Snap-on Rocker Cap For Electric Switch

Abstract

A snap-on rocker cap for an electric switch includes first and second flexible tabs which extend from the rocker each of which have foot portions extending toward and spaced adjacent to each other. The switch carrier member which operates to open and close the switch contacts is rotatably mounted to the switch housing by an axle member. The cap is mounted to the carrier member by snapping the resilient mounting tabs about the axle with first and second alignment legs on the cap fitting into corresponding slots in the carrier member for positioning the rocker cap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally for customers who place large orders electric switch manufactures are able to provide rocker action switches wherein the rocker cap is of the color and shape specified by the customer. On the other hand, customer who buy switches in small quantities generally do not have the option of specifying the rocker cap color and shape and their choice is usually limited by what the manufacture has in inventory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive snap-on rocker cap for an electric switch.

It is a further object of this invention to provide snap-on rocker caps which permit switch manufacturers to supply customers placing small orders with the color and shape of rocker cap they desire.

In one embodiment of this invention a switch assembly includes a carrier member for opening and closing the switch contacts which is pivotally mounted by an axle to the switch housing. A snap-on rocker cap or operator is included for the switch comprising flexible tab-like legs which extend downwardly from the cap in a spaced relation to one another. Each leg has a foot portion which extends therefrom toward to the other foot portion and substantially adjacent thereto. The foot portions each include a lead in cam surface which cooperate with one another to form an axle engaging surface. In addition, first and second spaced apart alignment legs also extend downwardly from the cap and fit into first and second alignment slots in the carrier member. The cap is mounted to the carrier member by snapping the resilient tabs about the axle with the alignment legs moving into the slots in the carrier member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view in cross-section illustrating the electrical switch assembly in accordance with this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are side elevation views partially in cross-section of the switch of FIG. 1 illustrating operating of the snap-on cap in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the switch carrier member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows an electrical switch assembly 10 which includes a switch housing 12 enclosing contacts 14 and 15 which are connected to terminals 16 and 17 respectively. A bridge member 19 provides the means for making and breaking the contacts.

As shown in FIG. 5, trunions 22 and 23 are mounted to the switch housing 12 and support a rivet 25 which acts as an axle member. A carrier member 27 (FIG. 1) is rotatably mounted about the axle 25 and contains a spring loaded actuator 29 which moves along the bridge 19 to operate the same for opening and closing the switch contacts.

A rocker cap or switch operator 30 has first and second resilient tab portions 32 and 33 integrally molded therewith and extending downwardly therefrom. Each of the resilient tabs include first and second foot portions 36 and 37 (FIG. 2) which extend toward and are substantially adjacent to one another. Each of these foot portions includes lead-in cam angle surfaces 40 and 41 (FIG. 3) which cooperate with one another to form an axle engaging surface. Likewise, integrally molded to the rocker cap 30 in a spaced relation to one another and extending downwardly therefrom are alignment legs 43 and 45. These alignment legs also include angled cam surfaces 46 and 47 respectively to facilitate sliding the alignment legs into first and second slots 50 and 51 (FIG. 5) in the rocker member 27. The slots 50 and 51 have a cross-section shaped generally for receiving the alignment legs.

In operation the rocker cap 30 is mounted to the carrier member 27 by fitting the alignment legs 43 and 45 into the slots 50 and 51 in the carrier member 27 and pushing downwardly until the cam surfaces 40 and 41 of the foot portions 36 and 37 of the resilient tabs engage the axle member 25 as shown in FIG. 1. Continued downward force then moves the resilient tabs apart as shown in FIG. 2. After the foot portion of each tab passes the axle member, the resilient tab legs snap back to substantially their original position. As shown in FIG. 3, the diameter of the axle 25 is slightly greater than the space between the resilient leg portions of the tab members so that the legs grip the axle. Furthermore, the depth of the alignment slots 50 and 51 is selected to space the rocker cap 30 relative to the carrier member 27 so each of the foot portions 36 and 37 fit snugly beneath the axle member 25. In this position the walls of the slots 50 and 51 prevent fore, aft and down movement of the rocker cap 30 in the carrier member 27 while the foot portion of each resilient tab connector substantially eliminates any upward movement of the rocker cap relative to the carrier member so the same is tightly held in position.

Although the snap-on rocker cap of this invention has been shown for illustrative purposes as one design it should be understood that other designs could be employed for the shape of the rocker cap while retaining the "snap-on" capability.

It can be seen, therefore, that by utilizing this invention rocker caps of many colors can be manufactured and maintained in inventory and subsequently readily snap mounted to a standard stock electrical switch to provide customers with a choice of colors and even shapes of rocker caps.

Claims

1. A snap-on operator for a switch assembly having an operator carrier member for opening and closing the switch contacts, which carrier member is pivotally mounted by an axle member to the switch assembly, said snap-on operator including in combination, flexible tab connecting means extending therefrom, and alignment means integral therewith, said snap-on operator being connected to the carrier member by snapping said flexible tab connecting means about the axle member pivotally connecting the carrier member to the switch assembly, and said alignment means of said snap-on operator engaging the carrier member to position said snap-on operator therein whereby movement of said snap-on operator pivots the

2. The snap-on switch operator of claim 1 wherein said flexible tab connecting means includes first and second flexible legs extending downwardly from said snap-on operator in a spaced relation to one another, each said leg having a foot portion extending therefrom, said foot portions extending toward and being substantially adjacent to one another, said foot portions each including a cam surface which cooperate with one another to form an axle engaging surface, with said snap-on operator being connected to the carrier member said cam surfaces engage the axle member and act to move said legs apart in a scissor-like action, and said legs spring back to substantially their original positions with the same moving past the axle member thereby connecting said snap-on operator to the

3. The snap-on switch operator of claim 2 wherein said flexible legs are spaced from one another an amount less than the diameter of the axle member and with said flexible legs springing back toward their original

4. The snap-on switch operator of claim 1 wherein said alignment means includes first and second alignment legs extending from said snap-on operator, and said carrier member includes means for receiving said alignment legs to position said snap-on operator in said carrier member.

5. The snap-on switch operator of claim 4 wherein said means for receiving said alignment legs includes first and second slots in said carrier member, said slots having a cross-section shaped to receive said first and

6. The snap-on switch operator of claim 5 wherein said flexible tab connecting means includes first and second legs each having foot portions, and said first and second slots have a predetermined depth for positioning said snap-on operator relative to said carrier member whereby said foot portions of each leg fit snuggly beneath said axle member with said flexible tab connecting means being snapped around said axle member to limit the upward movement of said first and second alignment legs in said slots thereby insuring said snap-on operator fits tightly to said carrier

7. A switch assembly including in combination, a switch housing enclosing contact means and a bridge member, a carrier member for operating said bridge member for selectively opening and closing said contact means, an axle supported by said switch housing, said carrier member being rotatably mounted to said axle, a snap-on switch operator including resilient tab connecting means comprising first and second legs each having a foot portion, said legs being positioned in a spaced relation to one another with each foot portion extending toward and being adjacent to the other, said tab connecting means further including first and second spaced apart alignment legs, and said carrier member includes first and second slots shaped to receive said alignment legs, whereby said snap-on switch operator is mounted to said carrier member with said legs of said tab connecting means snapping about said axle member and said first and second alignment legs fitting into said first and second slots in said carrier member, and each said foot portion of said tab connecting means fitting snuggly beneath said axle member so said snap-on switch operator is held tightly to said carrier member.