Abstract: A switch housing extends to enclose wiring terminals, incorporating holes for insertion of wire conductors and for accessing a clamping screw assembly with a tool to clamp the conductor against the terminal. Individual cavities for each terminal are substantially sealed against ingress of dust, electrically isolating the terminals, and preventing removal of the screw from the respective cavity.

Abstract: A switch assembly incorporates miniature snap action switches (8) disposed over pins (26,28;56) molded integrally with a base member (6;52) and are held thereto by an enclosing case (4;50) to which the switch and base subassembly is snap-fit. A rocker actuator for the switches (8) is molded integrally with the base in one embodiment to have flexible wings (31) deformable to effect switch plunger (10) depression. In another version, a separate actuator (54) is pivotally supported by grooves (76) in the case (50) and the upper edge (60) of the base (52). The case is provided with serrated, variable panel thickness mounting structures (40;74) for snap-in attachment of the switch assembly in a panel opening.

Abstract: A speed control trigger switch of a double-pole configuration. One pole of said switch is an ON-OFF switch, while the other pole controls the speed control circuit. A contact carrier block (20) carries the two movable contacts (22,38), one for each pole of the switch. As the carrier block begins to move, the contact for the speed control side closes the speed control circuit by contacting two contacts, a contact/terminal (26) and a heat sink (24). As the block continues to move due to continued pressure on the trigger (16), the speed of the motor controlled by the switch continues to increase until the FULL-ON position is reached when the movable contact (22) closes the gap between the two contact/terminals (26,36). The contact portion (36a) of that contact/terminal is located between the other contact/terminal (26) and the heat sink (24) for efficiency and compactness of design.

Abstract: A double pole sliding contact trigger switch is disclosed having auxiliary butt contact means for affording sequential actuation of a pair of switches in a single housing. Upon depression of the trigger, a double pole switch is closed by sliding bridging contactors to energize a portable tool motor. Upon further depression of the trigger, a single pole switch is closed by a butting bridging contactor to energize a solenoid in the tool.