SWITCH SEAL
United States Patent 3737605
This invention is a switch seal for push button type electrical switches to rohibit water from leaking into entry panels and damaging electronic functions.
US Patent References:
Cam centered electric switch with moisture-proof sealing means
Meyer - December 1965 - 3222467
Receptacle closure
Smallwood et al. - October 1930 - 1779018
Sealing boot assembly
LeTourneau - December 1942 - 2305265
Rotary seals
Persons - June 1967 - 3326559
/3588423.html
Hallerberg - June 1971 - 3588423
Cam centered electric switch with moisture-proof sealing means
Meyer - December 1965 - 3222467
Receptacle closure
Smallwood et al. - October 1930 - 1779018
Sealing boot assembly
LeTourneau - December 1942 - 2305265
Rotary seals
Persons - June 1967 - 3326559
/3588423.html
Hallerberg - June 1971 - 3588423
Inventors:
Tobey, Albert E. (Fullerton, CA)
Wood, Alvis W. (Mission Viejo, CA)
Wood, Alvis W. (Mission Viejo, CA)
Application Number:
05/132469
Publication Date:
06/05/1973
Filing Date:
04/08/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, DC)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
277/634, 277/637
International Classes:
H01H13/06; H01H13/14; H01H13/04; H01H9/02
Field of Search:
277/95,212FB 200/159R,168G,172R
Primary Examiner:
Perlin, Meyer
Assistant Examiner:
Capossela, Ronald C.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A moisture tight push button seal assembly of the type in which the shaft of a switch is restricted to longitudinal movement and passes through a panel member and where the button of said switch fits into a complementary depressed portion of said panel, comprising:
2. A switch seal as in claim 1, wherein said collar means, said panel engaging means and said diaphram are made of silicone rubber.
3. A switch seal as in claim 2 wherein said panel engaging means is reinforced with spring steel wire.
4. A switch seal as in claim 3, wherein said interconnecting means is bell shaped.
5. A switch seal as in claim 3, wherein said spring steel wire is circumferentially compressible.
6. A switch seal as in claim 3, wherein said spring steel wire further reinforces and biases the panel engaging means circumferentially into engagement with the depressed portion of the panel.
7. A switch seal as in claim 1, wherein said shaft includes a flange means which further fixes the collar means with respect to said shaft.
8. A switch seal as in claim 7, wherein said flange means is a push button at the end of said shaft.
1. A moisture tight push button seal assembly of the type in which the shaft of a switch is restricted to longitudinal movement and passes through a panel member and where the button of said switch fits into a complementary depressed portion of said panel, comprising:
2. A switch seal as in claim 1, wherein said collar means, said panel engaging means and said diaphram are made of silicone rubber.
3. A switch seal as in claim 2 wherein said panel engaging means is reinforced with spring steel wire.
4. A switch seal as in claim 3, wherein said interconnecting means is bell shaped.
5. A switch seal as in claim 3, wherein said spring steel wire is circumferentially compressible.
6. A switch seal as in claim 3, wherein said spring steel wire further reinforces and biases the panel engaging means circumferentially into engagement with the depressed portion of the panel.
7. A switch seal as in claim 1, wherein said shaft includes a flange means which further fixes the collar means with respect to said shaft.
8. A switch seal as in claim 7, wherein said flange means is a push button at the end of said shaft.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At present the leakage of water into action entry panels causing damage to vital electronic functions has been a problem. Presently available push button switch seals retain water in the upper panels. Presently available seals are complex and require clamping means such as bolted flanges.
The present invention has the advantages that it can fit into a very small area below the push button switch, that it assumes the shape of the depressed area of the switch panel and that it can be made to fit switch panel applications where extreme fit problems occur. The device provides a simple, inexpensive solution to the leakage problem mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purpose of this invention is to provide a seal means which can prevent water from leaking into action entry panels and damaging electronic functions. To attain this desired result, the present invention provides a seal with a collar means which fits tightly around the shaft connected to a diaphram means having a reinforced edge which expands outwardly to seat in the depressed portion below the switch without requiring clamping.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the invention is to provide a switching seal which will prohibit moisture from leaking into action entry panels.
It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a switch seal which has the ability to fit into very small areas below push button switches.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a switch seal which assumes the shape of the depressed area of the switch.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a switch seal which requires no initial preload to the switch action.
In addition, it is another object of the instant invention to provide a switch seal which can be made to fit switch panel applications where extreme fit problems occur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 in cross-section, shows an undepressed push button switch with the switch seal installed in position;
FIG. 2 in cross-section, shows the same push button switch in the depressed position; and
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the switch seal alone in the undepressed condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With continued reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows an undepressed push button 10, of a switch with a switch seal 14, installed on switch shaft 11. Shaft 11 extends through action entry panel 12, said panel having a depressed area 13, to accomodate push button 10 when depressed.
FIG. 2 shows push button 10, in a depressed condition within the depressed area 13. It is noted that switch seal generally noted at 14, is collapsible and therefore maintains a water tight seal in the depressed area 13, in both the undepressed and the depressed conditions.
FIG. 3 shows switch seal 14 in full section, the switch seal comprises a collar means 16, which fits snuggly around shaft 11, of the push button. Collar 16 connected to a bell shaped diaphram having an edge 20. Edge 20 is reinforced by a spring steel wire 22. It is noted that another reinforcing material could be utilized. In addition the edge could be made thick enough to have inherent strength to provide a seal. In the preferred embodiment the collar 16 is a silicone rubber collar which fits tightly around the shaft 11 of the push button switch. The diaphram does not resist the push button required force for closing the switch. The spring steel wire 22, is collapsed by squeezing the spring to a smaller diameter than the recess 13 in which the push button rests. The seal 14, is then fit into the recess 13 and released. The spring wire 22 forces itself against the sides of the recess 13, thereby providing a water tight seal. Such seal will resist minor pressure differential fluctuations encountered in operation.
It is understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
At present the leakage of water into action entry panels causing damage to vital electronic functions has been a problem. Presently available push button switch seals retain water in the upper panels. Presently available seals are complex and require clamping means such as bolted flanges.
The present invention has the advantages that it can fit into a very small area below the push button switch, that it assumes the shape of the depressed area of the switch panel and that it can be made to fit switch panel applications where extreme fit problems occur. The device provides a simple, inexpensive solution to the leakage problem mentioned above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purpose of this invention is to provide a seal means which can prevent water from leaking into action entry panels and damaging electronic functions. To attain this desired result, the present invention provides a seal with a collar means which fits tightly around the shaft connected to a diaphram means having a reinforced edge which expands outwardly to seat in the depressed portion below the switch without requiring clamping.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the invention is to provide a switching seal which will prohibit moisture from leaking into action entry panels.
It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a switch seal which has the ability to fit into very small areas below push button switches.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a switch seal which assumes the shape of the depressed area of the switch.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a switch seal which requires no initial preload to the switch action.
In addition, it is another object of the instant invention to provide a switch seal which can be made to fit switch panel applications where extreme fit problems occur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 in cross-section, shows an undepressed push button switch with the switch seal installed in position;
FIG. 2 in cross-section, shows the same push button switch in the depressed position; and
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the switch seal alone in the undepressed condition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With continued reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows an undepressed push button 10, of a switch with a switch seal 14, installed on switch shaft 11. Shaft 11 extends through action entry panel 12, said panel having a depressed area 13, to accomodate push button 10 when depressed.
FIG. 2 shows push button 10, in a depressed condition within the depressed area 13. It is noted that switch seal generally noted at 14, is collapsible and therefore maintains a water tight seal in the depressed area 13, in both the undepressed and the depressed conditions.
FIG. 3 shows switch seal 14 in full section, the switch seal comprises a collar means 16, which fits snuggly around shaft 11, of the push button. Collar 16 connected to a bell shaped diaphram having an edge 20. Edge 20 is reinforced by a spring steel wire 22. It is noted that another reinforcing material could be utilized. In addition the edge could be made thick enough to have inherent strength to provide a seal. In the preferred embodiment the collar 16 is a silicone rubber collar which fits tightly around the shaft 11 of the push button switch. The diaphram does not resist the push button required force for closing the switch. The spring steel wire 22, is collapsed by squeezing the spring to a smaller diameter than the recess 13 in which the push button rests. The seal 14, is then fit into the recess 13 and released. The spring wire 22 forces itself against the sides of the recess 13, thereby providing a water tight seal. Such seal will resist minor pressure differential fluctuations encountered in operation.
It is understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.