Switch assembly

A switch assembly includes a switch actuator assembly which is operable to actuate a plurality of switches. The switch actuator assembly includes a pushbutton which is manually depressed to move a core relative to a coil from a first position to a second position. As the core moves to the second position, the plurality of switches are actuated and a magnetic field from the core cooperates with a base or frame member to hold the core in the second position. As the pushbutton returns to its unactuated position, a force transmitting lever moves into an extended position in engagement with a coil switch actuator arm. Subsequent depressing of the pushbutton causes a drive pin connected with the pushbutton to depress the force transmitting lever to open a coil switch and deenergize the coil. As the pushbutton is subsequently released, the core and drive pin move upwardly. The coil switch then closes and a retainer pin connected with the core pushes the force transmitting lever back to a retracted position. A remote switch is provided to interrupt a circuit for energizing the coil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a switch assembly for use in electrical 
circuitry. 
A known switch assembly for use in electrical circuitry is disclosed in 
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 951,669, filed Sep. 25, 1992 by 
Mohabbatizadeh et al. and entitled "Switch Assembly". The switch assembly 
disclosed in the aforesaid application includes a manually actuatable 
member which is movable relative to a switch housing to effect operation 
of an actuator assembly between unactuated and actuated conditions. A 
holding coil is energizeable to maintain the actuator assembly and 
switches in their actuated conditions. A control assembly is effective to 
control energization of the holding coil in response to movement of the 
manually actuatable member. 
In one embodiment of the switch assembly illustrated in the aforementioned 
application Serial No. 951,669, the control assembly includes optical 
sensors which cooperate with shutters to control the output from the 
control assembly. The shutters move with the manually actuatable member 
and are effective to cause a change in the condition of the optical 
sensors upon movement of the manually actuatable member. The shutters 
change the condition of the optical sensors in a manner which effects 
energization or deenergization of the holding coil only in response to 
movement of the manually actuatable member through a complete operating 
stroke. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An improved switch assembly includes switch contacts which are operable 
between unactuated and actuated conditions. At least a portion of an 
electromagnetic holding device is movable from a first position to a 
second position by a manually actuatable member. An electromagnetic field 
cooperates with a base member to retain the portion of the electromagnetic 
holding device in the second position. 
Upon movement of the portion of the electromagnetic holding device to the 
second position, the switch contacts are actuated. The switch contacts are 
retained in the actuated condition while the portion of the 
electromagnetic holding device is in the second position. 
The manually actuatable member is movable back to an initial position with 
the portion of the electromagnetic holding device in the second position. 
A switch is provided to effect operation of the electromagnetic holding 
device to a deenergized condition upon subsequent actuation of the 
manually actuatable member. This enables the portion of the 
electromagnetic holding device to move back toward its first position and 
the switches to operate to an unactuated condition as the manually 
actuatable member is returned to its initial position.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE SPECIFIC PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
General Description 
A switch assembly 10 (FIG. 1) includes a rectangular housing 12 and a 
manually actuatable pushbutton 14. The switch assembly 10 may be used in 
either an alternate action mode of operation or a momentary action mode of 
operation. When the switch assembly 10 is used in an alternate action mode 
of operation, depressing the pushbutton 14 through its operating stroke 
actuates switches 16 (FIG. 2) disposed in the housing 12 from a first or 
unactuated condition to a second or actuated condition. When the 
pushbutton 14 is released, the switches 16 remain in the second or 
actuated condition. When the pushbutton 14 is again depressed through its 
operating stroke and released, the switches 16 change from the second or 
actuated condition back to the first or unactuated condition 
When the switch assembly 10 is used in a momentary action mode of 
operation, initially depressing the pushbutton 14 through its operating 
stroke actuates the switches 16 from the first or unactuated condition to 
the second or actuated condition. When the pushbutton is released, the 
switches 16 change from the second or actuated condition back to the first 
or unactuated condition. Thus, when the switch assembly 10 is used in the 
momentary actuation mode of operation, the switches 16 are maintained in 
an actuated condition only when the pushbutton 14 is depressed. 
The pushbutton 14 in the switch assembly 10 has an axially downwardly (a 
viewed in FIG. 2) extending plunger or drive member 20 The plunger or 
drive member 20 has a generally cylindrical configuration with flat 
surface formed on one side, that is, facing toward the left and into the 
sheet of drawings (as viewed in FIG. 2). A drive pin 22 is fixedly 
connected to the plunger 20 and extends perpendicular to a longitudinal 
central axis of the plunger. Biasing springs 24 are provided to urge the 
pushbutton 14 upwardly (as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) toward an unactuated 
position. 
The plunger 20 extends through a rectangular housing 28 (FIG. 2). The 
housing 28 has an upper end cover 30 and a main housing section 32. The 
main housing section 32 includes a block 34 of insulating material. An 
insert 36 in the block 34 holds a force transmitting lever and coil 
switch. The function of the force transmitting lever and coil switch will 
be further explained hereinafter. 
A flexible printed circuit 40 interconnects a terminal block 42 upon which 
the switches 16 are mounted and contacts (not shown) which extend through 
the housing 28 to the pushbutton 14 to illuminate display lamps in the 
pushbutton in a known manner. An insulator 42 insulates the printed 
circuit 40 from an electromagnetic holding device 44 and positions the 
printed circuit relative to the electromagnetic holding device. 
The electromagnetic holding device 44 includes a generally cylindrical coil 
48 which extends around a generally cylindrical core 50. A cylindrical 
plunger 52 extends axially downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 2) from the core 
50. A spring assembly 56 applies force to the plunger 52 to bias the core 
50 upwardly relative to the coil 48. 
The spring assembly 56 and the switches 16 (FIG. 2) are enclosed by a 
switch actuator housing 60. The switch actuator housing 60 is disposed 
within the main housing 12 (FIG. 1) of the switch assembly 10. The spring 
assembly 56 is constructed in the manner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,315,535. 
A connector member 64 interconnects the switches 16 and the spring assembly 
56. The connector member 64 has a generally L-shaped configuration. A slot 
68 formed in a short leg 70 of the connector member 64 engages end 
portions of switch arms 72 of the switches 16. 
The connector member 64 has a pair of openings or slots 74 which are 
engaged by a pair of arms 76 extending outwardly from the spring assembly 
56. The connector member 64 is slidably received in guides 80 formed in 
the switch actuator housing 60. The guides 80 guide vertical (as viewed in 
FIG. 2) movement of the connector member 64 relative to the housing 60. 
When the spring assembly 56 is actuated to move the arms 144 downwardly and 
arms 76 upwardly, the connector member 64 is moved upwardly. After the 
connector member 64 has moved downwardly through a relatively short 
distance, the switches 16 are actuated with a snap action from an initial 
or unactuated condition to a second or actuated condition. The switches 16 
are connected with suitable circuitry through terminals 84 on the terminal 
block 42. The switches 16 may have any one of many different known snap 
action constructions, such as the construction disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,496,813. 
Switch Actuator Assembly 
An improved switch actuator assembly 90 (FIG. 3) is constructed and 
operated in accordance with the present invention. The switch actuator 
assembly 90 is operable to actuate the switches 16 (FIG. 2) with either an 
alternate action mode of operation or a momentary action mode of 
operation. When a remote switch 92 (FIG. 3) is closed, the switch actuator 
assembly 90 has an alternate action mode of operation. When the remote 
switch 92 is open, the switch actuator assembly 90 has a momentary action 
mode of operation. 
The switch actuator assembly 90 includes the electromagnetic holding device 
44. Control apparatus 96 cooperates with a coil switch 98 (FIG. 3) to 
control energization of the coil 48 in the electromagnetic holding device 
44. During operation of the switch assembly 10 in the momentary action 
mode of operation, the remote switch 92 is open and the coil 48 is 
continuously deenergized. During operation of the switch assembly 10 in 
its alternate action mode of operation, the remote switch 92 is closed and 
the coil 48 is deenergized only when the coil switch 98 is open. 
In addition to the cylindrical coil 48, the electromagnetic holding device 
44 includes the cylindrical core 50 (FIG. 3) which is movable relative to 
the stationary coil. Thus, the core 50 is movable between a first or upper 
position (FIG. 3) in which the switches 16 (FIG. 2) are in an unactuated 
condition, and a second or lower position (FIG. 4) in which the switches 
16 are in an actuated condition. The annular coil 48 circumscribes at 
least a portion of the core 50 when the core is in the first or upper 
position (FIG. 3) and the second or lower position (FIG. 4). 
When the core 50 is in the second or lower position, the core is adjacent 
to an iron base or frame member 108 (FIG. 4). The base or frame member 108 
is formed of a magnetizable material, that is, iron. The base member 108 
cooperates with the coil 48 to provide a path for a relatively strong 
magnetic field which emanates from the coil 48 and is conducted through 
the core 50 and frame 108 back to the coil. 
Once the core 50 has moved to the second or lower position adjacent to the 
base member 108 (FIG. 4), the core will remain in the lower position as 
long as the coil 44 is energized. The coil 48 is energized by electrical 
energy conducted through the closed remote switch 92 and the closed coil 
switch 98. When the core 50 is in the first or upper position (FIG. 3), 
the magnetic attraction between the core 50 and the base member 108 is 
insufficient to move the core downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 3) against the 
influence of the spring assembly 56. Therefore, until the pushbutton 14 is 
depressed to move the core 50 downwardly, the core remains in the first or 
upper position with the coil 48 energized. 
The coil switch 98 controls energization and deenergization of the coil 48 
when the remote switch 92 is closed. The coil switch 98 includes a 
stationary switch contact 112 (FIG. 3) and a movable switch contact 114. A 
helical coil biasing spring 116 urges the movable switch contact 114 into 
engagement with the fixed switch contact 112. 
An L-shaped actuator arm 120 is connected with the movable switch contact 
114. The actuator arm 120 is movable downward (as viewed in FIG. 3) to 
move the movable switch contact 114 out of engagement with the fixed 
switch contact 112. The L-shaped actuator arm 120 has a relatively long 
leg 122 which is connected with the movable switch contact 114 and a 
relatively short leg 124 which projects outward and rightward (as viewed 
in FIG. 3) from the long leg 122. 
When the movable switch contact 114 moves downward away from the fixed 
switch contact 112 (FIG. 8), the electrical circuit for energizing the 
coil 48 is interrupted to deenergize the coil. Upon deenergization of the 
coil 48, the magnetic field emanating from the coil is also interrupted. 
The control apparatus 96 (FIG. 3) includes a force transmitting or timing 
lever 130. The force transmitting lever 130 is pivotally mounted on the 
housing section 36. The force transmitting lever 130 is pivotal between a 
retracted position (FIG. 3) and an extended position (FIG. 8). A 
torsion-type coil spring 132 (FIG. 3) urges the force transmitting lever 
130 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. 
A cylindrical retainer pin 136 (FIG. 3) is mounted on the core 50. The 
retainer pin 136 is effective to maintain the force transmitting lever 130 
in the retracted position (FIG. 3) against the influence of the coil 
spring 132 when the core 50 is in the first or upper position. Upon 
movement of the core 50 to the second or lower position (FIG. 4), the 
retainer pin 136 moves downwardly away from the force transmitting lever 
130 to release the lever for pivotal movement under the influence of the 
spring 132. 
A helical coil spring 138 (FIG. 3) urges the retainer pin 136 toward the 
extended position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the retainer pin blocks 
movement of the force transmitting lever 130 from the retracted position. 
The helical spring 138 which urges the retainer pin 136 toward the 
extended position and the helical spring 116 which urges the movable 
switch contact 114 into engagement with the fixed switch contact 112 are 
both stronger than the torsion spring 132 which urges the force 
transmitting lever 130 away from the retracted position of FIG. 3. 
Operation 
The switch assembly 10 is shown in an initial or released-unactuated 
condition in FIG. 3. Since the remote switch 92 is closed, the switch 
assembly 10 will be operated in its alternate action mode of operation. 
When the switch assembly 10 is in the unactuated condition shown in FIG. 
3, the projections 76 (FIG. 2) from the spring assembly 56 are in the 
lowered position and the switches 16 are in an unactuated condition. When 
the switch assembly 10 is in the initial condition of FIG. 3, a spring 
biased arm 144 in the spring assembly 56 is pressed upwardly by coil 
springs 154 (FIG. 2), to maintain the core 50 in the raised position. 
The coil switch 98 is closed when the switch assembly 10 is in the initial 
condition of FIG. 3. Since the remote switch 92 is also closed, the coil 
48 in the electromagnetic holding device 44 is energized. However, the 
distance between the core 50 and the base member 108 is sufficient to 
prevent the core from being pulled downwardly by the cooperation between 
the magnetic field transmitted from the coil 48 through the core to the 
base member. 
When the switch assembly is in the initial condition of FIG. 3, the 
retainer pin 136 presses against the force transmitting lever 130. At this 
time, the retainer pin 136 holds the force transmitting lever 130 in the 
retracted position against the influence of the torsion spring 132 The 
pushbutton 14 is urged to a raised or unactuated position by the springs 
24. 
To actuate the switches 16 (FIG. 2), the pushbutton 14 is manually moved 
downward from the unactuated position shown in FIG. 3 to the actuated 
position shown in FIG. 4. Thus, downward force, indicated schematically by 
the arrow 148 in FIG. 4, is applied against the pushbutton 14. The force 
applied against the pushbutton 14 causes the pushbutton to move downward 
to the actuated position shown in FIG. 4. 
As the pushbutton 14 moves downward, the plunger 20 moves the core 50 
downward to the second or lowered position shown in FIG. 4. When the core 
50 moves to the lowered position shown in FIG. 4, it is disposed in 
abutting engagement with the base member 108. Therefore, the magnetic 
field emanating from the coil 48 is conducted through the core 50 and base 
member 108 to hold the core in the second or lowered position. If desired, 
the core 50 may be spaced from the base member 108 by a layer of 
nonmagnetizeable material. 
As the core 50 moves to the second or lowered position, the core plunger 52 
moves the arm 144 in the spring assembly 56 downward from the initial 
position of FIG. 3 to the actuated position of FIG. 4. As the arm 144 in 
the spring assembly 56 moves downward, a second arm 152 in the spring 
assembly is moved upward. This upward movement of the arm 152 in the 
spring assembly 56 raises the connector member 64 (FIG. 2) to operate the 
switches 16 from their unactuated condition to their actuated condition. 
Compression snap action springs 154 (FIG. 2) are interpositioned between 
the arms 144 and 152 in the manner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,315,535. 
As the pushbutton 14 moves downward from the unactuated position of FIG. 3 
to the actuated position of FIG. 4, the drive pin 22 moves downward with 
the pushbutton 14 and the core 50. As the core 50 moves downward, the 
retainer pin 136 moves downward to release the force transmitting lever 
130 for movement from the retracted position of FIG. 3. However, before 
the force transmitting lever 130 is released by the retainer pin 136 for 
movement from the retracted position of FIG. 3, the drive pin 22 will have 
moved below the upper or free end portion of the force transmitting lever. 
Therefore, the torsion spring 132 is effective to pivot the force 
transmitting lever 130 into abutting engagement with the upper side of the 
drive pin 22, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4. 
As the pushbutton 14, drive pin 22 and core 50 move downward from the 
initial or unactuated condition shown in FIG. 3 to the actuated condition 
shown in FIG. 4, the coil switch 98 remains closed or unactuated. Thus, 
the movable switch contact 114 remains stationary in engagement with the 
fixed contact 112. The downward movement of the drive pin 22 stops short 
of the relatively short horizontal arm 124 of the L-shaped coil switch 
actuator arm 120. Therefore, the coil 48 remains energized. The magnetic 
field emanating from the coil 48 is transmitted through the core 50 to the 
base member 108 to hold the core in the second or lowered position of FIG. 
4. 
After the pushbutton 14 has been manually depressed to the actuated 
position of FIG. 4, the pushbutton is released. The springs 24 urge the 
pushbutton 14 upward, in the manner indicated schematically by the arrow 
156 in FIG. 5, toward the unactuated position. As the pushbutton 14 moves 
upward, the coil switch 98 remains closed and the coil 48 remains 
energized. Therefore, cooperation between the magnetic field emanating 
from the coil 48 and transmitted through the core 50 to the base member 
108 holds the core 50 stationary in the lowered or second position of FIG. 
5. As long as the core 50 remains in the lowered or second position of 
FIG. 5, the switches 16 (FIG. 2) remain actuated. 
As the pushbutton 14 moves upward, the drive pin 22 moves upward to pivot 
the force transmitting lever 130 in a clockwise direction from the 
position of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 5, against the influence of the 
relatively weak torsion spring 132. Thus, the force transmitting lever 130 
moves back toward the retracted position. As the drive pin 22 and 
pushbutton 14 move slightly upward from the position shown in FIG. 5 back 
toward the unactuated position shown in FIG. 6, the drive pin 22 moves 
clear of the upper end portion of the force transmitting lever 130. When 
this happens, the torsion spring 132 pivots the force transmitting lever 
130 in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 5 to 
the position shown in FIG. 6. 
As the force transmitting lever 130 approaches the position shown in FIG. 
6, a lower edge portion of the force transmitting lever engages the upper 
end of the retainer pin 136. Even though the retainer pin biasing spring 
13 is stronger than the force transmitting lever biasing spring 132, the 
retainer pin 136 is depressed slightly, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 
6, by the kinetic energy of the downwardly swinging force transmitting 
lever 130. 
As the retainer pin 136 is depressed and absorbs the kinetic energy of the 
downwardly or counterclockwise pivoting force transmitting lever 130, the 
force transmitting lever comes into engagement with the relatively short 
leg 124 of the L-shaped switch actuator arm 120. Since the retainer pin 
136 has already absorbed most of the kinetic energy of the downwardly 
swinging force transmitting lever 130, the force applied against the 
L-shaped actuator arm 120 by the force transmitting lever 130 is 
ineffective to move the L-shaped switch actuator arm 120 against the 
influence of the biasing spring 116 (FIG. 6). Therefore, the movable 
contact 114 in the coil switch 98 remains stationary in engagement with 
the fixed contact 112 of the coil switch 98. 
When the pushbutton 14 has returned to the unactuated position shown in 
FIG. 6, the coil 48 remains energized. Therefore, the core 50 is held in 
the second or lowered position against the influence of the spring 
assembly 56 by the cooperation between the electromagnetic field from the 
coil 48 and the base member 108. The switches 16 remain actuated. 
When it is desired to return the switches 16 to their unactuated condition, 
the pushbutton 14 is again depressed by the application of manual force to 
the pushbutton, in the manner indicated schematically by the arrow 160 in 
FIG. 7. As the pushbutton 14 and drive pin 22 move downwardly from the 
unactuated position shown in FIG. 6 to the partially actuated position 
shown in FIG. 7, the lower side of the drive pin 22 moves into engagement 
with the upper side of the force transmitting lever 130. At this time, the 
coil switch 98 is closed and the coil 48 is energized. Therefore, at this 
time, the switches 16 remain actuated. 
As the pushbutton 14 continues to be manually pressed downward, in the 
manner indicated schematically by the arrow 162 in FIG. 8, the lower side 
of the drive pin 22 presses against the upper side of the force 
transmitting lever 130 and pivots the force transmitting lever in a 
counterclockwise direction. As this occurs, the retainer pin 136 is forced 
downward from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8 
against the influence of the retainer pin biasing spring 138. At the same 
time, the force transmitting lever 130 applies force against the 
relatively short leg 124 of the L-shaped coil switch actuator arm 122 to 
move the actuator arm downward (as viewed in FIG. 8) against the influence 
of the coil switch biasing spring 116. As this occurs, the movable coil 
switch contact 114 is pulled downward away from the fixed coil switch 
contact 112 to interrupt the circuit for energizing the coil 48. 
Deenergization of the coil 48 interrupts the magnetic field which had 
previously cooperated with the base member 108 to hold the core 50 in the 
second or lower position against the influence of the spring assembly 56. 
However, as the pushbutton 14 is moved downward to the actuated position 
of FIG. 8, the plunger 20 moves into engagement with the core 50. 
Therefore, force is transmitted from the pushbutton 14 through the plunger 
20 to hold the core in the second or lower position against the influence 
of the spring assembly 56 even though the coil 48 has been deenergized. 
Therefore, the switches 16 remain in the actuated condition when the 
pushbutton 14 is in the actuated position of FIG. 8. 
As the pushbutton is manually released, springs 24 urge the pushbutton 
upward away from the actuated position of FIG. 8, in the manner indicated 
schematically by the arrow 166 in FIG. 9. During the initial portion of 
the upward movement of the pushbutton 14, the core 50 moves upward away 
from the frame member 108. As this occurs, the arm 144 in the switch 
assembly 56 moves upward. However, the other arm 152 in the spring 
assembly 56 remains stationary so that the switches 16 remain in their 
actuated condition. 
During upward movement of the pushbutton 14 from the position shown in FIG. 
8 to the position shown in FIG. 9, the drive pin 22 moves upward with the 
pushbutton. As the drive pin 22 moves upward, the retainer biasing spring 
138 in conjunction with the retainer pin 136 pivots the force transmitting 
lever 130 in a clockwise direction against the counterclockwise force of 
the torsion spring 132 from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position 
shown in FIG. 9. However, the force transmitting lever 130 is held against 
pivoting movement to the retracted position of FIG. 3 by engagement of the 
force transmitting member with the lower side of the drive pin 22. 
As the force transmitting lever 130 pivots upward from the position shown 
in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9, the L-shaped actuator arm 120 
is moved upward by the coil switch biasing spring 116. This upward 
movement of the actuator arm 120 moves the coil switch contact 114 into 
engagement with the fixed coil switch contact 112 to again complete the 
circuit to energize the coil 48. Although the coil 48 is again energized, 
the space between the lower end of the core 50 and the frame member 108 
prevents the core from being drawn back downward by the cooperation 
between the magnetic field and the frame member. 
If the direction of movement of the pushbutton 14 is reversed and the 
pushbutton is in the position shown in FIG. 9, the plunger 20 will move 
the core 50 back downward into engagement with the base member 108. As the 
pushbutton 14 and core 50 are moved downward, the drive pin 22 will pivot 
the force transmitting lever 130 in a counterclockwise direction to again 
actuate the coil switch 98 to the open condition. Therefore, the circuit 
for energizing the coil 48 is again interrupted and the coil is 
deenergized. Therefore, upon subsequent movement of the pushbutton 14 back 
to the position shown in FIG. 9, the core 50 moves upward away from the 
base member 108 and the force transmitting lever 130 will again pivot 
upward and the coil switch 98 is closed to again energize the coil 48. 
As the pushbutton 14 continues to be manually released, the pushbutton 14 
and core 50 continue to move upward from the position shown in FIG. 9 to 
the position shown in FIG. 10. As this occurs, the retainer pin 136 is 
pressed against the lower edge of the force transmitting lever 130 to 
compress the retainer pin biasing spring 138 (FIG. 10). In addition, the 
drive pin 22 moves to a position where it is almost, but not quite, clear 
of the free or upper end portion of the force transmitting lever 130. 
Therefore, the drive pin 22 continues to hold the force transmitting lever 
against pivoting movement to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3. 
The next increment of upward movement of the pushbutton 14 from the 
position shown in FIG. 10 results in the drive pin 22 moving clear of the 
outer end of the force transmitting lever 130. When this occurs, the 
relatively strong retainer pin biasing spring 138 immediately causes the 
retainer pin 136 to move upward to pivot the force transmitting lever 130 
back to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3. Since the retainer pin 
biasing spring 138 is stronger than the relatively weak torsion spring 
132, the retainer pin biasing spring 138 can overcome the influence of the 
torsion spring 132 and pivot the force transmitting lever 130 in a 
clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 10 to the fully 
retracted position shown in FIG. 3. 
As the pushbutton 14 and core 50 move upward to the position shown in FIG. 
10, the arm 144 in the spring assembly 56 moves upward. As this occurs, 
the arm 152 in the spring assembly 56 snaps downward to actuate the 
switches 16 for snap action operation from the actuated condition to the 
unactuated condition. Continued upward movement of the pushbutton 14 and 
core 50 results in the switch assembly 10 returning to the initial or 
unactuated condition shown in FIG. 3. 
When the switch assembly 10 is to be operated in the momentary actuation 
mode, the remote switch 92 is opened, in the manner shown in FIG. 1. 
Opening the remote switch 92 interrupts the circuit for energizing the 
coil 48. Therefore, the coil 48 remains deenergized throughout operation 
of the switch assembly 10. 
When the pushbutton 14 is manually depressed with the remote switch 92 
open, the core 50 and plunger 52 transmit force from the pushbutton 
plunger 20 to the spring assembly 56. This force effects operation of the 
switches 16 from the unactuated condition to the actuated condition as the 
pushbutton 14 is depressed. When the pushbutton 14 is released, the 
pushbutton moves upward and the spring assembly 56 moves the core 50 
upward with the pushbutton. Therefore, when the core 50 and pushbutton 14 
move from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 3, 
the switches 16 are operated from the actuated condition back to the 
unactuated condition. Since the coil 48 cannot be energized through the 
open remote switch 92, the switches 16 remain actuated only as long as the 
pushbutton 14 is manually depressed. 
Conclusion 
An improved switch assembly 10 includes switch contacts 16 which are 
operable between unactuated and actuated conditions. At least a portion 50 
of an electromagnetic holding device 44 movable from a first position 
(FIG. 3) to a second position (FIG. 4) by a manually actuatable member 14. 
An electromagnetic field cooperates with a base member 108 (FIG. 4) to 
retain the portion 50 of the electromagnetic holding device in the second 
position. 
Upon movement of the portion 50 of the electromagnetic holding device 44 to 
the second position (FIG. 4), the switch contacts 16 are actuated. The 
switch contacts 16 are retained in the actuated condition while the 
portion 50 of the electromagnetic holding device 44 is in the second 
position (FIGS. 4-8). 
The manually actuatable member 14 is movable back to an initial position 
(FIG. 6) with the portion 50 of the electromagnetic holding device 44 in 
the second position. A switch 98 is provided to effect operation of the 
electromagnetic holding device 44 to a deenergized condition upon 
subsequent actuation of the manually actuatable member 14. This enables 
the portion 50 of the electromagnetic holding device 44 to move back 
toward its initial position and the switches 16 to operate to an 
unactuated condition as the manually actuatable member 14 is returned to 
its initial position.