US2929891A - Snap acting switch - Google Patents

Description

March 22, 1960 H. J. TYLER SNAP ACTING SWITCH 7 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 13, 1958 Marsh 22, 1960 H. J. TYLER 2,929,891 SNAP ACTING SWITCH Filed Jan. 13, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 22, 19% H. J. TYLER SNAP ACTING SWITCH 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 13, 1958 March 22, 1966 H. J. TYLER sm ACTING SWITCH 7 sheets sheet 4 Filed Jan. 13, 1958 March 22, 1960 H, J, TYLER 2,929,891

SNAP ACTING SWITCH Filed Jan. 1:, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 arch 22, 196@ J TYLER 2,929,891

SNAP ACTING SWITCH Filed Jan. 13, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 March 22, 1960 H. J. TYLER SNAP ACTING SWITCH '7 Sheeis-Sheet 7 Filed Jan 13, 1958 United States Patent SNAP ACTING SWITCH Hugh J. Tyler, Jeannette, Pa., assignor to Robertshaw- Fulton Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Application January 13, 1958, Serial No. 708,497

15 Claims. (Cl. 200-67) This invention relates to a snap acting mechanism and more particularly to a miniature heavy-duty snap acting switch in which a force is applied to an actuatingmember in one direction to move a contact carrier in an opposite direction with a snap action.

An object of this invention is to move the free end of an actuated member in a snap acting mechanism in two directions.

This invention has another object in that the free end of an actuated member in a snap acting mechanism is movable in a direction opposite to an applied force and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the applied force.

This invention has a further object in that the applied force in a snap acting switch is utilized to maintain substantial contact pressure until the instant of snap over and to produce a contact wiping action.

It is another object of this invention to apply a wiping action force on the movable contact of a snap acting switch without interfering with the contact pressure force.

It is another object of this invention to produce a wiping action between the mating contacts in a snap acting switch by transverse movement of the movable contact arm.

An additional object of this invention is to construct a snap acting miniature switch that is simple, economical, compact, and capable of maintaining a minimum switch differential while being responsive to a small operating force.

In carrying out this invention, the actuating member and the actuated member of a snap acting mechanism have free ends with portions that are interconnected by resilient means so that movement of the actuating member by an applied force moves' the resilient means beyond an overcenter position causing the free end of the actuated member to move with a snap action in a direction opposite to the applied force. An operable connection between portions of the other ends of the actuating member and the actuated member causes the actuated member to move in response to the applied force and supply a wiping action to its free end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the snap action.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view of a snap acting switch embodying this invention showing the switch contacts in their normal position with a minimum operating force;

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 but showing the position of the parts with an increased applied force;

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 1 but showing the position of the snap acting mechanism as it moves through an overcenter position;

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 1 but showing the position of the contacts after the snap acting mechanism has been moved through its overcenter position;

ii 2 2,929,891 Patented Mar. 22, 1960 Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 2 but showing the contacts in their opposite mating position;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the snap acting elements shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section view of a modification of this invention;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section view of another modi fication of this invention;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section view of another modification of this invention;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section view of another modification of this invention;

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the snap acting elements shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section view of another modification of this invention;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section view of another modification of this invention;

Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the snap acting elements shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal section view of another modification of this invention;

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the snap acting elements shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section view of another modification of this invention; and

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the snap and comprises a top member 12 (Fig. 17) secured to as base member 14 by any suitable means (not shown). A"

pair of fixed contacts 16 and 18 are mounted in spaced parallel relation on the base member 14 and extend through a wall thereof to be electrically connected to conventional lead wires. Movable contact means 20 comprising a pair of contacts. are secured to opposite sides of a contact pressure lever arm 22 adjacent its free end which is disposed in the space between fixed contacts 16 and 18 for movement therebetween.

The contact carrying arm 22 is a generally rectangular strip made of good conducting material, such as copper or the like. As is illustrated in Fig. 6, arm 22 comprises a mounting portion 24, a vertical offset portion 26 extending downwardly therefrom and a rigid actuated portion 28 having a rectangular opening 30. A shoulder por tion shown as an apertured tab 32 extends into opening 30 from the end thereof which is adjacent the movablecontact 20. The mounting portion 24 is secured to baseposite the fixed contacts 16 and 18 and is adapted to be electrically connected to a conventional lead wire,

The inner end of mounting portion 24 overlies a small ledge 34 of tapering cross-section formed as an integral extension of base member 14 and defines an axis of rotation for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

As is illustrated in Fig. 6, an inflexible strip 36 in the form of a generally inverted U-shaped actuating lever comprises a pair of spaced parallel arm members 38 being joined at one end with a downwardly extending connecting portion 40 and having at their opposite ends a pair of downwardly extending leg members 42. The extremity of each leg member 42 is provided with a V-shaped bearing notch 44 that serves as a pivot point. It is to be understood that reference to a pivot point is to be' construed as including a pivot axis for the purposes of this invention. The length of the actuating lever 36 is smaller than the strip 22 so that the pivot point 44 is movable through the confines of the rectangular opening 30 relative to the strip 22,- however, the length is such that the pivot point'44 extends slightly rearward of apertured tab 32 away-from the movable-contact- 20. The connecting portion 40 is fastened to the vertical offset portion 26 of the strip 22 by any suitable means, such as rivets 46, to constitute a flexible hinge connection, indicated generally at 48, betweenthe adjacent ends of strip 22- and strip 36.

A rigid toggle link, indicated generally at 50in Fig. 6, comprises a pair of spaced parallel arm members 52 having a pair of knife edges 54 on one end andbei'ng joined at the opposite end by an arcuate portion 56 which has an ap ertured tab 58 on its inner periphery extending between and parallel to the arms 52. Toggle link stop means 60 formed on the outer periphery of arcuate portion 56 includes a pair of oppositely extending vertical members 61 and 62 having a pair of lugs 63 and 64 extending perpendicularly of their respective ends. The vertical members 61 and 62 are inclined slightly inwardly from the vertical to converge toward the plane otthe arms ndthe ab58. v f In order to make an operable connection betweenthe re ends. Q he. t ip 2. an re li nt me s nv the term of a tension coil spring 66jis incorporated with the toggle link 50. Qne endro'f; coil spring .6 6 is. hooked through the apertured' tab 32 on thestrip' 22an'dits opposite end is hooked through the apertured tab 58 on the toggle link 50. The size of the toggle link 50 is smaller than the size of the rectangular opening 30in which link 50 moves relative to the strip 22. The linkSii is disposed within the confines of the rectangular opening 30 with the knife edge 54 on one end engaging the V- shaped notches,44 on the strip 36 for pivotalmovement therein and with the stop lugs 63 and 64 on the other end engaging the respective lower and upper surfaces (Figs. Land-4) of that part of strip 22 which defines the corresponding end of rectangular opening 30.

flnthje operation of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, an op; atingforce, indicated by the varrow 68, is applied to the actuating lever 36. The arrow 68 is not to be construedas a vector representing magnitude and direction bn't, only as an indication of thedirection of the operating fprcje. A conventional push button and cross bar (not shown) engaging lever arms 38 may be utilizedfor this purpose as well as various other arrangements well known to those skilled in the art.- The spring force of the yieldable. spring .66 is exertedonthe free endof theactuated -St'rip22 whereby movable contact 20 is pulled down with a c'ontact force into mating engagement with the lower xed contact 18. The spring force isalso exerted on toggle ,link 50 tending to rotate the sameina counterclockwise, direction which=rotation is prevented by the shaping 63 engaging an edge of the actuated strip 22 andthus increasing the contact pressure force.

Fig 2 illustrates the position of the operating elements when the operating force has been increased. Such an increasecauses the pivot point 44 on lever 36 to move downwardly toits critical position where it lies in a plane-coincident with the plane defined by the apertured tab 32 and theend of coil spring. 66 hooked thereon. At this critical position, the spring force tending to rotate toggle link 50 is zero because the longitudinal axis of the coil spring 66 is in alignment between and disposed in a plane defined by the parallel toggle arms 52.

However, the end of coil spring 66 which is hooked on toggle-tab 58 is disposed in a plane beneath the planeof ,pivot point'44 so that the'movable contact 20 is still being pulled downward into engagement with fixed contact 18 and the contact pressure force remains substantially unchanged from the conditions existing in Fig. l. The distance traversed by pivot point 44 from Fig; 1 to Fig. 2-does not affect the contact force sincethe-tension of coil springv 66 is not varied. Because of the rigidity of toggle link 50 any force exerted thereon by lever-36' at the pivotal connection therebetween is transmitted to theastop means 60 where the horizontal cemponent ofapaassi r such force urges the vertical stop member 61 into en gagement with the edge defining the correspondingend of rectangular opening 30 in strip 22 and the vertical component further urges stop lug 63 into engagement with strip 22 to add to the contact pressure force.

A further slight increase in the operating force 68 causes toggle link 50 to rotate in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig.4 moving rapidly through the dead center position shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, which represents the position of the elements at the instant of snap over, the contact force between contacts 18 and 20 is zero because the longitudinal axis of coil spring 66, the toggle arms 52, the pivot point 44. and the apertured tabs 32 and 58 are disposed on the same horizontal plane. During movement of lever 36 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 3, a slight movement of strip 22 to the left is effected by the flexible hinge connection 48 so that movable contact 20 is provided with 'a wiping action relative to the-fixed contact-18. q Movement of'toggle link 50 through the position shown in Fig. 3 and the-simultaneous movement of the coil spring 66' through its over center position causes themovablecontact ZDIon'thefree end ofstrip 22 tomove with. a snap action ina direction opposite to the direcnon of the actuating-force exerted by lever 36. As isshown in Fig 4, the, toggle connected end of coil spring 66 is disposed above its actuated'strip connected end so that'the spring force exerted on the free end ofstrip 22 has a direction that is reversed relative to Fig. 1 and themovable contact 20 is held in engagement with the upper fixed contact 16.

The applied force 68, which is increased to effect the snap action of movable contact 20, also provides the movable contact 20 with a wiping action by causing the flexible hinge 48 to rotate clockwise about the axis of rotation 34. This wiping action produces a self-cleaning efiect on the contact surfaces and is also effective as a shearing action tobreak a weld'betweencontact surfacesthat may have been formed during a previous contact making action. In the. event a weld, occurs, the wiping action is prevented until the force tending to rotate the flexible hinge 48 about. thev axis of rotation 34' is sufitciently great toshear the welded'contact surfaces.

Ityis to be understoodthat the snap-acting elements inVFig 4, could,bfe detainedv in sucha position andv the. applied force 68 removed from the actuator lever 36 However, in describing this invention, the snap-acting elements are returned to their original position shown in. Fig. 1 in response-to the decrease of applied force 63 as would occur in athermostatic device. Accordingly, the operationof the snap-acting elements then proceeds in reverse to the above described operation for Figs. 1-4; thus, when the operating force .is initia'lly decreased, the pivot point 44' returns toits critical position as illustrated in Fig. 5, which is similar to Fig.2 except that the elements. are reversed. Furtherdecrease in the operating force 68 causes the coil spring 66 to move from its 7 over center position in Fig. 5 through its dead center position shown in Fig. 3 to. its original position shown in Fig. I with the movable contact 20 moving with a snap action fromthe upper fixed contact 16 to the lower fixed contact 18. v

Inthe following description of the various modifications of this invention, the same reference numerals will be used to designate identical parts and reference numerals with the addition of will be used to designate similar parts of the differentmodifications. Thus, in Fig. 7, the movable portion of a contact carrying arm 122 is provided with a rectangular opening that is longer than the opening 30 in the' previous modification. An inflexible actuating lever 136 has a pair of downwardly extending leg members 142, the extremities of which are connected by a perpendicularly disposed cross tab 143; A' toggle link diifersfrom the pre} viously described link 5 0by having a larger length for open .v -sha ped notch 155 on the free end of each of its pair 'of parallel arm members 152 (only one being shown). A tension coil spring 166 cooperates with toggle link 150 to form an operable connection between the actuated and actuating members 122 and 136. One end of co'il spring 166 is hooked on the tab 143 of the inflexible lever 136 and its opposite end is hooked through the apertured tab 58 on the toggle link 150. The V-' shaped notch 155 on the free end of each arm 152 serves as a pivot point for the toggle link 150 and engages the strip 122 at that portion defining the forward edge of the rectangular opening 130.

The modification in Fig. 7 operates in substantially the same manner as described above for Fig. 1. It is to be'noted, however, that the lever connected end of the yieldable spring 166 is movable downward in response to-the applied force 68 on-the actuating lever 136. Thus,

the pivot point 155 on the toggle link 150 does not move until snapaction occurs. Furthermore, the stop lugs 63 and 64 are located a greater distance from the free end of the flexible strip 122-s'o-that the pressure exerted against the strip 122 by the stop lugs 63 and 64 does not reduce the contact force between movable contact 20 and its mated one of the fixed contacts 16 and 18.

Another modification shown in Fig. 8 includes a fiat inflexible actuator 236 having one end pivotally mounted at 235 and a pair of downwardly extending legs 242 (only one being shown) on the other end, the extremities of which are provided with V-shaped bearing notches 244 which serve as a pivot point. A return spring 237 is mounted in compression between an internal wall of casing 10 and the undersurface of actuator 236. The contact carrying arm 222 is similar to the arm 22 in Fig. 1 except that the offsetting portion 226 extends vertically upwardly from the mounting portion 24 which islocated in a plane below the plane of the fixed contact '18. A flexible hinged connection 48 is formed by a ibell crank lever 270 which is pivoted at 272 and has one arm 274 engaging the undersurface of actuating ilever 236 and another arm 276 engaging the vertical portion 226 of arm 222. As is illustrated in Figs. 1-3, -.the flexible hinged connection 48 causes the wiping action 'of movable contact 20 to be toward the left, whereas "the flexible hinged connection 48 in Fig. 8 causes the wiring action to be toward the right.

' Operation of the modification illustrated in Fig. 8 is reflected by a force 68 applied to actuating lever 236 tcausing the same to rotate clockwise about pivot 235 so rthat the pivot point 244 is movable in the same manner :as previously described in connection with Fig. 1. Moveintent of lever 236 also causes bell crank lever 270 to rottate counterclockwise so that the flexible hinged connection 248 rotates clockwise about the axis of rotation 34. The results obtained'by the snap acting switch in Fig. 1 are also obtained by the snap acting switch in Fig. 8 which utilizes separate elements that are readily connected into a thermostatic element lever system. Furthermore, this modification is readily adaptable for use with separate elements so that the wiping action force could be applied directly to contacts 16 and 18 forsliding the same relative to contact 20.

Another modification is shown in Fig. 9 wherein an inflexible actuating lever 336 is a generally U-shaped solid strip having a connecting portion 40 on one end and a leg member 342 on the other end. A tab 343 is bent substantially perpendicularly from the free end of the leg 342. A contact carrying arm 322 is provided with a rectangular opening 330 which is smaller than the previously described opening 30 in Fig. 1. An operable connection between the free ends of the strips 322 and 336 includes a generally U-shaped rolling spring 366 having V-shaped bearing notches 365 and 367 on respectiveends of its leg portions; the notch 365 receives the tab 343 on the strip 336 to serve as a pivot point therefor and the notch 367 engages that portion of'strip' 322 which defines the forward edge of the rectangular opening 330. With spring 366 mounted in compression, the movable contact 20 is moved with a snap action when the applied force 68 causes the pivot point 365 to move downwardly below the plane of the notch 367. A wiping action of the contact 20 is effected by the strip 322 as previously described by means of the flexible hinged connection 48 which may also be utilized to function as a return spring when the applied force 68 is removed.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate another modification of this invention wherein the toggle link and resilient means move between the actuating and actuated strips, which permits manufacture of a very narrow switch mechanism for a miniature housing. A contact carrying conductor strip 422 (Fig. 11) has a free end carrying the movable contact means 20 and a mounting portion 24 extending perpendicularly from a vertical offsetting portion 26, as previously described in connection with Fig. 1. In addidition, solid strip 422 comprises a central horizontal portion 428 with legs 427 and 429 extending vertically upwardly from opposite ends; vertical leg 427 terminates in an outwardly extending horizontal portion 431 which is joined to the vertical offsetting portion 26 and vertical. leg 429 terminates in an oppositely outwardly extending horizontal portion which forms the free end of strip 422 1 tending leg members 442 at its opposite end. The extremities of legs 442 are provided with V-shaped bearing notches 444 that serve as a pivot point.

A toggle link 450 is similar to link 50 in Fig. 1 except that stop means 460 comprises relatively short vertical members 461 and 462 havingedges 463 and 464, respectively, to serve as stop lugs. The arm members 52 are joined at one end to a straight portion 456 having a straight edge from which the vertical members 461 and 462 extend in opposite directions to form a T-shape. counterclockwise rotation of toggle link 450 about its pivot point 44 in the position shown in Fig. 10

is prevented by stop edge 464 engaging the actuated strip 422; clockwise rotation of toggle link 450 in a position reversed to Fig. 10 is prevented by stop edge 463 engaging the actuating strip 436.

During the operation of the device shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the pivot point 444 is moved downward in responseto the applied force 68 to the critical point where pivot point 444 is aligned with apertured tab 432. A further slight increase in the applied force 68 actuates the toggle link 450 in a clockwise direction about the pivot point 444 causing the coil spring 466 to move rapidly through a dead center position to an over center position in which the stop edge 463 engages the undersurface of actuating lever 436. Because of the flexible hinge 48, the applied force 68 which causes the movable contact 20 to be moved in a vertical direction with a snap action, also causes the movable contact 20 to be moved in a horizontal direction with a wiping action. The vertical force is the vertical component of the force exerted by spring 466 and the horizontal force is the horizontal component of the force exerted by the flexible hinged connection 48 as described pre iously.

Another modification illustrated in Fig. 12 comprises a narrow switch mechanism and reverses the positions of a toggle link 550 and coil spring 566 from that described in Fig. 10, whereby the lever-connected end of coilispring 566 is movable relative to the pivot point I folthe toggle link 550. A contact carrying strip 522 verted U-shaped solid strip has the extremity of its' leg member .542 bent outwardly into a tab-543. The toggle link 55% is constructed in the same shape as link 450 in Fig. 11. Yieldable means in the form of a tension coil spring 566 has one end hooked around tab 543 on the actuating strip 536 and an opposite end hooked through the apertured tab 58 on the toggle link 550.

The operation of the switch shown in 12 is similar to that previously described in connection with Fig. 7

except that the stop means .560 alternately engages the.

actuated and actuating strips 522 and 536 as determined by the alternate engagement of movable contact 26 with fixed contacts 16 and 18, respectively.

:Another modification of this invention is illustrated in Figs. '13 and 1'4 wherein the actuated strip is disposed within the confines of the actuating strip. The actuated contact pressure lever arm 622 has a free end carrying I the movable contactmeans 20 and a mountingportion 24 extending perpendicularly from a verticalofisetting portion 26, as previously described in connection with Fig. l. The actuated strip622 includes a rigid actuatedportion 628 provided with a rectangular opening 630 that is longer than the opening 39 in Fig. 1. An inflexible actuating lever 636 comprises a connecting portion 40 and a pair of. spaced parallel arm members 638 extending from theside edges thereof. As is illustrated in Fig. 14, the parallel arm members 638 are disposed in an edgewise manner, the upper edges of which are provided with acut-outportion' 639 along their upper edges; ,The free ends of arms 638 have upwardly extending leg members 642, each of Which'is provided with a V-shaped bearing notch 644 that serves as a pivot point. The upper edges of spaced arms 638 are'notched at 641 to receive a bridge member 663 which applies an operatingforce to the actuating lever 636.

A toggle link 650 comprises a pair of spaced parallel arms 652sloping downwardly from the forward edge of a straight portion 656 and terminating in knife edges 654. Toggle link stop means 669 has a vertical member 661 sloping downwardly from the rearward edge of the straight portion 656 and being disposed for movement within the slot 639. The ends of member 661 are provided with upper and lower cross pieces which serve plate has adownwardly .slopingsection 702 so that the. two horizontal portions 701 and 703 are .otr'setffromcneh j other. The rigid actuated strip 728 is secured 0.110.15 zontal portion '703 byany suitable means such as rivets, The vertical offsetting portion 726 is disposed along the:

side of strip 728 and is secured to an adjacent arm 73B of the actuating lever 736 by any suitable means :suh

as rivets. The connecting end 740 of the lever 738 is horizontally disposed'parallel to the mounting end 724 and is secured thereto by any suitable means such as rivets. In this modification, rigid portion 728, the battle up plate, offsetting portion 726, the lever connecting end 740, and the mounting portion 724 are all made of good conducting material, such as copper or the like.

As is illustrated in Fig. 16, a toggle link 750 is similar to :link 650 in Fig. 14 and its vertical member 761 of the stop means is bent inter-mediate its ends-so that the upperstop-lug 763 and-lower stop lug 764 are in .convergent relation.

The position of the operating elements in Fig. 1-5 :are shown to correspond to the position illustrated inFig. 1; the operation of the modification illustrated in iFigsilS. and 16 is similar to that of the modification inQFig. 13 and the-flexible hinge connection 48in bothsuch mo'di fications operate in a manner similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1.

Another modification is illustrated in Figs. 17 -and.;1 8 wherein the toggle link and resilient means move between narrow actuating =and actuated strips, which pen mits manufacture of a very-narrow and flat switchsmehanism for a miniaturehousing. A contactcarrying-con.- ductorstrip 822 has a free'end carrying the movablecontact means 20 and a mounting portion 24 extending 828 with legs 827 and 829 sloping upwardly from oppo-,; site ends thereof; leg 827 .is joined to the ofisetting portion26 and leg829 is joined'to the horizontal portion as stop lugs; only lower lug 664 is shown in Fig. 14

and the upper stop lug 663 is similar to stop lug 763 in Fig. 16.

*Agenerally L-shape'd back-up plate has a vertical portion 602 afiixed to the rear of vertical oifsetting portion 26 and a horizontal portion 603 with a facet 66 A return spring 637 encircles horizontal portion 603 and is mounted in compression between the facet 604 and a circular wall portion of base '14.

Operation of the modification illustrated in Fig. 13 is similar to that previously described in connection with Fig. 1, and the positions of the operating elements are shown to-correspond to the position illustrated in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 13, the upper stop lug engages the edges of strip plate by "means -:ot horizontal: plate 701. The backupwhich forms the free end of-strip 822-containing the movable contact means 20. An apertured tab '832-is formedas apart of leg 829 and lies'in a plane-coincidentiwith the free-end of strip 822. The legs 827 and 829 cooperate with the central horizontal portion 828 to form a longitudinal recess in the actuatedjstrip 822. The solid horizontal portion 828, as well as'lits corresponding part'in all previous -modifications,.'2is

formed of any suitable 'material to prevent buckling.

thereof and in Fig. 18, side-flanges 833 are integrally formed on each side of centraliportion 828and theitwo legs 827 and 829 in order to enhance the rigidity thereof.

An actuating lever 836' has a pair-of spaced parallel arms 838 joined at one end witha downwardly :ex-

tendingconnecting portion 40 and bent at an opposite. end. to form downwardly extending leg 'members 842.

The extremity of each leg member 842 is provided'with a V-shaped bearingznotch that serves as a pivot point 844. The actuating lever 836 'is also provided in a phajection841 which is engaged by a plunger 868-fortapplyingan operating forcethereto.

A toggle link 850 is similar to link 4'50 shown-air! Fig. 11 but has been simplified by positioning an aperture 858 in the straight portion 856 and utilizing the 'u-pper andlower edges thereof as upper and lower stoplugs 863 and 864, respectively. Thus, counterclockwise rotationof toggle link 850 about its pivot point 844 in -the position shown in Fig. 17 is prevented by stop edge 863' engaging the central horizontal portion 828ofstr ip 822; clockwise rotation oftoggle link 850 ina po'sitidn reversed toil-" ig. 10- is prevented by stop edge 864--engaging the actuating lever 836.

The-flexible hinge connection.48=is,providdwithlm Lashaped backpp plate having .a 'verticahportion 802 affixed to the rear of offsettingportion 26 ands-horizontal Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the ar rangement and combination of parts and in the details of'the constructions herein disclosed, it is intended that the foregoing descriptions and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

' 1. In a snap acting mechanism, the combination comprising a strip having first and second oppositely disposed ends, means including resilient means and forming an operable connection with said strip adjacent the first end thereof, actuating means operatively connected to said first mentioned means whereby said resilient means is movable in one direction past a dead center position causing movement of the first end of said strip with a snap action, and the second end of said strip having a portion operably fastened to said actuating means to form a flexible connection therebetween whereby the first end of said strip is caused to move substantially perpendicular to the snap action movement.

' 2. In a snap acting mechanism, the combination comprising an actuated element having a mounting end and a movable end, an actuating element having opposite ends respectively disposed adjacent the ends of said actuated element, movable means including resilient means and having one part operatively connected to one of the ends of said actuating element for movement thereby and having another part operatively connected to said actuated element adjacent the movable end thereof whereby movement of said first mentioned means by said actuating element causes said resilient means to pass a dead center position to move the movable end of said actuated element in one direction with a snap action, and the mounting end of said actuated element having a connecting portion operably fastened to the other end of said actuating element whereby movement of the same causes the movable end of said actuated element to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of such snap action.

3. A snap acting mechanism comprising, an actuated arm having a mounting end provided with a flexible connecting portion adjacent the mounting end and having a free end provided with a shoulder portion adjacent the free end, an actuating lever having a connecting end disposed adjacent the said oifset portion and a free end provided with a pivot means, means including spring means and having one part operatively connected to the said shoulder portion and an opposite part operatively connected to the said pivot means, said lever being movable when force is applied thereto to move the said pivot means beyond a critical position where the pivot means is in alignment with the said shoulder portion so that said spring means causes the free end of said arm to move with a snap action in a direction opposite to the force applied-to said lever, and the connecting end of said lever being fastened to the flexible connecting portion of said arm so that when force is applied to said lever the free end of said arm is also moved in another direction.

4. A snap acting mechanism comprising, an actuated arm having a fixed end with an ofisetting portion and a free end with a shoulder portion, an actuating lever having a connecting portion on onerend and pivot means on an opposite end, a toggle member having connecting means on one end and pivot means on an opposite end engaging the pivot means on said lever, spring means mounted in tension between the connecting means on said toggle member and the shoulder portion on said arm, said lever being movable by an applied force to move both pivot means beyond a critical position where theconnecting means and pivot means on said toggle memher are in alignment with the shoulder portion on saidarm so that said spring means causes the free end of said arm to move with a snap action in a direction opposite to the force applied to said lever and cause the said one end of said toggle member to swing simultaneously with the free end of said arm, and the ofisetting portion of said arm being operably fastened to the connecting portion on said lever whereby movement of the same causes move-' ment of the free end of said arm in a direction substan' tially perpendicular to the snap action thereof.

5. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein saidtoggle member is provided with stop means on the said one end thereof to limit the swing of said toggle member.

6. In a snap acting mechanism, the combination com-' prising; an actuating arm having a downwardly extendingf connecting portion on one end and a downwardly extend-- ing leg means on the other end, pivot means disposed on. the extremity of the leg means; an actuated member hail ing a mounting portion on one end, a'mo'vable portion force is exerted on the free end thereof; said arm being movable by an applied force to move both pivot means beyond a critical position for swinging said toggle link and causing the spring force exerted on the free end of said actuated member to reverse its direction with a snap action; and, the connecting portion of said arm being operably secured to the vertical offsetting portion of said actuated member forming a flexible hinge whereby the" same force applied to said arm causes the free end of said actuated member to move in another direction.

7. In a snap acting mechanism, the combination com prising; an actuating member having a pair of spaced parallel arms, a connecting portion extending downwardly, from one end of said arms, and a leg member extending downwardly from each of the other ends of said arms, a cross tab joining the extremities of each leg member; an actuated member having a mounting portion, a movable portion and a vertical offsetting portion therebetween, a shoulder portion on said movable portion disposed inwardly from the free end thereof; a toggle link having an apertured tab adjacent one end and V-shaped bearing means on an opposite end in engagement with the shoulder portion on said actuated f member and cooperating therewith to form pivot means; a coil spring mounted in tension between the apertured tab on said toggle link and the cross tab on said actuating member whereby a spring force tends to rotate said toggle link about said pivot means; stop means on said toggle link engaging said actuated member to prevent the rotation of said toggle link whereby the spring force is exerted on the free end of said actuated member; said actuating member being movable by an applied force to move the cross tab beyond a critical position where it is in 'align-. ment with said pivot means causing said toggle link to.- swing about said pivot means whereby the spring force exerted on the free end of said actuated member reverses its direction with a snap action; and the connecting POP. tion of said actuating member being operably secured to the vertical ofisetting portion of said actuating member causing the free end of said actuated member to move in another direction in response to the applied force on said actuating member.

8. In a snap acting switch, the combination comprising an actuating lever being pivotally mounted at one end and having a leg member extending downwardly from II an 6pposite end, pivot means disposed on the extremity of 's'a'id legmember, an actuated member having'a mounting portion, an ofisetting portion extending fromthe mounting portion and a movable portion extending from the offsetting portion to a movable end, an operable connection including a toggle link and a coil spring connected thereto mounted between said lever and said actuated member with the toggle link engaging said pivot means 'on'said'lever andthe coil spring connected to the movable portion of said-actuated member whereby a spring force is exerted on the movable end of said actuated member, said lever being movable by an applied force causing said operable connection to move the free end of said actuated member with a snap action,-and a bell crank lever p'ivotally mounted with one arm being.

movable by said actuating lever and another arm operable to bias the offsetting portion on said actuated member whereby the applied force on said actuating lever pivotssaid-bell crank lever to move the free end of said actuated-member with a wiping action.

9.-ln a snap acting mechanism, the combination comprising an actuating member and an actuated member dispbsed insuperimposedrelation, each of said members having connecting portions on opposite ends, a U-shaped rolling spring mounted in compression between the conn'etingportions on adjacent ends of said members whereby a force appliedto-said actuating member moves said spring through a dead center position subjecting said actuated member to a snap acting'force, the other connecting portion of said actuated member comprising a flxibleportion, and the other connecting portion of said actuating member being secured to said flexible portion whereby the same force applied to said actuating member subjects said actuated member to a wiping force.

-1 0. In a snap acting mechanism, the cornbinationcomprising an actuating member having a connecting portion on one end and pivot means on an opposed end, a recs'sd actuated member having a movable end and a nid'unting portion on an opposite end, a vertical ofisetting portion extending downwardlyfrom said mounting por tion, a substantially U-shaped portion extending between themovable end and the offsetting portion, an apertured tab extending inwardly from the movable end, a toggle link having an apertured tab adjacent one end and pivot means on an opposed end engaging the pivot means on said actuating member, a coil spring mounted in tension with"o'pposed ends secured respectively in the apertured tabs on said toggle link and said actuated member whereby a sprin force tends to swing said toggle link about its pivotm'ea'ns, stop means on said toggle link engageable with th'e U-s'h'aped portion of said actuated member to reven swingin of said'toggle link'whereby the spring fo'r'e 'istransmitted to the movable end of said actuated "r, said actuating member being movable by an "for'ce'to move both pivot meansbeyo'nd an aligned p ion with "the apertured tab on said actuated member causing said 'toggle link to swing about its pivot means td'apositi'on'where said stop means engagessaid actuating member whereby the spring force transmitted to "the'rnovable end of said actuated member reverses its direction with a snap action, and the connecting portion of said actuatingmemberbeing operably secured to the ofisettin'g pbr'tion of said actuated member forming'a flexible hin'g'e' whereby the movable end of said actuated'member moves a -wiping "action in response to the force applied to actuating member.

sa i

1ft. In a snap acting mechanism, the c'ombinationcomprising-an actuating member having a connecting portion on one "end and a connecting tab on an opposite end, a'reeessed-actuated member having 'a movable end and a mounting 'portion 'on anopposite end, a vertical'otfsettin'g portion extending downwardly from said mountingportion, a substantially U-shaped portion extending between the mov'ableend and the offsetting portion, pivot means extending inwardly from the movable end of said actuated member, a toggle link having an apertured tab adjacent one end and pivot means on an opposed end engaging the pivot means on said actuated member, a coil spring mounted in .tensi'on'with opposed ends secured respectively to the apertured tab on said toggle link and the connecting tab on said actuating member whereby a spring force tends to swing said toggle link about its pivot mean's, stop means on said toggle link engageable with said actuating member to prevent swinging of said toggle link whereby the spring force is transmittedto'the movable end of said actuated member, said actuating member being movable by an applied force to move its connected tab beyond an aligned position with both pivot means causing said toggle link to swing about its pivot means to a position where said stop means engages the U'shaped portion of said actuated member whereby the spring force transmitted to the movable end of said actuated member reversesits-direction with a snap action, and the connecting portion ofsaid actuating member being operably secured to the'ofisetting portion of said actuated member forming a flexible hinge whereby the movable end of said actuated member moveswith a wiping action in response to the force applied to said actuating member.

12. In a snap acting mechanism, the combination comprising an actuating lever and an actuated arm in superimposedrelation, means including resilientmeans operatively connected between one pair of adjacent ends .of

said lever and said arm whereby movement of said lever causes. said resilient means to pass a dead center position for moving said arm with a snap action in one direction, and means connecting the other pair'of adjacent ends of said leverand said arm including a back-up plate having a pairof horizontal portions offset from each other, a vertical portion extending from one of the horizontal portions and being secured to the other end of said lever,

the other end of said arm being secured to the other of the horizontal portions, and flexible mounting means for the said other end of said lever whereby the movement of said lever causes said connecting means to transmit a force for moving said arm in another direction.

13. The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the mounting end of said actuated elementincludes a backup plate having a horizontal portion, and a return spring exerting a biasing force on said back-up plate and said actuated element.

14. The combination as recited in claim 13 wherein said actuating element is provided with a notched upper,

edge and a bridge member engages said notched upper edge to apply an operating force to said actuating element.

15. The combination as recited in claim 13 wherein said actuating element is provided with a projection on its upper edge and a plunger member engages said projection to apply-an operating force to said actuating element.

References Cited in the file of this patent I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,796,854 Mayer Oct. 16, 1934 2,418,068 Cornelius Mar. 25, 1947 2,508,040 Ransome May 16, 1950 2,537,682 Ljungfeldt Ian. 9, 1951 2,589,563 Miller Mar. 18, 1952- 2,651,690 Ra'ney Sept. 8, 1953 2,70t);079 Haydon Jan. 18, 1955 V FOREIGN PATENTS 985,620 France Mar. 14, 1952

Images