Switching device with secondary switching function

A switching device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a power supply supported in said housing and having a generally planar portion oriented in a first plane;
• a first switch contact pivotably supported within said housing to be selectively pivoted into an activate position wherein said first switch contact is coupled to said power supply;
• a signal generator supported in said housing and coupled to said power supply and having a planar portion that is oriented in a second plane that is generally perpendicular to said first plane, said planar portion having a conductive contact portion;
• a second switch contact supported adjacent said signal generator such that a central, generally flexible portion of said second switch contact is moveable between a first position where said central portion does not contact said conductive contact portion of said signal generator and a second position where said central portion contacts said conductive contact portion;
• and
• a user manipulatable switch handle supported for movement relative to said housing and having a first actuator portion that engaging said first switch contact to thereby selectively couple said first switch contact with said power supply to accomplish a primary switching function when said switch handle is moved a first distance in a predetermined direction and a second actuator portion that engages said second switch contact to thereby move said central portion into said second position to accomplish a secondary switching function when said switch handle is moved a second distance is said predetermined direction, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance.

A switching device for use in controlling a position of adjustable windows in a vehicle, comprising:

• a housing;
• a switch handle that is moveably supported by said housing and manipulatable in a first direction and in a second direction and including a first actuator member, a second actuator member and a third actuator member;
• an electrical power supply supported within said housing;
• a first switch contact supported within said housing to be selectively engaged by said first actuator member and coupled to said power supply when said switch handle is manipulated in said first direction to thereby cause a preselected window to be adjusted in a first direction in a first mode;
• a second switch contact supported within said housing to be selectively engaged by said second actuator member and coupled to said power supply when said switch handle is manipulated in said direction to thereby cause the window to be adjusted in a second direction;
• a signal generator supported within said housing and having a conductive contact portion;
• and
• a generally flexible conductive member that is supported within said housing and adjacent said signal generator such that a portion of said conductive member is engaged by said third actuator member and moveable between a first position where said portion of said conductive member does not contact said signal generator conductive contact portion and a second position where said portion of said conductive member contacts said signal generator conductive contact portion when said switch handle is moved in said first direction a preselected distance to thereby cause the window to be adjusted in the first direction in a second mode.