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US 12,046,429 B2Granted
Five-position switch
AssigneeEssex Industries, Inc.
InventorsMichael Maragni, Leane Darnold, Brian Joachimsthaler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Multiple position switches and specifically in-line multiple position switches where a user has definitive points of on and off switching which are used to turn multiple redundant internal circuit switches on and off. This can provide for increased reliability of switch operation. The multi-position switch is typically a five-position switch with all five positions in-line and with double or triple redundancy at each position. The switches can also provide for the feel of a snap action mechanism between positions.
Claims20
A multi-position switch comprising:
- a switch head;
- a button support attached to said switch head and configured to rotate to a first detent position and a second detent position located on a first side of a center position and a third detent position and a fourth detent position located on a second side opposing said first side of said center position;
- a first piston shaft connected to said button support and connected to a first roller positioned in a first track formed from a concave upper surface of a first rocker, said first track having a first area and a second area;
- a second piston shaft connected to said button support and connected to a second roller positioned in a second track formed from a concave upper surface of a second rocker, said second track having a third area and a fourth area;
- a first circuit switch arranged so as to be switched when said first roller is in contact with said second area tipping said first rocker toward said first side as said button support rotates to said first detent position;
- a second circuit switch arranged so as to be switched when said second roller is in contact with said fourth area tipping said second rocker toward said first side as said button support rotates to said second detent position;
- a third circuit switch arranged so as to be switched when said first roller is in contact with said second area tipping said first rocker toward said second side as said button support rotates to said third detent position;
- a fourth circuit switch arranged so as to be switched when said second roller is in contact with said fourth area tipping said second rocker toward said second side as said button support rotates to said fourth detent position;
- a plunger where depression of said button support in said center position causes said plunger to switch a fifth circuit switch.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.