Auxiliary switch for an electromagnetic relay

Claim 2

In a relay of the type having an oPerating mechanism including an operating magnet and an armature pivoted for rocking movement on said operating magnet; an insulating base; stationary contact means mounted on the interior side of said base and having terminal means on the exterior side of said base for connection to an external circuit; movable contact means; and mounting means for said movable contact means comprising: and insulating clamping means securing said movable contact means and associated compression spring means to the armature for rocking movement therewith to engage said stationary contact means; the improvement comprising: auxiliary switch means operable concurrently with operation of the relay comprising: auxiliary stationary contact means mounted on the interior side of said base and having terminal means on the exterior side of said base for connection to an external circuit; a lateral extension on said insulating clamping means operable for movement with said rockable armature; auxiliary movable contact means mounted on said lateral extension for switching action with said auxiliary stationary contact means; and terminal means extending through said base and connected to said auxiliary movable contact means.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1, wherein: said auxiliary stationary contact means and associated terminal means comprises inserts molded in said base each having a terminal connector on one end and an auxiliary stationary contact on the other end whereby the auxiliary stationary contacts are connected directly to their respective terminals.

Claim 4

The invention defined in claim 2, wherein: said lateral extension has a tapered, keystone-shaped configuration with short wings; and said auxiliary movable contact means comprises a generally U-shaped member secured at its bottom to said lateral extension with its arms biased against said wings and the contacting parts of said arms extending above said lateral extension for engagement with said auxiliary stationary contacts.

Claim 5

The invention defined in claim 2, wherein: said lateral extension has a tapered, keystone-shaped slot therein with short projections directed toward one another at the top of said slot; and said auxiliary movable contact comprises a generally U-shaped strip secured at its bottom to the bottom of said slot and its upwardly directed arms biased outwardly against said short projections with the contacting parts of said arms extending above said lateral extension for engagement with said auxiliary stationary contacts.

Claim 6

The invention defined in claim 1, wherein: said auxiliary stationary contact means and associated terminal means are at one end of said base and similar terminal means are provided at the other end of said base for connection to the coil of the operating magnet.

Claim 7

In a relay of the type having an operating mechanism including an operating magnet and an armature pivotally supported for rocking movement on said operating magnet; an insulating base; stationary contact means mounted on one side of said base and including terminal means on the other side of said base for connection to an external circuit; movable contact means for engaging said stationary contact means when said armature is rocked; and mounting means for said movable contact means comprising: an insulating spring support on said armature; compression springs on said spring support; said movable contact means overlying said compression springs; an insulating contact support overlying said movable contact means; and means securing said contact support and said spring support to said armature while affording partial compression of said springs; the improvement comprising: auxiliary switch means operable concurrently with operation of the relay comprising: auxiliary stationary contacts mounted on said one side of said base on at least one end thereof and including integral terminals on said other side of said base at said one end for connection to an external circuit; a lateral extension on at least one end of said insulating contact support; an auxiliary movable contact mounted on said lateral extension for operative engagement with said auxiliary stationary contacts when said armature is rocked; means on said lateral extension and said auxiliary movable contact affording an initial bias to the latter; and a terminal on said base connected to said auxiliary movable contact.

Claim 8

In a relay of the type having an operating mechanism including an operating magnet and an armature pivotally supported for rocking movement on said operating magnet; an insulating base; stationary contact means mounted on one side of said base and including terminal means on the other side of said base for connection to an external circuit; movable contact means for engaging said stationary contact means when said armature is rocked; and mounting means for said movable contact means comprising: an insulating spring support on said armature; compression springs on said spring support; said movable contact means overlying said compression springs; an insulating contact support overlying said movable contact means; and means securing said contact support and said spring support to said armature while affording partial compression of said springs; the improvement comprising: auxiliary switch means operable concurrently with operation of the relay comprising: auxiliary stationary contacts mounted on said one side of said base on at least one end thereof and including integral terminals on said other side of said base at said one end for connection to an external circuit; a lateral extension on at least one end of said insulating contact support; an auxiliary movable contact mounted on said lateral extension for operative engagement with said auxiliary stationary contacts when said armature is rocked; means on said lateral extension and said auxiliary movable contact affording an initial bias to the latter; and a terminal on said base connected to said auxiliary movable contact.

Claim 9

The invention defined in claim 6, wherein: said auxiliary switch means also comprises a pair of auxiliary terminals at the other end of said base corresponding to said integral terminals and including an auxiliary stationary contact connected to one terminal of said pair; a like lateral extension on the other end of said insulating contact support; an auxiliary movable contact mounted on said like lateral extension and having one of its arms normally-closed to said auxiliary stationary contact of said one terminal; and means connecting the coil of the operating magnet for energizing a portion of the coil through said normally-closed contact across said pair of auxiliary terminals and for energizing the entire coil across said terminals when said normally-closed contact opens.

Claim 10

The invention defined in claim 6 wherein: said auxiliary switch means comprises single-pole double-throw switch contacts.