US 5,049,706 A · Multifunction steering column switch

Abstract

A switch for use on the steering column of a vehicle includes lever operated switch members controlling vehicle operating circuits. A switch lever is mounted in a housing attachable to the steering column of a vehicle for movement in one of two mutually separate planes and/or rotation about a longitudinal axis extending through the switch lever. Actuators are mounted in the housing and are independently responsive to one of the modes of movement of the switch lever for controlling a separate switch member mounted in the housing. Each switch member carries electric contacts which are selectively engaged by contacts carried by a driven member in the switch member as the switch member switches position in response to movement by the associated actuator to effect switching of the connections for a particular vehicle operating circuit.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A steering column switch for a vehicle having a steering column and at least two energizable devices, the steering column switch comprising:

a housing mountable on a steering column of a vehicle;
a switch lever mounted in and extending outward from the housing, the switch lever connected to the housing for at least pivotal movement in first and second mutually perpendicular planes;
first and second actuator means mounted in the housing, each of the first and second actuator means being independently constructed and operated and each of said actuating means being responsive to movement of the switch lever in one of the first and second mutually separate planes;
and
first and second switch means, each of said switch means being separately removably mounted in the housing, each of the first and second switch means coupled to and responsive to one of the first and second actuator means and switchable between positions to selectively generate electric signals for one of the energizable devices in the vehicle depending upon the mode of movement of the switch lever.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multifunction steering column switch

Life of this patent

Multifunction steering column switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11