CAMSTACK AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY UTILIZING SAME

AXE A CAMES ET ENSEMBLE DE COMMUTATION L'UTILISANT

English Abstract

CAMSTACK AND SWITCH ASSEMBLY
UTILIZING SAME
ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
The hub of a camstack is in the shape of a cone. There are ribs
carried on the cone surface with the ribs having cam surfaces that are
substantially parallel to the cone surface. The camstack is
particularly adaptable for actuating a plurality of individual switches
that are carried by a single common support member.

Claims

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The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or prigilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A camstack comprising a hub having an outer surface traced by
a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality
of cam surfaces carried on said outer surface in a substantially
parallel relationship to said outer surface.
2. A camstack according to claim 1 wherein said cam surfaces are
provided by ribs extending from said outer surface.
3. A camstack according to claim 1 wherein said camstack is
fabricated from a thermoplastic material.
4. A cam switch assembly comprising:
a camstack comprising a hub having an outer surface traced by a
moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality of
cam surfaces carried on said outer surface in a substantially parallel
relationship to said outer surface.
5. A cam - switch assembly according to claim 4 wherein said cam
surfaces are provided by ribs extending from said outer surfaces.
6. A cam - switch assembly according to claim 4 wherein said
camstack is fabricated of a thermoplastic material.

Description

M-7056
BACKGROUND OF THE_INVENTION
The present invention relates to a camstack and more particularly
to a camstack that is useful for actuating individual switches that are
carried by a single common support.
Camstacks of the type of the present invention are used
extensively in timing mechanisms to open and close electrical switches
which in turn make and break electrical circuits to an appliance to
control the appliance's functions. As the operation of appliances
becomes more complicated, the need for more control cycles on the
camstack becomes necessary. It is at the same time desirable, however,
that the timing mechanisms remain small and compact. To this end, ways
and means are continually being sought to keep the camstack as small as
possible.
In U.S. 3,142,730 there is described and claimed a stepped cam
wherein the steps decrease in diameter in going from the bottom of the
camstack to the top. This arrangement aided in reducing the size of
the camstack. The camstack of the present invention also aids in
reducing the size of the camstack and in addition makes it easier to
use individual switches carried by a single common support. This aids
in reducing the size of a complete cam switch assembly and in addition,
aids in reducing manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided a camstack
which, in general, comprises a hub having an outer surface traced by a
moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex and a plurality of
ribs extending from the outer surface, each of the ribs having a cam
surface substantially parallel to the first outer surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING~
.
Figure 1 is a view of the camstack of the invention.

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Figure 2 is a view showing switches that can be used with the
camstack of the invention.
Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with a
portion of the switches shown in conjunction with the camstack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in Figure 1 a
camstack 10 made in accordance with the invention. Camstack 10
includes a hub 12 and a plurality of ribs 14 extending from the hub.
The outer surface 16 of hub 12 is a cone. That is, surface 16 is
traced by a moving straight line passing through a fixed vertex. The
cam surfaces 18, 20, 22, 24, and all others not shown that are provided
on ribs 14 are substantially parallet to the outer surface 16 of the
hub 12. The camstack can be rotated through a shaft (not shown) which
could be held in bearing 19. The camstack including the ribs and the
bearing are fabricated of a thermoplastic material such as acetal.
In Figure 2, there is shown a set of electrical switch means 30
which can be used in conjunction with camstack 10. Switch means 30
includes a plurality of individual switches 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40
carried by a common support member 42. Each of the switches includes
electrical contac~ blades 44 and 46 each having mating electrical
con~acts 48. Each of the blades 44 also includes a cam follower 50
which engage outer surface 16 or the cam surface of ribs 14. The
blades and ~he electrical contacts are fabricated from a good
electrically conductive material such as copper or silver.
Referring now to Figure 33 switch means 30 is shown in conjunction
with camstack 10. As shown, cam Followers 50 are riding on either the
hub outer surface 16 or the outer cam surfaces of ribs 14 to open and
close electrical contacts 48 of blades 44 and 46, the contacts being
opened when a cam follower engages outer surface 16 of hub 12 and
closed when a cam follower engages the cam surfaces of ribs 14.

Representative Drawing