Modular electric light switch assembly

• US 4,117,258 A
• Filed: 05/21/1976
• Issued: 09/26/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Benjamin Shanker
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Shanker
• Inventors: Shanker, Benjamin
• Primary Examiner(s): Truhe, J. V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tone, D. A.
• Application Number:
  US05/688,582
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 339/122 R, 339/95 D, 339/164 R, 339/191 R
• US Class Current: 174/53
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/08 Arrangements to facilitate replacement of a switch, e.g. cartridge housing

Abstract

A modular switch assembly provided with a permanently mounted female component including a pair of spaced electrical contact elements connected to a source of electrical power and a cover for receiving the prongs of a male component which electrically connects and bridges the contact elements in the female component to establish a series circuit. Male components are provided which are interchangeable, by removing the prongs of one male component from the female component and reinserting the prongs of another male component.

Claims

1. A modular switch assembly comprising:

a switch component receptacle holder adapted to be mounted in a wall receptacle;

a female component permanently attached in said receptacle holder including, a pair of spaced apart electrical contact elements, each of said contact elements having a metallic housing, first conductor means in said housing adapted to receive in contact therewith current-carrying electrical wires and comprising a resilient metal plate bent back on itself to form a pair of spaced surfaces, said plate having an entry passage into the space between the spaced surfaces for frictionally receiving the current-carrying electrical wires, and second conductor means in said housing for electrically connecting said resilient metallic plate to said metallic housing when resiliently spaced or spread apart by the current-carrying electrical wires, and a cover on said female component having a pair of spaced prong-receiving openings, each of which is in alignment with one of said electrical contact elements; and

a male component insertable into said receptacle holder including a pair of protruding electrically conductive prongs extending through said prong-receiving openings in said cover into electrical series contact with said electrical contact elements in said female component.

2. A switch assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said male component includes means for opening the electrical series circuit between said prongs.