US 2004/0055858 A1Published application

Modular contact switch

OwnerDrew Hoffmaninventor

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Abstract

A modular contact switch adapted to be readily assembled from a plurality of contact modules is provided. Both active contact modules and passive contact modules comprise coupling features, including but not limited to, engagement tabs and mating surfaces, to enable a removable coupling of multiple active contact modules to form active contact assemblies and passive contact modules of a passive contact assembly. The active contact modules provide a spring-biased contact that responds to the position of passive contacts of the passive contact modules. As the active and passive contact modules come into abutment and urging engagement, an electrical connection is made between the corresponding contacts. The spring-bias of the active contacts ensures that the electrical contact is made regardless of variations in tolerances and position.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A modular electrical contact switch, comprising:

an active contact assembly comprising a first end active contact module and a second end active contact module, the first and second end active contact modules having a top side, a bottom side, a first side, a second side, a front side and a back side, the first and second end active contact modules having a spring-biased contact extending from the front side, the first end active contact module first side having a first coupling surface, the second end active contact module second side having a second coupling surface, the first and second end coupling surfaces adapted for removable coupling therewith;
and
a passive contact assembly comprising a first end passive contact module and a second end passive contact module, the first and second end passive contact modules having a top side, a bottom side, a first side, a second side, a front side and a back side, the first and second end passive contact modules having a passive contact adjacent the front side, the first end passive contact module first side having a first coupling surface, the second end passive contact module second side having a second coupling surface, the first and second end coupling surfaces adapted for removable coupling therewith,
wherein contact between each active contact and passive contact closes an electrical circuit.

1 more element

A vehicle door jamb modular contact switch for transmitting electrical current through a vehicle doorjamb assembly including a doorjamb of a movable door and fixed door post, comprising:

an active contact assembly comprising a plurality of active contact modules, each active contact module having a biased contact active contact and a housing having one or more coupling surfaces, wherein two or more active contact modules are coupled via their coupling surfaces, the active contact assembly adapted to be mounted to the door jamb of a movable door;
a passive contact assembly comprising a plurality of passive contact modules, each passive contact module having a passive contact and a housing having one or more coupling surfaces, wherein two or more active contact modules are coupled via their coupling surfaces, the passive contact assembly adapted to be mounted within the fixed-door post, the movable door and the fixed-door post in cooperating relationship wherein the biased contact active contacts of the plurality of active contact modules are in cooperative engagement with the passive contacts of the plurality of passive contact modules and operative to mate therewith to form a closed circuit when the vehicle door assumes a closed position,

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/251,552Filed 19 Sep 2002
Published: 25 Mar 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

H01R 13/514
Bases; Cases: composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact…
H01R 13/22
Contact members: contacts for co-operating by abutting
H01R 13/701
With built-in switch: the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member
H01R 2201/26
Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications: for vehicles

Family

US 6,797,900 B2Related patent
US 2004/0055858 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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