US 6,787,716 B1Granted

Multiple way switch assembly and switch module

AssigneeLeopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG

InventorEdgar Menche

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Abstract

A multiple position switch assembly includes two or more switch modules. The switch modules are each suited as an individual switch module for use in a two-way switch assembly. Two switch modules of like kind but complementary to one another may be combined with one another such that the two combined switch modules form a four-way switch assembly. Each switch module includes control elements pivotally or movably connected to a base. Each of the control elements is associated with a switching element. In the four-way switch assembly, the control elements are arranged in an antiparallel arrangement and each can be alternately actuated by a common actuator. Upon being actuated, the control elements pivot or move to actuate the corresponding switching element. The actuator is movable along four actuating directions oriented in a cross-shaped manner with regard to one another.

Claims41

Dependent claims

A multiple position switch assembly comprising:

first and second switch modules, each of the switch modules having a base and two control elements movably connected to the base, each of the switch modules further having two switching elements respectively associated with the control elements of the switch module;
and
an actuator associating the control elements of the first switch module with one another in a first pair and associating the control elements of the second switch module with one another in a second pair;
wherein the control elements and the base of each of the switch modules are operative to enable the first and second switch modules to be combined with one another to form a four position switch subassembly in response to the switch modules being interconnected to one another while being positioned against a connection area of the respective bases;
wherein in the four position switch subassembly the first pair of control elements of the first module are arranged to be actuated by the actuator in a first set of two opposite movement directions, and the second pair of control elements of the second module are arranged to be actuated by the actuator in a second set of two opposite movement directions, wherein the first and second sets of opposite movement directions are perpendicular to one another.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/774,776Filed 9 Feb 2004 · continuation
Priority: DE 101 51 60318 Oct 2001
Published: US 2004/0159529 A119 Aug 2004
Granted: 7 Sep 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H01H 23/00
Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking
G05G 9/047
In which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously: the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
H01H 11/0006
Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches: for converting electric switches
H01H 25/04
Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part: operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick