US 5,950,813 AGranted

Electrical switch

AssigneeTRW Inc.

InventorsSteven R. Hoskins, Derrick Titus

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Abstract

A switch (10) for controlling flow of electric current includes a base (12) and a carrier (100) supported for movement on the base. An engagement surface (60, 80) disposed on the base (12) includes a ramp surface (66, 86) and a detent surface (64, 84) defining an opening (62, 82) disposed adjacent to the ramp surface. A detent member (130, 132) on the carrier (100) is engageable with the detent surface (64, 84) when in the detent opening (62, 82) and is engageable with the ramp surface (64, 84) when not in the detent opening. The switch (10) has a start condition in which the detent member (130, 132) is disposed in the detent opening (62, 82) and resists movement of the carrier (100) relative to the base (12). The switch (10) is movable under an actuation force from the start condition to an actuated condition in which the detent member (130, 132) is disposed on the ramp surface (66, 86). The switch (10) returns to the start condition in response to the release of the actuation force. First and second electrical contacts (120, 152) move between a first condition and a second condition upon movement of the switch between the start condition and the actuated condition.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A switch for controlling flow of electric current, said switch comprising:

a base;
a carrier supported for movement relative to said base;
an engagement surface on a first one of said base and said carrier, said engagement surface including a detent surface defining a detent opening and a ramp surface disposed adjacent to said detent surface;
a detent member on a second one of said base and said carrier, said detent member being engageable with said detent surface when in said detent opening, said detent member being engageable with said ramp surface when not in said detent opening;
biasing means for biasing said detent member into engagement with said engagement surface;
said switch having a start condition in which said detent member is disposed in said detent opening and resists movement of said carrier relative to said base;
said switch being actuatable from the start condition to an actuated condition in response to the application to said carrier of an actuation force in an amount greater than a predetermined force, said detent member being disposed on said ramp surface when said switch is in said actuated condition;
said ramp surface cooperating with said detent member and with said biasing means to return said switch to the start condition in response to the release of said actuation force;
and
first and second electrical contacts which move between a first condition and a second condition upon movement of said carrier by said actuation force.

7 more elements

A switch for controlling flow of electric current, said switch comprising:

a base having a central axis and a pair of inner side surfaces spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of said axis, each one of said inner side surfaces including a ramp surface and a detent opening disposed adjacent to said ramp surface;
a first electrical contact fixed in position on said base;
a carrier supported on said base for axial movement between said inner side surfaces of said base;
a pair of detent members on said carrier and receivable in said detent openings in said base;
biasing means on said carrier for biasing said detent members into said detent openings in said base;
and
a second electrical contact on said carrier and movable with said carrier relative to said base;
said carrier having a first position relative to said base in which said first and second electrical contacts are spaced apart from each other and said detent members are disposed in said detent openings to resist movement of said carrier from the first position;
said carrier being movable relative to said base, in response to the application to said carrier of an actuation force in an amount greater than a predetermined force, from the first position to a second position in which said first and second electrical contacts are in engagement with each other to establish flow of electric current between said first and second contacts;
said detent members on said carrier moving onto said ramp surfaces when said carrier is moved from the first position to the second position;
and
said biasing means returning said carrier to the first position in response to the release of said actuation force from said carrier.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.