Actuator biased by a horizontal member
AssigneeLeviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
InventorMichael Kamor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment of an electrical device is disclosed. The electrical wiring device preferably includes a frame, a rocker, and a resilient member. In use, the rocker pivotally rotates through a range of travel, for example, from a first position to a second position. As the rocker moves, the resilient member imparts a force on the rocker, biasing the rocker in the first position and the second position. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the resilient member extends horizontally across the electrical wiring device (e.g., along a minor axis of the rocker).
Claims27
A switch actuator assembly for activating a switch in an electrical wiring device comprising:
- a. a frame including a peripheral wall;
- b. a rocker pivotally mounted to the frame and configured to rotate between a first position and a second position;
- c. first and second resilient member supports extending from opposite sides of one of the frame or the rocker, the first and second resilient member supports arranged and configured to be in registered alignment with respect to one another to form an axis;
- d. a tab including a contact surface, the tab extending from the other of the frame or the rocker;
- e. a resilient member including a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, the resilient member having a longitudinal axis defined between the first and second ends, the first and second ends being configured to engage the first and second resilient member supports, respectively, and the middle portion being configured to interact with the tab,
- wherein the contact surface of the tab deflects the resilient member in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the resilient member when the rocker is in the first position and the second position.
A switch actuator assembly for activating a switch in an electrical wiring device comprising:
- a. a frame including first and second frame mounting members, a bottom wall, and first and second trunnions, the first and second frame mounting members extending from the bottom wall, and the first and second trunnions parallel to the bottom wall and projecting inwardly;
- b. a rocker including a bottom surface, a tab extending from the bottom surface of the rocker and having first and second surfaces, and first and second sides having first and second rocker mounting members respectively, the first and second rocker mounting members arranged and configured to pivotally mount to the first and second frame mounting members respectively, wherein the rocker is adapted and configured to pivotally rotate between a first position and a second position:
- c. a resilient member including first and second ends and a bearing surface, the resilient member having a longitudinal axis defined between the first and second ends, the first and second ends being configured to engage the first and second trunnions respectively, and the bearing surface being arranged and configured to interact with the tab of the rocker,
- wherein the first surface of the tab deflects the bearing surface of the resilient member when the rocker is in the first position, and the second surface of the tab deflects the bearing surface of the resilient member when the rocker is in the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.