Momentary contact, non-bounce switch

Claim 2

In a momentary contact switch comprising an insulating support and at least one pair of electrical contacts mounted in said support, adapted to be contacted momentarily, the improvement wherein: a first of said pair of contacts is attached to a deflectable member; a switch actuating member comprises means for deflecting said deflectable member a predetermined distance from its normal position, and means for releasing said deflectable member after said deflection; and a pendular mass associated with said member and forming means to carry said deflectable member back through its normal position and carry said first contact into said momentary contact with a second of said pair of contacts.

Claim 3

A switch as defined in claim 1, wherein: said pendular mass forms the contact surface of the first of said pair of contacts.

Claim 4

A switch as defined in claim 1, wherein: said deflectable member is a rod carrying said pendular mass proximate one end thereof and being fixed to said support at the other end thereof.

Claim 5

A switch as defined in claim 1, wherein: said deflecting means is a cam assembly mounted for relative movement against said deflectable member; said cam being so shaped that, as it is moved relative to the deflectable member, said member encounters a first cam surface forming means to deflect said member in a first direction away from said stationary contact, and then encounters a sharp recess in said cam forming means to release said member inwardly along a second cam surface tOward said stationary contact; and wherein said second cam surface and a fixed cam member are mounted for relative movement with one another to form means to urge said deflectable member back along said second surface onto said first cam surface.

Claim 6

A switch as defined in claim 3, wherein: said deflecting means is a cam assembly mounted for relative movement against said deflectable member; said cam being so shaped that, as it is moved relative to the deflectable member, said member encounters a first cam surface forming means to deflect said member in a first direction away from said stationary contact, and then encounters a sharp recess in said cam forming means to release said member inwardly along a second cam surface toward said stationary contact; and wherein said second cam surface and a fixed cam member are mounted for relative movement with one another to form means to urge said deflectable member back along said second surface onto said first cam surface.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said switch is free of any contact-making means except that formed by the first contact in its deflected mode.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein: said fixed cam is integral with said insulating support member; and said cam assembly is biased against a return spring, positioned between said assembly and a housing for said momentary contact switch.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said switch comprises at least two pair of contacts.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: the deflectable contact member is fixed to said support proximate one end thereof and attached to a terminal at said end.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein: said cam assembly is adapted to immobilize said deflectable member when said switch is not in use; said immobilization being achieved by said deflectable member being in normal biased relationship against said cam assembly.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein: said switch is free of any contact-making means except that formed by said deflectable member in its deflected mode.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein: said switch is free of any contact-making means except that formed by the first contact in its deflected mode.

Claim 14

A momentary contact, non-bounce switch comprising: a pair of electric contacts each including a relatively heavy weight carried at the free end of a stiff rod spring, the other ends of each said rod being anchored against movement; plunger cam means mounted in said switch for reciprocal movement, said means having a pair of inclined cam faces each arranged to flex one of said contacts sidewise and then release the same; a pair of stationary contacts in said switch, each in the path of one of said movable contacts and arranged to momentarily close a circuit when one of said movable contacts is released by said cam means to flex thereagainst; and a pair of stationary cam faces in said switch, operatively associated with said plunger cam means, to prevent said electric contacts from striking said stationary contacts more than once.

Claim 15

A momentary contact, non-bounce switch comprising: a pair of electric contacts each including a relatively heavy weight carried at the free end of a stiff rod spring, the other ends of each said rod being anchored against movement; plunger cam means mounted in said switch for reciprocal movement, said means having a pair of inclined cam faces each arranged to flex one of said contacts sidewise and then release the same; a pair of stationary contacts in said switch, each in the path of one of said movable contacts and arranged to momentarily close a circuit when one of said movable contacts is released by said cam means to flex thereagainst; and a pair of stationary cam faces in said switch, operatively associated with said plunger cam means, to prevent said electric contacts from striking said stationary contacts more than once.