U.S. patent number 3,801,766 [Application Number 05/325,828] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-02 for switching means for an electro-surgical device including particular contact means and particular printed-circuit mounting means.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Valleylab, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles F. Morrison, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,801,766 |
Morrison, Jr. |
April 2, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
SWITCHING MEANS FOR AN ELECTRO-SURGICAL DEVICE INCLUDING PARTICULAR
CONTACT MEANS AND PARTICULAR PRINTED-CIRCUIT MOUNTING MEANS
Abstract
An electrical switching device is disclosed herein and comprises
the major components suitable for use as a compact, easily
installed switching device and also in an electro-surgical tool
which, through the operation of the switching device, is readily
adaptable for different intended uses and highly reliable. In one
embodiment, the switching device includes a tubular housing having
an intermediate longitudinally extending slot formed in its wall
and a pair of longitudinally extending diametrically opposed
recesses formed on its inner surface. A rectangularly shaped
printed circuit board is mounted within the diametrically opposed
recesses and includes at least three spaced apart electrical
contacts which are positioned so as to be accessable through the
slot formed in the housing. An integrally formed, elongated spring
contact member is disposed in electrical conducting engagement with
the center one of these electrical contacts and includes opposing
energy absorbing coils, each of which is adapted to engage reliably
a corresponding one of the otherwise free contacts. In this regard,
in order to increase further the reliability of the engagement of
the contacts, means are provided for securing the printed circuit
board against inadvertent longitudinal movement within the housing.
An arcuately shaped insert is mounted within the aforedescribed
slot and engages portions of the lower surface of the circuit board
for further securing said insert in place. In addition, the
arcuately shaped insert includes a longitudinally extending slot
adapted to receive therein a portion of a longitudinally extending
rocker type switch actuator for pivotal movement about an axis
generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical
contacts. The free ends of the aforedescribed spring contact member
are positioned within recess guides formed in the actuator and move
into engagement with their corresponding contacts in response to
selective pivotal movement.
Inventors: |
Morrison, Jr.; Charles F.
(Boulder, CO) |
Assignee: |
Valleylab, Inc. (Boulder,
CO)
|
Family
ID: |
23269622 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/325,828 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
200/553; 200/6C;
200/292; 219/234; 606/42; 200/275; 200/559; 219/240 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H
1/403 (20130101); A61B 18/1402 (20130101); H01H
9/06 (20130101); H01H 2300/014 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
18/14 (20060101); H01H 1/12 (20060101); H01H
9/02 (20060101); H01H 9/06 (20060101); H01H
1/40 (20060101); H01h 023/30 (); H01h 009/06 ();
H01h 001/18 () |
Field of
Search: |
;200/153K,157,166BH,166BA,166PC,61.85,164R,6BB,6BA,6C
;128/303.14 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hohauser; Herman J.
Assistant Examiner: Vanderhye; Robert A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burton, Crandell & Polumbus
Claims
I claim:
1. An integrally formed, spring contact member adapted for use in
an electrical switching device having at least two spaced apart
electrical contacts, said member comprising:
a. an energy absorbing coil the ends of which extend from said coil
at an obtuse angle with respect to one another, one end of said
coil being adapted to be disposed in electrical conducting
engagement with one electrical contact of an electrical switching
device; and
b. a generally L-shaped portion attached to the other end of said
energy absorbing coil, said L-shaped portion having a free end
adapted to be disposed normally out of electrical conducting
engagement with the other electrical contact of the electrical
switching device.
2. In an electrical switching device as described in claim 1 above
including means for attaching the electrical switching device to
the surface of an item.
3. In an electrical switching device as described in claim 2 above
in which said attaching means includes a flexible member having
opposite sides thereof coated with a pressure sensitive
material.
4. An integrally formed, elongated spring contact member adapted
for use in an electrical switching device having at least three
longitudinally spaced apart electrical contacts, said member
comprising:
a. a center portion adapted to be disposed in electrical conducting
engagement with the middle electrical contact of an electrical
switching device;
b. an energy absorbing coil formed at each end of said center
portion with the ends of each said coil extending from each said
coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another; and
c. a generally L-shaped portion attached to each energy absorbing
coil and estending outwardly away from said center portion, each
L-shaped portion having a free end adapted to be disposed out of
electrical conducting engagement with a corresponding one of a
remaining contacts of the electrical switching device.
5. An electro-surgical switching device, comprising:
a. a housing at least a part of which is cylindrical, said housing
having an opening therein;
b. means for mounting at least a pair of spaced apart electrical
contacts within the cylindrical portion of said housing and
accessible through said opening therein;
c. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said
member including
i. an energy absorging coil disposed in electrical conducting
engagement with one of said spaced apart electrical contacts
and
ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to said energy absorbing
coil, said L-shaped portion having a free end normally disposed
above and out of electrical conducting engagement with the other
one of said electrical contacts; and
d. a switch actuator having guide means formed on a surface portion
thereof, said switch actuator being mounted on said housing so that
said guide means can cooperate with the free end of said L-shaped
portion whereby upon application of a force to said actuator said
guide means will guide the free end of said L-shaped portion into
electrical conducting engagement with said other one of said
electrical contacts thereby closing an electrical circuit and,
simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing coil, and,
upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be
released from said energy absorbing coil, thereby causing the free
end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting
engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts whereby
said closed electrical circuit will be opened.
6. An electro-surgical electrical switching device, comprising:
a. an elongated tubular housing;
b. a slot formed in the wall of said housing intermediate the ends
thereof;
c. a printed circuit board mounted within said tubular housing;
d. at least a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts mounted on
said printed circuit board and accessible through said slot formed
in the wall of said housing;
e. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said
member including
i. an energy absorbing means disposed in electrical conducting
arrangement with one of said spaced apart electrical contacts
and
ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to said energy absorbing
means, said L-shaped portion having a free end normally disposed
above and out of electrical conducting engagement with the other
one of said electrical contacts;
f. an arcuately shaped insert mounted within said slot formed in
the wall of said housing; and
g. a switch actuator pivotally mounted on said insert so as to
rotate about an axis generally normal to a line interconnecting
said electrical contacts, said actuator including a free end having
guide means formed on the lower surface thereof, a part of said
L-shaped portion cooperating with said guide means whereby upon
application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement
thereof, said guide means will guide the free end of the L-shaped
portion into electrical conducting engagement with said other one
of said electrical contacts thereby closing an electrical circuit
and, simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing means
and, upon removing said force from said actuator, energy will be
released from said energy absorbing means thereby causing the free
end of said L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting
engagement with said other one of said electrical contacts whereby
said closed electrical circuit will be opened.
7. In an electrical switching device as described in claim 6 above
in which said energy absorbing means includes a coil the ends of
which extend from said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one
another with one end being connected to said one of said spaced
apart electrical contacts and the other end being connected to said
generally L-shaped portion.
8. In a three-position electrical switching device:
a. a printed circuit board having at least three spaced apart
generally longitudinally aligned contacts formed thereon;
b. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member,
including
i. a center portion having an energy absorbing coil formed at each
end thereof with the ends of each said coil extending from each
said coil at an obtuse angle with respect to one another,
ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to a each energy
absorbing coil and extending outwardly away from said center
portion, each L-shaped portion having a free end,
iii. the center portion being disposed in electrical conducting
engagement with the center one of said electrical contacts of said
printed circuit board, and
iv. the free end of each L-shaped portion being normally disposed
generally above and out of electrical conducting engagement with a
corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said
printed circuit board; and
c. a rocker-type switch actuator pivotally mounted to rotate about
an axis generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical
contacts of said printed circuit board, said actuator including
guide means formed in the lower surface thereof, a part of each
L-shaped portion of said member cooperating with said guide means
whereby upon application of a force to said actuator, to cause
pivotal movement thereof, the guide means will guide the free end
of one of said L-shaped portions into electrical conducting
engagement with a corresponding one of the remaining contacts of
said printed circuit board thereby closing an electrical circuit
and, simultaneously, storing energy in the energy absorbing coil
associated with said L-shaped portion, and, upon removing said
force from said actuator, energy will be released from said energy
absorbing coil thereby causing the free end of said L-shaped
portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement with its
associated electrical contact whereby said electrical circuit will
be opened.
9. An electrical switching device comprising:
a. an elongated tube having
i. a cylindrical bore extending therethrough forming a tubular
housing,
ii. a slot formed in the wall of said housing intermediate the ends
thereof, and
iii. a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed
recesses formed on the inner surface of said housing;
b. a rectangularly shaped printed circuit board mounted within the
diametrically opposed recesses formed within said housing, said
printed circuit board including at least three spaced apart,
generally longitudinally aligned electrical contacts, said contacts
being accessible through the slot formed in the wall of said
housing;
c. an integrally formed, elongated spring contact member, said
member including
i. a center portion having an energy absorbing coil formed at each
end thereof,
ii. a generally L-shaped portion attached to each coil and
extending outwardly from said center portion, each L-shaped portion
having a generally arcuately shaped free end including a convex
part,
iii. the center portion being disposed in electrical conducting
engagement with the center one of said electrical contact of said
printed circuit board, and
iv. the free end of each L-shaped portion being normally disposed
generally above and out of electrical conducting engagement with a
corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said
printed circuit board;
d. means for securing said printed circuit board within said
housing to prevent inadvertent longitudinal movement thereof
relative to said housing;
e. an arcuately shaped insert complementally mounted within the
slot formed in the wall of said housing, said insert including
i. a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed
recesses formed on the inner surface thereof and disposed in
alignment with the recesses of said housing,
ii. a pair of longitudinally extending but radially inwardly
directed fingers disposed in contacting engagement with a surface
portion of said printed circuit board,
iii. a longitudinally extending slot formed through the wall of
said insert and intermediate the ends thereof, and
iv. a pair of aligned recesses formed on the inner surface of said
insert and disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof;
and
f. a longitudinally extending rocker type switch actuator having
transversely disposed trunions disposed within the recesses formed
on the inner surfaces of said insert whereby said actuator is
disposed to contact a portion of said printed circuit board for
pivotal movement about an axis generally normal to the axis of
alignment of the electrical contacts of said printed circuit board,
said actuator including guide means formed on the lower surface
thereof, said guide means comprising longitudinally extending
recess portions formed in the lower surface thereof adjacent each
end of said actuator, a part of each L-shaped portion of said
spring contact member being disposed within a corresponding one of
said recess portions, said actuator having a finger engaging
portion on one side of its pivotal mounting disposed outside of the
housing and adapted to be engaged by a finger of an operator for
selectively rotating same in opposite directions whereby upon
application of a force to said actuator, to cause pivotal movement
thereof, the guide means will guide the convex part of the free end
of said L-shaped portion into electrical conducting engagement with
a corresponding one of the remaining electrical contacts of said
printed circuit board thereby closing an electrical circuit and,
simultaneously, energy will be stored in the coil associated with a
corresponding one of said L-shaped portions, and, upon removing
said force from said actuator, energy will be released from said
coil thereby causing the convex part of the free end of said
L-shaped portion to move out of electrical conducting engagement
with its associated electrical contact whereby said electrical
circuit will be opened.
10. An electrical switching device as described in claim 1 above in
which each each recess portion of said guide means and the convex
part of the spring contact member associated therewith are
constructed to effect a wiping action across their associated
electrical contact when said convex part is brought into electrical
conducting engagement with said electrical contact.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related generally to an electrical
switching device and more particularly to such a device especially
suitable as part of an electro-surgical tool.
In the field of medicine generally and in the field of surgery in
particular, surgical tools utilizing electrical power are being
used more and more. One such tool being used by surgeons today
operates on electrical current to perform, for example, cutting and
coagulating or cauterization operations. Finger-actuated slide-type
electrical switches for actuating a single circuit of such a tool,
or for selectively actuating a plurality of circuits, are well
known and such are illustrated by United States Letters Patent No.
3,217,112. This patent discloses a rocker-type switch for
selectively actuating a plurality of circuits, the actuating
element between the rocker and the switch contact being
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the casing. This switch
has limited application and its construction results in a rather
bulky device not susceptible for use in connection with an
elongated pencil-shaped surgical tool which is prefered by and
easily held in one hand of the physician during operations.
Finger-actuated surgical devices for the dual purpose of cutting
and cauterizing tissue by the selective application of high
frequency current of a selected type and power are also well known
as exemplified by United States Letters Patent No. 1,813,902, and
related United States Letters Patent Nos. 2,611,635, 3,058,470,
3,089,496 and 3,100,489. Advantages of a surgical tool of this type
having a finger-actuated switch over surgical tools having a foot
pedal-operated switch or one operated by an assistant are amply set
forth in these patents and need no further amplification herein.
The finger-actuated surgical tools of the prior art are, however,
somewhat bulky in construction, do not lend themselves to facile
sterilization procedures and techniques, and cannot be manufactured
by relatively inexpensive plastic molding techniques.
A more recent development in switching devices especially suitable
as part of an electro-surgical tool is disclosed in U.S. Letters
Patent No. 3,648,001. In this patent, an electrical slide switch
particularly adapted for use in surgical tools is disclosed which
is incorporated in a pencil-type case for ease in handling and is
readily adaptable for sterilization with standard sterilization
procedures. In addition, it can be readily and inexpensively
manufactured by conventional plastic molding techniques.
While the electrical switching device described in the
above-referenced patent is a novel electrical switching device
which is particularly adapted for its intended use, the present
invention provides a novel electrical switching device which is
particularly adapted for use in electro-surgical tools and which
provides highly reliable switching and electrical engagement in an
uncomplicated, compact and easily maneuverable design, all of which
will become apparent hereinafter.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the foregoing, an object of the present
invention is to provide a novel electrical switching device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
three-position electrical switching device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching
device of the last-mentioned type which is easily movable between
positions and which reliably engages the selected position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a switching
device of the last-mentioned type including a novel contact member
for providing reliable electrical engagement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical
switching device of the last-mentioned type including a novel
rocker-type actuator adapted to cooperate with the spring contact
member in providing a reliable electrical engagement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact
member which is designed to effect a wiping action across
associated electrical contacts for providing reliable electrical
engagement of the latter.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
two-position electrical switching device and spring contact member
therefor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
housing for the electrical switching device of the aforementioned
type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
pencil-type electro-surgical tool utilizing the switching device of
the aforementioned type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
switching device inexpensive to manufacture and easily installed or
removed from a predetermined location such as the surface of an
item.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pencil-type electro-surgical tool
utilizing a preferred embodiment of an electrical switching device
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components comprising
the electro-surgical tool of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3--3 in FIG.
2 and particularly illustrating a spring contact member which is
constructed in accordance with the present invention and which
comprises part of the electrical switching device;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electro-surgical
tool of FIG. 1, taken generally along line 4--4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the electro-surgical tool of
FIG. 1 taken generally along line 5--5 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electro-surgical tool of
FIG. 1, taken generally along line 6--6 in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a
switching device constructed in accordance with this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Turning now to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawing, wherein like components
are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various
figures, a pencil-like electro-surgical tool, constructed in
accordance with the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1 and
generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The
electro-surgical tool 10 includes a surgical cutting and
coagulating means such as blade 12 connected with a multi-frequency
electrical power supply (not shown) through suitable leads, the
conduit being generally designated by the reference numeral 14, and
an electrical switching device 16 which is constructed in
accordance with the present invention. As will be seen hereinafter,
the device 10 is a highly reliable, easily manipulated,
uncomplicated and economically produced three-position switch
providing for an intermediate or neutral position adapted to
prevent current from reaching blade 12, a second position adapted
to provide, for example, current of one type to reach the blade for
cutting operations and a third position adapted to allow current of
a second type to reach blade 12 for providing a coagulating
operation. While the electrical switching device 16 is especially
suitable as part of a pencil-like electro-surgical tool such as
tool 10, it is to be understood that the switching device could be
readily used in other types of electrical switching operations.
In order to achieve reliability, easy manipulation, simplicity and
economy in manufacture, the electrical switching device 16 includes
a plurality of carefully designed cooperating components including
an elongated tubular housing 18 (see FIG. 2) within which a
rectangular printed circuit board 20 is disposed. An integrally
formed spring contact member 22 (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the
circuit board 20 and an end cap 24 is adapted for insertion into
the rearwardmost end of housing 18 and is provided for securing the
printed circuit board within the housing to prevent inadvertent
longitudinal movement of the circuit board relative to the housing.
A front cap 26 is mounted over the front of housing 18 and provided
for supporting and/or shielding the cutting and coagulating blade
12 and limits forward movement of the circuit board. A rocker type
actuator switch 28 is pivotally supported by an arcuately shaped
insert 30 and cooperates with spring contact member 22 for
providing easily manipulated selection of the various switch
positions.
Turning to FIG. 2, attention is specifically directed to tubular
housing 18 which is constructed from an elongated tube, preferably
of molded plastic, and having a cylindrical bore 32 extending
therethrough. For reasons to be described hereinafter, housing 18
includes a longitudinally extending slot 34 which is formed in the
housing wall intermediate the ends of the housing and which has a
circumferential extent exceeding 180.degree.. The housing also
includes a pair of longitudinally extending, diametrically opposed
recesses 36 formed on the inner surface of the housing, as best
illustrated in FIG. 6. The recesses extend the entire length of
housing 18 and receive and support rectangular circuit board 20 in
a plane which is parallel to a plane passing through the
longitudinal edges of slot 34 as will be seen hereinafter.
Attention is now directed to rectangular circuit board 20 which is
illustrated best in FIG. 2. Circuit board 20 includes on its top
surface two or more spaced-apart, generally longitudinally aligned
electrical contacts 38, 40, and 42 which are respectively connected
to corresponding ones of a plurality of electrical leads 44 through
a printed circuit (not shown) located on the underside of the
circuit board. Leads 44 extend through aforedescribed conduit 14
and are connected in a conventional manner to appropriate
circuitry. The contacts 38, 40 and 42 are shown as being connected
by the printed circuit to a conductive coupling member 46, which is
suitably mounted to the forwardmost end of the circuit board.
Coupling member 46 is provided for connecting blade 12 to the
output of the RF power source via one of the leads 44 and the
printed circuit. The tool 10 shown in the drawings does not
contemplate switching power directly to the blade 12 but same could
be accomplished by using the proper type of contacts 38, 40 and 42.
Circuit board 20 is mounted within diametrically opposed recesses
36 of housing 18 such that contacts 38, 40 and 42 are accessable
through slot 34. In this position, coupling member 46 is
appropriately located for receiving blade 12 in electrical
engagement, as will be described hereinafter.
In order to secure printed circuit board 20 within housing 18 in
the manner described above so as to prevent inadvertent
longitudinal movement of the circuit board relative to the housing,
end cap 24 and nose cap 26 are provided. The end cap 24 includes a
radially extending boss portion 48 which is formed on an annular
portion 50 extending radially from a tapered head 52.
As illustrated best in FIGS. 4 and 6, end cap 24 is disposed within
cylindrical bore 32 of housing 18 through the back end of the
latter so that boss portion 48 is suitably seated within a
cooperating recess 54 formed adjacent the end of the housing and so
that head 52 of cap 24 is contiguous with the back end thereof.
Positioned in this manner, it should be noted that the annular
portion 52 extends into the housing a distance sufficient to engage
abuttingly against the back end of circuit board 20. Hence, annular
portion 50 prevents the circuit board from inadvertent longitudinal
movement in the rearward direction. As will be seen hereinafter,
front cap 26 prevents the circuit board 20 from inadvertent
longitudinal movement in a forward direction. As seen best in FIG.
4, both annular portion 50 and head portion 52 of end cap 24
together define an open ended passage 58 for allowing the conduit
14 to pass therethrough. As also illustrated in FIG. 4, front cap
26, which is hollow, includes a cylindrical rearward portion 51 and
an inwardly tapering forward portion 53 adapted to receive balde 12
in the manner illustrated. The inner surface of the rearward
portion 51 and the outer surface of the adjacent end of the housing
have a complemental boss and recess formed therein to provide
frictional intercoupling thereof in the same manner as described
above with the end cap 24 and the end of housing adjacent thereto.
When the front cap 26 is mounted on the housing 18, coupling member
46 will electrically engage the blade 12 and cap 26 will prevent
the circuit board 20 from moving forward.
Turning to FIG. 3, attention is directed to the integrally formed
spring contact member 22 which, as illustrated, includes a
substantially straight center portion 60 having energy absorbing
coils 62 and 64 formed at each end thereof. Each of the coils 62
and 64, respectively, has a generally L-shaped portion 66 and 68
which extends outwardly therefrom and which has a generally
arcuately shaped free end including a convex part 70 and 72,
respectively.
The center portion 60 of contact member 22 is suitably secured in
electrical conducting engagement with the center contact 40 of
circuit board 20 while the free ends of the L-shaped portions 66
and 68 are, respectively, normally disposed generally above and out
of electrical conducting engagement with contacts 38 and 42,
respectively. In fact, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the convex parts
70 and 72 of L-shaped portions 66 and 68 are positioned above the
contacts 38 and 42. As will be seen hereinafter, each of the convex
parts engages its respective contact in a wiping-type action when
the convex part is brought into electrical conducting engagement
therewith. This, in turn, provides for a more reliable electrical
engagement.
Returning to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 5, the arcuately
shaped insert member 30 is shown. The insert member includes an
elongated body portion 74 having a curvalinear cross-section with a
radius of curvature equal to that of housing 18. The body portion
74 is complementally mounted within slot 34 of housing 18, as best
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, and includes a longitudinally
extending slot 76 formed through its wall intermediate the
longitudinal ends thereof. As will be seen hereinafter, the slot 76
is provided for receiving therein the rocker-type actuator 28.
Insert member 30 also includes a pair of longitudinally extending
but radially inwardly directed fingers 78 (see FIG. 5) which when
mounted within the slot 34, are disposed in the same plane in which
lies one of the surfaces of diametrically opposed recesses 36. As
also seen in FIG. 5, longitudinal channels 82 are formed on
opposite sides of slot 34 in housing 18 and extend the length of
the slot 34. In this manner, the radially inwardly directed fingers
78 of insert member 30 engage the lower surface of the circuit
board 20 and member 30 is secured within said slot as a result
thereof.
In order to support rocker-type actuator 28 in a manner to be
described hereinafter, a pair of aligned recesses 84 are formed on
the inner surface of insert member 30 and are disposed transversely
to the longitudinal axis thereof. This is best illustrated in FIG.
5.
Turning to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, attention is directed specifically to
rocker-type actuator 28. As illustrated, the actuator includes
transversely disposed trunnions 86 extending outwardly from
opposite sides of abody portion 88 and disposed with the aligned
recesses 84 of insert member 30. In this manner, a centrally
located rocker portion 90 formed on the under side of body portion
88 is disposed to contact a portion oF the printed circuit board 20
such that the actuator 28 is pivotally movable about an axis
generally normal to the axis of alignment of the electrical
contacts 38, 40 and 42 of printed circuit board 20.
Actuator 28 also includes longitudinally extending recesses 92 and
94 formed in the lower surface of the housing portion 88 adjacent
each end of the housing portion. These recesses 92 and 94 are
provided as guide means for respective free ends of the L-shaped
portions 66 and 68. More specifically, a part of the free end of
each L-shaped portion 66 and 68 of spring contact member 22 is
disposed within a corresponding one of the recesses 92 and 94 such
that the L-shaped portions are guided by and move with the
actuator. In this regard, the actuator includes a finger-engaging
portion 96 on the top side of housing 88, the finger-engaging
portion being disposed outside of housing 18 and insert 30 through
slot 76. The finger engaging portion 96 is adapted to be engaged by
the finger of an operator for selectively rotating the actuator in
opposite directions whereby upon application of a force to the
actuator, the latter is pivotally moved. If this movement, is, for
example, forward movement (toward the left as viewed in FIG. 1),
the recess 92 formed in body portion 88 of the actuator will guide
the convex part 70 of L-shaped portion 66 into electrical
conducting engagement with contact 38 of circuit board 20. This in
turn may, for example, close an electrical circuit for switching
the power supply, thereby passing current to blade 12.
Simultaneously, energy will be stored in the coil 62 associated
with convex part 70 of L-shaped portion 66 and, upon removing the
force from the actuator, energy will be released from the coil
thereby causing the convex part 70 of the free end of L-shaped
portion 66 to move out of electrical conducting engagement with
contact 38, whereby the electrical circuit will be opened. The same
type of pivoting action results with respect to convex part 72 of
L-shaped portion 68 and contact 42, when force is applied to the
actuator in a rearward fashion. In this regard, it should be noted
that as each of the convex parts engages its respective contact,
it, in effect, wipes across the contact so as to provide a more
reliable engagement. This wiping action results, in part, from the
use of a recess having a greater width than the diameter of the
material used to form the free end of the L-shaped portion that is
disposed therein.
In FIG. 7 is shown an exploded perspective view of a different
embodiment of a switching device 100 constructed in accordance with
this invention. The switching device 100 comprises a base member
102, a spring contact member 104 which is identical in construction
to spring contact member 22, a switch actuator 106 which is similar
or identical to switch actuator 28, a cover member 108 which is
functionally similar to the arcuately shaped insert 30, and means
110 for attaching the switching unit to a surface of an item.
The base member 102 includes a plurality of spaced apart, generally
sligned electrical contacts 112, 114 and 116 which are
substantially similar to electrical contacts 38, 40 and 42. As
shown in FIG. 7, each electrical contact is connected by suitable
means to a corresponding one of a plurality of electrically
conductive leads.
The cover member 108 includes an annular recess in which is to be
disposed the base member 102. The cover member 108 is secured to
said base member 102 by the frictional interface developed between
abutting surface portions thereof. The right end of the base member
102 is foreshortened suitably to permit the electrical leads to
remain attached thereto when the cover member 108 is mounted
thereon. It will be appreciated, however, that the right end of the
cover member 108 may be suitably lengthened to accomodate the
location of the electrical leads as aforesaid. Although not shown,
it will be readily appreciated that any suitable strain relief
means may be employed to prevent separation of the electrical leads
from the base member 102 when same are objected to a tensile
force.
The attaching means 110 as shown comprises a flexible member having
opposite surfaces thereof coated with a pressure sentive material
118. Although other suitable attaching means may be employed, it
will be readily appreciated that through the use of the attaching
means 110 the switching device 100 may be readily installed or
removed from a predetermined location such as the surface of any
item. It will also be readily appreciated that the switching device
110 is not only compact in size but also quite inexpensive to
manufacture. Further, it will be understood that the switching
device 100 may be constructed with either two or three spaced apart
generally aligned electrical contacts. Additionally, the switch
actuator and the spring contact member may be appropriately
modified where only two electrical contacts are used.
From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that an
electrical switching device especially suitable for use as part of
an electro-surgical tool has been disclosed and that the device is
highly reliable, easily manipulated, economical to produce and
uncomplicated in design.
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the
exact embodiment of the device described and shown which is merely
by way of illustration and not limitation, as various other forms
and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For
example, it will be understood that the integrally formed,
elongated spring contact member may comprise an energy absorbing
means having a part thereof adapted to be disposed in electrical
conducting engagement with one electrical contact of an electrical
switching device and a generally L-shaped portion attached to said
energy absorbing means wherein said L-shaped portion has a free end
adapted to be disposed normally out of electrical conducting
cngagement with another electrical contact of an electrical
switching device.
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