Switch selector and actuator

Disclosed is a switch selector and actuator for use with a telephone repertory dialer and the like where a plurality of contacts are arranged in a row. A rail member is mounted in close proximity to the row of switch contacts and is yieldably biased away from the contacts. A selector member is slidably mounted on the rail member and movable to select a switch contact to be engaged. By depressing the selector member and rail member the contact is engaged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to electrical switches, and more 
particularly the invention relates to electrical switch apparatus having a 
plurality of contacts which may be selectively closed. 
2. Prior Art 
Electrical systems, particularly in computer and telecommunications 
applications, are often provided with consoles having a number of 
electrical switches which can be selectively set manually by a human 
operator. In telephone repertory dialing equipment, for example, telephone 
numbers stored in electronic memory can be automatically dialed by the 
selective closing of switch contacts associated with each stored telephone 
number. Heretofore, each telephone number in memory has been identified on 
a list provided on the housing of the repertory dialer, and each number 
has been provided with a multicontact pushbutton which is depressed for 
effecting the automatic dialing of the corresponding telephone number. 
Since one manual switch is required for each number, the spacing of 
telephone numbers in the list must be positioned to accommodate the 
pushbutton. Further, the requirement for a plurality of pushbuttons may 
increase the cost and complexity of the assembly of the equipment. 
Additionally, the arrangement of buttons can detract from the aesthetics 
of the telephone equipment. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the invention is improved switch actuation means for 
selectively closing a plurality of switch contacts. 
Another object of the invention is an improved switch actuator for use with 
a visual list of codes whereby switches associated with each code can be 
manually closed. 
A feature of the invention is sliding contact selector means which can be 
manually positioned to identify a particular code and engage one or more 
contacts associated therewith. 
Briefly, electrical apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a 
plurality of switch contacts arranged in a row. Rail means is mounted in 
close proximity to the row of switch contacts and is yieldably biased away 
from the contacts. Selector means is slidably supported on the rail means 
with at least one contact engaging surface depending therefrom, the 
contact engaging surface normally being spaced from the contacts but 
engaging a contact upon depression of the selector means and rail means. 
To facilitate the positioning of the selector means with each code on the 
list, the selector means may be provided with a colored indicator surface, 
and an aperture is provided in association with each code on the list 
whereby the colored indicator surface is visible through an aperture when 
the selector means is positioned for engaging switch contacts associated 
with the corresponding code. 
More particularly, each code in the list may have a plurality of 
corresponding contacts, and the selector means will have a corresponding 
number of contact engaging surfaces. 
The invention and objects and features thereof will be more fully 
understood from the following detailed description and appended claims 
when taken with the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT 
Telephone repertory dialers are commercially available today and have the 
capability of allowing an operator to manually dial a telephone number of 
automatically dial a telephone number through use of an electronic memory 
wherein telephone numbers can be stored. A stored telephone number is 
automatically dialed by the closing of selected switches associated 
therewith. Heretofore, a multicontact pushbutton switch typically has been 
provided for each telephone number stored in memory and automatic dialing 
of the telephone number is accomplished by depressing a pushbutton switch 
which is associated with the desired telephone number. 
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a telephone repertory dialer which includes switch 
actuation means in accordance with the present invention. The dialer 
includes a keyboard shown generally at 10 for manually dialing a number or 
for programming and storing numbers in the electronic memory of the 
dialer. A number of other keys shown generally at 10 for manually dialing 
a number or for programming and storing numbers in the electronic memory 
of the dialer. A number of other keys shown generally at 10 provide 
special functions including CLR (memory clearing), WAIT (to program the 
positions and durations of pauses during the dialing of access codes), STR 
(for storing a number in memory), LND (for redialing the last number 
dialed which may be stored in a scratch pad memory) and DIAL (to dial a 
newly entered number). Since these functions are not related to the 
present invention, no further description of the functions thereof need be 
given. 
The telephone numbers stored in memory are identified on a listing 14 for 
automatic dialing purposes. Associated with alternating numbers in the 
list are a plurality of contacts shown generally in row 16, and 
associating with other alternating numbers in the list 14 are switch 
contacts arranged in a second row 18. The switch contacts are hidden from 
view and are shown generally by dotted lines. Two rows of contacts are 
provided so that the numbers in list 14 can be spaced more closely 
together. Also provided in association with the numbers in list 14 is a 
row of apertures shown generally at 20 in the housing for the dialer which 
provides an indication of a number selected for automatic dialing, as will 
be described further hereinbelow. 
A slot 22 is provided between the row of contacts 16 and 18, and yieldably 
mounted therein is a rail member 24 on which a contact selector member 26 
is slidably supported. Selector 26 includes a surface 28 which is 
preferably painted a distinguishing color whereby the surface is visible 
through an aperture in the row 20 as the selector member 26 is moved into 
position for selecting and automatically dialing an associated telephone 
number in list 14. 
Operation of the switch actuator includes sliding the selector member 26 to 
a desired telephone number, as indicated by the surface 28 being visible 
through an aperture in row 20, and depressing the selector 26 and rail 24 
whereby the selector engages electrical contacts in the housing to effect 
the automatic dialing. 
FIG. 2 is a side view in section of the dialer illustrated in FIG. 1 taken 
along lines 2--2 and further shows the movable mounting of rail 24 in 
housing 30 by means of screws 32 and 34 at either end of the rail member. 
Springs are provided in conjunction with screws 32 and 34, and also at 36, 
38, and 40 to yieldably bias the rail in a raised position. However, by 
depressing selector 26 the rail will move downwardly towards a printed 
circuit board 42 which supports electronic components including switch 
contacts of the repertory dialer. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, a front view partially in section of the dialer 
illustrated in FIG. 1 further illustrates the cooperative relationship of 
selector 26 and rail 24 with the row of contacts 16 and 18. Rail 24 is 
shown in the upward biased position by means of the springs such as spring 
36, and selector 26 is slidably mounted thereon with a generally 
conforming surface abutting rail 24 whereby depression of the selector 
also depresses rail 24. Selector 26 includes contact engaging surfaces 50, 
52 and 54 for engaging the contacts in row 16 and 18 and a common contact 
56 for all switch positions. The colored surface 28 extends upwardly from 
the body of selector 26 for viewing through an aperture in the row 20 upon 
proper positioning of the selector for a particular telephone number. 
To further facilitate the proper positioning of selector 26 for a desired 
telephone number to be dialed, the housing includes a platen 58 which 
includes a cam surface 60 with an undulation in association with each set 
of contacts for a stored telephone number whereby a ball in cage 62 within 
the selector member 26 follows the cam surface 60 of the platen 58 and 
mates with an undulation for each stored telephone number. 
Thus, by sliding the selector 26 to the desired telephone number to be 
dialed, as indicated by the colored surface of indicator 28 and depressing 
selector 26 and rail 24 a set of contacts is closed to effect the 
automatic dialing of the number. Since the contacts are provided in a 
plurality of rows, the telephone numbers can be more closely spaced. The 
switch actuation apparatus is more aesthetically pleasing, particularly 
for telephone dialing equipment, and the structure eliminates the need for 
a plurality of pushbuttons. 
While the invention has been described with reference to a specific 
embodiment, the description is illustrative and not to be construed as 
limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications, changes, and 
applications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from 
the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended 
claims.