Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
A lever switch device comprising: an insulating base formed of a plastics material which defines a upper and lower switch operation spaces, a pair of confronting hinge bosses interposed between said upper and lower switch operating spaces, and a lamp-mounting space; an operating lever having upper and lower ends and being pivotally coupled to said hinge bosses such that said upper end extends into said upper switch operation space and a lower end extends into said lower switch operating space, whereby said operation lever may be pivotally moved between first and second states; wherein said lower end of said operation lever includes a bridge portion having a hole therein; and wherein said operation lever further includes a substantially U-shaped movable contact having terminal ends which establish an opposed pair of resilient contact members, said U-shaped contact being mounted to said bridge portion of said lower end of said operation lever such that said opposed pair of resilient contact members are disposed adjacent to said hole through said lower end of said operation lever so as to be resiliently displaceable therewithin; said lever switch further including; a lamp-holding connector mounted to said base for holding a lamp within said lamp-mounting space; and first and second fixed contacts forming an electrical circuit through the lamp held by said lamp-holding connector and disposed within said lower switch operating space such that said resilient contact members of said U-shaped movable contact makes electrical contact with said first and second fixed contacts when said operation lever is in said first state, and breaks electrical contact between said first and second fixed contacts when said operation lever is in said second state, whereby an electrical circuit is made and broken to turn said lamp held by said lamp-holding connector on and off, respectively; and wherein said base includes a securing boss extending into said lamp-holding space; and said lamp-holding connector includes an aperture which accepts said securing boss so as to couple said lamp-holding connector to said base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
A lever switch device comprising: an insulating base formed of a plastics material which defines a upper and lower switch operation spaces, a pair of confronting hinge bosses interposed between said upper and lower switch operating spaces, and a lamp-mounting space; an operating lever having upper and lower ends and being pivotally coupled to said hinge bosses such that said upper end extends into said upper switch operation space and a lower end extends into said lower switch operating space, whereby said operation lever may be pivotally moved between first and second states; wherein said lower end of said operation lever includes a bridge portion having a hole therein; and wherein said operation lever further includes a substantially U-shaped movable contact having terminal ends which establish an opposed pair of resilient contact members, said U-shaped contact being mounted to said bridge portion of said lower end of said operation lever such that said opposed pair of resilient contact members are disposed adjacent to said hole through said lower end of said operation lever so as to be resiliently displaceable therewithin; said lever switch further including; a lamp-holding connector mounted to said base for holding a lamp within said lamp-mounting space; and first and second fixed contacts forming an electrical circuit through the lamp held by said lamp-holding connector and disposed within said lower switch operating space such that said resilient contact members of said U-shaped movable contact makes electrical contact with said first and second fixed contacts when said operation lever is in said first state, and breaks electrical contact between said first and second fixed contacts when said operation lever is in said second state, whereby an electrical circuit is made and broken to turn said lamp held by said lamp-holding connector on and off, respectively; and wherein said base includes a securing boss extending into said lamp-holding space; and said lamp-holding connector includes an aperture which accepts said securing boss so as to couple said lamp-holding connector to said base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein said operation lever includes a pair of opposed, elastically deformable hinge members each of which defines a recess for accepting a respective one of said hinge bosses, whereby said operation lever is pivotally coupled to said base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein said operation lever includes a pair of hinge pins, and said hinge bosses are elastically deformable and define a pair of recesses for accepting a respective one of said hinge pins, whereby said operation lever is pivotally coupled to said base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A lever switch as in claim 1, wherein said lamp-holding connector includes a female connection portion defining a slot, and wherein said first contact includes a leg portion which is inserted into said defined slot of said female connection portion.