Can opener switch

Claim 2

A normally open swItch adapted for use under circumstances where a high closing force is present and a high force within the switch tending to open the switch is required, said switch comprising: a switch frame of insulating material having parallel, spaced apart walls, switch terminal support means extending transversely between said walls and adjacent respective ends of said frame, first and second terminals, each of said terminals being formed from flat strip stock, each terminal having a web portion in contact with said support means and having contact arms extending in opposite oblique directions toward the center of said frame with the contact end of one of said terminals lying normally beyond the contact end of the other terminal in a direction away from said one side of said frame, and spring means in the form of a leaf spring integral with said housing, said spring means being engageable by said terminal whose contact end lies beyond the contact end of said other terminal upon flexure thereof toward the other side of said frame to thereby provide a high force tending to open said switch.

Claim 3

The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spaced apart walls carry opposed, parallel, longitudinal grooves adjacent said support means and said web portions of said switch terminals are wider than the distance between said spaced apart walls such that the edges of said terminal web portions are received within said grooves, to locate the same and prevent displacement of said terminals in the direction of the applied spring force.

Claim 4

The switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means constitute first and second switch terminal supports, said first support being proximate to said one side of said frame and adjacent to one end thereof, and said second support being relatively remote from said one side of said frame and proximate to the other end thereof, and said terminals are generally identical in size and configuration such that the contact end of said first terminal extends beyond the contact end of said second terminal a distance determined principally by the spacing between the offset longitudinal axes of said terminal supports.

Claim 5

The switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein said support means constitute first and second switch terminal supports, said first support being proximate to said one side of said frame and adjacent to one end thereof, and said second support being relatively remote from said one side of said frame and proximate to the other end thereof, and said terminals are generally identical in size and configuration such that the contact end of said first terminal extends beyond the contact end of said second terminal a distance determined principally by the spacing between the offset longitudinal axes of said terminal supports.

Claim 6

The switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein inboard ends of said terminal supports proximate to the ends of said switch frame and the ends of said grooves define shoulders limiting longitudinal movement of said terminal web portions with said grooves, and said web portions further include lances struck from the same and extending obliquely therefrom to contact said terminal support shoulders.

Claim 7

The switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein inboard ends of said terminal supports proximate to the ends of said switch frame and the ends of said grooves define shoulders limiting longitudinal movement of said terminal web portions with said grooves, and said web portions further include lances struck from the same and extending obliquely therefrom to contact said terminal support shoulders.

Claim 8

The switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first and second switch terminal supports have recessed surfaces facing said contact ends of said switch terminals carried thereby to form said respective shoulders.

Claim 9

The switch as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first and second switch terminal supports have recessed surfaces facing said contact ends of said switch terminals carried thereby to form said respective shoulders.

Claim 10

The switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein each switch terminal further includes an integral wire barrel crimp portion which extends away from its terminal support, obliquely toward the other side of said switch frame and within said spaced apart walls and inboard of said other side of said frame walls to insure insulation of the exposed wires crimped thereto.

Claim 11

The switch as claimed in claim 6, wherein each switch terminal further includes an integral wire barrel crimp portion which extends away from its terminal support, obliquely toward the other side of said switch frame and within said spaced apart walls and inboard of said other side of said frame walls to insure insulation of the exposed wires crimped thereto.

Claim 12

A normally open switch adapted for use under circumstances where a high closing force is present and a high force in the switch tending to open the switch is required, said switch comprising: a switch frame of insulating material having parallel spaced apart walls, first and second switch terminal supports extending between said walls, said first support being proximate to one side of said frame and adjacent to one end thereof, said second support being relatively remote from said one side of said frame and proximate to the other end thereof, first and second switch terminals, each of said terminals being formed from flat strip stock, said first terminal having a web portion on said first support and extending obliquely beyond said one side and away from said one end, said second terminal having a web on said second support and extending beyond said one side and away from said other end of said frame, said terminals having contact ends extending in opposite directions, said contact end of said first terminal being normally positioned laterally beyond said contact end of said second terminal, and spring means in the form of a leaf spring integral with said housing, said spring means being engageable by said first terminal upon flexure thereof towards said other side thereby to provide a high force tending to open said switch.

Claim 13

A normally open switch adapted for use under circumstances where a high closing force is present and a high force in the switch tending to open the switch is required, said switch comprising: a switch frame of insulating material having parallel spaced apart walls, first and second switch terminal supports extending between said walls, said first support being proximate to one side of said frame and adjacent to one end thereof, said second support being relatively remote from said one side of said frame and proximate to the other end thereof, first and second switch terminals, each of said terminals being formed from flat strip stock, said first terminal having a web portion on said first support and extending obliquely beyond said one side and away from said one end, said second terminal having a web on said second support and extending beyond said one side and away from said other end of said frame, said terminals having contact ends extending in opposite directions, said contact end of said first terminal being normally positioned laterally beyond said contact end of said second terminal, and spring means in the form of a leaf spring integral with said housing, said spring means being engageable by said first terminal upon flexure thereof towards said other side thereby to provide a high force tending to open said switch.