Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
An apparatus for making and breaking connections in an electrical circuit, comprising: a. a first contact; b. a second contact; c. means for positioning the second contact opposite the first contact; d. a magnet which is magnetized such that opposite faces thereof define poles of opposite polarity; e. means for connecting the magnet to the second contact positioning means comprising a connector secured to the magnet at the end thereof of the first pole and the resilient support arm at the other end thereof, f. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact breaks contact with the first contact comprising a metal plate positionable opposite a first pole of the magnet; g. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact makes contact with the first contact comprising a further metal plate positionable opposite a second pole of the magnet; and h. a housing, in which the second contact positioning means comprises a resilient support arm extendable into the housing at a location therein adjacent the first contact, and in which the magnet is reciprocally movable in the housing, in which the first contact is mounted in one end of the housing, and in which the metal plate positionable opposite a first pole of the magnet is hollow, is mounted in the housing intermediate the first and second contacts and the magnet, and through which the connector extends.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
243 words
An apparatus for making and breaking connections in an electrical circuit, comprising: a. a first contact; b. a second contact; c. means for positioning the second contact opposite the first contact; d. a magnet which is magnetized such that opposite faces thereof define poles of opposite polarity; e. means for connecting the magnet to the second contact positioning means comprising a connector secured to the magnet at the end thereof of the first pole and the resilient support arm at the other end thereof, f. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact breaks contact with the first contact comprising a metal plate positionable opposite a first pole of the magnet; g. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact makes contact with the first contact comprising a further metal plate positionable opposite a second pole of the magnet; and h. a housing, in which the second contact positioning means comprises a resilient support arm extendable into the housing at a location therein adjacent the first contact, and in which the magnet is reciprocally movable in the housing, in which the first contact is mounted in one end of the housing, and in which the metal plate positionable opposite a first pole of the magnet is hollow, is mounted in the housing intermediate the first and second contacts and the magnet, and through which the connector extends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A switching apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which the connector includes a spacing collar secured at one end thereof to the one end of the magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A switching apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which the resilient support arm has an aperture in a central location therein through which the connector extends, and a ridge portion extending about the central aperture, and in which the connector includes a bearing surface for bearing against the ridge portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A switching apparatus as recited in claim 3, in which the connector further includes a second bearing surface for bearing against the resilient support arm.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
260 words
An apparatus for making and breaking connections in an electrical circuit, comprising: a. a first contact; b. a second contact; c. means for positioning the second contact opposite the first contact; d. a magnet which is magnetized such that opposite faces thereof define poles of opposite polarity; e. means for connecting the magnet to the second contact positioning means comprising a connector secured to one end of the magnet at the end thereof of the first pole and the resilient support arm at the other end thereof f. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact breaks contact with the first contact comprising a metal plate positionable opposite a second pole of the magnet; g. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact makes contact with the first contact, comprising a further magnet, magnetized such that opposite poles thereof define poles of opposite polarity, positionable opposite a second pole of the magnet, in which the pole of the further magnet which faces the second pole of the magnet is of opposite polarity thereto; and h. a housing, in which the second contact positioning means comprises a resilient support arm extendable into the housing at a location therein adjacent the first contact, and in which the magnet is reciprocally movable in the housing, in which the first contact is mounted in one end of the housing, and in which the metal plate is mounted in the housing opposite the second pole end of the magnet.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
260 words
An apparatus for making and breaking connections in an electrical circuit, comprising: a. a first contact; b. a second contact; c. means for positioning the second contact opposite the first contact; d. a magnet which is magnetized such that opposite faces thereof define poles of opposite polarity; e. means for connecting the magnet to the second contact positioning means comprising a connector secured to one end of the magnet at the end thereof of the first pole and the resilient support arm at the other end thereof f. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact breaks contact with the first contact comprising a metal plate positionable opposite a second pole of the magnet; g. means for moving the magnet and the second contact to a position where the second contact makes contact with the first contact, comprising a further magnet, magnetized such that opposite poles thereof define poles of opposite polarity, positionable opposite a second pole of the magnet, in which the pole of the further magnet which faces the second pole of the magnet is of opposite polarity thereto; and h. a housing, in which the second contact positioning means comprises a resilient support arm extendable into the housing at a location therein adjacent the first contact, and in which the magnet is reciprocally movable in the housing, in which the first contact is mounted in one end of the housing, and in which the metal plate is mounted in the housing opposite the second pole end of the magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switching apparatus as recited in claim 5, in which the connector includes a spacer portion secured at one end thereof to one end of the magnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A switching apparatus as recited in claim 5, in which the resilient support arm has an aperture in a central location therein through which the connector extends and a ridge portion extending about the central aperture, and in which the connector includes a bearing surface for bearing against the ridge portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A switching apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a hollow non-metallic plate mounted in the housing intermediate the first and second contacts and the magnet, through which the connector extends.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A switching apparatus as recited in claim 7, in which the connector further includes a second bearing surface for bearing against the resilient support arm.