Laminated locking slider multiple circuit pushbutton switch assembly with improved connectors for plug-in wires

Claim 2

In a multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulating housing with wall means having two series of discrete openings spaced from one another a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing a plurality of pushbutton elements for operating said slides a plurality of integral terminal elements mounted within said housing adjacent said openings including fixed contact terminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminal elements actuated by said slides the improvement of the said contact terminal elements comprising a retaining portion, said retaining portion being cut along a generally U-shaped path, said path defining an integral resilient locking tongue having its free end overlying a said opening for engaging and retaining a conductor wire inserted through said opening and a contact portion extending inwardly away from said wall means.

Claim 3

A multiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retaining portion includes a plate parallel to said wall means and retained in said housing.

Claim 4

A multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulating housing with top and side walls each having a series of discrete openings spaced from one another with interior abutment means defining opposing slots at the sides of said side wall openings and parallel to said side walls a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing and having a plurality of top and bottom cam surfaces a plurality of pushbutton elements extending through said openings in said top wall for operating said slides by engagement with said top cam surfaces of said slides a plurality of integral sheet metal terminal elements mounted within said housing adjacent said side wall openings incluDing fixed contact terminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminal elements actuated by said slides said terminal elements comprising a retaining portion including a plate parallel to said side walls with its opposed side edges retained in said opposing slots and having a ''''U'''' shaped cutout providing a resilient locking tongue with its free end overlying said opening for engaging and retaining a conductor wire inserted through said opening and a contact portion extending inwardly away from said side wall.

Claim 5

A multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulating housing with top and side walls each having a series of discrete openings spaced from one another with interior abutment means defining opposing slots at the sides of said side wall openings and parallel to said side walls a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing and having a plurality of top and bottom cam surfaces a plurality of pushbutton elements extending through said openings in said top wall for operating said slides by engagement with said top cam surfaces of said slides a plurality of integral sheet metal terminal elements mounted within said housing adjacent said side wall openings incluDing fixed contact terminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminal elements actuated by said slides said terminal elements comprising a retaining portion including a plate parallel to said side walls with its opposed side edges retained in said opposing slots and having a ''''U'''' shaped cutout providing a resilient locking tongue with its free end overlying said opening for engaging and retaining a conductor wire inserted through said opening and a contact portion extending inwardly away from said side wall.

Claim 6

A multiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lower end of said retaining portion adjacent the bottom of said side wall slot extends perpendicularly to said side wall providing a wire contacting surface opposed to the free end of said tongue cooperating therewith to clamp a conductor wire therebetween.

Claim 7

A multiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lower end of said retaining portion has its end spaced from said side wall providing a conductor wire stop spaced from said opening.

Claim 8

A multiple pushbutton slide switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein said upper end of said retaining portion is bent back upon itself and said opposing slots are of a width at least as great as said bent back end, the sides of said plate being deformed to a thickness providing an interference fit in said opposing slots.

Claim 9

A multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulating housing with top and side walls each having a series of discrete openings spaced from one another with interior abutment means defining opposing slots at the sides of said side wall openings and parallel to said side walls, a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing and having a plurality of top and bottom cam surfaces, a plurality of pushbutton elements extending through said openings in said top wall for operating said slides by engagement with said top cam surfaces of said slides, a plurality of integral sheet metal terminal elements mounted within said housing adjacent said side wall openings including fixed contact terminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminal elements actuated by said slides, said terminal elements comprising a contact portion extending inwardly away from said side wall, and a retaining portion including a plate parallel to said side walls with its opposed side edges retained in said opposing slots, said opposing slots being of a width at least as great as said bent back end, the sides of said plate being deformed to a thickness providing an interference fit in said opposing slots, said parallel plate having a ''''U'''' shaped cutout providing a resilient locking tongue with its free end overlying said opening for engaging and retaining a conductor wire inserted through said opening, and the lower end of said retaining portion adjacent the bottom of said side wall slot extending perpendicularly to said side wall providing a wire contacting surface opposed to the free end of said tongue cooperating therewith to clamp a conductor wire therebetween.

Claim 10

A multiple pushbutton slide switch comprising a hollow insulating housing with top and side walls each having a series of discrete openings spaced from one another with interior abutment means defining opposing slots at the sides of said side wall openings and parallel to said side walls, a multiplicity of slides mounted within said housing and having a plurality of top and bottom cam surfaces, a plurality of pushbutton elements extending through said openings in said top wall for operating said slides by engagement with said top cam surfaces of said slides, a plurality of integral sheet metal terminal elements mounted within said housing adjacent said side wall openings including fixed contact terminal elements and cooperating movable contact terminal elements actuated by said slides, said terminal elements comprising a contact portion extending inwardly away from said side wall, and a retaining portion including a plate parallel to said side walls with its opposed side edges retained in said opposing slots, said opposing slots being of a width at least as great as said bent back end, the sides of said plate being deformed to a thickness providing an interference fit in said opposing slots, said parallel plate having a ''''U'''' shaped cutout providing a resilient locking tongue with its free end overlying said opening for engaging and retaining a conductor wire inserted through said opening, and the lower end of said retaining portion adjacent the bottom of said side wall slot extending perpendicularly to said side wall providing a wire contacting surface opposed to the free end of said tongue cooperating therewith to clamp a conductor wire therebetween.