# US 5,708,242 A · Automotive lever switch assembly

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- Number: US 5,708,242 A
- Document ID: US5708242A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/640,130
- Filed: 1996-04-30
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1995-07-05
- Assignees: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Norio Uchiyama
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5708242A

## CPC

- B60Q 1/1469: {controlled by or attached to a single lever, e.g. steering column stalk switches}
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A lever switch assembly for controllably operating an automotive wiper or the like includes a leaf spring having an attachment portion whereby the leaf spring is secured to a switch board in a single fabrication process. A lever 1 is capable of vertical pivotal movement. A leaf spring 10 is operated and contacted with a fixed contact plate 14 as the lever 1 is vertically pivoted. The fixed contact plate 14 is mounted on a switch board 9. The leaf spring 10 has at its one end movable contacts 10b and 10c adapted to contact with the fixed contact plate 14, and at its other end an attachment portion 10d adapted to secure the leaf spring 10 to the switch board 9.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automotive lever switch assembly, comprising:
a vertically pivotable lever (1);
a switch board (9) on which a fixed contact plate (14) is mounted; and
a leaf spring (10) adapted to be moved into contact with the fixed contact plate (14) as said lever is vertically pivoted;
said leaf spring (10) having, at a first end, movable contacts (10b, 10c) adapted to be contacted with said fixed contact plate (14) and, at a second end, an attachment portion (10d) through which said leaf spring (10) is secured to said switch board (9);
wherein said attachment portion (10d) of said leaf spring (10) has a L-shape, and said switch board (9) includes a through hole (9d) shaped to receive said L-shaped attachment portion (10d).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An automotive lever switch assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said through hole (9d) of said switch board (9) has an inner wall, and a projection (9e) extending from said inner wall and placed in contact with said leaf spring (10).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An automotive lever switch assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment portion of said leaf spring includes a pawl, and said switch board includes a bore within said through hole, said switch board being engaged with said leaf spring.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An automotive lever switch assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment portion (10d) of said leaf spring (10) includes an aperture (10f), and said switch board (9) includes a pawl (9f) within said through hole (9d), said switch board (9) being engaged with said leaf spring (10).

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

An automotive lever switch assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said through hole (9d) of said switch board (9) has an inner wall, and a projection (9e) extending from said inner wall and placed in contact with said leaf spring (10).

### Claim 6

An automotive lever switch assembly, comprising:
a vertically pivotable lever (1);
a switch board (9) on which a fixed contact plate (14) is mounted; and
a leaf spring (10) adapted to be moved into contact with the fixed contact plate (14) as said lever is vertically pivoted;
said leaf spring (10) having, at a first end, movable contacts (10b, 10c) adapted to be contacted with said fixed contact plate (14) and, at a second end, an attachment portion (10d) through which said leaf spring (10) is secured to said switch board (9);
wherein said leaf spring (10) has at least three tongues (10e) at said first end, said tongues including a central tongue (10e) having an operating portion (10a) placed in contact with said lever (1), and the other two tongues (10e) including said movable contacts (10b, 10c).