Dennis M Fitzpatrick

US Patent:

6403899, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Mar 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/533718

Inventors:

Dennis J. Fitzpatrick - Orion Township MI
Allen K. Schwartz - Oxford MI
David Glowczewski - Washington MI

Assignee:

Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

200 6154, 200 6127

Abstract:

A circuit interlock switch mountable in a stalk switch apparatus includes an actuator mounted on a lever movably mounted in a housing attachable to a vehicle steering column. The actuator is moveable relative to the lever. In a first movement state, the actuator is coupled through a shaft extending through the lever to a contactor and moves the contactor between operative states upon rotation of the actuator to open and close vehicle circuits coupled through conductive traces in a substrate engaged by contacts on the contactor. A cam and cam follower are formed on the lever and the actuator to permit axial translation of the actuator relative to the lever only in certain rotated positions of the actuator.