Actuator for use with electrical switches
AssigneeDolan Northwest, LLC
InventorRon Leddusire
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device includes an actuator and a connecting member. The actuator is structured to physically contact a switch, the switch is structured to open and close an electrically conductive path when an external force is applied to the actuator, and the electrically conductive path is configured to supply electrical power to an electrical appliance. The connecting member is structured to attach the actuator to the electrical appliance. The actuator is capable of movement relative to the connecting member when the actuator is attached to the electrical appliance by the connecting member and when the external force is applied to the actuator.
Claims20
A switch actuator that is structured to manipulate a switch that is installed on an electrical appliance, the switch actuator comprising:
- a connecting member structured to be rigidly attached to the electrical appliance;
- and
- a handle structured to be pivotably attached to the electrical appliance via the connecting member, the handle further structured to actuate the switch when the handle is pushed down and away from the switch.
A switch actuator that is structured to physically contact and manipulate a first switch that is installed on an electrical appliance, the switch actuator comprising:
- a first connecting member, the first connecting member structured to be rigidly attached to the electrical appliance;
- a first handle, the first handle structured to be movably attached to the electrical appliance via the first connecting member, the first handle having a first range of motion relative to the electrical appliance when the first handle is movably attached to the electrical appliance via the first connecting member;
- and
- a second handle, the second handle structured to interface with the first connecting member such that the first handle is attached to the first connecting member but may move in a second range of motion relative to the first connecting member.
A device comprising:
- an actuator, the actuator structured to actuate a switch for an electrical appliance, the switch structured to open and close an electrically conductive path when a downward force is applied to a top surface of the actuator, the switch located above the actuator;
- and
- a connecting member, the connecting member structured to pivotably attach the actuator to the electrical appliance, the actuator capable of a pivoting movement relative to the connecting member when the actuator is attached to the electrical appliance by the connecting member and when the downward force is applied to the top surface of the actuator.
An electrical appliance comprising:
- a structural member;
- a switch configured to connect electrical power to the electrical appliance when the switch is closed and configured to disconnect electrical power from the electrical appliance when the switch is open, the switch including a pull mechanism;
- and
- an actuator connected to the structural member by a first end, the actuator structured to pivot relative to the structural member, the pull mechanism attached to the actuator between the first end and a second end of the actuator, the actuator structured to open and close the switch when the second end of the actuator is pressed down.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.