Back to results
US 5,034,576 AGranted
Console switch
AssigneeProform Fitness Products, Inc.
InventorsWilliam T. Dalebout, Kent Ashby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch apparatus for an electrical machine comprises a keyway and a removable key. A spring-loaded protrusion on the key prevents direct insertion of the key into an "ON" position, and communicates with a guideway for movement of the key between the "OFF" and "ON" positions. The key is directly removable from both the "ON" and "OFF" positions simply by pulling, to deactivate the machine in an emergency or accident. Unauthorized and accidental operation of the machine may be prevented by control of the key.
Claims14
An apparatus for activating and deactivating an electrically powered machine, comprising:
- a keyway adapted to receive a safety key, said keyway having a keyway housing with a base, side walls, a curved rear wall and a cover, said keyway having a key-insertable portion defining an "off" position, and a non key-insertable portion defining an "on" position, said keyway having an arcuate guideway to guide said safety key between an "OFF" position and an "ON" position;
- an electrical switch having actuator means adapted to be actuated by said safety key when in said "ON" position;
- and
- a safety key having a proximate end for operation by the user and an arcuate distal end for insertion in said key insertable portion of said keyway whereby said arcuate distal end pivots within said curved rear wall of the safety keyway housing between said "OFF" position in which said electrical switch is deactivated and said "ON" position in which said electrical switch is activated, said safety key including protrusile means for movement in said guideway wherein said protrusile means engages said guideway to hold said safety key in one of said "ON" or "OFF" positions and said protrusile means prevents said safety key being inserted into said non key-insertable portion.
1 more element
An apparatus for activating and deactivating an electrically powered machine, said apparatus comprising:
- a keyway adapted to receive a safety key, said keyway having a keyway housing with a base, side walls, and a cover, said keyway having a key-insertable portion defining an "OFF" position, and a non keyinsertable portion defining an "ON" position, and said keyway guides said safety key between an "OFF" position and and "ON" position;
- an electrical switch having actuator means adapted to be actuated by said safety key when in said "ON" position;
- and
- a safety key having a proximate end for operation by the user and a distal end for insertion in said key-insertable portion of said keyway, said keyway having a guideway extending between said "ON" and "OFF" positions, said safety key including protrusile means comprising resilient means with a protrusion positioned to extend normally away from said safety key and adapted to flex with said resilient means to prevent said safety key from being inserted into said non key-insertable portion and permit said safety key to be inserted into said key-insertable portion, said protrusile means positioned to move in said guideway between said "OFF" position in which said electrical switch is deactivated and said "ON" position in which said electrical switch is actuated when said safety key is inserted in said keyway and retain said key in one of said "ON" or "OFF" positions.
1 more element
A safety switch apparatus for activating and deactivating an electrical machine, comprising:
- a keyway housing having a first keyway opening for insertion of a key to a fully inserted "OFF" position, and a second keyway opening wherein insertion of said key is blocked, said keyway housing including a guideway for guiding said key between said "OFF" position and an "ON" position;
- a key insertable in said first keyway opening and movable between said "OFF" position and said "ON" position;
- and
- means for directly retracting said key through said second keyway opening from said "ON" position without passing through said normal "OFF" position.
1 more element
An apparatus for activating and deactivating an electrically powered machine, comprising:
- a keyway adapted to receive a safety keyway, said keyway having a keyway housing with a base, side walls, and a cover, said keyway having a key-insertable portion defining an "OFF" position and a non keyinsertable portion defining an "ON" position, and said keyway guides said safety key between an "OFF" position and an "ON" position;
- an electrical switch having actuator means positioned for actuation by said safety key when in said "ON" position;
- and
- a safety key having a proximate end for operation by the user and a distal end for insertion in said key-insertable portion of said key said keyway having a guideway extending between said "ON" and "OFF" positions, said safety key including protrusile means in communication with said guideway for movement in said guideway from said "OFF" position in which said electrical switch is deactivated to said "ON" position in which said electrical switch is activated to operate said actuator means against a first resistance wherein said protrusile means engages said guideway to hold said safety key in one of said "ON" or "OFF" positions, said safety key being capable of removal from said keyway through said non key-insertable portion from said "ON" position against a second resistance without passing through said "OFF" position.
1 more element
An exercise treadmill including:
- an electrically powered endless belt;
- a support console supported above said endless belt;
- and apparatus carried by said console for activating and deactivating said electrically powered endless belt, said apparatus comprising;
- a keyway adapted to receive a safety key, said keyway having a keyway housing with a base, side walls, a curved rear wall, and a cover, said keyway having a key-insertable portion defining an "OFF" position and a non key-insertable portion defining an "ON" position and said keyway having a guideway to guide said safety key between an "OFF" position and an "ON" position;
- an electrical switch having actuator means positioned for actuation by said safety key when in said "On" position;
- a safety key having a proximate end for operation by the user and an arcuate distal end for insertion in said keyinsertable portion of said keyway whereby said arcuate distal end pivots within said curved rear wall of the safety keyway housing between said "OFF" position in which said electrical switch is deactivated and said "ON" position in which said electrical switch is activated, said safety key including protrusile means for arcuate movement in said guideway when said arcuate distal end of said safety key is pivoted against the curved rear wall of the keyway wherein said protrusile means engages said guideway to hold said safety key in one of said "ON" or "OFF" positions and said protrusile means prevents said safety key from being inserted into said non key-insertable portion;
- a flexible tether sized to extend from said support console to a user positioned on said exercise treadmill, said tether having a first end secured to the proximate end of said safety key;
- and a second end secured to the user positioned on said exercise treadmill.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.