Universal box system
AssigneeLeviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
InventorCosmo Castaldo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch actuator device is disclosed. The switch actuator device includes a switch housing, a body having a first and second arm, and a resilient member having a first and second end. The first and second ends of the resilient member are configured to be coupled to the body and switch housing, respectively. The resilient member exerts a first force on the body when the body is at a first position, a second force when the body is at a second position, and a third force when the body is at a threshold position. When the body is rotated about a pivot point from the first to second position, or vice versa, the respective first or second force increases in magnitude and acts on the body to first resist the rotation until the body is in the threshold position, and then assists the rotation.
Claims15
A switch actuator device comprising:
- a. a switch housing;
- b. a switch mechanism secured to the switch housing, the switch mechanism comprising a body section, a first arm and a second arm forming a fork, and having a radial hole;
- and
- c. a spring member located inside the switch housing and coupled to the switch mechanism, with a first end of the spring member being inserted into the radial hole and a second end of the spring member being inserted into a stationary portion or a post of the switch housing;
- wherein when the switch mechanism is being rotated with respect to the switch housing, from either an initial on position or an off position, a temporary compression of the spring member is caused in an intermediate region of the spring member, and wherein once the rotation reaches a threshold tripping point or position, said temporary compression of the spring member forces the movement of the switch mechanism forward so that the spring member expands, biasing the switch mechanism to complete its rotational motion to either a final on position or off position.
A toggle device comprising:
- a. a switch housing;
- b. a switch mechanism secured to the switch housing, the switch mechanism including:
- i. a body section including a first arm and a second arm forming a fork, and having a radial hole;
- and
- ii. a spring member located inside the switch housing and coupled to the switch mechanism, with a first end of the spring member being inserted into the radial hole and a second end of the spring member being inserted into a stationary portion or a post of the switch housing;
- c. a switch coupled to the switch mechanism;
- and
- d. a lever coupled to the body section of the switch mechanism;
- wherein when the lever is being rotated with respect to the switch housing, from either an initial on position or an off position, a temporary compression of the spring member is caused in an intermediate region of the spring member, and wherein once the rotation reaches a threshold tripping point or position, said temporary compression of the spring member forces the movement of the lever forward so that the spring member expands, biasing the lever to complete its rotational motion to either a final on position or off position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.