Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Multiple circuit control – Multiple switch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-03-06
Scott, J. R. (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Multiple circuit control
Multiple switch
C200S00600C
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198054
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a need for a small multiple switch arrangement that allows selected movement of a single lever, to operate a selected one of many switches. One example is in a mobile telephone, where operation of a lever enables a list of persons that can be called, to be scrolled up by closing a first switch, to be scrolled down by closing a second switch, and with the selected person called by operating a third switch. It is desirable that other functions be switched by manipulating the lever to operate one or more additional switches. Operation of all switches with manipulation of a single lever, avoids the need for a person to move the person's hands between switches. The limited space available on mobile telephones for the switches and operating means, results in the need for a very compact multiple switching arrangement that is operable by using a single lever or other device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a multiple switch arrangement is provided which enables operation of multiple switches by manipulation of a single lever or other actuator, in a construction that is very compact to occupy a minimum area of a circuit board and which is of simple and low cost construction. The switch arrangement includes an actuating lever lying along a primarily vertical axis and pivotable about horizontal axes. The lever has a first arm that extends West from the axis and a second arm that extends South from the axis. A pair of West switches lies West of the axis, including upper and lower West switches lying above and below the first arm. The upper and lower West switches are closed by the first arm when the top of the lever is moved respectively East or West. Similarly, at least one and preferably two South switches lie South of the axis, to be closed when the top of the lever is moved North or South.
Each of the upper switches includes a bowed upper trip member whose middle can be deflected upwardly to close the switch, while each lower switch includes a lower trip member whose middle can be deflected down to close the lower switch. Each arm that extends from the lever, has an arm end that lies between the bowed middle portions of the upper and lower trip members. The end of each arm preferably has upper and lower projections to apply concentrated forces to the middle portions of the trip members to more easily deflect them.
The lever has a spherical body lying in a spherical recess formed in the housing. The body has a vertical passage, and a plunger is slideably mounted in the passage and can be depressed to depress the middle portion of a trip member lying under the plunger.
The housing is preferably formed with upper and lower housing parts that each forms part of a cavity to form cavities between the housing parts. The upper and lower switches lie at the top and bottom of the cavities. An independent switch contact of each upper switch, has a tail that extends to the outside of the housing and down along part of the upper housing part and down along all of the lower housing part and which has a lower end positioned to engage a trace on a circuit board on which the assembly is mounted.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4767901 (1988-08-01), Goyarts
patent: 5412164 (1995-05-01), Conway et al.
patent: 5622254 (1997-04-01), Lee
patent: 5667061 (1997-09-01), Lee
patent: 5952628 (1999-09-01), Sato et al.
patent: 4409108 (1995-09-01), None
patent: 623942 (1994-11-01), None
patent: 837964 (1960-06-01), None
patent: 2046022 (1980-11-01), None
patent: WO 99/21202 (1999-04-01), None
PCT Search Report, WO99/21202 (PCT/FR98/02239), published Apr. 29, 1999, 3 pages.
ITT Manufacturing Enterprises Inc.
Peterson Thomas L.
Scott J. R.
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