Digital display and switch apparatus for automobile accessory

In combination with a digital display device including an electronics package capable of display of any one of a plurality of changing functions and a source of power for energizing said electronics package, of switch means for activating a predetermined one of said changing functions, said switch means including at least a stationary and movable contact, an actuator, a cam element, said cam element having a pair of walls extending in the direction of movement of said actuator, yet divergent outward from a central grooved area, means for supporting both said contacts and said actuator whereby said actuator is capable of movement from a normal position of rest longitudinally in either direction for controlling movement of each said movable contact to contact closing and opening conditions, said support means for said actuator including a stationary member, a post extending from said stationary member, means for biasing said actuator toward said position of rest in return movement following movement in at least one of said directions, said biasing means including a detent spring also extending in the direction of movement of said actuator having a follower, means for supporting said detent spring so that said follower portion is adapted to ride on said walls, said cam element being supported on said actuator and the biasing effect of said detent spring acting to return said actuator toward the position of rest increasing as the distance in movement of said actuator from said rest position increases, latch means including a lock wheel mounted for rotation on said post, said lock wheel having a surface formed with a plurality of latching pockets, unlatching radial grooves, and a track connecting said pockets and grooves, and a lock pin carried by said actuator to extend into said track whereby upon movement of said actuator in one direction from said position of rest said lock pin remains in a groove and upon movement of said actuator in the opposite direction said lock pin follows said track, rotates said lock wheel and relocates to an angularly spaced latching pocket.

In combination with a digital display device including an electronics package capable of display of any one of a plurality of changing functions and a source of power for energizing said electronics package, of switch means for activating a predetermined one of said changing functions, said switch means including at least a stationary and movable contact, an actuator, means for supporting both said contacts and said actuator whereby said actuator is capable of movement from a normal position of rest longitudinally in either direction for controlling movement of each said movable contact to contact closing and opening conditions, said support means for said actuator including a stationary member, a post extending from said stationary member, means for biasing said actuator toward said position of rest in return from at least one of said directions, and latch means for latching said actuator in one position away from said position of rest, said latch means including a lock wheel mounted for rotation on said post, said lock wheel including a plurality of latching pockets, unlatching radial grooves and a track connecting said pockets and grooves, a lock pin carried by said actuator extending into said track, and means in said track for providing a path of relative movement of said lock pin and lock wheel as said actuator is moved in a latching direction from said position of rest.

In combination with digital display device including an electronics package capable of display of any one of a plurality of changing functions and a source of power for energizing said electronics package, of switch means including at least a stationary and movable contact, an actuator, a cam element, said cam element having a pair of walls extending in the direction of movement of said actuator, said walls being divergent outward from a central grooved area, means for supporting both said contacts and said actuator whereby said actuator is capable of movement from a normal position of rest longitudinally in either direction for controlling movement of each said movable contact to contact closing and opening conditions, means for biasing said actuator toward said position of rest in return from at least one of said directions including a detent spring also extending in the direction of movement of said actuator having a follower portion, means for supporting said detent spring so that said follower portion is adapted to ride on said walls, said cam element being supported on said actuator and the biasing effect of said detent spring acting to return said actuator in a direction opposite to the direction of movement toward the position of rest increasing as both the distance in movement of said actuator from said rest position and the distance in movement of said follower portion from the longitudinal axis increases, and latch means for latching said actuator in one position away from said position of rest.

Switch apparatus for activating a predetermined one of a plurality of changing functions of a digital display energized by a powered electronics package, said switch apparatus including switch means comprising at least a stationary and movable contact, an actuator, a cam element, said cam element having a pair of walls extending in the direction of movement of said actuator, yet divergent outward from a central grooved area, means for supporting both said contacts and said actuator whereby said actuator is capable of movement from a normal position of rest longitudinally in either direction for controlling movement of each said movable contact to contact closing and opening conditions, said support means for said actuator including a stationar member, a post extending from said stationary member, means for biasing said actuator toward said position of rest in return movement following movement in at least one of said directions, said biasing means including a detent spring also extending in the direction of movement of said actuator having a follower portion, means for supporting said detent spring so that said follower portion is adapted to ride on said walls, said cam element being supported on said actuator and the biasing effect of said detent spring acting to return said actuator toward the position of rest increasing as the distance in movement of said actuator means from said rest position increases, latch means including a lock wheel mounted for rotation on said post and including a plurality of latching pockets, unlatching radial grooves, and a track connecting said pockets and grooves, and a lock pin carried by said actuator to extend into said track whereby upon movement of said actuator in one direction from said position of rest said lock pin remains in a groove and upon movement of said actuator in the opposite direction said lock pin follows said track, rotates said lock wheel and relocates to an angularly spaced latching pocket.

Switch apparatus for activating a predetermined one of a plurality of changing functions of a digital display energized by a powered electronics package, said switch apparatus including switch means comprising at least a stationary and movable contact, an actuator, a cam element, said cam element having a pair of walls extending in the direction of movement of said actuator, said walls being divergent outward from a central grooved area, means for supporting both said contacts and said actuator whereby said actuator is capable of movement from a normal position of rest longitudinally in either direction for controlling movement of each said movable contact to contact closing and opening conditions, means for biasing said actuator toward said position of rest in return from at least one of said directions including a detent spring also extending in the direction of movement of said actuator having a follower portion, and means for supporting said detent spring so that said follower portion is adapted to ride on said walls, said cam element being supported on said actuator and the biasing effect of said detent spring acting to return said actuator in a direction opposite to the direction of movement toward the position of rest increases as both the distance in movement of said actuator from said rest position and the distance in movement of said follower portion from the longitudnal axis increases, and latch means for latching said actuator in one position away from said position of rest.