Patent US2271574A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4837411A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4837411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spring switch
Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc
•
Filing: 1987-12-07
•
Granted: 1989-06-06
•
Expires: 2007-12-07
Abstract
Abstract An electrical switch assembly comprises a first, domed, flexible contact member plus at least one second, flexible, finger-type contact member positioned under the first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto. Actuator means are provided for pressing the first, domed contact member into contact with the second contact member to actuate the switch assembly. In accordance with this invention the second, flexible, finger-type contact member defines an end portion which is bent to permit increased-area contact with the first contact member when the first contact member is pressed into contact with the second contact member. This also provides improved wiping action between the first and second contacts as the increased-area contact is made and broken for removal of carbon build-up and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary R. Best
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 23:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/14; H01H1/18; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/08; H01H1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In an electrical switch assembly which comprises a first, outwardly doomed, flexible contact member, and a pair of spaced, second, flexible, finger-type contact members positioned under said first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto, and actuator means for pressing said first domed contact member into contact with said second, flexible contact members by collapsing said domed member, said second, flexible finger-type contact members each defining an end portion which is bent to permit increased area contact with said first contact member when said first contact member is pressed into contact therewith, while providing improved wiping action between the first and second contact members as said increased-area contact is made and broken.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an electrical switch assembly which comprises a first, outwardly doomed, flexible contact member, and a pair of spaced, second, flexible, finger-type contact members positioned under said first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto, and actuator means for pressing said first domed contact member into contact with said second, flexible contact members by collapsing said domed member, said second, flexible finger-type contact members each defining an end portion which is bent to permit increased area contact with said first contact member when said first contact member is pressed into contact therewith, while providing improved wiping action between the first and second contact members as said increased-area contact is made and broken.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The switch assembly of claim 1 in which the bent ends of said second contact members each define a curved portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
153 words
In an electrical switch assembly which comprises a first, outwardly domed, flexible contact member, second, flexible, finger-type contact member means positioned under said first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto, and actuator means for pressing said first, domed contact member into contact with said second, flexible contact member means by collapsing said domed member, the improvement comprising, in combination: said second contact member means comprising a pair of second, flexible, finger-type contact members positioned under said first contact member for contact therewith through pressing by said actuator means, each second, flexible contact member defining an end portion which is bent to permit increased-area contact with said first contact member when said first contact member is pressed into contact therewtih, while providing improved wiping action between the first and second contact members as said increased-area contact is made and broken, the bent ends of said second contact members each defining a curved portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
153 words
In an electrical switch assembly which comprises a first, outwardly domed, flexible contact member, second, flexible, finger-type contact member means positioned under said first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto, and actuator means for pressing said first, domed contact member into contact with said second, flexible contact member means by collapsing said domed member, the improvement comprising, in combination: said second contact member means comprising a pair of second, flexible, finger-type contact members positioned under said first contact member for contact therewith through pressing by said actuator means, each second, flexible contact member defining an end portion which is bent to permit increased-area contact with said first contact member when said first contact member is pressed into contact therewtih, while providing improved wiping action between the first and second contact members as said increased-area contact is made and broken, the bent ends of said second contact members each defining a curved portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
In an electrical switch assembly which comprises a first, outwardly domed contact member; a pair of second, flexible, finger-type contact members positioned under said first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto and actuator means for pressing said first, domed contact member into contact with said second, flexible contact members by collapsing said domed member, whereby an electrical circuit comprising said pair of second contact members may be closed by said contact with the first, domed contact member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
In an electrical switch assembly which comprises a first, outwardly domed contact member; a pair of second, flexible, finger-type contact members positioned under said first contact member in normally spaced relation thereto and actuator means for pressing said first, domed contact member into contact with said second, flexible contact members by collapsing said domed member, whereby an electrical circuit comprising said pair of second contact members may be closed by said contact with the first, domed contact member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB958754A
Cited
US4145588A
Cited
US4245139A
Cited
US4352963A
Cited
US4436970A
Cited
US4438304A
Cited
US4471182A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-06-05 | 1992-12-05 | 1993-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-05 | 1996-12-05 | 1997-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-12-05 | 2001-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |