Patent ID: 6837724

Claim:
An electrical connector with an integral switch, comprising: a dielectric housing having a mating end; a fixed switch contact including an aperture immovably mounted on the housing; a movable switch contact mounted on the housing and including a contact portion movable into and out of switching engagement with the fixed switch contact; and said movable switch contact having a free end and a fixed end including a movable terminal portion at the free end of the movable switch contact and at the mating end of the housing, designed to movably extend through the aperture in the fixed switch contact, for engaging an appropriate terminal of a complementary mating connector, the movable terminal portion being integral with and extending from the contact portion for moving the contact portion relative to the fixed switch contact in response to mating of the connectors, the moveable switch contact further including a point for establishing a positive contact with the fixed switch contact located between the free end and the fixed end of the movable switch contact, which contact point moves out of engagement with the fixed switch contact when the contact portion moves relative to the fixed switch contact.