Patent ID: 6781070
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A rotary indexing switch assembly, comprising:a base having a series of radially spaced stationary contact areas; a rotary contact arrangement mounted for rotary movement relative to the base, wherein the rotary contact arrangement includes at least one rotary contact area, wherein the rotary contact arrangement is movable to a plurality of contact positions in which the rotary contact area of the rotary contact arrangement engages at least one of the stationary contact areas of the base; wherein the base includes a series of radially spaced passages, and wherein the stationary contact areas are defined by a plurality of contact members, wherein each of the contact members is received within one of the passages in the base subsequent to manufacture of the base, wherein the contact members are positioned within selected ones of the passages according to a desired operating configuration of the switch assembly; a combination lift and detent arrangement formed integrally with the base and the rotary contact arrangement for lifting the rotary contact area of the rotary contact arrangement away from the stationary contact areas of the base upon rotation of the rotary contact arrangement between the stationary contact areas, and for releasably maintaining the rotary contact arrangement in a selected one of the contact positions; a center contact engaged with the base and defining a stationary center contact area, wherein the rotary contact arrangement includes a rotary inner contact area engageable with the stationary center contact area upon rotation of the rotary contact arrangement, wherein the center contact and the base include cooperating engagement structure for engaging the center contact with the base subsequent to manufacture of the base; wherein the rotary contact arrangement includes an actuator shaft rotatably mounted to the base, wherein the actuator shaft includes a forward section located forwardly of the base and a rearward section located rearwardly of the base, wherein the forward section of the actuator shaft mounts an actuator handle which is manually engageable by a user for imparting rotation to the rotary contact arrangement; wherein at least a second rotary indexing switch assembly is mounted rearwardly of the base, wherein the first and second rotary indexing switch assemblies include respective first and second actuator shafts, wherein the forward section of the second actuator shaft and the rearward section of the first actuator shaft include mating engagement structure for imparting rotation to the second actuator shaft upon rotation of the first actuator shaft; a conical spring interposed between the actuator shaft and the rotary contact arrangement for biasing the rotary contact areas toward the radially spaced stationary contact areas of the base; an enclosure wall formed integrally with the base, wherein the radially spaced stationary contact areas are located in a contact surface defined by the base, and wherein the enclosure wall and the contact surface cooperate to define an internal cavity within the stationary contact areas and the rotary contact area are located.