GB1353216A - Permutation switch - Google Patents

Abstract

1353216 Secret contact-combination switches ELECTRONIC CONTROLS CORP 20 Oct 1971 [17 Feb 1971] 48707/71 Heading H1N A permutation switch comprises a plurality of tumblers each having an inner portion 36 rotatable about a central support (not shown), an annular outer portion 42 surrounding the inner portion, said outer portion having conductive regions 62 and insulating regions, and a generally radially movable lock member 124 carried by outer portion 42 and normally biased into locking engagement with the inner portion 36 to constrain the inner and outer portions for conjoint rotation, the lock member 124 including a cam surface 152 such that an axial force directed against said surface will cause radial movement of said lock member to a release position in which the inner and outer portions are relatively rotatable. The lock member 124 has serrations 132 which normally engage with serrations 134 of inner portion 36. Each inner portion 36 has an axially projecting pin 52 which co-operates with a web 56 of the inner portion 36 of the adjacent tumbler to drive the adjacent tumbler when a master dial is rotated. When it is desired to reset the combination, the dial is rotated until all the conductive segments 62 and lock members 124 are aligned and then a pin (not shown) is inserted through aperture 150 and 144 in the lock members 124 and outer portions 42 to move the lock members out of locking engagement with the inner portions 36. A new combination is then dialled on the master dial and the pin removed. The outer surface of each tumbler is acted on by contact fingers (not shown).