Rotary electric switch having a momentary switch position

Abstract

A rotary electric switch having push-in wire terminals includes a hollow plastic housing having a recessed base and a cover member. The cover member comprises a top surface, a bottom surface and an annular boss which is shaped to define a central bore. A plurality of resilient stationary contacts are positioned in the base. A switch handle is rotably mounted on the base between the plurality of resilient stationary contacts. The switch handle comprises a disc-shaped rotor having a top surface and a bottom surface. The switch handle further comprises an elongated shaft and an arcuate rotor stop which are formed on its top surface, the elongated shaft protruding through the central bore in the cover member and the arcuate rotor stop being disposed within a rotor recess formed in the bottom surface of the cover member. A rotatable contactor is mounted on the bottom surface of the rotor of the switch handle and serves to selectively contact the stationary contacts. A coiled wire is mounted on the top surface of the rotor and is held in a pre-loaded position by the rotor stop, the coiled wire being disposed within a coiled wire recess formed in the bottom surface of the cover member. In use, rotation of the switch handle causes the rotatable contactor to selectively contact the stationary contacts in such a manner so as to provide the switch with a plurality of different settings, such as a momentary setting, an off setting and low and high power stable state settings.