Patent US3684847A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3684847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tap switch
Assignee: Slater Electric Inc
•
Filing: 1970-09-24
•
Granted: 1972-08-15
•
Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A simplified tap switch having a snap action includes a rocker adapted to be pivoted by a tap handle, which is demountably secured to the rocker, with the underportion of the rocker engaging a movable contact arm which rests in a cradle of a link, the link being pivotally secured to a stationary terminal of the switch. A coil spring biases the movable contact arm into the cradle of the link and is arranged on protruding elements so that the pivotal movement of the rocker causes an over-center snap action which moves the movable contact arm between two stable positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolph Hoehn
- 👤 Harald B Jadatz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/12; H01H23/16; H01H23/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
357 words
A snap action switch comprising an insulated structure, a first stationary terminal structure including a transverse terminal extension plate, a conductive link member and cradle member, said transverse terminal extension plate bearing a square aperture at its innermost extremity, said conductive link member having a downwardly bent ear at one end thereof which is received within said square aperture located on said transverse terminal extension plate said ear acting in combination with adjacent link surfaces to secure said conductive link to said first stationary terminal structure, said conductive link member having a free end opposite to the secured end which terminates in said cradle member, a movable contact arm including an elongated extension member and a transverse member joined to one end thereof, the transverse member being received for rocking movement in said cradle member with said extension member extending away from said cradle member, and a movable contact near the free end of the extension member, a second stationary terminal structure having a fixed contact in the path Of said movable contact, a rocker pivotally mounted in said housing including a post portion extending toward said transverse member of said movable contact arm, said post portion of said rocker terminating in a free end provided with an open slot-shaped recess adapted to freely receive a portion of said transverse member of said movable contact arm therein, and a coil spring tiltably seated at one end on a pair of opposed projecting members provided on said rocker at the base of said post portion so as to extend circumferentially about said post portion in spaced relationship thereto and terminating at the other end in a cross member which extends through said slotshaped recess adjacent and generally parallel to said transverse member of said movable contact arm, said coil spring thereby being compressed between said rocker projecting members and said movable arm transverse member, whereby upon pivoting said rocker member said cross member of said coil spring oscillates diametrically between the sides of said slot-shaped recess to thereby urge said transverse member of said movable contact arm from one fixed tilted position to an opposed fixed tilted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
357 words
A snap action switch comprising an insulated structure, a first stationary terminal structure including a transverse terminal extension plate, a conductive link member and cradle member, said transverse terminal extension plate bearing a square aperture at its innermost extremity, said conductive link member having a downwardly bent ear at one end thereof which is received within said square aperture located on said transverse terminal extension plate said ear acting in combination with adjacent link surfaces to secure said conductive link to said first stationary terminal structure, said conductive link member having a free end opposite to the secured end which terminates in said cradle member, a movable contact arm including an elongated extension member and a transverse member joined to one end thereof, the transverse member being received for rocking movement in said cradle member with said extension member extending away from said cradle member, and a movable contact near the free end of the extension member, a second stationary terminal structure having a fixed contact in the path Of said movable contact, a rocker pivotally mounted in said housing including a post portion extending toward said transverse member of said movable contact arm, said post portion of said rocker terminating in a free end provided with an open slot-shaped recess adapted to freely receive a portion of said transverse member of said movable contact arm therein, and a coil spring tiltably seated at one end on a pair of opposed projecting members provided on said rocker at the base of said post portion so as to extend circumferentially about said post portion in spaced relationship thereto and terminating at the other end in a cross member which extends through said slotshaped recess adjacent and generally parallel to said transverse member of said movable contact arm, said coil spring thereby being compressed between said rocker projecting members and said movable arm transverse member, whereby upon pivoting said rocker member said cross member of said coil spring oscillates diametrically between the sides of said slot-shaped recess to thereby urge said transverse member of said movable contact arm from one fixed tilted position to an opposed fixed tilted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
A snap action switch as recited in claim 1, including a tap handle having means for demountable engagement with said rocker, and wherein said rocker includes a pair of shaped recesses in coaxial alignment with and encompassing a portion of said transverse member of said movable contact arm, and said means for demountable engagement of said tap handle with said rocker comprises a pair of tubular protrusions bearing deformable crowns, said tubular protrusions extending downwardly from said tap handle and slidably mating with said shaped recesses until said deformable crowns overlap the lower edges of said rocker, thereby fixing said tap handle to said rocker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A snap action switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coil of said spring adjacent said cross member is axially spaced from the next preceding coil thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A snap action switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cradle member is bifurcated so as to include two cradle arms, and said transverse member includes top, bottom, and two side walls defining a central opening, said bottom wall being received for rocking movement in said cradle member, said top wall being received in said slot-shaped recess and bearing against said linear portion of said coil spring, and said extension member secured to said bottom wall and extending between the arms of said bifurcated cradle member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |