Push-push switch
AssigneeGould Inc.
InventorsBernard DiMarco, John C. Hempstead
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switch which is opened and closed by successively depressing a manual operating handle is provided with one spring for separating the switch contacts and a separate spring for closing the switch contacts. Interrupting capacity is improved without increasing overall size by utilizing a J-shaped movable contact arm mounted on a pivot located a substantial distance from the movable contact. The closing spring is located adjacent to the arcing or interrupter area. A metal shield is positioned to protect the closing spring from hot arcing gases as they exit from the interrupter area. The speed of instantaneous or magnetic tripping is improved by providing the magnet coil with at least one complete current carrying loop.
Claims12
A switch including relatively movable and stationary contacts;
- a mechanism for operating said movable contact into and out of engagement with said stationary contact;
- a housing wherein said contacts and said mechanism are disposed;
- said housing including a front, opposed side walls extending rearward from said front, and opposed end walls connecting said side walls along opposite edges thereof;
- said mechanism including a rearwardly depressible portion extending through an opening in said front;
- first means biasing said portion forward;
- said mechanism including support means, a contactor assembly mounted on said support means for movement relative thereto between a reset and a tripped position, latch means for normally holding said assembly in said reset position, said assembly including said movable contact, first spring means biasing said movable contact toward engagement with said stationary contact when said assembly is in said reset position, another spring means biasing said assembly toward said tripped position to separate said movable contact from said stationary contact when said latch means releases said assembly;
- release means operable to release said latch by depressing said portion when said assembly is in said reset position;
- and automatic trip means operable to release said latch upon the occurrence of predetermined fault conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.