Selector switch with particular operator means,and detents which are restrained from rotation

Claim 2

A switch actuator, the combination comprising: an actuator sleeve having a circular cylindrical shape that defines a central opening concentric about a central switch axis; a cam surface formed on the interior surface on said actuator sleeve and facing radially inward towards said central switch axis; a rotor journaled in said actuator sleeve for rotation about said central switch axis and including a transverse opening which defines an operating axis which is perpendicular to said central switch axis and which intersects said central switch axis; a bias spring disposed in said transverse opening and confined within said rotor concentric about said operating axis; a pair of rollers, one disposed radially outward from each end of said bias spring and each being forced radially outward in opposite directions from said central switch axis along said operating axis into bearing engagement with said cam surface; and a pair of spring seats, each slidably disposed within the transverse opening of said rotor, and each including means for preventing its rotation therein, each spring seat being associated with a roller and being disposed between one end of the bias spring and its associated roller, wherein each roller is rotatably attached to a spring seat to rotate about an axis parallel to the central switch axis.

Claim 3

The switch actuator as recited in claim 1 in which each spring seat is retained to slidably operate in said transverse opening along said operating axis and each spring seat includes a key which mates with a keyway formed along said transverse opening to prevent rotation of said spring seats about said operating axis.

Claim 4

The switch actuator as recited in claim 1 in which each roller includes a medial spindle and each spring seat includes a trunion having a slot which receives and rotatably retains the spindle of its associated roller.

Claim 5

The switch actuator as recited in claim 3 in which said spring seats are formed from a copolymEr and each has sufficient flexibility to allow a pivotal adjustment motion of its associated roller about said operating axis.

Claim 6

The switch actuator as recited in claim 3 in which each spring seat is disposed within said transverse opening and includes a key which extends radially outward from said operting axis to mate with a keyway formed in said rotor along said transverse opening.

Claim 7

The switch actuator as recited in claim 1 in which said cam surface is formed on an insert molded from a nylon material.

Claim 8

The switch actuator as recited in claim 6 which includes a cam connected to said rotor for rotation thereby about said central switch axis, and a cam follower element connected to said actuator sleeve for slidable motion along said central switch axis and positioned in bearing engagement with said cam.

Claim 9

A switch actuator, the combination comprising: an actuator sleeve having a circular cylindrical shape that defines a central opening concentric about a central switch axis; a cam surface formed on the interior surface of said actuator sleeve and facing radially inward toward said central switch axis; a rotor journaled in said actuator sleeve for rotation about said central switch axis and including a transverse opening which defines an operating axis perpendicular to said central switch axis; a bias spring disposed in said transverse opening; a pair of rollers, one connected to each end of said bias spring and each being forced rapidly outward in opposite directions from said central switch axis along said operating axis into bearing engagement with said cam surface; and a knob fastened to said actuator sleeve and including: a cover having an annular shaped front wall which defines a cover opening; an operator disposed in said cover and in bearing engagement with the backside of said front wall, said operator being coupled to said rotor and having a pedestal which extends axially forward through said cover opening to define a bearing surface; a locking member connected to said operator and in bearing engagement with the front surface of said cover front wall, said locking member having a plurality of walls which define a chamber; a retaining surface formed on the interior surface of one of said chamber walls.

Claim 10

A switch actuator, the combination comprising: an actuator sleeve having a circular cylindrical shape that defines a central opening concentric about a central switch axis; a cam surface formed on the interior surface of said actuator sleeve and facing radially inward toward said central switch axis; a rotor journaled in said actuator sleeve for rotation about said central switch axis and including a transverse opening which defines an operating axis perpendicular to said central switch axis; a bias spring disposed in said transverse opening; a pair of rollers, one connected to each end of said bias spring and each being forced rapidly outward in opposite directions from said central switch axis along said operating axis into bearing engagement with said cam surface; and a knob fastened to said actuator sleeve and including: a cover having an annular shaped front wall which defines a cover opening; an operator disposed in said cover and in bearing engagement with the backside of said front wall, said operator being coupled to said rotor and having a pedestal which extends axially forward through said cover opening to define a bearing surface; a locking member connected to said operator and in bearing engagement with the front surface of said cover front wall, said locking member having a plurality of walls which define a chamber; a retaining surface formed on the interior surface of one of said chamber walls.

Claim 11

The switch actuator as recited in claim 8 in which said bearing surface faces substantially axially towards the back of said switch actuator and said retaining surface faces substantially axially towards the back of said switch actuator.

Claim 12

The switch actuator as recited in claim 9 in which a second retaining surface is formed on one of said chamber walls, a second pawl is integrally formed to said operator, and a second leg is formed on said retainer, wherein said second leg is disposed between said second retaining surface and said second pawl.

Claim 13

The switch actuator as recited in claim 10 in which said legs are each bifurcated to provide a relatively flexible wedging portion.