Patent ID: 6891117

Claim:
An improved rocker-type switch comprises: (a) a toggle member pivotably movable on a pivot member within a frame of a top housing part, said toggle member being arranged to be pivoted between up and down rocker positions within said frame; (b) at least one movable contact arm having an upper end which is coupled to said toggle member and a lower end mounting a switch contact which is movable alternately between a pair of switch contact positions when said toggle member is pivoted between up and down rocker positions; (c) a bottom housing part made of electrically insulative material having a central aperture for holding a modular block subassembly therein, said bottom housing part being arranged to mate in contact with said top housing part when assembled thereto with said modular block assembly encased therebetween; (d) said modular block subassembly having at least one block member made of electrically insulative material for holding at least one switch contact plate therein, said at least one block member and said at least one switch contact plate being configured to define a pair of opposing switch contact positions in said modular block subassembly between which said switch contact of said movable contact arm is moved alternately when said toggle member is pivoted between up and down rocker positions, and said modular block subassembly having means for connecting said at least one switch contact plate in electrical contact with a terminal plate that is separate from said modular block subassembly; and (e) at least one terminal plate arranged in said bottom housing part separate from said modular block subassembly having means for establishing an electrical contact with said at least one switch contact plate, whereby the rocker-type switch can be configured for different switch configurations by changing the configuration of the switch contact plate(s) in said modular block subassembly with minimal change to the surrounding parts.