GB2229860A

GB2229860A - Control mechanism for an on-off switch

Info

Publication number: GB2229860A
Application number: GB9002278A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy S Harris
Original assignee: Kransco
Current assignee: Kransco
Priority date: 1989-03-31
Filing date: 1990-02-01
Publication date: 1990-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-01
Also published as: IT9067241A0; AU5246090A; DE4005059C2; GB2229860B; DK80490A; FR2645340A1; DE4005059A1; FR2645340B1; NO900020L; JPH0795409B2; DK80490D0; IT1240162B; JPH03196422A; KR900015202A; CA2009059A1; GB9002278D0; CA2009059C; NL9000157A; FI901364A0; IT9067241A1

Description

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR AN ON-OFF SWITCH

The present invention relates to a control mechanism for an on-off switch and concerns a control mechanism which ensures that an on-off switch will be maintained in a nonoperative position once it has been switched off. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a control mechanism having applicability to an onoff switch which is used in connection with a foot pedal or hand actuating device used to interconnect a battery with a motor to provide power, as for example, on toys such as children's ride-on vehicles.

In some models of children's battery-powered ride-on vehicles, power is transmitted from the battery to a driving motor by means of a selectively actuable on-off switch. Such switches may take the form of a rocker switch or the like which is mounted in a housing, appropriately disposed adjacent the floorboard of the vehicle. A foot pedal or the like is positionable above the rocker switch and includes an element projecting therefrom for engaging a first end of the rocker switch, when the foot pedal is suitably depressed, to urge that end downwardly so a contact interconnects the battery with the motor. The rocker switch is normally biased to an off position by means of a return spring, and the foot pedal must be depressed with sufficient force to overcome the tension of the return spring so that the rocker switch may be moved to the on or operative position. When the foot pedal is released, the return spring moves the rocker switch into the off position.

A problem resides in conventional foot pedal/on-off switch constructions as above described because return springs may break after being cycled repeated times. When the foot pedal is released, so that it moves to the normally non-operative position, the rocker switch remains in the on position. The result is a vehicle in which the battery remains interconnected with the driving motor so that the vehicle continues to travel. Such a wrun-away vehicle" is a frightening as well as potentially very dangerous situation to a child rider. The present invention seeks to avoid that problem.

While there are several devices in the prior art which show various types of safety switches, most are relatively complex constructions utilizing many movable parts and may be expensive. Indicative of some ideas for safety switches are the devices shown in Williams (3,409,101) which relates to motor vehicles; Miller (4,172,217); Buzzell (3,233,071); Hansen (3,358,108); Ruben (2,944,120); and Quisenberry (2,917,122).

The present invention provides a control mechanism operable for selectively moving an on-off switch into -t 3 - operative and non-operative positions comprising an on-off switch having opposed, first and second ends simultaneously movable in opposite directions; actuating means disposed adjacent the on-off switch selectively movable for engaging the first end of the on-off switch and urging it in a first direction to an operative position accompanied by movement of the second end of the on-off switch in the opposite direction; and biasing means disposed adjacent the on-off switch and externally thereof for engaging the second end of the on-off switch and normally maintaining it in the nonoperative position, the biasing means yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means when it engages the first end of the on-off switch and moves it in the first direction toward the operative position.

The biasing means may be configured as a leaf or clip spring, having a first portion thereof affixed to the actuating means with another portion normally engaging the switch's second end. When the actuating means is moved to the off position, the end of the clip spring normally engaging the second end of the switch continues to bias that end into the off position, thereby preventing the switch from being inadvertently permitted to remain in the on position should the return spring break.

Alternatively, the biasing means for engaging the second end of the switch may include a leaf-spring which is not U-shaped in cross section.

Again, the biasing means may be defined by an elongate leaf-like spring which is formed as a bow, mounted to the actuating means, which engages the switch and maintains it normally in a non-operative osition.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, taken in cross section, showing a control mechanism of the present invention including an actuating means, _defined by a foot pedal, positioned in the "off" position relative to an on-off switch, with the biasing means being formed generally as a Ushaped clip spring; FIG. 2 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating the actuating means in its fully depressed position, whereby the on-off switch is positioned in the "on" position and showing the biasing means which engages the switch's second end being yieldable for enabling the switch to be positioned in the on position; - FIG. 30 is a view, similar to Figs. 1 and 2, of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a view, similar to the other views, of a third embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a view, similar to the other views, of a Q fourth embodiment of the present invention.

With reference now to the accompanying drawings and first to Figs. 1 and 2, a control mechanism 10 includes actuating means, such as a foot pedal, generally indicated at 12 pivotally mounted to a base plate generally indicated at 14, which in turn is suitably mounted to the floorboard or the like of a children's ride-on vehicle, for example.

An on-off switch such as an on-off rocker switch assembly is generally indicated at 16 and is mounted within an aperture suitably provided in the base plate. Pedal 12 is provided with a hook member 18 which is insertable through aperture 20 provided in base plate 14 to enable the pedal to be pivoted relative thereto to actuate on-off switch 16 in a manner to be described. Mounted near the front of pedal 12 and extending downwardly therefrom is an internally threaded sleeve 22 for threadably receiving a screw 24 which is inserted through an aperture 26 provided in the base plate. Screw 24 provides a limit means for 1 11Miting the extent to which the pedal can be pivoted in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 1. Pedal 12 is provided with an element or abutment means 28 which extends downwardly thdrefrom for engac.--i-ng on-off switch 16 in a manner to be described.

On-off switch 16 is of conventional construction, and includes a housing 30 provided with spring-like sides 32, 34 which enable the housing to be snapped into positioniDn base i 1 plate 14. Mounted within housing 30 is a rocker switch 36 having a first end 36a and a second 36b. The rocker switch is mounted in the assembly by means of a small coil spring 38 mounted in turn onto a rocker arm 40 which is a conductor having contacts 40a, 40b and 40c. Those contacts interconnect with contacts 41a, 41b and 41c, depending on the position of rocker switch 36. A return spring is shown at 41, and normally urges pedal 12 in a clockwise direction to the so-called "off" position. The pedal, which is shown in cross section, may have a length in the range of 2-3 inches and a width of 1-2 inches, as is typical.

Biasing means 42 is provided in the form of a flexible member such as a generally U-shaped clip spring which includes a first portion 42a which transitions by means of curved portion 42b into portion 42c. The biasing means is disposed adjacent the on-off switch and externally thereof. At the end of portion 42c. there is provided a bent or offset end 42d which ensures continuous engagement with second end 36b of rocker switch 36. The biasing means is suitably secured to pedal 12, by means of a fastener 13, and is provided with adequate spring tension so that it engages second end 36b and normally maintains it in the non-operative position. The biasing means, however, also is designed for yieldably resisting movement of pedal 12, and storing up spring tension, when abutment means 28 engages first end 36a and moves it in a first direction toward the operative position. The clip spring may be dimensioned approximately 1 inch in width and 2k inches in length. Suitable material for the spring (and in the other embodiments as well) may include stress-relieved stainless steel or the like.

As shown in Fig. 2, pedal 12 has been fully depressed, and because the first and second ends of rocker switch 36 are movable simultaneously in opposite directions, contact 40c of rocker arm 40 now engages contact 41c. The principal reason for provision of biasing means 42 is as follows. Return spring 41, being of very small size, can break after repeated cycling, resulting in a run-away vehicle even when pressure is removed from foot pedal 12 becanse there is no force to return rocker switch 36 to an inoperative position. However, biasing means 42 will urge second end 36b of the rocker switch toward the non-operative position if return spring 41 should fail.

As shown in Fig. 2, it can be seen that when pedal 12 is depressed so that the rocker switch is in the operative position, biasing means 42 is deflected so that portion 42c is displaced toward portion 42a, i.e. it yieldably resists movement of the pedal. Because biasing means 42 is provided with offset end 42d, that portion maintains its grip on second end 36b of the rocker switch. Then, when foot pressure is removed from foot pedal 12, biasing means 42, 1 8 - having stored up spring tension, urges second end 36b downwardly and returns it to the position shown in Fig. Thus, it can be appreciated that if return spring 41 fails, it is impossible for the vehicle, or whatever device switch 16 operates, to continue to run in the operative position. Biasing means 42 efficiently provides a safety override for the on-off switch, which is normally biased into a nonoperative position. The biasing means also urges pedal 12 into a non-operative position. Once pedal 12 is released, on-off switch 36 will be biased into its non- operative position because of biasing means 42.

Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment in which a leaf-like or clip spring 44 is mounted to foot plate 14 and includes a portion 44a disposed on the underneath side of the foot plate. It will be noted that base plate 14 is provided with an aperture 15 to allow reception therethrough of portion 44b of the biasing means which transitions into a substantially straight overlapping portion 44c. Portion 44c transitions into bent or offset end 44d which ensures gripping onto the second end of the rocker switch. Biasing means 44 is again constructed as clip spring, with the difference being that it is not mounted on pedal 12 as in the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. However, biasing means 44 still returns pedal 12 to its non-operative position, when a downwardly depressing force is not applied to the foot pedal, because 9 i the first end of the rocker switch engages against abutment means 28 to urge pedal 12 upwardly by virtue of the spring action of biasing means 44.

Fig. 4 contemplates that a biasing means 46 is dimensioned to extend with an elongate arm 46a from the underneath side of pedal 12 as shown. A bent or offset end 46b also ensures adequate gripping of the second end of the rocker switch. Thus, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 is a clip spring which extends substantially directly from the pedal for engaging the rocker switch.

Fig. 5 contemplates the use of a biasing means formed as a flexible, generally bow-shaped spring member indicated at 48 which has an arcuate portion of the bow continuously engaging the second end of the rocker switch. The bow spring includes a forward portion 48a mounted adjacent abutment means 28 and an elongate mid portion 48b, formed as an elongate arc, wJiich engages the rocker switch. An end portion 48c of the biasing means is secured to an end of pedal 12 as shown.

Claims

CLAIMS:

z 1. A control mechanism operable for selectively moving an on-off switch into operative and non-operative positions comprising:

an on-off switch having opposed, first and second ends simultaneously movable in opposite directions; actuating means disposed adjacent the onoff switch selectively movable for engaging the first end of the on-off switch and urging it in a first direction to an operative position accompanied by movd-ment of the second end of the onoff switch in the opposite direction; and biasing means disposed adjacent the on-off switch and externally thereof for engaging the second end of the on-off switch and normally maintaining it in the nonoperative position, the biasing means yieldably resisting movement of the actuating means when it engages the first end of the on-off switch and moves it in the first direction toward the operative position.
2. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the biasing means is defined by a flexible member secured to the actuating means and extending toward the on-off switch..
3. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein the biasing means is a generally U-shaped clip spring formed with a portion which continuously engages the second end of the on-off switch.
4. A control mechanism as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the portion of the clip spring engaging the second end of the on-off switch is offset from its adjacent portion to ensure continuous engagement with the second end.
5. A control mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the clip spring stores up spring tension when the actuating means moves.the first end of the on-off switch into the operative position.
6. A control mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the biasing means is mounted on a base plate which supports the on-off switch.
7. A control mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the biasing means is defined by a flexible, generally U-shaped clip spring.
8. A control mechanism as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 or claim 5 when dependent upon any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the biasing means is defined by a flexible, generally bow-shaped spring member mounted on the actuating means and disposed for having an arcuate portion thereof continuously engaging the second end of the on-off switch.
9. A control mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said onoff switch is an on-off rocker switch assembly, said opposed, first and second ends of said switch being simultaneously movable in opposite directions about a common axis.
10. A control mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim for use in controlling a child's electrically powered vehicle, said actuating'means comprising a foot pedal.
11. A control mechanism substantially as any one of the specific embodiments hereinbefore described in detail with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.
12. A child's electrically powered ride-on vehicle comprising a control mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, said switch controlling the supply of electrical power to drive the vehicle.

Published 199Ow. The Patent Office. State House. 6671 HIghHolborn. liondonWC1R4TP- Further copies may be obtained from ThCP&tent Office Sales Brarich. St. M.L7 CPay. Orpingtor.. Kent BRS 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mazy Cray, Kent. Con. 1'87