Switching system

Claim 2

A switching module having particular utility in a coordinate or crossbar type switching system having at least one crosspoint and comprising a printed circuit panel having fixed contact means secured to the printed circuit panel, movable contact means mounted for movement relative to the printed circuit panel toward and away from the fixed contact means, a pivotable contact operator supported for swinging movement in opposite angular directions about a pivot axis in fixed relation to the printed circuit panel for moving the movable contact means toward and away from the fixed contact means, the contact operator being engageable with the movable contact means for latching the movable contact means in at least one contact position to which it has been moved responsive to actuation of the contact operator in a selected angular direction, and a selectively operable actuator mounted on the printed circuit panel for reciprocable movement along an axis of movement parallel to the printed circuit panel for moving the contact operator in opposite angular directions.

Claim 3

The switching module of claim 1 wherein the fixed contact means includes a contact engageable with the movable contact means upon movement thereof to an unlatched position.

Claim 4

The switching module of claim 1 wherein the fixed contact means includes a contact engageable with the movable contact means upon movement thereof to a latched position.

Claim 5

The switching module of claim 1 wherein the movable contact means itself serves as a stop upon engagement with the fixed contact means.

Claim 6

The switching module of claim 1 wherein the movable contact means is of resilient material and continuously biased by the resiliency of its own material toward engagement with the fixed contact means to establish a controlled contact engagement force in closed switch position.

Claim 7

The switching module of claim 1 wherein the contact operator comprises a rigid overcenter hinge engageable with the movable contact means for effecting operation thereof and cooperating therewith to provide an overcenter latching action of the movable contact means in said one contact position.

Claim 8

The switching module of claim 5 wherein the contact operator comprises a rigid pivotable hinge engageable with the movable contact means for applying contact operating forces thereto, the hinge effecting an automatic overcenter latching of the movable contact means in open switch position relative to the fixed contact means.

Claim 9

The switching module of claim 1 wherein the contact operator has a pivotally supported end portion and a free swinging end portion, the free swinging end portion being engageable with the movable contact means, and wherein the actuator is mounted in generally overlying relation to the movable contact means for engagement with the contact operator intermediate said end portions.

Claim 10

The switching module of claim 1 wherein the movable contact means comprises a contoured switch arm formed of conductive spring material having an apex on a raised intermediate portion of the arm, and wherein the contact operator has a free swinging end portion in overlying relation to the raised intermediate portion of the switch arm and which is engageable with the switch arm, the free swinging end portion of the switch arm being disposed in overcenter relation to the apex of the raised intermediate portion of the switch arm in said one contact position and being latched therein by the resiliency of the spring material of the switch arm.

Claim 11

The switching module of claim 9 wherein said one contact position is an open contact position with the switch arm engaging the fixed contact means, and wherein the contact force in said a contact position is established by the resiliency of the spring material of the switch arm.

Claim 12

The switching module of claim 1 further including a pivot pin mounted on the printed circuit panel in spaced overlying relation to the movable contact means and establishing the pivot axis for supporting the contact operator for pivotal movement, and wherein the actuator is disposed between said pivot pin and the movable contact means for engagement with an intermediate portion of the contact operator for selectively operating the movable contact means.

Claim 13

A switching module having particular utility in a coordinate or crossbar type switching system having at least one crosspoint and comprising a support having fixed contact means, a resilient strip in the form of an M having one leg secured to the support with an opposite leg movable toward and away from the fixed contact means and constituting movable contact means, a channel being formed between the legs, a pivotable contact operator movable in opposite angular directions and received in the channel between the legs of the movable contact means for moving the movable contact means toward and away from the fixed contact means and for latching the movable contact means in at least one contact position to which it has been moved responsive to actuation of the contact operator in a selected angular direction, and a selectively operable actuator moUnted on the support for moving the contact operator in opposite angular directions, said opposite movable leg being bifurcated to provide a pair of movable leg portions each carrying a movable contact, and the contact operator being formed of nonconductive material and provided with a tang wedgingly engaged between the movable leg portions to maintain the movable contacts spaced apart and to ensure coincident movement thereof with the contact operator.

Claim 14

A switching module having particular utility in a coordinate or crossbar type switching system having at least one crosspoint and comprising a support having fixed contact means, a resilient strip in the form of an M having one leg secured to the support with an opposite leg movable toward and away from the fixed contact means and constituting movable contact means, a channel being formed between the legs, a pivotable contact operator movable in opposite angular directions and received in the channel between the legs of the movable contact means for moving the movable contact means toward and away from the fixed contact means and for latching the movable contact means in at least one contact position to which it has been moved responsive to actuation of the contact operator in a selected angular direction, and a selectively operable actuator moUnted on the support for moving the contact operator in opposite angular directions, said opposite movable leg being bifurcated to provide a pair of movable leg portions each carrying a movable contact, and the contact operator being formed of nonconductive material and provided with a tang wedgingly engaged between the movable leg portions to maintain the movable contacts spaced apart and to ensure coincident movement thereof with the contact operator.

Claim 15

The switching module of claim 12 wherein the contact operator comprises a resilient overcenter hinge continuously engaging the movable contact means for effecting operation thereof and providing an overcenter latching action by the resiliency of its own material for retaining the movable contact means in said one contact position.

Claim 16

The switching module of claim 12 wherein the contact operator comprises a resilient hinge supported at one end for pivotal movement relative to the support and having an opposite free end provided with said tang continuously engaging the movable leg portions of the movable contact means, the hinge having a laterally extending articulation across an intermediate portion thereof providing an overcenter movement for operating the movable contact means.

Claim 17

The switching module of claim 12 wherein contact opening and closing movements of the movable contact means additionally effects wiping of the fixed contact means.

Claim 18

The switching module of claim 12 wherein the contact operator is of resilient material and is continuously urged by the resiliency of its own material toward surface-to-surface engagement with said opposite movable leg when the latter is in contact engagement with the fixed contact means.