FR2645340A1 - CONTROL MECHANISM FOR A CLOSING-OPENING SWITCH - Google Patents

Abstract

A control mechanism 10 for selectively moving an on-off switch 16 to move it to the on and off positions includes a switch 36 having first and second opposite ends 36a, 36b, simultaneously movable in opposite directions, means actuation 12 contiguous to the switch and selectively movable to contact the first end of the switch and urge it in a first direction towards the operating position, accompanied by movement of the second end of the switch in the opposite direction, and a biasing device 42 adjacent to and outside the switch to come into contact with the second end of the switch and maintain it normally in the rest position. The biasing device resists movement of the actuator means when it contacts the first end of the switch and moves it in the first direction to the operating position.

Description

The present invention relates to control mechanisms for

  closing-opening (on-off) switches and more particularly a control mechanism which ensures that an on-off switch will be kept in a non-operating position as soon as it has entered the open state. In particular, the present invention relates to a control mechanism which can be applied to an on-off switch which is used in connection with a pedal or hand actuation device used to interconnect a battery to a motor to provide energy, for example, to toys

  such as vehicles driven by children.

  In some models of child-powered, battery-powered vehicles, energy is transferred from the battery to a drive motor by means of an on-off switch that can be selectively controlled. Such switches may take the form of a rocker switch or the like, which is mounted in a housing, suitably disposed at a location adjacent to the floor of the vehicle. A pedal or the like can be placed above the toggle switch and has a protruding member thereon for contacting a first end of the switch when the pedal is depressed properly to drive this end down and cause contact to cause interconnection between the battery and the engine. The toggle switch is normally biased toward the open position by means of a return spring, and the pedal must be depressed with sufficient force to overcome the tension of the spring so as to cause the switch to assume its position of closing or running position. When the pedal is released, the return spring drives the switch in

  its open position, or stop position.

  Classic sets consisting of an on-off switch and a pedal having the

  previous description, raise a problem in this sense

  that the return springs may fail as a result of

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  repeating cycles. When the pedal is released so that it moves to its normal non-operating position, the toggle switch remains in the closed position. The result is a vehicle in which the battery remains interconnected with the drive motor, so that it continues to move. Such a "fleeing vehicle" creates a worrying and possibly dangerous situation for the child driving it. The

  The object of the present invention is to avoid this problem.

  While there are several devices in the prior art which exhibit various types of safety switches, most are relatively complex constructions using many moving parts and can be expensive. Devices giving a certain idea of the safety switches are described in the patents of the United States of America n 3 409 101, n 4 172 217, r.n 3 233 071, n 3 358 108, n 2 944 120 and n

2,917,122.

  In view of the problems set out above, the present invention has as its general object a control mechanism which can operate to selectively move an on-off switch to make it assume operating and rest positions by using an actuation means arranged at a location contiguous to the switch and capable of being selectively actuated to come into contact with a first end of the switch and to urge it in a first direction to an operating position, action accompanied by the movement of the second end of the switch from the opposite direction , o a biasing means is provided for coming into contact with the second end of the switch and keeping it normally in the rest position, the biasing means resisting elastically the movement of the actuating means when it is in contact with the first end - of the switch and moves it into the

  first direction to the operating position.

  Another subject of the present invention is a control mechanism, as described above, in which

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  the biasing means in the form of a leaf or clamp spring, having a first part fixed to the actuation means, another part being normally in contact with the second end of the switch. When the actuating means is brought to the open position, the end of the spring normally in contact with the second end of the switch continues to bias this end in the open position, which prevents the switch from being able to inadvertently stay in the closed position in case of breakage of the

spring.

  Another subject of the present invention is a control mechanism, as described above, in which the biasing means intended to come into contact with the second end of the switch comprises a second embodiment defined by a leaf spring which does not is not a U-shaped cross-section. Another subject of the present invention is a control mechanism, in another embodiment, in which the biasing means is defined by an elongated leaf-like spring which is formed in an arc , mounted on the actuating means, which is in contact with the switch and normally maintains it in a

non-operating position.

  The present invention will be well understood when

  of the following description made in conjunction with

  attached drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation, taken in cross section, of a control mechanism of the present invention, comprising an actuating means defined by a pedal, placed in the position "d 'stop' with respect to a stop switch, with the biasing means having the general shape of a U-shaped clamp spring; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, of the actuating means in its fully depressed position, from which it follows that the on-off switch is in the "off" position, and representing the means

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  bias which is in contact with the second end of the switch, which can bend to allow the switch to be placed in the "on" position; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2, of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a view, similar to the other views, of a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a view, similar to the other views, of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned at the beginning, the main object of the present invention is a control mechanism operable to selectively bring an on-off switch into the operating and rest positions, which comprises an actuating means and a biasing means in order to maintain normally the switch in the rest position, with the biasing means resiliently resisting the movement of the actuating means when it is in contact with the switch and when the latter moves to its operating position. As shown in Figure 1, a control mechanism according to the present invention, is shown in broad outline by the reference 10. The control mechanism is shown in a side elevation, and is also illustrated in section with an actuating means , such as a pedal, shown at 12, which is pivotally mounted on a base plate 14, which is mounted on the floor of a vehicle driven by a child, for example. An on-off switch such as a rocker switch is shown as a whole at 16 and is mounted in an opening in the base plate. The pedal 12 has a hook element 18 which can be inserted into an opening 20 made in the base plate 14 to allow the pedal to pivot relative to the latter in order to actuate the switch 16

264534O

  in a way that we will describe. Near the front of the pedal 12 and extending downward therefrom, an internally threaded sleeve 22 is mounted so as to receive a screw 24 which is inserted into an opening 26 formed in the base plate . The screw 24 constitutes a means for limiting the extent of the pivoting of the pedal in the clockwise direction seen in FIG. 1. The pedal 12 has an element or abutment means 28 which extends downwards to . come in contact with the

  switch 16 as will be described below.

  The switch 16 has a conventional construction and has a housing 30 having sides 32, 34 resembling springs which allow the housing to be snapped into place on the base plate 14. Inside the housing 30 is mounted a switch rocker 36 having a first end 36a and a second end 36b. The rocker switch is mounted in the assembly by means of a small spiral spring 38 placed on a rocker arm 40 which is a conductor having contacts 40a, 40b and 40c. These contacts are connected to contacts 41a, 41b, 41c depending on the switch 36. A return spring is shown at 41, and normally biases the pedal 12 clockwise to the so-called "d" position. stop". The pedal, which is shown in section, may have a length of the order of 5 to 7 cm and a width of 2 to 5 cm, as is conventional. All that has just been described is conventional, and we will now be interested in the solicitation means of the present invention which we represent in broad outline.

in 42.

  The biasing means, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, is a flexible element such as a clamp spring having the general shape of a U, which has a first part 42a which ends in the middle of a curved part 42b by a part 42c. The biasing means is disposed at a location adjacent to the on-off switch while being external thereto. At the end of part 42c, we have

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  provided with a cambered or offset end 42d which ensures continuous engagement with the second end 36b of the switch 36. The biasing means is fixed to the pedal 12, by means of a clip 13, and subjected to a tension suitable for being in contact with the second end 36b and maintain it normally in its rest position. However, the biasing means is also designed to resist elastically the movement of the pedal 12, and to store the tension of the spring, when the abutment means 28 is in contact with the first end 36a and moves it in the first direction, c that is, towards the operating position. The spring can have a width of about 25 mm and a length of 57 mm. A suitable material for the spring (as well as for the other embodiments) can be steel

  stainless stress reliever or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pedal 12 has been fully depressed and as the first and second ends of the rocker switch 36 move simultaneously in opposite directions, the contact 40c of the rocker arm 40 is now in contact with the contact 41c. The main reason for the presence of the biasing means 42 is as follows. The return spring 41, having small dimensions, can rupture after repeated cycles, which results in a "leaky" vehicle even when there is no longer any pressure on the pedal 12 because there is no force to return the switch 36 to the rest position. However, the biasing means 42 will drive the second end 36b of the switch to the rest position in the event of failure.

return spring 41.

  As shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that, when the pedal 12 is depressed, so that the rocker switch is in the operating position, the biasing means 42 deflects so

  that the part 42c is moved towards the part 42a, that is to say

  to say that it resists elastically to the movement of the pedal. As the biasing means 42 has an offset end 42d, this part maintains its grip on the second end 36b of the switch. Then, when the pressure exerted by the foot on the pedal 12 is released, the biasing means 42, having stored the spring tension, biases the second end 36b downwards and brings it back to the position shown in FIG. 1. Thus , it can be noted that if there is a failure of the return spring 41, it is impossible for the vehicle, or some other device with which the switch 16 operates, to continue its operation in the operating position. The biasing means 42 effectively provides safety priority for the on-off switch, which is normally biased in the rest position. The biasing means also brings the pedal 12 into the rest position. As soon as the pedal 12 is released, the switch 36 will be driven into its rest position because of the biasing means 42. Figures 3-5 show alternative embodiments of the present invention. For example, FIG. 3 represents a second embodiment, in which a clamp spring 44 or a spring resembling a blade is mounted on the plate 14 and has a part 44a disposed below this plate. It will be noted that the base plate 14 has an opening 15 to - allow the reception of a part 44b of the biasing means, which ends in an overlapping, substantially rectilinear part 44c. The part 44c ends at a curved or offset end 44d which grips the second end of the rocker switch. The biasing means 44 again consists of a spring clip, the difference being that it is not mounted on the pedal 12 as in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, the means of stress 44 will return the pedal 12 to its rest position, when the pedal is not subjected to a depressing force directed downward, because the first end of the switch is in contact with the abutment means 28 to stress the pedal 12 up thanks to the elastic action of the biasing means 44. Figures 4 and 5 show additional embodiments. Figure 4 or third embodiment of the present invention provides that a biasing means 46 is dimensioned so as to extend with an elongated arm 46a from the underside of the pedal 12. An arched or offset end 46b also provides a suitable grip of the second end of the rocker switch. Thus, the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is a clamp spring which extends substantially directly from the pedal to come

in contact with the switch.

  Finally, the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, provides for the use of a biasing means produced in the form of a flexible spring element, generally in the shape of an arc, having as reference 48 which has a arc part in continuous contact with the second end of the switch. This spring has a front part 48a mounted near the abutment means 28 and an elongated middle part 48b in the form of an elongated arc which is in contact with the switch. One end 48c of the biasing means is fixed to one end of the

  pedal 12 as shown.

  The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, it is on the contrary liable to limitations and variants

  which will appear to those skilled in the art.

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Claims (9)

  1 - Control mechanism (10), capable of operating to selectively bring an on-off switch (16) into the operating and rest positions, characterized in that it comprises: - an on-off switch (16) having first and second opposite ends (36a, 36b), movable simultaneously in opposite directions, an actuating means (12) disposed at a place contiguous to the switch, selectively movable to come into contact with the first end of the switch and to urge it in a first direction to an operating position, action accompanied by movement of the second end of the switch in the opposite direction, and - biasing means (42; 44; 46; 48) disposed at a location adjacent to the switch and outside thereof to come into contact with the second end (36b) of the switch and to maintain it normally in the rest position, the biasing means resisting elastically to the movement of the actuating means when it is in contact with the first end (36a) of the switch and moves it in the first direction to the position of operation.   2 - Control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the biasing means is defined by a flexible element fixed to the actuating means and extending towards the switch On Off.   3 - Control mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the biasing means is a clamp spring having the general shape of a U, comprising a part which is continuously in contact with the second end of the switch. 4 - Control mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the part of the spring 2645340   in clamp in contact with the second end of the switch is offset from its contiguous part in order to ensure continuous contact with the second end. 5 - Control mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamp spring stores the spring tension when the actuating means moves the first end of the switch   to bring it into the operating position.   6 - Control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the biasing means is mounted on a base plate (14) which supports switch.   7 - Control mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that the biasing means is defined by a flexible clamp spring, having the general shape of a U. 8 - control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the biasing means is defined by a flexible spring element (48), having the general shape of an arc, mounted on the actuating means and arranged so to have an arcuate part which is continuously in contact   with the second end of the switch.   9 - Control mechanism capable of operating to selectively bring an on-off switch (16) into the operating and rest positions, characterized in that it comprises: - an on-off toggle switch (36), having first and second opposite ends (36a, 36b) which are movable in opposite directions around a common axis, - an actuating means (12) disposed near the switch, selectively movable to come into contact with the first end of the switch and urging it in a first direction to an operating position, action accompanied by the movement of the second end of the switch in the opposite direction; and - a biasing means (42; 44; 46; 48) disposed at a place contiguous to the switch and outside of it to come into contact with the second end of the switch and to maintain it normally in the rest position , the biasing means resiliently resisting the displacement of the actuating means when it comes into contact with the first end of the switch and drives it in the   first direction to the operating position.