Switching apparatus

• US 3,988,556 A
• Filed: 06/19/1974
• Issued: 10/26/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Hyodo, Masayoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hohauser, Herman J.
• Application Number:
  US05/480,801
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 200/264, 200/159 B, 200/159 A, 200/6 A, 338/100, 338/114, 338/118, 338/2
• US Class Current: 200/511
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/029 comprising conducting material dispersed in an elastic support or binding material
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2025/046 having a spherical bearing between operating member and housing or bezel
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/08 Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon

Abstract

An on-off switch comprising a contact element of conductive elastomeric material for establishing a current path between a plurality of terminals, and an actuating member for imparting a compressing force to the contact element. When the actuating member is manipulated to compress the contact element, the contact element is rendered electrically conductive to electrically connect the terminals with each other thereby turning on the switch.

Claims

1. A switching apparatus comprising a switch casing, an insulating holder fixed to said switch casing and having a plurality of terminals fixedly disposed therein, at least one contact element of elastomeric material of the type which becomes electrically conductive upon compression and disposed to be engageable with any one of said terminals, and actuating means swingably disposed within said switch casing so as to impart a compressing force to said contact element thereby rendering said contact element electrically conductive, said actuating means including a swinging member capable of making swinging movement in a plurality of directions, said swinging member having a semi-spherical surface for engagement with an opening of mating shape provided in said switch casing.

2. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said swinging member is provided with a manipulating lever, and said switch casing is provided with a plurality of guide grooves for reliably maintaining said manipulating lever in a direction in which it is biased.

3. A switching apparatus comprising a switch casing, an insulating holder fixed to said switch casing and having a plurality of terminals fixedly disposed therein, at least one contact element of elastomeric material of the type which becomes electrically conductive upon compression and disposed to be engageable with any one of said terminals, and actuating means swingably disposed within said switch casing so as to impart a compressing force to said contact element thereby rendering said contact element electrically conductive, said actuating means including a swinging member capable of making swinging movement in a plurality of directions, and an electrode plate having a flange portion which is disposed opposite to said swinging member for making electrical contact with said terminals to said contact element, a coil spring being interposed between said swinging member and said flange portion of said electrode plate.

4. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said swinging member is made of a conductor, and said switch casing is also made of a conductor to serve as a terminal.

5. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said electrode plate and said contact element are circular in shape, and said terminals are disposed at positions corresponding to the outer periphery of said electrode plate and said contact element.