Multiple switch assembly having stator contacts with prestressed jaws and alignment means

Claim 1

IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, AN ELECTRICALLY INSULATING MOUNTING HAVING SPACED CONFRONTING WALL PORTIONS, A CONDUCTIVE CONTACT ELEMENT, SAID CONTACT ELEMENT COMPRISING A SUPPORTING BODY SUPPORTED BY SAID MOUNTING AND GENERALLY PARALLEL ELONGATED AND COEXTENSIVE FINGER PORTIONS SUPPORTED AT PROXIMAL ENDS THEREOF BY SAID SUPPORTING BODY, SAID FINGER PORTIONS PROJECTING LATERALLY BETWEEN SAID WALL PORTIONS, SAID FINGER PORTIONS HAVING CONFRONTING CONTACT PLATES AT THE DISTAL ENDS THEREOF AND HAVING CONFRONTING ARCHED PORTIONS INTERMEDIATE THE PROXIMAL AND DISTAL ENDS THEREOF, SAID CONFRONTING ARCHED PORTIONS ARCHING OPPOSITELY AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER TOWARD SAID OPPOSING WALL PORTIONS, A CONTACT BLADE, AND MEANS SUPPORTING SAID CONTACT BLADE FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID MOUNTING ALONG A PATH PASSING BETWEEN SAID CONTACT PLATES, THE THICKNESS OF SAID BLADE EXCEEDING ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID WALL PORTIONS AND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID ARCHED PORTIONS AT THEIR OUTER APICES.