Patent ID: 6207910
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: H01H,H01R

Abstract:
A switch and connector assembly comprising:a) a switch assembly including a switch housing defining an interior region and supporting switch components therein and an actuator extending through an opening in a wall of the switch housing and being moveable with respect to the switch housing between a first position and a second position, the switch housing having an exteriorly extending extension member;b) the switch components including a first conductor supported within the switch housing interior region and moveable with the actuator along a path of travel to selectively bridge first and second terminals of a first set of terminals supported by the housing in a spaced apart relationship, the first and second terminals in the first set of the terminals each having an extending portion extending externally through the switch housing transverse to a direction of movement of the actuator, the first conductor electrically coupling the first and second terminals of the first set of terminals in one of the first and second positions of the actuator;c) a connector assembly including a connector housing releasably engaging the switch housing, the connector assembly including first and second terminals of a first set of terminals supported by the connector housing in a spaced apart relationship and oriented to electrically contact the first and second terminals of the first set of terminals of the switch assembly when the connector housing and switch housing are engaged; andd) a conductive shorting member supported in the connector housing and biased to contact and electrically couple the first and second terminals of the first set of terminals of the connector assembly upon disengagement of the connector housing and the switch housing, the switch housing extension member contacting and deflecting a contacting portion of the shorting member away from contact with at least one of the first and second terminals of the first set of terminals of the connector assembly thereby breaking the electrical coupling between the first and second terminals of the first set of terminals of the connector assembly upon engagement of the connector housing and the switch housing.