Lever switch

Abstract

A switch device includes an insulating base formed of a plastics material which defines upper and lower switch operation spaces, a pair of confronting hinge bosses interposed between the upper and lower switch operating spaces, and a lamp-mounting space. An operation lever having upper and lower ends is pivotally coupled to the hinge bosses such that the upper end extends into the upper switch operation space and a lower end extends into the lower switch operating space. In this manner, the operation lever may be pivotally moved between first and second states. The lower end of the operation lever includes a bridge portion which establishes a hole such that an an opposed pair of resilient contact members associated with a U-shaped movable contact are disposed adjacent to the hole and are thereby capable of being resiliently displaced therewithin. A lamp-holding connector is mounted to the base for holding a lamp within a lamp-mounting space. First and second fixed contacts form an electrical circuit through the lamp held by the lamp-holding connector and are disposed within the lower switch operating space such that the resilient contact members of the U-shaped movable contact makes electrical contact with the first and second fixed contacts when the operation lever is in the first state, and breaks electrical contact between the first and second fixed contacts when the operation lever is in the second state. As such, an electrical circuit is made and broken to turn a lamp held by the lamp-holding connector on and off, respectively.