Electric snap-action switch

An electric snap action switch comprising:

• a housing,
• a push rod slidable on the housing to be operated for movement in one direction and provided with a spring return,
• a jump member on the housing and mounting a contact unit to effect the electric switching, the jump member moving in the direction of the push rod, the jump member and push rod having confronting abutment faces spaced apart to permit movement of the jump member relative to the push rod and to induce movement of the jump member in both directions, the jump member having a pair of magnetic plates confronting each other, and the jump member also having a third plate adjacent one of said magnetic plates and spaced therefrom in the direction of sliding movement of the jump member,
• a single stationary retention magnet on the housing and located between and in spaced relation with the magnetic plates of the jump member to attract and alternately engage said adjacent magnetic plates,
• a single pre-tensioned compression bias spring oriented endwise of the direction of movement of the rod and having its ends seated on and between the third plate and the adjacent magnetic plate of the jump member, and
• the push rod also having spaced spring seats confronting each other adjacent the jump member, the seats also confronting the ends of the compression spring for alternately bearing against and compressing the opposite ends of the spring when the rod is moved in opposite directions to produce accelerated movement of the jump member and contact unit in both directions.