US3725621A

US3725621A - Multi-contact data module having a connection matrix and a switching body and actuator plug template

Info

Publication number: US3725621A
Application number: US00182661A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Kirchdorf
Original assignee: GHIELMETTI AG
Current assignee: GHIELMETTI AG
Priority date: 1968-11-07
Filing date: 1971-09-22
Publication date: 1973-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-03
Also published as: FR2022733A1; DE1932177A1; US3636282A; GB1292644A; CH490733A; JPS501773B1; SE343413B

Abstract

A multi-contact data module for a connection matrix having an input channel and a plurality of output channels, said data module comprising at least one switching body means defining a hollow internal cavity, contact pins for establishing electrical connections to the input channel and the plurality of output channels of the connection matrix, said contact pins extending into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means. Movable contact means are disposed within said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means for cooperation with the contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated, effecting electrical connections with said contact pins. A single actuator means is provided for each switching body means which is common to all the movable contact means thereof intended to be actuated, such single actuator means comprising a separate plug member means totally separatable from, but removably insertable into, said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, said plug member means including actuating means for selective ones of said movable contact means. This separate, removably insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, serving to deflect selective ones of said contact means against the associated contact pins, whereby a given data distribution mode is effected. There is also provided programing template means having a respective cut-out for each plug member means substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said actuating means on each of said plug members means, whereby said programing template means provides storage of a plurality of data distribution modes.

Description

United States Patent 1 Kirchdorf [4 1 Apr. 3, 1973 [54] MULTI-CONTACT DATA MODULE [57] ABSTRACT HAVING A CONNECTION MATRIX A multi-contact data module for a connection matrix AND A SWITCHING BODY AND having an input channel and a plurality of output ACTUATOR PLUG TEMP ATE channels, said data module comprising at least one [75] Inventor: Josef Kirchdorf, Gerlafingen swit switching body means defining a hollow internal cavi- Zerland ty, contact pins for establishing electrical connections to the input channel and the plurality of output chanl l Assigneei Ghlelmem SWitZefnels of the connection matrix, said contact pins exland tending into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means. Movable contact means are [22] Flled' sept' 1971 disposed within said hollow internal cavity of said [211 App]. No.: 182,661 switching body means for cooperation with the contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated,

Related Appllcano Data effecting electrical connections with said contact pins.

[62] Division of 872,901, Om 31, 1969 A single actuator means is provided for each switching body means which is common to all the movable con- [30] Foreign Appncafion priority Data tact means thereof intended to be actuated, such single actuator means comprising a separate plug NOV. 7, Switzerland member means eparatable from but removably insertable into, said hollow internal cavity [52] U.S. Cl ..200/46 f id switching body means, said plug member [51] Int. Cl ..H01h 27/10 means including actuating means for elective ones of Field of Search 17/101 101 said movable contact means. This separate, removably 16 37 insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body [56] References Cited means, serving to deflect selective ones of said contact means against the associated contact pins, whereby a UNITED STATES PATENTS given data distribution mode is effected. There is also 3,370,137 2/1968 O'Connor ..2oo/42 R Provided Programing lemplatemeafls having a p 3,636,282 1/1972 Kirchdorf ..200/l6 R tive cut-out for each p g member means substantially Primary Examinerl-lerman J. Hohauser Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman conforming to the cross-sectionalshape of said actuatin means on each of said plug members means, wfiereby said programing templae means provides storage of a plurality of data distribution modes.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRQIQB SHEET 1 BF 2 MULTI-CONTACT DATA MODULE HAVING A CONNECTION MATRIX AND A SWITCHING BODY AND ACTUATOR PLUG TEMPLATE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE The present application is a divisional application of my copending, commonly assigned US. application, Ser. No. 872,901, filed Oct. 31, 1969, and entitled Multi-Contact Data Feeder Having a Connection Matrix and a Switching Body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved data module system composed of a translator and programing storage, the translator being constituted by a wiring matrix and switching module and the programing storage being constituted by a programing plug and programing template.

Connection or wiring matrixes such as cross-bar or rail distributors are known in the art for purposes of feeding or distributing input data, which data is generally in a coded format. When cross-bar distributors are utilized, it is necessary that such distributors be provided, at each feed location, with an input channel or rail for the input bit as well as output channels or rails for each of the desired output bits. The contemplated distribution of data for each bit of input data requires that a direct electrical connection be effected between the input channel or rail and various ones of the output channels or rails in accordance with a given data distribution mode, with electrical de-coupling and isolation between the channels being provided through the utilization of diodes.

So as to produce these required electrical connections, it is known to utilize a plug which, in a fashion analogous to the cross-bar distributor itself, is provided with an input plug pin, and an output plug pin for each of the output bits. Fixed connections between the input plug pin and various ones of the output plug pins, such connections representing one data distribution mode, are disposed in the handle of the plug, as are the various required de-coupling diodes, with the switching connections effecting this given data distribution mode being visibly indicated on the facing side of the plug handle. However, additional plugs are required for each different switching connection and data distribution mode and thus, at least one complete set of plugs must be provided for each feeding location of the main distributor. The particular plug effecting a given desired data distribution mode then must be selected from the set of plugs and so utilized. This technique may be quite practical when working with a small range of values requiring few data distribution modes, but is quite cumbersome and accompanied by drawbacks when a large range of values requiring many data distribution modes are present.

In view of the above, the prior-art has accordingly proposed to produce the necessary connections required for a given data distribution mode by means of a selector switch built into the handle of the housing of a multi-contact plug with the respective position of the selector switch corresponding to a given data distribution mode being visible in the window of a handle housing. The provision of a multi-contact plug in this fashion eliminates the need for a plurality or set of individual plugs yet, even this multi-contact type of data feeder is suitable only for small value ranges requiring few data distribution modes since the selector switch must have a switch position for each different data distribution mode and the space available in the housing of the handle of the multi-contact plug is such that only a small selector switch with a limited number of positions can be accommodated.

This particular problem is not changed if one were to utilize circuit boards with a cross-pattern of conductors thereon in place of a cross-bar distributor as the primary connection matrix. If such circuit boards were utilized, an exchange would be required between the plug pins and the plug sockets in that the plug pins would be disposed at the circuit boards whereas the plug sockets would be disposed at the data feeder plug itself. In this fashion, the required electrical connections for a given data distribution mode would have to be built-in or effected between the plug sockets in the housing of the plug handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above background in mind, it should be apparent that a need exists in the art for a data module or feeder of the general type described which eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior-art constructions. It is the primary object of the instant invention to provide such a data module.

Another, more specific, yet equally important object of the instant invention concerns the provision of a data module wherein the number of output connections per data input bit are limited only slightly, wherein the various interconnections effecting different data distribution modes can be easily exchanged, and which data module can be utilized with plug pins for data input at cross-bar or rail distributors as well as with plugs or jacks for data input at circuit boards.

Yet a further significant object of the present invention relates to a novel data module embodying a new and improved electrical switch containing contacts, which contacts can be selectively actuated by a completely separable programing plug which can be snap-locked into the switch body in a desired position, the plug being easily completely removable from the switch body to replace same, when desired, by a different plug effectuating actuation of different selective ones of the contacts.

Another extremely significant object of the present invention relates to a data module system incorporating a programing template for positioning programing plugs used to actuate selective ones of the contacts of each switch body to thereby provide a program storage which can then be inserted into the data module system in this form, and when, for instance, a change of program is required the entire programing template together with the plugs can be pulled out and replaced by another pre-programed template so that the programs may be changed in very little time in an extremely accurate and failsafe fashion.

These objects as well as others which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are implemented by the subject invention which is manifested by the provision of a multi-contact data module or feeder having a connection or wiring matrix and a switching body along with a contact element for each bit channel, the contact elements producing the various interconnections required for feeding the data between the input and the various outputs of the wiring or connection matrix. The wiring matrix may consist of a matrix program board, a double layer printed circuit board, a multi-layer printed circuit board or a plurality of single layer printed circuit boards.

The novel inventive data module or feeder is further characterized by the features that the switching module embodies a switching body equipped with a hollow cavity or compartment having movable contacts such as spring contacts disposed therein, such spring contacts forming the various contact elements which cooperate with fixed contact pins. The switching module should contain as many contacts as required for the pre-selected code, for example four contacts for an ordinary binary coded decimal, five contacts for a two out of five or three out of five code, or eight contacts for eight-bit characters. Further, the switching module may also preferably contain the decoupling diodes required to prevent the formation of undesired current paths. For each differentdata distribution mode, a plug member is provided which can be releaseably snap-lockingly plugged into the switching body, this plug member indicating the particular data distribution mode that is effected and further being equipped with suitable contact actuating means, as for instance cams constructed of insulating material which extend into the hollow compartment or cavity of the switching body and serve to close the various contact elements effecting the desired data distribution mode. The switching body itself can suitably be constructed such that it can be plugged into or otherwise suitably connected with the primary connection or wiring matrix. In this fashion, the data module or feeder can be utilized to effect the necessary connections in a wiring or connection matrix such as the above-mentioned cross-bar distributors with the fixed contact pins being secured to the switching body and serving as plug pins or pin terminals for the cross-bar distributor. Alternatively, if the previously mentioned circuit boards are utilized as the wiring or connection matrix rather than a switching modules in this form. When a change of program is called for it is sufficient to pull out the entire programing template and replace it by another pre-programed template. In this way programs may be changed in a matter of a few seconds, removal of the templates with the plugs from the switching modules being undertaken with a zipper-like action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention itself will be better understood and features and advantages thereof other than those already described will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred inventive embodiment, such description referring to the appended sheets of drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts two juxtapositioned data modules constructed in accordance with the instant invention, each data module being illustrated by way-of example as capable of handling four bits, such data modules being provided with plug pins or pin terminals for use with cross-bar distributors and one of the data modules being depicted in sectional view;

I FIG. 2 is a plan view of the data modules of FIG. 1 with associated programing template;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a snap-locking type data plug member;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a data plug member;

FIG. 5 depicts two juxtapositioned data modules or feeders also capable of handling four bits, suchdata cross-bar distributor, stationary or fixed contact pins can be secured to the circuit boards and these pins themselves can be inserted into jacks, receiving aper tures, or the like in the switching body.

The plug member utilized for insertion into the switching body for effecting the various data distribution modes, preferably is constructed of a plastic material, preferably injection molded having a head plate disposed exteriorly of the switching body and having the actuating rib-like cams extending from the head plate, the actuating cams extending into the cavity of the switching body to selectively actuate the various contacts. The head plate of the plug can be provided with gripping grooves or the like on its sides and can be provided on the top surface thereof with a particular symbol or other indicia representative of the associated data distribution mode effected, can be color coded, or both.

As already indicated there is also provided a programing template which may be used instead of the singly inserted programing plugs if a frequent programing change is called for. The programing plugs are positioned into this programing template and thus form a program storage which can then be inserted into the modules being utilized with circuit boards and one of such data modules being depicted in cross-sectional view;

FIG. 6 depicts a plan view of the data modules of FIG. 5 also with associated programing template; and

FIG. 7 depicts a data plug member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS Now, by referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, each data module or feeder therein illustrated can be seen to comprise a switching module embodying a prismatic housing 11 having, for instance, a square cross-section and four side walls 12 as well as a bottom portion 13. Housing 1 1 is formed of a suitable insulating material, such as plastic. Four short plug pins 14 of equal length as well as a longer plug pin 15 are conveniently secured to the bottom portion 13 of housing 11.

Plug pins

14 and 15 define pin terminals and extend downwardly and serve to plug the data module into a cross-bar distributor utilized as a wiring or connection matrix for four-bit-data in the exemplary embodiment. Four ribs 16 extend upwardly from bottom portion 13 and terminate in a shoulder 17. Ribs 16 and shoulder 17 are centrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of housing .11 and serve to divide the internal housing compartment orcavity into four chambers utilized for mounting diodes 23 and into a central starshaped or substantially cross-shaped chamber 26 into which a common contact actuator in the form of a plug member is snap-lockingly inserted. A contact spring 18, sometimes also referred to as spring contact, is provided on top of each shoulder 17, the contact spring 18 having a horizontal supporting plate 19, a vertical guide flap or tab 20 which serves to hold the spring in the housing, and a downwardly extending contact arm 21. Exteriorly of the bottom portion 13, a contact plate 22 is disposed and is soldered to the long plug pin 15. Four diodes 23 are disposed in the housing as indicated and are electrically connected at the bottom of the housing at soldering locations 24 to the contact plate 22 and are electrically connected at the top of the housing by means of a soldering contact 25 leading to the horizontal supporting plate 19 which defines a contact spring plate. The plug pins 14 protrude into the housing compartment or cavity 26 through the housing bottom 13 and the upper portion 14a thereof disposed in the interior of the housing forms a stationary or fixed contact element for cooperation with the contact spring arm 21. Q

So as to effect the various bit interconnections required for feeding of data in a given data distribution mode, a plug member 30 constructed of insulating material, such as plastic, is inserted into the hollow compartment or cavity 26 of the switching body or housing 11 and such plug member serves to press the respective contact spring arms 21 against the fixed or stationary contact pins 14. One such plug member is depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 and is seen to comprise a head 300 having a gripping groove 31 disposed on the side thereof and a cover plate 32 on which is provided a symbol or other indicia 33 for indicating the particular data distribution mode. As mentioned, each such plug member may be also color coded. Each plug further exhibits a cylindrical peg 34 having four radially extending ribs 35 defining the actuating cams. If any of the output channels are not utilized in a given data distribution mode, a portion 36 of the ribs 35 can be broken or cut-off or, alternatively, the plug members 30 can be initially manufactured having shortened ribs in the required locations. One of the four ribs 35 enlarges into a positioning key or tab 37 towards the head 30a. If the plug member is accurately inserted into the switching body, then the positioning key or tab 37 comes to rest in a receiving groove or notch 27 at the upper edge ofa housing wall 12. Only in this position can the plug member be properly inserted into the hollow cavity or compartment of the hollow switch or switching body throughout its entire length, and only in this correct position, will the various contacts for the output bit channels be closed. As should be apparent, if it were desired to change the data distribution mode, i.e., the various interconnections between the pin members, it would only be necessary to replace the plug member itself with a different plug member. Of course, each data module or feeder as above described is utilized at a single feeding location of a primary external connection matrix. Yet, if the primary connection matrix is provided with a plurality of feeding locations, a plurality of data modules or feeders would be utilized and, in some instances, it might be desirable to exchange all data distribution modes simultaneously and to store a present plurality of data distribution modes for later use. As already previously explained this can be achieved in a quite simple manner by merely laying a programing template or plastic foil 38 having punched-out plug holes 39 substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the actuating ribs 35 of the plug members over the various switching bodies 11 utilized. The plug members 30 can then be inserted in a force-fitting fashion through the plug holes 39 of the elastic programing template 38 and also snap-lockingly in a releaseable force fitting manner into the switching bodies. By virtue of the provision of such a foil or template 38, it is possible to simultaneously remove a plurality of individual plug members from the respective switching bodies and these plug members would remain in position in the programing template or foil, thus storing the particular cumulative set of data distribution modes. In some later application, the elastic template or foil 38 containing the plug members therein could be placed on the switching bodies and the plug members could be pushed or inserted into the switching bodies once again. Since the particular data distribution mode for each plug member is depicted by means of a digit or other indicia on the head of the plug member, visual reading of the cumulative modes effected is clear and distinct.

Now, by referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a variant embodiment of the switching body for plugging on circuit boards rather than cross-bar distributors is illustrated. Two such circuit boards suffice to provide a connection matrix with the lower board containing the lead-in or input conductors and the upper board containing the output conductors. The plug pins 42 and 44 provided at the input locations are soldered to the

circuit boards

41 and 43. Specifically, one plug pin 42, namely the longer one, is soldered to lower circuit board 41 as well as to upper circuit board 43. The remaining four shorter plug pins 44 are soldered into circuit board 43, this embodiment as illustrated being illustratively utilized for four-bit-data. Again, each switching body utilized has a prismatic housing 51 formed of plastic for instance and preferably of square-cross section having four walls 52 and a bottom 53 as previously described in which housing are disposed four contact springs 54. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be seen in the fact that bottom 53 has four plug holes or jacks for detachably receiving the shorter plug pins 44 which are inserted into the hollow cavity of the switching body when the same is plugged on the circuit board, plug pins 44 having the pin portions 44a thereof disposed opposite I contact springs 54 as fixed contacts and forming contact elements with the contact springs 54.'The longer plug pin 42 from the input conductor comes into contact with contact plate 55 provided on the exterior of bottom 53, with contact springs 54 being connected with the contact plate 55 via diodes. Connection of contact springs with the contact plate can also be achieved by means of metal wires rather than diodes if it is desired to provide the diodes at the circuit boards themselves. To simplify replacement of a single module the module is so designed that only one of its terminals, namely e.g. the longer pin terminal 42 has to be de-soldered, while the rest of the pin terminals, namely the shorter stationary or fixed contacts 44 can remain in the printed circuit board when the associated switch body or housing 51 is extracted, as particularly well shown at the left of FIG. 5. Here also, and as best seen by referring to FIG. 6,

there is advantageously provided an elastic programing template or foil 38 havingthe suitably punched-out plug member-receiving holes 39 for carrying out the quick program change as previously considered.

As should be apparent, the data modules or feeders of the novel invention as depicted in both preferred embodiments, can be readily mass-produced, the two variant embodiments differing from one another only in the manner of holding the plug pins in the bottom of the housing.

The data modules or feeders depicted herein in the disclosed inventive embodiment have been described by way of example and not limitation as being utilized to feed or distribute an input into four bits due to the central arrangement of the contact elements, since this number of bits has been found to be sufficient in most cases, and, at the same time, affords a very space-saving and conveniently manageable shape.

Yet, as previously indicated it should be understood that the novel invention is not limited to data modules capable of handling only four-bit data as the number of data bits which could be handledis virtually unlimited. For example, the various contact elements could be arranged adjacent one another in a single row and, if necessary, in several lines or rows. The data plug member associated therewith would then have a comb extending away from the head plate or would have several parallel combs provided with actuating cams disposed in one row serving to close the respective contact elements when in operation.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

l. A multi-contact data module for a connection matrix having an input channel and a plurality of output channels, said data module comprising at least one switching body means defining a hollow internal cavity, contact pins for establishing electrical connections to the input channel and the plurality of output channels of the connection matrix,,said contact pins extending into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, movable contact means disposed within said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means for cooperation with given ones of said contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated, effecting electrical connections with said given contact pins; a single actuator means for each switching body means common to all said movable contact means thereof intended to be actuated, said single actuator means comprising a separate plug member means totally separatable from but removably insertable into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, said plug member means including actuating means for selective ones of said movable contact means, said separate, removably insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, serving to deflect selective ones of said movable contact means against the associated contact pins, whereby a given data distribution mode is effected, programing template means having a respective cut-out for each plug member means substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said actuating means on each of said plug members means, whereby said programing template means provides storage of a plurality of data distribution modes.

2. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, wherein the connection matrix comprises a cross-bar distributor and wherein said contact pins are fixedly secured to said switching body means and are adapted to be inserted into the input channel and the plurality of output channels of the cross-bar distributor.

3. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuating means of said plug member means comprises cam means for actuating selective ones of said movable contact means.

4. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 3, wherein said movable means comprise contact springs.

5. A multi-contact data feeder as defined in claim 1, wherein said separate plug member means is removably held in a force-fitting fashion through a snap-locking action at said switching body means when removably inserted into said hollow internal cavity of. said switching body means.

6. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, wherein said cut-out of said programing template means is conformed to the cross-sectional shape of said actuating means such that each plug member when inserted into the cut-out of the programing template means is held therein in a force-fitting releaseable fashion.

7. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of said switching body means, and a separate plug member means provided for each of said switching body means, said programing template means having a number of cut-outs corresponding to the number of plug member means, each one of said plug member means being inserted through a given one of each of said cut-outs of said programing template means and into the hollow internal cavity of each associated switching body means, whereby upon separation of said programing template means from said switching body means, said plurality of plug member means are simultaneously withdrawn from said hollow internal cavities of said switching body means and stored by said programing template means in desired selected position corresponding to given data distribution modes.

8. A multi-contact data module as defined in claim 1, further including means for releaseably connecting at least some of said movable contact means with said switching body means, so that upon removal of said switching body means from said connection matrix, said at least some movable contact means can be separated from said switching body means and remain affixed with said connection matrix.

9. An electrical switch arrangement especially for use in electronic data processing, comprising a plurality of switching modules each containing a hollow switch body means defining therein an internal compartment, stationary contact pins extending into said internal compartment of said switch body means, movable contact means disposed in said hollow internal compartment of said switch body means for said stationary contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated, effecting electrical connections with said stationary contact pins, a common actuator means for all said movable contact means'intended to be actuated, said common actuator means comprising a separate plug member which can be completely detached from said switch body means and also releasably insertable into inserted into said switching modules, said plurality of plug members being inserted through a given one of each of said cut-outs of said programing template means and into the hollow compartment of each associated switching module, so that upon separation of said programing template means from said switching modules, said plurality of plug members are simultaneously withdrawn from said switching modules and stored by said programing template means in desired selected position.

Claims

1. A multi-contact data module for a connection matrix having an input channel and a plurality of output channels, said data module comprising at least one switching body means defining a hollow internal cavity, contact pins for establishinG electrical connections to the input channel and the plurality of output channels of the connection matrix, said contact pins extending into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, movable contact means disposed within said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means for cooperation with given ones of said contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated, effecting electrical connections with said given contact pins; a single actuator means for each switching body means common to all said movable contact means thereof intended to be actuated, said single actuator means comprising a separate plug member means totally separatable from but removably insertable into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, said plug member means including actuating means for selective ones of said movable contact means, said separate, removably insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means, serving to deflect selective ones of said movable contact means against the associated contact pins, whereby a given data distribution mode is effected, programing template means having a respective cut-out for each plug member means substantially conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said actuating means on each of said plug members means, whereby said programing template means provides storage of a plurality of data distribution modes.

5. A multi-contact data feeder as defined in claim 1, wherein said separate plug member means is removably held in a force-fitting fashion through a snap-locking action at said switching body means when removably inserted into said hollow internal cavity of said switching body means.

9. An electrical switch arrangement especially for use in electronic data processing, comprising a plurality of switching Modules each containing a hollow switch body means defining therein an internal compartment, stationary contact pins extending into said internal compartment of said switch body means, movable contact means disposed in said hollow internal compartment of said switch body means for said stationary contact pins, said movable contact means, when actuated, effecting electrical connections with said stationary contact pins, a common actuator means for all said movable contact means intended to be actuated, said common actuator means comprising a separate plug member which can be completely detached from said switch body means and also releasably insertable into said hollow internal compartment of said switch body means, said plug member including actuating means for actuating selective ones of said movable contact means, said releasably insertable plug member means, when inserted into said hollow compartment of said switch body means serving to selectively deflect given ones of said movable contact means against the associated stationary contact pins, each of said switching modules being provided with a respective one of said separate plug members, programing template means having a plurality of cutouts at least corresponding in number to the number of plug members intended to be inserted into said switching modules, said plurality of plug members being inserted through a given one of each of said cut-outs of said programing template means and into the hollow compartment of each associated switching module, so that upon separation of said programing template means from said switching modules, said plurality of plug members are simultaneously withdrawn from said switching modules and stored by said programing template means in desired selected position.