Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking mechanism (13) comprising a first locking member (11), a second locking member (12), and a biasing member (14) exerting, during operation, a biasing force (FB) on at least the first locking member (11) or the second locking member (12) in a biasing direction (B). The locking mechanism further comprises a guiding structure (32) for mutually guiding the first and second locking members (11, 12), wherein the first locking member (11) comprises a track structure (15) and the second locking member (12) comprises a guided element (16) guided by the track structure (15). The locking mechanism (13) is moved from an un-locked to a locked condition by applying a pushing force to at least one of the first and second locking members (11, 12). The locking mechanism (13) can be moved from the locked to the un-locked condition by applying either a pushing or a pulling force to at least one of the first and second locking members (11, 12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle control panel comprising a switch cap comprising electrical connection pads arranged on a side of the switch cap, and an electric circuit printed on an inside surface of the switch cap associated with selecting a state of the function. A panel member has an opening in which the switch cap is pivotally and releasably attached. The panel member has electrical circuit closing members attached on an inner surface of the panel member. Pairs of the electrical connection pads are adapted to coincide and make contact with a respective one of the electrical circuit closing members to close an electric circuit portion in the switch cap such that an external electrical circuitry operates the function.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a switching unit configured to switch between supply and cutoff of power to the information processing apparatus, a driving unit configured to cause the switching unit to be OFF-state to cut off the supply of power to the information processing apparatus, and a control unit configured, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, to drive the driving unit to cause the switching unit to be OFF-state, in which, if the supply of power to the information processing apparatus is not cut off in response to the control unit driving the driving unit, the control unit reboots the information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A push switch includes an operating slider, an actuator with a sliding member, a return spring, a housing, a main body in which the operating slider, the actuator, and the return spring are supported by the housing, a heart cam mechanism (including an engagement pin and a cam groove) incorporated in the main body, an operating knob which caps the operating slider, and a fixed contact provided for a circuit board such that the sliding member is allowed to be brought into contact with and separated from the fixed contact. When the operating slider is moved upward or downward, the actuator is driven to be laterally slid. The housing is snap-fitted to an outer casing (upper casing) holding the circuit board. A space is provided between the housing and the circuit board.

Abstract: A heart cam mechanism of a switch includes a cam groove, which includes a heart cam and surrounding cams, and a lock pin. The heart cam has a concave part, a first vertex opposite the concave part, and second and third vertices on a concave-part side. While the switch is in a locked state, an upper end part of the lock pin is engaged with the concave part of the heart cam, and is positioned at a locking position. While the switch is pressed, the upper end part slides while pushing against a bottom surface of the cam groove located outside the heart cam, and moves along a heart-shaped path, which is depressed at the locking position. This configuration prevents an end part of the lock pin from moving in a reverse direction even when a step-like part of the bottom surface of the cam groove is worn out.

Abstract: In a state wherein a striker (88) is not locked in a latch (90), a movable terminal (74) of a spring terminal (70) is in contact with a fixed terminal (54) of a terminal base (14). Namely, a micro switch is turned ON. Here, the movable terminal (74) is folded outwardly, and includes a leaf spring function. Further, in an end portion of the movable terminal (74), a hemispherical contact portion (74A) protrudes outwardly, and the contact portion (74A) contacts a contact portion (54A) of the fixed terminal (54). Thus, in a state wherein the contact portion (74A) is in contact with the contact portion (54A), elastic energy is accumulated in the movable terminal (74).

Abstract: A switch is provided with a reset function including a heart cam portion which extends from a locked position to a side where a lock pin operation end biases, and a lock release passage IV which is blocked off by a lock pin retention protrusion during being retained. The lock pin retention protrusion is moved by biasing force of the lock pin operation end so that the locked state is released by opening the lock release passage IV. This embodiment can decrease wear between the lock pin and the member for retaining the lock pin.

Abstract: An electrical switch arrangement has a switch housing and a button guided in the switch housing. The button can be brought into two fixed switching states. A display indicates when at least one of the switching states is reached. A U-shaped spring is arranged inside the button approximately at right angles to the direction of movement the button. The spring is guided in a guide track formed in sections of the switch housing.

Abstract: A key-press assembly includes a PCB, an elastic member and a key-press. The PCB forms a contact section on a surface thereof. The elastic member is configured to be mounted on the PCB corresponding to the contact section and includes a pressing portion, a first extension, a second extension, a connecting portion and a trigger portion. The first extension extends out from a circumference of the pressing portion. The second extension extends out from an outer boundary of the first extension parallel to the pressing portion. The electrical connecting portion extends out from a peripheral edge of the second extension and configured to be connected to the contact section. The trigger portion is formed at a junction of the first extension and the second extension correspondingly. The key-press is mounted on the elastic member for sandwiching the elastic member with PCB.

Abstract: A dual mode switch is provided in accordance with the present invention. The switch is selectively and mechanically cycled between a first state and a second state while power is provided to a biasing member. The switch is selectively cycled from the second state to the first state by stopping the supply of power to the biasing member.

Abstract: In a control module for a motor vehicle with an electric switch in a housing, the housing has at least one locking element that can be resiliently deflected, in the locking position of which the housing is secured in the correct position in a seat provided therefore. Each locking element has an associated push button accessible by the user, which cooperates with the locking element in such a way that when it is operated the locking element assumes a release position against its resilient deflection.

Abstract: A locking push-button switch comprises a plunger that is displaceable relative to a component when a force is applied, wherein a latch interacting with a cardioid cam is arranged between the component and the plunger. A friction brake is assigned to the latch.

Abstract: A door mirror retraction switch apparatus is configured to include a switch case, an insulator in which an actuator is disposed movably which is provided in an interior of the switch case in such a manner as to be surrounded by the switch case, and a lock mechanism, and a guide portion of the lock mechanism is formed in the insulator in such a manner as to have an opening which is made to open to an external surface of the insulator at one end thereof and to extend inwards of the insulator in a groove-like fashion from the opening, a lock member is movably inserted into the guide portion, and the opening of the guide portion is made to be closed by the switch case.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device (30) for manually controlling the position of switching means which have two extreme positions A and C and an intermediate position B. Said device comprises a crank (5) and a crankpin (6). The invention is characterized by the fact that the device comprises a translationally movable sliding member (1) that has a neutral position and is provided with guideways (20, 21), within which the crankpin (6) is displaced. Said guideways allow the crankpin to be guided towards three areas of the sliding member, in which the position thereof is stable and which correspond to the three positions of the switching means, when the sliding member is moved towards the neutral position. The inventive device has the advantage of being simple while allowing a change in the state of the motor which operates the closing element, darkening element, or sun-shading element, or sun-shading element to be controlled by means of a single movement of a rod (14).

Abstract: When a dial is operated to rotate forward to a DEF position with a knob 52 staying in a depressed state, a cam portion 12 operates a key operating portion 56 to move in an approaching direction in which the key operating portion 56 approaches a reset key 39, so as to operate the reset key 39 as a result of the key operating portion 56 moving in the approaching direction. Then, a push button 31 returns from a depressed position to a normal position, and interlocking with the push button 31, the knob 52 returns from the depressed state to a normal state. Due to this, since the driver only has to operate the dial 4 to rotate forward to the DEF position so that the knob 52 can be forced to return from the depressed state to the normal state, the operability is increased.

Abstract: A multi-stage button switch includes a body, an elastic element and a compression element. The compression element has an integrated flexible harness arm. The body has a track zone and a harness portion which is formed with a selected geometric shape to define the moving path of the compression element that includes a start position, a first stage compression position, a compressed position and a second stage compression position in this order. The button switch thus formed consists of fewer elements, is simply structured and can be fabricated and assembled easily.

Abstract: A push switch includes an operating body, a case, a return spring, and a light source. The operating body is controlled by push operation, includes a through-hole in the center and a display portion at the upper edge of the through-hole, and supports a movable contact unit. The case has the insert hole on a bottom surface opposing the through-hole and fixed contact units on an inner surface of the sidewall. The movable contact unit comes into contact with fixed contact units. The return spring is interposed between the case and the operating body and returns the position of the operating body in the reverse direction of the push operation. The light source stored in the insert hole and the through-hole. The through-hole is formed linearly in the direction the operating body is moved during the push operation so that the light source does not interfere with the operating body.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes switch contacts, a snap action type switch actuation mechanism, a cam block having a cam surface which is engaged by cam follower, and a manually movable push button. Upper and lower force transmitting pins extend in opposite directions from the cam block to a push button and the snap action mechanism. The cam block and force transmitting pins are integrally formed as one piece. The upper force transmitting pin is connected with the push button by a snap connection. The switch actuation mechanism includes upper and lower actuator members each of which has a main section and a pair of bearing sections. The main sections and bearing sections of each of the actuator members are integrally formed as one piece.

Abstract: A latch device includes a movable member and a housing. The movable member is urged with an urging member to a position where a part of the movable member projects from the housing. When the movable member is pushed into the housing against a force of the urging member, a push-push type lock mechanism turns to a lock state and the movable member is locked at a push-in position. When the movable member in the push-in position is pushed into the housing again against the force of the urging member, the lock mechanism turns to an unlock state, so that the movable member is returned to the projecting position. The lock mechanism is provided on front and back surfaces of the movable member as well as on portions of the housing facing the front and back surfaces of the movable member.

Abstract: An electric switch, in particular for a high load, such as a power switch. The switch has a contact system comprising a movable switching contact and at least one stationary contact. A movable actuation member, when moved, interacts with the switching contact for the purpose of switching the contact system. If appropriate, the switch may also have a movable locking means, which interacts with the actuation member in an interlocking manner. The actuation member is in operative connection with a lever in such a way that, when there is movement of the actuation member, the lever carries out a pivoting movement. The pivoting movement of the lever moves the switching contact for the purpose of switching and/or the locking means for the purpose of interlocking, in particular with increasing transformation of the displacement covered by the actuation member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for thermally managing a display. A display may be tiltably coupled to a base, and the display may have a tilt sensor disposed therein for providing a tilt output when the display is tilted beyond a tilt threshold. Further aspects include a temperature sensors disposed for providing a high- or low-temperature threshold output when the display the exceeds predetermined temperature thresholds. The disclosure provides for producing a warning signal to the user when sensed signals are positive, and for producing a sleep signal to protect the display from thermal damage.

Abstract: A press button switch is constructed to include a seesaw switching mechanism for switching the circuit between on/off positions, a spring-supported press button, and a push member pivoted to the spring-supported press button and controlled by the spring-supported press button to slide along two symmetrical endless sliding tracks and to switch the seesaw switching mechanism between on/off positions.

Abstract: A press button type safety switch is constructed to include a switching mechanism for switching the circuit between on/off positions, a spring-supported press button, a push member pivoted to the spring-supported press button and controlled by the spring-supported press button to slide along two symmetrical sliding tracks and to switch the switching mechanism between on/off positions, and a retaining structure provided between the switching mechanism and the push member and adapted to hold the press button in “on” position when the switch switched on and to release the press button when the switching mechanism tripped off upon an overcurrent.

Abstract: A switch has a base and a depressable member up-and-down movably received in the base. The base has conductive rods passed through the bottom; each having a first contact facing a respective one of second contacts of a bottom of the depressable member and a lower part sticking out for connection with a socket. A fixing hook has a lower portion held in position on an elongated slot of the base bottom, a leaning portion connected to one end of the lower portion, and an engaging portion connected to the upper end of the leaning portion. The depressable member further has an engaging surface facing the engaging portion for disengagably engaging the hook engaging portion. The depressable member is normally biased up to a power-off position by a spring positioned on the lower position of the hook.

Abstract: The desired low-priced and small-sized switch is configured so that a moving contact is provided with first and second contacts, the first contact is made of noble metal, a pair of fixed terminals are respectively provided with a fixed contact, the first and second contacts are touched to each of the fixed contacts by pressure on the moving contact by a first coil spring and the first contact of the moving contact is separated from the fixed contact earlier than the second contact by moving an operating shaft downward in an axial direction against the pressure of the first coil spring.

Abstract: A pushbutton for latching and momentary contact functions that is used to actuate contact elements includes a hollow cylindrical housing and a switch plunger displaceable in a lengthwise direction and non-rotatably guided in the housing. An open ring element is rotatably supported on the switch plunger. A spring and stop device for enabling a resting position of the pushbutton is provided. The housing includes an approximately heart-shaped latching guideway for the latching function disposed at an inside wall of the housing. The housing also includes a longitudinal groove for the momentary-contact function and disposed at the inside wall of the housing approximately parallel to the latching guideway and to an actuating direction. Also provided is a guide pin capable of being repositioned between the latching guideway and the longitudinal groove using a tool through an access opening defined by the housing. The guide pin projects radially outward from the open ring element.

Abstract: A push-button type switch includes a box with a button movably inserted in the box and a movable member has a U-shaped guide member which has an end engaged with an enclosed recessed area in the button. The movable member can be operationally connected with a bimetal plate or the like to move the movable member when override. The movement of the movable member leads the leg of the U-shaped guide member to move within the inner periphery of the recessed area so as to move the button upward.

Abstract: A push-button type switch includes a box with a button movably inserted in the box and a movable member has a U-shaped guide member which has an end engaged with an enclosed recessed area in the button. The movable member can be operationally connected with a bimetal plate or the like to move the movable member when override. The movement of the movable member leads the leg of the U-shaped guide member to move within the inner periphery of the recessed area so as to move the button upward.

Abstract: The electrical equipment of the present invention is operated such that the ON operating member for the primary power supply supplying circuit is manually operated, the switch device S is turned ON and when a supplying of electrical power for the primary power supply supplying circuit is shut off, the circuit for the control system is operated and upon performing a predetermined security processing, the driving source is driven, the OFF operating member is automatically operated, the switch device S is automatically turned OFF and supplying of an electrical power to the primary power supply supplying circuit is automatically shut off, so that it is possible to perform an appropriate processing before shutting off the primary power supply supplying circuit and thus it is also possible to provide electrical equipment showing a high safety characteristic.

Abstract: The desired low-priced and small-sized switch is configured so that a moving contact is provided with first and second contacts, the first contact is made of noble metal, a pair of fixed terminals are respectively provided with a fixed contact, the first and second contacts are touched to each of the fixed contacts by pressure on the moving contact by a first coil spring and the first contact of the moving contact is separated from the fixed contact earlier than the second contact by moving an operating shaft downward in an axial direction against the pressure of the first coil spring.

Abstract: A push-button type switch includes a box with a button movably inserted in the box and an oscillation member is pivotally connected to a first terminal plate. A curved spring is connected to the oscillation member and a tongue of the button contacts the curved spring so that the oscillation member is pivoted to contact a second terminal plate when the button is pushed. A movable member has a U-shaped guide member which has an end engaged with an enclosed recessed area in the button. The inner periphery of the recessed area positions the end of the U-shaped guide member at open and close position.

Abstract: A switch has a base and a depressable member up-and-down movably received in the base. The base has conductive rods passed through the bottom; each having a first contact facing a respective one of second contacts of a bottom of the depressable member and a lower part sticking out for connection with a socket. A fixing hook has a lower portion held in position on an elongated slot of the base bottom, a leaning portion connected to one end of the lower portion, and an engaging portion connected to the upper end of the leaning portion. The depressable member further bas an engaging surface facing the engaging portion for disengagably engaging the hook engaging portion. The depressable member is normally biased up to a power-off position by a spring positioned on the lower position of the hook.

Abstract: A push-button switch assembly mainly comprises a push button, a switch casing, a positioning lever, and a resilient contact piece, wherein the push button is depressed for positioning a protruding portion of the positioning lever to interact with a, polygonal volute stairway mechanism disposed laterally in the push button, and the bottom end of the push button will prop or release the resilient contact piece directly to conductively actuate a power supply or not.

Abstract: An overload-protection push-button switch with retractable mechanism is disclosed. The switch is characterized in that a retractable rocker actuator is used to actuate or release a conducting leaf. The rocker actuator comprises a main body and a sub-body. The sub-body is retractable with respect to the main body under a rotation action or a sliding action. When the bimetallic blade is in an overload position, the sub-body will be pushed and make the rocker actuator became disabled. As a result, the conducting leaf goes into a broken position. By means of the above structure, the trip action of the switch is assured and the space occupied by the rocker actuator is as small as possible under a condition without increasing the complication and loading of the bimetallic blade.

Abstract: A switch apparatus having an integrated flasher relay for activation and deactivation of a hazard signaling system particularly for use in automotive vehicles. The actuator has an integral flasher relay that moves with the actuator through the activation and deactivation operations. The switch is also provided with a detent utilizing a roller for releasably locking the actuator in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A push-button switch including a sliding member, a lock pin for locking the sliding member at a certain location, a heart cam including a lock cam along which the lock pin slides, and a movable stopper member, disposed at the heart cam, for holding the lock pin in a lock position as a result of cooperating with the lock cam or for unlocking the lock pin. The push-button switch incorporates a self-restoring function, wherein friction between the lock pin and the lock cam during an auto-off state is reduced to decrease the amount of force required to unlock the lock pin, thereby reducing the solenoid actuating current, and simplifying the actuating structure, as a result of which a more reliable product with a longer life and a smaller size can be produced.

Abstract: A push-button switch comprising cases, a slide member disposed movably in the cases, a heart-shaped cam groove formed in the slide member, and a locking pin for locking the slide member in a depressed position in cooperation with the heart-shaped cam groove, wherein the slide member is provided with a movable member movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the slide member, part of the heart-shaped cam groove is formed on one end side of the movable member, a drive portion is formed on an opposite end side of the movable member, and by operating the drive portion the movable member is moved to release the locking pin from the locking position.

Abstract: A safety switch with a contactor structure including first and second contactor contacts electrically connected to each other. The switch has an "on" state in which first and second terminal contacts are contacted with the first and second contactor contacts, respectively, to thereby electrically connect the terminal contacts therebetween, and an "off" state in which the terminal contacts are not electrically connected to each other by the contactor structure, whereby current cannot flow between the terminal contacts. The switch also has a cycle control mechanism with a normal-state in which the switch is free to cycle between the "on" and "off" states, and a welded-state in which one of the terminal contacts is welded to one of the contactor contacts and the other of the contactor contacts is separated from the other of the terminal contacts. When the cycle control mechanism is in the welded state, the switch is prevented from moving from the "off" state to the "on" state.

Abstract: A push-button switch (20) having a housing (26) is disclosed. The push-button switch includes a cap assembly (22) reciprocably mounted within the housing. The push-button switch also includes at least a first subminiature switch (64) that is actuatable between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position by a plunger (72) operatively connected thereto. The subminiature switch is disposed within the housing such that actuation of the plunger is substantially normal to the motion of the cap assembly. The push-button switch also includes an actuator (44) disposed within the housing and extending between the cap assembly and the plunger. The actuator sequentially pivots about first and second pivot points in response to a linear force to actuate the subminiature switch between the open and closed circuit position.

Abstract: An operation shaft receiving-type electric component capable of reducing the number of parts required therefor and preventing generation of noise. An electric component body which includes an electric component unit varied in electric properties due to a variation in rotation angle of the operation shaft is arranged between an operation section of an operation shaft and a mechanism unit. A push-type lock and release mechanism is constituted by a guide member held stationary, both a slider member and a rotary slider each rotatably fitted on the operation shaft, a spring holder and a spring member. The guide member is provided with a plurality of primary guide grooves and secondary guide grooves, in which projections of the slide member are fitted, respectively. The rotary slider is provided with a plurality of projections, which are fitted in the main guide grooves, respectively.

Abstract: A stopper structure for a switch, such as a power window switch that automatically opens and closes the window of an automobile. The stopper structure has a stopper part 2h on the back of a knob 2. When the knob 2 is pressed against the resistance of a spring 8, which is located between a spring guide 2b of the knob 2 and a first projection 1k inside a cylinder 1a of an upper case 1, the stopper part 2h is pressed to the head portion 2f of a leaf spring 2d that biases a lock pin 2c into a locking position for locking the switch assembly together. The assembled leaf spring 2d is then set to the designated position of a second projection 1l inside a cylinder 1a of the upper case 1. The stopper structure provides an assembly wherein the leaf spring 2d, which biases the lock pin 2c into a locking position for locking the switch assembly together, is set in the designated position with assurance using a simple structure.

Abstract: A press-button switching device includes a housing, stationary and movable contacts mounted in the housing, an actuating member constructed as a press-button which is guided during its switching movement in the interior of the housing and which moves the movable contacts into the respective switching positions thereof. A compression spring is arranged between the actuating member and the housing, wherein the actuating member is movable into the housing against the force of the spring. The movable contacts are each constructed as a bridge-forming contact which bridges two strip conductors in the switched-on position. During the inwardly and outwardly directed movements of the actuating member, the bridge-forming contact is moved along the strip conductors. At its end contacting the actuating member, the compression spring continues as a spring arm whose free end resiliently presses the bridge contact against the strip conductors.

Abstract: A push lock switch having a lock mechanism for use as a hazard switch or a rear defogger switch on an instrument panel of an automobile. The switch has first and second stationary members assembled together which define a space into which a movable member is slidably fitted. A push button fits over the movable member. A coil spring is mounted between the movable member and the first stationary member. The coil spring has first and second compression parts in a one piece construction with each other and urges the movable member toward the push button. A movable contacting strap is fixed to the movable member. The movable contacting member includes movable contacts and a retainer. The movable contacts slide into or out of contact with fixed contacts on the second stationary member when the movable member is pushed by the push button. The first stationary member has a bottom wall in which a recess is formed and on which a plurality of ribs are formed on the recess.

Abstract: A switch module for connection to an electrical circuit comprises a manually actuated ON/OFF switch mechanism mounted on a molded plastic case and two or more bus bars built integrally into the structure of the case, as by an insert molding process. The bus bars project out of the case at their ends, the exposed ends serving as terminals for electrical connection with the circuit and as spring contacts within the switch mechanism. The push button switch mechanism is an improvement over prior switches, having a single spring controlling both the push button and the shorting bar, and having positive alignment of the shorting bar and bus bar ends achieved by the pre-positioning of the bus bar ends in direct lateral sliding contact with the push button sidewall and sidewall-mounted shorting bar.

Abstract: Cup holder with a housing is integrated into a center console of a passenger car. The cup holder includes a supporting carriage which has a stable one-piece frame in which two recesses are arranged as cup receiving devices. The supporting carriage is arranged in such a manner on a supporting arm guided linearly along the moving range that, in the moving range between a first and a second operating position, the frame can additionally be swivelled about a swivel pin horizontally relative to the supporting arm.

Abstract: A push-push latching switch assembly having a switching member with a pushbutton which is received for sliding movement in a switch housing. The housing has spring tabs for snap locking insertion into a hole in a mounting panel. The switching member has lamps disposed in a receptacle portion beneath the button which has translucent lens portions for illumination by the lamps. The switching member has conductive strips formed by plating over two-shot integrally molded plastic strips, with the conductive strips interconnecting the lamps and wiper contacts attached to the switching member. A conductive wiper member with plural wiper fingers is also attached to the switching member. A base member formed of two-shot molded plastic has conductive switching contact strips formed by plating the second shot molded plastic and which are inserted in the housing, with the base releasably attached.

Abstract: A novel push switch is disclosed, in which a key-top for turning on and off a switch contact by depression has a cam which is adapted to engage a guide pin to lock the key-top. A latch assembly includes the guide pin, a spring plate on which the guide pin is assembled, and a magazine in which the guide pin and the spring plate are assembled. The latch assembly is mounted on a latch mount of the push-switch housing.

Abstract: A push lock switch includes a switch body having walls and a plurality of the terminals each of which has a fixed contact. The switch body has a cam groove formed on one of the walls. A part of wall defining the cam groove serves as a hooking recess. The switch body has a lock pin and a slider movable between a projecting position and a retracted position. An end of the lock pin is inserted in the cam groove. The slider is held at the retracted position by engaging the end of the lock pin to the hooking recess. The switch body also has a leaf spring mounted on the slider. The leaf spring has a pressing portion to press the end of the lock pin against the bottom of the cam groove, and movable contacts for contacting to and being separated from the associated fixed contacts of the terminals in accordance with the movement of the slider. The fixed contacts are electrically connected to one another via the movable contacts touching the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A push button switch including a moving member movably disposed inside a housing, a movable contact provided on the moving member, a fixed contact disposed inside the housing, a main spring for urging the moving member toward the fixed contact, and a push button disposed in an opening in the housing so as to engage the moving member. When the push button is pushed toward the fixed contact, the moving member is moved by the main spring by a preset distance toward the fixed contact so that the movable contact contacts the fixed contact. An auxiliary spring urges the push button in a direction away from the fixed contact by a force that is larger than a force of the main spring. The auxiliary spring has a larger diameter than the main spring, is substantially coaxial with the main spring, and can overlap the main spring.

Abstract: A cam follower assembly for use in a latching switch assembly comprises a case having opposed walls with a slot in one of the walls. A cam follower disposed in the case has a post movable within the slot. A spring adjacent the cam follower biases the cam follower toward a longitudinal axis of the case. The cam follower assembly cooperates with a cam in the latching switch assembly to operate an electrical switch. In a preferred embodiment, the cam follower assembly moves in a plane parallel to the plane of the cam surface. When an operator depresses the latching switching in the latching switch assembly, the cam follower rides along the cam to an "on" position where the latching switch is held in place. Upon depressing the latching switch once more, the cam follower moves out of the first position and into its original "off" position. The slot guides the cam follower for proper desired movement. The spring is preferably a C-shaped spring with two arms positioned on each side of the cam follower.