Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Electric switch details – Actuators
Patent
1990-07-31
1991-11-19
Recla, Henry J.
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Electric switch details
Actuators
200345, 200314, H01H 348
Patent
active
050668412
ABSTRACT:
A switch assembly is provided with a short travel switch (16, FIG. 3) activated by a push button that has a long travel both before and after closing of the short travel switch, and which provides a substantially constant spring rate throughout push button travel, with minimal noticeable disruptions. The switch assembly includes an inner plunger (32) which depresses the short travel switch, and an outer plunger (44) or keystem coupled to the push button. An inner spring device (46) couples the inner plunger to the housing, and an outer spring device (52) couples the two plungers, so the springs act in series. The preloads of the two spring devices are substantially the same, and the inner spring has a lower spring rate than the outer spring. As the keystem is depressed, both springs begin to compress until the inner plunger contacts the short travel switch. Continued depression of the push button and keystem results in compression of only the outer spring, there being a smooth transition because the preload of the outer spring has already been exceeded. The mechanism lies in a passage of a housing, the housing including a bar (102, FIG. 5) that extends across the passage, with the keystem having grooves that receive the bar end portions. Pin sockets (116) are mounted on the middle of the bar to receive lamp terminals, and a pair of conductors (142) have flattened ends (144) receiving the pin sockets.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4933521 (1990-06-01), Steward, Sr.
patent: 4940864 (1990-07-01), Aurand et al.
Norris Jeffrey J.
Zoller Jon P.
ITT Corporation
Kupferschmid Keith
Peterson Thomas L.
Recla Henry J.
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