US 4,055,736 AGranted

Push switch

OwnerPeter Congelliereinventor

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Abstract

A push-button, actuated electric switch is formed with a pair of flat, C-shaped fixed contacts which define an annulus, discontinuous at diametric points, the outer margins of which are clamped firmly between conformations in an upper and lower section of the switch housing. The fixed contacts are bridged to accomplish switching action by the circular perimeter of a moveable contact which is moved toward and away from the inner periphery of the annulus formed by the C-shaped contacts. A tab extending from an edge of each of those fixed contacts extends within a passageway formed in the housing where the tab is bonded to the end of an electrical conductor. The tab and conductor are free to bend and vibrate within the passageway without affecting the position of the portions of the fixed contactor that define the discontinuous annulus whereat mounting and bridging contact are accomplished.

Claims12

Dependent claims

In a switch of the kind that includes a pair of electrically conductive contact elements and a plunger structure having an electrically conducting bridging surface, and means responsive to an actuating force for causing the plunger to be displaced such that said bridging surface is caused during successive actuations to assume a first position bridging said contact element, and a second position in which said bridging surface is spaced from said contact elements, the improvement which comprises:

said contact elements comprising a pair of C-shaped members formed of sheet material disposed in a plane with the open portion of the C-shape of each facing the other such that togehter they define segments of an annulus incomplete at diametric points;
and
said bridging surface comprising a circular member having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of said annulus and less than the outer diameter of said annulus;
housing means in the form of a housing comprising a first housing member and a second housing member engaging respectively associated opoosite side of the outer peripheral portion of said annulus for retaining said C-shaped members in said plane and for guiding movement of said plunger structure.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.