Spring Buckle Patents (Class 200/408)
  • Patent number: 11103010
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery main body and a cover assembly arranged on the battery main body. The battery main body has a mounting groove. A side wall of the mounting groove is provided with a clamping portion. The battery main body is electrically connected to a switch. The cover assembly includes a cover movably arranged in the mounting groove, a locking structure arranged on the cover, and an abutting member arranged, corresponding to the switch, between the mounting groove and the cover. The locking structure includes a locking member movably arranged, corresponding to the clamping portion, on the cover, and a second elastic member elastically abutting between the cover and the locking member. The locking member and the clamping portion can be disengaged by prodding the locking member, and thus the cover can be pressed so that the abutting member abuts against and closes the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU PATENT ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Weihua Qiu
  • Patent number: 11081301
    Abstract: An assembly includes an electrical switch and an elastically deformable control blade for controlling change of state of its trip member. The control blade comprises: (i) a fixing branch; (ii) an actuation branch which, in the absence of application of an actuation effort, stresses the trip member in the direction of closure of the electrical switch, and (iii) a control branch which can pivot about an axis to provoke tilting of the actuation branch against its elasticity to keep the electrical switch in an open free state. The assembly may include a locking device for locking the control blade in an initial position of delivery of the assembly. The unlocking of the control blade may be provoked automatically upon a first application of an actuation effort on the control blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventors: Philippe Gauthier, Jocelyn Mayot, Fabrice Valcher, Laurent Kubat
  • Patent number: 10840038
    Abstract: Described herein are thin keyboard and thin keyboard overlay, as well as novel key assembly for uses on keyboards and keyswitches. The key assembly includes a top plate, a movable keycap, a support plate and flexible rods embedded in the support plate acting as springs. The underside of the movable keycap has at least one or several tapered protrusions which are located above the flexible rods. A vertical downward force on the movable keycap will enable the protrusion to flex the rods horizontally, thus creating a spring like mechanism that will return the movable keycap to its original position once the vertical force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventors: Juwilia Lim, Pat Hao
  • Patent number: 9916942
    Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure includes an electronic device including an enclosure (214), a button (106), and a processing element (not shown). The button is connected to the enclosure and includes a button cap (234) defining a user input surface, a flexible member (238) having an interior surface (270) and exterior surface. The flexible member is aligned with the button cap and is connected thereto. The button further includes a strain sensor (244) connected to the interior surface of the flexible member, the strain sensor is in communication with the processing element. When a force is exerted on the button cap, the flexible member bends and the strain sensor detects a user input corresponding to the force and provides a signal to the processing element corresponding to the user input. In some embodiments, the button may be substantially or completely waterproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Anna-Katrina Shedletsky
  • Patent number: 8836546
    Abstract: A keypad for a wireless device is disclosed. The keypad comprises one or more key stems, each key stem having an upper key stem surface. The keypad also comprises one or more keycaps configured to be mounted over the one or more key stems, each keycap having a lower keycap surface for bonding to the upper key stem surface of each key stem with adhesive. The upper key stem surface includes at least one depression and at least one groove along a perimeter of the upper key stem surface. The depression and groove can help reduce the risk of adhesive flow to undesirable areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 8440927
    Abstract: An enhanced returning elasticity micro switch includes a base and a cap mounted thereon to form a housing compartment therebetween. The base is run through by a first pin and a second pin. The first pin has an anchor portion in the housing compartment to couple with a conductive member. The conductive member has a lower contact portion and swings when being pressed. The second pin has a first contact in the housing compartment. The first contact has an inclined surface connected to the lower contact portion during swing of the conductive member. The inclined surface is located at an elevation tapered towards the anchor portion. Hence the contact area between the conductive member and second pin increases, and adhesion force between the conductive member and second pin during power transmission decreases. Returning elasticity of the conductive member increases, and resistance against depression of the conductive member decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Hsin Lin, King-Long Lee
  • Patent number: 8173915
    Abstract: An ignition key switch apparatus having a compact size, high current capability, and a snap action mechanism. A pre-loaded snap spring can be configured to include a fixed end attached to an anchor and a free end attached to a movable contact operable between normal and actuated positions. A cam can be utilized to convert a rotary motion at a key interface into a linear movement of a plunger for snap spring blade actuation. The unique pre-loaded snap spring generates a fast (e.g., instantaneous) movement from an open to a closed position and vice versa upon application/removal of a load to reduce the effect of arcing on associated contacts and conductors. The pre-loaded snap spring also ensures that the movable contact does not remain in any intermittent position, other than the two extreme positions given at any position of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Niranjan Manjunath, Bindu Philip, Mahesh Kumar Nagrajan
  • Publication number: 20100155211
    Abstract: A snap switch may include a housing, a lever having a handle portion and a base portion, a contact component having a first contact and a spring having a first end and a second end. The first end may be secured to the housing, the second end may be secured to the contact component, and a base portion of the lever may surround at least a first portion of the spring. The snap switch may include a first terminal component that may have a first prong and a second prong that may define an opening through which a second portion of the spring may be received. The snap switch may include a second terminal component that may have a second contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: COACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Mark Domzalski
  • Patent number: 7232971
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a shell, a movable press strip, a metal strip, a C-shaped plate spring, and three conductors. A first and a second conductor are inserted through the bottom of the shell, respectively have an upper end extending up in the shell, with a first contact point on its upper end of the first conductor, with an upper end of the second conductor connected with a metal strip, which has one end facing under a first press member of the press strip and an elastic contact strip with one end provided with a second contact point facing under the first contact point. A C-shaped plate spring has two lower ends connected with the metal strip, and a curved-up portion facing a second press member. The contact strip may disfigure by high heat caused by excessive current, curling upward to force the first contact point snap off the second contact point to cut off the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Tsan-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 7211757
    Abstract: For a push slide switch in which as a knob is slid, terminals and are electrically connected, click springs and are provided, which have a characteristic that as displacement level is increased, stress increases, and as the displacement level is more increased, the stress decreases sharply. The click springs and are arranged so that force necessary for operation of the knob decreases sharply when the terminals are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Masataka Maehara
  • Patent number: 6737597
    Abstract: A sump pump switch for controlling the application of power from a power source to a sump pump motor in response to the rise and fall of a liquid collecting in a sump includes a housing, a pair of electrically conductive terminal members fixedly disposed within the housing and a pair of electrically conductive contact members fixedly disposed within the housing. A pair of electrically conductive movable contacts are mounted onto a contact bridge. The contact bridge is pivotally disposed within the housing and is actuated by an over-center mechanism. The movable contacts are pivotally coupled to the terminal members and selectively contact the contact members to effectively close the switch. A pair of electrically conductive wiper contacts connect the terminal members with the contact members and provide a non-articulating current path between the terminal members and the contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tower Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Levon Galpchian
  • Patent number: 6713702
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises an assembly of a base and an upper cover. A conductor resilient plate is mounted in the switch with a resilient tongue that extends and bends toward the upper cover and is placed parallel with a push button on a same side of the conductor resilient plate. Thereby, the thickness of the upper cover and the base can be reduced, so the switch could be accommodated dimensionally electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.
    Inventor: King-Long Lee
  • Patent number: 6323449
    Abstract: An electrical switch is provided, which is of low height and which uses a single snap dome tripper (36) to close a plurality of switch devices and provide tactile feedback to the person who has depressed the tripper. The switch includes a support (12), a plurality of contacts (26) mounted on the support with each contact having an exposed engaging surface in the lower portion of the support. An intermediate contact member in the form of a plate (44), lies over the engaging surfaces of the contacts, and the snap dome tripper lies over the intermediate contact member. The intermediate contact member has a plurality of blades (50) that are each downwardly deflected against a corresponding engaging surface (29) when the tripper is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Janniere
  • Patent number: 6107583
    Abstract: A switch assembly having an enlarged actuation surface and enhanced tactility is provided. The switch assembly may include a switch having a movable switch mounted within a recess. The actuation surface may be an elongate planar body loosely held within the recess and in engagement with the movable switch. A flexible protective cover may be provided over the recess, switch and actuation surface. The planar body increases the actuation area of the switch assembly without increasing the size, and accompanying cost, of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Berfield
  • Patent number: 6046418
    Abstract: A switch includes a contact having at least two contact springs and at least one slide for moving the at least two contact springs in opposite directions between an open position and a closed position of the contact. Movement in opposite directions ensures a long service life of the contact elements at the contact springs and provides sufficient contact pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kaco Elektrotechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Feiler, Daniel Josef Jendritza, Hartmut Janocha, Horst Binnig
  • Patent number: 5998749
    Abstract: A single pole, snap action, sump pump switch is disclosed having a housing containing a single electrically conductive contact arm with a contact mounted on a forward end portion, which arm is pivotally movable between on and off positions. The contact arm contains a pair of pivot tabs projecting from opposite sides on a rear end portion thereof, which pivot tabs fit within rearwardly opening, triangularly shaped notches on a U-shaped terminal. The notches form a fulcrum about which the contact arm rocks through the U-shaped member when switching between the on and off positions. An actuator arm is pivotally mounted between a pair of shoulders formed on opposing sidewalls within the housing and projects out of a rear end of the housing for connection to a float bulb assembly. A forward end of the actuator arm fits within a recess in one end of a pivot bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: E. M. B. Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Stockmaster, Anthony E. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5905241
    Abstract: A threshold microswitch includes a movable electrode, realizing an initial deflection by a difference in residual stresses; an upper electrode, provided at a fixed distance from the movable electrode; and a support mechanism, including a movable electrode support portion which supports both ends of the movable electrode such that a snap-through buckling phenomenon can be used when the movable electrode receives a threshold load. An upper electrode support portion supports the upper electrode such that switching with the movable electrode is realized when the same undergoes snap-through buckling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kwanhum Park, Youngho Gho, Jeungsang Go, Byungman Kwak
  • Patent number: 5577604
    Abstract: To create a snap-action switch (1) that provides separate solutions for the mechanical function of "switching" and the electrical function of "contact bridging", the snap-action element (4) is designed as one piece made of round wire and a contact element (5) is held within the snap-action element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Delphi Automotive Systems Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Hans P. Dahmen, Ewald Stanitzok
  • Patent number: 5380972
    Abstract: A rocker switch includes at least one switch device (105) actuable by a first side (110) of a first end (106) of a spring (107). The spring (107) has a second end (108) opposing the first end (106). First (103) and opposing second (103') support members are positioned on a second side (112) at the ends (106, 108) of the spring (107). A rocker mechanism (101), which has a top portion (121), is pivotable about an axis (109). The rocker mechanism (101) is also coupled to the spring (107) proximate a center position (111). The rocker mechanism (101) is positioned in a nominal position causing contact between the second side (112) of the first end (106) of the spring (107) and the first (103) support member, and causing another contact between the second side (112) of the second end (108) of the spring (107) and the second (103') support member. This positioning centers the rocker mechanism (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Lunak, Declan E. Killarney
  • Patent number: 5326951
    Abstract: A push button switch comprises a housing having an opening at the top and provided with a fixed contact member at the inner bottom, a stem supported to be vertically movable in and with respect to the housing, and an elastic member being capable of buckling and having one end attached to near a lower end of the stem and the other end attached to near the inner bottom of the housing, the elastic member being positioned in the housing to extend diagonally and urging the stem upward by its own resilient force. A high degree of reliability is ensured with the simple structure and a good click feeling is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Murakami
  • Patent number: 5117077
    Abstract: A reversing plate is provided between a depressing barrel which is engaged with a key top and a membrane contacts on a frame, wherein the reversing plate is bent toward the depressing barrel and, when a depression force applied by the depressing barrel exceeds a predetermined buckling limit, the bending direction of the reversing plate reverses toward the membrane contacts. The reversing plate is made of a plate spring and is composed of a slim peripheral piece which is bent by being provided a bending portion at several positions, a central piece astride in the approximate center of the peripheral piece, and a contact pressing piece provided at the central piece. When the key is depressed, the central piece of the reversing plate is moved under pressure transmitted through the depressing barrel, twisting the peripheral piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: S M K Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidemasa Sakurada
  • Patent number: 5089715
    Abstract: A switch device for making a motor or the like alternate between forward reverse rotation, having a pair of switches and a control circuit. When either one of the switches is activated, the control circuit activates the motor in one or the other direction depending upon which switch is activated. When both switches are activated, the control circuit activates the motor until a desired action or task is completed. Therefore, when the present invention is used in a window glass lifting apparatus of an automobile, three kinds of operations of the window glass can be performed by using a pair of switches: partial upward and partial downward movement and continuous movement down to the fully open state of the window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Sadao Kokubu
  • Patent number: 5086198
    Abstract: An electric switch comprising a fixed contact attached to a casing, a moveable contact piece carrying a moveable contact, an elastic piece which is actuated by an external force between two positions which are located on either side of the moveable contact piece along the common direction of motion of the moveable contact piece and the elastic piece, and a U-shaped spring member engaged between the free ends of the moveable contact piece and the elastic piece. As the elastic piece is moved past the moveable contact piece, the spring action of the U-shaped spring member upon the moveable contact piece changes its direction in such a manner that the moveable contact is positively pressed upon the fixed contact or displaced away from the latter without producing any indeterminate state of contact between the moveable and fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventor: Motoi Arakawa
  • Patent number: 5075516
    Abstract: A single in-line package switch for individually switching a number of terminals to establish separate conductive paths with a common terminal. The switch comprises an insulating housing with a number of terminal pins exceeding the number of switching poles by one. The insulating housing has an internal cavity corresponding to each terminal switch and recesses in certain of the cavities for receiving rotary actuators. A cover and base clamp a common strip portion of a contact finger structure and bias cantilevered contact fingers into engagement with internal contact end sections of the terminals. One of the contact fingers permanently contacts one terminal connected to a reference potential, thereby establishing a fixed electrical path between the common strip portion and the reference potential. Each actuator includes a planar portion for engaging a free end section of the contact fingers for producing the switching action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Augat Inc.
    Inventor: Peter F. Brouillette
  • Patent number: 5012055
    Abstract: A push button switch including a housing, an operating member slidably received in the housing, a contact switch section located under the operating member, an actuator rotatably supported to the housing for opening and closing the contact switch section, a spring retained between the actuator and the operating member, and a pusher pin extending downwardly from the operating member and adapted to push the actuator, wherein when the operating member is depressed to make the pusher pin abut against the actuator, the actuator starts to be rotated for generation of buckling of the spring. Accordingly, the switching time of the buckling of the spring can be made constant, thereby ensuring a constant on-timing of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimasa Matsui
  • Patent number: 5010219
    Abstract: A push button switch used for a personal computer or a word processor, which uses a membrane switch in a contact portion. The push button switch comprises a casing, a key top slidably guided along the casing, a contact portion arranged below the key top, an actuator rotatably supported on the casing to open and close the contact portion, a spring retained in a curved orientation between the actuator and the top key, and a click portion provided on the actuator by which a curved side of the spring is pressed, the clock portion of the actuator actuated by downward movement of the key top urging the side of the spring so as to invert the curved orientation of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takafumi Kato
  • Patent number: 5006681
    Abstract: A leaf spring system, in particular for influencing a least one body operating or comprising one or more contacts of an electric switch, with a frame aperature and at least one leaf spring which can act on the at least one body. The leaf spring system comprises a supporting frame for receiving the leaf spring in the frame aperture thereof. The spring is supported at one end and has another projecting free end whereby the one body to be influenced by the spring action is accommodated between this other end and the supporting frame. The dimension of the body in the frame aperture is greater than the distance between the edge of the supporting frame and the free end of the at least one leaf spring when the latter is situated essentially in the plane of the supporting frame. The supporting frame is secured against movement relative to the leaf spring and body. The invention further relates to electric switches provided with such a leaf spring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Holec Systemen en Componenten B.V.
    Inventors: Albert J. Postmus, Derk van der Scheer
  • Patent number: 4985603
    Abstract: An electric switch design compensates for unprodictable but significant variability, within a known range, in case and cover material shrinkage during manufacture. A contact actuator has radially spaced guide bosses and an axial barrel providing a plurality of external axially extending sharp bearing ridges. Case guide structure cooperates with the actuator guide bosses to permit actuator travel generally normal to the case floor. The actuator is dimensioned with respect to the case guide structure to accommodate the unpredictable case material shrinkage variability and thereby to permit actuator play in which the actuator axis is rotatable out of the normal to the case floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas F. Prince
  • Patent number: 4931605
    Abstract: A multi-pole switch is provided which has a large air gap between contacts in the open state, and which requires medium to high actuating forces while providing tactile feedback to indicate that full actuation has occurred. The switch includes a pair of sheet metal shorting contacts (22, 24, FIG. 2) each extending in a largely rectangular loop, with one long side (26) and the opposite short sides (30, 32) forming a clamped outer region (34), and with the other long side forming a beam (28) that can be deflected down towards a pair of fixed switch contacts (50, 52). The outer region (34) is deflected so the beam (28) is upwardly bowed. The beam includes a main beam portion (36) and fingers (46, 48) extending from it, the fingers being deflected against the switch contacts when the main beam portion is deflected. Bowing can be facilitated by a third switch contact (70) lying under the other long side (26) of the shorting contact. An actuator (12, FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Jon P. Zoller
  • Patent number: 4931606
    Abstract: A switch activator is described which is a unitary molded plastic molded coil spring and a pivot plate which pivots to act on a membrane switch when the coil spring buckles under load. The buckling of the spring is controlled by the relative placement of the axis of the spring and a pivot surface around which the top portion of the spring pivots as the spring buckles. The cross section of the spring member is limited in size so as to prevent the forming of a solid column upon compression, while at the same time accommodating the needs for molten plastic flow in the spring during molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Bruner
  • Patent number: 4916269
    Abstract: An electric switch having a housing including a base plate, the switch comprising a push-button which is preferably movable in a linear direction with respect to the housing, a switching tappet movable by the push-button and swivellable relative to the switching tappet and a switching rocker rotatably mounted on the base plate, the rocker being swivellable to and fro in turns between two end positions via the push-button and the switching tappet and controlling a movable bridging contact, especially a snap-action spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: SWF Auto-Electric GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Spazierer, Adam Weber
  • Patent number: 4916274
    Abstract: A snap action switch is provided with an operating member in the form of an operating lever and a one piece actuating lever with a compression spring interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Hawley, Joseph L. G. Bouthet
  • Patent number: 4859820
    Abstract: A key switch utilizing a buckling compression spring to move a switch actuator mechanism includes a cylindrical core of resilient material located within an opening formed by the coils of the compression spring to attenuate the acoustical energy generated by the buckling and unbuckling action of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignees: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Information Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Casimer Gotfryd, Stephen L. Kay, Hartland P. Klotz, Robert M. Wentzel
  • Patent number: 4856182
    Abstract: A method of assembling a switch device with a means for supporting it. The supporting means includes at least one face having a set of bosses thereon, and each boss has a free end and a ledge intermediate the free end and the at least one face. The switch device has an actuating lever with a pair of generally opposite trunnions thereon, and a set of terminals of the switch device each have a deformed end section. In practicing this method, the opposite trunnions of the actuating lever are seated on the ledges of at least some of the bosses. The terminals are associated in preselected positions therefor on a supporting means, and the deformed end sections of the terminals are disposed in overlaying spaced apart relation with at least the ledges on the at least some bosses thereby to capture the opposite trunnions between the at least some bosses and the terminals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
  • Patent number: 4835348
    Abstract: An electrical switch device has a casing with a viewing aperture therein, and switch actuating means is pivotally movable in the casing between an at-rest position and a switch actuating position. A toggle spring is movable with the switch actuating means for resiliently opposing its pivotal movement from both the at-rest and switch actuating positions. The toggle spring includes visual indicating means conjointly movable therewith for disposition in a viewable position at the viewing aperture in response to the pivotal movement of the switch actuating means from its at-rest position to its switch actuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Poling, James P. Frank