Eaton Corporation

Robert L Glenn

Jackson H Smith

A cylindrical contact carrier (4) is journaled for rotational movement about an axis extending in the direction of linear movement of a depressible trigger operator (2). Spiral grooves (4d) formed in the carrier (4) cooperably receive cam elements (10g) which are disposed in fixed planes with respect to the axis of rotation and depression of the trigger operator (2) effects relative linear movement of the cam elements (10g) with respect to the spiral grooves (4d) to cause rotation of the carrier (4) for moving contacts (18) positioned on the carrier (4) into and out of engagement with stationary contacts (22) disposed around the periphery of the carrier (4).

Trigger switch with rotating contact carrier

Variations of individual components are selectively assembled to satisfy specified switch characteristics and functions. A self-contained switching unit (2) comprises an actuator (8) mounted for linear reciprocal movement in a first housing (4) and having an end projecting through an end wall of the first housing, a return spring (52) biasing the actuator (8) to an extending position, and contactors (46, 48; 76, 78) positioned in pockets (8a, 8b) in the actuator (8) above and below the return spring (52) to be cammed in opposite lateral directions upon depression of the actuator (8) to bridge large-mass stationary contacts (28, 30; 32, 34, 36) positioned firmly against sidewalls of the first housing (4). Camming arrangements carry the contactors (46, 48; 76, 78) into bridging engagement with the stationary contacts (28, 30; 32, 34, 36) and render contact pressure springs (86, 90) operative after such engagement. Selected versions of the actuator (8) and a trigger (12) to be attached to the projecting end of the actuator accommodate a variable depression adjustment screw (10, 14). The stationary contacts include integral terminal portions (28a, 30a; 32a, 34a, 36a) extending through a lower side (6) of the first housing (4) for plug-in connection with press-in (20) or pressure type (40) wiring terminals contained in a second housing (18) when the latter is attached to the first housing (4). Selected speed control circuit boards (26) may be positioned within the second housing (18) for plug-in connection with the stationary contact terminal portions (34a, 36a) upon attachment of the second housing (18) to the first housing (4). Variations in heat sinks (24) are accommodated within the second housing (18).

Trigger operated electric switch

A screw (14) axially abuts an oblique surface (10a) of a clamping member (10) to drive that member at a right angle to the axis of the screw (14) to clamp a conductor (6) against a conductive terminal member (4a) within an electrical switching device. A coiled band spring (12) has the coiled ends received within recesses (10a) in the opposite surfaces of a clamping member (10) and the central portion of the band spring looped around a supporting member (8) for the screw (14) to bias the oblique surface (10a) into engagement with the end of the screw (14). The band spring (12) is received within shallow grooves (8b and 10b) in the supporting and clamping members to cooperate with the grooves in restricting movement of the clamping member (10) to linear movement at right angles to the axis of screw (14). The restrictive and guiding functions of the band spring and grooves can be supplemented or substituted for by the configuration of a surrounding housing for the connector members.

Right-angle electrical clamping connector

A switch assembly incorporates miniature snap action switches (8) disposed over pins (26,28;56) molded integrally with a base member (6;52) and are held thereto by an enclosing case (4;50) to which the switch and base subassembly is snap-fit. A rocker actuator for the switches (8) is molded integrally with the base in one embodiment to have flexible wings (31) deformable to effect switch plunger (10) depression. In another version, a separate actuator (54) is pivotally supported by grooves (76) in the case (50) and the upper edge (60) of the base (52). The case is provided with serrated, variable panel thickness mounting structures (40;74) for snap-in attachment of the switch assembly in a panel opening.

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Arab, AL, United States of America

Robert L Glenn