Switch actuation device
OwnerIan Blakemaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A switch actuation device for use in connection with electrical switch mechanism having an actuatable structure. The device includes an actuation mechanism in operable communication with the actuatable structure for use in urging the actuatable structure of the electrical switch mechanism from a first position to a second position. An actuatable electrical switch arrangement is also disclosed.
Claims18
A switch actuation device for use in connection with an electrical switch mechanism having an actuatable structure, comprising an actuation mechanism in operable communication with the actuatable structure and configured to urge the actuatable structure of the electrical switch mechanism between a first position to a second position, wherein the actuation mechanism includes:
- a housing having:
- (i) a base portion with an opening extending therethrough, the base portion configured for rigid attachment to the electrical switch mechanism, and the opening configured to receive the actuatable structure therethrough;
- and (ii) an enclosure portion moveably attached to the base portion, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure portion is configured to contact at least a portion of the actuatable structure;
- a track having teeth and rigidly attached to a surface of the base portion of the housing;
- a drive cog having teeth configured to mate with the teeth of the track, wherein the drive cog is rotatably attached to the moveable enclosure portion and movable by an urging force along the track in a first direction when the enclosure portion is urged in the first direction, such that at least a portion of the enclosure portion at least partially contacts at least a portion of the actuatable structure, thereby causing the actuatable structure to move to the first position;
- and
- a spring that compresses when the enclosure portion is urged in the first direction, and when the urging force is removed, the spring decompresses and urges the drive cog and the enclosure portion in a second, opposing direction, such that at least a portion of the enclosure portion at least partially contacts at least a portion of the actuatable structure, thereby causing the actuatable structure to move to the second position.
A switch actuation device for use in connection with an electrical switch mechanism having an actuatable structure, comprising an actuation mechanism in operable communication with the actuatable structure and configured to urge the actuatable structure of the electrical switch mechanism from a first position to a second position, wherein the actuation mechanism includes:
- a housing having:
- (i) a base portion with an opening extending therethrough, the base portion configured for rigid attachment to the electrical switch mechanism, and the opening configured to receive the actuatable structure therethrough;
- and (ii) an enclosure portion moveably attached to the base portion, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure portion is configured to contact at least a portion of the actuatable structure;
- a track having teeth and rigidly attached to a surface of the base portion of the housing;
- and
- a drive cog having teeth configured to mate with the teeth of the track, wherein the drive cog is rotatably attached to the moveable enclosure portion and movable by an urging force along the track in a first direction when the enclosure portion is urged in the first direction, such that at least a portion of the enclosure portion at least partially contacts at least a portion of the actuatable structure, thereby causing the actuatable structure to move to the first position;
- wherein the base portion further comprises a spring stop attached to and projecting therefrom, and wherein the enclosure portion further comprises a spring compartment at least partially housing a spring therein, such that as the drive cog and enclosure portion are moved by an urging force in the first direction, the spring compresses between the spring stop and a base surface of the spring compartment, which is moved with the enclosure portion in the first direction, and when the urging force is removed, the spring decompresses and urges the drive cog and the enclosure portion in the second, opposing direction, such that at least a portion of the enclosure portion at least partially contacts at least a portion of the actuatable structure, thereby causing the actuatable structure to move to the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.