Patent ID: 6534733
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
A vehicle steering column stalk switch, comprising:a housing mountable on a steering column; a lever pivotal to the housing for pivotal movement about at least one axis between a center lever position and at least one other lever position; a carrier mounted in the housing and responsive to movement of the lever; a detent surface formed in one of the housing and the carrier, the detent surface including at least one detent, each detent associated with a respective other lever position; conductive elements mounted in the housing and connectable to vehicle device operating circuits; at least one contactor mounted on the carrier and selectively engaging at least one of the conductive elements upon movement of the carrier between the center lever position and the at least one other lever position; means for latching the carrier and the lever in the at least one other lever position, the latching means mounted on the carrier and engageable with the detent surface; a cancel pawl extending from the housing and engageable with a rotatable member on the steering column; and means for returning the carrier to the center lever position from engagement in the at least one other lever position upon pivotal movement of the cancel pawl, the returning means biasingly mounted to permit sliding movement between the cancel pawl and the returning means when the lever holds the carrier in the at least one other lever position.