US1783665A - Electric switch - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 2, 1930. G. J. MEUER 1,783,565

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 16. 1928 INVENTOR BY fimgc M A TTORNEY Patented n... 2, 193;)

UN ED STATES, PATENT OFFICE GEORGE J. manna, or MILWAUKEE, Wiscons n, assrenoa, IBY'MESNE Assmnnnnrs, TO cum-mammalian, inc, .A, oonrona'non or DELAWARE Anotherobject is to provide a to atedfsnap switch composed of anaem c swrrcn Application filed November 16, 1928. Serialfillo. 319,843.

This invention relates toimprovements in I electric switches, and the invention relates more} particularly to improvements in electric snap switches of the toggle type.

An object of the invention is to improve and simplify the'construction and operation of switches of the aforementioned character.

gle oper- 1 inimum ily and number of parts which may be re quickly assembled.

Another ob ect is to provide -a toggle operated snap switch utilizing an extremely shallow base or housing, to adapt the same particularly for mountin in shallow canopies or on panels necessitatlng the use of switches wiring.

of-minimum depth and size.

f Another object is.to provide such a switch having a novel form of cooperating. stationary and movable contacts adapted to insure proper control of an electric circuit.

Another object is to provide an insulating base formed to interchangeably receive different types of stationary'contacts'. to provide sw tches adapted to diflerent formsof Another object is the aforementioned character having novel tional View of a toggleitype of snap switch constructed in accordance with my invention.

operating means including a. rotatable shaft extending at-right angles to the plane of movement of the toggle mechanism.

,Other objects and-advantagesof the invention will hereinafter appear. n,

The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that.

the embodiments. illustrated are susceptible of modification within thescope of the ap'-. pended claims. 1 I

In-the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sec- Fig. 2is' a vertical sectional view't'aken at right angles to-the sectional view of Fig. 1, and showing a modified form of bushing and a relatively longer actuating toggle 1ever..

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the molded insulating base, with one form of stationary contacts positioned therein; a 6/ to provide a switch of.

base, as best illustrated'in Figs. 1 and 7.

Fig. is a like view of the base with an- Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of a snap switch having the operating handle thereof extendingat right angles to the plane of movement of the toggle mechanism.

. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a topview of one of the stationary contacts shown in Fig.3, prior to insertion thereof into the base recess, and

9 is an end view o f the contact shownin Fig. 8.

Referring to designates the-switch base, which is preferably of molded insulating material: Said base is preferably of substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners, as best illus-' tratedin Figs. 3 and 4, and thebottom sur-- face .16 thereof is preferably curved.- longitudinalliy and laterally to merge into the vertlcal si ' eand end wails 17 and 18; respectively. Said base is provided with a flat upper surface 19 and is recessed from said surface along opposite sides, as indicated generally at 20 and 21. Said recesses, 20 and 21,

as shown, are of elongated rectangular contour, and the outer walls 22 and 23 of said recesses are respectively provided with abutments onprbjections 24 and 25. Said recesses relatively s allower ledges 26 and 27, asbest illustrated n 'Fig. 4.

Extending outwardl'ythrough said end of the base and in the same plane with said ledges 26 and 27 are relatively narrow chanthe drawings, the numeral 15 are also provided at one end of base 15-with nels 28 and 29; .and above but converging with said channels 28 and.29 are relatively wider channels 30 and 31. v

Intersecting the adjacent or inner Walls of the respective recesses 20 and 21 is a rel tively shorter and deeper intermediate recess 32, the bottom wall .33 of said intermediate recess being curved longitudinally of the The relative shortness of the recess 32 and the curved end walls 34 and 35 thereof cooperate with the adjacent side walls of the recesses 20-and 21 to form pairs of abutments 36 and 37.

As shown in Fig. 3, the recesses 20 and 21 are adapted to receive identical combined contact and terminal members 38, said members, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, pre erably comprising a single strip of conducting material of uniform width throughout its length.

One end of each flexed or bent, as indicated at 39, to provide a resilient contact porti 40 substantially parallel with the main bo y of said member. The other end 41 of said member 39 is bent at substantially right angles to the main body of the latter, and said right angularly bent portion is provided with a wire receiving slot 42 preferably having a slightly flared open end 43.

Adjacent to the bent portion 41 the main body of member 38 is provided'with a wire receiving perforation, indicated in dotted lines at 44 in Fig. 8. Also the main body of member 38 is slightly bowed or angularly bent as indicated at 45 in said Fig. 8, so that said members are required to be sprung or slightly tensioned incident to insertion thereof within their respective recesses. That is to say, the bowed portions 45 will be sub stantially straightened out through engagement thereof with the abutments or proje tions 24 or 25, thereby biasing the reflexed contact portions 40 and the end portions 41 into engagement with the q'espective pairs of abutments 36 and 37.

Moreover, it will be apparent from Figs. 3, 4 and 5 that the main body of each of the members 38 at the left hand side. of the abu - ments 24 and 25 is provided with clearance,

whereby the resiliency of the contact portions 40, under. the impact of the movable contact, is increased.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8 the bared ends 46 of suitable lengths of terminal wires 47 are permanently secured to members 38 prior to insertion of the latter within the base recesses. In attaching the wire end 46 the latter is inserted through the perforation 44 to project a short distance beyond the outer side ofnthe member 38, and the wire is then of said members 38 is re that clearance is provided for the wire ends 48 between the members 38' and the respective outer walls of the recesses 20 and 21. The wires 47 extend outwardly through one end of base 15, being accommodated by the grooves or channels 30 and 31 aforementioned. I

The combined contact andterminal member 38 shown in the other figures is substantlally like that aforedescribed, except that it is PI'OVlClGd'Wlth a relatively short right angled bend, and extending outwardly from the latter and seated within the channel 28 or 29 1s a portion 50 having a perforation '51 through which the bared end of a Wire may be inserted and then looped orv twisted preparatory to the soldering operation. The insulating base 15 is-preferably provided at opposite ends with'grooves or channels 52 and 53 which undercut the top surface of the base, as indicated'at 52 and 53 respectively.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the base 15 may be provided with an insulating cover plate 54 which is substantially co-extensive with the top surface of said base, said plate having notches 52 and 53 in alinement with the grooves 52 and 53, and having a relatively large substantiall circular perforation 55 for in Fig. 5, or otherwise formed to provide a relatively tight fit thereof within the grooves 52; 53.

With the cover plate 06 thus secured to the base 15, the insulating plate is held in clamping engagement with the top edges of the pairs of members 38 or 38, the lower edges of said members resting upon the-ledges 26 and 27 (Fig. 3) or upon-said ledges and the bottom surfaces of channels 28 and 29 in the other figures. That is to say the main body portions and contact portions 40 of members 38 are normally held out of engagement with the bottom surfaces of'the recesses 20 and 21, thus rendering said portions free to flex under the action of the bridging contactor, as hereinafter described. Moreover, the aforedescribed clamping action insures definite positioning of the members 38 or 38 within their respective recesses- The metallic cover plate 56 is provided with a bulged or raised portion 59 having a perforation 60 adapted to receive thereducedlower end of a bushing 61 which is threaded exteriorly as indicated at 62, said reduced lower end being upset or tightly overlapped against the portion 59 as indicated at 63 to secure'said parts agginst separation or relative rotation.

The upperportion of bushing 61 is provided with a relatively small bore, 64 within which a toggle actuating lever 65 is pivoted, as by means of the pivot pin- 66,- one end 67 of which is slightly upset so as to have a drive fit within one of the registering perforations 68 in the bushing (see Fig. 2).

The lower portion of bushing 61 is provided with a relatively larger bore 69, said bores 64 and69 being joined by the frusto-conicalor angular shoulder portion 79. Said lower portion of bushing 61 is'provided, above the raised portion 59 0'1? plate 56 and parallel with the perforations 68 with a' pair of diametrically opposed perforations 71, which serve as' 73 is perforated to receive the shank 75 of a a suitable rivet,'the head 76 of said rivet being bearings for the outwardly extending ends 72 of a U-shaped contact carrier or yoke 73. The integral cross piece 7 4 of said carrier adapted to form an abutment for one end of a coiled compression spring 77, the other endof said spring having seated therein a cupped member 78, preferably of metal, which forms a bearing for the spherical or rounded lower end 7 9- of actuating iever 65. The other end of lever 65 "maycomprise a spherical knob 80 or a similar enlargement to facilitate mam vual operation of the switch.

Strung upon the shank 75 of the aforementioned rivet are three insulating disks 81, 82

' and 83, and surrounding the disk 82 and interposed between the disks 81 and '83 is a metallic disk 84, which is adapted in one extreme posij tion of the carrier to bridge the resilient 0011- tact portions 40 aforedescribed, and in the other extreme position of said carrier to disengage said contactportions.

As bestshown in Figshl and 7 the end of the shank of the rivet is upset against the lower insulating disk 83 to secure all of said:

insulating disks together and to the carrier 73. However, the riveting operation is preferably such as to provide relative freedom of I rotation of the contactor disk 84 with respect to said carrier. An insulating bearing providing for such relatively free rotation of the contactor 84 may similarly be insured by forming the intermediate insulating disk 82 from material of slightly greater thickness than the contactor 84, so that after the usual riveting operation the insulating disks 81 and 83 will still be held out of clamping engagement with said contactor.

Movement of the lever 65 to opposite extreme positions is preferably limited by engagement thereof with opposite sides of the upper edge of bore 64 in bushing 61, whereas extreme movement of contactor 84 is preferably limitedby engagement thereof with the curved side walls 34 and 35 at opposite "tions or i bearings.

ends of the intermediate recess 32; Ordinar ily, however, the resistance offered by resilient contacts 40 will prevent movement of c'gntactor 84 into engagement with said Wall 3 l r 1 In practice the operation of upsetting the 1 I reduced lower end of bushing 61 comprises spreading of'the latter at a plurality of points in a well known manner, and as best illustrated at 85 in Fig. 2 the arrangement is such that two of these points are in vertical alinement with the perforations 71 in said bush ing, thereby providing inclined entrance slots which facilitate forcible insertion of the ends 72 of the carrier 73 into said perforation of the carrier 73 withinthe bushing involves slight flexure'of ,the arms of the form'er, and asshown said arms are tapered topivot ends 72 thereof to facilitate ward the such flexing.

The switch illustrated in Fig. 1 is adapted This assembling operafor lone-hole mounting in a suitably perforated canopy, panel, or the like, and one or more of the usual adjustable clamping nuts 86, 87 are provided, said nuts being threaded to cooperatewith the thread 62 on bushing 61.

The device shown in Fig. 2involves the use of a "relatively longer bushing 61*, with a correspondingly greater distance between the pivot perforations 68 and 71, and with consequent greater length of lever 65 on each side 'of its pivot. Also, as shown in Fig.2, a

washer -88 may be provided for insuring proper clamping engagement of the securing means with respect to the perforated panelor other support.

1In 'Fig. 5 a still longer bushing 61 is emp oyed, with corresponding differences in the length'of lever 65 on opposite sides of its pivot, and in the distance between the pivot perforations 68, 71 in said bushing.

It will be noted that in each of Figs. 1, 2

I and 5 all parts of the switch arealike, except designated'by like characters of reference.

loo

In this instance, however, it is desired to provide for operation of the switch by means arranged at suhstantially right angles to the a plane of movement of the toggle mechanism.

- Thus I have provided a top-plate 56 having a relatively high dome-shaped projection or bulge 89, the opposed substantially flat sides 90 and 91 of which are provided with alined perforations 92 forming pivot bearings for the ends 7 2 of the contact carrier.

' I Said projection 89 is provided on one side thereof with a perforation 93, which is adapted to receive the reduced end of a bushing comprising an externally threaded outer end portion 94 and a squared portion 95, said reduced endbeing upset, as indicated at 96 to secure the bushing andprojection to each other.

The bushing is provided with a cylindrical bore 97 of equal diameter throughout its length, said bore forming a bearing for a shaft 98, one end of which extends within the projection 89, and the other end of which extends outwardly beyond said bushing. Said outer end is preferably enlarged, as .indicated at 99', and a recessed knob or handle, shown in dotted lines at 100 is adapted to fit thereon, a

set screw 101 or the like being employed to sea cure said shaft and knob agalnst relative movement.

Shaft 98 is diametrically perforzited adj acent to the inner end thereof, as shown at 102, to receive with a sliding fit the reduced portion or shank 103 of the tog le actuating lever, a shoulder 104 being provided for limiting the upward movement of the shank 103. with respect to shaft 98. The degree of oscillation or are of travel of the upper end of said shank 103' is limited by engagement thereof with the opposite ends 105 and 106 of a slot 107 in the upper curved surface of said projection 89; engagement of said shank with the side walls of said slot also acting to hold shaft 98 against substantial longitudinal movement within the bore or bearing 97.

The slot 107 is preferably formed by slitting thetop surface 108 of projection 89 to provide the cut metal edges or stops 105, .106

'aforedescribed, and then pressing outwardly the area-between said slits, as shown in Figs.

' 6 and 7. Obviously, however, the slot 107 may be formed by entirely punching out the area bounded thereby, but by the arrangement illustrated the neat and finished appearance'of the switch is retained.

' The switch last described is likewise adapted for one-hole mounting upon an insulating panel or other suitable perforated support, a nut 109 being provided fordraw number of grippin teelh, the sides in each instance being preferably'tangential-to the periphery of end portion 94 of the bushing.

It will be a parent to those skilled in the art that the ushings shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 may likewise be provided with squared or polygonal portions corresponding with that illustrated in Fig. 6, and illustration of such specific modification of the bushings of said t1 ures is deemed unnecessary. Obviously l'iy providing the aforedescribed tooth formations the switch body or casing is positively held against any tendency to revolve or move into misalinement' during final tighteningof the clamping nut on the bush-i ing. This feature is particularly desirable in an arrangement'such as shown in Fig. 6 wherein suitable On and Ofli indicia are preferabl provided 'on the operating knob 100 and t e supporting panel.

What 'I claim as new and ddsire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, in-combination, an insulating base having a recess in one face thereof, a combined stationary contact and terminal member, said member comprising a reflexed metallic-strip of equal width throughout its length, the terminal end of said member being seated ed ewise upon a ledge within said recess and aving its up per edge substantially flush with said face .of the base, a metallic cover member secured to said base, an insulating plate inter- .posed between said cover member and said base, an oscillatable and freely rotatable contactor carried by said cover member, and means also carried by said cover member for effecting snap movement of said contactor into and out of engagement with said stationary contact.

2. In asna switch f'the to le type, in combination, molded insulati g base having parallel recesses arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of one'face thereof and. a relatively wider recess between said first mentioned recesses and opening thereinto, a pair of one-piece contact and t'erminal'mem-' bers snugly fitting within said first mentioned recesses, a metallic member covering the recessed face of said base, a sheet of insulating material, interposed between said cover member and saidbase, a contact carrying resilient metallic yoke having integral lateral projections adapted to be forcibly inserted into corresponding openings in said cover member for ivotal support of the former, an oscillata is operating member, and a coiled spring interposed between said operating member and said yoke to cause.

snap movement of the latter from each extreme position to the other upon corresponding movement of said operating member.

3. In a. toggle snap switch, in combination, a recessed insulating base, a pair of spaced parallel contacts located within said recess and havin their upper edg portions substantiallyush with the upper surface of said base, a cover plate overlying said base and adapted to retain said contacts within said recess, a hollow metallic bushing secured to 1 said cover plate, two vertically spaced pairs of alined-openings in said-bushing, a substantially U-shaped carrier the'arms of which are said toggle lever.

provided with integral outward projections adapted to be forced into the lower pair of openings, a bridging contactor riveted to the;

lower end of said carrier, a toggle lever pivoted in the upper pair of openings and having an abutment at its lower end, an abutment on said carrier, and a compression spring in-. terposed between said abutments to eflect snap movement of said contactor into or out of engagement with said contacts upon movement 0 tions respectively.

4. In a toggle snap switch, in combinatlon,

'a recessed insulating base, a pair of spaced parallel contacts-located within said recess and having their upper edge portions substantially flush with the upper surface of sa1d base, a cover plate overlying said base and adapted to retain said contacts within sa1d 'recess, a hollow metallic bushing secured to said cover plate, two vertically spaced pairs of alined openings in said bushing, a sub stantially U-sha' ed carrier the arms of which are provided with integral outward pro ections adapted to be forced into the lower pair of openin 's, a disk shaped bridging contactor rotata ly'secured to but insulated from the lower end of said carrier, sa1d securlng means includinga rivet the head of which 1s adapted to provide an abutment on sa1d carrier, a manually operable toggle lever p 1voted in the upper pair ofopenlngs and having an abutment atits lower end, and a coiled compression spring interposed between said abutments to provide for snap mbvement of said bridging contactor to oppos1te extreme positions upon corresponding movement of 5. In a toggle snap switch, in combination, a recessed insulating base,,a pa rof spaced :parallel contacts located within said recess and havin their upper edge portions subfstantially ush with the upper surface of said 4 base',- a-'cover plate overlying sa1d base and adapted to retain said contacts Within-said recess, a hollow metallic bushing securedto said cover plate, a pair of alined openings in fsaid bushingga substantially U shaped carrier the arms of which are provided with integral-outward projections adapted tobe forced into said openinis, c0 'ly a disk shaped bridging contactor rotata secured to but insulated from'the lower end of said carrier,

the securingmeans for'said contactor including a rivet the head of which is adapted to provide an abutment on said carrier, a manually operable toggle lever osillat'ably supsaid toggle. lever to opposite posiported at the upper end of said bushing and having an abutment at its lower end, a coiled compression springinterposed between said abutments to provide for snap movement of aid bridging contactor to opposite extreme 7 positions upon corresponding movement of said toggle lever, and means including a plurality of nuts having threaded engagement wlth said bushing for adjust-ably clamping said switch to a suitable support.

5 6. In an electric snap switch adapted for 7 shaft operatively connected to said actuator and extending outwardly through said cover member in a the upper sur ace of said base.

7. Inan electric snap switch adapted for panel mounting, in combination, a shallow treme position to the other,-and a rotatable Flane substantially parallel to insulating base, resilient stationary contacts positioned edgewise within said b'ase, a'sheet metal cover member overlying said base and secured thereto, a contactor oscillatably supported b said covermember in a relation to provide ibr movement of the former into and out of engagement with said contacts, a single oscillatable actuator, a spring interposed between said actuator and said contactor to provide for snap movement of the lati ter from each extreme position to the other, associated means on said cover member and said actuator to limit the oscillatin 'inovements of the latter, and a rotatab e"shaft' operativelyconnected to said actuator and extending outwardly through said cover member 111 a plane substantially parallel to the upper sur ace of said base.

8. In an electric snap switch, in -combina-,

. tion, a shallow insulating base,-re'silient sta- 'tlonary contacts positioned edgewise within said base, a cover. member-overlying said 4 base 'and secured thereto, a-.contac'tor osclllatably'supported b said cover member in a relation'to provi e for movement of the former intoand out of engagement with said contacts, an'oscillatablefactuator, a' spring,

interpo'sed between said .actuator and said contactor-to provide for snapv movement of the latter from each extreme position to the other, a hollow bushing secufed to said cover member and projectin outwardly from the latter in plane at Ilgit angles to the plane of movement of said contactor and said ac-' .tuator, a shaft rotatably supported by said bushing, an operative connection between said shaft and said actuator, and spaced shoulders on said cover member engageable by said actuator to limit the movements of the latterand of said shaft.

9. In an'electric snap switch, in combination a recessed insulating base, contacts positioned within said recess in spaced substantially parallel relation to each other and 0 having their upper edges substantially flush with the top surface of said base, an insulating plate overlying said contacts and having a substantially central perforation, a bulged cover member formed of sheet metal overlying said insulating-plate and secured to said base, a contactor and a one-piece sheet metal carrier therefor pivotally supported by said a cover member and extending downwardly through said perforation, a single oscillatgo able actuator, a coiled spring interposed between said actuator and said carrier, and an operating shaft for said actuator, said shaft extending outwardly through said cover member at substantially right angles to the 5 plane of movement of said actuator and said carrier.

10. In an electric snap switch, in combination, a recessed molded insulating base, contacts positioned within said recess in spaced substantially parallel relation to each other and having their upper edges substantially flush with the top surface of said base, an insulating plate overlying said contacts and having a substantially circular opening, a cover member overlying said insulating plate and secured to said base, said cover member having an integral upwardly, extending dome-shaped projection, a substantially U- shaped carrier extending' downwardly 4o through'said insulating plate, the arms of said carrier having integral outward projections adapted to engage corresponding openings in said dome-shaped projection, a bridging contactor rotatably supported at the lower "end of said carrier but insulated therefrom, an, oscillatable actuator, a hollow bushing secured to said dome-sha ed pro-' jection and extending outwardly t erefrom at substantially right angles 'to the plane of movement of said actuator,'a rotatable shaft bearing within said bushing, said shaft having a transverse opening to receive said ac- ,1 tuator, a coiled compression spring inter- .posed between said carrier and said actuss ator and tending to maintain. the latter in assembled relation with said shaft, and a groove in said dome-shaped projection adapted to receive the upper end of said actuator to limit the oscillating movements ofthe 00 latter and to prevent longitudinal movement of said shaft.

11. in an electric snap switch, in combination, a recessed molded insulating base,

' contacts positioned within said recess in spaced substantially parallel relation to each I, ends being also spaced from the outer walls 'other and having their upper edges substantions adapted to engage corresponding openings in said dome-shaped projection, a bridging contactor rotatably supported at the lower end of said carrier but insulated therefrom, an oscillatable actua' or, a hollow bushing secured to said dome-shapediprojection and extending outwardly therefrom at substantiallyright angles to the plane of movement of said actuator, a rotatable shaft bearing within said bushing, said shaft having a transverse opening to receive said actuator, a coiled tension spring interposed between said carrier and said actuator and tending to maintain the latter in assembled relation with said shaft, a groove in said dome-shaped projection adapted to receive the upper end of said actuator to limit the oscillatory movements of the latter and to prevent outward movement of said shaft, an external thread 5 and shoulder on said bushing, and a nut cooperating with said thread and shoulder to provide for securement of said switch to a suitable support.

12. In an electric switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a pair of relatively shallow spaced'parallel recesses in its upper surface and extending longitudinally of the latter, said'base also having a relatively shorter and deeper recess intermediate said first mentioned recesses and open ing thereinto whereby the latter are separated fromeach other at their respective ends by shouldered insulating abutments, a pair of contact members formed of strip material, each member having one'end thereof reflexed into substantial parallelism with the main body thereof and the other end thereofbeing provided with an angular bend, said contact members being inserted edgewise within their respective recesses with the reflexed ends thereof adjacent to each other but spaced apart by certain of said abutments themain body of said members adjacent to said'reflexed of said first mentioned recesses for the purpose set forth, a cover member secured to said base andadapted to maintain said contact members in a position substantially flush with the upper surface of said base, a bridging contactor supported by said cover memberand oscillatable within said intermediate recess, and toggle'actuating means including a spring for effecting snap movement 130 of said contactor into and out of engagement with said contacts.

ary switch contact comprising a metallic strip of substantially equal width throughout. its

length, one end of said strip being reflexed to provide a resilient contact portion substantially parallel to the main body thereof, the other end of said strip having a wire-gripping notch formed therein, said notched end being bent'at an angle to the main body of the strip, and said strip having a Wire-receiving perforation in the main body thereof adjacent to said notched end. v

14. As an article ofmanufacture, a combined switch contact and terminal member tially equal width throughout its length, one a comprising a single strip of metal of substanend of said strip being reflexed inwardly to provide a resilient contact portion substan tially parallel to the main body thereof, the other end of said strip having an angular I inward bend to provide a shoulder, and said last mentioned end also having a perforation vto facilitate attachment and soldering of a terminal wire thereto.

15. As an article of manufacture, a combined switchcontact and terminal member comprising a single strip of metal of substantially equal width throughout its length, one end of said strip being'reflexed inwardly to provide a resilient contact portion substantially parallel to the main body thereof, the

other end of said strip having an angular in-' ward bend to provide a shoulder, and said main body of said strip having an outwardly bowed or bent portion intermediate its ends to provide for initially tensioning saidmember upon insertion thereof within asubstantially rectangular recess of predetermined size. a

16. As an article ofinanufacture, a com-' bined stationary switch contact and terminal member comprising a'resilient metallic strip of substantially. equal width throughout :-its

lengthpone end of said strip being reflexed to provide a contact portion arranged in substantial parallelism with the inain body thereof, the other end. of said .strip having a wire-gripping 'fiared notch'thereinj, said strip having a wire-receiving perforation adjacent to' said notched end, the latter being bent at substantially right angles to the lnain body of the strip,'and the latter being bowed outwardly intermediate its ends to provide for initially tensioni' 'g said member upon insertion thereof within a recess of predetermined size and shape. a

17. In combination, a housing or casing for switches and the like, a hollow bushing secured to said housing, said bushing comprising an externally threaded portion and an adjacent polygonal portion having greater cross sectional dimensions than said threaded portion whereby a clamping shoulstantially U-shape with the ends of said carrier extending outwardly in alinement with each other, three perforated insulating disks at-the lower end of said carrier, a circular conducting disk located between the two outer insulating disks and having an opening to accommodate the intermediate insulating disk-for centering thereofbythelatter, and,

a rivet penetrating said lower end of the a carrier and said ilesulating disks to holdsaid parts in assembled relation while permitting "relative rotation of said conducting disk with respect to said carrier. I

19. --As' an artlcle of manufacture, a molded insulating base for electric snap switches;

said base being of substantially rectangular 'contour'and having a curved lower face and a fiat upper face, said upper face having a pair of substantially rectangular recesses arranged in parallel relation longitudinally of said base, a relatively shorter and deeper recess intermediate said first mentioned recesses and-opening thereto, said first mentioned recesses each having a ledge at one endthereof for support of a combined contact and terminal member, arid a pair of coincident notches of-diflerent' shapes opening through the wall of the base tothe re- 'der is provided, the clamping face of said a shoulder (being dished to provide wedge- 13. As an article ofmanufacture, a station-' spective ledges -to adapt the switch to inter 'nal or external wiring according to the type a of terminals employed 20. In an electric snap switch, in combina- I tion; an insulating base having a recess in the upper surface thereof, stationary contacts positioned edgewise in parallel relation within said recess and having integral wir ing terminal portions projecting outwardly through a wall of said base, a bulged sheet metal cover member overlying said baseafid secured thereto, a contactor locatedwithin said recess and movable into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts, an oscillatable actuator for said contactor, a

spring interposed between said actuatorand v said contactor to provide forsnapmoveinentc of the latter from each extreme position to the other, a hollow bushing secured to said cove? member and projecting outwardly from the latter in a plane at right angles to the plane of movement of saidcontactorand 'sai-dactuator, a shaft rotatably supported =by said bushing,an operat'ive' connection be tween sa d shaft and sald actuator, and

means. comprising spaced shoulders engageable by said actuator to limit the movements of the latter and of said shaft.

21. In a toggle snap switch, in combination, an insulating base, a pair of one-piece combined contact and terminal members carried thereby, each of said members having a reflexed resilient contact portion, a stamped sheet metal cover member having a peripheral portion to seat against the upper face of said base, said cover memberhaving in tegral inbent lugs engaging the lower face of said base to rigidly secure the former to the latter, an externally threaded hollow metallic bushing rigidly secured'to said cover member, two vertically spaced pairsof alined openings in said bushing, a punched sheet metal member bent flatwise to provide a substantially U-shape d carrier the arms of which are provided with integral outward projections adapted to be forced into the lower pair of openings, a circular bridging contactor secured to but insulated from the lower end of said carrier, the securing means for said contactor including a rivet one end ofwhich' is adapted to provide an abutment, a toggle lever pivoted in the upper pair of openings and having an abutment atits lower end, and a helical compression spring interposed between said abutments to efl'ect snap movement of said contactor into or out of engagement with said contacts upon movement of said toggle lever to opposite positions respectively. b

22. Inan electric snap switch, in combination, an externally threaded hollow metal bushing having two vertically spaced pairs of alined pivot openings, a punched sheet metal member bent fiatwise to provide a substantially U-shaped carrier having tapered arms the ends of which are bent outwardly in opposite directions respectively, a bridging contactor secured to but insulated from the lower end of said carrier, the securing means for said contactor including a rivet one end of which is adapted to provide an abutment, the arms of said carrier being compressible toward each other to provide for insertion of the bent ends thereof within the lower pair of alined openings, an actuating lever pivoted in the upper pair of alined openings and having an abutment at its lower end, and a helical compression spring interposed between said abutments to effect snap movements of said contactor to oppo site extreme positions alternately upon corresponding movements of said actuating lever.

23'. In an electric snap switch, in combination, an externally threadedhollow metal bushing having a pair of alined pivot openings, a punched sheet metal member bent flatwise to provide a substantially 'U-shaped carrier the arms of which have reduced ends 'adapted to provide an abutment, the arms of said carrier being compressible toward each other to provide for insertion of the bent ends thereof within said pivot openings, an oscillatable actuating lever supported within said bushing and having an abutment at its lower end, and a helical compression spring interposed between .said abutments to effect snap movements of said contactor upon given movements of said actuating lever. I

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. 1

GEORGE J. MEUER.

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