in registry with reference mark 66; this operation serving to drive the contact ring associated with housing 34 in a clockwise direction to bring the front end of its associated bridging contact pin into electrical contact with the blade of contact 38, which is positioned in the 7 position of the third group of apertures 178. During this movement, tumbler 31 is coupled for rotation with tumbler 30 with spring 146 again deforming to permit relative axial movement of

tumblers

30 and 31 with respect to now

stationary tumblers

28 and 29.

To-complete the combination setting operation, push button 22 isagain depressed for the purpose of stepping pins 132 of the tumbler operator into operative engagement with slots 134 of tumbler 31; latch member 194 being cammed over flange 130 to lie in engagement with its forwardly facing surface in order to prevent disengagement of pins 132 with tumbler 31 when the push button is thereafter returned to its normal extended position by

springs

76 and 120.

The combination may now be completed by merely rotating dial 20 in a clockwise direction until numeral position 11 is in registry with reference mark 66; this serving to place the bridging contact pin of contact housing 35 in contact with the contact blade of contact 39, which is inserted through the 11 position of the fourth group of apertures 178. During this operation, spring 146 further deforms to permit slight axial movement of tumbler '31 relative to now stationary tumblers 28'30.

With the whole of the combination set, a series circuit through the switch is completed for the purpose of completing a control circuit with which the switch is associated, such as the ignition system of a vehicle. As

generally indicated in FIG. 1, the circuit would include

lead wires

210 and 212, which are connected to contact pin 172 associated with contact housing 35 and combination contact 36 associated with contact housing 32, respectively. The circuit between contact housings of the switch may be suitably established, as by

bridgingwires

214, 216 and 218, which are provided to connect the contact pin associated with contact housing 32 to combination contact 37, the contact pin associated with contact housing 33 to combination contact 38, and the contact pin associated with contact housing 34 to combination contact 39, respectively.

If desired, contact housing 35 and combination contact 39 may be employed as a short throw ON- OF F switch in order to permit a device, such as the ignition system of a vehicle, with which the present combination switch is associated to be turned ON and OFF without the necessity of reworking the whole combination. In this arrangement, the 11 position of the dial would be the ON" position and the 0 position would be the OFF position. The remaining

contact housings

32, 33 and 34 would of course be employed to form the combination.

When desiring to relock the switch for the purpose of interrupting the control circuit, it is necessary to first rotate dial 20 in a counter-clockwise direction until all of the associated pairs of

ratchet teeth

136 and 138 are brought into driving engagement with the result that tumblers 2830 are driven in a counter-clockwise direction by tumbler 31 and slots 134 of all of the tumblers are again aligned. The operator of switch 10 will be automatically advised when this operation is completed by engagement of frontmost tumbler carried lug 140 with stop 150, which serves to prevent further tumbler rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. It will be noted that the positioning of stop is such that the 0" position is in registry with reference mark 66.

Tumbler operator 40 may now .be returned to its initial position illustrated in FIG. 4 by the step of momentarily depressing dial 20 against the bias of spring 58. When this occurs, dial operator surface 70 engages member with the result that retainer member 194 is lifted sufficiently to clear flange 130 and spring 124 serves to' bias tumbler operator 40 forwardly into engagement with C-ring 122.

1 claim:

1. A combination electrical switch comprising in combination:

a manually rotatable combination setting dial;

a manually depressable push button;

a plurality of axially aligned stationary contact housing a plurality of combination contacts associated one with each of said housings for establishing the combination setting thereof;

a plurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged concentrically within and associated one with each of said housings, each said tumbler being rotatable relative to its associated housing for driving a tumbler associated contact into electrical contact with said combination contact associated with its housing whereby to complete an electrical circuit through its housing, said housings beingarranged within a series circuit completed by the completion of said electrical circuit through each of said housings;

a tumbler operator arranged concentrically within and engageable with said tumblers for effecting driven rotation thereof, said tumbler operator having a normal first position wherein it is disposed in engagement witha first of said tumblers and successive axially spaced positions wherein it is engaged with successive ones of said tumblers;

a latch device operable to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said latch device being releasable to permit return of said tumbler operator to said first position; and

motion transmitting assembly for coupling said tumbler operator with said dial whereby to impart rotations of said dial to a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is engaged whereby to drive its associated contact as aforesaid and for coupling said tumbler operator with said push button whereby successive depressions of said push button serve to step said tumbler operator between said positions thereof in a direction axially away from said first position.

2. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein said combination dial is manually depressable to engage said latch device and said latch device when so engaged is releasable to permit return of said tumbler operator to said first position.

3. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein each of said stationary contact housings includes a plurality of radially directed slot openings corresponding in number to the number of combination settings provided on said dial, and said combination contact associated with each said housing is removably insertable inwardly through a selected one of said openings to selectively determine the combination setting of said housing.

4. A combination electrical switch according to claim 3, wherein said switch additionally comprises in combination a stationary casing part arranged concentrically outwardly of said contact housings, said casing part having through openings disposed in radial alignment with said slot openings of said contact housings, and said combination contacts are removably snap-fitted through said casing partthrough openings for insertion within said housing slot openings.

5. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein each of said stationary contacthousings defines an annular recess and a plurality of radially opening slots disposed in communication with said recess, said recess being bounded in part by electrically conductive material, said combination contact associated with said housing being removably insertable selectively into one of said slots to extend into said recess, and said tumbler associated contact is a bridging contact extending through a contact ring, said contact ring being rotatably disposed within said annular recess and being coupled for rotation with its associated tumbler, one end of said bridging contact being disposed in continuous electrical contact with said electrically conductive material bounding said recess and an opposite end of said bridging contact being movable into electrical contact with said housing associated combination contact upon conjunctive rotation of said tumbler and contact ring.

6. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein adjacent ones of said tumblers have cooperating teeth on adjacently disposed axial end surfaces thereof for coupling said tumblers for rotation in a first direction when a first of said tumblers is driven in said first direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other than said first tumbler is driven in said one direction said first tumbler and tumblers intermediate said first and additional tumblers are uncoupled, and for coupling said tumblers for rotation in an opposite direction when a last of said tumblers is driven in said opposite direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other than said last tumbler is driven in said opposite direction said last tumbler and tumblers intermediate said last and additional tumblers are uncoupled, each of said tumblers is formed with at least one axially extending drive slot, the drive slots of adjacent coupled tumblers being disposed in alignment, said tumbler operator being formed with at least one tumbler engaging driving pin slideably received for movement lengthwise within said drive slot of each tumbler, and there is further provided in combination a stationary stop means to constrain rotation of said first of said tumblers to less than 360 and resilient means tending to maintain said end surfaces of adjacent tumblers in engagement while permitting axial movement of said successive ones of said tumblers axially away from said first tumbler.

7. A combination electrical switch accordingto'claim 1, wherein said tumbler operator is normally biased into said first position thereof and includes an axially extending front opening, a plurality of axially spaced radially directed openings communicating with said from opening and a plurality of means spaced apart axially of said tumbler operator for cooperating with said latch device to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said movement transmitting assembly includes an outer member received within said tumbler operator front opening for relative axial sliding movement and keyed to said tumbler operator for conjunctive rotary movements and an inner member supported concentrically within said outer member for relative axial sliding movement, said outer and inner members being keyed for rotation with said dial, said outer member having at least one radial opening disposable in radial alignment with successive ones of said tumbler operator radial openings, said inner member having an outer end engaged with said push button and an inner end carrying at least one pusher finger projectable outwardly through said outer member opening and into an aligned radial opening of said operator member when said push button is depressed whereby to couple said push button, said inner member, said outer member-and said tumbler operator for axial movement whereby to move said tumbler operator into said successive position for engagement with successive ones of said tumblers, said latch device cooperating with said tumbler operator means to releasably retain said tumbler operator in one of said successive positions thereof.

8. A combination electrical switch comprising in combination:

a manually rotatable combination setting dial;

a manually depressable push button;

a plurality of axially spaced devices including combination contacts for establishing the combination setting of said devices;

a plurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged in association one with each of said devices, each said tumbler being rotatable relative to its associated device for driving a tumbler associated contact into electrical contact with said combination contact associated with its device whereby to complete an electrical circuit through its device, said devices being arranged within a series circuit completed by the completion of said electrical circuit through each of said devices, adjacent ones of said tumblers having cooperating teeth on adjacently disposed axial end surfaces thereof for coupling said tumblers for rotation in a first direction when a first of said tumblers is driven in said first direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other than said first tumbler is driven in said one direction said first tumblerand tumblers intermediate said first and additional tumblers are uncoupled, and for coupling said tumblers for rotation in an opposite direction when a last of said tumblers is driven in an opposite direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other than said last tumbler is driven in said opposite direction said last tumbler and tumblers intermediate said last and additional tumblers are uncoupled, each of said tumblers is formed with at least one axially extending drive slot, the drive slots of adjacent coupled tumblers being disposed in alignment;

means to constrain rotation of said first tumbler to less than 360;

resilient means tending to maintain said end surfaces of adjacent tumblers'in engagement while permitting axial movement of successive ones of said tumblers axially away from said first tumblers;

a tumbler operator arranged concentrically within and in engagement with said tumblers for effecting driven rotation thereof, said tumbler operator having a normal first position wherein it is disposed in driving engagement with said first tumbler and successive axially spaced positions wherein it is drivingly engaged with said successive ones of said tumblers, said tumbler operator being formed with at least one tumbler engaging drive pin slideably received for movement lengthwise within said drive slot of each tumbler;

a latch device operable to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said latch device being releasable to permit return of said tumbler operator to said first position when said slot of a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is presently engaged is aligned with said driveslots of said first tumbler and tumblers intermediate said first and presently engaged tumblers; and

a motion transmitting assembly for coupling said tumbler operator with said dial whereby to impart rotations of 4 said dialto a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is drivingly engaged whereby to drive its associated contact as aforesaid and for coupling said tumbler operator with said push button whereby successive depressions of said push button serve to step said tumbler operator between said positions thereof in a direction axially away from said first position.

9. A combination electrical switch according to claim 8, wherein said latch device has latch releasing part arranged adjacent said combination dial, said combination dial is manually depressable, and said'combination dial when depressed is engageable with said latch releasing part in only one rotatable position of said combination dial.

10. A combination electrical switch according to claim 8, wherein said tumbler operator is normally biased into said first position thereof and includes an axially extending front opening, a plurality of axially spaced radially directed openings communicating with said front opening and a plurality of means spaced apart axially of said tumbler operator for cooperating with said latchdevice to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said movement transmitting assembly includes an outer member received within said tumbler operator front opening for relative axial sliding movement and keyed to said tumbler operator for conjunctive rotary movements and an inner member supported concentrically within said outer member for relative axial sliding movement, said outer and inner members being keyed for rotation with said dial, said outer member having at least one radial opening disposable in radial alignment with successive ones of said tumbler operator radial openings, said inner member having an outer end engaged with said push button and an inner end carrying at least one pusher finger projectable outwardly through said outer member opening and into an aligned radial opening of said operator member when said push.

button is depressed whereby to couple said push button, said inner member, said outer member and said tumbler operator for axial movement whereby to move said tumbler operator into said successive positions for engagement with successive ones of said tumblers, said latch device cooperating with said tumbler operator means to releasably retain said tumbler operator in one of said successive positions thereof.

Claims

1. A combination electrical switch comprising in combination: a manually rotatable combination setting dial; a manually depressable push button; a plurality of axially aligned stationary conTact housings; a plurality of combination contacts associated one with each of said housings for establishing the combination setting thereof; a plurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged concentrically within and associated one with each of said housings, each said tumbler being rotatable relative to its associated housing for driving a tumbler associated contact into electrical contact with said combination contact associated with its housing whereby to complete an electrical circuit through its housing, said housings being arranged within a series circuit completed by the completion of said electrical circuit through each of said housings; a tumbler operator arranged concentrically within and engageable with said tumblers for effecting driven rotation thereof, said tumbler operator having a normal first position wherein it is disposed in engagement with a first of said tumblers and successive axially spaced positions wherein it is engaged with successive ones of said tumblers; a latch device operable to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said latch device being releasable to permit return of said tumbler operator to said first position; and a motion transmitting assembly for coupling said tumbler operator with said dial whereby to impart rotations of said dial to a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is engaged whereby to drive its associated contact as aforesaid and for coupling said tumbler operator with said push button whereby successive depressions of said push button serve to step said tumbler operator between said positions thereof in a direction axially away from said first position.

4. A combination electrical switch according to claim 3, wherein said switch additionally comprises in combination a stationary casing part arranged concentrically outwardly of said contact housings, said casing part having through openings disposed in radial alignment with said slot openings of said contact housings, and said combination contacts are removably snap-fitted through said casing part through openings for insertion within said housing slot openings.

5. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein each of said stationary contact housings defines an annular recess and a plurality of radially opening slots disposed in communication with said recess, said recess being bounded in part by electrically conductive material, said combination contact associated with said housing being removably insertable selectively into one of said slots to extend into said recess, and said tumbler associated contact is a bridging contact extending through a contact ring, said contact ring being rotatably disposed within said annular recess and being coupled for rotation with its associated tumbler, one end of said bridging contact being disposed in continuous electrical contact with said electrically conductive material bounding said recess and an opposite end of said bridging contact being movable into electrical contact with said housing associated combination contact upon conjunctive rotation of said tumbler and contact ring.

6. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein adjacent ones of said tumblers have cooperating teeth on adjacently disposed axial end surfaces thereof for coupling said tumblers for rotation in a first direction when a first of said tumblers is driven in said first direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other than said first tumbler is driven in said one direction said first tumbler and tumblers intermediate said first and additional tumblers are uncoupled, and for coupling said tumblers for rotation in an opposite direction when a last of said tumblers is driven in said opposite direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other than said last tumbler is driven in said opposite direction said last tumbler and tumblers intermediate said last and additional tumblers are uncoupled, each of said tumblers is formed with at least one axially extending drive slot, the drive slots of adjacent coupled tumblers being disposed in alignment, said tumbler operator being formed with at least one tumbler engaging driving pin slideably received for movement lengthwise within said drive slot of each tumbler, and there is further provided in combination a stationary stop means to constrain rotation of said first of said tumblers to less than 360* and resilient means tending to maintain said end surfaces of adjacent tumblers in engagement while permitting axial movement of said successive ones of said tumblers axially away from said first tumbler.

7. A combination electrical switch according to claim 1, wherein said tumbler operator is normally biased into said first position thereof and includes an axially extending front opening, a plurality of axially spaced radially directed openings communicating with said front opening and a plurality of means spaced apart axially of said tumbler operator for cooperating with said latch device to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said movement transmitting assembly includes an outer member received within said tumbler operator front opening for relative axial sliding movement and keyed to said tumbler operator for conjunctive rotary movements and an inner member supported concentrically within said outer member for relative axial sliding movement, said outer and inner members being keyed for rotation with said dial, said outer member having at least one radial opening disposable in radial alignment with successive ones of said tumbler operator radial openings, said inner member having an outer end engaged with said push button and an inner end carrying at least one pusher finger projectable outwardly through said outer member opening and into an aligned radial opening of said operator member when said push button is depressed whereby to couple said push button, said inner member, said outer member and said tumbler operator for axial movement whereby to move said tumbler operator into said successive position for engagement with successive ones of said tumblers, said latch device cooperating with said tumbler operator means to releasably retain said tumbler operator in one of said successive positions thereof.

8. A combination electrical switch comprising in combination: a manually rotatable combination setting dial; a manually depressable push button; a plurality of axially spaced devices including combination contacts for establishing the combination setting of said devices; a plurality of axially aligned tumblers arranged in association one with each of said devices, each said tumbler being rotatable relative to its associated device for driving a tumbler associated contact into electrical contact with said combination contact associated with its device whereby to complete an electrical circuit through its device, said devices being arranged within a series circuit completed by the completion of said electrical circuit through each of said devices, adjacent ones of said tumblers having cooperating teeth on adjacently disposed axial end surfaces thereof for coupling said tumblers for rotation in a first direction when a first of said tumblers is driven in said first direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other thaN said first tumbler is driven in said one direction said first tumbler and tumblers intermediate said first and additional tumblers are uncoupled, and for coupling said tumblers for rotation in an opposite direction when a last of said tumblers is driven in an opposite direction, whereas when an additional tumbler other than said last tumbler is driven in said opposite direction said last tumbler and tumblers intermediate said last and additional tumblers are uncoupled, each of said tumblers is formed with at least one axially extending drive slot, the drive slots of adjacent coupled tumblers being disposed in alignment; means to constrain rotation of said first tumbler to less than 360*; resilient means tending to maintain said end surfaces of adjacent tumblers in engagement while permitting axial movement of successive ones of said tumblers axially away from said first tumblers; a tumbler operator arranged concentrically within and in engagement with said tumblers for effecting driven rotation thereof, said tumbler operator having a normal first position wherein it is disposed in driving engagement with said first tumbler and successive axially spaced positions wherein it is drivingly engaged with said successive ones of said tumblers, said tumbler operator being formed with at least one tumbler engaging drive pin slideably received for movement lengthwise within said drive slot of each tumbler; a latch device operable to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said latch device being releasable to permit return of said tumbler operator to said first position when said slot of a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is presently engaged is aligned with said drive slots of said first tumbler and tumblers intermediate said first and presently engaged tumblers; and a motion transmitting assembly for coupling said tumbler operator with said dial whereby to impart rotations of said dial to a tumbler with which said tumbler operator is drivingly engaged whereby to drive its associated contact as aforesaid and for coupling said tumbler operator with said push button whereby successive depressions of said push button serve to step said tumbler operator between said positions thereof in a direction axially away from said first position.

9. A combination electrical switch according to claim 8, wherein said latch device has latch releasing part arranged adjacent said combination dial, said combination dial is manually depressable, and said combination dial when depressed is engageable with said latch releasing part in only one rotatable position of said combination dial.

10. A combination electrical switch according to claim 8, wherein said tumbler operator is normally biased into said first position thereof and includes an axially extending front opening, a plurality of axially spaced radially directed openings communicating with said front opening and a plurality of means spaced apart axially of said tumbler operator for cooperating with said latch device to releasably retain said tumbler operator in each of said successive positions, said movement transmitting assembly includes an outer member received within said tumbler operator front opening for relative axial sliding movement and keyed to said tumbler operator for conjunctive rotary movements and an inner member supported concentrically within said outer member for relative axial sliding movement, said outer and inner members being keyed for rotation with said dial, said outer member having at least one radial opening disposable in radial alignment with successive ones of said tumbler operator radial openings, said inner member having an outer end engaged with said push button and an inner end carrying at least one pusher finger projectable outwardly through said outer member opening and into an aligned radial opening of said operator member when said push button is depressed whereby to couple said push button, said inner member, said outer member aNd said tumbler operator for axial movement whereby to move said tumbler operator into said successive positions for engagement with successive ones of said tumblers, said latch device cooperating with said tumbler operator means to releasably retain said tumbler operator in one of said successive positions thereof.