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US 4,540,858 AGranted
Modular switch unit with snap-in base, separate modular switch unit and cover coded switch actuating interior lugs
AssigneeNixdorf Computer AG
InventorFranz-Josef Knoop
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch arrangement on an electrical apparatus includes a base with two parallel rows of receptacles, a switch module held plugged in, in the base, in which the pairs of contacts together with a switch rocker form a rocker switch, and a cover fastened releasably on the base in one single possible fastening position, which on the inside of its end wall carries operating lugs for the rocker switches.
Claims11
A modular switch unit which can be placed into an opening in a support frame (10) comprising:
- a generally rectangular molded plastic base (12) having a body portion (60) dimensioned to be inserted and received in close fitting relationship with at least a portion of said frame opening and a shoulder portion (20) which limits the extent of insertion;
- a plurality of pin-plug electrical receptacles (18) disposed in two parallel rows in said base (12) and having upwardly extending female ends and downwardly extending male ends, the male ends extending beyond said body portion and the female ends being substantially flush with an upper support surface of said base;
- at least one switch module having at least a pair of male contacts (28) extending from one surface thereof and a rocker (30) on an opposite surface thereof for opening and closing an electrical circuit between said contacts (28);
- said switch module being disposed on the base with said contacts (28) received in and frictionally held by the female ends of at least some of said receptacles (18);
- and a cover (16) removably disposed on said base in surrounding relationship to said module, said cover carrying on the interior surface thereof at least one switch rocker actuating element (50) in a predetermined position to actuate said rocker (30) to a predetermined condition.
2 more elements
A modular switch unit comprising:
- a switch module having a plurality of pairs of male contacts extending from the bottom face thereof and a plurality of rockers on the top face thereof operative when rocked about an axis lying generally in the plane of said top face to open and close electrical circuits between respective contact pairs;
- and
- a cover located on said module in surrounding relation thereto and including a plurality of rocker actuating elements arranged in a coded arrangement on the interior of the top of said cover for respective coaction with said rockers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.