US3711800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical relay
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-22
•
Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1991-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrical relay includes a resilient, conductive contact arm mounted to the base or frame of the relay by means of a pivotal hinge which permits the contact arm to be pivoted between alternate contact positions against two electrically isolated contacts also mounted on the base. The contact arm is actuated between the two contacts by means of an electrical solenoid. A spring incorporated within the pivotal hinge urges the contact arm against one of the contacts and the electrical solenoid actuates the arm against the other of the contacts in opposition to the spring. The flexing characteristics of the contact arm produce slight wiping motions against each of the fixed contacts to insure that a low resistance junction is made between each of the contacts and the arm.
Inventors
- 👤 H Clinton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:43
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H50/00; H01H50/16; H01H50/18; H01H50/20; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/14; H01H1/24; H01H1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An electrical relay comprising: a base; first and second electrical contacts having spaced contact faces mounted to the base and electrically isolated from each other; a pivotal hinge having a first element mounted to the base and a second element pivotally mounted to the first for hinging movement relative to the base and the electrical contacts; a resilient contact arm connected to the second element of the pivotal hinge and supported by the second element for pivotal movement between alternate contact positions against the respective contact faces of the electrical contacts, the resilience of the arm and the hinging movement of the hinge being cooperative to permit the arm at the alternate contact positions to flex into bowed positions between the second element of the hinge and the electrical contacts and to thereby produce wiping motions between the contact arm and the faces of the contacts; and electrical actuating means for moving the resilient contact arm to one contact position against the contact face of the first electrical contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
An electrical relay comprising: a base; first and second electrical contacts having spaced contact faces mounted to the base and electrically isolated from each other; a pivotal hinge having a first element mounted to the base and a second element pivotally mounted to the first for hinging movement relative to the base and the electrical contacts; a resilient contact arm connected to the second element of the pivotal hinge and supported by the second element for pivotal movement between alternate contact positions against the respective contact faces of the electrical contacts, the resilience of the arm and the hinging movement of the hinge being cooperative to permit the arm at the alternate contact positions to flex into bowed positions between the second element of the hinge and the electrical contacts and to thereby produce wiping motions between the contact arm and the faces of the contacts; and electrical actuating means for moving the resilient contact arm to one contact position against the contact face of the first electrical contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electrical relay as defined in claim 1 further including resilient means for biasing the resilient contact arm toward the other contact position against the contact face of the second electrical contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrical relay as defined in Claim 2 wherein the resilient means comprises a coil spring mounted to the pivotal hinge and operating against the first and second elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
An electrical relay as defined in claim 1 wherein: the resilient contact arm is electrically conductive and is connected at one end to the second hinge element and supports contact surfaces at the other end which mate with the contact faces of the first and second contacts; and the electrical actuating means comprises an electrical solenoid having an armature and a movable push rod connected to the armature and engaging the resilient contact arm at a section between the ends of the arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An electrical relay as defined in claim 4 wherein the electrical actuating means is mounted to the base to provide a push rod movement which is substantially at a right angle to the midsection of the resilient arm at each of the alternate contact positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrical relay as defined in claim 5 wherein the movable push rod is electrically non-conductive.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |