Multiple switch assembly with improved reciprocating leaf spring contact cam actuator

Claim 2

A switch including a housing, a plunger reciprocally movable within said housing, at least two leaf spring contacts within said housing and having portions thereof extending outside of said housing for connection into an electrical circuit, said plunger having portions positioned to engage at least one of said leaf spring contacts, said leaf spring contacts being movable by said plunger between an open position in which there is no contact between said leaf spring contacts, and a closed position in which there is contact between said leaf spring contacts, said housing having cooperating portions for placing said leaf spring contacts under tension including an opening for each leaf spring contact, with a portion thereof passing through the opening and with said opening being directed toward said plunger, at least one of said leaf spring contacts being urged against one of the cooperating portions of the housing, inward movement of said plunger moving the other leaf spring contact away from the plunger increasing the tension of said other leaf spring contact.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said cooperating portions of the housing include a projection extending generally toward the central portion of the housing.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said contacts are normally in an open position, movement of the plunger within the housing moving said contacts toward a closed position in which said one contact is moved away from said cooperating portion of the housing.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said contacts are normally closed.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said housing is hollow and is formed of two generally symmetrical parts.

Claim 7

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that there are four leaf spring contacts positioned within said housing, with all of said leaf spring contacts being directed toward the plunger.

Claim 8

The structure of claim 6 further characterized by and including at least two projections extending outwardly into the interior of said housing, there being a pair of leaf spring contacts associated with each projection.

Claim 9

The structure of claim 7 further characterized in that less than all of said leaf spring contacts are urged into contact with said inwardly-directed projections.

Claim 10

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said one leaf spring contact includes a pair of outwardly-extending wings in contact with said housing cooperating portion.

Claim 11

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said one leaf spring contact is directed toward said plunger in its free state, but is flexed away from said plunger by said cooperating portion.

Claim 12

A switch including a housing, a plunger reciprocally movable within said housing, at least two leaf spring contacts within said housing and having portions thereof extending outside of said housing for connection into an electrical circuit, said plunger having portions positioned to engage at least one of said leaf spring contacts, said leaf spring contacts being movable by said plunger between an open position in which there is no contact between said leaf spring contacts, and a closed position in which there is contact between said leaf spring contacts, said housing having cooperating portions for placing said leaf spring contacts under tension including a pair of oppositely-disposed projections, each extending generally toward the interior of the housing, at least one of said leaf spring contacts being urged against one of said oppositely-disposed projections, inward movement of said plunger moving the other leaf spring contact away from the plunger increasing the tension of said other leaf spring contact.

Claim 13

A switch including a housing, a plunger reciprocally movable within said housing, at least two leaf spring contacts within said housing and having portions thereof extending outside of said housing for connection into an electrical circuit, said plunger having portions positioned to engage at least one of said leaf spring contacts, said leaf spring contacts being movable by said plunger between an open position in which there is no contact between said leaf spring contacts, and a closed position in which there is contact between said leaf spring contacts, said housing having cooperating portions for placing said leaf spring contacts under tension including a pair of oppositely-disposed projections, each extending generally toward the interior of the housing, at least one of said leaf spring contacts being urged against one of said oppositely-disposed projections, inward movement of said plunger moving the other leaf spring contact away from the plunger increasing the tension of said other leaf spring contact.

Claim 14

In a switching arrangement, a plurality of switch assemblies, each including a housing, a plunger reciprocal within said housing, each switch assembly including at least two leaf spring contacts having portions thereof extending outside of said housing for connection into an electrical circuit, said contacts being movable by said plunger between an open position in which there is no contact between said leaf spring contacts and a closed position in which there is contact between said leaf spring contacts, said housing having cooperating portions thereof placing said leaf spring contacts under tension, with at least one of said leaf spring contacts being urged against one of said cooperating portions of said housing, inward movement of said plunger moving the other leaf spring contact away from the plunger increasing the tension of said other leaf spring contact, a mounting plate having a plurality of openings, one for each switch assembly, spring clips associated with each opening for positioning a switch assembly therein, portions of said spring clips overlying said plate, and portions of said spring clips being in operable engagement with each switch assembly.

Claim 15

In a switching arrangement, a plurality of switch assemblies, each including a housing, a plunger reciprocal within said housing, each switch assembly including at least two leaf spring contacts having portions thereof extending outside of said housing for connection into an electrical circuit, said contacts being movable by said plunger between an open position in which there is no contact between said leaf spring contacts and a closed position in which there is contact between said leaf spring contacts, said housing having cooperating portions thereof placing said leaf spring contacts under tension, with at least one of said leaf spring contacts being urged against one of said cooperating portions of said housing, inward movement of said plunger moving the other leaf spring contact away from the plunger increasing the tension of said other leaf spring contact, a mounting plate having a plurality of openings, one for each switch assembly, spring clips associated with each opening for positioning a switch assembly therein, portions of said spring clips overlying said plate, and portions of said spring clips being in operable engagement with each switch assembly.

Claim 16

The structure of claim 12 further characterized in that there are a pair of spring clips for each opening, with each of said clips having fingers in operable engagement with a portion of the switch assembly.

Claim 17

The structure of claim 12 further characterized in that each of said switch assemblies have openings in the exterior thereof to receive said fingers.

Claim 18

In a switching arrangement, a plurality of switch assemblies, each including a housing, a plunger reciprocal within said housing, each switch assembly including at least two leaf spring contacts having portions thereof extending outside of said housing for connection into an electrical circuit, said contacts being movable by said plunger between an open position in which there is no contact between said leaf spring contacts and a closed position in which there is contact between said leaf spring contacts, said housing having cooperating portions thereof placing said leaf spring contacts under tension, with at least one of said leaf spring contacts being urged against one of said cooperating portions of said housing, inward movement of said plunger moving the other leaf spring contact away from the plunger increasing the tension of said other leaf spring contact, a generally U-shaped mounting plate for said switch assemblies, means defining a position for each switch assembly, and spring clips integral with the generally U-shaped mounting plate and positioned for operable engagement with each switch assembly.

Claim 19

In a switching arrangement, a plurality of switch assemblies, each including a housing, a plunger reciprocal within said housing, each switch assembly including at least two leaf spring contacts having portions thereof extending outside of said housing for connection into an electrical circuit, said contacts being movable by said plunger between an open position in which there is no contact between said leaf spring contacts and a closed position in which there is contact between said leaf spring contacts, said housing having cooperating portions thereof placing said leaf spring contacts under tension, with at least one of said leaf spring contacts being urged against one of said cooperating portions of said housing, inward movement of said plunger moving the other leaf spring contact away from the plunger increasing the tension of said other leaf spring contact, a generally U-shaped mounting plate for said switch assemblies, means defining a position for each switch assembly, and spring clips integral with the generally U-shaped mounting plate and positioned for operable engagement with each switch assembly.

Claim 20

The structure of claim 15 further characterized by and including a plurality of projections inwardly directed and positioned for holding each switch assembly, said projections being integral with the U-shaped mounting means.

Claim 21

The structure of claim 16 further characterized in that said spring clips are positioned generally between said inwardly-directed projections.