Janet S Cochran

US Patent:

55799035, Dec 3, 1996

Filed:

Mar 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/398972

Inventors:

Paul McEvilly - Redford MI
Janet M. Cochran - Las Vegas NV
David A. Coffin - Novi MI
Thomas J. Allard - Walled Lake MI

Assignee:

United Technologies Automotive, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

H01H 342

US Classification:

200524

Abstract:

A cam follower assembly for use in a latching switch assembly comprises a case having opposed walls with a slot in one of the walls. A cam follower disposed in the case has a post movable within the slot. A spring adjacent the cam follower biases the cam follower toward a longitudinal axis of the case. The cam follower assembly cooperates with a cam in the latching switch assembly to operate an electrical switch. In a preferred embodiment, the cam follower assembly moves in a plane parallel to the plane of the cam surface. When an operator depresses the latching switching in the latching switch assembly, the cam follower rides along the cam to an "on" position where the latching switch is held in place. Upon depressing the latching switch once more, the cam follower moves out of the first position and into its original "off" position. The slot guides the cam follower for proper desired movement.