Terminal pin shorting switch apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for shorting terminal pins comprising means for receiving a pair of the terminal pins, means positioned in said receiving means and having a common member interconnecting a pair of cantilever spring members each integral with said common member and each formed across the other engaging one of said pair of terminal pins for electrically shorting said terminal pins together and automatically compensating for terminal pin misalignment, and means positioned in said receiving means and having an operating lever rotatably operatable for engaging and disengaging said cantilever spring members with said pair of terminal pins.

Claim 3

The terminal pin shorting apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises a pair of housing components formed of electrically insulating material with one of said housing components having a chamber for slidably receiving said pair of terminal pins and configured for holding said electrical shorting and compensating means with each cantilever spring member normally in engagement with one of said terminal pins and with said other housing component having a channel for supporting said engaging and disengaging means and a slot formed at a right angle to said channel for receiving said operating lever.

Claim 4

The terminal pin shorting apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrical shorting and compensating means comprises helical spring means integrally interconnected by said common member and extended into said cantilever spring members for normally engaging and compensating for misalignment of the terminal pins.

Claim 5

The terminal pin shorting apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said engaging and disengaging means comprises a member pivotally mounted in said other housing component channel, and a lever member mounted on said pivotal member and positioned in said other housing component slot with a cam section at one end thereof for disengaging both cantilever spring members from said pair of terminal pins.

Claim 6

Apparatus for shorting terminal pins comprising an insulating housing member having a chamber therein for receiving a pair of the terminal pins, an electrical shorting member positioned in said housing member chamber and having a common member interconnecting a pair of cantilever spring members integral with said common member and each formed across the other for engaging said pair of terminal pins and automatically compensating for terminal pin misalignment, and an actuating member positioned in said housing member chamber with an operating lever extending outward from said housing member between said pair of terminal pins and rotatably operatable by said lever for engaging and disengaging said cantilever spring members from said pair of terminal pins.

Claim 7

Apparatus for shorting terminal pins comprising an insulating housing member having a chamber therein for receiving a pair of the terminal pins, an electrical shorting member positioned in said housing member chamber and having a common member interconnecting a pair of cantilever spring members integral with said common member and each formed across the other for engaging said pair of terminal pins and automatically compensating for terminal pin misalignment, and an actuating member positioned in said housing member chamber with an operating lever extending outward from said housing member between said pair of terminal pins and rotatably operatable by said lever for engaging and disengaging said cantilever spring members from said pair of terminal pins.

Claim 8

The terminal pin shorting apparatus set forth in claim 5 wherein said insulating housing member comprises first and second components formed of electrically insulating material with said first housing component having a chamber with a pair of apertures for receiving said pair of terminal pins and configured for holding said electrical shorting member with each said cantilever spring member normally in engagement with one of said pair of terminal pins and with said second housing component having a channel for supporting said actuating member and having generally cross configured slots with a first slot for receiving said pair of terminal pins extended through said housing member and a second slot formed at right angles to said channel for receiving said actuating member operating lever.

Claim 9

The terminal pin shorting apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said electrical shorting member comprises a pair of helical springs interconnected by said common member and each extended into one of said cantilever spring members for compensating for misalignment of ones of said pair of terminal pins.

Claim 10

The terminal pin shorting apparatus set forth in claim 7 wherein said actuating member comprises a member pivotally mounted in said second housing component channel parallel to said pair of terminal pins, and a lever member mounted on said pivotal member and positioned in said second slot to extend outward therefrom between said pair of terminal pins with a cam surface at one end for disengaging both cantilever spring members from said pair of terminal pins as said lever member is rotated about an axis of said pivotal member.

Claim 11

Switch apparatus for shorting terminal pins of equipment mounting apparatus backplanes comprising a first housing component formed of electrical insulating material having a chamber with a pair of apertures opening on the bottom surface thereof for slidably receiving a pair of the terminal pins and having a pair of pins extending from said bottom surface for securing said first housing component to one of the backplanes, a second housing component formed of electrical insulating material and secured to said first housing component with a channel formed parallel to said pair of first housing component apertures and having generally cross configured slots with one slot formed at right angles to said channel and the other slot formed for slidably receiving said pair of terminal pins with said pair of terminal pins extending vertically from said upper surface thereof, an electrical shorting member positioned in said first housing component chamber and having a pair of helical springs each integral with and interconnected by a common member with each helical spring extended into a cantilever spring formed across the other cantilever spring for engaging one of the terminal pins and compensating for terminal pin misalignment, and an actuating member having a member pivotally mounted in said second housing component channel and a lever member positioned in said second housing component one slot with a cam surface formed at one end and positioned between said crossed cantilever springs for engaging and disengaging said cantilever springs with said pair of terminal pins as said lever member is rotated about an axis of said pivotal member as connector apparatus is engaged and disengaged with the backplane terminal pins.

Claim 12

Switch apparatus for shorting terminal pins of equipment mounting apparatus backplanes comprising a first housing component formed of electrical insulating material having a chamber with a pair of apertures opening on the bottom surface thereof for slidably receiving a pair of the terminal pins and having a pair of pins extending from said bottom surface for securing said first housing component to one of the backplanes, a second housing component formed of electrical insulating material and secured to said first housing component with a channel formed parallel to said pair of first housing component apertures and having generally cross configured slots with one slot formed at right angles to said channel and the other slot formed for slidably receiving said pair of terminal pins with said pair of terminal pins extending vertically from said upper surface thereof, an electrical shorting member positioned in said first housing component chamber and having a pair of helical springs each integral with and interconnected by a common member with each helical spring extended into a cantilever spring formed across the other cantilever spring for engaging one of the terminal pins and compensating for terminal pin misalignment, and an actuating member having a member pivotally mounted in said second housing component channel and a lever member positioned in said second housing component one slot with a cam surface formed at one end and positioned between said crossed cantilever springs for engaging and disengaging said cantilever springs with said pair of terminal pins as said lever member is rotated about an axis of said pivotal member as connector apparatus is engaged and disengaged with the backplane terminal pins.

Claim 13

Apparatus (1) for use with equipment mounting backplane terminal pins comprising means for electrically shorting ones of the terminal pins together characterized in that said electrical shorting means comprises an insulated housing member (10) having a chamber therein with apertures formed for slidably receiving a pair of the terminal pins, an electrical shorting member (12,13) positioned in said insulated housing member chamber and formed with a common member (120,130) interconnecting a pair of helical springs (121,122,131,132) each extended into an independent cantilever spring (123,124,133,134) formed across the other independent cantilever spring for normally engaging one of the terminal pins and compensating for terminal pin misalignment, and an actuating member (11) rotatably positioned in said insulating housing member and having a lever member (110) extending outward at an angle from an upper surface of said insulating housing with a cam surface (1101) positioned between said crossed independent cantilever springs for disengaging said independent cantilever springs from said pair of terminal pins in response to rotation of said actuating member occasioned by engagement of connector apparatus with the pair of backplane terminal pins.

Claim 14

Apparatus (1) for use with equipment mounting backplane terminal pins comprising means for electrically shorting ones of the terminal pins together characterized in that said electrical shorting means comprises an insulated housing member (10) having a chamber therein with apertures formed for slidably receiving a pair of the terminal pins, an electrical shorting member (12,13) positioned in said insulated housing member chamber and formed with a common member (120,130) interconnecting a pair of helical springs (121,122,131,132) each extended into an independent cantilever spring (123,124,133,134) formed across the other independent cantilever spring for normally engaging one of the terminal pins and compensating for terminal pin misalignment, and an actuating member (11) rotatably positioned in said insulating housing member and having a lever member (110) extending outward at an angle from an upper surface of said insulating housing with a cam surface (1101) positioned between said crossed independent cantilever springs for disengaging said independent cantilever springs from said pair of terminal pins in response to rotation of said actuating member occasioned by engagement of connector apparatus with the pair of backplane terminal pins.