| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 626 705 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
18.01.1995 Bulletin 1995/03 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
|
30.11.1994 Bulletin 1994/48 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 27.05.1994 |
|
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
DE ES FR GB IT SE |
| (30) |
Priority: |
28.05.1993 US 68828
|
| (71) |
Applicant: EATON CORPORATION |
|
Cleveland,
Ohio 44114-2584 (US) |
|
| (72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Coniff, John Barkelew
Hoffman Estates,
Illinois 60195 (US)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Wagner, Karl H., Dipl.-Ing. et al |
|
WAGNER & GEYER
Patentanwälte
Gewürzmühlstrasse 5
80538 München
80538 München (DE) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Combined push-to-activate and rotary switch |
(57) A switch housing for plural switches is formed of thermoplastic molded in a first
stage with grooves or recesses. In a second stage molding process, the grooves are
filled with platable thermoplastic which is subsequently plated with copper, nickel,
or silver to provide conductive strips and exposed contact areas. A common switch
actuator is slidably and rotatably mounted on the housing. Upon pushing the actuator
is latched to actuate a switch; and, upon subsequent pushing the actuator is unlatched
and the switch de-actuated. Upon rotation of the actuators, independently of the push-to-actuate
movement, a second rotary switch is actuated. Both switches employ the two-stage molding
and plating for forming integrally with the housing and the stationary contacts.