US3597562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Movable contact structure for an electric switch
Assignee: Schneider Electric USA Inc
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Filing: 1969-07-23
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A movable contact structure having a movable contact member carried on a movable contact carrier by a spring biased rotatable plunger. The contact member has a channellike cross section and is formed of at least two laminated metals each having different deflection and conductive characteristics so that the weight of the contact member may be reduced and provide a maximum conductive ability commensurate with its resistance to bending. An end of the plunger extends through a notched opening in the contact member so that when the plunger is rotated to one position the contact member may be separated from the carrier and when the plunger is rotated to a second position, a pin on the end of the plunger engages the material of the contact member to maintain the contact member on the end of the plunger. The plunger also includes a portion that acts as a piston in a bore of the contact carrier to reduce the bounce which occurs when the movable contact surfaces on the contact member initially engage the stationary contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Merlin Y Turnbull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 22:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/14; H01H1/20; H01H1/2008; H01H50/00; H01H50/54; H01H50/546; H01H1/02; H01H1/2083; H01H1/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
In an electric switch the combination comprising: a movable contact carrier having a front surface, a rear surface, and pair of sidewalls, a cylindrical bore having a cylindrical counterbored portion with said bore extending between the front surface and the rear surface and said counterbored portion extending from the rear surface partially to the front surface to provide a spring seat adjacent the front surface end of the bore and a pair of walls spaced equidistantly on opposite sides of the bore and extending forwardly of the front surface, a movable contact member movably positioned between the walls on the front surface, said contact member having an opening at a central portion aligned with the opening in the front surface provided by the bore and portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion beyond the sidewalls carrying contact surfaces, and means for resiliently positioning the contact member for movement between the walls and constantly urging the contact member toward an engaging position with the front surface, said means including an axially extending plunger having a cylindrical portion rotatably received in the counterbored portion, a cylindrical stem portion rotatable with the cylindrical portion, said stem portion extending from the cylindrical portion through the opening in the front wall and through the opening in the central portion of the contact member to provide a free end that is disposed forwardly of the central portion and a stop surface on the free end engaging a forwardly facing surface portion of the central portion of the contact member, and a spring having coils surrounding the stem portion and ends respectively engaging the spring seat and an end of the cylindrical portion for constantly maintaining the engagement between the stop surface and the contact member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
291 words
In an electric switch the combination comprising: a movable contact carrier having a front surface, a rear surface, and pair of sidewalls, a cylindrical bore having a cylindrical counterbored portion with said bore extending between the front surface and the rear surface and said counterbored portion extending from the rear surface partially to the front surface to provide a spring seat adjacent the front surface end of the bore and a pair of walls spaced equidistantly on opposite sides of the bore and extending forwardly of the front surface, a movable contact member movably positioned between the walls on the front surface, said contact member having an opening at a central portion aligned with the opening in the front surface provided by the bore and portions extending in opposite directions from the central portion beyond the sidewalls carrying contact surfaces, and means for resiliently positioning the contact member for movement between the walls and constantly urging the contact member toward an engaging position with the front surface, said means including an axially extending plunger having a cylindrical portion rotatably received in the counterbored portion, a cylindrical stem portion rotatable with the cylindrical portion, said stem portion extending from the cylindrical portion through the opening in the front wall and through the opening in the central portion of the contact member to provide a free end that is disposed forwardly of the central portion and a stop surface on the free end engaging a forwardly facing surface portion of the central portion of the contact member, and a spring having coils surrounding the stem portion and ends respectively engaging the spring seat and an end of the cylindrical portion for constantly maintaining the engagement between the stop surface and the contact member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
216 words
The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the opening in the central portion of the contact member is elongAted by a pair of notches extending from opposite sides of the opening along a first axis through the center of the opening, the central portion includes at least one pair of stops spaced on opposite sides of a second axis through the center of the opening that extends at an angle to the first axis and the stop surface on the free end of the stem portion is provided by a pin that extends from opposite sides of the plunger along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the plunger so that when the pin is rotated to a first rotative position wherein the axis of the pin and the first axis extend in a common plane the portions of the pin extending from opposite sides of the stem portion are received in the notches so that the movable contact member may be detached from the free end and when the plunger is rotated to a second rotative position wherein the axis of the pin and second axis extend in a common plane the portions of the pin will engage the central portion and the stops and thereby position the contact member on the free end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
142 words
The electric switch as recited in claim 1 wherein the combination includes a base having a slot in a rear wall of the base and an opening extending from the slot through a front wall of the base and a pair of stationary contacts mounted on opposite sides of the opening in the base and a portion of the movable contact carrier that provides the rear surface of the movable contact carrier is movable in the slot while a portion of the movable contact carrier providing the front surface extends through the opening in the base forwardly of the front wall of the base so that the contact surfaces on the contact member that is positioned on the front surface of the movable contact carrier engages the stationary contacts when the movable contact carrier is moved along the axis of the plunger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
216 words
The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein the opening in the central portion of the contact member is elongated by a pair of notches extending from opposite sides of the opening along a first axis through the center of the opening, the central portion includes at least one pair of stops spaced on opposite sides of a second axis through the center of the opening that extends at an angle to the first axis and the stop surface on the free end of the stem portion is provided by a pin that extends from opposite sides of the plunger along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the plunger so that when the pin is rotated to a first rotative position wherein the axis of the pin and the first axis extend in a common plane the portions of the pin extending from opposite sides of the stem portion are received in the notches so that the contact member may be detached from the free end and when the plunger is rotated to a second rotative position wherein the axis of the pin and the second axis extend in a common plane the portions of the pin will engage the central portion and the stops and thereby position the contact member on the free end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the contact member is a U-shaped channel member formed of laminated metals having different electrical conducting capabilities and different resistances to deflection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the edges of the notches are included that the pin may be readily rotated from the first rotative position to the second rotative position and the central portion includes two pairs of spaced stops that are positioned on opposite sides of the opening in the central portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The electric switch as recited in claim 3 wherein the combination includes a spring that is positioned between the rear surface of the movable contact carrier and a support for the switch to supply a force for constantly urging the contact member to a position wherein the contact surfaces on the contact member are separated from the stationary contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the walls on the front surface are provided by a pair of projections extending from the front Surface on opposite sides of the bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The switch assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the cylindrical portion includes an annular groove and an O-ring seal is positioned in the groove in sealing engagement with the cylindrical counterbore to reduce the bounce of the contact member when the contact surfaces of the contact member engage contact surfaces of a pair of stationary contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The switch assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein the cylindrical portion includes an annular groove and an O-ring seal is positioned in the groove in sealing engagement with the cylindrical counterbore to reduce the bounce of the contact member when the contact surfaces of the contact member engage contact surfaces of a pair of stationary contacts.
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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) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |