Spring contact switch for dual in line multiple switch assembly having momentary actuated lighted indicators

Claim 1

An electrical switch mechanism comprising a horizontally disposed base, first and second spaced-apart contact members which extend vertically upward from said base, a wound coil spring, the lower portion of which is supported in a vertical manner by receipt of the upper portion of said first contact member inside the lowermost end coils of said spring so that the lowermost end coils of said spring encircle said upper portion of said first contact member, said coil spring being bent in a smooth arc that prevents buckling of said coil spring during operation of said switch, and a depressible actuating member which has a cam surface thereon which contacts and deflects the upper portion of said spring toward said second contact member to form said smooth arc so that said upper portion of said coil spring directly overlays but does not contact said second contact member when said actuating member is in its undepressed condition and which further deflects said upper portion of said coil spring downwardly into contact with said second contact member with the lowermost end coils of said coil spring continuing to encircle the upper portion of said first contact member when said actuating member is depressed, so that an electrical circuit between said first and second contact members is thereby made and said coil spring acts to return said actuating member to its initial undepressed position following the release of actuation pressure on said actuating member.