Other

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Chicago Switch, Inc.

Martin Gaber

Joseph J Spedale

Guy M Farrell

A switch construction including opposed contacts positioned on a base and a bridging sliding contactor slidable between different switch positions. The design of the contacts on the base includes an upper section that defines a first surface engageable by a tab formed on the sliding contactor, and second surface blade portions which provide engagement with wing sections defined on opposite sides of a tab section formed on the sliding contactor. Resilient means press the sliding contactor against this upper section in a fashion such that the wing sections slide over the second surface portions and the tab section engages the first surface portions. The separate engagement of the tab and wing sections provide separate available current paths for the switch; and since either the tab or the wing sections may engage the contact first, arcing is confined to this initial contact area during switch closure. The other section may then act as an inclined plane during switch closure to help lift off the arcing section away from the initial contact area after arcing occurs. The section that is engaged in the maintained state of the switch is thus a clean contact area at which no arcing has occurred. Similarly, upon opening of the switch circuit the initial contact point is also the last point of the sliding contactor that contacts the stationary contact, and thus arcing is again confined to this area.

Switch with sliding contactor

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 switch construction including a base with first and second pairs of spaced-apart contacts attached to the base and a pair of spaced-apart fulcrum contacts positioned intermediate the pairs of contacts. A pair of bridging contactors is mounted for pivoting movement on the fulcrum contacts for selectively engaging one of the pairs of contacts. The bridging contactors are supported by a rocker and a spring loaded actuator is provided for driving the rocker between the selective engaging positions. The rocker and bridging contactors are assembled so that free movement therebetween is provided to thereby achieve positive engagement of contact surfaces.

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Wilmette, IL, United States of America

Martin Gaber