US3636286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature positive action toggle switch
Assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
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Filing: 1970-02-26
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1990-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A snap-action toggle switch of the positive action type. That is, after the toggle lever has been moved to load the drive spring, a direct driving connection from the toggle lever to the contacts forces contact movement in the event they stick together. The drive spring then causes snap-action movement of the switch contacts. The return spring and drive spring mechanisms are designed to fit into a smaller space to provide a miniature switch. The switch positioning, spring-biased plunger mechanism is designed for optimum trip point relative to contact operation for nonteasing switch operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold W Hults
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/12; H01H23/16; H01H23/164; H01H23/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a miniature electric switch, the combination comprising: a housing including an insulating base; stationary contacts within said base and having terminals outside the base adapted to be connected to an external circuit; a movable contact within said base; and contact actuating means for operating said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts comprising: an actuator block member mounted for sliding movement along said base into a plurality of different operating positions; means coupling said actuator block member to said movable contact; and snap action means for moving said actuator block member from one of said operating positions to another to close or open the contacts comprising: positioning means for resiliently biasing said actuator block member into each of its operating positions when it is moved thereto including means for preventing teasing of the contacts comprising: a spring-biased positioning plunger held in a compartment in the base and having a peaked cam follower portion projecting from the base into engagement with a complementary camming notch in the actuator block member for each operating position of the latter, and said cam follower portion being provided with a flat to shorten its peak sufficiently to set a predetermined point at which the positioning plunger releases the actuator block relative to contact operation to insure that the snap action movement starts before the contacts start to open thereby to prevent teasing the contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a miniature electric switch, the combination comprising: a housing including an insulating base; stationary contacts within said base and having terminals outside the base adapted to be connected to an external circuit; a movable contact within said base; and contact actuating means for operating said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts comprising: an actuator block member mounted for sliding movement along said base into a plurality of different operating positions; means coupling said actuator block member to said movable contact; and snap action means for moving said actuator block member from one of said operating positions to another to close or open the contacts comprising: positioning means for resiliently biasing said actuator block member into each of its operating positions when it is moved thereto including means for preventing teasing of the contacts comprising: a spring-biased positioning plunger held in a compartment in the base and having a peaked cam follower portion projecting from the base into engagement with a complementary camming notch in the actuator block member for each operating position of the latter, and said cam follower portion being provided with a flat to shorten its peak sufficiently to set a predetermined point at which the positioning plunger releases the actuator block relative to contact operation to insure that the snap action movement starts before the contacts start to open thereby to prevent teasing the contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said snap-action means also comprises: a drive plate member laterally movable relative to said actuator block member; a drive spring channel in one of said members and relatively smaller grooves extending from the ends of said channel through said one member; a drive spring in said channel; and a pair of abutments projecting from the other member into said grooves adjacent the opposite ends of said drive spring to compress the latter when the switch is operated and to cause snap-action operation when the positioning plunger is cammed out of its complementary notch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention defined in claim 2, wherein said actuator block member and said drive plate member comprise: a lost motion coupling affording limited relative motion therebetween for compression of said drive spring and positive engagement therebetween thereafter to provide positive action for operation of the contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said snap-action means also comprises: a drive plate movable relative to said actuator block; a drive spring channel in said actuator block and relatively smaller grooves extending out from the ends of said channel; a drive spring confined in said channel; and a pair of projections integral with said drive plate and extending into said grooves at the opposite ends of said drive spring for compressing the latter when the switch is operated to cause snap action movement of the movable contact.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 4, wherein said drive spring is a helical spring in compression within said drive spring channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention defined in claim 5, wherein said contact-actuating means also comprises: a toggle lever pivotally supported in said housing for moving said drive plate from a center off position in opposite directions to opeRation positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a miniature electric switch, the combination comprising: a housing including an insulating base; stationary contacts within said base and having terminals outside the base adapted to be connected to an external circuit; a movable contact within said base; and contact-actuating means for operating said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts comprising: a laterally movable drive plate; a channel in said drive plate and relatively smaller grooves extending from the ends of said channel through said drive plate; a return spring in said channel; and at least one return plunger having a shoulder thereon biased against one end of said channel by said return spring and having an elongated stem extending through the adjacent groove into close proximity with a wall of the housing when the switch is in its off position, said return plunger abutting said wall to compress said return spring when the switch is actuated to its operating position to provide a momentary switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a miniature electric switch, the combination comprising: a housing including an insulating base; stationary contacts within said base and having terminals outside the base adapted to be connected to an external circuit; a movable contact within said base; and contact-actuating means for operating said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts comprising: a laterally movable drive plate; a channel in said drive plate and relatively smaller grooves extending from the ends of said channel through said drive plate; a return spring in said channel; and at least one return plunger having a shoulder thereon biased against one end of said channel by said return spring and having an elongated stem extending through the adjacent groove into close proximity with a wall of the housing when the switch is in its off position, said return plunger abutting said wall to compress said return spring when the switch is actuated to its operating position to provide a momentary switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said contact actuating means also comprises: an actuator block slidable on said base; a positive action, limited lost motion connection between said drive plate and said actuator block; and an actuating lever movable by said actuator block for moving said movable contact.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said contact actuating means further comprises: a means for causing snap-action movement of the movable contact comprising: spring-biased positioning means for resiliently holding said actuator block in any of its positions; and drive spring means including an elongated pocket in said actuator block confining a helical drive spring and a pair of projections on said drive plate embracing the ends of said drive spring and effective to compress it against either end of its pocket during initial movement of said drive plate while said lost motion is taken up.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a miniature electric switch, the combination comprising: a housing including an insulating base; stationary contacts within said base and having terminals outside the base adapted to be connected to an external circuit; a movable contact within said base; and contact-actuating means for operating said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts comprising: an actuator block member mounted for sliding movement along said base into a plurality of different operating positions; means coupling said actuator block member to said movable contact; and snap-action means for moving said actuator block member from one of said operating position to another to close or open the contacts comprising: positioning means for resiliently biasing said actuator block member into each of its operating positions when it is moved thereto; a drive plate member laterally movable relative to said actuator block member; a drive spring channel in one of said members and relatively smaller grooves extending from the ends of said channel through said one member; a drive spring in said channel; and a pair of abutments projecting from the other member into said grooves adjacent the opposite ends of said drive spring to compress the latter when the switch is operated and to cause snap-action operation when said resiliently biased positioning means is released.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a miniature electric switch, the combination comprising: a housing including an insulating base; stationary contacts within said base and having terminals outside the base adapted to be connected to an external circuit; a movable contact within said base; and contact-actuating means for operating said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts comprising: an actuator block member mounted for sliding movement along said base into a plurality of different operating positions; means coupling said actuator block member to said movable contact; and snap-action means for moving said actuator block member from one of said operating position to another to close or open the contacts comprising: positioning means for resiliently biasing said actuator block member into each of its operating positions when it is moved thereto; a drive plate member laterally movable relative to said actuator block member; a drive spring channel in one of said members and relatively smaller grooves extending from the ends of said channel through said one member; a drive spring in said channel; and a pair of abutments projecting from the other member into said grooves adjacent the opposite ends of said drive spring to compress the latter when the switch is operated and to cause snap-action operation when said resiliently biased positioning means is released.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |