Slide switch assembly for mounting in a panel

• US 4,211,905 A
• Filed: 02/14/1979
• Issued: 07/08/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALC Acquisition Company
• Original Assignee: Stackpole Components Company
• Inventors: Quigley, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US06/012,160
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 200/295, 200/296, 174/138 R, 174/138 G, 174/153 G, 174/66, 248/27.1, 248/27.3, 248/DIG. 6
• US Class Current: 200/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/048 Snap mounting

Abstract

A rectangular slide switch housing has a top wall with a longitudinal slot in it, the wall being provided with integral tabs projecting lengthwise from its opposite ends. Inside the housing is a contact-actuating slide provided with a button projecting out through the slot and movable lengthwise thereof. A switch holder for mounting the switch in a rectangular opening in a panel includes a face plate overlying the top wall of the switch and projecting laterally from the sides and ends of the housing. The plate is provided with a longitudinal slot, through which the slide button extends, and with a pair of laterally spaced resilient legs extending downwardly at each end of the housing, the upper ends of the legs being joined to the plate close to the ends of the housing but spaced inwardly from the ends of the plate. Each leg has an intermediate shoulder underlying the adjoining end of the switch for holding it against the plate. A spring prong joined to the lower end of each leg extends upwardly therefrom and is spaced outwardly from the leg with a free upper end portion for pressing laterally against an end of the panel opening when the switch and legs and prongs are pressed down into that opening with the face plate overlapping the panel around the opening. The switch housing tabs extend outwardly between the laterally spaced legs far enough to overlie the panel, whereby the tabs will be clamped between the face plate and the panel.

Claims

1. A slide switch assembly for mounting in a panel having a rectangular opening therein for receiving the assembly, comprising a rectangular slide switch housing having a top wall provided with a longitudinal slot therein and also provided with integral tabs projecting lengthwise from the opposite ends of said wall centrally thereof, a contact-actuating slide in said housing, and a button projecting from the slide out through said slot and movable lengthwise of the slot for moving said slide back and forth in combination with a switch holder for mounting said switch in a panel opening, said holder comprising a face plate overlying the top wall of the switch in engagement therewith and projecting laterally from the sides and ends of said housing, said plate being provided with a longitudinal slot through which said button extends, and a pair of laterally spaced resilient legs extending downwardly from said plate at each end of said housing, the upper ends of the legs being joined to the plate close to the ends of the housing but spaced inwardly from the ends of the plate, each leg having an intermediate shoulder underlying the adjoining end of the housing in engagement therewith for holding the switch against the plate, and a spring prong joined to the lower end of each leg and extending upwardly therefrom spaced outwardly from the leg and having a free upper end portion for pressing laterally against an end of said panel opening when said switch and legs and prongs are pressed down into that opening with said plate overlapping the panel around said opening, and said housing tabs extending out between said laterally spaced legs far enough to overlie the panel when the switch is inserted in the panel opening, whereby the tabs will be clamped between said face plate and the panel.

2. A slide switch assembly according to claim 1, in which said switch holder is made of a plastic.

3. A slide switch assembly according to claim 1, in which said face plate is recessed to receive said housing top wall and tabs.