The present invention relates generally to rocker switch assemblies, and more specifically, to locking rocker switch assemblies that require manipulation of a button, slide, lever or the like in order to move the actuator out of at least one locked position or into at least one locked-out position, so as to inhibit unintentional manipulation of the switch out of the locked position(s) or into the locked-out position(s).
Rocker switch assemblies are well known, and are widely available in various configurations.
Two-position rocker switches, for example, are widely used to provide discrete on/off switches that allow a user to easily determine if the switch is active or not. In an off position, a two-position rocker switch prevents any flow of electricity, or the flow of an electric signal. When the user of the switch activates the rocker switch, a connection is made allowing for the flow of electricity, or of an electric signal. These types of two-position rocker switches have many applications; common applications include light switches, general power switches, and switches in circuit breakers.
Three-position rocker switches are also widely used to provide the ability for a user to choose from between three operating states, or between two operating states and an off state. For example, a three-position rocker switch may allow a user to turn a device off, to a low speed operating state or to a high speed operating state. Numerous other uses are also well known.
During operation of a rocker switch, any activation, or deactivation of the switch, by moving the rocker, causes a mechanical movement inside of the housing. When the user activates the switch, the portion of the switch (the rocker actuator) that is outside of the housing is moved. The rocker actuator is connected to a pin, which causes a subsequent movement inside of the housing, either completing or disconnecting one or more circuits (activating or deactivating the switch and/or switching between two or more operating states).
Locking rocker switch assemblies are also well known. Such switches lock the rocker actuator in a particular position and/or lock the rocker actuator out of being switched to a particular position unless some purposeful user manipulation is performed. The intent of these designs is to inhibit accidental or inadvertent switching into or out of the aforementioned particular position, but to readily allow such switching when desired.
However, with known assemblies of this type, it is often difficult, due to the configuration of the locking mechanism, to also provide such assemblies with illumination mechanisms. It is particularly difficult to provide such illumination mechanisms on both ends of the rocker switch actuator if/when such is desired.
This present invention provides a mechanism of locking a rocker switch assembly in multiple configurations that allows space for lighting to be used on both ends of the rocker actuator. The switch assembly can be a two-position or three-position switch, and the locking rocker actuator (100) can be locked in the “left” position (shown in
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a rocker switch assembly includes a housing assembly having at least one bracket, the at least one bracket having a bracket stop formed therein, and a rocker actuator pivotably mounted on the housing assembly so as to be pivotable between at least two positions with respect to the housing assembly. At least one wedge lock is pivotably mounted on the rocker actuator, the at least one wedge lock pivotable between a locked position wherein the at least one wedge lock engages the bracket stop formed in the at least one bracket, thereby preventing pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing assembly in at least one direction, and a retracted position wherein the at least one wedge lock is disengaged from the bracket stop formed in the at least one bracket so as to allow for pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing assembly. A lock release button is also provided, actuation of which from a resting position to a release position causes the at least one wedge lock to move to the retracted position.
In some embodiments, the at least one wedge lock is further pivotable to a resting position when the lock release button is in its resting position, in which resting position the at least one wedge lock is biased against the at least one bracket, but not engaged with the bracket stop formed in the at least one bracket.
In some embodiments, a biasing member is provided, which urges the lock release button toward the resting position thereof. In certain of these embodiments, the biasing member further urges the at least one wedge lock toward the at least one bracket. In certain embodiments, the biasing member comprises a compression spring disposed between the rocker actuator and the lock release button. In some embodiments, the at least one wedge lock is pivotably connected to the lock release button so as to be in operable communication therewith.
In some embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least two wedge locks, wherein at least one wedge lock is disposed toward a first side of the rocker actuator with respect to a point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly, and wherein at least one wedge lock is disposed toward a second side of the rocker actuator, opposite to the first side of the rocker actuator, with respect to the point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly. In certain of these embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least four wedge locks, wherein at least two wedge locks are disposed toward a first side of the rocker actuator with respect to the point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly, and wherein at least two wedge locks are disposed toward a second side of the rocker actuator, opposite to the first side of the rocker actuator, with respect to the point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly.
In some embodiments, the rocker actuator is pivotably mounted on the housing assembly so as to be pivotable between the following two positions with respect to the housing assembly: a position tilted toward a first side and a position tilted toward a second side. In certain of these embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the second side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked in the position tilted toward the first side when moved thereto. In certain embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the first side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked in the position tilted toward the second side when moved thereto. In certain embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the first side of the rocker actuator and at least one wedge lock mounted toward the second side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked in the position tilted toward the second side when moved thereto and is locked in the position tilted toward the first side when moved thereto.
In some embodiments, the rocker actuator is pivotably mounted on the housing assembly so as to be pivotable between the following three positions with respect to the housing assembly: a position tilted toward a first side, a middle position and a position tilted toward a second side. In certain of these embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the second side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked in the position tilted toward the first side when moved thereto. In certain embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the first side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked in the position tilted toward the second side when moved thereto. In certain embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the first side of the rocker actuator and at least one wedge lock mounted toward the second side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked in the position tilted toward the second side when moved thereto and is locked in the position tilted toward the first side when moved thereto. In certain embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the first side of the rocker actuator and at least one wedge lock mounted toward the second side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked in the middle position when moved thereto. In certain embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the first side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked out of movement to the position tilted toward the first side. In certain embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least one wedge lock mounted toward the second side of the rocker actuator, such that the rocker actuator is locked out of movement to the position tilted toward the second side.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a rocker switch assembly includes a housing assembly comprising at least one bracket, the at least one bracket having a bracket stop formed therein and a rocker actuator pivotably mounted on the housing assembly so as to be pivotable between at least two positions with respect to the housing assembly. At least one wedge lock is pivotably mounted on the rocker actuator, the at least one wedge lock pivotable between a locked position wherein the at least one wedge lock engages the bracket stop formed in the at least one bracket, thereby preventing pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing assembly in at least one direction, a resting position in which the at least one wedge lock is biased against the at least one bracket, but not engaged with the bracket stop formed in the at least one bracket, and a retracted position wherein the at least one wedge lock is disengaged from the bracket stop formed in the at least one bracket so as to allow for pivoting of the rocker actuator with respect to the housing assembly. A lock release button is pivotably connected to the at least one wedge lock so as to be in operable communication therewith, wherein actuation of the lock release button from a resting position to a release position causes the at least one wedge lock to move to the retracted position, and a biasing member urges the lock release button toward the resting position thereof and urges the at least one wedge lock toward the at least one bracket.
In some embodiments, the biasing member comprises a compression spring disposed between the rocker actuator and the lock release button.
In some embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least two wedge locks, wherein at least one wedge lock is disposed toward a first side of the rocker actuator with respect to a point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly, and wherein at least one wedge lock is disposed toward a second side of the rocker actuator, opposite to the first side of the rocker actuator, with respect to the point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly. In certain of these embodiments, the at least one wedge lock comprises at least four wedge locks, wherein at least two wedge locks are disposed toward a first side of the rocker actuator with respect to the point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly, and wherein at least two wedge locks are disposed toward a second side of the rocker actuator, opposite to the first side of the rocker actuator, with respect to the point about which the rocker actuator pivots with respect to the housing assembly.
In some embodiments, the rocker actuator is pivotably mounted on the housing assembly so as to be pivotable between the following two positions with respect to the housing assembly: a position tilted toward a first side and a position tilted toward a second side. In some embodiments, the rocker actuator is pivotably mounted on the housing assembly so as to be pivotable between the following three positions with respect to the housing assembly: a position tilted toward a first side, a middle position and a position tilted toward a second side.
This present invention thus provides a rocker switch assembly that may be locked in multiple configurations and yet that also allows space for lighting to be used on both ends of the rocker actuator.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawing.
Referring now to
With this in mind, it should be noted that, unlike typical designs, the inventive rocker switch assembly (10) of the present invention includes one or more wedge locks (16), themselves pivotably mounted to the rocker switch actuator (12). The wedge locks (16) are acted upon by a biasing member, such as a spring or the like (as described more fully below), that makes the wedge locks (16) naturally biased to rotate downward—i.e., toward the housing assembly (14)—into sliding engagement with at least one bracket (18) provided on the housing assembly (14).
In the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated, each of the brackets (18) is provided with a bracket stop (20) corresponding with each wedge lock (16). The bracket stops (20) are positioned such that the wedge locks (16) engage the bracket stops (20) when the rocker switch actuator (12) is moved to a corresponding position in order to lock the rocker switch actuator (12) into a desired position and/or out of a desired position. Various contemplated options for various locking positions are described further below, as are various options for the configuration of the wedge locks (16).
A lock release button (22) is provided, such that when actuated, the lock release button (22) rotates the wedge locks (16) upwardly, countering the bias member's downward bias of the wedge locks into engagement with the brackets (18), thereby lifting the wedge locks (16) out of engagement with the bracket stops (20).
Referring now to
Thus, as shown in
As should be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, the biasing member that is configured to urge the wedge locks (16) against the brackets (18) and/or to urge the lock release button (22) upwardly (i.e., away from the housing) when not being actuated may take forms other than compression spring (24) without affecting operation of the inventive assembly. For example, one or more torsion springs may be provided for urging the wedge locks (16) against the brackets (18) and correspondingly to urge the lock release button (22) upwardly, via cooperation between the wedge locks (16) and the lock release button (22). Or some other type of biasing member or combination of biasing members may be employed.
As discussed below in more detail, there are various possible configurations employing the above-described general inventive concepts. More specifically, as discussed above in the case with known rocker switches, it is contemplated that the present invention may comprise either a three-position switch (i.e., having left, middle and right positions) or a two-position switch (i.e., having left and right positions). Moreover, by using either one or two wedge locks, and/or by using wedge locks having different lengths (i.e., “long” or “short” wedge locks), multiple locking configurations are contemplated.
With respect to the afore-described embodiment shown in
Turning now to
In other pertinent respects, the rocker switch assembly (10′) shown in
Turning now specifically to
For example,
Referring now specifically to
As noted above, there are multiple contemplated embodiments employing the above-described general inventive concepts, including various embodiments of a three-position switch (i.e., having left, middle and right positions, with respect to the orientation shown in
As also noted above, there are multiple contemplated embodiments employing the above-described general inventive concepts, including various embodiments of a two-position switch (i.e., having left and right positions). Following are three exemplary locking configurations of a two-position switch (all of which employ “long” wedge locks):
The present invention provides various advantages over previously known designs, including the ability to provide for multiple lock configurations with only slight modifications to the switch assembly. This can be achieved merely by employing wedge locks having two different lengths and/or by varying the position of where the wedge locks are provided (i.e., on the left side, on the right side or on both the left side and the right side). The present invention also facilitates the provision of a lighting mechanism on either or both ends of the central lock (by relying on a very simple and compact locking arrangement, as compared to previously known designs).
Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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RE30273 | Grebner et al. | May 1980 | E |
5045648 | Fogleman, Sr. | Sep 1991 | A |
7468492 | Lai | Dec 2008 | B2 |
7868261 | Gauzin et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
9443679 | Cassarino | Sep 2016 | B2 |
9859074 | Martinez | Jan 2018 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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4422475 | Jan 1996 | DE |
10030275 | Feb 2001 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210098213 A1 | Apr 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62907081 | Sep 2019 | US | |
62907047 | Sep 2019 | US |