Snap action switch
US4079220A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1976 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S200/29
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A snap action electrical switch is disclosed which includes an actuating plunger slidably mounted within a switch housing, which carries two pairs of circumferentially spaced terminals. The plunger carries two sets of contacts which correspond to respective pairs of the terminals. Each set of the contacts includes a pair of spheres slidingly mounted within a transverse bore provided within the plunger and a spring which yieldably urges the spheres toward opposite ends of the transverse bore. An insulating member is disposed between the terminals and the plungers. One pair of apertures, provided in the insulating member, register with one of the transverse bores when the plunger is in one position and another pair of apertures register with the other transverse bore when the plunger is moved to another position. Consequently, when the transverse bores are in registry with the respective apertures, the spring yieldably urges the corresponding contacts into engagement with the terminals, thereby completing an electrical circuit between the terminals through the corresponding contacts and their corresponding spring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.