GB596456A - Improvements relating to snap-action operating mechanism suitable for the actuation of electric switches - Google Patents

Abstract

596,456. Snap-action switches; retractive switches. JENNINGS, H. W. K. (First Industrial Corporation). May 25, 1945, No. 13154. [Class 38(v)] In a snap-action switch an apertured spring-blade 24, which may be of beryliumcopper, is mounted at one end on an insulating block 14, and has a projecting tongue 34, which engages a depression 46 in one end 44 of a C-shaped compression spring-blade 42, which at its other end 45, engages the yoke 38 of a flexible U-shaped portion of the blade 24. The limbs 36, 37 engage V-slots 51, 52, in the H-shaped end 45 of the blade 42, Fig. 3, and the shoulders 53, 54 engage the sides 29, 31 of the blade 24 so as to urge a contact 58 on to a contact 61. When the tongue 34 is moved by a plunger 57, it carries the end part 44 past a dead-centre, whereupon the end part 45 snaps over, so that the shoulders 55, 56 strike the blade-sides 29, 31, and move the contact 58 against a stop 59. The resilience of the tongue 34 produces a snap-action return movement, but in a non-retractive arrangement, the tongue 34 lies in the plane of the blade 24. The blade 24 may be downwardly bowed at its free end, so as to ensure that contact-pressure is maintained until the contacts actually separate.