The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 22, 1988
Filed:
Jul. 10, 1986
Shigeo Ohashi, Tokyo, JP;
Nihon Kaiheiki Industrial Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A switch operating member is provided in an opening at the upper portion of a switch housing, and a rotary knob has a cylindrical portion arranged about the operating member. A restoring spring has one end thereof engaged with the switch housing and has its other end engaged with the rotary knob. Locking means are provided comprising a projection on the outer periphery of the operating member and an engaging portion on the cylindrical portion of the rotary knob, or vice versa. The operating member is automatically locked against up-and-down movement when the projection is brought into locking engagement with the engaging portion owing to restoration of the rotary knob. A cam groove having steps for preventing reverse movement is provided on the operating member as the engaging means. The switch operating member is locked at an initial position while the projection is in abutting contact with the cam groove. When the switch is unlocked by turning the rotary knob, the operating member can be manipulated, after which the operating member is returned to its initial position and locked automatically by restoration of the rotary knob and the operating member. This prevents the user from forgetting to lock the switch and also prevents the switch from being operated erroneously or inadvertently.