Side actuated miniature dip switch

In a side actuated miniature DIP switch, the combination of a first base section, a plurality of electrically conductive movable contact arms embedded in the first base section and each arm having detent means, a second base section, a plurality of electrically conductive contact elements embedded in the second base section, means interlocking the first and second base sections together and aligning each of the movable contact arms in overlapping relationship with a corresponding one of the contact elements for wipable engagement therewith, a housing secured to the first and second base sections and having an arcuately shaped boss, and a plurality of actuators mounted in the housing and operable exteriorly of the housing, each of the actuators comprising an insulative rotatable lever extending from the housing, an arcuate bearing surface engaging said arcuately shaped boss, bearing means disposed closely adjacent said base sections, and cam means engaging the detent means of its respective movable contact arm, whereby upon a predetermined rotatable movement of an actuator the respective cam means effects a predetermined relationship between a respective movable contact arm and contact element aligned therewith.

A miniature DIP switch comprising a housing provided with an arcuately shaped boss and a plurality of walls defining a cavity, a plurality of conductive flexible support means disposed within the housing, a plurality of first terminals integral with the flexible support means and supported by the housing, a plurality of contacts disposed within said cavity, each of said contacts being in alignment with one of the support means for wipable contact therewith, a plurality of second terminals integral with the contacts and supported by the housing, a plurality of insulative rotatable lever actuators mounted in the housing, each actuator having an arcuate bearing surface engaging said arcuately shaped boss and the actuator supported by one of the support means for rotatable movement relative to said arcuately shaped boss, bearing means disposed opposite said arcuate bearing surface and adjacent a wall for engagement therewith, and actuation means of each actuator engaging its respective support means for moving the respective support means from a first to a second position.

A process for controlling multiple electric circuits by means of a miniature DIP switch, comprising the steps of:

• (a) disposing a first series of cantilevered control arms within a switch body, (b) disposing a second series of cantilevered control arms each in complementary relationship with one of said first cantilevered control arms, (c) mounting rotatable arcuate bearing seats of a plurality of actuator means about complementary shaped arcuate bearing surfaces, (d) maintaining said arcuate bearing seats in engagement with said bearing surfaces and positioning bearing means of each actuator means adjacent a base wall by resiliently loading each of said plurality of actuator means upon respective ones of said first series of cantilevered control arms, (e) engaging selected ones of said first series of cantilevered control arms with said second series of cantilevered control arms by rotating selected bearing seats about their associated bearing surfaces to selectively bias arms of said first series into wipable contact with respective arms of said second series, and (f) providing to the switch user a positive feel upon engaging selected ones of said first cantilevered control arms with their associated second cantilevered control arms by providing detent means engaging each of said actuator means.