Rotary switch contained inside a knob

Details Rotary switch contained inside a knob Rotary switch contained inside a knob

1999-12-29

2001-05-01

Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Multiple circuit control

Pivoted contact

C200S0110TC, C200S0110DA, C200S564000, C200S571000, C200S277000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06225580

ABSTRACT:

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT:
None.
REFERENCE TO APPENDIX:
None.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary switch for mounting on a panel. Particularly it relates to a rotary switch contained inside a knob so that the entire apparatus maybe mounted on a front of a panel without locating additional apparatus behind a panel. The invention further relates to a novel arrangement for contacts and detents in various positions of the rotary switch.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Conventional rotary switches typically have a switch body which is designed to be mounted on the backside of a panel, generally by a threaded shaft housing, which goes through the panel, and by a pair of nuts on the housing threads which clamp on either side of the panel. From the threaded housing, a shaft protrudes through the front of the panel. A knob is mounted by press-fit, by set screw such as an Allen Key, or by splines to the shaft, for rotary control of the switch from outside the panel. While the industry has been generally satisfied with the arrangement, it does have the disadvantage of requiring the panel to be open, so that access to both the inside and outside of the panel is necessary in order to install the switch. Contacts typically have to be attached at the inside of the panel. The switch has to be inserted into a hole on the panel face from the inside, and then the knob has to be installed to the shaft after the switch has been secured to the panel.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to obviate these installation and replacement difficulties by self-containing the entire apparatus within the knob assembly itself. Thus, the knob can be mounted by glue, snap fasteners, bayonet contacts, or any other means of attaching components to an outside surface, without opening the panel. The contacts can be accessible from the outside of the panel for mating with the circuitry of the switch assembly. Among the objects accomplished by this design are:
Saving of precious space within the instrument package,
reduced weight,
reduced assembly time in manufacturing, and
the provision of customary rotary action and detent positions,
either with or without internal mechanical stops.
The switch in the present invention may have printed circuit pins and surface mounts for direct circuit board connection. Blind leads may be provided for attachment to the switch. A flex circuit or ribbon cable may be provided for remote mounting on a panel or chassis.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4527023 (1985-07-01), Ohashi et al.
patent: 4837413 (1989-06-01), Schwab et al.
patent: 5039830 (1991-08-01), Orillard
patent: 5227595 (1993-07-01), Sorenson et al.
patent: 5847345 (1998-12-01), Harrison
patent: 5959269 (1999-09-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 5994654 (1999-11-01), Benson

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