Relay with manually releasable latch

Abstract

An improvement in a latch relay of the type including a terminal support block, an armature pivotally mounted on a selected axis, coil means between the axis and the terminal blocks for forcing the armature into a first position adjacent the coil means when current is passed through the coil means, biasing means for biasing the armature away from the first position and toward a second position spaced from the coil means, a contact controlled by the angular position of the armature and a reset latching device. The latching device includes latch means responsive to movement of the armature from the second position to the first position for releasably latching the armature in the first position and manual means for releasing the latch means and allowing the armature to pivot into the second position. The improvement in this relay comprises a longitudinally movable, generally floating latch member movable between a latched position and a reset, unlatched position under the action of an integrally formed leaf spring coacting with the terminal block of the armature. This integral latch member includes a first shoulder for holding the latch member in the reset, unlatched position and an inclined wall for wedging the armature into its first position when the latch member is in its latched position.