Anti-Buckling Housing For Switch Assembly
AssigneeHubbell Incorporated
InventorSorin Ioan MORTUN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A switch assembly includes a cover connected to a base to form a switch housing and a toggle switch movably connected to the housing. The toggle switch has a lower portion disposed within the housing and a handle disposed externally of the housing such that movement of the handle moves the toggle switch between off and on positions. A spring is disposed within the housing. A first end of the spring is connected to the base and a second end of the spring is connected to the lower portion of the toggle switch. A spring housing is disposed over at least a portion of the spring to prevent buckling of the spring when the spring moves with the toggle switch. By substantially preventing spring buckling, the switch assembly is safer and has a longer life.
Claims20
A switch assembly, comprising:
- a base;
- a cover connected to the base to form a switch housing;
- a toggle switch having a lower portion disposed within said switch housing and a handle disposed externally of said switch housing such that movement of said handle moves said toggle switch between off and on positions;
- a spring disposed within said switch housing, a first end of said spring being connected to said base and a second end of said spring being connected to said lower portion of said toggle switch;
- and
- a spring housing disposed over at least a portion of said spring to prevent buckling of the spring when said spring moves with said toggle switch.
A switch assembly, comprising:
- a base;
- a cover connected to the base to form a switch housing;
- first and second contact terminals connected to said switch housing;
- a contact arm connected to said first contact and having a first contact member disposed at a free end of said contact arm;
- a second contact member connected to said second contact terminal;
- a toggle switch having a lower portion disposed within said switch housing and a handle disposed externally of said switch housing, and being pivotally movable between off and on positions;
- a trunnion disposed on said toggle switch and engaging said contact arm;
- a spring disposed within said switch housing and biasing said toggle switch toward said on and off positions, respectively, depending on positioning thereof, a first end of said spring being connected to said base and a second end of said spring being connected to said lower portion of said toggle switch;
- and
- a spring housing disposed over at least a portion of said spring to prevent buckling of the spring when said spring moves with said toggle switch;
- whereby when said toggle switch is in said on position said trunnion moves said contact arm such that said first contact member contacts said second contact member, and when said toggle switch is in said off position said trunnion allows movement of said contact arm away from said second contact terminal such that said first contact member is spaced from said second contact member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.