US2790865A

US2790865A - Snap-action switches

Info

Publication number: US2790865A
Application number: US485694A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Walter L Cherry
Original assignee: Cherry Electrical Products Corp
Current assignee: Cherry Corp
Priority date: 1955-02-02
Filing date: 1955-02-02
Publication date: 1957-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 1974-04-30

Description

April 30, 1957 w. L. CHERRY, JR

SNAP-ACTION SWITCHES Filed F eb. 2, 1955 W& 07 I MW, W E f w W M W mmw United States Patent 2,790,865 SNAP-ACTION SWITCHES Walter L. Cherry, Jr., Highland Park, Ill., assignor to Cherry Electrical Products Corporation, Highland Park,

Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 2, 1955, Serial No. 485,694

3 Claims. (Cl. 200-67) This invention relates to simplified and novel improvements in snap-action switches.

A principal object of the invention is to provide in a snap-action switch, a switch blade and an actuator therefor requiring for their effective operation a relatively low operating force to effectuate snap action of the switch blade.

Another and equally important object of my invention is to provide in a snap-action switch an arrangement by which a maximum contact pressure is obtained, notwithstanding the application of a relatively light operating force to effect the snap action of the switch.

A further and equally important object of the invention is the provision in a snap-action switch of an actuator capable of overriding the snap action of the switch, thereby to assure an efli'ective and positive contact between the contact heads of the switch.

A still further and equally important object of the invention is to provide in a snap-action switch an actuator and a switch blade related to each other in a manner such that upon the slightest movement of the actuator under a minimum operating force the switch blade will be actuated with a snap action.

Other objects will appear hereinafter The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a typical side view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the invention taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an actuator embodied in the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a switch blade embodied in the invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting post embodied in the invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

The several objects of my invention are accomplished by the preferred form of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings there is illustrated a mounting plate 10. This mounting plate 10 may be formed of suitable non-conductive material.

My improved snap-action switch includes an actuator 11 formed of spring material so as to have a predetermined amount of flexibility. One end portion of the actuator has a right angular leg 11 terminating into a mounting flange 12 by means of which the actuator is connected to the plate as at 13 by any suitable means and supported with its medial portion 14 in a plane parallel with and spaced from the opposite plane of the plate 10. The free end portion 16 of this actuator is reversely bent to provide an inwardly extending extension 17 spaced below the medial portion 14 and bifurcated to provide opposite fingers 19 which embrace a post 20, within spaced notches 28 formed in the post. These fingers serve to guide the movement of the actuator 11. The post 20 is secured as at 21 in any suitable manner to the plate 10.

The switch blade is indicated at 22. This switch blade is formed of resilient material and preferably has its intermediate portion 23 offset with respect to the opposite end portions of the switch blade 22 to dispose the contact head 24 thereof at a predetermined point above a confronting contact head 25 carried by the plate 10.

One end of the switch blade 22 provides spaced arms 26 terminating into fingers 27 which project into the notches 28. The post 20 provides substantially V-shaped seats 28' into which the ends 26' of the arm 26 are seated to provide a pivotal connection between the switch blade 22 and the post 20.

The free end of the switch blade provides an angular extension 29 which engages the medial portion 14 to limit pivotal movement of the switch blade 22 in the direction toward the actuator 11.

A tension member in the form of an elongated spring 30 is disposed between the medial portion 14 of the actuator 11 and the switch blade 22 and has one end portion connected as at 31 to the free end of the switch blade 22 and an opposite end portion connected as at 32 to the free end of the actuator 11.

The post 20 provides a terminal 33 to which the terminal of a conductor (not shown) may be attached. The contact head 25 is part of a terminal 34 to which the end of a conductor (not shown) may be attached.

The medial portion 14 of the actuator 11 at one end portion adjacent its free end portion provides a cam surface 35 which is adapted to be engaged by an actuator cam (not shown) or an actuating button or other actuating member, through the medium of which force is applied to the actuator 11. When operating pressure is applied to the free end of the actuator, it will be caused to flex downwardly, placing spring 30 under tension. As the point of connection between the spring 30 and the free end of the actuator 11 passes below the point of connection between the switch blade 22 and the post 20, the resulting pull on the blade 22 by the tensioned spring will cause the blade to pivot with a snap action, bringing the contact head 24 thereof into contact with the contact head 25. Continued operating pressure on the free end of the actuator 11 will result in increasing the bearing engagement between the contact heads 24 and 25. As will be apparent from viewing Fig. 2 of the drawings, the point of connection between the spring 30 and the fere end of the actuator 11 is substantially coincidental with the point of pivotal connection between the switch blade 22 and the post 20.

By this arrangement, the slightest pressure applied on the actuator 11 will substantially instantly effect move ment of the switch blade 22.

When operating pressure is removed from the actuator 11, under itsown resiliency it will return to its initial starting position, moving the parts associated therewith to their original starting position, as shown in Fig. 2.

My simplified and improved snap-action switch may be used in many different environments and for many diferent purposes. It is intended that the switch be enclosed in a suitaable enclosure, whenever such enclosure is found necessary and desirable.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that I have provided a simplified and improved snap-action switch capable of accomplishing with the highest degree of efliciency the several objects of the invention. My

improved snap-action switch comprises relatively few parts, resulting in economical manufacture.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A snap-action switch comprising a non-conductive mounting plate, an elongated resilient actuator having at one end portion a laterally extending leg. secured to the mounting plate for spacing the medial portion of the actuator from the plate in a plane substantially parallel therewith, said medial portion having. its end portion opposite said leg reversely bent to provide a free end portion extending intermediate the medial portion of the actuator and the plate, a post carried by the plate in spaced relation to said leg, an elongated switch blade extending laterally from the post in a plane between the medial portion of the actuator and the plate with a free end portion thereof in spaced relation to the leg and including intermediate its ends a contact head, said post and said switch blade opposite its free end portion having cooperative means for pivotally supporting the switch blade laterally from the post, an elongated tension member arranged in a plane between the switch blade and the .4 medial portion of the actuator and having one end portion connected to the free end portion of the Switchblade and an opposite end portion connected to the free end of the reversely bent portion of the actuator, the latter connection being at a point substantially coincident with the point of pivotal support between the switch blade and the post, and a contact head carried by the plate in alignment with the contact head of the switch blade for engagement with the latter contact head.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 characterized by the provision of means on the free end portion of the actuator and cooperating with the post to guide the move ment of the actuator relative to the post.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 in which the post has means cooperating with the guiding means of said actuator for limiting pivotal movement of the actuator in a direction from the plate.

References Cited in the file of'this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,274,312 Werner Feb. 24, 1942 2,306,794 Mustee Dec. 29, 1942 2,487,374 Riche et al. Nov. 8, 1949 2,508,040 Ransome May 16, 1950 2,728,826 Lauder Dec. 27, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 206,944 Great Britain Nov. 22, 1923