Switch actuating assembly
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsMatthew G. Branch, Chris E. Willey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch actuating assembly supports and actuates a limit switch of the ball and roller type. The assembly includes a housing, a plunger movably positioned within the housing, and an end cap which closes off one end of the housing. The assembly is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle control panel utilizing conventional mounting hardware. Various ball and roller type limit switches are interchangeable with the housing body. The plunger is movable between a first detent position with the limit switch activated and a second spring loaded position with the limit switch deactivated.
Claims13
An assembly for supporting and actuating a ball and roller type limit switch, comprising:
- a housing having a body portion, said body portion defining a first axial throughbore and first and second radial bores extending into said axial throughbore, and a neck portion extending outwardly of said body portion;
- a plunger having first and second end portions, a middle portion, and an actuating portion, said middle portion defining a detent mechanism and said second end portion defining a first cavity, said plunger being adapted to fit within said throughbore;
- an end cap defining a second cavity;
- means for releasably securing said end cap to said housing;
- and
- said body portion of said housing defining a third radial bore, said third radial bore being adapted to receive and support said limit switch.
A switch actuating assembly for supporting and actuating a ball and roller type limit switch, said assembly being releasably connectable to a control panel, said assembly comprising:
- a housing having a body portion and a neck portion extending axially outwardly of said body portion, said body portion defining a first axial throughbore, and first, second, and third radial bores extending into said axial throughbore;
- a plunger having first and second end portions, a middle portion, and actuating portion, said middle portion defining a circumferential detent groove, and said second end portion defining a first cavity, said plunger being adapted to fit within said axial throughbore;
- an end cap defining a second cavity;
- means for releasably securing said end cap to said housing;
- a first spring adapted to be positioned within said first and second cavities;
- second and third springs positioned within said first and second radial bores respectively, and first and second detent balls positioned within said first and second radial bores respectively;
- and
- a limit switch adapted to be positioned and supported within said third radial bore.
An assembly for supporting and actuating a ball and roller type limit switch, comprising:
- a housing having a body portion, said body portion defining a first axial throughbore and first and second radial bores extending into said axial throughbore, and a neck portion extending outwardly of said body portion;
- a plunger having first and second end portions, a middle portion, and an actuating portion, said middle portion defining a detent mechanism and said second end portion defining a first cavity, said plunger being adapted to fit within said throughbore;
- an end cap defining a second cavity;
- means for releasably securing said end cap to said housing;
- and
- including a spring adapted to be positioned within said first and second cavities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.