Push-switch with spring biased plunger

Claim 1

An electric switch comprising, in combination, a generally tubular housing having a wall defining an interior chamber that has an open upper end and a generally closed bottom, a plunger having an exterior complementary to the interior chamber of said housing to be axially movable therein and having an interior opening, a pedestal extending upwardly into said chamber from the center of said housing bottom, said pedestal having an upper surface, a pair of contact receiving slots extending from said upper pedestal surface in said chamber through said pedestal and said housing bottom, a pair of generally flat contact members having elongated bodies with lower connection ends and contact portions adjacent upper ends, means on said members near said connection ends and in said slots cooperating for retaining said members in said slots with their bodies extending upwardly in the central region of said housing chamber, said members having inwardly directed bends with the contact portions of said members resiliently urged together, said upper ends terminating at an upwardly and outwardly directed flare, a helical spring spaced from and surrounding at least a portion of said members in said chamber, said spring having a first end positioned around said pedestal and a second end extending into and closely engaging an interior wall of said plunger opening whereby said spring is prevented from moving into contact with said members, said spring biasing said plunger from an actuated position to a released position, resilient means on said plunger for retaining said plunger in said housing chamber when said plunger is inserted into said housing chamber without interfering with movement of said plunger between the released position and the actuated position, and a contact separating member extending across said plunger opening, said contact separating member extending between said contact members to separate said contact portions when said plunger is in the released position and not to interfere with contact between said contact portions when said plunger is in the actuated position, said separating member having a wedge-shaped lower surface located to separate and pass between said flared upper ends when said plunger is inserted into said housing chamber.