US3659061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Push button electrical switch interlocking structure including washer block-out mechanism
Assignee: Weston Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1970-10-20
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1990-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A push-button switch of the selective or latching type. A washer block-out mechanism co-operates with a tail portion of each pushbutton to positively prevent depressing more than one pivotally mounted push button to a contact make position. The push buttons are mounted in side by side relation to each other on a shaft for pivotal movement. Latching in a switch closed position is accomplished by a latch bar common to all the push buttons. Each push button carries three movable spring arm contacts, each contact having a pair of tips electrically joined to bridge stationary contacts on a printed circuit board connectable to the switch assembly. Guides are provided to properly position the circuit board so its contacts are aligned with the movable contacts carried by the buttons. A unique contact arrangement including a contact carried by each push button provides for illuminating the button when depressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Andreaggi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/20; H01H9/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20238; Y10T74/20244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A push button switch arrangement comprising a plurality of push button elements each movable between depressed and released positions; a latch common to said plurality of button elements said latch comprising a bar mounted for pivotal movement to a first position in which a depressed button element is latched and to a second position in which a depressed button element is released; means on each button element for moving said bar to said second position in response to movement of a button element from a released position toward a depressed position; means urging said bar toward said first position; block-out means separate from said bar and responsive to movement of one button element to a fully depressed position to prevent moving a second button element to a fully depressed position until said one button element is released; and means constantly urging each of said push button elements toward a released position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A push button switch arrangement comprising a plurality of push button elements each movable between depressed and released positions; a latch common to said plurality of button elements said latch comprising a bar mounted for pivotal movement to a first position in which a depressed button element is latched and to a second position in which a depressed button element is released; means on each button element for moving said bar to said second position in response to movement of a button element from a released position toward a depressed position; means urging said bar toward said first position; block-out means separate from said bar and responsive to movement of one button element to a fully depressed position to prevent moving a second button element to a fully depressed position until said one button element is released; and means constantly urging each of said push button elements toward a released position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A push button switch according to claim 1 wherein said means urging said bar toward said first position includes a first portion of a spring; and said means urging said buttons toward a released position includes a spring integral with said aforementioned spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A push button arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the arrangement further includes, means mounting said plurality of push button elements for pivotal movement about a common axis between said depressed and released positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A push button arrangement according to claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of push button elements is formed from an electrically insulating material, and at least one contact is carried by each push button element for pivotal movement therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
A push button arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of push buttons has a tail portion, said bar is of generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said tail portion of a latched push button is engaged by an inside surface of the base leg of the L-shaped portion, and said means on each Button element for moving the bar to the second position includes a cam face on said tail portion engageable with the end edge of said base leg of the latch bar and effective to pivot said latch bar to said second position in response to movement of a button element toward a depressed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
A push button switch according to claim 1 wherein, each push button has a tail presenting a generally V-shaped surface, and said block-out means includes a plurality of members in side by side relation to each other, housing means mounting said members for limited linear movement in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of a tail portion of a push button; said housing means including notch means, one in the path of travel of each tail portion of a push button, said notch means extending into the path of movement of said members and permitting a tail portion of a depressed button to move said members to notch obstructing positions whereby only one button can be fully depressed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A push button switch according to claim 1 wherein each button has a plurality of rearwardly facing slots and a movable spring arm contact is positioned in each slot, each contact extending rearwardly of said button; and a plurality of fixed contacts are mounted in the path of travel of said movable contacts for engagement by the movable contacts upon movement of a button to a depressed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
A push button switch according to claim 1 wherein, a portion of an integral leaf spring extends behind each button to normally urge each button to a released position, said portion including an upwardly extending contact tip adjacent the bottom of the button; a lamp bulb is positioned behind the front face of each button; and a second contact is positioned behind the face of each button in the path of travel of said upwardly extending contact, said upwardly extending contact and second contact cooperating to complete a circuit to energize said lamp bulb whenever a button is depressed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |