Low profile switch assembly

A low profile switch having first and second matable assemblies each disposed on a respective one of opposed adjacent first and second surfaces of respective first and second articles which are relatively slidable along a line of travel with respect to each other between first and second relative positions, the switch comprising:

• a receptacle assembly including:
• a first dielectric housing secured to said first surface, said first housing defining a recess open toward said second position;
• a first pair of contact members mounted to said first housing and extending into said recess, said first pair of contact members being resiliently biased into engagement with each other and being movable toward and away from each other substantially in a plane parallel to said first surface and transverse to said line of travel;
• and
• first circuit means connected to said first pair of contact members;
• and
• a plug assembly including:
• a second dielectric housing secured to said second surface, said second housing including an elongated extension having a longitudinal axis parallel to said line of travel, said extension being so positioned that when said first and second surfaces are moved relatively from said first position to said second position a forward end of said extension enters said first housing recess and separates said first pair of contact members;
• a second pair of contact members mounted to said extension on opposed sides thereof and generally parallel to said longitudinal axis so that when said extension separates said first pair of contact members each of said second pair of contact members engages a respective one of said first pair of contact members;
• and
• second circuit means connected to said second pair of contact members.