The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 04, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 15, 2001
James F. Crawford, Newton, IA (US);
Jeffrey L. Sears, Grinnell, IA (US);
Harold T. Wilson, Colfax, IA (US);
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA (US);
Abstract
A switch assembly includes a housing within which is arranged a convex, over-center spring which deforms when pressure is applied to a push button. In a default position, the push button sits atop an apex of the spring, with the spring being spaced from a contact associated with a first electrical lead. One end of the spring projects from the housing and defines a second electrical lead. When pressure is applied to the push button, the spring is pushed into electrical communication with the contact, thus completing a circuit between the electrical leads. In a first embodiment, a base housing member and a separate snap-on cover is provided. In a second embodiment, the cover is attached to the base housing via a living hinge. In both the first and second embodiments, the cover assists in holding the spring in the default position.