Composite switch

Details Composite switch Composite switch

2000-03-08

2002-04-02

Bradley, P. Austin (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Multiple circuit control

Pivoted contact

C200S571000, C200S018000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06365849

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a composite switch which performs simultaneous switching operation on a plurality of electrically independent circuits in various electronic apparatuses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, a conventional composite switch has the structure of
FIG. 11
which shows a cross sectional front view of the same. As shown in
FIG. 11
, the composite switch comprises two switches
321
and
322
, which respectively have identical specifications and are disposed coaxially in two stages.
When the composite switch is used, for instance, for adjusting the output level of two circuits which work according to respective signals in the audio apparatus of a stereo system, the switching operation is performed by rotating one operating shaft
303
.
On the other hand, when the audio apparatus is used as one circuit of a monaural system by operating the apparatus with one signal, the common contact point
341
of the switch
321
and the common contact point
342
of the switch
322
are short-circuited by using another switch
305
as shown in
FIG. 12
so that the composite switch enters into a state for a switching operation on one circuit.
However, the above conventional composite switch is large in size. Also when the switch is used for switching operation on one circuit, the additional switch
305
has to be used, which requires large space in the audio apparatus. Also the switches disposed at two different positions have to be respectively operated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to address the conventional problems and aims to provide a composite switch which is small in size and performs simultaneous switching operations on two independent circuits, and which also has a function for short-circuiting two switching structures in the composite switch when the composite switch is used for switching a operation on one circuit.
For realizing the above object, the composite switch of the present invention comprises:
(a) a first fixed contact unit and a second fixed contact unit disposed on the surface of a substrate in such a manner as to be symmetrical about a reference line which is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate,
(b) a first rotating contact unit which contacts with the first fixed contact unit or the second fixed contact unit, and a second rotating contact unit which contacts with the second fixed contact unit or the first fixed contact unit, wherein both the first and second rotating contact units are respectively held by a rotating member which rotates on an axis along the reference line,
(c) a first facing contact leg electrically connected to the first rotating contact unit, and a second facing contact leg electrically connected to the second rotating contact unit, wherein the first and the second facing contact legs are disposed in such a manner as to face each other across the reference line,
(d) a central movable contact member which is movable along the reference line into a state of electrical connection with the first and the second facing contact legs or into a state of electrical disconnection from the first and the second facing contact legs, and
(e) one or two operating shafts for rotating the rotating member and moving the central movable contact member along the reference line.
The above structure enables a reduction in size of a composite switch which performs simultaneous switching operations on two independent circuits and has a function for short-circuiting two switching structures in the composite switch for a switching operation on one circuit.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3748419 (1973-07-01), Torrey et al.
patent: 3858020 (1974-12-01), Brannon
patent: 3892931 (1975-07-01), Lockard
patent: 3965320 (1976-06-01), Ditzig
patent: 4166200 (1979-08-01), Reichen et al.
patent: 4855541 (1989-08-01), Yamashita et al.
patent: 4868352 (1989-09-01), Botz et al.
patent: 5049709 (1991-09-01), Prickett et al.
patent: 5847345 (1998-12-01), Harrison
patent: 70 46 185 (1972-03-01), None
patent: 26 09 166 (1977-09-01), None
patent: 197 21 514 (1997-11-01), None

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