Patent ID: 6380502
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A switch mechanism for a switch that provides a variable electrical resistance value when connected in circuit, with the switch mechanism being of having a switch lever that moves through an arcuate path from a first position where the electrical resistance value is at a maximum to a second position wherein the resistance value is at a minimum, the switch mechanism comprising:a housing comprising at least two housing sections that are attached to one another, said housing having a curved outer top portion with an elongated opening through which at least a portion of a switch lever is located and movable in an arcuate path within, said housing having an internal area adjacent said outer top portion with support surfaces that are supporting support plate, said housing having a pair of spaced apart opposed slots that are generally parallel to and located above said support plate and which can receive a slideable carrier plate therein, at least one of said slots having a plurality of detents on an edge away from said support plate; the support plate is attached to said support surfaces of said housing, said support plate having at least one elongated electrical resistance surface; a carrier plate slideably retained in said pair of opposed slots in said housing, said carrier plate having at least one resilient wiper arm on a side nearer said support plate and an edge contact on the opposite side, said at least one wiper arm being biased into contact with said support plate, said at least one wiper arm creating a force on said carrier plate urging the corner plate away from said support plate, said edge contact being in contact with said edge having said plurality of detents; the switch lever slideably retained in said housing and movable in the arcuate path adjacent said curved outer top portion, said lever having a lever portion extending through said elongated opening of said housing for manipulation by a user between the first and second positions, said lever contacting said carrier plate to move the corner plate responsive to user manipulation; whereby the interaction of edge contact of said carrier plate and said edge having said detents causes incremental physical resistance to movement by a user manipulating said switch lever.