US3329785A - Rectangular conductor harness means and attachments - Google Patents

Description

July 4, 1967 o. G. BAER ETAL 5 RECTANGULAR CONDUCTOR HARNESS MEANS AND ATTACHMENTS I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9 1963 .m a wwm v Rm m LIT m M o e w A m m m. EFWII 0 N3 w M m3 8 zamw. m mm mm mam a B I an" M 3 5? :3 M 1mm 1mm WAR 5 w 3m 3 mm m 3.

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RECTANGULAR CONDUCTOR HARNESS MEANS AND ATTACHMENTS INVENTORS Donald G. Boer Allan S.Van Slyke Robert C. Wooffer BY n. H

Their v y 4, 1967 D. G. BAER ETAL 3,329,785

RECTANGULAR CONDUCTOR HARNESS MEANS AND ATTACHMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 9 1963 INVENTORS Donald G. Baer Allan S.Van Slyke Robert C. Wooffer Their Attorney y 4, 1967 I D. G. BAER ETAL 3,329,785

RECTANGULAR CONDUCTOR HARNESS MEANS AND ATTACHMENTS Filed Oct. 9, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTORS Donald 6. Beer Allan S. Van Slyke Roberf C. Wooffer Their Aflorney United States Patent f poration of Delaware Filed Oct. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 315,081 1 Claim. (Cl. 200-68) This invention relates to wiring and electrical connections and, more particularly, to a rectangular conductor harness means and attachments for vehicle use. This is a continuation-in-part of our copending U.S. patent application S.N. 141,483, filed Sept. 28, 1961, now Patent 3,226,668, Baer et al., issued Dec. 28, 1965.

An object of this invention is to provide window lift switch means usable with fiat rectangular wire as well as round stranded wire harness means and having reduced depth structurally with fewer though readily serviceable parts including spring means free of carrying electrical current yet providing contacts subject to snap action to avoid intermediate positioning and arcing.

Another object of this invention is to provide window lift switch means combined with flat rectangular wire harness means to which switch contact portions are welded directly for improved electrical juncture and cost reduction due to elimination of terminals and connectors to the switch means having a flat harness receiving body portion of insulating material in which a button means is pivotally disposed and including a substantially U-shaped bridging contact portion carried thereby for wiping and sliding movement as to contact portions completely independent of biasing spring means engaging the button means centrally pivoted as to the body portion having opposite outward abutments engageable by hooked arms of a trim pad hole liner to which a spring metal retaining clip means is anchored having inward projections that selectively hold a bezel means with serrated mounting lugs complementary at least in part to the projections of the clip means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a single-button window lift switching device in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partially sectioned view taken along line 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partially sectioned view taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of a switch body assembly for the device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is an-exploded perspective view of a button assembly for the device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective View of a completed assembly of the device of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a side view to show completed assembly of all parts or components of FIGURE 6.

Motor vehicle manufacturers have produced bodies equipped with wiring means utilizing rounded conductors which can be grouped as a harness provided with a tapelike covering and the like. Such rounded conductors as grouped into a harness can effect transfer of electric power to various electrical devices and switching means to which the wiring harness and conductor means can be routed generally in concealed positions between inner and outer panels of doors as well as between supports such as doorjambs and vehicle upholstery and metal body panels in- 32,329,785 Patented July 4, 1967 cluding fenders and the like. There is a continuing trend in body construction in modification of vehicle bodies to increase strength thereof while reducing thickness or spacing between components. Future vehicles will also be provided with thinner door means that provide less space between inner and outer panels thus requiring new types of switch means and accessory devices due to limited space from a point of view of thickness between such mounting panels. In some instances a transition will be made by provision of both rounded as well as flattened insulated conductors and wiring means between which electrical interconnection must be established so that flattened conductor means or substantially rectangular-shaped insulated wiring harness means can be used where space accommodations are narrower and cannot permit placement and fitting of round conductors in grouped relation as tape-covered harness means previously used.

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a single-button windowlift switching device generally indicated by numeral 330 and having features further in accordance with the present invention. The switching device 330 is also illustrated in cross sectional views of FIGURES 2 and 3 as well as in exploded perspective views of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6. A switching device 330 includes a box-like main body portion 331 having an integral and laterally-projecting extension 332 for use with a flat-rectangular wire harness means. This extension 332 can be seen in views of FIG- URES 1, 2, 4 and 6. However, it is to be understood that features of the switching device 330 could also be used with round stranded wire harness means subject to a modification of contact means and strip portions used therewith. In any event, the main body portion 331 has the integral extension 332 and a rectangular shaped ending 333 thereof to be substantially complementary to a flat rectangular wire harness means such as noted earlier. A rear or bottom cover portion 334 shown in the perspective and exploded view of FIGURE 4 is adapted to fit along an underside of the main body portion 331 as well as the extension 332 and ending 333 so as to hold a flat wiring harness means in a sandwiched relation therebetween.

The main body portion 331 includes opposite pairs of substantially symmetrical wall means 335 and 336 respectively. Each of the wall means 336 includes a ramp or outwardly flared shoulder means 337 engageable by an abutment 338 on a pair of opposite J-shaped arms 339 integral with a trim pad hole liner portion 340 illustrated in views of FIGURES 6 and 7. The arms 339 are integral with the liner 340 adjacent to only one end thereof and slots 341 provide separation of the longitudinal edges of the arms from the liner 340 which can have serrated corners 342 for anchoring thereof as to a vehicle trim pad or upholstery panel having a suitable insulating backing. These serrated corners 342 can be seen in the exploded view of FIGURE 6 wherein there is also shown a metal retaining clip 343 having notched tabs or locking lugs 344 cooperable with the serrated corners 342. These notched tabs project inwardly toward each other though extending angularly to one side of the rectangular metal form of the retaining clip means 343. An opposite pair of spring members 345 having curled or rolled ends 346 adjacent to a free end thereof can be provided integrally with the retaining clip means 343 such that this clip means can be positioned on one side of the trim pad 347 indicated in FIG. 7 and a bezel or cover portion 348 shown in views of FIGURES 6 and 7 can have integral ribbed arms 349 thereof engaged by the rolled ends 346 as represented in FIGURE 7. A suitable gasket with a central opening and a pair of opposite slots to accommodate the ribbed arms 349 can be preassembled to the bezel 348 and this gasket is represented by a reference 348G having the slots 349G 3 Substantially parallel to each other as indicated in FIG- URE 6.

The opposite walls 335 can have a pair of journaling recesses or openings 335] relative to which a button means 356 is adapted to be pivotally mounted by means of opposite though axially aligned projections 351 thereof. A free end of the button means 350 can be pivotally moved in a to and fro direction as represented in FIGURE 7 and the switching device 330 is normally open so far as electrical contacting is concerned. Movement of the button means 350 into opposite pivotal positions can effect intermittent up or down cycling of a power window unit of a vehicle in a well-known manner. A pair of elbowshaped spring means 352 shown in views of FIGURES 1, 2, 4 and 6 can accomplish centering or spring-urged return to neutral or open positioning of the switching button 350. The centering spring means 352 can include a locking barb or tang 353 adapted to engage a suitable recess of the opposite walls 36 respectively and a slot substantially parallel to the walls 336 can be provided to accommodate and receive one of the substantially flat opposite ends of each of the spring means 352. Thus, a free end of each of the spring means 352 can engage the button means 351) as shown in FIGURE 2.

The button means 350 can include a cover portion 354 which fits snugly over a substantially triangular-shaped upper end of the button means 350, and which can include displaceable end tabs 355 suitably bent inwardly toward each other for holding the cover means 354 in place on the button means 350. This cover means 354 can be made of a decorative plastic material and serves a useful purpose in concealing a pair of transverse slots or undercuts substantially parallel to each other as represented by reference numeral 356 in FIGURE 5. These slots 356 permit inward deflection of the journaling projections 351 for pivotal engagement thereof as to the recesses or journaling openings in the opposite walls 335. Also the button means 350 is made to include opposite pairs of grooves 357 as shown in FIGURES 3 and such that projections or lugs 358 of a central main contact with intermediate stops 359 can be integrally part of a main U-shaped body portion 360 of this contact which is resiliently biased by a spring means 361 shown in FIGURE 5. This main center U-shaped contact means 360 is adapted to engage a centrally located feed or energizing contact having three integrally joined curved parts 361, 362 and 363 as can be seen in views of FIGURES 2 and 4. Similarly, predetermined flat wiring harness conductors can be attached to a pair of up and down contact means 364 located laterally in alignment with the curved parts 361 and 363 respectively. Thus, the center or main contact means 360 can effect a bridging between the feed contact means having a central or neutral position 362 recessed to hold the button means in open position while also having recessed opposite curved parts 361 and 362 remote though integrally joined relative to each other for bridging as to energization to either of the up and down contact means 364. Each of the contact means 364 has a substantially J-shaped contacting surface at least partially complementary to the curved parts 361 and 363 of the central feed contact means.

The main U-shaped contact means 360 is a bus-bartype structure springloaded into a recess of the button means 350 such that the four tabs 358 thereof can snap into cutouts or slots 357 of the button means. The button means 350 can be snapped into the main body portion structure by engagement of the pivotal projections 351 displaceable laterally toward each other due to provision of the slots or cutouts 356. These slots define a pair of integral insulating resiliently deflectable arms on the outer sides of which the pivotal projections 351 are provided. The main body portion carries the main feed contact means including the three curved parts 361, 362 and 363 which form raised surfaces so as to impart a snap and wiping action to the switching device. The switching body portion 331 can include a partition or transverse portion .4 366 to which the contact means can be suitably secured such as by bending of tabs 367 integral with each of the contact means 364. This partition 366 can also have raised surfaces to coincide with the three curved parts 361, 362 and 363 of the central feed contact means. When the button means 350 is manually displaced or tilted, the bus-bartype contact means 360 will be resiliently deflected over the surface of the feed contact means so as to effect bridging of the up or down circuit contact means 364 in each of opposite directions, thus closing the electrical circuit with a wiping action. The bus-bar contact means 360 is always in engagement with the surface of the main feed contact means and the leaf-type spring means 352 located on opposite end walls 336 of the main contact body portion will center and resiliently force the button means as well as the bus-bar contact means 360 carried thereby back to open or central positioning when manual force is withdrawn from the button means 350.

Sequence of operation for installing the switching device into a trim pad panel such as 347 on a door of a vehicle can include first an insertion of a plastic hole liner means 340 into an opening or hole punched into the trim pad from a passenger compartment side thereof. This plastic hole liner 340 is held in place by the metal retaining clip means 343 which can be assembled from a rear side of the trim pad. The switch assembly or device with fiat wiring harness means attached thereto is then snapped into the plastic hole liner 340 from the backside and the hole liner has looking arms molded integrally therewith to hold the switch body securely in anchored position therewith. A decorative cast metal of vapor-finished plastic bezel is then snapped into the hole liner 340 from the front side of the trim pad and this bezel 348 is held securely in place by tension arms 345346 on the retaining clip 343.

The bezel 348, button contact assembly and leaf springs can be removed from the front side of the trim pad for service without removing the trim pad.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

A window lift switch and assembly for mounting upon an automotive trim panel comprising, a main body portion of insulating material including opposite pairs of substantially symmetrical wall members forming a cavity and an integral and laterally projecting extension for accommodating a fiat rectangular wiring harness, an outwardly flared shoulder on each of two opposite said wall members, at least two stationary contact members located within said cavity, a button member of insulating material pivotally disposed within said cavity between a pair of said wall members, a substantially U-shaped projecting contact portion carried by said button member and located to permit wiping contact with each of said stationary contact members, a trim pad hole liner member having opposite pairs of wall members forming an opening shaped to snugly accommodate said main body portion and a pair of opposing J-shaped arms located to accommodate a respective one of said shoulders, a metal retaining clip member having a central opening shaped to accommodate said trim pad hole liner member, notched tabs projecting inwardly from each corner of said opening and disposed to engage respective corners of said trim pad hole liner member and a pair of deflectable projections and a bezel member having a central opening which accommodates said button member and serrated mounting lugs arranged to engage said deflectable projections upon said retaining clip member whereby, upon assembly, said trim pad hole liner member is secured in place by said inwardly extending tabs upon said retaining clip member, said main body portion is retained by said shoulders thereof engaging said J-shaped arms of said trim pad hole liner member and said bezel member is secured in place by said serrated mounting lugs engaging said deflectable projections of said retaining clip member.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Parsons 200-168 Woodward 200-159 Koenig 200-153 Elliott 200-153 Roeser 200-67 Elliott 200-6 Hutt 200-159 Mason.

NeWcomb 200-166 Colautti 200-6 Woofter 200-16 Thompson et a1. 174-53 Nalette et a1 200-110 Zanichkowsky 200-67 Spicer 200-16 Johnson 200-6 X Stearns et a1. 174-72 Winkhaus: 6-60.

5/1962 Gluck 339-103 11/1962 Prohaska et a1. ZOO-67.7 X 11/1964 Campbell 200-16 12/1964 Crimmins et al 339-176 1/ 1965 Carling 174-59 FOREIGN PATENTS 6/ 1933 Germany.

4/1941 Great Britain.

2/ 1957 Italy.

7 OTHER REFERENCES German application No. 1,082,649, pub.

Flexprint Wiring, Handbook of Design Information,

Sanders Associates, Inc., 1958, p. 10.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

K. H. CLAFFY, D. SMITH, Assistant Examiners.

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