# US 4,398,168 A · Switching mechanism

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- Number: US 4,398,168 A
- Document ID: US4398168A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/356,834
- Filed: 1982-03-10
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1982-03-10
- Assignees: Emhart Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: John W. Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4398168A

## CPC

- H01H 23/02: Details
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

Electrically conductive paths are selectively engaged by a pair of electrical contacts that are carried in a pair of holders. Each holder is pivoted by an actuator. Each holder also carries a spring biased detent plunger that cooperates with V-shaped cavities in a switch housing to provide an over-center feel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A switch mechanism comprising:
(a) a housing,
(b) a pivotally mounted actuator carried in said housing,
(c) electrically conductive paths carried by a base of said housing,
(d) a pair of electrical contact assemblies each including a holder pivotally carried on said base and spring biased between said base and a wall of said housing, and further engaging said actuator to be pivoted thereby, electrical contact means carried by said holder and selectively engaging said electrically conductive paths, and a spring biased detent plunger carried by said holder, and
(e) a pair of detent cavities carried by said wall and adapted to receive said plunger.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A switch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said detent cavities each include ramp means.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A switch mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said ramp means includes a V-shaped member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A switch mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes two independently operable members one each engaging said holder.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A switch mechanism according to claim 4 further including lost-motion connection means carried by at least one of said independently operable members whereby said member can be selectively pivoted simultaneously.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A switch mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said lost-motion connection means includes a tab carried by said one independently operable members adapted to engage the other of said independently operable members.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A switch mechanism according to claim 1 further including a bi-metallic switch means electrically bridging two of said electrically conductive paths.