US 5,845,767 A · Stopper structure for a switch

Abstract

A stopper structure for a switch, such as a power window switch that automatically opens and closes the window of an automobile. The stopper structure has a stopper part 2h on the back of a knob 2. When the knob 2 is pressed against the resistance of a spring 8, which is located between a spring guide 2b of the knob 2 and a first projection 1k inside a cylinder 1a of an upper case 1, the stopper part 2h is pressed to the head portion 2f of a leaf spring 2d that biases a lock pin 2c into a locking position for locking the switch assembly together. The assembled leaf spring 2d is then set to the designated position of a second projection 1l inside a cylinder 1a of the upper case 1. The stopper structure provides an assembly wherein the leaf spring 2d, which biases the lock pin 2c into a locking position for locking the switch assembly together, is set in the designated position with assurance using a simple structure.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A switch knob assembly comprising:

an upper case;
a lower case that fits in the upper case;
a knob having a projection operation lever that moves in a reciprocating manner into and out of engagement with an operation member of a switch contact portion;
a lock pin connected to the upper case, wherein said lock pin is engagable with the operation lever of the knob to lock the knob to the upper case;
a leaf spring, said lock pin being engaged with said leaf spring;
and
a stopper structure having a second spring between a spring guide of the knob and a first projection in the upper case, and a stopper part that is mounted on the back side of the knob so that when the knob is pressed against the resistance of the second spring, the stopper part is pressed onto a head portion of the leaf spring thereby moving the leaf spring into locking engagement with a second projection in the upper case at a position in which the leaf spring biases said lock pin into engagement with said projection operation lever to lock the knob to the upper case.

4 more elements

A switch knob assembly equipped with a stopper structure for locking together components of the switch knob assembly, comprising:

a case having an opening substantially surrounded by a wall protruding from said case;
a knob having a projecting portion inserted into said opening of said case, said knob being mounted to said case for reciprocating movement relative to said case, said projecting portion having a slot formed therein which extends in a direction of said reciprocating movement;
a lock pin retained within a hole in said wall of said case, wherein said lock pin is engagable with said slot of said projecting portion to lock said knob to said case;
a leaf spring, wherein said lock pin is engaged with said leaf spring so as to bias said lock pin into engagement with said slot of said projecting portion;
and
a stopper structure having a second spring extending between a spring guide of the knob and a first projection of the case, and a stopper part formed on the knob for pressing said leaf spring, whereby when the knob is pressed against the resistance of the second spring, the stopper part is pressed onto a head portion of the leaf spring and the leaf spring is thereby moved into locking engagement with a second projection of the case at a position in which the leaf spring biases said lock pin into engagement with said slot to direct said lock pin into a locking position within said slot thereby locking said knob to said case.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stopper structure for a switch

Life of this patent

Stopper structure for a switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6