Single contact actuator assembly

Claim 2

A contact actuator providing an on/off function in an electrical circuit, the actuator comprising: A. an elastomeric housing member defining a chamber having an open end, said housing member having a pair of integrally formed cantilever ledges on each of opposing sides of the chamber, protruding into the chamber, and extending at least the partial length thereof; B. a pair of U-shaped conductor plates juxtaposed within the chamber in opposed parallel position, said plates having tab extensions along the lateral edges thereof, the inner portion of the U-shape being in abutting relationship with the housing member while the outer portion provides a contact surface for close circuiting the actuator, said plates slidably received along their lateral edges by at least one pair of opposing cantilever ledges and constrained within the chamber by their relationship with the ledges; and C. an elastomeric plug adapted to fit securely within the open end of the housing chamber to seal the chamber, said plug providing access to the conductor plates for connection to the electrical circuit.

Claim 3

The actuator as defined in claim 1, wherein the conductor plates comprise a half-hardened temper, type 301, 22-gauge stainless steel.

Claim 4

The actuator as defined in claim 1, wherein the plug is in a substantially U-shaped configuration with the leg portions being tapered to facilitate insertion into the open end of the housing chamber and upon full insertion are in abutting relationship with the ends of respective conductor plates.

Claim 5

The actuator as defined in claim 3, wherein the plug has at least one integrally formed flexible peripheral rib to provide a sealing engagement within the housing chamber.

Claim 6

The actuator as defined in claim 3, wherein the plug is adhesively secured within the housing chamber.

Claim 7

The actuator as defined in claim 5, wherein a pair of formed holes are provided in the plug for access to the chamber and a pair of lead wires are fitted each through a respective access hole and connected to respective conductor plates within the housing chamber.

Claim 8

The actuator as defined in claim 6, wherein the access holes in the plug are horizontally aligned to provide separation between lead-wire/conductor-plate connections and integrally formed radial ribs protrude into the access holes to provide sealing engagement with the lead wires, said ribs being tapered to resist extraction of the wires from the plug.

Claim 9

The actuator as defined in claim 1, wherein a pair of lead wires are integrally formed within the plug such that one end of each may be connected to respective conductor plates while the opposite ends may be connected to the electrical circuit.

Claim 10

A single contact actuator adapted to provide an on-off function in an electrical circuit, the actuator comprising: A. an elongated, substantially rectangular, elastomeric housing defining inner and outer interconnected chambers, the inner chamber having a pair of integrally formed cantilever type ledges on each of opposing chamber walls and extending the length thereof, the outer chamber being open at one end; B. a pair of U-shaped electrical contact plates in spaced apart parallel position within the inner housing chamber, said plates havinG lateral edge tabs adapted to be received by the ledges on opposing chamber walls and the housing member has bearing surfaces protruding into the chamber to engage the inner portion of the plates such that the outer portion of the U-shape provides contact surfaces in face opposed position, each plate being slidably received and retained in position within the chamber by a pair of ledges such that a deflection of the housing initiates close-circuiting of the contact plates; and C. an elastomeric plug adapted to fit securely within the open end of the outer chamber to seal the chamber, said plug having disposed therein, a pair of electrical lead wires for connection to respective contact plates and the electrical circuit.

Claim 11

A single contact actuator adapted to provide an on-off function in an electrical circuit, the actuator comprising: A. an elongated, substantially rectangular, elastomeric housing defining inner and outer interconnected chambers, the inner chamber having a pair of integrally formed cantilever type ledges on each of opposing chamber walls and extending the length thereof, the outer chamber being open at one end; B. a pair of U-shaped electrical contact plates in spaced apart parallel position within the inner housing chamber, said plates havinG lateral edge tabs adapted to be received by the ledges on opposing chamber walls and the housing member has bearing surfaces protruding into the chamber to engage the inner portion of the plates such that the outer portion of the U-shape provides contact surfaces in face opposed position, each plate being slidably received and retained in position within the chamber by a pair of ledges such that a deflection of the housing initiates close-circuiting of the contact plates; and C. an elastomeric plug adapted to fit securely within the open end of the outer chamber to seal the chamber, said plug having disposed therein, a pair of electrical lead wires for connection to respective contact plates and the electrical circuit.

Claim 12

The actuator according to claim 9, wherein the plug and lead wires are an integrally formed unit.

Claim 13

The actuator according to claim 9, wherein the plug is adhesively secured within the outer housing chamber.

Claim 14

The actuator according to claim 9, wherein the plug is force fitted into the outer chamber and is held in position by at least one integrally formed peripheral rib.