Lead frame adapted for electrical switch package

• US 3,945,808 A
• Filed: 05/27/1975
• Issued: 03/23/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Pauza, William Vito, Sheesley, Wilmer Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Dean, R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Steiner, Arthur J.
• Application Number:
  US05/581,400
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 29/193.5, 29/193, 200/1 A, 200/5 R, 200/6 B, 200/6 BB, 200/11 R, 200/18, 200/275
• US Class Current: 428/591
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/5805 Connections to printed circuits for slide switches H01H15/005; for tumbler switches H01H23/006
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/0056 comprising a successive blank-stamping, insert-moulding and severing operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/60 Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2001/145 by crossing each other, the cooperating contacts each having a contact making ridge perpendicular to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/22 Operating parts, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/929 Electrical contact feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12326 with provision for limited relative movement between components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12354 Nonplanar, uniform-thickness material having symmetrical channel shape or reverse fold [e.g., making acute angle, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12361 having aperture or cut
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/12375 having member which crosses the plane of another member [e.g., T or X cross section, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1241 Nonplanar uniform thickness or nonlinear uniform diameter [e.g., L-shape]

Abstract

The present invention discloses a low-profile package containing one or more individually operated switches. More particularly, the present invention consists of an insulating housing having therein one or more single pole - single throw switches all of which have been stamped and formed from a single coplanar sheet of conductive material. The upper portion of the housing contains one or more switch actuators which can be depressed to provide momentary switch closure or rotated to provide continuous switch closure.

Claims

1. A lead frame stamped from a sheet of conductive material adapted for use in an electrical switch package of the type having means therein for pushing one contact into engagement with another contact, which comprises:

a. a frame consisting of integral end carrier strips and side carrier strips;

b. one or more first contact members each containing a contact at the end of an arm of the member, said members extending inwardly from said side carrier strips; and

c. one or more second contact members each containing a contact as the end of a arm of the member, said second members being shorter than said arm of acid first members and extending inwardly from said side carrier strips and so positioned such that each second contact member faces a first contact member extending inwardly from the opposing side strip and further, on a same side strip a first contact member is adjacent to a second contact member;

said lead frame being in a U-shaped form with the contact on each first contact member overlapping the contact on the opposing contact member.

2. A lead frame stamped (and formed) from a sheet of conductive material adapted for use in an electrical switch package of the type having means therein for pushing one contact into engagement with another contact, which comprises:

a. a side carrier strip;

b. one or more first contact members integral with and spaced along said strip and extending away therefrom, each containing a contact at the end of an arm of the member; and

c. one or more second contact members integral with and spaced along said strip and extending away therefrom parallel to in alternating sequence with said first contact members, each of said second contact members containing a contact at the end of an arm thereof shorter than said arm of said first contact members;

wherein each of said first and second contact members contain a leg with an intermediate portion integral to and positioned between the leg and arm, with said members being formed so that said legs are parallel to but displaced laterally from said intermediate portions.