Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Electric switch details – Cases and bases
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-07
2002-12-17
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Electric switch details
Cases and bases
C200S535000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06495780
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a waterproof sealed switch and, more particularly, to a waterproof sealed switch that has a single-pole contact surrounded by a waterproof sealed case and which has a construction intended for ease of manufacturing and insertion as a surface mount component.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many demands for a waterproof sealed switch, however, such switches tend to be complex and costly both in their construction and in the manufacturing process required to assemble such switches.
Some waterproof sealed switches include a flexible covering over the switch elements and the switching actuation occurs by deformation of the flexible covering. In addition some waterproof sealed switches have multiple contacts positioned inside the waterproof covering, which necessitates a complicated assembly and contact insertion operation.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve upon U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,606 assigned to Micro Contacts Inc., invented by Leonard Simpson while an employee of Micro Contacts Inc., and to provide a waterproof sealed switch that incorporates a relatively simple, single switch contact and that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured in an environment that is sealed from external gaseous and liquid contaminants.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the single contact and its actuator are arranged in an overlying relationship and top and bottom insulation sheets are arranged therearound and sealed with a heat-curing adhesive or ultrasonic welding to encapsulate the conductive switching members in a cavity. The top insulating sheet is composed of an elastomeric membrane material which is perimeter sealed to a structural body and mechanically captured by spring action provided by a formed metal cover that also provides a protruding actuating dome used to activate the switching mechanism. The electrical terminations for connection to the active switching mechanism may be located on the bottom, top, or sides of the case and may incorporate, among other mechanical fastening techniques, an internal female terminal for solderless pin connection.
According to another aspect of the present invention, at the location where the terminals would typically exit from the mounting surface of the case, the terminals are instead encapsulated in a gasket covered cavity. This permits an intrusive bayonet or bandoliered or snap-in 0.025″ (635 mm) square post header to penetrate the cavity and make contact with the female terminal. This provides a penetration process for termination connections to, for example, a printed circuit board or similar manufacturing processes.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the switch can be manufactured by forming the contact elements in metal strip form and then operating on the metal strip to place the switch contacts in the proper spatial relationship prior to arranging the top and bottom of the casing therearound. Subsequently, a shearing operation is performed that separates the electrical terminations for each switch from the strips.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5181603 (1993-01-01), Mori et al.
patent: 5828016 (1998-10-01), Grannan et al.
patent: 6018132 (2000-01-01), Chen
patent: 6087606 (2000-07-01), Simpson
Delanoy Curt
Tucci Michael
Friedhofer Michael
Maioli Jay H.
Micro Contacts Inc.
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