US 5,672,857 AGranted

Switch actuating mechanism for two sequentially activated switches

AssigneeHoneywell Inc.

InventorsRichard L. Frost, Edgar C. Kolb, James S. Robinson

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Abstract

A switch actuation mechanism is provided with a support structure that is shaped to hold two switches. Each switch is associated with a pivotable member that is rotatably attached to the support structure. The pivotable member can be moved into either a rest position or an actuating position. When in the rest position, an actuating surface of the pivotable member is placed in contact with a plunger of the associated switch. A resilient member, such as a spring, is used to urge the pivotable members into their rest positions. If an actuator, such as a plunger or latch, is move into contact with a protrusion extending from the pivotable member, the pivotable member is rotated clockwise and the actuating surface is moved out of contact with the plunger. This deactuates the switch. The two switches are arranged to provide a sequential deactuation as two actuators are moved into contact with their respective protrusions extending from the pivotable members.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A switch actuation mechanism, comprising:

a support structure, said support structure being rigidly attached to a stationary structure;
a first switch attached to said support structure, said first switch having a first actuating plunger;
a first pivotable member rotatably attached to said support structure and movable between a first rest position and a first actuating position, said first pivotable member having a first actuating surface which is movable into force transmitting contact with said first actuating plunger to actuate said first switch when said first pivotable member is in said first rest position, said first pivotable member having a first protrusion;
a first resilient member disposed in contact with said first pivotable member to urge said first pivotable member to said first rest position, said first pivotable member being movable into said first actuating position to deactuate said first switch in response to movement of a first actuator into contact with said first protrusion;
a second switch attached to said support structure, said second switch having a second actuating plunger;
a second pivotable member rotatably attached to said support structure and movable between a second rest position and a second actuating position, said second pivotable member having a second actuating surface which is movable into force transmitting contact with said second actuating plunger to actuate said second switch when said second pivotable member is in said second rest position, said second pivotable member having a second protrusion;
and
a second resilient member disposed in contact with said second pivotable member to urge said second pivotable member to said second rest position, said second pivotable member being movable into said second actuating position to deactuate said second switch in response to movement of a second actuator into contact with said second protrusion.

5 more elements

A switch actuation mechanism, comprising:

a support structure;
a first switch attached to said support structure, said first switch having a first actuating plunger;
a first pivotable member rotatably attached to said support structure and movable between a first rest position and a first actuating position, said first pivotable member having a first actuating surface which is movable into force transmitting contact with said first actuating plunger to actuate said first switch when said first pivotable member is in said first rest position, said first pivotable member having a first protrusion;
a first resilient member disposed in contact with said first pivotable member to urge said first pivotable member to said first rest position, said first pivotable member being movable into said first actuating position to deactuate said first switch in response to movement of a first actuator into contact with said first protrusion;
a second switch attached to said support structure, said second switch having a second actuating plunger;
a second pivotable member rotatably attached to said support structure and movable between a second rest position and a second actuating position, said second pivotable member having a second actuating surface which is movable into force transmitting contact with said second actuating plunger to actuate said second switch when said second pivotable member is in said second rest position, said second pivotable member having a second protrusion;
and
a second resilient member disposed in contact with said second pivotable member to urge said second pivotable member to said second rest position, said second pivotable member being movable into said second actuating position to deactuate said second switch in response to movement of a second actuator into contact with said second protrusion.

5 more elements

A switch actuation mechanism, comprising:

a support structure;
a first switch attached to said support structure, said first switch having a first actuating plunger;
a first pivotable member rotatably attached to said support structure and movable between a first rest position and a first actuating position, said first pivotable member having a first actuating surface which is movable into force transmitting contact with said first actuating plunger to actuate said first switch when said first pivotable member is in said first rest position, said first pivotable member having a first protrusion;
a first resilient member disposed in contact with said first pivotable member to urge said first pivotable member to said first rest position, said first pivotable member being movable into said first actuating position to deactuate said first switch in response to movement of a first actuator into contact with said first protrusion;
a second switch attached to said support structure, said second switch having a second actuating plunger;
a second pivotable member rotatably attached to said support structure and movable between a second rest position and a second actuating position, said second pivotable member having a second actuating surface which is movable into force transmitting contact with said second actuating plunger to actuate said second switch when said second pivotable member is in said second rest position, said second pivotable member having a second protrusion;
and
a second resilient member disposed in contact with said second pivotable member to urge said second pivotable member to said second rest position, said second pivotable member being movable into said second actuating position to deactuate said second switch in response to movement of a second actuator into contact with said second protrusion.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.