Pressure switch

Claim 2

In an electrical switch means having a switch blade means movable between electrical contact with a first and second movable contact means, the improvement comprising a contact stop means including a first camming means controlling said first movable contact means, a second camming means controlling said second movable contact means, a third camming means controlling the position of said switch blade means relative to said first and second movable contact means, said camming means being coaxial, and a common actuator therefor to effect a variation in the point of contact between said switch blade means relative to said first and second movable contact means.

Claim 3

A switch means according to claim 1 wherein said first, second and third camming means are each a pair of spaced, opposed annular surfaces on said contact stop means whereby movement of said cam stop means controls the position of said switch blade means and said movable contact means.

Claim 4

A switch means according to claim 2 wherein said opposed surfaces of said first camming means receive a portion of said first contact means therein, said opposed surfaces of said second camming means receiving a portion of said second movable contact means therein, said opposed surfaces of said third camming means receiving a portion of said switch blade means therein, said opposed surfaces of said camming means each being spaced apart a distance to allow movement of the portion of the respective contact means and switch blade means received therein within predetermined limits.

Claim 5

A switch means according to claim 3 wherein said opposed surfaces of said first and second camming means are generally parallel to each other whereby a constant differential reset level relationship is produced.

Claim 6

A switch means according to claim 1 wherein said switch blade means is connected with a pressure responsive means whereby pressure changes may cause movement of said switch blade means in generally opposite first and second directions, a resilient biasing means connected with said switch blade means to oppose movement of said switch blade means by said pressure responsive means in said first direction and to assist movement of said switch blade means in said second direction.

Claim 7

A switch means according to claim 5 wherein the force exerted by said resilient biasing means may be adjusted to vary the amount of pressure necessary to cause movement of said pressure responsive means.

Claim 8

A switch means according to claim 5 wherein said pressure responsive means is a diaphragm which bounds a pressure chamber, said pressure chamber being adapted to be operatively connected to a variable pressure source, said diaphragm being a polyurethane film.

Claim 9

A switch means according to claim 3 wherein said opposed surfaces of said camming means are spaced apart a distance to allow movement of said first and second contact means, said first and second contact means being biased toward said switch blade means, said contacts between said switch blade and said contact means being arranged so that said switch blade means overcomes the bias of the contact means it is engaging and moves said contact means from one opposite surface of its respective cam means to the other opposite surface.

Claim 10

A switch means according to claim 1 wherein the contact means and the switch blade means are positioned relative to each other at an effective angle of inclination, said effective angles of inclination being variable by said camming means on said contact stop means whereby the amount of wipe of the contacts may be vaRied.

Claim 11

A switch means according to claim 1 wherein said first and second movable contact means and said switch blade means each have protruding contact points thereon, said contact points providing the points of engagement of the switch blade means with the respective contact means whereby the opposing forces in the switch blade means and in the contact means are transmitted directly through the contact points.

Claim 12

In an electrical switch means having switch blade means movable between electrical contact with a first and second movable contact means, the improvement comprising a contact stop means in the form of a generally cylindrical rotatable member, having a first camming means extending thereabout controlling said first movable contact means, a second camming means spaced from said first camming means for controlling said second movable contact means, and a third camming means controlling the position of said switch blade means relative to said first and second movable contact means, said first, second and third camming means each comprising a pair of spaced opposed camming surfaces extending about said cylindrical shaped rotatable member and forming first, second and third camming grooves, said first groove receiving a portion of said first contact means therein, said second groove receiving a portion of said second movable contact means therein, and said third groove receiving a portion of said switch blade means therein, for varying the positions of said movable contact means and said switch blade means relative to each other upon turning movement of said cylindrical member.

Claim 13

In an electrical switch means having switch blade means movable between electrical contact with a first and second movable contact means, the improvement comprising a contact stop means in the form of a generally cylindrical rotatable member, having a first camming means extending thereabout controlling said first movable contact means, a second camming means spaced from said first camming means for controlling said second movable contact means, and a third camming means controlling the position of said switch blade means relative to said first and second movable contact means, said first, second and third camming means each comprising a pair of spaced opposed camming surfaces extending about said cylindrical shaped rotatable member and forming first, second and third camming grooves, said first groove receiving a portion of said first contact means therein, said second groove receiving a portion of said second movable contact means therein, and said third groove receiving a portion of said switch blade means therein, for varying the positions of said movable contact means and said switch blade means relative to each other upon turning movement of said cylindrical member.