Abstract: A switch apparatus including a main housing, a fixed contact supported by the main housing, a shaft supported by the main housing for pivotal movement relative thereto, a movable contact supported by the shaft for common movement therewith, and a motor assembly for moving the shaft relative to the main housing between a closed position wherein the movable contact engages the fixed contact and an open position wherein the movable contact is spaced from the fixed contact. The shaft consists of two opposite halves mating along a longitudinally extending plane. The fixed contact may consist of two opposed spring-biased contact portions mounted in the housing.

Abstract: An energy absorbing and contact pressure applying arrangement which minimizes bounce of a movable electrical contact upon engagement with a stationary or fixed electrical contact. In an illustrated embodiment, an armature member is attracted by an electromagnet means to draw the movable contact into engagement with the fixed contact. The movable contact engages the fixed contact before the armature has completed its travel into magnetically sealed engagement with the core of the electromagnet means. During the additional increment of travel necessary for the armature to move into magnetically sealed relation to the core of the electromagnet means, means connected to the moving armature causes compression of an energy absorbing and contact pressure applying device against the carrier arm on which the movable contact is mounted.