US3215806A

US3215806A - Push-pull switch

Info

Publication number: US3215806A
Application number: US178957A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Arnold; George E Bosch
Original assignee: MACKWORTH G REES DIVISION OF A
Current assignee: MACKWORTH G REES DIVISION OF A; MACKWORTH G REES DIVISION OF AVIS INDUSTRIAL Corp
Priority date: 1962-03-12
Filing date: 1962-03-12
Publication date: 1965-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-02
Also published as: DE1279806B; GB1018727A

Description

Nov. 2, 1965 J, E. ARNOLD ETAL 3,215,806

PUSH-PULL SWITCH Filed Maron 12, 1962 IN VEN TOR'.

United States Patent 3,215,806 PUSH-PULL SWITCH John E. Arnold, Garden City, and George E. Bosch, I.)e

troit, Mich., assignors to Mackworth G. Rees, Division of Avis Industrial Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 178,957 11 Claims. `(Cl. 200--167) This invention relates to pull-push control switches, and particularly to a pullpush control switch which is illuminated in on p-osition.

Control swi-tches have been provided heretofore of the pullpush type which were constructed to complete a circuit when the knob was pulled outwardly to energize a rel-ay for 4starting a motor or other device which retains the circuit closed when the switch contacts are opened upon the release of the knob. When the operating knob of the control switch is pushed inwardly, the contacts of a second switch are opened and the circuit is broken to the coil of the relay, the contacts of which open and interrupt the circuit to the motor or other device being energized.

The .present invention has incorporated in the pull-push control switch a transformer and a circuit to a lamp located in the operating knob of the switch, illuminating the Itranslucent material thereof. The material may be red or other color which provides a signal to notify an operator that the switch has been moved to complete the circuit to the device and that lthe device is operating. The transformer is self-contained and with the switch uni-ts is mounted on .a supporting flange of an outer member which is attachable to a panel or other supporting elefment. The member may be a cylindrical housing which extends through .an aperture in a panel and contains the pull-push actuating structure. The complete control switch -unit is `readily mounted on the panel and is connected in the circuit in a normal manner. Not only does the unit function to complete and interrupt circuits connected thereto, but also embodies a transformer for reducing the voltage to the lamp which illuminates the operating knob.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention are: to construct the operating knob of a switch from a colored translucent material which is illuminated `by a lamp mounted therein; to provide a mounting sleeve of a pull-push control switch with a flange for supporting switch elements and a transformer for providing a reduced voltage supply for -a lamp mounted in the operating knob within the sleeve; to provide a self-contained switch unit having a `mounting sleeve containing a pull-push knob which is illuminated when the knob is in normal position after being pulled and released to energize a holding coil of a relay which completes a circuit .to a device and through a parallel circuit to a transformer of the switch; and, in general, to provide a self-contained pull-push control switch which is illuminated during on position, which is simple in construction and economical of manufacture.

Other objects and features of novelty of the invention will be specically pointed out or will become apparent when referring, for a better underst-anding of the inven- Ition, -to .the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view of a mounted switch with parts in section illustrating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a reduced front view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram which is employed with the switch herein illustrated.

The illuminated pull-push switch of the present invenice tion embodies a sleeve 6 which serves as an outer mount.- ing means for the various operating parts of the switch. As shown, the sleeve 6 has a radially extending ange 7 Ion the inner end thereof and a thread 8 on the adjacent outer surface. The sleeve extends through an aperture 9 in a panel 11 and is located therein by a projecting boss 12 which extends within a notch 13 in the Wall of the aperture. A sealing washer 14 of rubber or other material is disposed :between the flange 7 and the panel 11. An in-4 struction plate 15 is mounted on the sleeve having a locating dinger 16 projecting from the inner edge to extend within a slot 17 in the sleeve 6 for rotatably positioning the plate thereon. A knurled nu-t 18 is screwed on the thread of the sleeve and clamps the plate 15 against the Ifront face of .the Wall 11 as the flange 7 is drawn against the gasket 14 to securely retain the switch on the p-anel.

The llange 7 forms a support for a transformer 19 and tandem switches 21 and 22, the actuation elements of which are in aligned engaged relation, with the element 23 of the switch 21 in contact .with an insulating washer 24 which `serves as a switch actuator within the sleeve 6. The washer 24 is secured by lreciprocal means including a plurality of pins 25 to a manual actuating member 26 which is reciprocably movable within the sleeve 6. A metal washer or inner support member 27 -is press-fitted within the sleeve 6 having aper-tures 28 through which the pins 25 extend. The washer 27 has a plurality of pins 29 secured thereto having heads 31 which extend into apertures 32 in the insulating washer 24. A washer 33 on each of the pins 29 abuts t-he insulating washer 24 and iS biased thereaga-inst by a spring 34 also on the pin. The springs 34 urge the washer 24 toward the switch 21, and a spring 35 urges the actuating member 26 containing flanges 36 for a sealing O-ring 40 and a threaded end 37 outwardly Iof the sleeve 6.

A hollow transparent manual actuating knob 38 is screwed upon the threaded end 37 against a `sealin g washer 39 made of -rubber or like material. The washer 27 has a central sleeve or inner support member 41 thereon over which the actuating member 26 reciprocates. The sleeve `41 .supports a lamp socket assembly including a flanged tube 42 pressed therein containing a pair of bayonet slots 43 for engaging .a pair of pins 44 on the body of a light bulb 45. Thus, the tube 42 serves as a socket for the bulb 45, and ange 46 on the tube 42 supports one end of a spring 47. The other end of the spring 47 abuts a washer 48. A conductor 49 extends through the washer I48 in engagement with a contact button 51 which en` gages -a contact element 52 on the end of a lamp bulb 45. The end of the operating knob 38 is provided `with a plurality of ridges l53 for defusing the light from the lamp 45 within a metal ferrule 54 forming a handheld which may be engaged by the fingers of the operator for pulling the knob outwardly. The transformer 19 and switches 21 and 22 are provided with `terminal screws 55 threaded in cont-act arms 56 on which U-shaped clips 57 are se cured. Besides the threaded body of screws 58, internal threaded apertures are provided therein by which the switches .are secured to the flange 7 and to each other.

The transformer has a three-part case, a rst case portion 61 which is secured by diagonally disposed screws 62 to bosses 63 of the flange 7, and a lead of the transformer is grounded to one of the screws 62;. The transformer has the usual core 64 and coil 65 that are enclosed by a rectangular-shaped second case portionV 66 from which the contact arms 56 abut'when received in notches in an end third case portion 67. The end third case por tion 67 extends between projecting arms 68 of the rst case portion 61 to which it is secured by a pair of screws `69. It is also to be understood that other arrangements may be made of the switches and the transformer relative to each other on the flange 7, and other such arrangements may be suggested to those skilled in the art, the specific arrangement being employed herein for the purpose of illustration.

Referring to FIG. 4, -a circuit diagram discloses the control swi-tch connected across a pair of conductors 71 and 72 of a supply circuit. T-he switch 21 has normally open contacts, while the switch 22 has normally closed contacts. When the knob 38 is pulled outwardly, the contacts 21 are closed and when the knob is pushed inwardly, the contacts 22 are open to the same position as the contacts of the switch 21. A pair of contacts of the switches 21 and 22 are bridged by a shunt 73 f-rom which a conductor 74 passes to a pair of contacts 75 of a relay from. which a conductor 76 extends to a relay coil 77 which 1s connected by a conductor 78 to the conductor 72. A shunt conductor 79 extends from the other cont-act 81 of the switch 21 to the conductor 76 to provide a ilow of current across the contacts 75. This will energize the coil 77 and operate the relay to close the contacts 75 which are held closed by the circuit completed through the contacts of the switch 22. When the knob 38 is moved in- Wardly, the contacts 22 are opened, de-energizing the circuit to the coil 77 and permitting the contacts 75 to open and disconnect the circuit through the conductors 71 and 72. The transformer 19 is disposed in a circuit composed of the conductor 82 which joins the conductor 72 to t-he conductor 76 in parallel relation to the coil 77. When the circuit 82 is energized, current flows through one portion of the coil of the transformer 19, with the other portion supplying current to the light bulb 45 at reduced voltage. The light remains energized so long as the contacts 75 of the relay remain closed.

The movement of the knob 38 inwardly moves the actuating element 23 of the switch 21 inwardly which, being in engagement with a similar contact element of the switch 22, moves the latter inwardly to open position. When the knob is pulled outwardly, the outward bias of the actuating element 23 causes the contacts of the switch 21 to move to bridging position and complete the circuit to the coil 77 to close the contacts 75. When the knob is released, the actuating element 23 is moved a short distance inwardly to break the circuit across the contacts of the switch 21 while permitting the contac-ts of the switch 22 to remain closed. While only one conductor 49 is illustrated to the lamp 45, it is to be understood that the body of the lamp is grounded to the supporting tube 42 which completes Ia circuit to the grounded terminal of the transformer. The springs 34 on the pins 29 urge the insulating washer 24 outwardly while the `spring 35 urges the actuating member 26 forwardly along with the washer 24. A unit switch is provided having 01T and on positions through the pulling and pushing of an operating knob whichvis illuminated by a lamp when a circuit is completed by the switch. The switch carries a transformer which supplies a low voltage to the lamp from the operating circuit controlled by the switch.

T-he control lswitch herein illustrated has one of the switches 21 and 22 provided with an open conta-ct while the other has a closed contact when the control switch is in neutral posi-tion as illustrated. It is to be understood that both may be open.or both closed .and that additional .switches may be added to t-he two illustrated. It is also to be understood that the transformer may have other voltage reducing means substituted therefor or the voltage reducing means may be eliminated and a set of terminals provided for connecting a circuit directly to the leads of the lamp 45. This may be a low voltage circuit, the same or different from that provided by the voltage reducing means or be the :same circuit that is connected to the switches 21 and 22, in which arrangement a pair of conductors would be provided to the socket 42. rlhe specific circuit of lFIG. 4 is illustrated by way of example and is not to be conside-red limiting as the control switch has many other applications as known by one skilled in the art. One -specic advantage obtained by using the washers l 14 and 39 and the O-ring 40 is that of sealing the control switch against any liquid, dust or grime to which it may be `subjected thereby assuring a long opera-ting life to all parts thereof. It is to be understood also that the control switch may be operated solely by a push, a pull, or a rotary or other movement to make or break a circuit.

What is claimed is:

1. In an illuminated pull-push control switch, an electrically interconnected transformer and switch means, a first sleeve support-ing said switch means and transformer, reciprocal means for operating sa-id switch means including a manual actuator on said reciprocal means at least a portion thereof made `of light illuminable mate-rial, a second sleeve xed -to said tirst sleeve on the center thereof and concentric therewith, said second sleeve having a central portion slidably spa-ced from said first sleeve for slidably supporting said reciprocal means, a lamp supported on said second sleeve within said manual actuator over which said manual actuator is reciprocable, said manual actuator when pulled outwardly completing a circuit about contacts of a relay to energize the coil thereof for closing the contacts, and a circuit in parallel with said coil for energizing said .transforme-r to light the lamp during the time the coil is energized.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said coil is deenergized when said manual actuator is pushed inwardly to open the contacts of the relay and for disconnecting the lamp.

3. A push-pull control switch for controlling the conditions of an electrical circuit comprising,

a hollow outer support member, an axially extending inner support member concentrically spaced from said outer support member,

means radially inwardly extending from said outer member for rigidly, radially supporting said inner member relative thereto,

said inwardly extending means including means formijng an aperture between said inner and outer memers,

means slidably mounted in said aperture for resilient xial reciprocable movement relative to said memers,

said slidable means having a first end and a second end,

`iirst resilient spring means positioned between said radially extending means and said rst end for urging said slidable means in one direction,

second resilient spring means positioned between said radially extending means and asid second end for urging said slidable member in a direction opposite to said one direction,

manual means extending axially outward from said first end for reciprocably operating said slidable means including means slidably mounted on said axial member for providing a guide means for said slidable means, and

switch actuating means operably connected to said second end for controlling the energization of said circuit.

4. A push-pull control switch for controlling the conditions of an electrical circuit comprising,

means extending radially inwardly from said outer member for rigidly radially supporting said inner member relative thereto,

said inwardly extending means including means forming an aperture between said inner and outer mem-V dially extending means and said iirst end for urging said slidable means in one direction,

second resilient spring means positioned between said radially extending means and said second end for urging said slidable member in a direction opposite to said one direction,

manual means including a translucent lens extending axially outward from said rst end for reciprocably operating said slidable means,

illuminating means supported in said inner member for illuminating said lens during a preselected condition of the electrical circuit, and

5. The switch of claim 4 further including means slidably carried on said inner member for providing a guide means for said slidable means.

6. A push-pull control switch comprising,

said inwardly extending means including means forming an aperture between said inner and outer members,

actuating means having a portion thereof mounted for axial reciprocable movement in said aperture and having a further portion thereof slidably mounted on said inner member for guiding said actuating means,

spring means operably connected to said actuating means for resiliently iixing said actuating means in a balance position,

manual means connected to said actuating means for reciprocably operating said actuating means and having a seal interposed therebetween, and

sealing means fixedly supported on one of said members and in sliding engagement with the other of said members for sealing the interior of said switch.

7. The switch of claim 6 wherein said sealing means is xedly supported on said actuating means and in sliding engagement with said outer support member for sealing the interior of said outer support member.

8. The switch of claim 6 wherein said one of said members includes a plurality of radially extending spaced flanges and said sealing means is disposed between said flanges.

9. A push-pull control switch comprising,

an outer open ended case,

a hollow, reciprocable, manual actuator in the open end of said case having at least a portion thereof of light illuminable material,

a lamp and socket assembly including a socket in said case adapted to extend into said actuator in at least certain positions of the latter,

an inner support member disposed concentrically in said case and having laterally outwardly extending mounting means ixed to said case and holding said member stationary in the case,

said member carrying the socket portion of said lamp and socket assembly and also extending into and slidably supporting said manual actuator,

a switch actuating member on an opposite side of said mounting means from said manual actuator,

means extending through said mounting means connecting said manual actuator and said switch actuating member for mutual operation, and

counteracting springs on opposite sides of said mounting means bearing on said manual actuator and said switch actuating member respectively and holding said actuator and said switch actauting member normally in a neutral position, and

said actuator being movable inwardly and outwardly from said neutral position on said inner support member to move said switch actuating member between two dierent switching positions.

10. A push-pull cont-rol switch comprising,

spaced concentric inner and outer tubular members xedly interconnected by a radial partition,

mutually operable manual and switch operating members on opposite sides of and interconnected through said partition,

a lamp and socket assembly including a lamp mounted in and carried by said inner tubular member for lighting the illuminable portion of said manual member in at least certain positions of said switch,

said manual member being at least in part of light illuminable material and being hollow to accommodate said lamp and said inner tubular member and being slidably supported on the latter, and

counteracting spring means, one confined between said partition and said manual member and the other confined between said partition and sai-d switch operating member, normally maintaining said members in a central, neutral position, said manual member adapted to be pushed inwardly against one of said spring means to move said switch operating member to one switch position and adapted to be pulled outwardly against the other of said spring means to move said switch operating member to a second switch position.

11. A push-pull control switch comprising,

a lamp and socket assembly mounted in and carried by said inner tubular member,

a hollow, manual actuator on and slidably supported over a major surface thereof by one of said tubular members in front of said partition and having at least a portion thereof of light illuminable material accommodating said lamp,

a switch actuating member on an opposite side of said partition from said manual actuator,

means extending through said partition connecting said manual actuator to said switch actuating member for mutual operation, and

counteracting spring means, one conned between said partition and said manual actuator and the other confined between said partition and said switch actuating member, normally maintaining said manual actuator and said switch actuating member in a central, neutral position,

said manual actuator adapted to be pushed inwardly against one of said spring means to move said switch actuator to one switch operating position and adapted to be pulled outwardly against the other of said spring means to move said switch operating member to a second switch ope-rating position.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,816,977 12/57 De Kramer 20G-153 2,914,705 11/59 Krystyan et al. 20G-167 2,916,673 12/ 59 Maslin et al. ZOO-167 2,919,315 12/59 Woofter 200- 153 X 2,968,703 1/61 Meyer et al. 200-153 X FOREIGN PATENTS 584,939 10/59 Canada.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN AN ILLUMINATED PULL-PUSH CONTROL SWITCH, AN ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTED TRANSFORMER AND SWITCH MEANS, A FIRST SLEEVE SUPPORTING SAID SWITCH MEANS AND TRANSFORMER, RECIPROCAL MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID SWITCH MEANS INCLUDIONG A MANUAL ACTUATOR ON SAID RECIPROCAL MEANS AT LEAST S PORTION THEREOF MADE OF LIGHT ILLUMINABLE MATERIAL, A SECOND SLEEVE FIXED TO SAID FRIST SLEEVE ON THE CENTER THEREOF AND CONCENTRIC THEREWITH, SAID SECOND SLEEVE HAVING CENTRAL PORTION SLIDABLY SPACED FROM SAID FIRST SLEEVE FOR SLIDABLY SUPPORTING SAID RECIPROCAL MEANS, A LAMP SUPPORTED ON SAID SECOND SLEEVE WITHIN SAID MANUAL ACTUATOR OVER WHICH SAID MANUAL ACTUATOR IS RECIPROCABLE, SAID MANUAL ACTUATOR WHEN PULLED OUTWARDLY COMPLETING A CIRCUIT ABOUT CONTACTS OF A RELAY TO ENGERGIZE THE COIL THEREOF FOR CLOSING THE CONTACTS, AND A CIRCUIT IN PARALLEL WITH SAID FOIL FOR ENERGIZING SAID TRANSFORMER TO LIGHT THE LAMP DURING THE TIME THE COIL IS ENERGIZED.