US3035134A - Electric switches - Google Patents

Description

y 1962 H. w. HULTS 3,035,134

ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed March 21, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. HAROLD W. Huus A-r'roRNeY May 15, 1962 H. w. HULTS ELECTRIC SWITCHES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 21, 1957 INVENTOR. HAROLD W. HULTS Fla.

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A'r'roRNeY May 15, 1962 H. w. HULTS ELECTRIC SWITCHES &w H 21 mm 2V Q2 m ATTORNEY May 15, 1962 H. w. HULTS ELECTRIC SWITCHES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 21, 1957' (u S HAROLD W/fi-Uwg ATTORNE.Y

May 15, 1962 H. w. HULTS ELECTRIC SWITCHES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 21, 1957 j 1 4 I T w G F O 2/0 8 O omq 0m INVENTOR. HARoLo W. Huurs BY A-r-roanev United States Patent 3,035,134 ELECTRIC SWITCHES Harold W. Hulls, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Cutler- Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation or Delaware Filed Mar. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 647,518 11 Claims. (Cl. 200-67) This invention relates to improvements in electric switches, and although not limited thereto the invention relates more particularly to improvements in relatively high capacity switches of the toggle lever operated type adapted for use on aircraft.

It is an object of this invention to provide a switch of this type which has positive contact action, maintains the contacts clean, and prevents welding of the contacts, thereby increasing the maximum switch rating without increase in size and permitting the use of less costly contact materials.

Another object is to provide a switch of this type wherein the operating lever positively and unyieldingly transmits force to the movable contactor to provide shear for breaking any weld.

Another object is to provide a snap action switch which will not hang up at dead center (zero contact pressure) and has a positive feel with a uniform actuating force required to move the contactor from any one position to another.

Another object is to provide a switch of this type which affords low contact bounce.

Another object is to provide a minimum number of switch parts, including like parts, which may be combined in selected groups to provide switches having a wide variety of operating characteristics.

Another object is to provide a switch of this type having automatically provided contact wear allowance.

Another object is to provide an improved sealing means for actuator openings in switch casings which is long lived, low cost and highly eiiective over Wide temperature and pressure ranges without substantial change in the operating force required to actuate the switch.

Another object is to provide a means for sealing the base and housing whereby a tight joint results despite dimensional variataions of the mating parts.

These objects are attained by mounting a contactor so that it moves positively and unyieldingly in one path into and out of abutting relationship with a stationary contact and in a second path while in such abutting relationship to slide the contactor on the stationary contact to insure clean contact make and break and prevent welding between such contactor and stationary contact or easily break a weld which may exist therebetween. The shear action accomplished by the movement in such second path further serves to wipe the contacts and thereby keep them free of foreign matter and products of oxidation.

The positive contact action is accomplished by a snap action with a positive feel. The contactor is operated by a reciprocally slidable notched actuator block. A spring-loaded plunger engages the sides of the notch to either restrain movement or accelerate movement of the block to give a snap action break and make to the contactor and a positive feel. To avoid the necessity for close tolerances it is preferable to interpose a lost motion connection between a manually operable toggle lever and the contactor. A firing spring is reactively positioned between such lever and contactor. It will be compressed by the restraining action of the spring-loaded plunger and will be effective to accelerate the block between the restraining action and accelerator action of the plunger. Because the thing spring is compressed before the plunger 3,035,134 Patented May 15, 1962 is forced from a notch it is impossible to hold the switch at the dead-center or zero contact pressure position.

The continuous accelerator action provided by the firing spring and spring-loaded plunger insures snap action at initial contact and for some time thereafter as the contactor slides on the stationary contact. This accelerated sliding action and the force of a compression spring mounted between the actuator block and the movable contactor minimizes contact bounce at the contacts.

A variety of switching arrangements are attained by various selected combinations of different size driving plate return springs installed in various positions, different types of driving plates, actuator blocks and movable contactors and various arrangements of stationary contacts to provide switches of different operating characteristics. The snap action force can be varied over a wide range by varying the strength of the firing springs and plunger springs without changing any of the other parts.

Automatic contact wear allowance is obtained by pro viding a fulcrum for the contactor remote from the end enagaging the stationary contact and urging the contactor toward the stationary contact under the bias of a coil compression spring acting on the contactor between such fulcrum and the end engaging the stationary contact.

The means for sealing the actuator opening in the switch housing includes a molded elastic sealing member of substantially cylindrical shape having a substantially U-shaped vertical cross section which permits actuation of the switch with minimum force.

The means for sealing the base and housing includes an elastic sealing member compressed between a ridge on one of the mating parts and the other mating part to allow flow of the sealing member along the sides of the ridge when the parts are assembled.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in, or be apparent from the specification and claims, as will obvious modifications of the several embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view of a single pole, double-throw switch in the Oii position conructed in accordance with my invention, the section being taken on line 11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the switch mechanism shown in FIG. 1 with the switch in an intermediate posi-' tion between O-n position (FIG. 3) and fully open or Oif position (FIG. 1);

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the switch mechanism shown in FIG. 1 with the switch in the fully closed or On position; f

FlG. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but of a two-pole embodiment of the switch;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 8'8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the modified actuator block shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the switch;

FIG. 16 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 1 616 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 1818 of FIG. 4; and 7 FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but with a modified actuator block with no driving plate or firing springs.

Referring first to the switch shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, the numeral 10 designates a supporting base molded from a suitable insulating material. Base 10 is of substantially rectangular contour provided with an upwardly opening substantially rectangular recess 12. Recess 12 is provided in its bottom wall with three aligned openings to accommodate the shanks of two outer contact rivets 14 and a middle common terminal rivet 16. The heads 18 of rivets 14 form the stationary contacts of the switch and are preferably formed of fine silver, or of a similar metal having good electrical conductivity and low contact resistance. The head 20 of common terminal rivet 16 has a recess 22 of spherical contour to accommodate the driver element of the switch as hereinafter more fully described. Head 20 is also formed of a material having good electrical conductivity and low contact resistance. Surrounding each of the openings in the bottom wall of the recess 12 is a countersink 24 to accommodate elastic sealing members 26, preferably of silicone rubber to hermetically seal the openings into recess 12.

The shanks of rivets 14 and 16 are upset over the flat portions of a corresponding number of terminal members 28 and 29, respectively, secured to the lower surface of base 10. Portions 30 of terminal members 28 and 29 extend downwardly at right angles to their respective flat portions and are tapped to receive the shanks of binding screws 32.

The switch mechanism comprises a rocking type bridging contactor 34 carried on a shoulder 36 of a driver element 38. The contactor and driver element are preferably formed of fine silver, or of a similar metal having good electrical conductivity and low contact resistance. Driver element 38 comprises a portion 40 of circular cross-section which tapers upwardly from shoulder 36 and terminates at spherical end portion 42 and a portion extending below the shoulder which terminates in a spherical end portion 44 resting in recess 22 in head 20 of common terminal rivet 16. The tapered portion 40 of the driver element extends through an opening 46 in contactor 34 which is held firmly on shoulder 36 under the bias of tapered spring 48.

Having thus described the structure of the switch mechanism I will now describe its operation which must be understood to appreciate some of the important aspects of my invention. Reference is made to FIG. 1 which shows the switch in the center or Ofl? position; FIG. 3 which shows the switch in a completely closed or On position; and FIG. 2 which shows the switch in an intermediate instantaneous position between closed and open positions.

In the On position (FIG. 3) a closed circuit from one outer terminal member 28 through a contact rivet 14, contactor 34, driver element 38, common terminal rivet '16 and center terminal 29 can be traced. This circuit is opened by pivoting driver element 38 to the right to move a flat end portion 50 of contactor 34 out of contact with head 18 of contact rivet 14. FIG. 2 shows the contactor as the flat end portion 50 at the lefthand end of contactor 34 is about to break contact with head 18 of lefthand contact rivet 14. Flat end portion 50 is angled upwardly from the central portion of the contactor so that upon contact break there is a maximum area of contact at the instant when arcing is most likely to occur. Movement of the driver element from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 2 will cause the righthand edge of tapered portion 40 to pivot the contactor on fulcrum 53 and slide the flat portion 50 of the contactor on contact 18. The taper of portion 40 insures against binding of the contactor on the driver element. This feature is of particular importance as the portion 50 slides into the On position. There is a slight pivotal movement of the contactor on the stationary contact which slightly increases the area of contact as the contactor moves from the position shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 2.

The positive shear force acting at the contact surface serves to very efiectively break the contacts if welded together and also to wipe the contacts and keep them free of dust and products of oxidation and thereby reduce contact resistance. This reduction in contact resistance makes it possible in some circumstances to use contacts made from non-rare metals such as copper, bronze, and the like, instead of contacts made from rare metals such as silver, platinum, and the like.

It is important to note that sliding action follows immediately after initial contact (as well as before contact break) when welding is most likely to occur to provide a shear force when the weld is still hot and can be broken most easily.

As the switch moves into the On position, as shown in FIG. 3, the contactor pivots on fulcrum 53 causing the lefthand portion of shoulder 36 to become separated from the contactor leaving a space 52 between the two parts to automatically compensate for contact wear. As wear occurs at the contacts the space 52 will be correspondingly reduced.

A stamped sheet metal housing member 54 of substantially inverted cup-shape, and of substantially rectangular contour to con-form to the shape of base 10 is secured to the base by means of integral tabs 56 (FIG. 15) extending from the lower edge of housing member 54 and bent to engage downwardly facing shoulders formed in the sides of base 10. An elastic sealing member 60, preferably of silicone rubber, is compressed between a ridge 62 extending around the perimeter of the base and the wall of the housing member to tightly and to hermetically seal the joint between the base and the housing member. Ridge 62 is formed between side walls 58 and 59 of the base to compress member 60 between the ridge, wall 58 and offset shoulder portion 61 in the wall of housing member 54. The space on either side of the ridge allows for deformation of member 60 to compensate for variations in the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the base and housing member to thereby insure a tight seal without requiring parts made to very close tolerances.

The mounting bushing and operating mechanism for the switch includes an externally threaded bushing 64 having an axial opening 66 therethrough, an operating lever 68 which is preferably formed of metal, a pivot member 70 for the operating lever 68 and a hermetic sealing member 72 hereinafter more fully described. The upper central portion 74 of the housing member 54 is off- Set vertically from the top and is provided with an opening 76. The lower end of bushing 64 has a reduced outside diameter and extends through opening 76. The relatively thin extreme lower end portion of bushing 64 is upset radially outwardly or riveted over the lower surface of portion 74 to effect a rigid and non-rotatable connection between the bushing 64 and the housing 54. The operating lever 68 consists of a somewhat enlarged, generally spherical portion 78 disposed withinaxial opening 66 of bushing 64; and an operating handle portion 80 formed integrally with and extending upwardly from spherical portion 78 and outwardly beyond the bushing; and an integral shank portion 82 which extends downwardly from spherical portion 78 through opening 76 and tapers to a generally spherical portion 84 at the end of the lever.

The headed pivot pin 70 penetrates openings in the walls of the bushing 64 and extends through the center of spherical portion 78 of lever 68 in a direction to provide for pivotal movement of the lever substantially in the plane of movement of driver element 38.

The operating mechanism for providing a snap action in the switch is disposed in housing member 54 between spherical portion 42 at the upper end of driver element 38 and spherical portion 84 at the lower end of lever 68 and includes a driving plate 86, actuator block 88, firing springs 90 and spring-loaded plungers 92.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9, actuator block 88, of insulating material, has a substantially rectangular shape with a lower portion 94 and an upper portion 96 of reduced width extending from the lower portion centrally thereof to form shoulders 98 along the top of lower portion 94 (FIG. 4). Lower portion 94 of the block has a groove 100 (FIG. 4) in the lower surface running the length of the block slightly off center from the longitudinal center line of the block. As most clearly shown in FIG. 1 the base or bottom surface of groove 100 slopes downwardly lengthwise toward the middle of the groove from both ends where at the middle is formed a circular plateau portion 102 with a recess 104 of sperica'l contour at its center to engage spherical portion 42 of driver element 38. A circular groove 106 around the base of plateau 102 provides a seat for the upper end of spring 48.

Positioned below the notched lower suiface 108 of actuator block 88 (FIGS. 7 and 8) are a pair of plungers 92 slidably mounted for reciprocal movement in upwardly opening substantially square-shaped recesses 112 in the base 10. Plungers 92 are molded from a suitable insulating material and have a substantially square crosssection tapered to form ridges 114 at their upper ends. Tongues 116 extend from opposite sides of the plungers for engagement with grooves 118 in the walls of recesses 112 to guide the plungers and prevent binding thereof in the recesses. The plungers are biased upwardly by coiled compression springs 120 mounted in circular recesses 122 in the bottom of recesses 112 to provide continuous engagement of the plungers with grooved surface 108 on the bottom of actuator block 88.

Actuator block 88 is slidably mounted for a straight line reciprocal movement perpendicular to the straight line reciprocal movement of the plungers and in the plane of movement of driver element 38 and operating :lever 68. There are six spaced parallel notches 124 of equal depth and size in surface 108 of the block alternately engaged by springdoaded plungers 92 as actuator block 88 is moved from one position to another. As the actuator block is moved from one position to another, plungers 92 are depressed by the sides of notches 124 compressing springs 120 until ridges 114 on the plungers contact the surface between adjacent notches and will, after slight further movement, snap into the adjacent notches causing contactor 34 to move with a snap action. The sliding movement of block 88 is transmitted to contactor 34 by the engagement of spherical portion 42 on the driver element 38 in recess 104 in the bottom of the actuator block 88.

FIG. 19 shows a modified actuator block with notches 125 spaced immediately adjacent each other without fiat surfaces between adjacent notches as is the case with actuator block 88. The use of block 89 provides a slower acting switch, thus affording a slower acting make and break function. This structure does not require the driving plate and firing springs whereby a more economical structure is attained.

This arrangement of an actuator block with notches of desirable depth adapted for engagement by spring-loaded plungers mounted for straight line reciprocal movement substantially perpendicular to the straight line reciprocal movement of the block provides a snap action with a positive feel and uniform actuation force. This type of snap action is of particular importance in switches used in aircraft applications where a switch must often be operated without actually observing the switch.

To provide a snap action unimpeded and unrestrainable by the operating lever it is preferable that actuator block 88 be actuated by operating lever 68 through a lost motion connection which includes means for preloading the actuator block as the lost motion is taken up to provide a source of potential energy to supplement the snap action force provided by the actuator block and spring-loaded plunger arrangement described above. This lost motion connection and preloading mechanism includes driving plate 86 slidably mounted on the top surface of upper portion 96 of actuator block 88 and biased against relative sliding movement with respect to the actuator block by firing springs 90. Firing springs are mounted in rectangularly shaped recesses 126 (FIG. 6) in upper portion 96 of the actuator block. At the center of upper portion 96 is a recess 128 (FIG. 12) with sub stantially spherical-shaped end walls. Connecting slots 130 extend between the recesses 126 and the ends of recess 128. Driving plate 86 is of rectangular-shape with a central opening 132 to allow the passage of spherical end 84 of lever 68 therethrough for accommodation in recess 128 in the actuator block. Lugs 134 project downwardly from the bottom surface of the driving plate at opposite edges of opening 132 into slots 130 in the actuator block and are disposed between one end of firing springs 90 and the spherical portion 84 at the end of lever 68. As lever 68 (FIG. 6) is pivoted the spherical end 84 will contact one or the other of lugs 134 on the driving plate 86 to slide the plate relative to the actuator block until contact is made between the end of the lever and the walls of central recess 128 in the actuator block 88, Whereafter further movement of the lever will move the block and driving plate as a unit. As this lost motion between the lever and block is taken up, one or the other of the firing springs 90 will be compressed by the restraining action of the horizontal force component produced by plunger springs 120. A source of potential energy is provided to accelerate actuator block 88 between such restraining action and the accelerator action of the spring-loaded plungers 92. Because firing springs 90 are compressed before the plungers 92 are forced from notches 124 it is impossible to hold the switch at the dead-center or zero contact pressure position. As shown in FIG. 2, plungers 92 have been depressed and block 88 is moving with the fiat surfaces between notches 124 in contact with ridges 114 of the plungers. The righthand firing spring 90 is still slightly compressed and has not yet completely expended its stored energy as indicated by the slight off-center position of driving plate 86 on actuator block 88. Firing springs 99 accelerate the block from the time plungers 92 are forced from notches 124 until the plungers engage adjacent notches at which time the plungers take over and continue the acceleration of the block to thereby insure a snap action at the instant of contact make and break. The driving plate 86 is bumped upward at four points 136 on its upper surface to reduce friction between the plate and the housing member 54 when the switch is actuated.

For momentary contact type of switch operation, lugs 138 (FIG. 6) which project downwardly from the lower surface of driving plate 86 and return springs 140 are provided. Springs 140 are positioned on shoulders 98 on actuator block 88 between lugs 138 and housing member 54. The four-spring arrangement shown in FIG. 6 provides a Momentary On-Ofi-Momentary On operation. Removing the return springs from either side of the driving plate provides an On-Off-Momentary On or a Momentary On-Ofi-On operation. Removal of all the return springs results in an On-Ofi-On operation. Further modifications can be made by eliminating one or the other of the stationary contact rivets 14.

As shown in FIGS. l0, 11, 13 and 14, if a two (without center Off) instead of a three position switch is re- .quired a slightly modified actuator block .142, driving plate 144, return springs 146 and contactor 148 are used without changing any of the other parts of the switch previously described. Actuator block 142 (FIGS. 13 and 14) has four notches 150 so spaced on the under surface thereof to position the switch as shown in FIG. and alternately with the righthand end of contactor 148 in contact with righthand contact rivet 14 with no intermediate center position. Contactor 148 (FIG. 10) is of slightly difierent configuration than contactor 34 to provide a two-position switch having no center Off position. A driving plate 144 (FIG. 11) is provided with downwardly projecting lugs 152 located at one end of the plate with elongated return springs 146 positioned on shoulder 98 of the actuator block between lugs 152 and housing member 54 to provide momentary contact operation in the two-position switch. An Off position can be provided by eliminating either one of the stationary contacts 14. The insulating base 10 is molded with only partial opem'ngs there-through which are punched completely through when a contact rivet 14 is installed, thus eliminating plugging of the hole when a contact rivet is not required.

A still further modification is provided by a driving plate 154 (FIG. 12) used with the three-position actuator block 88 and contactor 36 to give an On-Momentary Oil-None operation. Driving plate 154 has an elongated lug 156 (FIG. 12) projecting off-center from the underside of the plate with return springs 14% positioned on shoulder 98 of block 88 between lugs 156 and housing member 54. FIG. 12 shows the actuator block 88 in the On position from which it can be moved to a Momentary Ofi position at the center but can be moved no further because springs 140 are completely compressed before the third position is reached.

FIG. 5 shows a multi-pole embodiment of the switch wherein an insulating base 158 having two recesses 160 and centrally mounted plungers, a larger housing memher 162, a modified actuator block 164, and a modified driving plate 166 are utilized to operate two contact assemblies of identical structure and operation as that of the single-pole embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, 16, 17 and 18, the sealing member 72 is composed of an elastic rubber-like material preferably silicone rubber, which for best results is molded in place between bushing 64 and spherical portion 78 of lever 68 after the lever has been pivotally mounted on pin 70 in the bushing. It is substantially cylindrical and has an axial opening therethrough. As shown in FIG. 1, sealing member 72 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section with an outer leg portion 168 sealed to bushing 64 and an inner leg portion 170 sealed to lever 68 with a space 172 between the two legs. The end of outer leg portion 168 rests on a shoulder 174 formed by the area of increased inside diameter at the top of the bushing, and inner leg 170 is sealed to lever 68 at spherical portion 78. As shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the space 172 between the outer leg 168 and inner leg 170 does not extend entirely around the circumference of the inner leg but is filled up With portions 176 at the two points Where pin 70 passes through the bushing to seal the opening in the bushing through which the pin passes. As the switch is actuated, for example, from the position shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG. 3, the portion of relatively small cross-sectional area between legs 168 and 170 on one side of sealing member 72 is stretched slightly while on the other side of the member 72 the movement of the lever pushes the inner leg into space 172 closely adjacent leg 168. Only a very small force is expended in either stretching or compressing the sealing member during this movement resulting in lower forces required to actuate the switch.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing g from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

' I claim:

1. In an electric switch, an insulating base, a pair of stationary contacts mounted in spaced relation on said base, an elongated driver element, means pivoting one end of said driver element between said stationary contacts on said base, a shoulder intermediate the ends of said driver element, a movable contactor resting on said shoulder and having a hole through its midportion freely accommodating said driver element, the opposite ends of said contactor extending beyond said shoulder to overlie said stationary contacts, reciprocable operating means engaging the other end of said driver element for pivoting the latter to cause said contactor to engage and disengage selective ones of said stationary contacts, and a spring compressed between said operating means and said movable contactor to bias the latter against said shoulder whereby said contactor slides on a given stationary contact after engagement and before disengagement therebetween under the force of said spring when said driver element is pivoted and said shoulder effects positive disengagement of said contactor from said given stationary contact.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said reciprocable operating means comprises a notched actuator block slidably mounted for reciprocal movement and being efiective to retain said spring against said movable contactor, a spring-loaded plunger engaging a notch in said block and slidably mounted for reciprocal movement substantially normal to the movement of said block, an operating handle, means providing a lost motion connection between said block and said handle and means for preloading said block as the lost motion is taken up by movement of said handle to provide potential energy for snapping said block when said plunger is forced out of a notch.

3. An electric switch comprising, a switch casing including an insulating base, a stationary contact mounted on said base, a driver element pivotally mounted on said base, a movable contactor carried by and intermediate the ends of said driver element, and means for swinging said driver element with a snap action to move said contactor in and out of contact with said stationary contact so that said movable contactor will slide on said stationary contact before it moves out of contact with said stationary contact when the switch is opened and will slide on said stationary contact after contact is made when the switch is closed, said means including a notched actuator block slidably mounted for reciprocal movement in said casing and a spring-loaded plunger engaging said notches and slidably mounted for reciprocal movement substantially normal to the movement of the block, and said means being further characterized by an operating member, a lost motion connection between said actuator block and said operating member, and a means for preloading said actuator block as said lost motion is taken up to provide a source of potential energy available to snap said actuator block when said spring-loaded plunger is forced out of a notch.

4. An electric switch according to claim 3 in which said preloading lost motion connection includes a driving plate slidably mounted on said actuator block and a compression spring between said plate and said block to resist relative movement of the two parts in one direction.

5. An electric switch according to claim 4 in which the means for swinging said driver element further includes a return spring mounted between said driving plate and said casing to return said contactor to its original position after it hasbeen moved to another position.

6. An electric switch comprising a switch casing including an insulating base, a statiop ary contact mounted in said base, a driver element pivotally mounted at one end on said base and having a shoulder thereon, a movable contactor mounted on said shoulder whereby swinging of said driver element moves said contactor in and out of contact with said stationary contact so that said movable contactor will slide on said stationary contact before it moves out of contact with said stationary contact when the switch is opened and will slide on said stationary contact after contact is made when the switch is closed, an actuator block in engagement with the other end of said driver element and slidably mounted for reciprocal movement in said casing to swing said driver element, said block having a plurality of notches in one face thereof, a spring-loaded plunger slidably mounted for reciprocal movement in said casing substantially normal to the movement of said block and adapted to engage said notches and the slides thereof to restrain movement and accelerate movement of the block to provide a snap action make and break to the movable contactor as it moves in and out of contact with said stationary contact, and means for imparting reciprocal movement to said block including an operating member, a lost motion connection between said operating member and said actuator block, and a means for preloading said actuator block as the lost motion is taken up to provide a source of potential energy available to accelerate said block between the restraining action and accelerating action of said plunger and thereby prevent the block from hanging up on said plunger between adjacent notches.

7. An electric switch according to claim 6 in which said lost motion connection and preloading means includes a driving plate slidably mounted on said actuator block and a firing spring between said plate and said block to resist relative movement of the two parts in one direction.

8. An electric switch according to claim 7 in which said means for imparting reciprocal movement to said actuator block is further characterized by a return spring between said driving plate and said casing to return said block to its original position after it has been moved to another position.

9. An electric switch according to claim 6 in which said driver element extends through an opening in said movable contactor.

10. An electric switch according to claim 9 in which said driver element tapers from a larger to a smaller cross-sectional area from the shoulder to a point remote from the shoulder on the side of the shoulder on which the contactor is mounted.

11. An electric switch according to claim 6 in which said movable contactor is biased toward the shoulder on the driver element by spring pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,205,483 Krieger June 25, 1940 2,239,155 Levich Apr. 22, 1941 2,277,425 Wiest Mar. 24, 1942 2,356,836 Ebert Aug. 29, 1944 2,469,336 Kohl May 3, 1949 2,488,670 Koenig Nov. 22, 1949 2,603,732 Hinrnan July 15, 1952 2,641,663 Krieger June 9, 1953 2,647,180 Tregoning July 28, 1953 2,666,092 Balzer Jan. 12, 1954 2,759,075 Hults Aug. 14, 1956 2,790,881 Schueler Apr. 30, 1957 2,874,338 Pease Feb. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 380,057 Great Britain Sept. 5, 1932 413,976 Great Britain July 26, 1934 602,365 Great Britain May 25, 1948 730,971 France May 24, 1932

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