Snap switch having a concavo-convex diaphragm

Claim 1

IN A SNAP SWITCH INCLUDING AN ENCLOSURE AND A CONTACT ELEMENT AFFIXED THERETO, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A MOVABLE CONTACT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A RESILIENT CONCAVO-CONVEX DIAPHRAGM MOUNTED WITHIN SAID ENCLOSURE AND HAVING A CENTRAL AREA WITH A MOVABLE CONTACT ELEMENT AFFIXED TO THE AXIAL PORTION OF THE CENTRAL AREA OF SAID DIAPHRAGM FOR ENGAGING SAID FIXED CONTACT ELEMENT AND A RIM AREA SEPARATED BY ARCUATE OPENINGS THEREIN, SAID CENTRAL AREA BEING DISPOSED FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT, AN ACTUATOR DISPOSED FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT IN THE ENCLOSURE AND IN OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CENTRAL AREA OF SAID DIAPHRAGM, SAID ACTUATOR INCLUDING A RADIALLY EXTENDING BODY WITH PERIPHERAL SUBTENDING LEGS PROJECTING THEREFROM AND ENGAGING THE PERIPHERAL ZONE OF THE CENTRAL AREA OF THE DIAPHRAGM FOR APPLYING ACTUATING FORCES TO THE CENTRAL AREA OF THE DIAPHRAGM TO PRODUCE A SNAP ACTION OPERATION OF THE CENTRAL AREA AND RAPID ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THE MOVABLE CONTACT ELEMENT WITH SAID ENCLOSURE-AFFIXED CONTACT ELEMENT.