Patent CA-1103728-A (CA)
Inventor: SYKORA ALLAN J
IPC: H01H15/00
Filed: 1979-04-02
Granted: 1981-06-23
Abstract: ABSTRACT       A low cost miniature caseless slide action electric switch comprised by a relatively flat insulator base member of substan-tially uniform thickness throughout its length and breadth and fabricated from a molded thermoplastic material.  A plurality of electric terminals extend through the lower one of the flat sur-faces and are engagable from the opposite upper flat surface of the insulator base member.  The insulator base member further includes at least two sets of opposed, resilient, slide contact housing side retaining members integrally formed on the respec-tive side edges near the ends of the flat insulator base member.          The side retaining members extend outwardly in a direction normal to the flat surfaces on the same side of the insulator base mem-ber as the upper flat surface.  The insulator base member further includes integrally formed stiffening channel portions extending between corresponding side retaining members of the respective opposite sets formed on the same side edge of the insulator base member.  At least one electrically conductive slide contact member is supported on the upper flat surface of the insulator base member for engaging the respective electric terminals and making or breaking electrically conducting paths through the terminals.          A slidable contact housing member of insulating material is pro-vided and includes at least one cavity for retaining the slide contact member in place on the upper flat surface of the insulator base member.  The slidable contact housing member is engaged by and slidably retained in place on the upper surface of the insulator base member by the sets of opposed, resilient, slide contact housing side retaining members. Stops are provided for the slidable contact housing member for restraining movement of slide contact member between predetermined end positions.  The resilient slide contact housing side retaining members have internally tapering hooked end portions formed at their ends to allow the slidable contact housing member to be readily snapped into place over the upper flat surface of the insulator base mem-ber and for thereafter slidable retaining the contact housing mem-ber (together with the slide contact) mounted in position over the said upper surface of the insulator base member.  The slide con-tact member may comprise a slug contact retained within the slide contact housing member along with a coil spring for pressuring the slug contact into good electrical engagement with the electric terminals.  Alternatively, the slide contact member may comprise a combined spring contact member wherein the contact member itself is a spring and is self-pressured between the slide contact hous-ing and the terminals on the said opposite surface of the flat insulator base member.  Detenting may comprise coacting pimples on the slide contact and on the terminals.  Detenting may also comprise bosses on the under side of the hooked ends of the slide housing side retaining members engaging with recesses on the top surface of the slidable contact housing member.