US3488460A

US3488460A - Electric switch using lead terminals as fixed contacts

Info

Publication number: US3488460A
Application number: US786175A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruno Baumanis
Original assignee: Molex Products Co
Current assignee: Molex LLC
Priority date: 1968-12-23
Filing date: 1968-12-23
Publication date: 1970-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 1987-01-06

Description

Jan. 6, 1970 AUMAMS 3,488,460

ELECTRIC SWITCH USING LEAD TERMINALS AS FIXED CONTACTS Filed Dec. 13. 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet l w J4 55 40 35 .10 40 j Ema. 6, 1970 a. BAUMANIS 3,48%,460

ELECTRIC SWITCH USING LEAD TERMINALS AS FIXED CONTACTS Filed Dec. 13. 1968 W2 Sheets-Shae:- 3

F 4 I -:1 .mz g' 6 4200 n I J gl 24.. I l 5- a s 215 Jrwrzo JMWZMM jyflwu, T541 United States Patent 3,488,460 ELECTRIC SWITCH USING LEAD TERMINALS AS FIXED CONTACTS Bruno Baumanis, River Forest, 11]., assignor to Molex Products Company, Downers Grove, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 786,175

Int. Cl. H01h /02 U.S. Cl. 200-46 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a switch and a method of assembling the switch. More specifically, this invention relates to a switch having movable contact means engageable with fixed contacts formed by terminals which are first connected to electrical leads and then mounted in the switch structure.

Electrical equipment is being built in relatively compact units. This compact electrical equipment requires relatively small electrical switches which must be connected to other components of the equipment. The relatively small size of these electrical switches makes them diflicult to wire or connect. The difliculty is greatly increased when the small switches are mounted in a comparatively inaccessible portion of the electrical equipment. Of course, these wiring difiiculties substantially increase production time and cost of fabricating the electrical equipment.

Once the compact electrical equipment has been wired and assembled, it is extremely important that the switches have a trouble-free service life. The replacement of a small switch which is mounted in a relatively inaccessible location and connected to a plurality of leads is extremely diflicult. Thus, the small electrical switches should not only be relatively easy to connect, but should also have relatively few moving parts which are rugged and not subject to failure during use.

Most electrical switches are connected to lead wires by soldering, screwing or staking a wire to each terminal that is external to the switch. All these methods of attaching the wire to the switch are time consuming and require considerable space.

This invention relates to a novel means and method of reducing the labor to attach the wire, and of reducing the space required for the connection.

For many years electrical connectors have been made by crimping the lead to the contact pins by automatic machines, such pins for example being shown in John H. Krehbiel U.S. Patent 3,178,673. These terminals are usually supplied in chain link form to allow easy handling of the terminal until it is crimped (connected) to the wire. At this point each terminal is cut loose from the chain link.

In accordance with the present invention, a terminal or pin is crimped or otherwise attached directly to the wire lead. This terminal or pin then is snapped into the switch housing and becomes a fixed switch contact.

The internal operation of a switch is an old art and the present illustrative example is a preferred example only. Most switches, at least of the type considered in this disclosure, consist of two or more stationary contacts and a shorting bar that is actuated externally. This may be a rotary shaft, rocker or slide switch, or a push switch.

The switch consists of an actuator in the form of a knob, handle or button; a housing to house the switch components such as the actuator, the shorting bar; and a cavity to accept the switch leg terminals or pins.

The terminals or pins are formed sheet metal parts each of which consists of a crimping section or sections to clinch the wires and a section to clinch the wire insulation. In addition, locking device locks the terminal into the housing, and a contact section comprises the area or point of contact for the switch. This contact area may be made from brass that has an inlaid area of silver as the contact area for better contact. In some cases it may be more desirable to add a silver button by welding in the contact area. The silver button preferably is added by completely automatic means if the contacts are still in chain link form. A non-functional area in each terminal is used to attach one terminal to the next terminal to carry the terminals in chain link form for easy handling while manufacturing, storing and for carrying the terminals into the machine for attachment of the terminals to the wire leads. This non-functional area is cut off in the crimping operation.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide an improved switch structure which overcomes the aforementioned limitation of prior art construction. Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive, easily wired or connected switch structure which is compact and has a relatively long service life.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch structure which utilizes terminals connected to leads as fixed contacts within the switch structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch structure which is easily wired by merely inserting terminals mounted on the ends of the leads or wires into the switch structure so that the terminals form the fixed contacts of the switch structure.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a switch assembly forming a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the switch assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the switch assembly in the open position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the switch assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the switch assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, illustrating the mounting of terminals 0n wires as fixed contacts in the switch assembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a second embodiment of the invention wherein terminals connected to wires are mounted as fixed contacts in a cover section of the switch assembly; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of an actuator used with the switch assemblies of FIGS. 1 through 5.

A switch assembly 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and includes a casing or container 12 having a base or frame section 14 and a cover plate or closure section 16. A plurality of substantially identical switch units 20 are mounted in a series of cavities or chambers 22 formed within the casing 12. Each switch unit 20 includes a pair of spacedapart, substantially parallel, fixed contacts or terminals 24 and a movable contact or connector assembly 26 which is connected to a longitudinally extending centrally mounted actuator bar 30.

The actuator bar 30 is movable longitudinally relative to the switch assembly 12 to move the movable contacts 26 of each switch unit 20 from an open position illustrated in FIG. 2 to a closed position illustrated in FIG. 3. When the actuator bar 30 is moved inwardly from the open position shown in FIG. 2, by engaging a knob or projection 32 on the bar, to the closed position shown in FIG. 3, the movable contacts 26 engage the fixed contacts 24 to complete an electrical circuit between the two spaced-apart fixed cotnacts of each switch unit 20.

It should be noted that the actuator bar 30 extends longitudinally for substantially the entire length of the switch assembly 12 to interconnect a series of the switch units so that the switch units 20 are contemporaneously actuated from the open position to the closed position. It is contemplated that a latch assembly of the push-release type will be used to hold the actuator bar in the position shown in FIG. 3, once the bar has been pressed inwardly from the position shown in FIG. 2. The latch assembly is released by merely pressing inwardly 0n the knob 32. Since the latch assembly does not, per se, constitute a part of the present invention, and since there are many such latch assemblies known to those skilled in the art, it is believed that a further discussion and showing of the latch assembly is not required at this time.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the movable contacts 26 include a pair of flanges or mounting ears 36 which are fixedly mounted in slots or grooves 38 on opposite sides of the base section 14. The mounting ears or flanges 36 extend in a perpendicular relationship with a central axis 40 both the actuator bar 30 and the switch assembly 12. A pair of generally U-shaped

contact sections

42 and 44 are connected to the mounting flanges 36, and are positioned on opposite sides of the mounting bar 30 intermediate the fixed contacts or terminals 24. The generally U-shaped contact sections extend rearwardly in the cavity 22. The

U-shaped contact sections

42 and 44 have

central axes

46 and 48 which are parallel to the central axis 40 of the actuator bar 30 and perpendicular to the mounting ears 36, when the movable contacts 26 are in the open position shown in FIG. 2. The

U-shaped contact sections

42 and 44 are interconnected by a central connector or cross-sectional 50 which extends parallel to the mounting ears 36 and perpendicular to the central axis 40 of the actuator bar 30.

The

U-shaped contact sections

42 and 44 include

outer legs

54 and 56 which are connected to the mounting flanges 36. A pair of

inner legs

58 and 60 are connected to the connector section 50. The inner and

outer legs

54 and 58 of the U-shaped contact section 42 are interconnected by an arcuate end portion or section 64. Similarly the inner and

outer legs

56 and 60 of the U-shaped contact section 44 are interconnected by an arcuate end section 66. The legs 54 through 60 extend in a substantially parallel relationship with the central axis 40 of the actuator bar 30, and in a substantially perpendicular relationship with both the mounting ears 36 and connector section 50 when the movable contacts are in the open position shown in FIG. 2.

When the switch assembly 12 is moved from the open position of FIG. 2 to the closed position of FIG. 3, the actuator bar 30 pivots the

U-shaped contact sections

42 and 44 of the movable contacts 26 outwardly from the open position shown in FIG. 2 to the closed position shown in FIG. 3, so that the

outer leg sections

54 and 56 engage the fixed contacts 24. An electrical circuit is then completed between the fixed contacts or terminals 24 through the

arcuate end sections

64 and 66, the

inner leg sections

58 and 60 and the connector section 50 to conduct electrical energy between the fixed contacts. The movable contacts 26 are advantageously integrally fabricated of a resilient Phosphor bronze metal which has both good spring characteristics and good electrical conductivity.

When the actuator 30 is moved longitudinally rearwardly from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3, the leg section 54 is pivoted at the intersection between the mounting ear 36 and the leg section. That is, the leg section 54 is pivoted outwardly from the perpendicular relationship of FIG. 2 with the mounting flange 36 to an actuate angular relationshi of Cit FIG. 3 with the mounting flange 36. The leg section 56 is similarly pivoted outwardly into an acute angular relationship with the associated mounting flange 36 when the switch unit 20 is actuated from the open position to the closed position. This longitudinal movement of the actuator bar 30 also pivots the leg section 58 outwardly from the perpendicular relationship with the connector section 50 (see FIG. 2) to an obtuse angular relationship with the connector section 50 (see FIG. 3). Of course, the leg section 60 is similarly pivoted outwardly from a perpendicular relationship with the connector section 50 to an obtuse angular relationship with the connector section 50. When the leg sections 54 through 60 have been pivoted outwardly to the closed position, the longitudinal

central axes

46 and 48 of the

contact sections

42 and 44 are moved from a parallel relationship with the central axis 40 of the actuator bar 30 and the switch assembly 12 to an acute angular relationship with the central axis 40. It should be noted that the

inner leg sections

58 and 60 are shorter in length to reduce any tendency which the inner leg sections may have to buckle or bend when the actuator bar 30 is moved rearwardly.

The pivoting movement of the generally

U-shapcd contact sections

42 and 44 from the open position to the closed position is obtained by moving the connector section 50 rearwardly relative to the mounting ear 36 while maintaining a substantially parallel relationship between the connector section 50 and the mounting ears or flanges 36. As the connector section 50 is moved rearwardly, the

U-shaped contact sections

42 and 44 are resiliently pivoted about the ends of the leg sections 54 through 60 relative to the associated mounting flanges 36 and the connector section 50. Since the leg sections 54 through 60 are in a perpendicular relationship with the mounting

flanges

36 and 50 when the movable contacts 26 are in an open position, the rearward movement of the actuator bar 30 tends to pivot the leg sections outwardly about their connection point with the connector section 50 and the mounting ears 36 as the contacts are moved to the open position shown in FIG. 3. Of course, there is a slight forward deflection of the outer ends of the mounting flanges 36 and connector section 50 during the pivoting of the

contact sections

42 and 44. If the intersection between the

outer leg sections

54 and 56 and the mounting flanges 36 was arcuate or rounded, the

leg sections

54 and 56 would tend to deflect or bend at the rounded corners and would not pivot from the open position to the closed position. Similarly, if the intersection between the

inner leg sections

58 and 60 and the connector section 50 was rounded, the

inner leg sections

58 and 60 would tend to deflect or bend at the rounded connection between the

leg sections

58 and 60 rather than pivoting outwardly when the connector bar 30 is moved rearwardly. Therefore, a uniform outwardly pivoting movement of the generally

U-shaped contact sections

42 and 44 is obtained by connecting the contact sections in a perpendicular relationship with the mounting flanges 36 and connector section 50, and moving the connector section 50 relative to the mounting flanges while maintaining a substantially parallel relationship between the connector section 50 and the mounting flanges 36.

When the movable contacts 26 are in the closed position, the leg sections 54 through 60 tend to resiliently spring back to their normal position, that is into a perpendicular relationship with the mounting flanges 36 and the connector section 50, as shown in FIG. 2. This resilient spring tendency of the movable contacts 26 tends to urge or bias the actuator bar 30 forwardly from the closed position to the open position. The forward biasing action of each movable contact 26 of the series of switch units 20 is cumulative and tends to strongly urge the actuator bar 30 to the initial position shown in FIG. 2. Of course, the movable contacts 26 could, if desired, be formed as shown in FIG. 3 so that they would bias the actuator bar rearwardly to hold the switch assembly in a closed position. The knob or projection 32 would then be pulled forwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2 against the biasing action of the movable contacts 26. If desired, the movable contacts 26 could be formed of a plurality of hingedly connected sections, rather than being integrally formed from a single strip of Phosphor bronze, so that the

contact sections

42 and 44 would easily pivot from the open position to the closed position. Of course, the hinged movable contacts 26 would exert relatively little spring force or bias on the actuator bar 30.

As is perhaps best seen in FIG. 4, the switch assembly can be readily mounted on the frame 70 of any desired device or apparatus by suitable connector means, such as the screws 72 which extend through the cover section 16 into the base section 14 of the casing 12. When the casing 12 is so mounted, the movable contacts 26 are securely supported by the device or apparatus in which the switch assembly 10 is mounted. It is contemplated that the terminals 24 will be connected to leads 76 and 78 and connected to the casing 12 after the casing has been mounted as shown in FIG. 4. The terminals 24 are connected to the casing by pushing or inserting them into a bore or aperture 80 in the base section 14 of the casing. It should be noted that the casing 12 is mounted in the electrical device or apparatus and the terminals 24 are then inserted into the bores or apertures 80.

When the switch assembly is mounted in this manner, the

wire

76 and 78 can be connected to the terminals 24 with relative ease by a machine or worker before the terminals are connected to the casing. Once the casing 10 has been mounted, the terminals 24 can be readily inserted into the bores 80 even if the switch assembly is located in a relatively inaccessible or restricted space. In this manner the necessity of connecting the

wires

76 and 78 to closely spaced terminals 24 in the frequently inaccessible areas of a compact electrical apparatus is eliminated.

The advantages of this method of connecting the

leads

76 and 78 to the switch assembly 10' becomes quite apparent when the size of a preferred embodiment of the switch assembly is considered. In the preferred embodiment of the switch assembly 12, the switch assembly has a width or transverse dimension of approximately eighttenths of an inch. Of course, the preferred switch assembly has a length which is a function of the number of switch units which are connected in a longitudinally extending series. Each switch unit 20 has a longitudinal dimension of approximately six-tenths of an inch. The preferred switch assembly has a depth or thickness slightly more than three-tenths of an inch. The aforementioned dimensions are to be considered as being illustrative only, and are not meant to be limiting, since the dimensions of the switch assembly 10 can obviously be varied. However, the aforementioned dimensions do indicate the difficulties which would be encountered in connecting the

leads

76 and 78 to conventional fixed terminals or contacts in a relatively confined area.

The fixed terminals 24 include a body section 84 having a plurality of radially and axially outwardly extending resilient spring fingers 86 which engage a radially inwardly projecting surface 88 of the bore 80 to prevent the inserted terminals 24 from being inadvertently pulled out of the bore 80. A plurality of wing flanges 90 extend outwardly from an end portion or section 92 of the terminal 24 for engagement with an outer bottom or base surface 94 of the base section 14 to prevent the terminal 84 from being inadvertently pushed further into the casing 12. Although the terminals 24 can take many different shapes and forms, it is contemplated that the ter minals will be shaped similar to those disclosed in US. Patent 3,178,673.

The terminals 24 project through apertures 98 in the cover section 16 to enable outer upper end portions of the terminals to be engaged by a suitable connector 100.

The connector is fastened to a lead 102 so that electrical energy can be conducted from the terminal 24, through the connector 100 and the lead 102 to electrical circuitry connected to the lead 102. Of course, if desired, the end portions of the terminals 24 can be encased within the cover 16 to insulate the terminals.

In order to enhance the understanding of the invention, a second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this second embodiment of the invention like numerals have been used to designate like parts with the suifix letter a being employed to distinguish the elements associated with FIG. 5 from those of FIGS. 1 to 4. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a male type terminal 24a is mounted in the left bore 80a in much the same manner as are the terminals 24 mounted in the bore of FIG. 4. However, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, a female type terminal is mounted in the right hand bore 8011. It is contemplated that the female type terminal 110 will have a shape and structure similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned US. Patent No. 3,178,673 for mating engagement with a male type terminal 112 which is mounted in a bore 114 in the cover section 16a. The mating engagement between the

terminals

110 and 112 electrically interconnects the leads 78a and 102a. The bore 114 has a shape which is substantially the same as the shape of bores 80a. Thus, the male type terminal 112 could, if desired, be mounted in the bore 80a in the base section 14a, and the female type terminal 110 could be mounted in the bore 114 in the cover section 16a.

A cap or plug 116 is mounted in the outer portion of a bore 118 which is positioned in vertical alignment with the bore 80a for the terminal 24a. The plug 116 closes or blocks bore 118 to prevent foreign objects from coming into contact with the terminal 24a. Of course the plug 116 can be removed at any time and a female type terminal, similar to the terminal 110, can be inserted into the bore 118 and into mating engagement with the terminal 24a.

When the switch assembly 10a is actuated to the closed position, the terminal or fixed contact 24a is electrically interconnected with the two terminals or fixed

contacts

110 and 112 by the movable contact 26a in much the same manner as previously described. Since the two leads 78a and 102a are interconnected by the

terminals

110 and 112; when the switch 10a is closed, the

leads

76a, 78a and 102a are electrically interconnected. It is apparent that this arrangement of opposing, substantially identically aligned bores in the base section 14a and cover section 16a of the switch assembly 10a greatly increases the versatility of the switch assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the actuator bar or slide 30 includes a transversely extending slit or groove 124 which gauges the connector section 50 of the movable contact 26. The slot 124 extends only part way through the actuator bar 30 so that the movable contact 26 is held slightly above the surface of the base section 14 as the contacts are moved from the open position to the closed position, and back again (see FIG. 4). The actuator bar 30 also includes a longitudinally extending notch or recess 128. The notch or recess 128 engages a wall section 130 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) to limit the movement of the actuator bar relative to the casing 12. A rearward surface 132 of the notch 128 engages the wall section 130 when the switch is in the open position shown in FIG. 2. A forward surface 134 of the notch 128 is positioned adjacent to the forward surface of the wall section 130 when the actuator bar 30 is located as shown in FIG. 3 to limit the rearward movement of the actuator bar. It should be noted that the actuator bar 30 can be moved for a slight distance rearwardly from the closed position of FIG. 3. This slight range of movement enables a push-type latch to be released. Thus, the notch 128 serves to limit the motion of the actuator bar 30 relative to the fixed terminals or contacts 24. Of

course, the size of the notch can be changed to alter the limits on the movement of the bar 30.

For purposes of afiording a more complete understanding of the invention, it is advantageous now to provide a functional description of the mode in which the component parts cooperate. The casing 12 of the switch assembly will be mounted on the frame 70 as shown in FIG. 4. After the switch assembly has been mounted on the frame 70, the fixed contacts or terminals 24, which had previously been connected to

suitable leads

76 and 78, will be inserted into the bores 80 in the base section 14 of the switch assembly. The fixed contacts 24 can then be electrically interconnected by the movable contacts 26 by merely pressing against the knob 32 which will move the actuator bar 30 and the movable contacts 26 from the open position of FIG. 2 to the closed position of FIG. 3.

As the actuator bar 30 is being slid rearwardly relative to the base section 14 of the switch assembly 10, the

U-shaped contact sections

42 and 44 of the movable contacts 26 will resiliently pivot outwardly into engagement with the fixed contacts 24. This outward pivoting movement will result from a movement of the connector section 50 rearwardly relative to the mounting flanges 36 while the connector section 50 is maintained in a substantially parallel relationship with the mounting flanges 36. The rearward movement of the connector section 50 will pivot the

leg sections

58 and 60 outwardly relative to the actuator bar 30 while the connector section 50 is being moved rearwardly. contemporaneously with this outward movement of the

leg sections

58 and 60, the

leg sections

54 and 56 will also be pivoted outwardly relative to the connector section 50 so that the

leg sections

54 and 56 are brought into abutting engagement with the fixed contacts or terminals 24 to complete an electrical connection between the terminals. When the actuator bar 30 is released, the movable contacts 26 will resiliently urge the actuator bar forwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2, to open the circuit between the fixed contacts 24.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the

contact sections

42 and 44 have

arcuate end sections

64 and 66. It is contemplated that the radius of the

end sections

64 and 66 can be substantially reduced to give the

contact sections

42 and 44 an appearance similar to a V. Thus, the germ general U-shaped contact sections is not to be considered as being strictly limited to the shape shown, but is to be given a rather broad interpretation to include the somewhat V-shaped form which would result if the radius of the

arcuate end portions

64 and 66 was reduced. It is contemplaetd that an actuator bar of a different type from the one shown could be used with the movable contacts 26. Also, the shape of the fixed terminals 24 could be varied. For example, the resilient spring fingers 86 could be eliminated so that the terminals could, if desired, be withdrawn from the bores 80. Therefore, while particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made; and it is contemplated to cover by the appended claims any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly comprising: a base means adapted to position terminal ends of a plurality of wires relative to a cavity formed in said base means; resilient spring means having first and second outer end portions fixedly connected to said base means, said spring means including first and second spaced apart generally U-shaped sections; and an actuator means connected to said first and second sections, said actuator means being movable relative to said base means to move said first and second generally U-shaped sections relative to each other and said base means from a first position in which said first and second generally U-shaped sections are spaced apart from the terminal ends of the wires to a second position in which said first and second generally U-shaped sections are in engagement with the terminal ends of the wires to provide an electrical connection between the terminal ends of the wires, said actuator means being urged from the second position to the first position by said spring means to open the electrical connection between the terminal ends of the wires.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first and second generally U-shaped sections have longitudinal axes which are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said actuator means when said first and second generally U-shaped sections are in the first position, the longitudinal axes of said first and second generally U-shaped sections being positioned at an acute angle relative to each other and the longitudinal axis of said actuator means when said first and second generally U-shaped sections are in the second position.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said first and second generally U-shaped sections are interconnected by a connector section extending between inner legs of said first and second generaly U-shaped sections, said connector section extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said actuator means when said first and second generally U-shaped sections are in the first and second positions.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said connector section also extends in a substantially parallel relationship with said first and second outer end portions of said spring means.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first and second generally U-shaped sections are interconnected by a connector section which extends transversely to both said first and second generally U-shaped sections and said actuator means, said connector section being moved toward the terminal end of the wires by said actuator to resiliently pivot said first and second generally U-shaped sections outwardly relative to said connector section when said actuator is moved to move said first and second generally U-shaped sections from the first position to the second position.

6. A switch assembly comprising a housing, movable contact means movably mounted in said housing, actuator means extending from said housing and connected to said movable contact means for moving thereof, a terminal mechanically pre-fixed to a wire, and aperture means in said housing in which said terminal is inserted in position for selective engagement by said movable contact means.

7. An assembly comprising: a casing; a plurality of switch units mounted in said casing, each of said switch units including a plurality of fixed contacts connected to electrical circuitry; a movable contact means for electrically interconnecting said fixed contacts, said movable contact means including a spring member having outer end portions fixedly mounted relative to said casing, and a plurality of contact sections interconnected by a connector section; and actuator means connected to the connector sections of the movable contacts of each of said plurality of switch units, said actuator means being movable relative to said casing to resiliently and contemporaneously pivot the contact sections of said movable contacts of each switch unit from an open position spaced apart from said fixed contacts to a closed position in abutting engagement with said fixed contacts.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: at least one of said plurality of switch units has a fixed contact including a first terminal connected to a first wire and a second terminal mounted in mating engagement with said first terminal and connected to a second wire.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said casing includes a cover section and a base section, said first terminal being mounted on the base section of the casing and said second terminal being mounted on the cover section of the casing.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said casing includes a cover section and a base section with said movable contact means being connected to said base section, said base section including a first group of apertures adapted for mounting said fixed contacts, said cover section including a second group of apertures in alignment with said first group of apertures, said second group of apertures also being adapted for mounting said fixed contacts to enable said fixed contacts to be selectively mounted in both said base section and said cover section for engagement by said movable contact means.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said casing includes a plurality of aperture means in which said fixed contacts are mounted, said fixed contacts including projecting spring fingers for engaging an inwardly projecting portion of said aperture means to retain said fixed contacts against outward movement relative to said casing.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim '7 wherein: the movable contact means of each of said switch units resiliently urges said actuator to move the movable contact means to the open position.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said contact sections include an outer leg extending in a perpendicular relationship to the outer end portion of the spring member when said movable contact means is in the open position and an inner leg extending in a perpendicular relationship to the connector section when said movable contact means is in the open position, said outer leg extending at an acute angle to the outer end portion of the spring member when said movable contact means is in the closed position and said inner leg extending at an obtuse angle to the connector section when said movable contact means is in the closed position.

14. A switch assembly including: an elongated base section; an actuator extending along a central axis of said base section; a first fixed contact mounted on said base section on a first side of said actuator; a second fixed contact mounted on said base section on a second side of said actuator; and a movable contact means connected to said actuator for movement from an open position to a closed position in which said first and second fixed contacts are electrically interconnected, said movable contact means including a first mounting flange connected to said base section on the first side of said actuator and extending substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of said actuator, a second mounting flange connected to said base section on the second side of said actuator and extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said actuator, a first generally U-shaped contact section positioned intermediate said first fixed contact and said actuator, said first generally U-shaped contact section having an outer leg portion connected to said first mounting flange and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said actuator when said movable contact means is in the open position, a

second generally U-shaped contact section positioned intermediate said second fixed contact and said actuator, said second generally U-shaped contact section having an outer leg portion connected to said second mounting flange and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said actuator when said movable contact means is in the open position, and a central connector section extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said actuator and interconnecting said first and second generally U-shaped contact sections, said first generally U-shaped contact section having an inner leg portion connected to a first end of said connector section and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said actuator when said movable contact means is in the open position, said second generally U-shaped contact section having an inner leg portion connected to a second end of said connector section and extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said actuator when said movable contact means is in the open position, the inner and outer leg portions of said first generally U-shaped contact section being positioned at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said actuator when said movable contact means is in the closed position, the inner and outer leg portions of said second generally U-shaped contact section being positioned at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said actuator when said movable contact means is in the closed position.

15. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein: said movable contact means biases said actuator against movement relative to said first and second fixed contacts.

16. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 14 further including: an elongated cover section positioned in engagement with said base section, a third fixed contact being mounted in said cover section for mating engagement with said first fixed contact to electrically interconnect circuitry connected to said first fixed contact and said third fixed contact.

17. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein: said first and second mounting flanges, said first and second generally U-shaped contact sections, and said connector section are all integrally formed by a continuous strip of metal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,261,928 7/1966 Schlesinger 200-16 XR 3,270,148 8/1966 Oxley. 3,301,987 1/1967 Davis.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner J. R. SCOTT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 200-159, 166