Temperature responsive electrical switch assembly

Claim 2

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor.

Claim 3

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said moveable temperature responsive means comprises a bimetallic member having a base portion held against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of contact with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, and wherein said electrically conductive member is effective for holding said thermistor operatively against said one end of said chamber of said housing.

Claim 4

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable temperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion helD against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of contact with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor.

Claim 5

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable temperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion helD against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of contact with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor.

Claim 6

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable temperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion held against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of engagement with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor, and an aperture formed through said base portion of said bimetallic member, said aperture being of a size and configuration to accept therein said thermistor and said electrical insulating means.

Claim 7

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable temperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion held against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of engagement with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor, and an aperture formed through said base portion of said bimetallic member, said aperture being of a size and configuration to accept therein said thermistor and said electrical insulating means.

Claim 8

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable tEmperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion held against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of engagement with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor, and an open-ended tubular portion formed integrally with said base portion of said bimetallic member, said tubular portion having an internal dimension sufficient to accept therein said thermistor and said electrical insulating means.

Claim 9

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable tEmperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion held against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of engagement with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor, and an open-ended tubular portion formed integrally with said base portion of said bimetallic member, said tubular portion having an internal dimension sufficient to accept therein said thermistor and said electrical insulating means.

Claim 10

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly according to claim 5, wherein said electrically conductive member includes a foot portion formed integrally therewith and abutably engaging said thermistor, said foot portion being of such a dimension as to be received within said electrical insulating means.

Claim 11

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly according to claim 6, wherein said electrically conductive member comprises a leg-like portion extending from said foot portion to said second contact member, said leg-like portion being of generally bowed configuration in order to provide a degree of resiliency between said thermistor and said contact member.

Claim 12

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable temperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion held against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of contact with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor, and said electrically conductive member comprising a foot portion formed integrally therewith and abutably engaging said thermistor, said foot portion including extending side wall means defining a clearance therebetween sufficient to accept therein said thermistor and said electrical insulating means.

Claim 13

A temperature responsive electrical switch assembly, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, a first terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a first associated electrical circuit, a first contact member carried by said terminal member, a second terminal member carried by said housing and adapted for connection to a second associated electrical circuit, a second contact member carried by said second terminal member, electrically conductive moveable temperature responsive means carried by said housing within said housing, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a first range of temperatures to engage said first contact member and thereby close said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, said moveable temperature responsive means being effective during a second range of temperatures to be in disengagement with said first contact member and thereby open said first associated electrical circuit therethrough, a thermistor situated in said chamber of said housing, and an electrically conductive member operatively resiliently engaging said thermistor and said second contact member, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said second associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said moveable temperature responsive means comprising a bimetallic member having a base portion held against one end of said chamber of said housing, said bimetallic member also comprising a moveable arm portion moveable into and out of contact with said first contact member in accordance with temperature, said electrically conductive member being effective for holding said thermistor against said one end of said chamber of said housing, and further comprising electrical insulating means peripherally surrounding said thermistor to prevent direct contact between said bimetallic member and said thermistor, and said electrically conductive member comprising a foot portion formed integrally therewith and abutably engaging said thermistor, said foot portion including extending side wall means defining a clearance therebetween sufficient to accept therein said thermistor and said electrical insulating means.

Claim 14

A temperature sensitive and responsive probe assembly for use in combination with an associated electrical circuit, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, terminal means carried by said housing and adapted for connection to said associated electrical circuit, a thermistor situated within said chamber, said thermistor and said terminal means being spaced from each other as to be devoid of any physical and electrical contact therebetween, and an electrically conductive extension situated within said chamber and operatively engaging said terminal means and said thermistor, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said electrically conductive extension comprising a resilient portion effective for continually applying a resilient force against said thermistor in order to continually urge said terminal means and said thermistor in directions generally away from each other and thereby assure continued electrical conductivity therebetween.

Claim 15

A temperature sensitive and responsive probe assembly for use in combination with an associated electrical circuit, comprising a housing, a chamber formed within said housing, terminal means carried by said housing and adapted for connection to said associated electrical circuit, a thermistor situated within said chamber, said thermistor and said terminal means being spaced from each other as to be devoid of any physical and electrical contact therebetween, and an electrically conductive extension situated within said chamber and operatively engaging said terminal means and said thermistor, said thermistor being effective to vary the current flow through said associated electrical circuitry in accordance with the temperature sensed by said thermistor, said electrically conductive extension comprising a resilient portion effective for continually applying a resilient force against said thermistor in order to continually urge said terminal means and said thermistor in directions generally away from each other and thereby assure continued electrical conductivity therebetween.

Claim 16

A temperature sensitive probe assembly according to claim 9, wherein said electrically conductive extension also comprises locating means carried thereby, said locating means being effective to operatively engage said thermistor at at least a plurality of generally opposed points generally circumscribing said thermistor and thereby prevent said thermistor from moving out of an established physical relationship to said electrically conductive extension.