Switch assembly with reciprocating cams

Claim 1

A switch assembly comprising in combination: first and second interlockable housing members which when interlocked form a substantially hollow enclosure having an aperture at one end thereof, and a pair of parallel keyways disposed along the interior walls thereof; a switch plunger having a portion thereof extending through said aperture, and being mounted for substantially unidirectional motion along said keyways; spring means for resiliently biasing said plunger outwardly from said aperture to a first position; a first electrically conductive contact strip mounted on one of said housing members with a portion thereof extending through said one of said housing members, and being supported within said enclosure in a substantially stationary position; a second electrically conductive flexible strip having a bifurcated portion mounted on one of said housing members so as to extend therethrough and being spaced from said first strip when said plunger is in said first position; said plunger including first and second cam portions, said first cam portion being disposed between said conductive strips so as to positively maintain said two strips in spaced apart relation when said plunger is in said first position, and being moved out of contact with said second strip when said plunger is moved against the bias of said spring to a second position; said second cam portion being disposed so that when said plunger is moved toward said second position said second cam portion engages the bifUrcations of said second strip and forces the latter into electrical contact with said first strip.