Electrical switch construction diaphragm seal therefor and methods of making the same

Claim 2

In an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said construction having a flexible diaphragm seal means disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement wherein said diaphragm seal means has means for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that could adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase comprising a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that increases the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevents such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said part of said housing means having a substantially flat wall, said switch means comprising a casing disposed against said flat wall, said diaphragm seal means having a cup-shaped part for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, said expandable section being disposed in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 3

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a condition responsive means.

Claim 4

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 2 wherein said condition responsive means is responsive to barometric pressure.

Claim 5

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator means has an axially movable member that is axially aligned with said plunger means.

Claim 6

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein said portion of said diaphragm seal means carries a motion transmitting pin that has opposed ends, one of said ends of said pin engaging said plunger means and the other of said ends thereof engaging said movable member.

Claim 7

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 5 wherein said one end of said pin comprises an enlarged head, said pin having the remainder thereof comprising a rod means extending from said enlarged head, said portion of said diaphragm seal means having an opening passing therethrough and receiving part of said rod means of said pin therein.

Claim 8

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means is offset relative to said portion of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 9

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 7 wherein said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means is adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition.

Claim 10

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 8 wherein said expandable section is substantially C-chaped.

Claim 11

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 9 wherein said C-shaped expandable section partially surrounds said switch means.

Claim 12

In an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said construction having a flexible diaphragm seal means disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement wherein said diaphragm seal means has means for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that could adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase comprising a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that increases the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevents such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being offset relative to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, said expandable section being substantially C-shaped, said C-shaped expandable section partially surrounding said switch means, said part of said housing means having a substantially flat wall, said switch means comprising a casing disposed against said flat wall, said diaphragm seal means having a cup-shaped part for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, said expandable section being disposed in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 13

In an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said construction having a flexible diaphragm seal means disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement wherein said diaphragm seal means has means for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that could adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase comprising a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that increases the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevents such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being offset relative to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, said expandable section being substantially C-shaped, said C-shaped expandable section partially surrounding said switch means, said part of said housing means having a substantially flat wall, said switch means comprising a casing disposed against said flat wall, said diaphragm seal means having a cup-shaped part for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, said expandable section being disposed in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 14

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein said expandable section has a normal bias to expand in a direction toward said flat wall whereby said expandable section has a normal tendency to fold into its bellows-like arrangement against said flat wall.

Claim 15

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 12 wherein said expandable section is adapted to expand into a single convolution-like shape away from said flat wall.

Claim 16

An electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein said diaphragm seal means has an outer peripheral part sealed to said flat wall by said housing means.

Claim 17

In a method of making an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said construction having a flexible diaphragm seal means disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that could adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that increases the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said part of said housing means to have a substantially flat wall, disposing the casing of said switch means against said flat wall, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 18

In a method of making an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said construction having a flexible diaphragm seal means disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that could adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that increases the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said part of said housing means to have a substantially flat wall, disposing the casing of said switch means against said flat wall, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 19

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 15 and including the step of forming said actuator means from a condition responsive means.

Claim 20

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 15 and including the step of forming said condition responsive means to be responsive to barometric pressure.

Claim 21

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 15 and including the step of forming said actuator means to have an axially movable member that is axially aligned with said plunger means.

Claim 22

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 18 and including the steps of forming said portion of said diaphragm seal means to carry a motion transmitting pin that has opposed ends, and disposing one of said ends of said pin to engage said plunger means and the other of said ends thereof to engage said movable member.

Claim 23

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 19 and including the steps of forming said one end of said pin to comprise an enlarged head, forming said pin to have the remainder thereof comprising a rod means extending from said enlarged head, forming said portion of said diaphragm seal means to have an opening passing therethrough, and disposing part of said rod means of said pin in said opening.

Claim 24

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 15 and including the step of forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be in offset relation to said portion of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 25

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 21 and including the step of forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition.

Claim 26

A method of making an electrical siwtch construction as set forth in claim 22 and including the step of forming said expandable section to be substantially C-shaped.

Claim 27

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 23 and including the step of forming said C-shaped expandable section to partially surround said switch means.

Claim 28

In a method of making an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said construction having a flexible diaphragm seal means disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that could adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that increases the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be in offset relation to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, forming said expandable section to be substantially C-shaped, forming said C-shaped expandable section to partially surround said switch means, forming said part of said housing means to have a substantially flat wall, disposing the casing of said switch means against said flat wall, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 29

In a method of making an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said construction having a flexible diaphragm seal means disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that could adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that increases the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be in offset relation to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, forming said expandable section to be substantially C-shaped, forming said C-shaped expandable section to partially surround said switch means, forming said part of said housing means to have a substantially flat wall, disposing the casing of said switch means against said flat wall, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 30

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 25 and including the step of forming said expandable section to have a normal bias to expand in a direction toward said flat wall whereby said expandable section has a normal tendency to fold into its bellows-like arrangement against said flat wall.

Claim 31

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 26 and including the step of forming said expandable section to be adapted to expand into a single convolution-like shape away from said flat wall.

Claim 32

A method of making an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 25 and including the step of forming said diaphragm seal means to have an outer peripheral part sealed to said flat wall by said housing means.

Claim 33

In a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said flexible diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement wherein said diaphragm seal means has means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase comprising a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said part of said housing means having a substantially flat wall and said switch means comprising a casing disposed against said flat wall, said diaphragm seal means being a cup-shaped part adapted for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, said expandable section being disposed in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 34

In a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said flexible diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement wherein said diaphragm seal means has means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase comprising a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said part of said housing means having a substantially flat wall and said switch means comprising a casing disposed against said flat wall, said diaphragm seal means being a cup-shaped part adapted for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, said expandable section being disposed in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 35

A diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 29 wherein said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means is offset relative to said portion of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 36

A diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 30 wherein said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means is adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition.

Claim 37

A diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 31 wherein said expandable section is substantially C-shaped.

Claim 38

A diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 32 wherein said C-shaped expandable section is adapted to partially surround said switch means.

Claim 39

In a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said flexible diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement wherein said diaphragm seal means has means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase comprising a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being offset relative to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, said expandable section being substantially C-shaped, said C-shaped expandable section being adapted to partially surround said switch means, said part of said housing means having a substantially flat wall and said switch means comprises a casing disposed against said flat wall, said diaphragm seal means having a cup-shaped part adapted for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, said expandable section being disposed in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 40

In a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said flexible diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement wherein said diaphragm seal means has means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase comprising a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being offset relative to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means being adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, said expandable section being substantially C-shaped, said C-shaped expandable section being adapted to partially surround said switch means, said part of said housing means having a substantially flat wall and said switch means comprises a casing disposed against said flat wall, said diaphragm seal means having a cup-shaped part adapted for covering said switch casing and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against said flat wall outboard of said switch casing, said expandable section being disposed in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 41

A diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 34 wherein said expandable section has a normal bias to be adapted to expand in a direction toward said flat wall whereby said expandable section has a normal tendency to fold into its bellows-like arrangement against said flat wall.

Claim 42

A diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 35 wherein said expandable section is adapted to expand into a single convolution-like shape away from said flat wall.

Claim 43

A diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 34 wherein said diaphragm seal means has an outer peripheral part adapted to be sealed to said flat wall by said housing means.

Claim 44

In a method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part adapted for covering a switch casing of said switch means and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against a flat wall of said housing means outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 45

In a method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part adapted for covering a switch casing of said switch means and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against a flat wall of said housing means outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 46

A method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 38 and including the step of forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be in offset relation to said portion of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 47

A method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 39 and including the step of forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition.

Claim 48

A method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 40 and including the step of forming said expandable section to be substantially C-shaped.

Claim 49

A method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 41 and including the step of forming said C-shaped expandable section to be adapted to partially surround said switch means.

Claim 50

In a method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be in offset relation to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, forming said expandable section to be substantially C-shaped, forming said C-shaped expandable section to be adapted to partially surround said switch means, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part adapted for covering a switch casing of said switch means and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against a flat wall of said housing means outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 51

In a method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction having a housing means carrying an electrical switch means and an actuator means for actuating an operating plunger means of said electrical switch means, said diaphragm seal means being adapted to be disposed against said electrical switch means to seal the same to a part of said housing means and define a chamber with said part of said housing means that has said switch means sealed therein, said diaphragm seal means having a portion thereof adapted to be disposed between said plunger means and said actuator means, the improvement comprising the steps of forming said diaphragm seal means with means adapted for preventing a pressure increase in said chamber that would adversely act across said portion of said diaphragm seal means when there is an increase in the volume of fluid in said chamber, forming said means of said diaphragm seal means for preventing said pressure increase to comprise a readily expandable section of said diaphragm seal means that is adapted to increase the volume of said chamber as the pressure therein tends to increase and thereby prevent such pressure increase at said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be in offset relation to said portion of said diaphragm seal means, forming said expandable section of said diaphragm seal means to be adapted to fold into a bellows-like arrangement when in its non-fully expanded condition, forming said expandable section to be substantially C-shaped, forming said C-shaped expandable section to be adapted to partially surround said switch means, forming said diaphragm seal means to have a cup-shaped part adapted for covering a switch casing of said switch means and a substantially flat part adapted for engaging against a flat wall of said housing means outboard of said switch casing, and forming said expandable section in said flat part of said diaphragm seal means.

Claim 52

A method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 43 and including the step of forming said expandable section to have a normal bias to be adapted to expand in a direction toward said flat wall whereby said expandable section has a normal tendency to fold into its bellows-like arrangement against said flat wall.

Claim 53

A method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 44 and including the step of forming said expandable section to be adapted to expand into a single convolution-like shape away from said flat wall.

Claim 54

A method of making a diaphragm seal means for an electrical switch construction as set forth in claim 43 and including the step of forming said diaphragm seal means to have an outer peripheral part adapted to be sealed to said flat wall by said housing means.