Abstract: A configurable switch having a base and interchangeable stationary contacts positioned in adjustable locations with respect to the base. A plunger is slidably mounted with respect to the base so that the plunger moves between a first position and a second position. One or more moveable contacts are mounted in a normally open position or a normally closed position. In the first position or the second position, the moveable contacts make contact and/or break contact with the stationary contacts depending upon the respective arrangements of the stationary contacts and the moveable contacts. Thus the configuration of a four-circuit switch can be altered with a minimum of different components to be, for example, a four normally closed circuit configuration, three normally closed and one normally open circuit configuration, two normally closed and two normally open circuit configuration, etc., with a minimum of expense or retooling.

Abstract: Rotary-controlled multipole electric switch fitted with a handle (4) and a housing (1) in which a cam device transforms the rotation of the handle into a translational movement of contact bridges (21). In order to ensure coordination between a cylindrical control core (13) and a slider 16 bearing contact bridges, the cam device is fitted with at least two notches (19, 20) offset around the axis of rotation X of the knob (4c), and with a control projection (14) applied respectively to the bottom of one notch in the OFF position and to the bottom of the other notch in the ON position by the force supplied by springs (24) acting on the slider and contact pressure springs (22).

Abstract: To present an electronic component including a contact integrated type terminal having a terminal portion with excellent mechanical strength and solderability and a contact portion with excellent contact characteristic. It comprises a contact integrated type terminal made of metal having a contact portion formed at one end and a terminal portion formed at other end, a case fixing the contact integrated type terminal, a movable contact placed in the case so as to cover the contact portion, and an operation member for operating the movable contact.

Abstract: A breaker device is provided in which a lever can be locked in specified positions with an improved reliability and unlocking can be easily effected. A slider (60) carried by a lever (30) and a panel (22) of a casing (20) define a locking mechanism of the device. When the lever (30) is in a specified rotation position, the slider (60) and the panel (22) are engaged with each other to lock the lever (30) in that position. An unlock portion (62) for unlocking the locking mechanism is provided in a position to be covered by a handle portion (32) of the lever (30). Since this unlock portion (62) is protected by the handle portion (32), a tool or the like cannot come into contact with or strike the unlock portion (62). On the other hand, if a finger is placed on the handle portion (32) to rotate the lever (30), the tip of this finger is located at the underside of the handle portion (32), so that the unlock portion (62) can be easily operated.

Abstract: A momentary switch includes a base plate, a switch body having an operation cavity at a predetermined location is mounted on the base plate, a top push-button having a first axial hole centrally provided at a bottom portion thereof, a shuttle which is smaller in size than the operation cavity of the switch body is positioned within the operation cavity, a transport rod has a first end inserted in the first axial hole of the top push-button and a second end inserted in a second axial hole positioned a top portion of the shuttle, a spring loop around the transport rod, and four contact plate for transferring an electrical signal. The momentary switch can eliminated the bouncing problems of traditional push-button switch by providing only two terminals instead of four terminals found in the traditional push-button switch.

Abstract: A device and method establishing an electrically conductive path between a pair of contacts in low voltage, low current applications, such as in electronic circuits. The device and method feature a flexible spanner that contacts a pair of fixed contacts with a sweeping movement. The spanner includes a bent portion that flexes when a force is exerted on the spanner such that a contact portion of the spanner sweeps across the surface of the pair of fixed contacts.

Abstract: An inverter by pass safety switch for rerouting electrical power either through or around AC variable frequency inverter drives during electrical disturbances, thus allowing a motor to continue operation. The switch works in a mechanical fashion, and comprises a contact block containing electrical contacts and cams operably connected to the contacts and mounted on a shaft that can be turned by an operator. The cams are shaped and mounted on the shaft in such a way to provide a desired switching pattern when the shaft is manually rotated.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a housing having a plurality of terminals at one end and a push-button at the opposite end. An actuator mechanism is disposed in the housing and is connected with the push-button. The actuator mechanism is operable to move movable switch contacts relative to stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of the push-button. A printed circuit extends between terminals at one end of the housing and the push-button. The printed circuit has a zig-zag portion disposed within the housing to accommodate movement of the push-button relative to the housing. The push-button is at least partially illuminated by light sources mounted on the printed circuit. The actuator mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers which are connected with the movable switch contacts and are pivotally connected with an actuator link.

Abstract: A control switch for an electric winch includes a handle, a set of forward and reverse push button switches and a switch box. The switch box includes a top cover and a bottom cover. The top cover is provided with a set of polarize conducting plates for DC voltage and another set of polarized conducting plates for motor wiring. The bottom cover is provided with two grooves for holding two sliding blocks, respectively. Each of the two sliding blocks is provided with conducting wipers and springs. The movement of the sliding blocks corresponds to the pushing of the forward button or the reverse button. Thus when one of the buttons is pushed, a circuit connection inside of the switch box is changed, providing control of the coiling, uncoiling and braking of a winch cable.

Abstract: A forced disconnect sequence switch is provided with a plunger that has two surfaces at its bottom portion. The two surfaces are disposed in planes which are displaced from each other so that cams can be actuated at different positions of travel of the plunger. The cams are sequentially rotatable to provide a positive break characteristic to the sequence switch. If either of the movable contact structures becomes welded to an associated stationary contact structure, each of the movable contacts are mechanically urged into separation sequentially by the cooperative action of the first and second surfaces of the plunger and their associated cams.

Abstract: A switch is provided which is simple in constitution and can be efficiently mounted on a circuit board, and a method of efficiently mounting the switch on the board is also provided. In particular, a switch device comprises a circuit board including a conductor pattern; a fixed contact member provided on a land portion of the conductor pattern; a movable contact member movable to touch/detach with the fixed contact member; a casing for receiving the movable and fixed contact members; locking member for fitting the casing to the circuit board, the locking member being provided in the casing; a holding member for holding the movable contact member with respect to the fixed contact member in one of the touched and detached condition, the holding member being provided in the casing.

Abstract: The present invention defines a convertible electrical contact. The convertible contact comprises two pair of movable contacts attached to an actuator which is supported by and enclosed within a housing. The actuator is biased to a first position and is slidably movable to a second position in response to a force applied to the actuator. The movable contacts are attached to the distal ends of a flexible member which is supported at its approximate midpoint by the actuator. The movable contacts are also movable between a first position and a second position as the actuator is moved. A pair of contact cavities are defined by the housing such that the one contact cavity lies on each side of the actuator and the flexible member and movable contacts are contained within the cavities. The housing defines a first pair of access apertures associated with the first position of the movable contacts and a second pair of access apertures associated with the second position of the movable contacts.

Abstract: A compact snap-action switch for high frequency switching applications comprising a housing of electrically conductive material having a horizontal outer wall with an opening formed therein; two spaced contact terminals disposed within the housing and having contact surfaces in a common plane proximate to and parallel with the plane of the outer housing wall; a rectangular metal contact element adapted to bridge the gap between the contact surfaces of the contact terminals in a closed position and to be snapped into an open position spaced from the contact surfaces; an actuator element having a lower end portion supporting the rectangular metal contact element and having an upper end portion disposed above the housing; a cradle support for the operating member; two parallel flexible strips being freely supported therein and being secured to the operating member; the cradle support being mounted above the outer housing wall and accommodating limited vertical displacement of the operating member between a switc

Abstract: A modular electrical switch provides a wiping or shearing action upon closing and opening thereof. A contact carrier disposed within a housing linearly carries a movable contact into engagement with a stationary contact. The contact carrier is guided by movable slide plates disposed on either side thereof and movable along with the contact carrier as a contact assembly. The guide plates also provide pivot recesses for pivot bosses of the contact carrier. The contact carrier is constrained to linear motion up to the point of contact between the movable contact and the stationary contact by a cam trace in the housing. After contact between the movable contact and the stationary contact, the contact carrier reaches a pocket defined by the cam trace, ceases linear movement and upwardly pivots to provide a wiping action between the movable contact and the stationary contact.

Abstract: There is provided an elastomeric switching device for use with electrical circuits, such as those on a printed circuit board. The elastomeric switching device comprises an elastomeric pad constructed from a plurality of parallel strips of conductive material between layers of non-conductive or insulating material together with a moveable conductive contact which is aligned with the elastomeric pad. The elastomeric pad is predisposed in contact with the circuits on the printed circuit board. The moveable conductive contact establishes electrical connections between the affected circuits via the conductive strips of the elastomeric pad. The proper alignment and orientation of the elastomeric pad and moveable conductive contact relative to the circuits is maintained by the structural and mechanical features of a housing.

Abstract: An electrical operating device, particularly a change-over or other switch or the like, including a contact-holding slider having a body provided with usual recesses which open into two opposing faces (A, B) of the body, and contain usual contact elements (40) which move against elastic springs (26, 26A) to cooperate with usual fixed contacts rigid with the body of the operating device, the body of the slider comprising at least two parts (2, 3) fitted together by connection devices (4, 4', 5, 5', 6, 6', 7, 7').

Abstract: An electrical switch and switch contact are disclosed, both of which are advantageous for use in an environment containing explosive gases or vapors. The switch housing is designed so that the two joints where explosive gases or vapors can enter or exit into the switch interior can cool any hot gases escaping from the switch interior. Therefore, if any explosive gases or vapors are ignited by an arc in the switch interior, they are cooled during their exit from the switch, so that they cannot ignite the explosive environment outside the switch. This is done using a labyrinthine path between the two switch housing members, and a lengthy metal-to-metal, metal-to-ceramic, or ceramic-to-ceramic path between the switch actuator and the switch housing. The contact is designed such that it has a greater flexural length, without requiring a substantial increase in the housing body volume. This allows a smaller amount of hazardous gas or vapor to come into contact with a potential arc.

Abstract: A switch is described that includes a plunger (20, FIG. 1 ) moveable between up and down position and having upper contacts (22, 24) and lower contacts (26, 28). When the plunger is moved to a down position, opposite ends of the upper contact (22) move down against first and second terminals (12, 14) to interconnect them. When the plunger is moved to an up position, opposite ends of the lower contact (26) move up against the first terminal (12) and a third terminal (16) to interconnect them. The plunger can move within a hole in a circuit board and carry two upper and two lower contacts to connect four terminals in two different ways. Each terminal can include upper and lower terminal pads (120, 122, FIG. 5 ) lying respectively on upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board and interconnected through plated-through holes (124) in the board.

Abstract: A contact device includes a housing, a fixed contact, and a moving contact attached to a support frame, the support frame and moving contact movable within the housing perpendicular to the fixed contact. A stopping arm projects from the support frame to restrict movement of the support frame within the housing.

Abstract: The disclosed slide action selector switch, which is adapted to switch the connections of four push button switches between left and right mirror motors, comprises an insulating plate with an elongated guide flange projecting therefrom and having a T-shaped cross section. First and second sets of electrical contacts are mounted along the plate on opposite sides of the flange for sliding engagement by first and second contactors on an insulating carriage having a T-shaped channel slidably receiving and interlocking with the flange. Springs are provided on the carriage for biasing the contactors against the contacts while biasing the carriage away from the plate. A detent ball is disposed in a seat formed in a leaf spring on the carriage and is biased by the leaf spring against the flange for reception in successive detent recesses therein.

Abstract: A tappet, in particular for cooperating with camshafts in electrical changeover switches, circuit breakers or the like, comprises a body provided with a cavity opening into two opposing faces of the body and containing, mobile against a spring, a generally flat contact element the opposing free ends of which project from the cavity and from the body so as to cooperate with fixed contacts generally arranged to the sides of the body and rigid with the casing of the changeover switch or the like. The movable contact is subjected to the action of an element or slider movable within the cavity and arranged to cooperate with the cams of a camshaft.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a pair of spaced parallel contact strips disposed in a housing with integral connector terminal portions thereof extending exteriorly of the housing. One of the contact strips serves as common bus and the other is divided into discrete individual contact portions and has surface portions thereof configured to provide detents integrally therewith. A wiper member bar is pivoted on the housing and has a shorting bar thereon spring biased against the contact strips to effect a switching action as the bar is moved along the strips.

Abstract: An electric relay is provided with pairs of stationary electrical contacts for connection to an electric circuit, movable bus bars positioned at axially spaced locations along an actuating shaft, and a mechanism for moving the shaft in an axial direction between first and second positions. Compressible biasing assemblies are positioned along the shaft between the conductive members and stops are positioned at the axially spaced locations to limit movement of the compressible biasing assemblies. The conductive members have an opening for receiving the stops and are capable of axial displacement with respect to the stops. Movement of the actuating shaft compresses each of the biasing assemblies between one of the stops and one of the conductive members thereby providing an axial force to press the conductive members against a pair of stationary contacts.

Abstract: A miniature ratchet type electrical switch exhibiting a reduced audible noise level operation having a damping spring incorporated in a ratchet mechanism switch construction for reducing the forces otherwise exerted on the ratcheting mechanism by a main spring during the camming and seating operation of the components with the force exerted by the damping spring opposing the force exerted by the main spring, thereby reducing the noise associated with this function, and including a reprofiled tooth and cam configuration for preventing the jamming of the moving parts. Incorporation of these features in a ratchet mechanism type electrical switch in which the main spring completes the switch circuitry yields a reliable and aesthetically improved switch function with a high current carrying capacity. Switch constructions in both single-pole, double-throw and single-pole, single-throw versions are disclosed.

Abstract: A electrical switching apparatus having a housing, an actuator for actuating the apparatus along an axis, first contacts for establishing an incomplete electrical path within the housing and second contacts for bridgingly electrically completing the electrical path in response to movement of the actuator within the housing. The first contacts comprise at least two elongate contacts and the second contacts comprise at least one elongate bridging contact or in a generally perpendicular to the axis of the housing. Second contacts are floatingly captive to the actuator in a manner allowing movement of those second contacts with respect to the first contacts in at least one axis.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a geared limit switch for valve actuators is formed from aligned switch modules. The switch modules includes a pair of switch units, each switch unit having a plunger and a movable contact plate mounted between two springs. As the plunger is driven inward, a camming element on the plunger contacts an edge of an aperture in the movable contact plate, forcing the plate to move in a direction perpendicular to the line of plunger travel. The inward motion of the plunger and the camming action continue after the contacts have closed, wiping the contacts mounted on the movable plate across the surfaces of the stationary contacts. When the plunger is released, an outer edge of the movable plate engages a beveled inner wall of the switch unit housing, returning the movable contact plate to its original position.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a wafer defining a cavity, a case defining a guide hole and received in the cavity, and a slide reciprocally movably received in the guide hole to close or open contacts provided in the cavity. The case and slide are originally molded in a single body united by runners and they are separated by cutting the runners just before the case is mounted on the wafer, but the slide is held in the guide hole and never drops from it before the case is mounted in position of the wafer.

Abstract: A push button device for electric contacts or the like, particularly suitable for instrumentation panels, that includes a fixed annular body having a movable body external thereof. Two small cylinder-shaped members of conductive material, which in their rest position, are between the fixed body and the movable body and in their contact operative position, are adjacent to the base of the annular body. The device also includes return springs connected to the respective ends of the cylinder-shaped conductive members.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of electrical switching. The contactor includes a control member (5) which moves in translation and is placed between two bars (12) and (13) made from an electrically conducting material. The control member includes a monobloc part interposed between the two bars and has bearing surfaces (5', 5") enabling the control of the pivoting of the bars about axes perpendicular to the translation axis of the control member (5), to produce a sequential opening or closing of one set of pairs of contacts (8, 11) and of another set of pairs of contacts (9, 10). The invention is applicable to the control of the electrical powering of a pump to maintain the pressure of a fluid within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A contact arrangement for switchgear with multiple disconnects by contact points connected in parallel of two contact bridges aligned in a contact actuation link uses a spring collar for a contact pressure spring. The spring collar has cutouts transverse to the spring-action direction into which the contact bridges with the spring collars can be inserted and locked in place transverse to their longitudinal direction. The spring collar is rounded at two facing sliding surfaces in the contact actuation link aligned transverse to the longitudinal direction of the contact bridges. This assures optimal fitting of the contact bridges to the fixed contact components without jamming the spring collar in the alignment.

Abstract: An improved selective switch includes a printed circuit board, a rotating shaft with a pinion, two bearings journalling the rotating shaft on the printed circuit board, a sliding member slidably mounted on the printed circuit board and a rack meshed with the pinion, thereby, when the rotating shaft is rotated, by the linking-up motion of the rack and the pinion, the sliding member will be driven to slide on the printed circuit board so that the selective control of the selective switch is achieved.

Abstract: A switch gear which includes a housing have first and second sides and a third side therebetween, at least one main contact bridge in the housing displaceable between two ON-OFF switch position, a spindle rotatable by a handle and carrying a body having a cam slot receiving a cam follower of a contact bridge holder, the contact bridge holder carrying contacts for effecting the two switch positions with associated pairs of fixed contact rails carried by the housing, the fixed contact rails being connectable by connector screws to electrical hook-up leads at the respective first and second housing sides, first and second separate housing compartments adjacent the first and second housing sides and carried associated ones of the connector screws, the first and second contact rails being connected through the respective first and second separate housing compartments for connection to the electrical hook-up leads by the connector screws, and the first and second separate housing compartments being selectively moun

Abstract: The switch comprises a hollow, generally rectangular casing, a generally rectangular pushbutton slidable rearwardly in such casing, and a terminal supporting block closing the rear end of such casing. All of such components are made of moldable resinous plastic materials. The block carries forwardly projecting contact points which connect with external electrical terminals. The pushbutton carries a cup-shaped contactor, slidably and rotatably mounted on a retaining pin which is pressed into a hollow post projecting rearwardly from the pushbutton. A compression coil spring is mounted around the pin and the post, between the contactor and the pushbutton. The contactor is fitted with an axial eyelet on which the contactor is freely rotatable. The contactor is movable into wiping engagement with the contact points, when the pushbutton is pushed rearwardly against the biasing force of a coil spring, compressed between the pushbutton and the terminal supporting block.

Abstract: A contactor, relay, or other switch has stationary contacts and a movable crossbar which carries a movable contact member provided with movable contacts. The contact member has lost motion relative to the crossbar and is resiliently biased by a spring so that the crossbar can continue to move after the contacts have met the stationary contacts. The crossbar has oblique guide grooves engaging the contact member so that, during the further movement of the crossbar, the contact member is caused to move longitudinally while the movable and stationary contacts touch, thus producing a contact wiping action due to sliding of the contacts. The contact member also has an asymmetical cross section comprising a projection where, when the contacts are open, it touches the crossbar so that, in this condition, the contact member is laterally tilted.

Abstract: The electrical switch which may be of a type having a toggle mechanism or a buckling mechanism for achieving abrupt motion of its movable piece. The switch is additionally provided with a mechanism for forcibly disengaging a movable contact formed on the movable piece away from a fixed contact even when the movable contact and the fixed contact are welded together due to heat generated from the contacts. This mechanism may conveniently include a pair of rack gears and a pinion gear so that the force applied to the switch is also transmitted to the disengagement mechanism for, in addition to normal switching action, pulling the movable contact away from the fixed contact.

Abstract: A movable contact assembly comprises a movable contact arm carrying a movable contact element, an electrically insulating contact holder for holding the movable contact arm and movable between the open and closed positions, a compression spring for resiliently holding the movable contact arm relative to the contact holder, and a spring retainer disposed between the compression spring and the movable contact arm. The spring retainer has first and second sloped guiding surfaces. The movable contact arm has first and second sloped guided surfaces thereon. The sloped guide surfaces of the spring retainer serve to guide, in cooperation with the sloped guided surfaces of the movable contact arm, the movable contact arm into a predetermined proper positional relationship relative to the movable contact holder due to the spring force of the compression spring.

Abstract: A switch assembly particularly suitable for electrical keyboard applications includes a pair of wire conducting members disposed in substantially collinear relationship on a supporting base and defining a pair of switch contact surfaces disposed radially outward from the circumference of the wire conducting members. In one embodiment, surrounding the exterior of the collinearly disposed wire conducting members, and spaced from and in facing relationship with the contact surfaces thereof, lies a cylindrical or tubular contactor member. The contactor member may include a closely-wound electrically conductive wire. The contactor member is supported in spaced apart position by a resilient sealing tube which encloses the end portions, including the contact surfaces, of the wire conducting members. A spring biased actuating force is provided to move the sealing tube and contactor member into engagement with the contact surfaces.

Abstract: A variable control device comprises a manually operable member (5) arranged to be moved in a first direction (A) by an operator. A substrate (2) is provided with a plurality of contacts (4) spaced apart in a plane transverse to the first direction. A further member (6) is disposed between the manually operable portion (5) and substrate (2), The further member (6) is provided with a conductive surface facing the substrate (2). Movement of the manually operable portion (5) in the first direction (A) causes deformation of the further member (6). Contacts 4 on the substrate are progressively bridged by the further member conductive surface as deformation of the further member (6) increases.

Abstract: In a switching bridge arrangement for an electrical switch, such as a circuit breaker, wherein a plurality of contact bridges, biased by contact springs, are movable in a plurality of windows provided in the switch housing, each contact spring is formed as a leaf spring pressed in the respective window against the contact bridge and is provided with a recess in which a projection formed on the wall of the window is engaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction of a control switch for use in measuring instruments of various types, such as digital indication type slide calipers. A link member is pivotally supported and pivoting thereof is effected by a movement of a control button. The link member is interposed between a switch portion for effecting the electrical connection or disconnection and the control button, which control button is provided in a side wall of a case body disposed for movement in a direction perpendicular to the working direction of the switch portion, and, when the link member is pivoted by movement of the control button, the electrical connection or disconnection can be effected.

Abstract: An electric switching device of the type having a contact system includes two stationary contact bars and movable contact bridges for interconnecting the bars. To convert the switching device from a circuit maker to a circuit breaker, or vice versa, a control member is provided in the form of a shiftable slide having insulating projections which in one end position of the slide are displaced between one bridge and a contact bar while the other projection is out of the range of movement of the bridges, and in the other end position the other insulating projection interrupts the contact between the other bridge and the assigned contact bar.

Abstract: A multipole key switch comprises switching chambers disposed next to each other are each provided with a movable contact bridge, which shortens a pair of contact fingers in each case in the turned on condition. Contact supports for supporting the contact bridges are formed at a cross-web of an actuating arm. Each switching chamber is provided with a restoring spring. The force of only two restoring springs can bring the key switch into its switched-off position. In order to prevent a sideways canting or clamping of the actuating ram, it is provided with two ribs, with the aid of which it is guided in a guide track.

Abstract: In each of the two disclosed switches, an electrically conductive contactor plate is mounted on an insulating carriage, slidable in a casing along a path which is parallel with first and second parallel contact bars, mounted on an insulating wall of the casing. The contactor plate has first and second contact points for slidably engaging the contact bars during a portion of the movement of the contactor plate. During the remainder of such movement, the contact points slidably engage insulating boss portions which project from the insulating wall and are flush with the contact bars. The contactor plate has a third contact point projecting therefrom and slidable along an insulating ridge projecting from the insulating wall and disposed between the contact bars. The insulating ridge is flush with the contact bars for slidably supporting the third contact point while keeping it from engaging the contact bars. The insulating ridge is also flush with and connects with the insulating boss portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric switching device of the type having a contact system including two stationary contact bars and movable contact bridges for interconnecting the bars. To convert the switching device from a circuit maker to a circuit breaker, or vice versa, there is provided a control member in the form of a shiftable slide having insulating projections which in one end position of the slide are displaced between one bridge and a contact bar while the other projection is out of the range of movement of the bridges, and in the other end position the other insulating projection interrupts the contact between the other bridge and the assigned contact bar. In a modification, the converting member is in the form of a swingable arm cooperating with a slidably supported cam track which is turnable by 180.degree..

Abstract: A contact arrangement encompasses at least two stationary and at least two movable contact elements actuatable in common, whereby all contact elements can be connected in series over bridge contact elements which reside opposite one another and which are mutually offset. A multiplication of the contact spacing and an increase of the making and/or breaking capacity of the relay is therefore provided.

Abstract: An opposed contact switch comprising two stationary contacts 8, a movable contact 13 that can bridge the stationary contacts when moved vertically into contact, a spring 15 normally holding the contacts together, a control rod 10 movable vertically, and a contact holder 11 connected to said control rod with oblique guide grooves 12 in the side thereof into which are fitted knobs 14 on the side of the movable contact, whereby the movable contact slides laterally for a short distance across the stationary contact before breaking contact.

Abstract: A contactor has a movable contact assembly which is connected to the magnet armature in such a way that the contact assembly moves translatorily in the same direction as the armature between a closed and an open position. The contact assembly comprises a movable main contact with relatively small contact elements of silver alloy and a movable arcing contact with contact elements of silver-free material. The arcing contact makes and breaks the main current, whereas the main contact carries almost the entire current in closed position. The contacts have separate contact pressure springs. The contactor has at least one opening spring which is obliquely directed in relation to the direction of motion of the armature and is clamped between two bearing points, of which one is fixed whereas the other, upon operation of the electric switch, is displaced together with the armature in the same direction of motion.

Abstract: A new and improved switch incorporating an integral contact and return spring element for use in data entry keyboards is disclosed. The unitary contact and return spring element includes a spring member and a contact member. At rest, only the spring member contacts the underlying circuit board at a first terminal. If the spring contact is compressed a suitable distance, however, the contact member contacts a second portion of the circuit board to complete a circuit between the first and second terminal. The unitary contact and return spring element may include a plurality of spring contact members overlying an equal number of circuit board terminals. The use of multiple spring and contact elements allows use of double-pole, double-throw and double-pole, break-before-make embodiments.

Abstract: This invention is directed at an electric switch which utilizes a helical spring as a bridging element. The element has each of its terminal ends in moveable engagement with a vertical channel formed in the switch housing. Special forms of fixed contacts provide means of varying the number of circuits that can be activated by the switch. The plunger may also have means of guiding the element in its movement.

Abstract: A contactor, relay, or other switch has stationary contacts and a movable crossbar which carries a movable contact member provided with movable contacts. The contact member has lost motion relative to the crossbar and is resiliently biased by a spring so that the crossbar can continue to move after the contacts have met the stationary contacts. The crossbar has oblique guide grooves engaging the contact member so that, during the further movement of the crossbar, the contact member is caused to move longitudinally while the movable and stationary contacts touch, thus producing a contact wiping action due to sliding of the contacts. The contact member also has an asymmetical cross section comprising a projection where, when the contacts are open, it touches the crossbar so that, in this condition, the contact member is laterally tilted.