Patent ID: 6420669
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A modular toggle assembly comprising:a housing assembly including: an upper housing; and a lower housing, wherein the upper and lower housing are configured to be secured together; a toggle handle pivotally mounted in the housing assembly and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a portion of the toggle handle extends from an opening in the upper housing for user operation of the handle; biasing means for selectively biasing the toggle handle in the first position or the second position, the biasing means including: a toggle spring positioned in the lower housing, the toggle spring being a flat spring member located in channel and supported on substantially distal ends by a pair of support arms; and a toggle arm extending from the toggle handle which contacts at least a portion of the toggle spring when the toggle handle is moved between the first and second positions; wherein the toggle arm makes contact with substantially the middle of the spring member of the toggle spring through a predetermined arc defined by the rotational movement of the toggle arm; an actuator arm connected to the toggle handle and capable of selectively actuating an external switching device as a function of the position of the toggle handle; an external switching device in selective association with the toggle handle; means for attenuating noise generated by motion of the toggle arm with respect to the toggle spring, wherein the means for attenuating noise includes: a first attenuating bumper; and a second attenuating bumper, each attached to the toggle handle; wherein the first bumper is in close proximity to the spring member when the toggle handle is in the first position; and wherein the second bumper is in close proximity to the spring member when the toggle handle is in the second position; and a pair of touch sensitive plates, each of said plates having one end thereof formed in a hook shape, each of said plates located within a respective channel in the upper housing separated by a spacing.