A bi-directional or reversible multi-notch positioning device for use in an environment requiring clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, including tactile and audible feedback to facilitate position changes in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. In one use of the present invention, the bi-directional multi-notch positioning device can be used as a three-way switch on a lamp socket for use with a three-way light bulb. The bi-directional three-way switch used in conjunction with a light socket allows either increasing or decreasing illumination by rotating a turnkey in either clockwise or counterclockwise directions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to multi-position positioning devices. In 
particular, the present invention relates to multi-position switches for 
use on three-way electric lamp fixtures to control the illumination of 
three-way light bulbs or for use in any other electrical or mechanical 
system utilizing rotating multi-position positioning devices. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Three-way incandescent light bulbs having two filaments which can be 
separately or simultaneously energized can be used in conjunction with 
appropriate sockets and switches to form a three-way lighting system 
providing multiple illumination levels. Illumination of the light bulb is 
controlled by moving a turnkey or similar control of the three-way switch 
into different locations. Sockets and switches used with three-way light 
bulbs provide an electrical mechanical system for energizing one filament 
with a turn of the turnkey, then the other filament with a second turn of 
the turnkey, and then both filaments with a third turn of the turnkey. 
A three-way light bulb is commonly employed in a three-way socket with the 
off, low, medium, and high illumination levels effectively controlled by a 
three-way switch. However, control of the illumination levels is unduly 
limited because the turnkey controlling filament energization may be 
turned in only one direction. The light bulb illumination controlled by 
such a switch can be changed only in a fixed sequence, commonly from off 
to low to medium to high and back to off again, by rotating the turnkey 
clockwise. 
The restriction of rotation of the turnkey in only one direction creates 
inconvenience in operation of the switch and excess wear of the switch 
internal parts. For example, a three-way lighting fixture that needs to be 
turned from off to its highest illumination level and then sometime later 
turned off must first have its turnkey turned clockwise three positions to 
the high illumination level and then later turned one more position to 
off. Turning the turnkey three positions from off to high requires greater 
dexterity and concentration and creates greater wear to the switch than if 
the switch had only to be moved one position from off to high. Similarly, 
a light that is used in an area only requiring low level illumination 
requires first turning the turnkey one position to the low illumination 
level and then sometime later turning three more positions to off. In this 
situation, turning the turnkey three position from low to off requires 
greater dexterity and concentration and creates greater wear to the switch 
than if the switch had only to be moved one position from low to off. 
Leuiton.RTM. Manufacturing Company, Incorporated manufactures a turn knob, 
three-way electrolier for use with two filament light bulbs in a sequence 
of low-medium-high-off which may be used as the starting point for 
understanding the present invention. 
One known improved method of operating existing three-way lighting fixtures 
is to add a two position on/off switch in series with the one-directional 
three-way light switch. This additional switch is typically wired into the 
lighting fixture's power cord between the wall plug and the three-way 
switch. This allows the three-way switch to be permanently left in either 
the low, medium, or high position and the lamp turned on and off by the 
two-position on/off switch. This solution is not advantageous because it 
adds the expense of an additional switch and may cause confusion due to 
the existence of two similarly arranged switches which can control the 
lamp. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally provides a bi-directional positioning 
device that controls changes within a system by rotating a turnkey in 
either clockwise or counterclockwise directions. 
The present invention provides a bi-directional positioning device that 
controls a plurality of conditions within a system when turned in one 
direction and a plurality of similar or different conditions within the 
system when turned in the opposite direction and simultaneously providing 
the operator with tactile and audible feedback to facilitate turning the 
turnkey between positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the present 
invention, a bi-directional multi-position positioning device, utilized in 
a lamp socket and switch 130. Although the embodiments of the present 
invention described herein are disclosed as used with a lamp socket, it is 
to be understood that a bi-directional multi-position positioning device 
may be embodied in a number of different mechanisms utilizing rotating 
components which may be rotated manually by hand or by motors or 
solenoids. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details 
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but rather as a 
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the 
present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system. 
FIG. 1 shows a lamp socket and switch 130 having an outer housing comprised 
of a socket shell 120, an insulator liner 122, a socket cap 20, and flat 
washer insulator 21. A turnkey 91 and turnkey shaft 90 extend through 
keyway 121 in the socket shell 120 and an aperture 35 in base 30 to the 
interior of the outer housing. As described in detail hereafter, manual 
rotation of the turnkey 91 provides four different operating conditions of 
the lamp socket and switch corresponding to off, low, medium, and high 
illumination levels of the socketed three-way light bulb. The operating 
conditions may be selected in various sequences depending on direction of 
rotation of the turnkey 91. The screw shell 110 is comprised of a 
conductive metal and includes appropriate threading to releasably retain 
the three-way light bulb (not shown) therein. Below the screw shell 110, 
housed by the socket cap 20, positioned inside and integrated with a base 
30, is a concentric-ring bi-directional multi-position positioning device. 
As shown in FIG. 2, the concentric-ring bi-directional multi-position 
positioning device includes an inner positioning ring 70, outer 
positioning ring 80, base 30 and cap 40. 
FIG. 2 also shows positioning of the outer positioning ring 80, the inner 
positioning ring 70, the ratchet stops 41 and 42 formed by the cap 40, and 
the ratchet stops 32 and 33 formed by the base 30. The concentric-ring 
bi-directional multi-position switch also includes a turnkey 91 and the 
turnkey shaft 90 (shown in FIG.1). 
As shown in FIG. 3, the outer positioning ring 80 has a plurality of 
ratchet teeth 81a-81d extending radially outward from an outer peripheral 
surface 82 and a plurality of ratchet stops 83a-83d extending radially 
inward from an inner peripheral surface 84. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the inner positioning ring 70 which is supported within 
the outer positioning ring 80 has a plurality of ratchet teeth 72a-72d 
extending radially outward from its outer peripheral surface 73 and an 
orifice 71 extending therethrough. Orifice 71 provides for directional 
control of the rotational movement of the concentric-ring bi-directional 
multi-position positioning device through engagement of a turnkey shaft 
90. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the turnkey 91 is fixed to one end of turnkey shaft 90 
such that rotation of turnkey 91 in either the clockwise or 
counterclockwise direction causes rotation of turnkey shaft 90 in the same 
direction as the turnkey 91. Turnkey shaft 90 also fittingly extends 
through an orifice 62 within a disk shaped slip ring insulator 60 with the 
orifice 62 being substantially the same size as that of orifice 71 
extending through the inner positioning ring 70. 
The slip ring insulator 60 is formed of a dielectric material and has a 
slip ring conductor 61 comprised of an electrically conductive material 
formed about the slip ring insulator 60 periphery. The slip ring conductor 
61 covers and conforms to about three-fourths of the slip ring insulator 
60 periphery. The slip ring insulator 60 is positioned in slip ring cavity 
37 of base 30. 
The main contact terminal 50 is retained by base 30 by means of recess 31 
in base 30. The main contact terminal 50 has a main brush 52 for 
establishing contact between main contact terminal 50 and slip ring 
conductor 61 or the slip ring insulator 60 depending on the slip ring 
insulator 60 position. Main contact terminal 50 and main brush 52 are 
formed of an electrically conductive material. The main brush 52 remains 
flexibly engaged with the slip ring conductor 61 to maintain electrical 
contact between the main contact terminal 50 and the slip ring conductor 
61 when the slip ring insulator 60 is positioned to place the slip ring 
conductor 61 in radial alignment with the main brush 52. 
The central contact terminal 105 has a first and second portion with the 
first portion attached to a central brush 103. The central brush 103 is 
positioned and biased such that it is in contact with the slip ring 
conductor 61 or the slip ring insulator 60 depending on the slip ring 
insulator 60 position. The central brush 103 is ninety degrees away from 
the main brush 52 attached to main contact terminal 50, about the axis of 
rotation of the slip ring insulator 60. The central contact terminal 105 
and central brush 103 are comprised of a conductive material and the 
central brush 103 remains flexibly engaged with the slip ring conductor 61 
to maintain electrical contact between the central contact terminal 105 
and the slip ring conductor 61 when the slip ring insulator 60 is 
positioned to place the slip ring conductor 61 in radial alignment with 
the central brush 103. The central contact terminal 105 has a second 
portion that extends through the first orifice 102 in insulator 100 and 
through the orifice 111 into the screw shell 110 to contact the center 
terminal of a standard three-way bulb (not shown). 
An outer contact terminal 57 is retained by base 30 by means of recess 36 
in base 30, and like the main contact terminal 50 and central contact 
terminal 105 is comprised of a conductive material. The outer contact 
terminal 57 is attached to an outer brush 58 that is biased into contact 
with the slip ring conductor 61 or slip ring insulator 60 depending on the 
slip ring insulator 60 position. The outer brush 58 remains flexibly 
engaged with the slip ring conductor 61 to maintain electrical contact 
between the outer contact terminal 57 and the slip ring conductor 61 when 
the slip ring insulator 60 is positioned to place the slip ring conductor 
61 in radial alignment with the outer brush 58. The outer brush 58 of the 
outer contact terminal 57 is located ninety degrees away from the central 
brush 103 of the central contact terminal 105, about the axis of rotation 
of the slip ring insulator 60. In a manner similar to the central contact 
terminal 105, the outer contact terminal 57 extends upwardly and through a 
second orifice 104 of the insulator 100 and through the orifice 111 into 
the screw shell 110 to contact the annular ring terminal of a standard 
three-way bulb (not shown). 
A neutral contact terminal 55 is fixed to base 30, insulator 100, and screw 
shell 110 by rivet 56. The screw shell 110 and insulator 100 is 
additionally fixed to base 30 by rivet 101. In operation, an appropriate 
set of electrical wires are introduced through orifice 22 of socket cap 20 
and the hot wire (not shown) connected to the main contact terminal So 
secured by screw 51 and the neutral wire (not shown) connected to the 
neutral contact terminal 55 secured by screw 54. The base 30 and cap 40 
are comprised of an insulating phenolic or other suitable material. 
The operation of the concentric-ring bi-directional multi-position 
positioning device may be readily envisioned from consideration of its 
operation in this embodiment where the positioning device is engaged by 
the turning of turnkey 91 to each of four positions as shown in FIGS. 5a, 
5b, 5c, and 5d. 
FIG. 5a shows the position of the slip ring insulator 60 and slip ring 
conductor 61 operated by turnkey 91 in the off position since the slip 
ring conductor 61 is not in contact with the main brush 52 and no circuit 
is formed and the bulb screwed into the screw shell 110 will not be 
illuminated. This is defined as the first position or "off" operating 
condition. 
Rotation of the turnkey 91 clockwise one position as evidenced by audible 
and tactile feedback causes a ninety degree rotation as shown in FIG. 5b, 
bringing the slip ring insulator 60 and slip ring conductor 61 to the 
position shown. In this position the slip ring conductor 61 extends 
between the main brush 52 and the outer brush 58. The central brush 103 is 
in contact with the slip ring insulator 60. In this second position, main 
contact terminal 50, main brush 52, slip ring conductor 61, outer brush 
58, and outer contact terminal 57 form a circuit through the low intensity 
filament of a three-way light bulb, placing such light bulb in the "low" 
operating condition. 
Rotation of the turnkey 91 clockwise an additional position as evidenced by 
audible and tactile feedback causes another ninety degree rotation, as 
shown in FIG. 5c, bringing the slip ring insulator 60 and slip ring 
conductor 61 to a third position. In this position the slip ring conductor 
61 extends between the main brush 52 and the central brush 103. The outer 
brush 58 is in contact with the slip ring insulator 60. In this third 
position, main contact terminal 50, main brush 52, slip ring conductor 61, 
central brush 103, and central contact terminal 105 will form a circuit 
through the high intensity filament of the three-way light bulb, placing 
the light bulb in the "medium" operating condition. 
A final rotation of turnkey 91 in a clockwise direction as evidenced by 
audible and tactile feedback brings the slip ring insulator 60 to a fourth 
position shown in FIG. 5d. In this position the slip ring conductor 61 
extends between the main brush 52, central brush 103, and outer brush 58. 
In this fourth position, main contact terminal 50, main brush 52, slip 
ring conductor 61, outer brush 58, and outer contact terminal 57 form a 
circuit through the low intensity filament and main contact terminal 50, 
main brush 52, slip ring conductor 61, central brush 103, and central 
contact terminal 105 form a circuit through the high intensity filament of 
the three-way light bulb, placing such light bulb in the "high" operating 
condition. 
The rotation of turnkey 91 can occur in either clockwise or 
counterclockwise direction and can be reversed at will as a result of the 
concentric-ring bi-directional multi-position positioning device being 
used in the light socket and switch. A standard prior art three-way lamp 
switch which does not include the bi-directional multi-position 
positioning device can only operate in one direction and one sequence. 
Operation of these existing three-way lamp switches are limited because 
their turnkey may be turned in only one direction to change illumination 
levels of the lamp. Therefore, a lamp's operating condition may be changed 
in one sequence only, typically from off to low to medium to high and back 
again to off. Existing three-way lamp switches do not allow rotation of 
the turnkey in the opposite direction to provide illumination changes in 
an alternate sequence. 
FIG. 2 illustrates that the concentric-ring bi-directional multi-position 
positioning device utilized contains two concentric-rings, the outer 
positioning ring 80 and the inner positioning ring 70, ratchet stops 41 
and 42 formed by cap 40, and ratchet stops 32 and 33 formed by base 30. 
The outer positioning ring 80 is positioned and supported inside a cavity 
formed by cap 40 and the positioning ring cavity 34 (shown in FIG. 1) of 
base 30. The inner positioning ring 70 is positioned and supported inside 
an opening within the outer positioning ring 80. 
The outer positioning ring 80 is comprised of a flexible material that is 
biased to engage the inner peripheral surface 43 of cap 40 and the 
positioning ring cavity 34 of base 30 upon changing positions. Turning 
turnkey shaft 90 (not shown), which extends through orifice 71 of inner 
positioning ring 70, in a counterclockwise direction causes inner 
positioning ring 70 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction while outer 
positioning ring 80 remains stationary. Outer positioning ring 80 cannot 
rotate in a counterclockwise direction because its ratchet teeth 81a-81d 
are lockably engaged with the ratchet stops 41 and 42 of cap 40 and the 
ratchet stops 32 and 33 of base 30. Inner positioning ring 70 rotates 
counterclockwise while its ratchet teeth 72a-72d slidably engage the inner 
peripheral surface 84 (shown in FIG. 3) of outer positioning ring 80. With 
each ninety degree rotation of turnkey shaft 90 in the counterclockwise 
direction, ratchet teeth 72a-72d of inner positioning ring 70 snap into 
alignment with the ratchet stops 83a-83d (shown in FIG. 3) of outer 
positioning ring 80, aligning the bi-directional multi-position 
positioning device in one of its four operating positions providing 
audible and tactile feedback to the operator turning turnkey 91. 
As shown in FIG. 2 the inner positioning ring 70 is comprised of a flexible 
material that is biased to engage the inner peripheral surface 84 of outer 
positioning ring 80 upon changing positions. Turning turnkey shaft 90 (not 
shown), which extends through orifice 71 of inner positioning ring 70, in 
a clockwise direction causes both the inner positioning ring 70 and the 
outer positioning ring 80 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Outer 
positioning ring 80 rotates with inner positioning ring 70 because the 
ratchet teeth 72a-72d (shown in FIG. 4) of the inner positioning ring 70 
are lockably engaged with the ratchet stops 83a-83d (shown in FIG. 3) of 
the outer positioning ring 80. With each 90 degree rotation of turnkey 
shaft 90 in the clockwise direction, ratchet teeth 81a-81d (shown in FIG. 
3) of outer positioning ring 80 snap into alignment with the ratchet stops 
41 and 42 of the cap 40 and the ratchet stops 32 and 33 of the base 30 
aligning the concentric-ring bi-directional multi-position positioning 
device in one of its four operating positions and providing audible and 
tactile feedback to the operator turning turnkey 91. 
In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, a 
bi-directional multi-positioning device is utilized in the lamp socket and 
switch 340. Lamp socket and switch 340 has an outer housing comprised of a 
socket shell 330, an insulator liner 332, a socket cap 220, and flat 
washer insulator 221. A turnkey 300 and turnkey shaft 290 extend through 
keyway 331 in the socket shell 330 and an aperture 233 in base 230 to the 
interior of the outer housing. As described in detail hereafter, manual 
rotation of the turnkey 300 provides four different positions of the lamp 
socket and switch corresponding to off, low, medium, and high illumination 
levels of the socketed three-way light bulb and said operating conditions 
may be selected in various sequences depending on direction of rotation of 
the turnkey 300. The screw shell 320 is comprised of a conductive metal 
and includes appropriate threading to releasably retain the light bulb 
(not shown) therein. Below the screw shell 320, housed by the socket cap 
220, positioned inside and integrated with a base 230, is a axial 
bi-directional multi-position positioning device. 
FIG. 6 also illustrates the parts making up the bi-directional 
multi-positioning device, including a slip ring insulator 260, a slip ring 
conductor 261, an idler 270, a slider 280 with orifice 281 and ratchet 
teeth, a spring 285, a turnkey 300, and a turnkey shaft 290. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the slip ring insulator 260 has a plurality of ratchet 
teeth 263a-263d extending axially outward and an orifice 262 extending 
therethrough. The idler 270 has a first set of clockwise ratchet stops 
272a-272d extending axially toward the slip ring insulator 260, a second 
set of counterclockwise ratchet stops 273a-273d extending axially toward 
slider 280, and a round orifice 271 passing therethrough. The slider 280 
has a round disk with a plurality of ratchet teeth 282a-282d extending 
axially toward idler 270, a square cross-section outer surface portion 
extending axially away from idler 270, and an orifice 281 extending 
therethrough with a smaller diameter round first part and a larger 
diameter round second part. 
As shown in FIG. 8, turnkey shaft 290 is positioned in cavity 232 of base 
230 with a round cross-section first part 291, a square cross-section 
second part 292 positioned in orifice 262 in slip ring insulator 260, a 
round cross-section third part 293 aligned with idler 270 and slider 280, 
and a round cross-section fourth part 294 aligned with aperture 233 of 
base 230. Turnkey 300 is fixed to one end of turnkey shaft 290 such that 
rotation of turnkey 300 in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction 
causes rotation of turnkey shaft 290 in the same direction as the turnkey 
300. The square cross-section second part 292 of turnkey shaft 290 
fittingly extends through the orifice 262 of the slip ring insulator 260. 
Turnkey shaft 290 also extends through a spring 285. A retainer 301 (shown 
in FIG. 6) within recess 235 in base 230 secures the turnkey shaft 290 to 
the base 230 while allowing rotation of the turnkey shaft 290. 
As shown in FIG. 6, the slip ring insulator 260 is formed of a dielectric 
material and has a slip ring conductor 261, comprised of an electrically 
conductive material formed about the slip ring insulator 260 periphery. 
The slip ring conductor 261 covers and conforms to about three-fourths of 
the slip ring insulator 260 periphery. The slip ring insulator 260 is 
positioned in slip ring cavity 237 of base 230. 
The main contact terminal 250 is retained by base 230 by means of recess 
231 in base 230. The main contact terminal 250 has a main brush 252 for 
establishing contact between main contact terminal 250 and slip ring 
conductor 261 or the slip ring insulator 260 depending on the slip ring 
insulator 260 position. Main contact terminal 250 and main brush 252 are 
formed of an electrically conductive material. The main brush 252 remains 
flexibly engaged with the slip ring conductor 261 to maintain electrical 
contact between the main contact terminal 250 and the slip ring conductor 
261 when the slip ring insulator 260 is positioned to place the slip ring 
conductor 261 in radial alignment with the main brush 252. 
The central contact terminal 314 has a first and second portion with the 
first portion attached to a central brush 311. The central brush 311 is 
positioned and biased such that it is in contact with the slip ring 
conductor 261 or the slip ring insulator 260 depending on the slip ring 
insulator 260 position. The central brush 311 is ninety degrees away from 
the main brush 252 attached to main contact terminal 250, about the axis 
of rotation of the slip ring insulator 260. The central contact terminal 
314 and central brush 311 are comprised of a conductive material and the 
central brush 311 remains flexibly engaged with the slip ring conductor 
261 to maintain electrical contact between the central contact terminal 
314 and the slip ring conductor 261 when the slip ring insulator 260 is 
positioned to place the slip ring conductor 261 in radial alignment with 
the central brush 311. The central contact terminal 314 has a second 
portion that extends through the first orifice 313 in insulator 310 and 
through the orifice 321 into the screw shell 320 to contact the center 
terminal of a standard three way-bulb (not shown). 
An outer contact terminal 257 is also located in recess 234 within the base 
230 and like the main contact terminal 250 and central contact terminal 
314 is comprised of a conductive material. The outer contact terminal 257 
is attached to an outer brush 258 that is biased into contact with the 
slip ring conductor 261 or slip ring insulator 260 depending on the slip 
ring insulator 260 position. The outer brush 258 remains flexibly engaged 
with the slip ring conductor 261 to maintain electrical contact between 
the outer contact terminal 257 and the slip ring conductor 261 when the 
slip ring insulator 260 is positioned to place the slip ring conductor 261 
in radial alignment with the outer brush 258. The outer brush 258 of the 
outer contact terminal 257 is located ninety degrees away from the central 
brush 311 of the central contact terminal 314, about the axis of rotation 
of the slip ring insulator 260. In a manner similar to the central contact 
terminal 314, the outer contact terminal 257 extends upwardly and through 
a second orifice 315 of the insulator 310 into the screw shell 320 for 
contact with the annular ring terminal of a standard three-way bulb (not 
shown). 
A neutral contact terminal 255 is fixed to the base 230, insulator 310, and 
screw shell 320 by rivet 256. The screw shell 320 and insulator 310 is 
additionally fixed to base 230 by rivet 312. In operation, an appropriate 
set of electrical wires are introduced through orifice 222 of socket cap 
220 and the hot wire (not shown) connected to the main contact terminal 
250 secured by screw 251 and the neutral wire (not shown) connected to the 
neutral contact terminal 255 secured by screw 254. The base 230 is 
comprised of an insulating phenolic or other suitable material. 
The operation of the axial bi-directional multi-position positioning device 
shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 may be readily envisioned from consideration of its 
operation in this embodiment where said positioning device is engaged by 
the turning of turnkey 300 to each of four positions as shown in FIGS. 9a, 
9b, 9c, and 9d. 
FIG. 9a shows the position of the slip ring insulator 260 and slip ring 
conductor 261 operated by turnkey 300 in the off position since the slip 
ring conductor 261 is not in contact with the main brush 252 and no 
circuit is formed and the bulb screwed into the screw shell 320 will not 
be illuminated. This is defined as the first position or "off" operating 
condition. 
Rotation of the turnkey 300 clockwise one position as evidenced by audible 
and tactile feedback causes a ninety degree rotation as shown in FIG. 9b, 
bringing the slip ring insulator 260 and slip ring conductor 261 to the 
position shown. In this position the slip ring conductor 261 extends 
between the main brush 252 and the outer brush 258. The central brush 311 
is in contact with the slip ring insulator 260. In this second position, 
main contact terminal 250, main brush 252, slip ring conductor 261, outer 
brush 258, and outer contact terminal 257 forms a circuit through the low 
intensity filament of a three-way light bulb, placing such light bulb in 
the "low" operating condition. 
Rotation of the turnkey 300 clockwise an additional position as evidenced 
by audible and tactile feedback causes another ninety degree rotation, as 
shown in FIG. 9c, bringing the slip ring insulator 260 and slip ring 
conductor 261 to a third position. In this position the slip ring 
conductor 261 extends between the main brush 252 and the central brush 
311. The outer brush 258 is in contact with the slip ring insulator 260. 
In this third position, main contact terminal 250, main brush 252, slip 
ring conductor 261, central brush 311, and central contact terminal 314 
will form a circuit through the high intensity filament of the three-way 
light bulb, placing the light bulb in the "medium" operating condition. 
A final rotation of turnkey 300 in a clockwise direction as evidenced by 
audible and tactile feedback brings the slip ring insulator 260 to a 
fourth position shown in FIG. 9d. In this position the slip ring conductor 
261 extends between the main brush 252, central brush 311, and outer brush 
258. In this fourth position, main contact terminal 250, main brush 252, 
slip ring conductor 261, outer brush 258, and outer contact terminal 257 
will form a circuit through the low intensity filament and main contact 
terminal 250, main brush 252, slip ring conductor 261, central brush 311, 
and central contact terminal 314 will form a circuit through the high 
intensity filament of the three-way light bulb, placing such light bulb in 
the "high" operating condition. 
In this embodiment as shown in FIG. 8 the axial bi-directional 
multi-position positioning device is comprised of three cylindrical 
elements, slip ring insulator 260, idler 270, and the slider 280, all 
having orifices therein, the spring 285, the turnkey shaft 290, and the 
turnkey 300. The slider 280 is positioned and supported by an inner 
peripheral surface 236 in base 230 which allows the slider to move axially 
along turnkey shaft 290 but not rotate about the axis of turnkey shaft 
290. The idler 270 is positioned on turnkey shaft 290 and is free to 
rotate about the axis of turnkey shaft 290. Slip ring insulator 260 is 
positioned within base 230 on turnkey shaft 290. 
In FIG. 7 the slip ring insulator 260 has a set of four equally spaced 
ratchet teeth 263a-263d formed on one of its axial surfaces. The idler 270 
has a set of four equally spaced clockwise ratchet stops 272a-272d formed 
on one of its axial surfaces and a set of four equally spaced 
counterclockwise ratchet stops 273a-273d formed on its other axial 
surface. The slider 280 has a set of four equally spaced ratchet teeth 
282a-282d on one of its axial surfaces The engagement of idler 270 with 
slip ring insulator 260 and slider 280 is caused by turnkey shaft 290, as 
shown in FIG. 8. 
In FIG. 8 the spring 285 applies an axial force to slider 280 which 
compresses the slip ring insulator 260, idler 270, and slider 280 together 
along the axis of turnkey shaft 290. Slip ring insulator 260, idler 270, 
and slider 280 slidably and lockably engage each other as turnkey shaft 
290 is rotated in either direction with spring 285 providing the 
flexibility required for slidability along the axis of the turnkey shaft 
290. 
In FIG. 8 turning turnkey shaft 290 in a counterclockwise direction causes 
slip ring insulator 260 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction while 
slider 280 is constrained from rotating. Idler 270 rotates 
counterclockwise with slip ring insulator 260 because the clockwise 
ratchet stops 272a-272d (shown in FIG. 7) of idler 270 are lockably 
engaged with the ratchet teeth 263a-263d (shown in FIG. 7) of slip ring 
insulator 260. The counterclockwise ratchet stops 273a-273d (shown in FIG. 
7) of idler 270 slidably engage the ratchet teeth 282a-282d (shown in FIG. 
7) of slider 280. With each rotation of turnkey shaft 290 in the 
counterclockwise direction, ratchet teeth 282a-282d (shown in FIG. 7) of 
slider 280 snap into alignment with the counterclockwise ratchet stops 
273a-273d (shown in FIG. 7) of idler 270, aligning the axial 
bi-directional multi-position positioning device in one of its four 
operating positions providing audible and tactile feedback to the operator 
turning turnkey 300. 
In FIG. 8 turning turnkey shaft 290 in a clockwise direction causes slip 
ring insulator 260 to rotate in a clockwise direction while slider 280 is 
constrained from rotating. Idler 270 remains fixed with slider 280 because 
its counterclockwise ratchet stops 273a-273d (shown in FIG. 7) are 
lockably engaged with the ratchet teeth 282a-282d (shown in FIG. 7) of 
slider 280. The clockwise ratchet stops 272a-272d (shown in FIG. 7) of 
idler 270 slidably engage the ratchet teeth 263a-263d (shown in FIG. 7) of 
slip ring insulator 260. With each rotation of turnkey shaft 290 in the 
clockwise direction, clockwise ratchet stops 272a-272d (shown in FIG. 7) 
of idler 270 snap into alignment with the ratchet teeth 263a-263d (shown 
in FIG. 7) of slip ring insulator 260, aligning the axial bi-directional 
multi-position positioning device in one of its four operating positions 
providing audible and tactile feedback to the operator turning turnkey 
300.