Patent ID: 6797897
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A timer for controlling an appliance, comprising:a rotatable cam-carrying member having cam surfaces thereon, a timing motor having a rotor that rotates in response to electrical stimulation, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of said cam-carrying member in response to rotation of said rotor, a plurality of cam-actuated switches, each of the cam-actuated switches comprising first and second arms, at least one of the arms mounted for engagement to a cam surface of said rotatable member for actuation of each of said plurality of cam-actuated switches in response to rotation of said rotatable member, and making and breaking an electrical connection by contact between contacting surfaces of said arms in response to actuation by said rotatable member, wherein the contacting surface of at least one of the switch arms comprises a tear in the surface of the switch arm, and adjacent the tear a first portion of the contact surface is deflected away from the surface of the switch arm in a first direction, whereby a sharp contact edge is created.