US3590331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel mounted switch enclosure
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-02
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-06-02
Abstract
Abstract A switch enclosure comprising a broad thin elongated conduit mounted flat against a wall panel can be made of sufficient length to accommodate any desired number of short stroke electrical switches. A standard receptacle which communicates with the conduit and penetrates a standard opening in the panel serves as a conduit for the electrical conductors connected to the switches. Alternatively, the standard receptacle can be made large enough to accommodate other switches too deep to be mounted in the flat conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew F Kirsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:38
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66B; B66B1/00; B66B1/34; B66B1/46; B66B1/461; B66B1/462; H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A switch enclosure adaptable for mounting to a panel comprising a receptacle having a front surface which may be substantially flush mounted with an opening in a panel, a front cover for said receptacle, a first electrical switch mounted in the receptacle and operative through an opening in the front cover, a flat conduit extending parallel to the said front surface and communicating with said receptacle, the width of said conduit being several times the height wherein said height is measured perpendicular to said front surface, second switches mounted in said conduit to be operated through openings in the exposed face of the conduit, said conduit being of a length satisfactory to accommodate the desired number of second switches, first electrical conductors for said first switch, second electrical conductors for said second switches, said second electrical conductors being routed through the conduit into the receptacle, and an outlet in said receptacle behind said front surface through which said first and second electrical conductors are routed, whereby a standard opening in a panel will accommodate switch enclosures having varying numbers of second switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A switch enclosure adaptable for mounting to a panel comprising a receptacle having a front surface which may be substantially flush mounted with an opening in a panel, a front cover for said receptacle, a first electrical switch mounted in the receptacle and operative through an opening in the front cover, a flat conduit extending parallel to the said front surface and communicating with said receptacle, the width of said conduit being several times the height wherein said height is measured perpendicular to said front surface, second switches mounted in said conduit to be operated through openings in the exposed face of the conduit, said conduit being of a length satisfactory to accommodate the desired number of second switches, first electrical conductors for said first switch, second electrical conductors for said second switches, said second electrical conductors being routed through the conduit into the receptacle, and an outlet in said receptacle behind said front surface through which said first and second electrical conductors are routed, whereby a standard opening in a panel will accommodate switch enclosures having varying numbers of second switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switch enclosure of claim 1 wherein said height of said conduit is less than 1 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
The switch enclosure of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said second switches each includes a first operating member comprising an elongated strip of electrically conductive material having a projection on one surface, a second operating member comprising an elongated strip of electrically conductive spring material preformed with a bow about a transverse axis, the height of said bow being greater than the height of said projection on said first operating member, mounting means for mounting the operating members end to end with the bow of the second operating member overlapping the projection of said first operating member, the second operating member being secured only at one end, the other end being free to slide longitudinally, separate of said second electrical conductors being connected to the first and second operating members respectively, said switch being operated to complete an electrical circuit when the bowed operating member is depressed until it comes into contact with the projection on the first operating mEmber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The switch enclosure of claim 3 wherein said first operating members are also composed of spring material and wherein said projection comprises a transverse ridge in said first operating member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switch enclosure of claim 3 wherein the corresponding operating members of at least two of said second switches are separate arms of a single electrically conductive strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
The switch enclosure of claim 3 wherein the second operating members of said second switches are parallel bowed arms formed by cutting slots at spaced intervals substantially perpendicular to one edge of a generally rectangular sheet, said slots extending longitudinally along a preformed bow spanning a substantial width of said sheet, a single second electrical conductor being connected to said sheet thereby forming a common lead for all of said second switches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The switch enclosure of claim 6, wherein the conduit is composed of a base plate and a cover plate with its longitudinal edges bent perpendicular to the plane of the base plate to form sides, and wherein the said first operating members are fastened to one of said plates while the second operating members are fastened to the other, said operating members coming into proper operating position when the two plates are joined together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The switch enclosure of claim 7 wherein said cover plate has openings through which said second switches are operated and including buttons for operating said second switches, said buttons being held in place in the openings in the cover plate by the spring action of the associated operating members and by a flange on the button which bears against the cover plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The switch enclosure of claim 7 wherein the cover plate also forms the front cover of the receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The switch enclosure of claim 1 wherein the front cover for the receptacle includes a movable panel mounted for movement to cover and expose said first switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The switch enclosure of claim 3 wherein said other end of said second operating member of each of a plurality of second switches overlaps the first operating member, and wherein said switch enclosure includes insulating means for preventing electrical conduction between the overlapping end of said second operating member and said first operating member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |