Thermostatic switches and process and apparatus for calibrating same

Claim 3

The method of calibrating a thermostat as defined in claim 1, wherein the deformation of said housing is effected by a tool that is reciprocable into and out of engagement with said housing, and the means for advancing said tool is operatively connected in electrical circuit with the switch arm of the thermostat so that when the arm snaps open the advance of the tool is terminated.

Claim 4

The method according to claim 2, wherein the tool is advanced step by step toward said housing until the switch arm snaps open breaking the circuit to the tool-advancing means.

Claim 5

A thermostat, comprising a pair of electrical conductors secured together one of which is a housing and the other of which is a plate constituting a closure for said housing, a layer of dielectric material interposed between said conductors to insulate them electrically from each other, one of said conductors having therein a central recess the bottom of which is disposed in spaced, parallel relation to a central portion of the other of said conductors, a flexible, temperature-responsive, bimetallic switch arm fixed at one end to said recessed conductor at the bottom of said recess, said switch arms being responsive to predetermined changes in ambient temperature to move its opposite, free end between a first position in which said arm electrically connects said conductors, and a second position in which said arm disconnects said conductors from each other, and terminals secured to said conductors for connecting said conductors in an electrical circuit, said one conductor having a pair of spaced dimples formed in the outer surface thereof at the bottom of said recess, one of said dimples forming a first projection extending internally at the point where said one End of said arm is secured to said one conductor, and the other of said dimples also extending internally to constitute a second projection which registers with said arm intermediate its ends at a point spaced closer to said fixed end than to said free end of said arm to operate as a fulcrum for said arm.

Claim 6

A thermostat, comprising a pair of electrical conductors secured together one of which is a housing and the other of which is a plate constituting a closure for said housing, a layer of dielectric material interposed between said conductors to insulate them electrically from each other, one of said conductors having therein a central recess the bottom of which is disposed in spaced, parallel relation to a central portion of the other of said conductors, a flexible, temperature-responsive, bimetallic switch arm fixed at one end to said recessed conductor at the bottom of said recess, said switch arms being responsive to predetermined changes in ambient temperature to move its opposite, free end between a first position in which said arm electrically connects said conductors, and a second position in which said arm disconnects said conductors from each other, and terminals secured to said conductors for connecting said conductors in an electrical circuit, said one conductor having a pair of spaced dimples formed in the outer surface thereof at the bottom of said recess, one of said dimples forming a first projection extending internally at the point where said one End of said arm is secured to said one conductor, and the other of said dimples also extending internally to constitute a second projection which registers with said arm intermediate its ends at a point spaced closer to said fixed end than to said free end of said arm to operate as a fulcrum for said arm.

Claim 7

A thermostat as defined in claim 4, wherein said one conductor has lateral flange portions around the open end of said recess, and said other conductor has marginal portions thereof engaged over marginal portions of said layer and said flange portions to secure said conductors and dielectric material together.

Claim 8

A thermostat comprising an electrically conductive, cupped housing open at one side and having an inwardly projecting dimple in its opposite, closed side, a flexible, electrically conductive bimetallic switch arm fastened at one end in conducting relation to said dimple, an electrically conductive plate covering said open side of said housing and closing the same, a layer of dielectric material interposed between said plate and said housing and insulating the plate and housing from one another, and having an aperture therethrough, an electrically conductive contact secured to said plate in electrically conductive relation thereto and disposed in a position to be engaged by the free end of said arm, when said arm moves in one direction in response to ambient temperature to close an electric circuit between said plate and said housing, said housing having a second inwardly projecting dimple in it spaced from the first-named dimple to form a fulcrum for said arm when it moves in response to an ambient temperature change to snap said arm out of engagement with said contact, and means for connecting a pair of electrical conductors to said housing and to said plate, respectively.

Claim 9

A thermostat comprising an electrically conductive, cupped housing open at one side and having an inwardly projecting dimple in its opposite, closed side, a flexible, electrically conductive bimetallic switch arm fastened at one end in conducting relation to said dimple, an electrically conductive plate covering said open side of said housing and closing the same, a layer of dielectric material interposed between said plate and said housing and insulating the plate and housing from one another, and having an aperture therethrough, an electrically conductive contact secured to said plate in electrically conductive relation thereto and disposed in a position to be engaged by the free end of said arm, when said arm moves in one direction in response to ambient temperature to close an electric circuit between said plate and said housing, said housing having a second inwardly projecting dimple in it spaced from the first-named dimple to form a fulcrum for said arm when it moves in response to an ambient temperature change to snap said arm out of engagement with said contact, and means for connecting a pair of electrical conductors to said housing and to said plate, respectively.