BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved safety switch, specifically designed
for application to motor vehicle power windows.
[0002] As is known, prior power window switches usually comprise a push-button by means
of which the window glasses of a motor-vehicle are caused to be raised or lowered
under the control of a driving electric motor.
[0003] These prior switches, however, have the drawback that they are not fully reliable
since the mentioned push-button, which projects from an arm element supported inside
each door of the motor vehicle, can be accidentally operated, for example by the elbow,
thereby causing the window glass to be undesirably lowered or raised.
[0004] This, as it should be apparent, could be very dangerous for the motor vehicle passengers,
mainly for children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned
drawbacks, by providing an improved safety switch specifically designed for application
to motor vehicle power windows, which is adapted to prevent the window glasses for
being accidentally operated.
[0006] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention
is to provide such a switch which is very reliable and safe in operation, can be easily
made starting from easily available elements and materials and which, moreover, is
very reliable from a mere economic stand-point.
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects,
as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved
by an improved motor vehicle power window safety switch, characterized in that said
switch comprises a pivoted push-button swinging about a central fixed pin, thereon
there is offset arranged a contoured covering element allowing said push-button to
be operated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment
of an improved safety switch for motor vehicle power windows, which is illustrated,
by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings,
where:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main component parts of the subject safety switch,
before the assembling thereof;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switch according to the present invention after
the assembling of its component parts;
Figure 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the subject safety switch, and specifically
illustrating the mode of operation thereof;
Figure 4 is a side view of the switch according to the invention;
and
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the switch according to the invention, without the
covering element therefor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0009] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the improved
safety switch for power windows, which has been specifically designed for application
to motor vehicles and the like, according to the present invention, and generally
indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a base body 2, supporting thereon a
pivoted push-button 3 which can swing about a central fixed pin 4.
[0010] Through a portion 5 of the above mentioned swinging push-button there is provided
a slot 6 which allows, in cooperation with perforated support elements 7 affixed to
the base body 2 and arranged on the front and on the rear, respectively, of a portion,
indicated at the reference number 8, of the swinging push-button 3, the insertion
of pins 9 provided for locking on the switch 1 a covering element 10.
[0011] Accordingly, this covering element is coupled to the switch with an offset relationship.
[0012] If desired, the covering element can also be snap engaged on the switch.
[0013] Moreover, said covering element is so contoured and/or designed as to allow to introduce
into a groove 11 formed thereon, a finger of a hand, in order to cause the glass panel
of the window to be operated.
[0014] On the top, the covering element is provided with a knurled portion 12 preventing
the hand finger from slipping, as the covering element is pressed in order to cause
the glass panel to be lowered.
[0015] In operation, by introducing a hand finger into the groove 11 and pulling upwardly
the covering element 10, the portion 8 of the swinging pushbutton 3 is pressed downwardly,
thereby closing a contact element associated therewith and causing the glass panel
to be raised.
[0016] On the other hand, by downwardly pressing the covering element 10, will be closed
the contact element causing the glass panel to be lowered, through the pressure exerted
on the portion 5 of the swinging push-button 3.
[0017] From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves
the intended aim and objects.
[0018] In particular, the fact is to pointed out that a safety switch has been provided
which comprises a covering element specifically designed for preventing the glass
panels from being accidentally operated.
[0019] This safety switch, accordingly, is much more reliable than prior analogous safety
switches and, moreover, it is very simple from a mere construction standpoint.
[0020] The invention as disclosed is susceptible to several variations and modifications
all of which will come within the scope of the inventive idea.
[0021] Moreover, all of the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
[0022] In practicing the invention, the used materials, provided that they are compatible
to the intended use, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, according
to requirements.
1. An improved motor vehicle power window safety switch, characterized in that said switch
comprises a pivoted push-button swinging about a central fixed pin, thereon there
is offset arranged a contoured covering element allowing said pushbutton to be operated.
2. An improved safety switch for motor vehicle power windows, according to Claim 1, characterized
in that said switch comprises a base body supporting thereon said swinging push-button.
3. An improved safety switch according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that to a
portion of said swinging push-button there is provided a slot which, in cooperation
with perforated support elements, affixed to said base body, allows the engagement
therein of locking pins for locking on said switch said covering element.
4. An improved safety switch according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said covering element is snap engaged on said safety switch.
5. An improved safety switch according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said covering element is provided with a hand finger engaging groove.
6. An improved safety switch for power windows, according to one or more of the preceding
claims, characterized in that said covering element is provided with a top knurled
portion.