Patent Application
20240169965
This invention relates to the field of electrical switches and, in particular, to an improved 3-way selector switch.
Mechanical switches using a toggle lever to direct or isolate an electrical path are well known in the industries. A conventional mechanical switch consists of one or more pole and one or more throws (e.g. SPST, DPDT) and the like. The switches consist of small contact points rated for a maximum current. Identification of the throws is typically enhanced by placing a colored sleeve over the throw for ease of identification. An example of a use of a 3-way toggle switch is for a two-pickup guitar with humbuckers, single-coils, or a combination of both (master volume, master tone).
Problems with the conventional switches include lack of reliability for supplying a proper continuity for sensitive equipment, such as electric guitars. The small contact points are known to wear quickly, unevenly, or become misaligned, leading to sound distortions when used with sensitive equipment. Some guitars use a humbucking pickup, or double coil, to cancel out the noisy interference picked up by coil pickups. Switches that are unable to provide a contact without resistivity can result in further interference. Degradation of signal flow occurs with the bullet point contact, and voltage handling is limited.
Another problem with known 3-way switches is the use of colored sleeves attached to the toggle throws. Sleeves on a round toggle may fall off at the most inopportune time.
What is lacking in the industry is a 3-way selector switch having positive contacts and replaceable toggles.
Disclosed is an improved 3-way selector switch. The switch provides a replaceable toggle lever wherein a selection of toggle levers can be used to provide color and tactile touch identification. The switch further provides a common ground and an electrical contact with reciprocal shapes to provide premium coupling to eliminate signal loss.
An objective of the invention is to provide an improved 3-way selector switch that eliminates signal loss.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a 3-way toggle switch suitable for a two-pickup guitar with humbuckers, single-coils, or a combination of both.
Still another objective of the invention is to provide a no-noise 3-way switch for electric guitars.
Still another objective of the invention is to teach the use of a 16 mm contact.
Yet still another objective of the invention is to teach the use of a 16 mm contact with reciprocal surfaces to increase voltage handling.
Still another objective of the invention is to provide a switch that can use mini toggle, larger scale size toggles, or any size in between.
Yet another objective is to provide an improved switch that may be adapted for use in applications directed to marine, recreational vehicles, aviation and like industries that can benefit from a switch capable of handling higher voltages, currents, or would otherwise benefit from address signal degradation in a 3-way switch.
Other objectives and further advantages and benefits associated with this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, examples, and claims which follow.
Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Now referring to the drawings, set forth is a 3-way selector switch 10 comprising a frame assembly 12 with an upper member 14. The upper member 14 is formed from a circular shaped support 16 having a centrally disposed aperture 18 forming an inner surface 20 and a threaded outer surface 22 receptive to a fastening nut 24. In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the fastening nut 24 has knurling to allow assembly without tools. A washer 25 allows ease of assembly. The upper member 14 pivotally supports a toggle base 26 that pivots along a pin 27, wherein the aperture 18 is constructed and arranged to allow the toggle base 26 to rotate about 30 degrees on either side of a centrally disposed position; the toggle base 26 having a bottom shank with a distal end insulating cap 32 made of nylon or the like non-conductive material. The toggle base 26 has a threaded proximal receptacle 34 for receipt of a toggle lever 36; the toggle lever 36 having a threaded proximal end 38 removably attached to the threaded receptacle end of said toggle base 26, and a distal end 40 having a shape or channels 41 providing a tactile touch surface. The toggle lever 36 can be easily replaced if damaged or if another color or shape is desired. For instance, the distal end 40 may consist of round toggle levers, flat toggle levers, curved toggle levers, or combinations thereof. The particular shape desired can be selected by the individual, wherein the shape provides a tactile feel that can be easily identified by the individual. For instance, an on/off toggle lever may be constructed from a flat duck shape, while an amp toggle lever may be made square shaped. The replaceable toggle lever lowers inventory costs, wherein the electrical switch is universal and the various toggle levers can be added to the switch. Further, the toggle lever 36 can be formed using a 3D printer, wherein the owner of the device can select from various predetermined shapes, or further customize a shape. The toggle levers 36 can be selected from a material color, or use a coated material or a sleeve made of a material that can be slid onto the toggle lever. A bottom 42 of said frame assembly 12 is formed from a base 44 coupled to said upper member 14 by a first leg 46 spaced apart from a second leg 48; the frame assembly 12 having a grounding terminal 50 extending from the base 44. Apertures 52, 52′ are for receipt of fasteners 54, 54′ to maintain positioning of connection plates as further described herein. A U-shaped opening 56 allows uninhibited movement of the toggle base 26 across a 60 degree rotation.
A first inner connection plate 60 has a lower end 63 coupled to a first side 43 of the base 44 with apertures 62, 62′ for receipt of fasteners 54, 54′. The first inner connection plate 60 is insulated from the base 44 by a first insulating spacer 70, and an upper end 61 of the first inner connection plate 60 having a first inner contact 64 with a length L1 of about 16 mm. The inner contact 64 is formed of a V-shape wherein side walls 66, 66′ are raised above a center area 68.
A second inner connection plate 60′ has a lower end coupled to a second side 45 of the base 44. The second connection plate 60′ is insulated from said base 44 by a second insulating spacer 70″, the first connection plate 60 electrically coupled to the second connection plate 60′; an upper end of the second connection plate 60′ having an inner contact 64 with a length of about 16 mm. It is noted that the second inner connection plate 60′ forms a mirror image of said first inner connection plate 60 wherein the plates are interchangeable, reducing manufacturing requirements and inventory storage.
A first outer connection plate 80 has a lower end 82 coupled to the first side 43 of the base 44. The first outer connection plate 80 is insulated from the first inner connection plate 60 by a third insulating spacer 70′″. An upper end of the first outer connection plate 80 has an outer contact 84 with a length of about 16 mm constructed and arranged to engage the first inner contact 64. The shape of the outer contact 84 is constructed and arranged to interface with said first inner contact 64 and, in particular, within the side walls 66, 66′ providing positive contact along the length L1 of the contact 64.
A second outer connection plate 80′ has a lower end coupled to the second side 45 of the base 44. The second outer connection plate 80′ is insulated from the second inner connection plate 60′ by a fourth insulating spacer 70″″. An upper end of the second outer connection plate 80′ has an outer contact 84′ with a length constructed and arranged to engage the first inner contact 64. The insulating spacers (70, 70″,70′″, 70″″) are preferably a phenolic spacer of the shape and size illustrated in
A fastener 54, preferably a threaded screw, is used to secure the inner 60, 60′ plates, outer 80, 80′ plates, and phenolic spacers (70, 70″,70′″ 70″″) to the frame 12. An insulated bushing 90 having a threaded receptacle 92 is used as a nut fastener for receipt of the fastener 54. In the preferred embodiment there are two fasteners 54, each fastener separated from the outer connection plates 80, 80′ by an insulated spacer 96, 96′ and an outer surface of the insulated bushing 90 coated with an insulating material 94, such as rubber or the like. While all insulated bushings are of the same size and shape, insulated bushings 90, 90′ are indicated by a separate element number as they can include a logo 100 along an outer surface.
Referring to
The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
