Patent ID: 6982392

Claim:
An actuating mechanism for a plunger-type switch having alternative open and closed conditions and having a plunger moveable between an extended position and a retracted position whereby said switch condition is changed by the movement of the plunger; said actuating mechanism comprising: a) a housing having an upper surface; said housing being adapted to receive a plunger-type switch; b) a spring having a first spring end, a second spring end and a middle portion; said spring being positioned within said housing such that said first spring end is positioned in closely spaced relation to the plunger of a plunger-type switch received within said housing with the plunger in the extended position; said middle portion of said spring bowing above said housing upper surface through a spring receiving hole in said housing such that the application of a force to said middle portion of said spring and directed toward said housing upper surface compresses said spring, advancing said first spring end toward the switch received within said housing a distance sufficient to move the switch plunger to the retracted position and upon removal of the force said first spring end advances away from the switch a distance sufficient to allow the switch plunger to move to the extended position; and c) a flexible sealing member secured to said housing upper surface and extending over said spring and enclosing said spring receiving hole.