Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Solid contact – Rotating actuator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-17
2001-09-25
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Solid contact
Rotating actuator
C200S0110TC, C200S060000, C200S336000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294746
ABSTRACT:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to portable electrical devices and battery powered devices and more particularly to miniature flashlights and flashers.
THE BACKGROUND ART
Presently available switches for miniature and multi-function flashlights provide for the selection of a limited number of functions and often require electrical continuity between a battery cap, a battery housing and a substantial portion of the switch housing in order to provide a ground. Consequently, the functions of such devices are limited in number and their cost and weight are greater than would be preferred.
It would be helpful to be able to manufacture lighter, less expensive, more versatile miniature electrical devices such as a multifunction flashlight. Such devices might be made more convenient, more practical and more attractive, as well as more reliable and less expensive, if an improved rotary switch were available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive, compact, convenient rotary switch for selectively operating a miniature flashlight and especially for a combination of a flashlight with a lantern or flasher.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide such a switch in a flashlight or similar article which uses metal sparingly and which can be made of mostly transparent materials.
In accordance with these objects and with others which will be described and which will become apparent, an exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention includes a housing, a rotor approximated to the housing, an electrically conductive wiper disposed on the housing, and an electrically conductive contact surface disposed on the rotor. The wiper and the contact surface are movable between a first relative position and a second relative position. An electrical circuit is closed comprising the wiper and the contact surface in series when the wiper and the contact surface are in the first relative position. The electrical circuit is opened when the wiper and the contact surface are in the second relative position. The housing defines an axis of rotation, the rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotation with respect to the housing to provide the first and second relative positions of the wiper and the contact surface. The wiper is confined at an angular position about the axis of rotation on the housing. The contact surface is confined at an angular position about the axis of rotation on the rotor, such that, with rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation with respect to the housing, the wiper and the contact surface are moved between the first and second relative positions. The wiper and the contact surface when in the first relative position define a thrust axis. The wiper is supported on the housing with respect to the thrust axis, and the contact surface is supported on the rotor with respect to the thrust axis, such that the wiper and the contact surface are urged into mutual electrical contact when in the first relative position. The wiper and the contact surface when in the first relative position cooperate to provide resistance to rotation of the rotor relative to the housing, whereby the first relative position is stabilized.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention comprises a resilient wire.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention comprises a resilient wire having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion, the middle portion being biased toward the contact surface on the thrust axis.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, in another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention, the middle portion of the wiper resilient wire defines a wiper contour, the contact surface defines a contact surface contour, and the contact surface contour is complementary to the wiper contour.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, in another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention, the middle portion of the wiper resilient wire is movable between a relatively compressed position and a relatively relaxed position on the thrust axis relative to the contact surface, the wiper resilient wire being in the relatively relaxed position when the wiper and the contact surface are in the first relative position.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, in another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention, the housing forms a cylindrical end; the cylindrical end has an outer surface defining a circumferentially oriented circular retaining groove; the rotor forms a cylindrical shell; the shell defines a retaining tooth; and the retaining tooth is approximated to the retaining groove to affix the rotor to the housing.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing; a rotor approximated to the housing; an electrically conductive wiper disposed on the housing; an electrically conductive contact surface disposed on the rotor; the wiper and the contact surface being movable between a first relative position and a second relative position; an electrical circuit being closed comprising the wiper and the contact surface in series when the wiper and the contact surface are in the first relative position, the electrical circuit being opened when the wiper and the contact surface are in the second relative position; the housing defining an axis of rotation, the rotor being rotatable about the axis of rotation with respect to the housing to provide the first and second relative positions of the wiper and the contact surface; the wiper being confined at an angular position about the axis of rotation on the housing, and the contact surface being confined at an angular position about the axis of rotation on the rotor, such that, with rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation with respect to the housing, the wiper and the contact surface are moved between the first and second relative positions; the wiper and the contact surface when in the first relative position defining a thrust axis; the wiper being supported on the housing with respect to the thrust axis, and the contact surface being supported on the rotor with respect to the thrust axis, such that the wiper and the contact surface are urged into mutual electrical contact when in the first relative position; the housing and the rotor cooperating to provide resistance to rotation of the rotor relative to the housing when the wiper and the contact surface are in the first relative position, whereby the first relative position is stabilized.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, in another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention comprises a wherein the housing defines a position key, the rotor defines a shell, and the position key and the shell cooperate to provide resistance to rotation of the rotor relative to the housing when the wiper and the contact surface are in the first relative position.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, in another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the present invention, the housing forms a cylindrical end; the position key projects radially outward from the cylindrical end; the rotor forms a cylindrical shell; the rotor is approximated to the cylindrical end; and the position key contacts the shell to provide resistance to rotation of the rotor relative to the housing when the wiper and the contact surface are in the first relative position.
Also in accordance with the objects of the present invention, in another exemplary embodiment of a rotary switch in accordance with the pre
Friedhofer Michael
Kleinberg & Lerner ,LLP
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