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US 11,682,535 B2Granted
Rocker switch
AssigneeEssex Industries, Inc.
InventorsMichael Maragni, Leane Darnold, Phil Hampton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rocker switch that can include multiple redundancy at each position. Specifically, the rocker switch is a two-position rocker switch with both positions in line and with double or triple redundancy at each position. The rocker switch still provides a user with definitive snap “on” switching and the snap positions which can be used to activate multiple redundant internal circuit switches to provide for increased reliability of switch operation.
Claims18
A rocker switch comprising:
- a switch head;
- a button support attached to said switch head and configured to rotate to a first detent position located on a first side of a center position and a second detent position located on a second side opposing said first side of said center position;
- a first lever arm with a first rotation point arranged on said second side;
- a second lever arm with a second rotation point arranged on said first side;
- a first circuit switch arranged so as to be switched when said first lever arm is rotated about said first rotation point;
- a second circuit switch arranged so as to be switched when said second lever arm is rotated about said second rotation point;
- a first snap feel mechanism, said first snap feel mechanism comprising:
- a first pin having a ball end, a base, and a center section therebetween;
- and
- a first ball bearing;
- wherein said first lever pushes said first pin against a first pin biasing mechanism;
- wherein, as said first lever pushes said first pin, said first ball bearing is pushed from being adjacent said center section of said first pin and against a first bearing biasing mechanism by said ball end of said first pin;
- and
- wherein said first ball bearing is adjacent said ball end of said first pin when said first lever engages said first circuit switch;
- and
- a second snap feel mechanism, said second snap feel mechanism comprising:
- a second pin having a ball end, a base, and a center section therebetween;
- and
- a second ball bearing;
- wherein said second lever pushes said second pin against a second pin biasing mechanism;
- wherein, as said second lever pushes said second pin, said second ball bearing is pushed from being adjacent said center section of said second pin and against a second bearing biasing mechanism by said ball end of said second pin;
- and
- wherein said second ball bearing is adjacent said ball end of said second pin when said second lever engages said second circuit switch;
- wherein moving said switch head in a first direction from a stable position causes:
- said button support to rotate from said center position to said first detent position;
- said button support to depress said first lever arm about said first rotation point;
- and
- said first lever arm to engage said first circuit switch;
- and
- wherein moving said switch head in a second direction opposing said first direction from said stable position causes:
- said button support to rotate from said center position to said second detent position;
- said button support to depress said second lever arm about said second rotation point;
- and
- said second lever arm to engage said second circuit switch.
31 more elements
A rocker switch comprising:
- a switch head;
- a button support attached to said switch head and configured to rotate to a detent position located on a first side of a center position;
- a lever arm with a rotation point arranged on a second side opposing said first side of said center position;
- a circuit switch arranged so as to be switched when said lever arm is rotated about said rotation point;
- and
- a snap feel mechanism, said snap feel mechanism comprising:
- a pin having a ball end, a base, and a center section therebetween;
- and
- a ball bearing;
- wherein said lever pushes said pin against a pin biasing mechanism;
- and
- wherein, as said lever pushes said pin, said ball bearing is pushed from being adjacent said center section and against a bearing biasing mechanism by said ball end;
- wherein said ball bearing is adjacent said ball end when said lever engages said circuit switch;
- and
- wherein moving said switch head in a first direction from a stable position causes:
- said button support to rotate from said center position to said detent position;
- said button support to depress said lever arm about said rotation point;
- and
- said lever arm to engage said circuit switch.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.