US 5,947,268 A · Self adjusting electric tappet switch

Abstract

A self-adjusting electric tappet switch includes a slider linearly guided in a housing for activation or closure of one of several electrical contacts and a tappet which is selectively rotatable relative to the slider for adjustment of the travel limit of the switch. The slider has a first engagement portion provided with engagements parts, and the tappet includes a corresponding second engagement portion having an oblong cross-section provided with spaced apart circumferential grooves. The switch is self-adjusted by relative rotational movement between the slider and the tappet to lock the pair together. In an installation and adjustment position of the tappet and slider system, the slider is held in a predetermined fixed switching position in the housing to permit relative longitudinal slidable movement between the tappet and the slider for adjustment of the tappet without causing any movement of affecting the position of the slider within the housing. After the length of the tappet and slider is set, are locked together by relative rotation therebetween. Displacement of the tappet within the housing causes a corresponding movement of the slider thereby carried on the tappet within the housing relative to the electrical contacts.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A self-adjusting tappet switch for mounting in an installation opening of an associated installation part, the tappet switch comprising:

a housing;
an electrical switch contact carried on the housing;
a slider member linearly movable within the housing between a first slider member position spaced apart from said electrical switch and a second slider member position contacting said electrical switch, the slider member including a first engagement portion;
and,
an elongate tappet member including a second engagement portion selectively intermateable with the first engagement portion to lock the tappet member to the slider member, a one of the tappet member and slider member being rotatable relative to the housing as the housing is rotated in the installation opening while the other of the tappet member and the slider member is held rotatable fixed relative to the housing to cause relative rotation between the tappet member and the slider member between i) a first installation and adjustment position whereat the first engagement portion is disengaged from the second engagement portion to permit relative linear arrested adjusting movement between the tappet member and the slider member for self-adjusting the switch, and ii) a second locked position whereat the first engagement portion is engaged with the second engagement portion to prevent relative linear movement between the tappet member and the slider member.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self adjusting electric tappet switch

Life of this patent

Self adjusting electric tappet switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14