Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Chicago Switch, Inc.

Joseph J Spedale

Michael S Pedersen

Frank K Villari

Ghaffar Kazkaz

Daniel J Danek

Tao-Ming Wang

Martin Gaber

Guy M Farrell

Sheng-Nan Hou

A centrifugal operated switch particularly suitable for operating a circuit for starter windings of a motor. A spindle is connected to and rotated by the motor shaft. Swing arms connected to the spindle move upwardly and outwardly in response to rotational speed of the spindle. A plunger is movable in the spindle, and moves together with movement of the swing arms. The plunger is operationally connected to a contactor having one end electrically connected to a first terminal, and a second end alternatively connected to and disconnected from a second terminal. Movement of the plunger causes movement of the contactor.

Centrifugal operated switch

A rocker switch assembly comprises a rocker switch housing having a ground contact and first and second electrical circuit contact pins mounted therein. Snap-dome contacts are operatively associated with, but normally electrically disengaged from, each one of the first and second electrical circuit contact pins, and are normally disposed in electrical contact with the ground plate. A rocker actuator has first and second actuator posts integral therewith and depending therefrom so as to normally be disposed in contact with the snap-dome contacts. Depression of one side of the rocker actuator therefore forces one of the actuator posts to in turn force its associated snap-dome contact into engagement with its respective electrical circuit contact pin so as to CLOSE the electrical circuit controlled by such electrical circuit contact pin. The engagement of the actuator posts with the snap-dome contacts rocker switch facilitates a small-throw movement of the rocker actuator and tactile feedback to the operator confirming contact of the snap-dome contact with the electrical circuit contact pin and closure of the electrical circuit controlled thereby.

Rocker switch with snap dome contacts

A combination power switch housing and electrical connector housing module wherein the power switch housing comprises an upper power switch housing section within which a rocker-type actuator is located along with common and make/break electrical contacts, and a lower power switch housing section integral with the upper power switch housing section and comprising a tubular section having a throughbore extending therethrough within which the electrical connector housing can be fixedly secured. The module also comprises resilient finger and lug structure for enabling mounting of the module upon a panel member.

Power switch module

A combination, one-piece, integral, electrical connector and rocker-type power switch module comprises an electrical connector housing having a plurality of 90.degree. terminals mounted therein and adapted to be mounted upon and connected to a printed circuit board (PCB), and a power switch housing having a rocker mechanism, a substantially U-shaped, hairpin type contactor, and a pair of contacts defining a common contact and a make/break contact. The housings are fabricated from a thermoplastic material and are specially structured so as to permit the mounting of the power switch housing upon the electrical connector housing whereby the housings may be ultrasonically welded together so as to form the one-piece, integral module.

Electrical connector-power switch module

A slide selector switch mechanism for use within slide switches for controlling electrical circuits includes a detent spring centrally connected to a slide actuator member and to opposite ends of a movable bridging contactor. The detent spring provides contact pressure for effecting adequate pressurized electrical engagement of the contactor with underlying fixed terminal contact elements. The detent spring also functions as a separate actuating member for causing pivotal movement of the bridging contactor.

Slide selector switch mechanism

A slide switch construction including at least two spaced apart contacts positioned on a base with a slider and bridging contactor assembly attached to the base in a manner such that the assembly is movable over the base for changing switch positions. The bridging contactor comprises a strip of resilient material defining an elongated bridging portion with at least one spring arm extending outwardly from the bridging portion. An engaging surface is defined by the slider for engagement with the spring arm to bend the spring arm relative to the bridging portion when the assembly is attached to the base thereby achieving pressing of the bridging portion against the contacts. Hanger means are defined by the contactor and by the slider to serve as means for holding the slider and contactor together when the assembly is separated from the base.

Slide switch constructions

A slide switch having opposed contacts mounted on a base with a slider assembly moving over the base. A bridging conductor is included in the assembly whereby the positioning of the slider assembly determines the relationship of the bridging conductor to the opposed contacts to thereby provide the switching characteristic. The bridging conductor is held in assembly with the slider preferably by means of a resilient element pressing the conductor or a support therefor against a slider ledge so that this assembly remains intact when separated from the base. The base contacts comprise body portions receivable in slots defined by the base, the body portions defining recesses whereby the contacts can be press fit into engagement with the base.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Joseph J Spedale