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US4398074A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Low profile switch having a sealed interior

Assignee: Oak Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1981-06-12
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Granted: 1983-08-09
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Expires: 2001-06-12
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Abstract

Abstract A low profile switch has a base with a contact pin extending through the base. The pin is press fit into a hole in the base such that the pin itself seals that hole. A movable contact including a central dome portion overlies the contact pin. The dome portion is movable into and out of contact with the pin. A gasket is disposed between the periphery of the movable contact and the base. A retainer clamps the movable contact against the gasket and urges the gasket into sealing engagement with the base to provide a sealed interior for the switch. The retainer has legs which are clinched on the under side of the base. A slidable button provides an actuating member.

Inventors

  • 👤 David J. Danielson
  • 👤 Bernard J. Golbeck

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 15:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/02; H01H13/04; H01H13/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 75 words
An electric switch, comprising: a base; a pin contact extending in sealing relation through the base; a movable contact including a central dome portion in spaced, facing relation with the pin contact; a gasket between the periphery of the movable contact and the base; and retainer means urging the movable contact into sealing engagement with the gasket so as to completely seal the space between the dome portion of the movable contact and the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 75 words
An electric switch, comprising: a base; a pin contact extending in sealing relation through the base; a movable contact including a central dome portion in spaced, facing relation with the pin contact; a gasket between the periphery of the movable contact and the base; and retainer means urging the movable contact into sealing engagement with the gasket so as to completely seal the space between the dome portion of the movable contact and the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein the retainer means includes at least two legs extending through the base, the legs being clinched on the underside of the base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The structure of claim 1 or 2 wherein the retainer means includes an electrical lead for providing electrical connection to the movable contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The structure of claim 1 or 2 wherein the movable contact and the retainer means are spot-welded together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the base has a bead in contact with the gasket to improve the sealing characteristic of the gasket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
The structure of claim 1 further including a button, slidably engaging the base and having an actuating member which depresses the movable contact member in response to pressure on the exterior of the button.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The structure of claim 1 further including a load-spreading device in the form of a rubber patch on the dome portion of the movable contact.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the retainer means is attached to the base at points outside the periphery of the gasket.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2192296A Cited
US2409483A Cited
DE1059072B Cited
US3041430A Cited
US3087341A Cited
US3908109A Cited
US3982089A Cited
US3996428A Cited
US4056700A Cited
US4145588A Cited
US4217473A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-08-08 1987-02-07 1987-08-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-08-08 1991-02-07 1991-08-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-08-08 1995-02-07 1995-08-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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