Miniature pushbutton switch
AssigneeC&K Components S.A.S.
InventorKenneth A. Simpson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pushbutton switch having a contact movable to either of two operating positions. In the alternate action configuration, a leaf spring, acting upon a pivot block, retains the contact in either of its stable positions, permitting the pushbutton to sequentially actuate the switch to one of its operating positions each time it is pushed and released. In the alternative momentary configuration, an additional compression spring returns the switch to the first operating position whenever the pushbutton is released. Either configuration may be constructed as a single pole or as a double pole switch.
Claims16
A pushbutton switch comprising:
- a housing comprised partially of dielectric material;
- a plurality of electrical terminals mounted in and projecting outwardly from one side of said housing;
- a first contact member pivotably mounted within said housing, said first contact member having at least two operative positions and being adapted to selectively interconnect some of said terminals when in at least one of said operative positions;
- a first insulative member mounted on and pivotable with said first contact member;
- a leaf spring mounted within said housing and being shaped and configured to be normally in interference contact with said first insulative member;
- a pivot pin extending downwardly within said housing and having an end adapted to selectively contact said first insulative member, said first insulative member being configured to receive said end of said pivot pin;
- and
- means for longitudinally moving said pivot pin into and out of engagement with said first insulative member;
- whereby upon being moved longitudinally downwardly, said pivot pin engages said first insulative member so as to cause said first insulative member and first contact member to pivot to one operative position, said first insulative member being retained in said one operative position by interference contact with said leaf spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.