Patent ID: 6275134
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A safety switch comprising:an electrically insulative housing, said housing having a closed bottom side and open top side;a first metal contact plate, a second metal contact plate and a third metal contact plate respectively fastened to the closed bottom side of said housing, said second metal contact plate being spaced between said first metal contact plate and said third metal contact plate, said first metal contact plate having a contact at a top side thereof disposed inside said housing;a lever pivotable in said housing and suspended in the open side of said housing via a pivot device that connects said lever to said housing;a metal movable member connected to and pivotable on said second metal contact plate and suspended inside said housing;a smoothly arched trip-off element having fixed and open ends, the trip-off element movable with the metal movable member to position the open end of the trip-off element to either attach or detach from the fist metal contact plate, the fixed end of said trip-off element fixedly connected to a first end of said metal movable member and the free end of the trip-off element comprises a contact, the contact of said trip-off element is contactable to said first metal contact plate;an actuating member connected between said lever and said metal movable member and actuated by said lever to move said metal movable member on said second metal contact plate between a first position where said trip-off element is moved with said movable member to force the contact of said trip-off element into contact with said first metal contact plate, and a second position where said trip-off element is moved with said movable member to disconnect the contact of said trip-off element from said first metal contact plate;wherein when said trip-off element is heated to trip off upon an overload after said metal movable member has been moved to said first position, causing said first metal contact plate to be electrically disconnected from said second metal contact plate; andthe third metal contact plate is connectable to an optional light unit.