Rotary type microswitch

Abstract

A rotary type microswitch wherein a rotary handle member having at its body periphery a handle for driving a free end of a movable contact spring plate carrying a movable contact opposed to a stationary contact is rotatably borne at both axial ends between opposing side walls of a housing, and a lever member receiving an external operating force for rotating the handle member is coupled on a desired side of the housing to either one of the both ends of the handle member which are exposed to the exterior of the side walls. With the handle member thus providing a free selectivity in operating-force applying direction with respect to the both ends at which the member is borne, stably reliable switching operation is obtained. Such operation is further assured to be achieved with a smaller operating force due to the fact that a slidable card is inserted between the free end of the movable contact spring plate and the handle. A lever arm of the lever member has a bent end engaged in a receptive groove in a head part of the lever member disposed outside the housing so as to conform to the bent end. The lever includes a part transverse to the axis of the member and a part parallel to the axis. The engagement of the arm in the groove is locked by a cap easily fittable to the head part of the lever member but prevented from being easily detached.