# US 5,350,894 A · Two piece switch assembly for members that move relative to one another in a fixed manner

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- Number: US 5,350,894 A
- Document ID: US5350894A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/082,563
- Filed: 1993-06-28
- Granted: 1994-09-27
- Earliest claimed: 1993-06-28
- Assignees: Ford Motor Company
- Inventors: Johnny H. Allison
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5350894A

## CPC

- H01H 3/163: {associated with locking or manipulating means of the closing member}
- H01H 3/16: adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift
- 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

A two-piece switch is mounted on two members which slidably move in a fixed relation to each other. One portion of the switch, mounted to the stationary member, has a contact recessed within for connecting to a power source. The first portion has flexible insulators over the contact. The second portion, mounted to the slidable member, has a retractable contact and an independently retractable insulator. When the switch portions are brought together as the members are moved, the flexible insulators are deformed to expose a portion of the contact by the retractable insulator. The contacts are then electrically connected.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A slide plate switch assembly comprising: a stationary member including guide means for defining a slide path, and including a power terminal disposed in a predetermined relation to said slide path; and
a sliding member including follower means for mating with said guide means, including contact means disposed in said predetermined relation to said slide path for contacting said power terminal when said sliding member is moved in relation to said stationary member, including an electrical load for receiving power when said contact means is electrically connected to said power terminal and including a second housing means mounted thereon for retractably securing said contact means and including a retractable sleeve means for surrounding said contact, said retractable sleeve being retracted when said sliding member mates with said stationary member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A slide plate switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said stationary member has a first housing means for selectively covering said power terminal.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A slide plate switch assembly as in claim 2 wherein said first housing means includes a flexible insulator means for covering said power terminal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A slide plate switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said first housing means has an angularly sloped surface for retracting said retractable sleeve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A slide plate switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said sliding member is an ashtray.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A slide plate switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said sliding member is a decklid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A slide plate switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said sliding member is a sun visor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A slide plate switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said electrical load is a light source.

### Claim 9

A slide plate switch assembly for mounting between a stationary member and a sliding member comprising:
a slide connector for mounting on said sliding member including;
a first housing having a first surface with an opening;
a first contact being retractably secured within said first housing, said first contact extending through said opening in said first surface; and
a first insulator surrounding said first contact, retractably secured independently from said first contact, within said housing and extending through said opening and axially retracting deforming into said housing when a force is applied to said first insulator; and
a base plate for mounting on said stationary member including;
a second housing having a second surface with a channel, said channel being wider than said first contact but narrower than said first insulator;
a conductive pad within said second housing so that said conductive is recessed within said channel;
a third surface acutely angled from said frame to said second surface;
a pliant second insulator coveting said channel;
where upon engagement of said slide connector with said base plate said conductive pad is exposed and said first contact electrically connects to said conductive pad.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A switch assembly as in claim 9 wherein said sliding member is an ashtray.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

A switch assembly as in claim 9 wherein said sliding member is a decklid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

A switch assembly as in claim 9 wherein said sliding member is a sun visor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

A switch assembly as in claim 9 wherein said pliant second insulator is comprised of two semi-circular flaps.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

A switch assembly as in claim 13 wherein said pliant second insulator is made of robber.

### Claim 15

An ashtray assembly comprising:
an ashtray frame;
an ashtray slidably mounted within said ashtray frame; and
a switch means for connecting an electrical source to an electrical load, said switch comprising a slide connector and a base plate;
said slide connector for mounting on one of said ashtray or
said ashtray frame housing including;
a first housing having a first surface with an opening;
a first contact being retractably secured within said first housing, said first contact extending through said opening in said first surface;
a first insulator surrounding said first contact, retractably secured independently from said first contact, within said housing and extending through said opening and axially retracting into said housing when a force is applied to said first insulator;
said base plate mounted on the other one of said ashtray or said ashtray frame including;
a second housing having a second surface with a channel, said channel being wider than said first contact but narrower than said first insulator;
a conductive pad secured within said second housing so that said conductive pad is recessed within said channel;
a third surface acutely angled from said second panel to said second surface; and
a pliant second insulator coveting said channel; whereby upon engagement of said slide connector with said base plate, said conductive pad is exposed and said first contact electrically connects to said conductive pad.