Patent ID: 6184776
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: H01C,Y02T

Abstract:
Apparatus for actuating an electrical switch and providing a variable electrical resistance useable to control electrical power, comprising:a housing;an electrical switch disposed within said housing and having OPEN and CLOSED states;an actuator, comprising a body member, and a cylindrical sleeve member defining a pivot axis within said housing, such that said body member of said actuator is pivotally mounted with respect to said housing and about said axis of said cylindrical sleeve member;spring means for biasing said actuator toward an initial position at which said body member of said actuator engages said electrical switch so as to dispose said electrical switch in said OPEN state, and for permitting pivotal movement of said body member away from said electrical switch and against the biasing force of said spring means in response to movement of said actuator by a movable member so as to permit said body member of said actuator to be disengaged from said electrical switch whereby said electrical switch can change states from said OPEN state to said CLOSED state;a variable electrical resistor disposed within said housing;an electrically conductive wiper mounted upon said body member of said actuator and disposed in contact with said variable electrical resistor disposed within said housing such that when said body member of said actuator is pivoted away from said electrical switch and against said biasing force of said spring means, variable electrical resistance is developed as a function of the disposition of said electrically conductive wiper along said variable electrical resistor; andmeans movably mounted upon one of said body member of said actuator and said electrical switch for permitting said body member of said actuator to move a predetermined distance away from said electrical switch, and against said biasing force of said spring means, prior to said body member of said actuator being operatively disengaged from said electrical switch so as to retain said electrical switch in said OPEN state until said body member of said actuator has been moved said predetermined distance away from said electrical switch, and for permitting said electrical switch to change states from said OPEN state to said CLOSED state, and thereby provide said variable electrical resistance, only after said body member of said actuator has been moved said predetermined distance away from said electrical switch.