Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Special application – Actuated concurrently with operation or use of art device
Patent
1982-04-19
1985-06-04
Dorner, Kenneth J.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Special application
Actuated concurrently with operation or use of art device
74475, 74531, 74540, 200291, B60K 2000
Patent
active
045216509
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a mounting apparatus for a control lever and more particularly to a detent assembly employed by the apparatus that axially locates relatively movable components of the mounting apparatus with respect to each other while also functioning as a rotational positioner as the movement occurs.
BACKGROUND ART
In the mounting of control levers in the operator's station of a work vehicle, the amount of available space is always of primary concern. The recent trend of replacing mechanical levers and linkages with electronic componentry has alleviated some of the problem, as in instances wherein electrical switches are actuated by the control lever. The switches are connected to a master control unit which will in turn cause the particular component to which it is attached to functionally respond to the command of the control lever. Electrical wiring is often used to replace levers and linkage, and since no housing other than sheathing is required, the wires can be routed to virtually any location without any significant use of space.
While electronic componentry saves space in its connection between the actuating switch and the controlling unit, there still must be a mechanical connection between the control lever and the switch.
In many designs, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,040 assigned to the assignee of this invention, a deficiency in available lateral space requires that the control lever and the switch be mounted in elevationally spaced relationship to each other within a console. If the switch happens to be a rotary switch, a mechanism, such as a bevel gear drive, must be incorporated into the mounting to translate the motion of the control lever into a plane coincident with that of the switch.
The motion translating mechanism, while not requiring any lateral space to speak of, will occupy vertical space within the console by requiring individual mounting and positioning means for the various components.
While the design disclosed in the patent functions satisfactorily, the additional bearings and positioning mechanism required to align the lever, switch, and the motion translating mechanism causes the entire apparatus to become fairly complex and expensive, while still requiring a relatively large amount of overall space within the console.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a mounting apparatus is disclosed having a support member which defines a generally cylindrical aperture which extends along a central axis. A control lever, which defines a generally cylindrical portion, is rotatably received within the aperture of the support member. A plurality of indentations are positioned along a groove that is formed on the cylindrical portion in a common plane which lies normal to the central axis. A positioning means selectively engages the groove or the indentations of the cylindrical portion of the control lever and positions the control lever both axially and circumferentially with respect to the support member.
In another aspect of the present invention a mounting apparatus for an axially biased control lever is disclosed. The control lever defines a cylindrical portion which has an upraised rib which has a groove disposed therearound and a plurality of indentations formed along the groove in a common plane. The cylindrical portion of the control lever is rotatably received within an aperture extending through a support member along a central axis. A plurality of passages are positioned in the support member that open onto the aperture and are radially oriented with respect to the axis. A sleeve bearing is positioned between the cylindrical portion of the control lever and the support member to allow relative rotation between the two components. A positioning means is located within the passages of the support member and selectively engages the groove and the indentations on the rib. The positioning means locates
REFERENCES:
patent: 3423549 (1969-01-01), Sondej
patent: 3677096 (1972-07-01), Hatman
patent: 3871244 (1975-03-01), Gressard et al.
patent: 3996040 (1976-12-01), O'Neill et al.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Dorner Kenneth J.
Perry William C.
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