Patent US4156802A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4156802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrical switch assembly
Assignee: TELARIS TELECOMMUNICATIONS Inc
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Filing: 1977-10-25
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Granted: 1979-05-29
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Expires: 1997-10-25
Abstract
Abstract An inexpensive, yet highly reliable, electrical switch contact assembly with excellent human factors considerations includes an electrical contact assembly having a plurality of switch positions, a cover plate disposed adjacent the switch contact assembly with an aperture for each switch position, and at each switch position an apertured key, a follower disposed within the key aperture, a cap containing the follower within the key aperture and key and follower springs biasing the key and follower respectively to provide separate and independent control over key actuation and switch contact closure forces. A contact engagement post of the follower may be accurately positioned above a switch contact notwithstanding variations in spring characteristics an a curvilinear engagement surface assures optimum distributed switch closure pressure for high reliability switch actuation. Switch contact patterns with oppositely disposed and interdigitated circularly and radially extending portions assure the security of multiple switch closure engagements.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael N. Gilano
- 👤 James C. Hayes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/80; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/14; H01H13/50; H01H13/52; H01H13/702; H01H13/705; H01H2201/00; H01H2201/002; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/02; H01H2203/036; H01H2203/054; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/004; H01H2215/006; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/008; H01H2217/01; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/024; H01H2221/026; H01H2221/028; H01H2221/03; H01H2221/05; H01H2221/064; H01H2227/00; H01H2227/028; H01H2227/032; H01H2231/00; H01H2231/022; H01H2233/00; H01H2233/01; H01H2233/02; H01H2233/022; H01H2233/09; H01H2233/098; H01H2233/10; H01H2233/102; H01H2235/00; H01H2235/002; H01H2235/004; H01H2235/018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A switch assembly comprising: a switch contact assembly having a plurality of switch contact sets disposed at switch positions along a plane, each contact set being selectively closeable in response to a switch actuation force at a switch position; a cover plate disposed in opposed relationship to the switch contact assembly and having opposite each switch position a plate aperture adapted to slideably receive a key and guide the key as it slides between first and second limits; a plurality of keys, each slideably disposed in a different plate aperture to slide between first and second limits, each key having a central key aperture adapted to slideably receive and guide a follower; a plurality of key springs, each disposed to bias a different key away from the switch contact assembly toward a non-activated position; a plurality of followers, each slideably disposed within the key aperture of a different key and having a post extending beyond the key aperture and toward a switch contact set; a plurality of follower springs, each disposed within a key aperture of a different key to bias a follower therein toward a contact set relative to the key; and a plurality of caps, each secured to a different key and retaining a follower within a key aperture in a manner permitting the post of the retained follower to extend beyond the key aperture and toward a switch contact set.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A switch assembly comprising: a switch contact assembly having a plurality of switch contact sets disposed at switch positions along a plane, each contact set being selectively closeable in response to a switch actuation force at a switch position; a cover plate disposed in opposed relationship to the switch contact assembly and having opposite each switch position a plate aperture adapted to slideably receive a key and guide the key as it slides between first and second limits; a plurality of keys, each slideably disposed in a different plate aperture to slide between first and second limits, each key having a central key aperture adapted to slideably receive and guide a follower; a plurality of key springs, each disposed to bias a different key away from the switch contact assembly toward a non-activated position; a plurality of followers, each slideably disposed within the key aperture of a different key and having a post extending beyond the key aperture and toward a switch contact set; a plurality of follower springs, each disposed within a key aperture of a different key to bias a follower therein toward a contact set relative to the key; and a plurality of caps, each secured to a different key and retaining a follower within a key aperture in a manner permitting the post of the retained follower to extend beyond the key aperture and toward a switch contact set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The switch assembly according to claim 1 above, wherein the cover plate has an inwardly projecting flange at each plate aperture that partially closes the aperture at a position spaced apart from the switch contact assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The switch assembly according to claim 2 above, wherein each key includes an outwardly projecting flange which slides in mating, guiding relationship with a plate aperture and engages an inwardly projecting flange of the plate to provide the first limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The switch assembly according to claim 3 above, wherein the cover plate includes for each plate aperture a guide flange extending perpendicular to the inwardly projecting flange at an inwardmost position thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The switch according to claim 3 above, wherein each key spring is a helical coil spring that remains in compression at all times between the switch contact assembly and an outwardly projecting flange of a key associated therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The switch assembly according to claim 3 above, wherein each follower spring is a helical coil spring disposed in compression between a follower and a key associated therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The switch assembly according to claim 6 above, wherein each cap engages an associated follower to maintain the follower at a predetermined limit position relative to the key when the key is not actuated and at the first limit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The switch assembly according to claim 7 above, wherein the outwardly projecting flange of each key is disposed to maintain the key associated therewith at a first limit position at which the post of an associated follower is spaced apart from a switch contact set opposite thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
The switch assembly according to claim 8 above, wherein the length and spring constant of each follower spring is selected to provide a force against an associated follower in the nonactuated limit position less than the force required to actuate a switch contact set opposite thereto and a spring constant strong enough for the force applied to the follower to exceed the contact actuation force when the follower slides relative to the key a distance slightly greater than the motion distance of a switch contact set upon closure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The switch assembly according to claim 9 above, wherein the switch contact actuation force is approximately 100 grams, wherein the follower spring force at a nonactuated limit position is approximately 80 grams, and wherein the spring constant of the follower spring is approximately 3 pounds per inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The switch assembly according to claim 10 above, wherein the switch contact retention force required to maintain each set of switch contacts in an actuated condition after actuation is less than the switch contact actuation force therefor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The switch assembly according to claim 11 above, wherein the switch contact retention force for each set of switch contacts is approximately 60 grams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switch assembly according to claim 1 above, wherein the post of each follower has a curvilinear end disposed for engagement with a switch contact set.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The switch assembly according to claim 13 above, wherein the post of each follower has a spherical end disposed for engagement with a switch contact set, the spherical end having a center of curvature at a point of wobble of the follower relative to the switch contact assembly as the spherical end engages a switch contact set.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
105 words
The switch assembly according to claim 1 above, wherein the switch contact assembly includes a substrate having a first contact set disposed thereon with first contacts provided at each of a plurality of switch positions, a planar actuator layer with a second contact set disposed thereon which includes second contacts provided at each switch position, and a spacer disposed between the substrate and actuator layer, the spacer having an aperture therethrough at each switch position to permit a second contact set to pass therethrough and into switch closure engagement with a first contact set in response to a switch actuator force provided by a follower.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The switch assembly according to claim 15 above, wherein the substrate and planar actuator layer are different parts of a single circuit carrier that is folded about the spacer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
The switch assembly according to claim 15 above, wherein the switch positions are arranged in an array having rows and columns and wherein the first contact set includes at each switch position a first contact pattern having interdigitated row and column conductor portions each having circularly extending portions and radially extending portions, the row conductor portions for each row of switch positions being electrically connected and the column conductor portions for each switch position being electrically connected, and wherein a third contact set includes at each switch position a common conductor defining a third contact pattern having radially extending portions and circularly extending portiions, the third contact patterns being electrically connected with electrical contact patterns for other switch positions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
85 words
The switch assembly according to claim 17 above, wherein the first contact pattern comprises at each switch position an outer ring defined partially by a row conductor and partially by a column conductor, the outer ring being larger than the aperture through the spacer at the switch position, a plurality of interdigitated inner rings defined by the row and column conductors, and a plurality of radially extending row and column conductor portions, each extending radially in adjacent pairs in the region of the inner rings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
The switch assembly according to claim 18 above, wherein the second contact pattern for each switch position includes an outer ring of a first contact pattern, an inner ring disposed for mating, contact engagement with radially extending portions of the first contact pattern; and a plurality of radially extending portions disposed for mating contact engagement with circularly extending portions of the first contact set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
131 words
A switch assembly comprising a plurality of switch positions arranged in rows and columns, each switch position including a first contact set including interdigitated row conductors, each arranged with a plurality of circularly extending portions and a plurality of radially extending portions extending between the circularly extending portions, the row conductors for each row of switch positions being interconnected, and including a second contact set disposed in normally spaced, opposed relationship to the first contact set, the second contact set having circularly extending portions disposed for contact closure engagement with radially extending portions of the first contact set and radially extending portions disposed for switch contact closure engagement with circularly extending portions of the first contact set, the second contact sets for each different column of switch positions being electrically connected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
A switch assembly comprising a plurality of switch positions arranged in rows and columns, each switch position including a first contact set including interdigitated row conductors, each arranged with a plurality of circularly extending portions and a plurality of radially extending portions extending between the circularly extending portions, the row conductors for each row of switch positions being interconnected, and including a second contact set disposed in normally spaced, opposed relationship to the first contact set, the second contact set having circularly extending portions disposed for contact closure engagement with radially extending portions of the first contact set and radially extending portions disposed for switch contact closure engagement with circularly extending portions of the first contact set, the second contact sets for each different column of switch positions being electrically connected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The switch assembly according to claim 20 above, wherein each switch position further includes a third contact set including a common conductor with a plurality of circularly extending portions and a plurality of radially extending portions arranged in interdigitated relationship with the circularly and radially extending portions respectively of the first contact set.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch assembly according to claim 21 above, wherein the common conductors at each switch position are electrically connected together.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
214 words
A switch assembly comprising: a switch contact assembly having a plurality of switch positions at which a plurality of switch contacts are selectively closed in response to a switch actuator force; and a switch actuator assembly having a plurality of switch actuators disposed to apply a switch actuation force to a different switch position, and a cover plate disposed adjacent the contact assembly in opposed relationship thereto, the cover plate having a key aperture therethrough opposite each switch position which is adapted to receive and guide a key actuator sliding within the key aperture, the actuator assembly further including a plurality of key actuators, each key actuator being disposed within a different key aperture and each key actuator including a key disposed to slide within a key aperture, the key having a central concavity adapted to receive and guide a follower, each follower having a body portion slidingly disposed within the central concavity and a post extending toward a switch position and a retainer cap disposed to contain the body portion of the follower within the central cavity, a key spring disposed to bias the actuator assembly away from the contact assembly and a follower spring disposed to bias the follower toward the contact assembly relative to a key within which it is received.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
214 words
A switch assembly comprising: a switch contact assembly having a plurality of switch positions at which a plurality of switch contacts are selectively closed in response to a switch actuator force; and a switch actuator assembly having a plurality of switch actuators disposed to apply a switch actuation force to a different switch position, and a cover plate disposed adjacent the contact assembly in opposed relationship thereto, the cover plate having a key aperture therethrough opposite each switch position which is adapted to receive and guide a key actuator sliding within the key aperture, the actuator assembly further including a plurality of key actuators, each key actuator being disposed within a different key aperture and each key actuator including a key disposed to slide within a key aperture, the key having a central concavity adapted to receive and guide a follower, each follower having a body portion slidingly disposed within the central concavity and a post extending toward a switch position and a retainer cap disposed to contain the body portion of the follower within the central cavity, a key spring disposed to bias the actuator assembly away from the contact assembly and a follower spring disposed to bias the follower toward the contact assembly relative to a key within which it is received.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
The switch assembly according to claim 23 above, wherein each contact set includes a truncated cone shaped spring disposed to oppose a switch closure force exerted by a follower, the truncated cone shaped spring opposing the switch closure force to a given force magnitude at which an avalanche collapse occurs resulting in the truncated cone shaped spring being maintainable in a collapsed state by a switch closure force less than the given force.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-28 | 1982-11-27 | 1983-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-28 | 1986-11-27 | 1987-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-28 | 1990-11-27 | 1991-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |