US3558837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pretensioned contact springs for pushbottom consoles
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1968-07-09
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Granted: 1971-01-26
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Expires: 1988-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A pretensioned contact switch includes alternate long and short contact springs that have first legs partially embedded in corresponding parallel aligned slots of a plastic insulating base and secured therein. A first plastic stop affixed to and protruding from the base abuts a tab extending down from a second leg of the short contact spring to tension the short contact spring. A second plastic stop affixed to and protruding from the base abuts against a second leg of the long contact spring to place the long contact spring in tension. Pushbutton-actuated means move the second leg of the long contact spring away from the second plastic stop toward the second leg of the short contact spring to close the contact switch.
Inventors
- 👤 James F Bayer Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A pretensioned contact spring switch, comprising: an insulating base having a bottom surface; a switch set connected to said base comprising inner, intermediate, and outer contact par pairs disposed successively along said bottom surface, each contact pair having a long contact spring and an adjacent short contact spring; a series of first protruding stops affixed to said bottom surface and interposed in the axial path of an engaging each short spring to flex said short spring outwardly and away from the adjacent long spring in the associated pair; an elongated necked-down spacer projecting transversely through the long spring of the intermediate pair and abutting the long springs of the outer and inner pairs to gang said long springs together, a second protruding stop affixed to said bottom surface and interposed in the axial path of and engaging the long spring of the inner pair to flex said spring toward the flexed inner short spring, said first stops normally preventing contact between the adjacent long and short springs of the respective pairs; and means provided within the base for moving said inner long spring away from said second stop and into engaging relationship with the short spring in the associated pair, the movement of the inner long spring being transmitted to the outer long springs in the switch through the spacer to move the intermediate and the outer long springs into engaging relation with the associated short springs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A pretensioned contact spring switch, comprising: an insulating base having a bottom surface; a switch set connected to said base comprising inner, intermediate, and outer contact par pairs disposed successively along said bottom surface, each contact pair having a long contact spring and an adjacent short contact spring; a series of first protruding stops affixed to said bottom surface and interposed in the axial path of an engaging each short spring to flex said short spring outwardly and away from the adjacent long spring in the associated pair; an elongated necked-down spacer projecting transversely through the long spring of the intermediate pair and abutting the long springs of the outer and inner pairs to gang said long springs together, a second protruding stop affixed to said bottom surface and interposed in the axial path of and engaging the long spring of the inner pair to flex said spring toward the flexed inner short spring, said first stops normally preventing contact between the adjacent long and short springs of the respective pairs; and means provided within the base for moving said inner long spring away from said second stop and into engaging relationship with the short spring in the associated pair, the movement of the inner long spring being transmitted to the outer long springs in the switch through the spacer to move the intermediate and the outer long springs into engaging relation with the associated short springs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
198 words
A pretensioned contact spring set comprising: an elongated insulating base having a pair of substantially parallel slots formed in a long edge thereof; a pair of alternate long and short contact spring members connected to said base; each of said alternate long and short contact members comprising an anchor section, a terminal leg, and a contact leg; each anchor section embedded in corresponding slots of said base; each terminal leg extending downward from a bottom side of said base; each contact leg projecting over and spaced from a top side of said base, the contact leg of said short contact member having a straight tab extending downward and the contact leg of said long member having an inwardly bent tab extending downward; a first protruding stop on said top side of said base, situated between said contact members, and engaging said tab of said short contact member to tension said short contact member; a second protruding stop affixed to said top side of said base and engaging the outer side of the contact leg of said long contact member to tension said long contact member; and means for moving said long contact leg toward said short contact leg.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
198 words
A pretensioned contact spring set comprising: an elongated insulating base having a pair of substantially parallel slots formed in a long edge thereof; a pair of alternate long and short contact spring members connected to said base; each of said alternate long and short contact members comprising an anchor section, a terminal leg, and a contact leg; each anchor section embedded in corresponding slots of said base; each terminal leg extending downward from a bottom side of said base; each contact leg projecting over and spaced from a top side of said base, the contact leg of said short contact member having a straight tab extending downward and the contact leg of said long member having an inwardly bent tab extending downward; a first protruding stop on said top side of said base, situated between said contact members, and engaging said tab of said short contact member to tension said short contact member; a second protruding stop affixed to said top side of said base and engaging the outer side of the contact leg of said long contact member to tension said long contact member; and means for moving said long contact leg toward said short contact leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The set as set forth in claim 2, wherein said base has a cavity, located beneath said bent tab of said long contact member, for receiving said moving means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The set as set forth in claim 3, wherein said moving means is a key-operated plunger situated within the cavity, and having a cam face for engaging said bent tab.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a pretensioned contact set assembly: a block having a polygonal cross section, said block having a pair of slots extending into one side of said block; a first contact spring member having an anchor section mounted in a first of said slots and a right angular first contact leg extending over and spaced from an adjacent side of said block, said contact leg having a depending tab Extending toward, but spaced from, said adjacent side; a first stop extending from said adjacent side for engaging said tab and flexing said first contact leg; a second contact spring member having an anchor section mounted in the second of said slots, and a right angular section second contact leg extending over and spaced from said adjacent side of said block with the underside of said second contact leg spaced to clear the top of the first stop; a second stop extending from said adjacent side of said block for engaging an end portion of said second contact leg and flexing said second contact leg toward the first contact leg; and means for moving said second contact leg away from the second stop to move the underside of said second contact leg over the first stop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a pretensioned contact set assembly: a block having a polygonal cross section, said block having a pair of slots extending into one side of said block; a first contact spring member having an anchor section mounted in a first of said slots and a right angular first contact leg extending over and spaced from an adjacent side of said block, said contact leg having a depending tab Extending toward, but spaced from, said adjacent side; a first stop extending from said adjacent side for engaging said tab and flexing said first contact leg; a second contact spring member having an anchor section mounted in the second of said slots, and a right angular section second contact leg extending over and spaced from said adjacent side of said block with the underside of said second contact leg spaced to clear the top of the first stop; a second stop extending from said adjacent side of said block for engaging an end portion of said second contact leg and flexing said second contact leg toward the first contact leg; and means for moving said second contact leg away from the second stop to move the underside of said second contact leg over the first stop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a switch unit: a unitary block having a plurality of spaced stops projecting from one surface thereof; a plurality of pairs of L-shaped contact springs each having an anchor section and a contact leg; means for securing the anchor section of one of each pair of contact springs to a side of said block with the contact leg extending over an adjacent side of said block to engage and be flexed against one of said stops; means for securing the anchor section of only a predetermined one of the remaining contact springs to said side of said block with its contact leg extending over said adjacent side of said block to engage and be flexed against one of said stops; means for securing the anchor sections of the other remaining contact springs to said side of said block with their contact legs extending over said adjacent side of block; and means rendered effective by the flexing of the leg of the predetermined contact spring for flexing the legs of the other remaining contact springs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a switch unit: a unitary block having a plurality of spaced stops projecting from one surface thereof; a plurality of pairs of L-shaped contact springs each having an anchor section and a contact leg; means for securing the anchor section of one of each pair of contact springs to a side of said block with the contact leg extending over an adjacent side of said block to engage and be flexed against one of said stops; means for securing the anchor section of only a predetermined one of the remaining contact springs to said side of said block with its contact leg extending over said adjacent side of said block to engage and be flexed against one of said stops; means for securing the anchor sections of the other remaining contact springs to said side of said block with their contact legs extending over said adjacent side of block; and means rendered effective by the flexing of the leg of the predetermined contact spring for flexing the legs of the other remaining contact springs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a pushbutton operated switch: a housing having a bore extending therethrough; a plunger slidably mounted in said bore; a stop affixed to and extending from the housing with a guide surface aligned with said bore and conforming in shape to a portion of the plunger; a contact spring attached to the housing and flexed against a side of the stop; a tab extending from said contact spring overlying said bore to be engaged by the plunger; and a button engaging said plunger for sliding said plunger through said bore and along said guide surface to act on said tab to flex said contact spring away from said stop.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a pushbutton operated switch: a housing having a bore extending therethrough; a plunger slidably mounted in said bore; a stop affixed to and extending from the housing with a guide surface aligned with said bore and conforming in shape to a portion of the plunger; a contact spring attached to the housing and flexed against a side of the stop; a tab extending from said contact spring overlying said bore to be engaged by the plunger; and a button engaging said plunger for sliding said plunger through said bore and along said guide surface to act on said tab to flex said contact spring away from said stop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a pushbutton operated switch as defined in claim 7, wherein the plunger is cylindrical in shape, and the stop has an arcuate surface which guides and backs up the plunger upon operation of the pushbutton.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a pushbutton operated switch as defined in claim 7, wherein the plunger is square in cross-sectional configuration, and said plunger has a flat surface which slides along a flat surface of said stops to preclude twisting of the plunger upon operation of the pushbutton.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-25 | 1974-07-27 | 1975-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-25 | 1978-07-27 | 1979-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-25 | 1982-07-27 | 1983-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |