US2206102A

US2206102A - Electric switch

Info

Publication number: US2206102A
Application number: US218305A
Authority: US
Inventors: George J Meuer
Original assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
Current assignee: Cutler Hammer Inc
Priority date: 1938-07-09
Filing date: 1938-07-09
Publication date: 1940-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1957-07-02

Description

G. J. MEUER ELECTRIC SWITCH July 2, 1940.

Fiie'd July 9, 193e 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 2, 1940. G. J. Maul-:R l 2,206,102

aLlc'rnIc SWITCH l Filed July 9,- 19:58 s sheets-sheet 2 July 2, 1940- G. J. MEUER 2,206,102

ELICTRIC SWITCH Fild July 9, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IVIlI .94B ,96 85 a. i

Patented July 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE Cutler-Hammer, Inc.,

poration of Delaware Milwaukee, Wis., a cor- Application July 9, 1938, Serial No. 218,305

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switches, and more particularly to concealed, door operated switches for electric refrigerators and the like.

v5 A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified form of door operated switch.

Another object is to provide novel operating means for such switches.

Another object is to generally improve the details of construction and arrangement of the parts of such door operated switches.

Another object is to facilitate assembly of the switch parts with respect to the insulating supporting base.

Another object is to facilitate attachment of the circuit wires after complete assembly of the switch parts, while providing simple means for effecting concealment and protection of the wiring terminal connections.

Another object is to provide novel mounting means for the switch as a whole. i

Another object is to provide a novel form of strain relief for the terminal connections of the circuit wires.

Another object is to provide a switch having stationary and movable contact elements of novel form.

Another and more specific object is to provide for concealed mounting of a switch whereby the same may be operated by the radius arm of a Concealed hinge of a door.

Other objects and advantages of the inventionf will hereinafter appear. 'Y y' The accompanying drawings illustrate certain embodiments of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms withcut departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a fragmentary View, in horizontal cross section, of a refrigerator wall and door, showing the switch in elevation and the manner in which the same is operated by the radius arm of the concealed hinge.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, actual size, of the switch. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view similar to Fig. 2, but with the metal supporting and cover plate and the insulating plates omitted for purposes of ,-,U illustration.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vlongitudinal sectional view illustrating one of the combined contact and terminal members and the interlocking connection between the same and the insulating base of the switch.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a modified 5 form of switch, with the metal supporting and cover plate and the insulating plates omitted for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7, with the metal supporting and cover plate and the insulating plates in position.

Fig. 9y is an enlarged plan View' of a further modified form of switch, with the metal supporting and cover plate and the insulating plates omitted. A 15 Fig. 10 is a sectional view, on .the line III-I0 of Fig. 9, with the metal supporting and cover plate and the insulating plates in position.

Fig. l1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly inV longitudinal section, illustrating one of the combined-contact and terminal members and the manner inwhich the same is maintained in assembled relation to the insulating base of the Switch, and

Fig'. l2 is an end view of the switch shown in Figs. 10 and 1l, illustrating the simple manually operable means for releasably attaching the complete switch to a bracket or the like, shown in section. z

Referring flrst to Figs. l to 6, inclusive, the numeral I5 designates an insulating base adapted to be produced by a straight line molding operation. Base I5 is formedof suitable insulating material such Bakelite, the same being molded free from inserts .of any kind. Base I5 is preferably of substantially rectangular contour (see Figs. 3 and 4), the same being of substantially greater length than width, and of substantially greater width than thickness. As best illustrated in Fig. 3, said base is provided adjacent one end 40- thereof with a transversely extending tortuous groove I6 which is adapted to accommodate the insulation-covered through wire, shown in dotted lines at I1, of a two-Wire conductor or cord shown in dotted lines at I8. The other wire I3 of cord 45 I8 is divided and the adjacent ends thereof are baredand hooked, as shown in dotted lines at 20, whereby said ends may be clamped in'position by the respective binding screws 2| which take into tapped openings provided in the terminal portions 22 of a pair vof combined Contact and terminal members of like form.

Portions 22 of said combined contact and terminal members are preferably of substantially rectangular'contour, and the sameare adapted 55 to seat within correspondingly

shaped recesses

23 and 24, Figs. 3 and 6. As shown in Fig. 6base I5 is further recessed to accommodate the downwardly projecting extrusions surrounding the tapped openings in portions 22, and to freely ac commodate the threadedshanks of said screws, a pair of sumtantially cylindrical bosses` 25 and 26 being formed integrally with vthe surface I5i ing portions 22c of which elements are adapted to seat or rest upon the upper edges of the re- Spective barriers 29, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6.

The adjacent vertical edges of the arms 221 are adapted for bridging engagement by the converging sides or edges 30a and 36h of a contactor 30 of substantially triangular contour. The sides 35a and 30", of said contacter are adapted to it closely against the correspondingly angled edges of a fiat punched insulating plate or carrier 3l,

plate 3l having an opening 52 vformed therein,-

and contactor 35 having an integral lug 55C extending through said opening and bent over the inner surface of plate Si toward the forward end of the latter, to secure said parts to each other.

Plate 3| is pivotally supported adjacent the for ward end of the fiat portion of a metal actuating member for the switch, as by means of a rivet having a head 3d overlying a portion of one surface of said plate; a relatively large cylindrical shank portion 55 which freely penetrates a circular opening in said plate and is of slightly greater length than the thicknessI of plate 3|; said rivet having another shank portion 35 of reduced diameter which penetrates an opening provided in said portion 33 of the actuating member and is upset over the lower surface thereof as shown at 37.

Said actuating member is provided with a second fiat portion`33 (Figs. 3 and 5) offset upwardly from the portion 33 thereof, and formed integrally with portion 38 and extending upwardly at a right angle thereto is a lug 39 which is adapted to be engaged by the radiusarm it (Fig. l) of a concealed hinge 5I attached at one end to the refrigerator door t2, as by means of screws 43, the radius arm d@ being carried by the hinge pin M located within the wall 55 of the refrigerator. The upper edge 35B of lug 39 is preferably of arcuate contour, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The portion 33 of the actuating member is adapted for sliding engagement with a ledge i5 (Fig. 4) in a plane below the upper surface i5 of base i5, and the portion 33 of the actuating member is adapted for sliding engagement with a ledge 45a in a plane only slightly below said surface i5, a longitudinally extending slot or recess il (Figs. 4 and 5) being provided to afford clearance for the upset end 5l of the rivet, and to accorrlimodatev the coiled compression spring 48. Spring ed is provided with straight or flat end coils $85 and lieb, the end coil 55a beingy adapted to bear against the end wall la of recess W (Figs. 3 and 5), and the end coil 5b being adapted to surround the lug 53S formed in tegrally with and located in the plane of said portion 33 of the actuating member, said portion 33 and the connecting portion 49 between` the same and portion 38 being cut away, as shown at 33b in Figs. 3 and 5, to provide clearance for the spring.

The straight rear edge 3|a of plate 3| projects slightly beyond the root of the lug 33e5 (Figs. 3 and 5), wherefore said edge is engaged by the end coil 48h to resiliently bias said plate 3| toward its centered position, with consequent centering of contacter 30. Spring 48 is assembled as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 under a predetermined degree of compression, whereby the actuating

l member

33, 38 and plate 3| pivotally supported thereby are biased to a position to eiect bridging engagement of contactor 30 with the adjacent edges of contact arms 22D.

Offset downwardly from the upper surface I5a of base I 5 are ledges I5b, I5c (Fig. 3) located in a plane flush with the upper surfaces of the aforementioned connecting portions 22. Seated upon said ledges I5, l5 is a iiat punched insulating plate 5G, the upper surface of which is flush with the upper surface 55a of base I5. superimposed upon -surface i5a and plate. 5i! is a metal plate 5i of the contour best illustrated in Fig. 2. Plate 5l is rigidly secured in position as by means of four rivets 52, the heads of which are located in countersinks or recesses provided in the lower surface of base l5, as shown in Fig. 4, and the hollow ends of which are upset over said plate, as shown in Figs. 2, i and 5; two of said rivets likewise penetrating registering openings in plate 55, whereby the latter is rigidly and permanently secured in position. As best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, plate Sil clampingly engages the connecting portions 22C of the combined contact and terminal members to positively retain the latter in assembled relation to base I5, while providing for ready accessibility of the wiring terminal screws 2| associated therewith.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, the rear end of plate 5l is provided with a cut-out cr notch 5Ia of substantially rectangular contour to provide clearance for the aforementioned upstanding lug 35 of the actuating member. Said actuating member is normally biased by spring 48 to the position thereof shown in Figs. 2 and 5, wherein the lamp circuit or the like to be controlled by the switch is completed; and upon closure of the refrigerator door the radius arm 40 engages and moves lug 39 to the position thereof shown in full lines in Fig. l and in dotted lines in Fig. 5 to interrupt the controlled circuit.

Formed integrally with plate 5I and bentdownwardly at substantially right angles thereto at opposite sides of base i5 are a plurality of

lugs

53, 5e, 55 and 56,'th'e free ends of which are preferably of reduced width, as shown at 53a, 54a, 55a and 55a; said free ends being bent outwardly and then inwardly, as best illustrated in Fig. 4 to provide resilient cam surfaces whereby the complete switch may be. manually forced or snapped into engagement with a supporting element of suitable form.

As shown in Figs. l and i said supporting element preferably comprises a metal bracket 28 which may be an integral part of the supporting bar 5l for the hinge member 5t (Fig. 1) and pin de. Bracket 23 is preferably provided with four circular openings, three of which are shown at 25a, 2th and 28 in Figs. l and 4, said openings being of a size to accommodate the aforementoned bent ends 53E, 55a, 55a and 56a of the resilient lugs. As best illustrated in Fig. 4, the outer walls of the opposed pairs of openings are that shown in Figs. 1 to 6. Certain parts may so spaced as to require inward bending of the respective lugs as an incident to forcible insertion of the bent ends of the latter into said openings, the arrangement -being such that when the lower cam surfaces afforded by said bent ends have cleared the respective walls of said openings the upper cam surfaces (see Fig. 4) will resiliently engage the lower edges of said walls to carry base I5 into and retain the same in engagement with the exposed face of said bracket 51.

As aforestated the sides of

bosses

25 and 26 abut against the edge 21 of bracket 28 (see Figs. 1 and 4), this arrangement assisting in restraining base I5 against endwise displacement relatively to said bracket, particularly during movement of the switch parts to circuit interrupting position.

The aforementioned plate 5I is provided with a narrow integral lug 5Ib located in the plane thereof, the rounded free end of said lug being bent upwardly to a slight extent, as indicated at 5Ic; said upwardly bent end of the lug being adapted to facilitate insertionv thereunder of a at punched insulating plate 59, of rectangular contour as shown in Fig. 2. Plate 59 is adapted to seat upon ledge portions 60, 6I (Fig. 3) located in the plane of the aforementioned ledges I5b, |51. Plate 59 is of the same thickness as the aforementioned plate and abuts at one end against the latter. The other three sides of plate 59 t snugly within the various wall portions I5d, I5, |51, |58 and I5h which are flush with the aforementioned surface I5a of base I5.

The end wall portion I5d is preferably formed as shown at I5i to provide a finger grip to facilitate removal of plate 59, asbest illustrated in Fig. 5. Base I5 is provided with lateral grooves v62, 53, 54 and 65 to accommodate the aforementioned through wire I1 and the endsof wire I9 of cord I8. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5 plate 59 affords adequate closure or concealment of the wiring terminal connections of the switch, and said plate restrains through wire I1 against upward displacement from the tortuous passage I6, whereby a simple and eiiicient strain relief' for the wiring terminal connections is provided, in the event of a pull or strain upon cord I8.

Installation of the switch in the refrigerator wall is effected in a very simple manner. Thus, with the refrigerator door 42 open and prior to attachment of the usual insulating closure plate 66 (Fig. l) to the refrigerator wall 45, the switch is wired in the manner illustratedin Fig. 3, and plate 59 is positioned as shown in Fig. 2. Thereupon the switch may be positioned upon and secured to bracket 28 by pressing upon the same, with one hand, until the aforementioned resilient lugs 53a to 56a fully enter the respective openings in said bracket. The insulating clo- `sure plate 66 may then be attached to wall 45 to afford concealment of the hinge 4I and the switch. Spring 48 is of relatively light construction, and hence only a very slight degree of energy is required to effect opening of the switch contactsas an incident to closure of door 42. Opening of the switch contacts upon closure of the door is, of course. insured. The wedging action of the contactor 30 against the adjacent edges of the stationary contacts insures a good electrical connection between these parts, and the cooperative shape of these parts is such as to automatically take up any wear incident to operation of the switch.

'I'he modified form of switch illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is in many respects quite similar to be identical with corresponding parts aforedescribed, and such parts have been designated by corresponding numerals of reference. The insulating base 61 in Figs. 7 .and 8 is quite similar' to the base I5 aforedescribed. The top surface of base 61 is represented by the surface portions 61a, 61h, 61C and 61d located in a common plane, said base being provided with downwardly offset ledges 68, 69 located in a common plane to accommodate insulating plate 1|] (Fig. 8) in a plane iiush with the uppersurface of said base.

Plate 10 overlies the portions 22c connecting the arms 22, 22b forming part of the combined contact and terminal members, the terminal portions of which are designated by numerals 22. Terminal portions 22, as aforedescribed, are provided with tapped openings to accommodate the shanks of binding screws 2|, and base 61 is provided with integral hollow bosses, one of which is shown at 1I in Fig. 8, to interiorly accommodate the Shanks of said screws, and exteriorly to abut one end of a supporting bracket (not shown) in a manner similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1.

The bridging contactor as shown at 12 is of cylindrical cup shape, the bottom wall 12a thereof having a circular opening to rotatably accommodate the shank of a rivet 13, which shank likewise penetrates a registering opening in a iiat, punched insulating plate 14. The head of rivet 13 is located at the lower surface of plate 14 and the hollow end of said rivet is upset over said bottom wall 12?- of contactor 12 in a manner to retain said parts in assembled relation while providing for rotation of contactor 12 with respect to the rivet shank. In the circuit compieting position of contactor 12 the same engages at spaced points in its periphery with the adjacent vertical edges of the stationary contact arms 22", 22h. y

Plate 14 is slidable along the bottom wall 15 of a longitudinally extending substantially rectangular recess 16, a-centrally located recess 11 opening to -said bottom wall 15. Recess 11 is adapted to provide clearance for the head of rivet 13 (Fig. 8) and to accommodate a portion of the cross sectional area of a coiled compression spring 18, the rear end of which abuts an end wall 11a of a portion 11b-of recess 11, which portion 11b is of aheight slightly greater than the cross sectional area of springV 18 and opens to a ledge 19 offset downwardly from the upper surface of base 61.

Plate 14 is of the form best illustrated in Fig. 7, and contactor 12 is attached thereto in a manner to project beyond the forward end thereof throughout a portion of the periphery of said contactor to insure proper engagement of the latter with a pair of stationary contacts. Plate 14 is provided at its rear end with a straight edge 14u (Fig. 1) from the mid-portion of which an integral lug 14b projects rearwardly, as shown in Fig. 8. The forward end of spring 18 surrounds lug 14h and abuts against said edge 14e. provided with a fiat portion 80 the forward end of which overlies, to a slight extent, the upper surface of plate 14. Plate 14 is provided with a circular opening 14c and portion 80 is provided at its forward end with a centrally located lintegral lug 80a bent downwardly at a right angle to the plane thereof and penetrating the opening 14c in plate 14 to provide a pivotal connection between said parts.

The actuating member of the switch is spect of the means for attaching the switch as a whole to a suitable supporting bracket.

I The molded insulating base 85 is shown as provided with a tortuous through-wire passage or groove 86, and laterally extending grooves 81 and 88 which communicate with recesses 89 and Sli adapted to receive a pair of combined contact and Wiring terminal members the terminal portions 9| of which are respectively provided with tapped openings for cooperation with the Shanks of binding screws 2l. Base 85 is provided with a pair of downwardly projecting

hollow bosses

92 and 93, which are interiorly adapted to accommodate the Shanks of said binding screws and exteriorly adapted toabut an edgek portion of a supporting bracket 94 (Fig. 12) of suitable form.

Each terminal portion 9i is provided with a portion 9|EL of reduced width, the walls of recesses 89 and 80 being shaped to accommodate portions 9i and sie with a fairly close 'lt, .and to likewise accommodate with a fairly close iit the contact portions @ib formed integrally with portions 9i and bent upwardly at substantially a right angle thereto (Figs. 9 and 11). Base 85 is provided with a substantially rectangular recess 95 extending from the front face of the contact portions 9 ib to the wall shown in dotted lines at 95a in Fig. 9 and in full lines in Fig. 10, the bottom wall of said recess being designated by the numeral 95h, and said bottom wall having an extension 95C at the forward end thereof to provide for engagement of the angled sides the, 95h of contactor Qt with the adjacent vertical edges of contact portions Sib.

l Contactor 96 is formed of sheet metal, the same being attachedl by a plurality of integral lugs 96C, 96d and 536e to a flat punched insulating plate /97 of the form best illustrated in full and dotted Portion 80 of the actuating member is cut away as shown at 80b/to provide a lug 80 which overlies the aforementioned lug 'Mb of plate 14, said lug 80 being also surrounded by the forward end of spring 18. The contour of the cut away portion 89h (Fig. 7) is such that a resilient endwlse and pivoted lost motion is provided between plate 'l4 and the actuating member, whereby self-adjusting engagement between contactor 'l2 and the stationary contacts is insured. The cut away portion 881 extends through the connecting portion 80d to the upwardly roffset flat portion e of the actuating member, thus providing clearance for the spring 18, as best shown in Fig. 8.

The flat portion 8GB of the actuating member is slidable upon the-aforementioned ledge 19, and extending upwardly at a right angle thereto is a portion @Ef to be engaged by the radius arm of a concealed hinge, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1. As aforestated the at punched insulating plate iii is seated upon ledges @d and 6@ in a relation to overlie the portions 22 of the -v combined contact and terminal members to clamp the latter in position relatively to base 6l, and to insulate the switch contacts and contactor from the metal top plate Si. Plate di is substantially like the plate 5i described in connection 'with Figs. l to 6. Plate iii is secured to base 6l by means of four rivets 52, two of which penetrate the insulating plate'YY Vl\to permanently retain the latter in assembled relation.

Plate di is likewise provided with a relatively` narrow forwardly projecting resilient lug die which is adapted to permit forcible insertion of a fiat punched insulating plate 82 (Fig, 8) in a relation to overlie and enclose the wiring terminal connections of the switch, the forward end of lug 8|a being bent upwardly, as indicated/a lilb; to facilitate such insertion. Base S'l isoprovided with ledge portions als, @lf and Slg upon which plate d2 is adapted to seat in a relation substantially flush with the upper surface of the base, as shown in Fig. 8.

Base 6ft is provided with an upwardly opening groove lith which is adapted to accommodate the wires shown in dotted lines at 83 and 86 in Fig. 7, base 6l being further recessed at Sli to provide for leading of said wires to opposite sides of the barrier defined by ledge tile, and attachment of the bared ends of the wires by the respective screws 2i. Groove @lh and recess Gli. (Fig. 8) are also adapted to afford a finger grip upon insulating plate to facilitate removal of the latter. Plate iii is provided at its rear end with a substantially rectangular out away portion or notch tlc (Fig. 8) to provide clearance for the upstanding lug ttf of the actuating member.

Hate iii is provided with four integral downwardly extending lugs, two of which are shown .fila provided in plate 91, and lugs Sd and 56e are formed integrally with the aforementioned angled sides 96h and gtie of the contactor, all of said lugs being bent inwardly over the lower surface of plate 9'l as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. Plate itl is provided with a second opening 91h which accommodates a downwardly extending lug this formed integrally with the flat portion cal with that shown in Figs. 7 and 8, with portions thereof bearing like numerals of reference), to` provide a pivotal connection between plate 3l and the actuating member.

Plate @l is provided with an integral lug Q'lc (Fig. 10) which underlies and is substantially alined with lug Stic formed on portion Si! of the actuating member, said lugs being jointly surrounded by the forward end coils of a spring "F8, in the manner described in connection with Figs. '7- and 8. Plate 91 is adapted for sliding movement upon the bottom wall 951 of recess 95, and the portion e of the actuating member is slidat did and title, and said lugs have bent ends, as able upon the 'ledge 98 offset downwardly from shown at ttf and bis to provide a snap fastening l the upper surface of base 85. Spring 'i8 acts in or connection between the same and a bracket the manner. aforedescribed -to effect centering of member having suitable openings, in the manner .insulating plate Sl while permitting the desired illustrated in Fig. l, the bosses, one of which is degree of self-adjustment of the latter and of shown at 'li in Fig. d, assisting in retaining the the contactor Si@ when moved into engagement complete switch in proper relation to the afore with the stationary contact portions Qlb, said mentioned supporting bracket. spring acting to bias said contactor into bridging The switch illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12, incluengagement with said contact portions upon opensive, is quite similar in structure to each of the ing of the refrigerator door, as aforedescribed. switches aforedescribed. The switch now to be A at punched insulating plate 99 (Figs. 10 and described differs from the switches aforedescribed ll) is seated upon the ledges H00 and IDI (Fig. 9) primarily in respect of the form of the combined and is ladapted for clamping .engagement with contact and Wiring terminal members, and in rethe upper edges or" the respective contact porlines in Fig. 9. Lug 96C penetrates an opening w of an actuating member (which may be denti- A tions 9|b to retain the combined contact and terminal members in assembled relation to the base. A metal plate |02 is superimposed upon the upper surface of base 85 and overlies the major portion of plate 99, said plate |02 being secured to said base as by means of four rivets 52, two of which penetrate plate 99 to rigidlyv and permanently secure the latter in position. As shown in Fig. 10, plate |02 overliesvthe portion 80e of the actuating member in a relation to permit and assist in guiding the sliding movement of the latter. Plate |02 is notched or cut away at |02a (Figs. l0 and 12) to-provide clearance for the upstanding portion 80t of the actuating member, and said plate is provided with a relatively narrow integral lug |02b, lug |02b being flexible or resilient to permit forcible insertion or removal of a fiat punched insulating plate |03 which overlies the wire passage 86 and the terminal screws 2|. Lug |02b is bent upwardly at |02c to facilitate insertion of plate |03, and base 85 is formed as shown at |04 (Figs. 9 and 10) to facilitate manual removal of said plate.

Formed integrally with plate |02 at one side edge thereof, and bent downwardly at substantially a right angle thereto are a pair of lugs |02d and |02E, the lower ends of which are bent outwardly at a right angle thereto, as shown in dotted lines at |02f, |02g in Figs. 10 and 11- and in full lines in Fig. 12. Extending downwardly from the .opposite side edge of plate |02 is a lug |02h having a reduced portion |02i the lower end |02j of which extends outwardly and downwardly at an angle of substantially more than 90 degrees. The supporting bracket 94 (Fig. 12) is provided with a pair of openings such as 94 into which the lugs |02d, |02e may be inserted to effect hooked engagement of the bent ends |021, |||2g thereof with the inner surface of bracket 94. The other lug |02h is manually pressed inwardly lto the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig.

12 to provide clearance for the bent end |025 of portion |02 with respect to an opening 94b in bracket 94, and upon manual release of lug |02h said end |02j moves to the full line position thereof shown in Fig. 12 to releasably retain the switch in proper relation to bracket 94. Lug 80f` of the switch actua-ting member is adapted to be engaged by the radius arm of a concealed hinge, as heretofore described. As shown in Fig. 9, base 05 is provided with ledge portions |05 located in a common plane upon which the insulating plate |03 is adapted to seat in a relation substantially flush with the upper surface of said base (Figs. 10 and 11).

It will be understood that by slight modication of the base I5 shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and of base 6l in Figs. l and 8, combined contact and terminal members of the character shown in Figs. 9 to l2 might be employed. Various other possible changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the switch parts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description.

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

1. In a door operated switch adapted for conl cealed mounting, in combination, a molded insulating base comprising a single substantially rectangular block having a recess formed in one surface thereof, a substantially fiat sheet metal cover member secured to said base and overlying said recess, an actuating member having' a portion interposed between said metal cover member and said base and slidable in a plane parallel thereto, said actuating member having a substantially right angled lug extending beyond said metal cover member for engagement by an operating element .of suitable form, a pair of spaced stationary contacts located within said recess, a contactor movable rectilinearly solely within said recess into and out of bridging engagement with said stationary contacts, said contactor being pivoted to and insulated from said actuating member to provide for positive movement of the former with the latter in each direction, and a coiled spring engaged under compression at one end with said insulating base and at the other cnd with said actuating member and said contactor to bias the same jointly to only one extreme positionthereof relatively to said base, said 'lug when engaged by said operating member providing for movement of said actuating member and said contactor against the bias of said spring. 2. Ina door operated switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a recess formed in the upper surfa-ce thereof, a cover member comprising aat plate secured to the upper surface of said base and overlying said recess, an actuating member having a portion interposed between said cover member and said base in a plane substantially flush with the upper surface of the latter and slidable with respect thereto, said actuating member having a lug extending therefrom at substantially a right angle thereto beyond the outer surface of said cover member for engagement by an operating element of suitable form, a pair of spaced sheet metal stationary contacts located within said recess, a stamped sheet metal contactor movable into and out of bridging engagement with said stationary contacts, means including a pivoted pin providing a positive driving connection between said actuating member and said contactor, a coiled compres sion spring engaged at .one end with said .base and at its other end with saidactuating member and said contactor to bias the same jointly to only one extreme position thereof with respect to said base, said last mentioned end of the spring being so engaged with said actuating member and said contactor on opposite sides of said pivotal connection as to normally hold said contactor in a substantially centered relation to said actuating member, and said last mentioned end of the spring yielding to permit relative lateral movement of said contactor with respect to said actuating member as an incident to engagement of said contactor with said stationary contacts. y

3. In a door operated switch, in combination, a recessed moldedinsulating base, a pair of spaced stationary contacts and a contactor located within the recess in said' base, an insulating carrier for said contactor, an actuating member having a driving connection with said carrier, said driving connection providing for movement of said carrier relatively to said actuating member whereby said contactor is self-adjustable with respect to said contacts, a coiled compression spring interposed between an end wall of said recess and said carrier to bias said actuating member and said contactor to a given extreme position wherein the latter engages said station-4 ary contacts, said spring tending to maintain said carrier in centered relation to said actuating member, said actuating member having Acut away erating element of suitable form, a metal cover plate secured to said base, an insulating member interposed between said cover plate and said base and adapted to overlie said contactor in all positions of the latter, said stationary contacts being seated upon said base, and said insulating member overlying portions of said contacts to rigidly and permanently secure the latter in position,

4. In a door operated switch, in combination, a recessed molded insulating base, a pair of spaced stationary contacts and a contactor located within the recess in said base, an insulating carrier for said contactor, an actuating member having a driving connection with said carrier, said driving connection providing for movement of said carrier relatively to said actuating member whereby said contactor is self-adjustable with respect Ito said contacts, a coiled compression spring interposed between an end wall of said recess and said carrier to bias said actuating member and said contactor to a given extreme position wherein 'the latter engages said Stationary contacts, said spring tending to maintain said carrier in centered relation to said actuating member, said actuating member having cut away and oiTset portions adapted to provide clearance for said spring, said actuating member having a lug extending at substantially a right angle to the offset portion thereof for engagement by an operating element of suitable form, a metal cover plate secured to said base, an insulating member interposed between said cover plate and said base and adapted to overlie said contactor in all positions of the latter, said stationary contacts being seated upon said base, said insulating member overlying portions of said contacts to rigidly and permanently secure the latter in position, said cover plate having a plurality of resilient lugs extending at substantially right angles thereto in parallel relation'to and beyond opposite sides respectively of said base, said lugs having bent end portions, a metal plate having openings formed therein, said lugs being bendable to provide for passage of the bent ends thereof through or withz drawa-l thereof from said plate openings, and said bent ends resiliently cooperating with the inner surface of said metal plate to releasablyv retain said switch in proper position.

5. In a door operated electric switch, in combination, a substantially rectangular molded insulating base of substantially greater length than width and of substantially greater width than thickness, said base having a. recess formed in one surface thereof, a plurality of contacts located within said recess, one of said contacts being movable rectilinearly in aplane parallel to said surface of said base into and out of bridging engagement with other of said contacts, a stamped sheet metal `actuating member having a kportion thereof located within said recess and slidably movable in a plane parallel to said surface of the base and another portion projecting upwardly from said recess at substantially a right angle to said rst mentioned portion of said actuating member, means providing a positive driving connection between said actuating member and said movable contact to insure movement of the latter simultaneously with the former in each direction, a coiled compression spring engaged at one end with said base and acting at its Ik other end to bias said actuating member and said overlying at least a portion of said recess, said metal cover member cooperating with said base to assist in guiding said actuating member, and a flat, punched insulating plate interposed between said metal cover .member a-nd said contacts in the engaged and disengaged positions of the latter.

6. In a door operated electric switch, in combination, a substantially rectangular molded insulating base of substantially greater length than width and of substantially greater width than' thickness, said base having a recess formed in one surface thereof, a plurality of contacts located within said recess, one of said contacts being movable longitudinally of said base into and out of bridging engagement with other of said contacts, an actuating'member having a portion thereof located within said recess and another portion projecting from said recess at substantially a right angle to said base, means providing a driving connection between said actuating member and said movable contact, a coiled compression spring acting to bias said actuating member and said movable contact jointly to a given extreme position thereof, a metal cover member attached to said base and overlying at ,"least a portion of said recess, said cover member cooperating with said base to assist in guiding saidactuating member, an insulating plate interposed between said cover member and said contacts in the engaged a-nd disengaged positions of the latter, said cover member having a plurality of resilient lugs formed integrally therewith and extending rearwardly therefrom in spaced relation to the respective sides of said base beyond the rear surface of the latter, said lugs having outward bends adjacent to the free ends thereof, a metal bracket having openings formed therein in substantial alinement with said lugs, the free ends of said lugs being insertable into said openings, and the bends in said lugs being resiliently engageable with the inner edges of said openings to releasably retain said switch in assembled relation to said bracket.

7. In a door operated switch, in combination,

terposed between an end wall of said recess and` said carrier and actuating member whereby the latter and said contactor are biased to a given extremeposition, said spring also acting to resiliently retain said carrier in a given relation to said actuating member, said actuating member comprising a punched and stamped metal piece having cut away and offset portions to jointly provide clearance for said spring, said base having a ledge upon which said olset portion is adapted to slide in a plane slightly below the first mentioned surface of said base, a metal cover plate rigidly secured to said base and overlying a portion of said recess, said cover plate overlying at least a part Vof the offset portion of said actuating member to assist in guiding the latter, said oiset portion having an integral lug extending therefrom at substantially a right angle thereto for engagement by a mova-ble operating element of suitable form, and said plate being formed to one surface thereof, a pair of one-piece combined contact and wiring terminal members loosely positioned in spaced relation within said recess and restrained by the' walls thereof against relative movement in the plane of said base, the contact portions of said members having adjacent vertical edges, a contactor slidably movable into and out of bridging engagement with said edges, an insulating carrier for said contacter, an actuating member having a pivotal driving connection with said carrier, a coiled compression spring interposed between an end wall of said recess and said carrier and actuating member whereby the latter and said contacter are biased to a given extreme position, said spring also acting to resiliently retainsaid carrier in a given relation to said actuating member, said actuating member comprising a punched and stamped metal piece having cut away and offset portions to jointly provide clearance for said spring, said base having a ledge upon which said offset portion is adaptedto slide in a plane slightly below the iirst mentioned surface of said base, a metal cover plate rigidly secured to said base and overlying a portion of'said recess, said cover plate overlying at least a part of the offset portion of said actuating member to assist in guiding the latter, said offset portion having an integral lug extending therefrom at substantially a right angle thereto for engagement by a movable operating element of suitable form, said plate being formed to provide clearance for said lug, and an insulating plate interposed between said cover member and said base and overlying the contact portions of said combined contact and wiring terminal members to rigidly and permanently secure the same against upward displacement from said recess.

9. In a door operated switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a recess formed in one surface thereof, a pair of one-piece combined contact and wiring terminal members loosely positioned in spaced relation within said recess and restrained by the walls thereof against relative movement in the plane of said base, the contact portions of said members having adjacent vertical edges, a contacter slidably movable into and out of bridging engagement with said edges, an insulating carrier for sa-id contactor, an actuating member having a pivotal driving connection with said carrier, a coiled compression spring interposed between an end wall of said recess and said carrier and actuating member whereby the latter and said contactor are biased to a given extreme position, said spring also acting to resiliently retain said carrier in a given relation to said actuating member, said actuating member comprising a punched and stamped metal piece having cut away and offset portions to jointly provide clearance for said spring, said base having a ledge upon which said offset portion is adapted to slide in a plane slightly below the first mentioned surface of said base, a metal cover plate rigidly secured to said base and overlying a portion of said recesssaid cover plate overlying at least a part of the offset portion of said actuating member to assist in guiding the latter, said offset portion having an integral lug extending therefrom at substantially a right angle thereto for engagement by a movable operating element of suitable form, said plate being formed to provide clearance for said lug, an insulating plate interposed between said cover member and said base and overlying the contact portions of said combined contact and wiring terminal members to rigidly Iand permanently secure the same against upward displacement from said recess, said cover member having a relatively narrow resilient lug extending over that portion of the base recess in which the terminal portions 'of the combined contact and terminal members are located, said base having other ledge portions formed thereon, and a flat insulating plate insertable under said last mentioned lug and releasablyl retained thereby in seated relation to said ledge portions.

l0. In a door operated switch, in combination, a molded insulating base having a recess formed in one surface thereof, a pair of one-piece combined contact and wiring terminal members loosely positioned in spaced relation within said recess and restrained by the walls thereof against relative movement in the plane of said base, the contact portions of said members having adjacent vertical edges, a contactor slidably movable intoand out of bridging engagement with said edges, an insulating carrier for said contactor, an

actuating member having a pivotal driving connection with said carrier, a coiled compression springinterposed between an end wall of said re- `cess and said carrier and actuating member whereby the latter and said contacter are biased to a given extreme position, said spring also vacting to resiliently reta-in said carrier in a given relation to said actuating member, said actuating member comprising a punched and stamped I metal piece having cut away and offset portions lying a portion of said recess, said cover plate overlying at least a part of the offset portion of said actuating member to assist in guiding the latter, said offset portion having an integral lug extending therefrom at substantially a right angle thereto for engagement by a movable operating element of suitable form, said plate being formed to provide clearance for said lug, an insulating plate interposed between said cover member and said base and overlying the contact portions of said combined contact and wiring terminal members to rigidly and permanently secure the same against upward displacementfrom said recess, said cover member having a relatively narrow resilient lug extending over that portion of the base recess' in which the terminal portions of the combined contact and terminal members are located, said base having otherl ledge portions formed thereon, a flat insulating plate insertable under said last mentioned lug and releasably retained thereby in seated relationv plate, whereby removal yof the latter is facilitated.

V11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a wall and a door having a concealed hinge connection therebetween, said hinge connection including a radius arm positioned lradius arm for operation by the latter against said bias -upon movement of said door-toward closed position relatively to said Wall, said switch mechanism including a recessed molded insulating base, a metal cover plate overlying the recess in said base, said cover plate having a plurality of resilient lugs extending rearwardly therefrom beyond said base, a rnetal bracket within said wall, said. bracket having openings formed therein in substantial alinement with said lugs, and said lugs having bent end-portions engageable under tension with the walls of said openings to releasably retain said switch mechanism in assembled relation to said bracket.

12. In a device of the character described, in

combination a wall and a door, said wall having a A recess formed therein and said door having a hinge member including an arcuate portion rigidly attached thereto and a radius arm portion pivotally supported within said recess, a cover member for said recess having an opening to provide clearance for said arcuate portion while providing for concealment of said radius arm in all positions of said door, a fiat metal bracket arranged in spaced relation to the free end of said radius arm, said bracket having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a switch mechanism including a molded insulating base having a rear surface adapted to seat atwise against said bracket, said base having a recess opening to the forward surface thereof, a metal cover member overlying at least a portion of said recess, said cover member having a plurality of resilient lugs extending rearwardly therefrom and adapted to penetrate said bracket openings, the free ends of said lugs being deformed to provide for resilient and releasabie retention of said base lin assembledl relation to said bracket, an actuating member slidabl-y Ainterposed between said cover member and said base, a coiled compression spring locatedwithin said recess and engaged with said actuating member to bias the latter to n. given extreme position, and said actuating member having an integral lug extending at sub stantially a right angle to said cover plate and located in the path of said radius arm for operation by the latter against vthe bias of said spring upon movement of saidA door toward closed .position.

i3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a wall and a door. said wa-ll having a recess formed therein and said door having a hinge member including an arcuate portion rigidly attached thereto and a radius arm portion pivotally supported within said recess, a cover member for said recess having an opening to provide clearance for said arcuate portion while providing for concealment of said radius arm in all positions of said door, a flat metal bracket arranged in spaced relation to the free end of said radius arm, said bracket having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a switch mechanism including a molded insulating base having a rear surface adapted to seat fla-twise against said bracket, said base having a recess opening to the forward surface thereof, a metal cover member overlying at least a portion of sa-id recess, said cover member having a plurality of resilient lugs extending rearwardly therefrom and adapted to penetrate said bracket openings, the

free vends of said lugs being deformed to provide for resilient and releasable retention of said base in assembled relation to said bracket, an actuating member slidably interposed between said cover member and said base, a coiled compression spring located within said recess and engaged with said actuating member to bias the latter to,

a given extreme position, said actuating member having an integral lug extending at substantially a right angle to said cover plate and located in the path of said radius arm for operation by the latter against the bias of said spring upon movement of said door toward closed position, a pair of spaced stationary contacts located within said recess, a contactor slidable within said recess into and 'out of bridging engagement with said contacts, and means providing both a positive driving connection and a resilient lost motion connection between said actuating member and said contacter.

14. In an electric switch, in combination, a molded insulating base recessed from one surface thereof to accommodate a pair of wiring terminal plates positioned flatwise in a common plane in side by side relationship with an insulating barrier therebetween, stationary switch contacts formed integrally with the respective terminal plates and having contact edge portions laterally alined with but spaced from each other, said base having a pair of laterally extending alined notches formed in said surface thereof and leading to said terminal plates to accommodate a divided circuit wire the bare ends of which are attached to said terminal plates, said base having a second pair of laterally extending alined notches which communicate with a zigzag groove formed therebetween, said groove being adapted to accommodate an insulated through wire bent l,

to conform thereto, a dat, punched plate of insulating material overlying said terminal plates and said groove to retain said through wire Within the latter, said through wire forming part of a two-wire cord whereby the former serves as a strain relief for the wire ends attached to said terminal plates, a punched and stamped sheet metal plate the main body portion of which is rigidly and permanently secured to said surface of the base, said metal plate having a resilient lug at one end of said main body portion thereof overlying said insulating plate to releasably retain the latter in assembled position, a second iat, punched plate of insulating material interposed between the main body portion of said metal plate and said base and engaged with said contacts to retain the latter in assembled position, and a contacter movable rectilinearly relatively to said base into and out of bridging engagement with the edge portions of said contacts.

15. In a device of the character described, in

` combination, a wall and a door having a con- Sil gli

movement of said door toward closed position relatively to said wall, the supporting means for said switch comprising a metal cover member having at least one resilient lug formed integrally therewith and extending therefrom at substan' tially a right angle thereto, said lug having a bend adjacent the free end thereof, and said wall having an opening formed in a part thereof to accommodate the bent end of said resilient lug and to provide a snap interlocking connection with the latter.

16. In a door operated switch adapted for concealed mounting, in combination, a single insulating base, a substantially iiat sheet metal cover member secured to and overlying said base, an actuating member having a portion interposed between said metal cover member and said base and slidable in a plane parallel thereto, said ac- 4coiled spring engaged under compression at one end with said insulating base and at the other end with said actuating member and said contactor to continuously bias the same jointly toward only one'extreme position thereof rela- 1 tively t0 said base.

GEORGE J. HEUER.