Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to handle stops. More particularly, the invention encompasses a positive handle stop for a switch. The positive handle stop for a switch, such as, a safety switch, prevents the handle of a switch from returning to the shipping position once the switch is turned ON. The invention also includes a shipping position for the inventive handle so as to reduce the size of the packaging need to ship the switch apparatus.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The instant patent application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/080,370, filed on Jul. 14, 2008, titled “Positive Handle Stop For Switches,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to handle stops. More particularly, the invention encompasses a positive handle stop for a switch. The positive handle stop for a switch, such as, a safety switch, prevents the handle of a switch from returning to the shipping position once the switch is turned ON. The invention also includes a shipping position for the inventive handle so as to reduce the size of the packaging need to ship the switch apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     A positive handle stop provides a mechanical stop for a handle to engage in when going from an ON-position to an OFF-position. 
     For most all applications handles for safety switches are designed to prevent the switch operator&#39;s hands from being injured when operating the safety switch. In order to prevent injury the handle must protrude past the enclosure cover in the ON-position and also in the OFF-positions. Since the handle protrudes past the cover the shipping carton must be enlarged to accommodate the handle protrusion and which in turn increases the carton, packaging and shipping costs. 
     Currently the handle guard, such as, one provide by Siemens Corporation, is located on the outside of the handle and provides a positive stop for the ON, OFF, and the shipping position of the safety switch. The stop for the OFF-position is a metal protrusion formed in the handle guard. In order to place the switch in the shipping position the handle must be forced to the side of the handle guard protrusion slightly deforming the handle. Once the handle is moved past the stop to the ON-position it returns to its&#39; original form. Other manufacturers in the industry either do not provide a shipping position for their safety switches or a positive-type stop for their handles for their safety switches. 
     Another problem with having the handle guard protrusion as the positive stop is that after repeated use the handle will wear the stop down allowing the handle to move past the OFF-position. The switch has a provision for locking in the OFF-position by placing a lock through an opening in the handle and handle guard. If the handle is moved past the OFF-position it may be possible to place a lock in the handle guard only and not the handle allowing an operator to turn the switch ON with the lock installed. 
     Thus, a need exists for an improved positive handle stop for safety switches. 
     This invention overcomes the problems of the prior art and provides an inventive positive handle stop for switches. 
     PURPOSES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a novel positive handle stop for switches. 
     Therefore, one purpose of this invention is to provide a novel positive handle stop for switches. 
     Another purpose of this invention is to provide a positive handle stop for a switch which prevents a handle of the switch from returning to the shipping position once the switch is turned ON. 
     Yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a positive handle stop for a switch which has a shipping position and an operational position. 
     Still yet another purpose of this invention is to provide a positive handle stop for a switch which has a shipping position to reduce the size of the shipping package. 
     Therefore, one aspect this invention comprises a handle stop for a switching apparatus, comprising: 
     (a) at least one handle guard, wherein a first end of said handle guard and a second end of said handle guard are secured to a switching apparatus, and wherein said handle guard has an open area between said first end and said second end; 
     (b) at least one handle stop, wherein said handle stop is inside said open area of said handle guard, and wherein said handle stop has a first end and a second end, and wherein said first end of said handle stop is secured to an inner portion of said handle guard and said second end of said handle stop has at least one securing means which rests against an inner face of said handle guard in a first position and protrudes through a first opening in said handle guard in a second position; and
 
(c) a handle, wherein said handle is inside said open area of said handle guard, and wherein said handle has a first end and a second end, and wherein said first end of said handle is secured to said switching apparatus and said second end slides against said handle stop in a first position, and rests against said handle stop in a second position, thereby forming said handle stop for a switching apparatus.
 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of the invention that are novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, like numbers represent like features in the drawings. The invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an outside perspective view of an exemplary switch apparatus having a positive handle stop for a safety switch which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged inside view showing the handle along with the inventive handle stop and the handle guard. 
         FIG. 3  is an outside view of the inventive positive handle stop with the cover and the enclosure showing the inventive handle in a shipping position. 
         FIG. 4  is an outside view of the inventive positive handle stop with the cover and the enclosure showing the inventive handle in an OFF-position. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the inventive positive handle stop while viewing from an OFF-position of the inventive handle. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the inventive positive handle stop while viewing from an ON-position of the inventive handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The positive handle stop of the present invention provides a novel mechanical stop for the handle to engage when going from the ON to the OFF position or to the shipping position. 
     As stated earlier, the positive handle stop eliminates the problems of the prior art. The positive handle stop is typically displaced or positioned using a screwdriver or a pair of pliers, which allows the handle to move or be moved into the shipping position. Once the handle is moved to the OFF-position or an ON-position the positive handle stop springs back into place. The positive handle stop incorporates a hook feature that can be locked into the handle guard. When the handle is moved to the OFF-position it will cause the hook feature to lock into the handle guard locking the positive handle stop in place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , taken together,  FIG. 1  is an outside perspective view of an exemplary switch apparatus  23 , having a positive handle stop  20 , such as, for a safety switch  23 , which is used to illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. While,  FIG. 2  is an enlarged inside view showing the handle  10 , along with the inventive handle stop  20 , and the handle guard  30 . The switch apparatus  23 , has at least one handle  10 , having an upper portion  12 , a bent portion  14  and a bottom portion  16 . The upper portion  12 , has at least one hole or opening  13 . The bottom portion  16 , has at least one hole or opening  17 . The switch apparatus  23 , has at least one handle stop  20 , where the handle stop  20 , has a first portion  22 , a second portion  24 , and a third portion  26 . The first portion  22 , has at least one tab or protrusion  21 , and the third portion  26 , has at least one securing location  27 . The switch apparatus  23 , has at least one handle guard  30 , to couple with and to protect the handle  10 , and the handle stop  20 . The handle guard  30 , has a face or a first portion  32 , a first bent portion  34 , a first securing portion  36 , a second bent portion  35 , and a second securing portion  38 . The first bent portion  34 , has at least one securing location  37 , and the first securing portion  36 , has at least one opening or securing location  39 . The second securing portion  38 , has at least one opening or securing location  47 . The face or first portion  32 , has at least one first opening or securing location  31 , and at least one second opening or securing location  33 , and optionally at least one third opening or securing location  43 . The securing means  21 , of the handle stop  20 , is preferably inserted through the opening  31 , and secures the handle stop  20 , to the handle guard  30 . The handle stop  20 , is also secured to the handle guard  30 , using the securing location  27 , and the securing location  37 . 
     The securing means  21 , of the inventive handle stop  20 , preferably has a flexible bent portion  29 , such as a hairpin type bent portion  29 , or so that when the securing means  21 , is inserted inside the hole or opening  31 , the flexible bent portion  29 , can pass through the opening  31 , and an end portion of the flexible bent portion  29 , can lodge itself against an outer face or surface  72 , of the handle guard  30 . For some applications the bent portion  29 , could be a separate piece that is secured to the end of the securing means  21 , so as to form a T-junction or a L-junction. It is preferred that during operation of the apparatus  23 , the bent portion  29 , which is preferably arcuate or arched so that an end portion of the bent portion  29 , rests against the outer surface  72 , of the handle guard  30 , like an end of a bow. It should be appreciated that during shipping of the apparatus  23 , the securing means  21 , along with the flexible bent portion  29 , are pushed back through the hole or opening  31 , by means of a screw-driver or a pair of pliers and the flexible bent portion  29 , rest against the opening  31 , but on an inside face or surface, of the handle  12 . It should be appreciated that the end of the securing means  21 , of the positive handle stop  20 , rests against the handle  10 , in the shipping position, such that a portion of the handle  10 , is inside a portion of an opening or slot  74 , in the handle guard  30 . 
       FIG. 3  is an outside view of the inventive positive handle stop  20 , with the cover  50 , and the enclosure  60 , showing the inventive handle  10 , in a shipping position. The handle  10 , can also have a sleeve or a handle cover  15 . At least one securing means  67 , such as, a bolt  67 , or a screw  67 , secure the handle  10 , to the enclosure  60 , at hole or opening  17 . It is preferred that when the apparatus  23 , is prepared for shipping, the handle  10 , is moved to a position which is below a plane of an enclosure cover  50 , of the switching apparatus  23 . However, for some applications it may be preferred to have a substantial portion of the handle  10 , below a plane of the enclosure cover  50 , during the shipping process of the switching apparatus  23 . 
       FIG. 4  is an outside view of the inventive positive handle stop  20 , with the cover  50 , and the enclosure  60 , showing the inventive handle  10 , in an OFF-position. At least two securing means  49 , such as, a bolt  49 , or a screw  49 , secures the handle guard  30 , to the enclosure  60 , at the openings or securing locations  39  and  47 . 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the inventive positive handle stop  20 , while viewing from an OFF-position of the inventive handle  10 . As one can see that in the OFF-position the hole or opening  13 , in the handle  10 , is aligned with the hole or opening  33 , in the handle guard  30 , such that a lock (not shown) can be used to prevent or limit or stop the movement of the handle  10 , relative to the handle guard  30 , that is fixedly secured to the enclosure  60 . One can also see that the bottom of the upper portion  12 , of the handle  10 , is in contact with, or rests on, the first portion  22 , of the handle stop  20 , and the positive handle stop  20 , prevents the movement or sliding of the handle  10 , towards the securing location  27 ,  37 , as more clearly seen when  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , are viewed together. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the inventive positive handle stop  20 , while viewing from an ON-position of the inventive handle  10 . As one can see that in the operational or ON-position of the apparatus  23 , the flexible bent portion  29 , of the securing means  21 , has been popped through the opening  31 , and the end of the flexible bent portion  29 , rests on the outer face surface  72 , of the handle guard  30 . Additionally, in the ON-position the handle  10 , is moved away from the first portion  22 , of the handle stop  20 , and is positioned closer to the second bent portion  35 , of the handle guard  30 , as more clearly seen when  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 , are viewed together. 
     The sleeve or a handle cover  15 , is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material is selected from a group comprising, Teflon, nylon, plastic, composite material, and combination thereof, to name a few. 
     The hole or opening  31 , in the handle guard  30 , to accommodate the securing means  21 , is preferably selected from a group comprising, trapezoidal hole, square hole, rectangular hole, elliptical hole, triangular hole, and combination thereof, to name a few. 
     The securing means  21 , along with the flexible bent portion  29 , is preferably made from material selected from a group comprising, stainless steel, steel, metallic material, plastic, rubber, composite, and combination thereof, to name a few. 
     In order to eliminate the extra packaging cost the inventive handle  10 , of this invention is placed in a shipping position. In the shipping position the inventive handle  10 , of this invention is moved past the OFF-position allowing the inventive handle  10 , to drop below the plane of the enclosure cover  50 , or at least be substantially in the same plane as the plane of the enclosure cover  50 . 
     The safety switch  23 , preferably also has a provision for locking in the OFF-position, which can be done by placing a lock (not shown) through openings  13  and  33 , in the handle  10 , and handle guard  30 , respectively. If the handle  10 , if moved past the OFF-position it may be possible to place a lock (not shown) in the handle guard  30 , only and not on the handle  10 , thus allowing an operator to turn the switch ON with the lock (not shown) still installed in the opening  33 , of the handle guard  30 . 
     While the present invention has been particularly described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8