Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Solid contact – Push button operated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-24
2001-03-27
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Solid contact
Push button operated
C200S318100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06207915
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of a self-locking (single-acting) type push-button switch and more particular to a structure of a push-button switch having a reset mechanism for canceling a locked state.
2. Description of the Prior Art
According to a conventional push-button switch of a self-locking (single-acting) type, an operating portion (a slide member) is locked in a predetermined position when depressed first and is unlocked and returns to its initial position when depressed next. If another switch is operated in a locked state (circuit ON) of the push-button switch, for example in case of simultaneous locking (circuit ON), there occurs a circuit-related problem. Due to this problem, when the push-button switch must be returned to its reset position (initial position), it is necessary that the operating portion which has first been locked in its locking position be canceled its locked state by a second depressing operation.
As other push-button switches than the self-locking type there are known interlocking type push-button switches and interlocking/single-acting type push-button switches (when one operating portion, out of two operating portions, is in an unlocked state, the other operating portion performs a single-acting operation involving repeated locking and unlocking operations, and when one operating portion is in a locked state, the other operating portion performs an interlocking operation in which the other operating portion cancels the locked state of the locked one operating portion and the other operating portion itself is locked) However, these known types require the use of two or more push-button switches, resulting in complicated structures and increase of cost.
As a self-locking type push-button switch having a reset mechanism for canceling a locked state there is known a self-return type push-button switch using solenoid. In this self-return type push-button switch, the solenoid is energized with an operating portion locked in a locked position, so that the locked state of the locking portion, which is locked mechanically, is cancelled by utilizing an attractive force of the solenoid.
In the above structure of the conventional self-lock type push-button switch, however, for returning the operating portion which has first been locked in its locking position to its reset position (the initial position), it is necessary to perform the second depressing operation. Therefore, when the locked state of this push-button switch must be canceled at the time of operating another switch, the associated operation has so far been troublesome.
In the self-return type push-button switch using solenoid, the provision of solenoid is required separately for unlocking the operating portion, thus giving rise to the problem that the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a structure of a push-button switch which, with a single push-button switch, permits a self-locking (single-acting) operation and which has a member capable of unlocking the push-button switch interlockedly with the operation of another switch at the time of operating the another switch and also has a reset mechanism for canceling a locked state.
For solving the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, in the first aspect thereof, there is provided a push-button switch comprising a case, a slide member disposed movably in the case, a heart-shaped cam groove formed in the slide member, and a locking pin for locking the slide member in a depressed position in cooperation With the heart-shaped cam groove, wherein the slide member is provided with a movable member movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slide member, part of the heart-shaped cam groove is formed on one end side of the movable member, a drive port ion is formed on an opposite end side of the movable member, and by operating the drive portion the movable member is moved to release the locking pin from the locking position.
In the second aspect of the present invention, in combination with the first aspect, the case is provided with a reset mechanism for unlocking the locking pin, and the drive portion is operated by the reset mechanism, thereby moving the movable member to release the locking pin from the locking position.
In the third aspect of the present invention, in combination with the second aspect, the reset mechanism comprises a reset lever disposed movably in the case and a return spring for urging the reset lever, the reset lever being formed at one end thereof with an operating piece portion which is brought into abutment against the drive portion to actuate the drive portion and is formed at the opposite thereof with an operating lever portion which is projected outwards of the case and is operated.
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, in combination with the third aspect, the reset lever is urged in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slide member by means of the return spring.
In the fifth aspect of the present invention, in combination with the first aspect, part of the heart-shaped cam groove formed on one end side of the movable member is pushed out from the heart-shaped groove formed in the slide member by operation of the drive portion, whereby the locking pin locked in the locking position is pushed out from the heart-shaped cam groove and is unlocked.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4543459 (1985-09-01), Hayashida
patent: 5262607 (1993-11-01), Cummins et al.
patent: 5369237 (1994-11-01), Mejerl et al.
patent: 5841085 (1998-11-01), Rittinghaus et al.
Alps Electric Co. ,Ltd.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Friedhofer Michael
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