Switch assembly

• US 5,659,162 A
• Filed: 06/27/1995
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sagem Avionics LLC (Safran SA)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Hart, Roy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/495,175
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 A, 200/16 R-16 F, 200/402, 200/405-409, 200/445, 200/446, 200/447, 200/448-454, 200/456-468, 200/520-523, 200/530-532, 200/534 , 200/535, 200/308, 200/310, 200/313, 200/314, 200/317, 200/329, 200/341
• US Class Current: 200/16.00A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/26 Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/28 using compression or extension of coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/36 using flexing of blade springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/181 using a programmable display, e.g. LED or LCD

Abstract

A switch assembly includes a housing having a plurality of terminals at one end and a push-button at the opposite end. An actuator mechanism is disposed in the housing and is connected with the push-button. The actuator mechanism is operable to move movable switch contacts relative to stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of the push-button. A printed circuit extends between terminals at one end of the housing and the push-button. The printed circuit has a zig-zag portion disposed within the housing to accommodate movement of the push-button relative to the housing. The push-button is at least partially illuminated by light sources mounted on the printed circuit. The actuator mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers which are connected with the movable switch contacts and are pivotally connected with an actuator link. During actuation or release of the push-button, actuator link springs store energy which assists actuator lever springs in effecting rapid movement of the movable switch contacts relative to the stationary switch contacts.

Claims

1. A switch assembly comprising a housing, a manually actuatable push-button connected with and movable relative to said housing, a first plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing, a second plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to and spaced from said first plurality of stationary switch contacts, a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers disposed in said housing, each of said actuator levers having a first end portion and a second end portion, a plurality of movable switch contacts each of which is connected with the first end portion of one of said actuator levers, said actuator levers being pivotal about their first and second end portions, an actuator link connected with said push-button and with said second end portions of said actuator levers, said actuator link being movable relative to said housing under influence of force transmitted to said actuator link from said push-button upon manual actuation of said push-button, said actuator link being movable in a first direction from a first position to a second position upon manual actuation of said push-button to pivot said actuator levers about the first end portions of said actuator levers with said movable switch contacts in engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts, said actuator link being movable in the first direction from the second position to a third position upon continued manual actuation of said push-button, and a plurality of actuator lever springs to pivot said actuator levers about the second end portions of said actuator levers to move said movable switch contacts away from said first plurality of stationary switch contacts into engagement with said second plurality of stationary switch contacts during movement of said actuator link to the third position.

2. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator link is movable from the third position to a fourth position in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction upon manual release of said push-button with said actuator link in the third position to pivot said actuator levers about the first end portions of said actuator levers with said movable switch contacts in engagement with said second plurality of stationary switch contacts, said actuator link being movable in the second direction from the fourth position to the first position, said plurality of actuator lever springs being operable to pivot said actuator levers about the second end portions of said actuator levers to move said movable switch contacts away from said second plurality of stationary switch contacts into engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts during movement of said actuator link to the first position.

3. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including an actuator link spring connected with said actuator link and operable to move said actuator link and said second end portions of said actuator levers relative to said housing in the first direction during movement of said actuator link from the second position to the third position.

4. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a plurality of members fixedly connected with said housing, and a plurality of pivot levers, each of said pivot levers having a first end portion disposed in engagement with a member of said plurality of members and a second end portion which is disposed in engagement with said second end portion of one of said actuator levers, said pivot levers being pivotal relative to said members and said actuator levers upon pivotal movement of said actuator levers.

5. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each one of said actuator levers includes surface means for defining an opening in said one actuator lever, said switch assembly further including a plurality of pivot members each of which is fixedly connected with said housing and extends through said opening in one of said actuator levers, and a plurality of pivot levers, each of said pivot levers having a first end portion disposed in engagement with one of said pivot members and a second end portion disposed in engagement with an end portion of said opening in one of said actuator levers, each of said actuator lever springs having a first end portion disposed in engagement with one of said pivot members and a second end portion disposed in engagement with an end portion of said opening in one of said actuator levers.

6. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including an actuator member connected with said push-button, said actuator member having a main section and an arm section extending outward from said main section, said actuator link having a base section which is connected with said second end portions of said actuator levers, a side section which extends from said base section, and a transverse section which is connected with said side section, a first actuator link spring disposed between said base section of said actuator link and said arm section of said actuator member, and a second actuator link spring disposed between said transverse section of said actuator link and said arm section of said actuator member, said arm section of said actuator member moving toward said base section of said actuator link to resiliently compress said first actuator link spring during movement of said actuator link from the first position to the second position, said first actuator link spring being resiliently expandable to move said actuator link in the first direction during movement of said actuator link from the second position toward the third position.

7. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 6 further including a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion connected with said housing, a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having a portion with a zig-zag configuration and a connector portion which extends between said first end portion and said portion with a zig-zag configuration, said connector portion being at least partially disposed between said actuator member and said plurality of actuator levers.

8. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 6 further including a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion connected with said housing, a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions and is disposed between said actuator member and said plurality of actuator levers.

9. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit includes a zig-zag portion which is disposed between said second end portion of said printed circuit and a portion of said printed circuit which extends between said actuator member and said plurality of actuator levers.

10. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion connected with said housing at a location which is at least partially disposed between said second end portions of said actuator levers and a first end of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion connected with said push-button adjacent a second end of said housing opposite from said first end of said housing, said second end portion of said printed circuit being movable with said push-button relative to said housing, said printed circuit having a zig-zag portion connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit and at least partially disposed between said first end portions of said actuator levers and said push-button, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

11. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, said housing having a longitudinal central axis which extends through said first and second end portions of said housing, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to the second end portion of said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and connected with said push-button and said movable switch contacts, said actuator mechanism being operable to move said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, said actuator mechanism including a member which is connected with said push-button at a location along the longitudinal central axis of said housing, a portion of said actuator mechanism being offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing toward a first side wall of said housing, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with the first end portion of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration and being disposed between said push-button and said stationary and movable switch contacts, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration being offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing toward a second side wall of said housing, said second side wall of said housing being disposed opposite from and facing inward toward said first side wall of said housing, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

12. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a plurality of coil springs having central axes which extend through said push-button and through said first and second end portions of said printed circuit.

13. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration includes a plurality of segments which are interconnected by arcuate bends having central axes which extend through said first and second side walls of said housing.

14. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said printed circuit includes a portion which extends from said first end portion of said printed circuit through said actuator mechanism to said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration.

15. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said printed circuit includes a connector portion which extends from said first end portion of said printed circuit through the longitudinal central axis of said housing to said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration.

16. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through said actuator mechanism.

17. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through the longitudinal central axis of said housing at a location between said push-button and said first end portion of said housing.

18. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit has a first side which faces toward said first end portion of said printed circuit and a second side which faces toward said second end portion of said printed circuit.

19. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration includes a plurality of segments which are interconnected by arcuate bends having central axes which extend generally parallel to a longitudinal central axis of said connector portion of said printed circuit.

20. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers disposed adjacent to said first end portion of said housing, said actuator levers having first and second end portions, each of said movable switch contacts being connected with the first end portion of one of said actuator levers, said actuator levers being pivotal about their first end portions, and an actuator link connected with said push-button and said second end portions of said actuator levers, said actuator link being movable relative to said housing under the influence of force transmitted from said push-button upon manual actuation of said push-button to pivot said plurality of actuator levers about their first end portions.

21. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said actuator mechanism further includes a plurality of actuator lever springs connected with said actuator levers and operable to move said first end portions of said actuator levers and said movable switch contacts relative to said fixed switch contacts upon pivotal movement of said actuator levers from a first position to a second position by said actuator link.

22. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zigzag configuration is disposed between said first end portions of said actuator levers and said push-button.

23. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, said housing having a longitudinal central axis which extends through said first and second end portions of said housing, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to the second end portion of said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and connected with said push-button and said movable switch contacts, said actuator mechanism being operable to move said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with the first end portion of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration and being disposed between said push-button and said stationary and movable switch contacts, said printed circuit including a connector portion which extends from said first end portion of said printed circuit through the longitudinal central axis of said housing to said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration, said connector portion of said printed circuit having a first side which faces toward said first end portion of said printed circuit and a second side which faces toward said second end portion of said printed circuit, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

24. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through said actuator mechanism.

25. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through the central axis of said housing at a location between said push-button and said first end portion of said housing.

26. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration includes a plurality of segments which are interconnected by arcuate bends having central axes which extend generally parallel to a longitudinal central axis of said connector portion of said printed circuit.

27. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein a portion of said actuator mechanism is offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing toward a first side wall of said housing, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration being offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing toward a second side wall of said housing, said second side wall of said housing being disposed opposite from and facing inward toward said first side wall of said housing.

28. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a coil spring having a central axis which extends through said push-button and through said first and second end portions and said connector portion of said printed circuit.

29. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration includes a plurality of segments which are interconnected by arcuate bends having central axes which extend parallel to at least portions of said first and second sides of said connector portion of said printed circuit.

30. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to the second end portion of said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and connected with said push-button and said movable switch contacts, said actuator mechanism being operable to move said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, said actuator mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers disposed adjacent to said first end portion of said housing, said actuator levers having first and second end portions, each of said movable switch contacts being connected with the first end portion of one of said actuator levers, said actuator levers being pivotal about their first end portions, and an actuator link connected with said push-button and said second end portions of said actuator levers, said actuator link being movable relative to said housing under the influence of force transmitted from said push-button upon manual actuation of said push-button to pivot said plurality of actuator levers about their first end portions, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with the first end portion of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration and being disposed between said push-button and said stationary and movable switch contacts, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

31. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said actuator mechanism further includes a plurality of actuator lever springs connected with said actuator levers and operable to move said first end portions of said actuator levers and said movable switch contacts relative to said fixed switch contacts upon pivotal movement of said actuator levers from a first position to a second position by said actuator link.

32. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 31 wherein said actuator mechanism further includes an actuator link spring connected with said actuator link and operable to move said actuator link and said second end portions of said actuator levers relative to said housing upon movement of said first end portions of said actuator levers by said actuator lever springs.

33. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 31 wherein said actuator mechanism further includes a plurality of pivot members fixedly connected with said first end portion of said housing, and a plurality of pivot levers, each of said pivot levers having a first end portion disposed in engagement with a pivot member and a second end portion which is disposed in engagement with said second end portion of one of said actuator levers, said pivot levers being pivotal relative to said pivot members and said actuator levers upon pivotal movement of said actuator levers by said actuator link.

34. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration is disposed between said first end portions of said actuator levers and said push-button.

35. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 30 wherein each one of said actuator levers includes surface means for defining an opening in said one actuator lever, said actuator mechanism further including a plurality of pivot members each of which extends through an opening in one of said actuator levers, a plurality of pivot levers, each of said pivot levers having a first end portion disposed in engagement with one of said pivot members and a second end portion disposed in engagement with an end portion of an opening in one of said actuator levers, and a plurality of actuator lever springs, each of said actuator lever springs having a first end portion disposed in engagement with one of said pivot members and a second end portion disposed in engagement with an opening in one of said actuator levers.

36. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, said plurality of stationary switch contacts includes a first plurality of stationary switch contacts and a second plurality of stationary switch contacts, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to the second end portion of said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and connected with said push-button and said movable switch contacts, said actuator mechanism being operable to move said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, said actuator mechanism including an actuator member connected with said push-button, return spring means for providing force which is transmitted through said actuator member to said push-button urging said push-button toward an initial position relative to said housing, an actuator link connected with said actuator member and with said movable switch contacts, said actuator member being movable from a first position to a second position relative to said actuator link under influence of force transmitted from said push-button to said actuator member upon manual actuation of said push-button and movement of said push-button and actuator member relative to said housing against influence of said return spring while said movable switch contacts are disposed in engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts, said actuator member being movable from the second position to a third position under influence of force transmitted from said push-button to said actuator member and against influence of said return spring upon continued manual actuation of said push-button, said actuator link being movable with said actuator member relative to said housing during movement of said actuator member from the second position to the third position, said movable switch contacts remaining in engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts during movement of said actuator member from the second position to the third position, and means for moving said actuator link relative to said actuator member and for moving said movable switch contacts out of engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts into engagement with said second plurality of stationary switch contacts upon movement of said actuator member from the third position during continued manual actuation of said push-button, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with the first end portion of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration and being disposed between said push-button and said stationary and movable switch contacts, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

37. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 36 wherein said means for moving said actuator link relative to said actuator member and for moving said movable switch contacts includes a plurality of actuator link springs disposed between said actuator link and said actuator member, said actuator member being effective to resiliently compress at least one of said actuator link springs during movement of said actuator member from the first position to the second position, said at least one of said actuator link springs being resiliently expandable to move said actuator link relative to said actuator member upon movement of said actuator member from the third position.

38. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 37 wherein a portion of said printed circuit extends through said actuator link between springs of said plurality of actuator link springs.

39. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, said plurality of stationary switch contacts includes a first plurality of stationary switch contacts and a second plurality of stationary switch contacts, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to the second end portion of said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and connected with said push-button and said movable switch contacts, said actuator mechanism being operable to move said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, said actuator mechanism including an actuator member connected with said push-button, said actuator member having a main section and a plurality of arm sections extending outward from said main section, an actuator link, said actuator link having a base section which is connected with said movable switch contacts, a plurality of side sections which extend from said base section, and a plurality of transverse sections which extend from said side sections, a first plurality of actuator link springs disposed between said base section of said actuator link and said arm sections of said actuator member, and a second plurality of actuator link springs disposed between said transverse sections of said actuator link and said arm sections of said actuator member, said actuator member being movable in a first direction from a first position to a second position relative to said housing under influence of force transmitted from said push-button to said actuator member upon manual actuation of said push-button to move said push-button away from an initial position, said arm sections of said actuator member moving toward said base section of said actuator link to resiliently compress said first plurality of actuator link springs during movement of said actuator member from the first position to the second position relative to said housing, said movable switch contacts being disposed in engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts during movement of said actuator member from the first position to the second position, said actuator member being movable in the first direction from the second position to a third position relative to said housing upon continued manual actuation of said push-button, said first plurality of actuator link springs being resiliently expandable to move said actuator link in the first direction relative to said actuator member during movement of said actuator member from the second position toward the third position, said movable switch contacts moving out of engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts and into engagement with said second plurality of stationary switch contacts during movement of said actuator link in the first direction relative to said actuator member, said actuator member being movable in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the third position toward a fourth position relative to said housing upon manual release of said push-button with said actuator member in the third position, said arm sections of said actuator member moving away from said base section of said actuator link to enable said first plurality of actuator link springs to resiliently expand during movement of said actuator member from the third position toward the fourth position relative to said housing, said arm sections of said actuator member moving toward said transverse sections of said actuator link to resiliently compress said second plurality of actuator link springs during movement of said actuator member from the third position toward the fourth position relative to said housing, said movable switch contacts being disposed in engagement with said second plurality of stationary switch contacts during movement of said actuator member from the third position toward the fourth position, said actuator member being movable in the second direction from the fourth position to the first position relative to said housing, said second plurality of actuator link springs being resiliently expandable to move said actuator link in the second direction relative to said actuator member during movement of said actuator member from the fourth position toward the first position, said movable switch contacts moving out of engagement with said second plurality of stationary switch contacts and into engagement with said first plurality of stationary switch contacts during movement of said actuator link in the second direction relative to said actuator member, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with the first end portion of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration and being disposed between said push-button and said stationary and movable switch contacts, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

40. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 39 wherein a portion of said printed circuit extends through a space between said side sections of said actuator link.

41. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, first and second pluralities of terminals disposed adjacent to said first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to said second end portion of said housing, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with said first plurality of terminals, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit including an intermediate portion which is connected with said second end portion of said printed circuit and has a zig-zag configuration, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit including a plurality of segments which are interconnected by arcuate bends having central axes which extend through said housing at locations between first and second end portions of said housing, said printed circuit having a connector portion which interconnects said first end portion of said printed circuit and said intermediate portion of said printed circuit, said connector portion of said printed circuit being offset to one side of said intermediate portion of said printed circuit, said connector portion of said printed circuit having a central axis which extends transversely to said segments of said intermediate, portion of said printed circuit, said connector portion of said printed circuit has a first major side surface area which faces toward said first end portion of said housing and said first end portion of said printed circuit, said connector portion of said printed circuit having a second major side surface area which faces toward said push-button and said second end portion of said printed circuit, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing and connected with said second plurality of terminals, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and connected with said movable switch contacts and said push-button, said actuator mechanism being operable to move said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button under influence of electrical energy conducted from said first plurality of terminals to said light sources through said printed circuit.

42. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 41 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through said actuator mechanism.

43. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 41 further including a biasing spring which urges said push-button toward an initial position relative to said housing and an enclosure which at least partially encloses said connector portion of said printed circuit, said biasing spring being disposed in engagement with said enclosure.

44. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 43 wherein said enclosure and said connector portion of said printed circuit extend through said actuator mechanism.

45. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 41 wherein said segments of said intermediate portion of said printed circuit have central axes which are offset in a first direction from a central axis of said switch assembly, said first end portion of said printed circuit being connected with said first plurality of terminals at a location which is offset in a second direction from the central axis of said switch assembly, said connector portion of said printed circuit extending through the central axis of said switch assembly.

46. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 41 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers disposed adjacent to said first end portion of said housing, each of said actuator levers having a first end portion and a second end portion, each of said movable switch contacts being connected with the first end portion of one of said actuator levers, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit being at least partially disposed between said first end portions of said actuator levers and said push-button.

47. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 46 wherein said actuator levers are pivotal about their first and second end portions, said actuator mechanism further including an actuator link connected with said second end portions of said actuator levers, said actuator link being movable relative to said housing under influence of force transmitted to said actuator link from said push-button to pivot said actuator levers about the first end portions of said actuator levers upon manual actuation of said push-button, at least a portion of said connector portion of said printed circuit being disposed between at least a portion of said actuator link and said push-button.

48. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 41 further including a bridge member which extends across said movable and stationary switch contacts, said connector portion of said printed circuit being disposed in engagement with said bridge member.

49. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 48 further including a return spring which applies force to said bridge member and said push-button to urge said push-button toward an initial position relative to said housing.

50. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, said housing having a longitudinal central axis which extends through said first and second end portions of said housing, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to the second end portion of said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and operable to effect movement of said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with the first end portion of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit being offset to one side of the longitudinal central axis of said housing and having a zig-zag configuration, said printed circuit having a connector portion which extends from said first end portion of said printed circuit through the longitudinal central axis of said housing to said intermediate portion of said printed circuit which is offset to one side of the longitudinal central axis of said housing, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

51. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 50 wherein at least a portion of said actuator mechanism is offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing toward a first side wall of said housing, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration being offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing toward a second side wall of said housing, said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through the portion of said actuator mechanism which is offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing.

52. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 50 wherein said actuator mechanism includes first and second coil springs having central axes which extend through said push-button, said connector portion of said printed circuit extends between the central axes of said first and second coil springs.

53. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 50 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers disposed adjacent to said first end portion of said housing, each of said actuator levers having a first end portion and a second end portion, each of said movable switch contacts being connected with the first end portion of one of said actuator levers, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit being at least partially disposed between said first end portions of said actuator levers and said push-button.

54. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 50 further including a bridge member which extends through the longitudinal central axis of said housing and across said movable and stationary switch contacts, said connector portion of said printed circuit being disposed in engagement with said bridge member.

55. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a return spring which provides force which is transmitted to said bridge member and said push-button to urge said push-button toward an initial position relative to said housing.

56. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 50 further including means for supporting said connector portion of said printed circuit, said means for supporting said connector portion of said printed circuit includes a support member which extends through the longitudinal central axis of said housing at a location between said first and second end portions of said housing.

57. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 50 further including a support having first and second spaced apart sections which extend from said first end portion of said housing toward said second end portion of said housing and a third section which extends between said first and second sections of said support and extends through the longitudinal central axis of said housing at a location between and spaced from said first and second end portions of said housing, said connector portion of said printed circuit being supported by said third section of said support.

58. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 57 wherein said actuator mechanism applies force against said third section of said support, said first and second sections of said support being effective to transmit force from said third section of said support to said first end portion of said housing.

59. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 58 wherein said third section of said support at least partially encloses said connector portion of said printed circuit.

60. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing adjacent to the first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to the second end portion of said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and operable to effect movement of said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with the first end portion of said housing, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit having an intermediate portion which is connected with said first and second end portions of said printed circuit, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit having a zig-zag configuration, said printed circuit having a connector portion which extends from said first end portion of said printed circuit through said actuator mechanism to said intermediate portion of said printed circuit, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button.

61. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 60 wherein said housing has a longitudinal central axis which extends through said first and second end portions of said housing, at least a portion of said actuator mechanism being offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing, said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through the portion of said actuator mechanism which is offset from the longitudinal central axis of said housing.

62. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 60 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a plurality of coil springs having central axes which extend through said push-button, said connector portion of said printed circuit extends between the central axis of said first and second coil springs.

63. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 60 further including a bridge member which extends through said actuator mechanism, said connector portion of said printed circuit being disposed in engagement with said bridge member.

64. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 63 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a return spring having a first end portion from which force is transmitted to said bridge member and a second end portion from which force is transmitted to said push-button to urge said push-button toward an initial position relative to said housing.

65. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 64 wherein said return spring has a longitudinal central axis which extends through said connector portion of said pointed circuit and through said pushbutton.

66. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 60 wherein said actuator mechanism includes an actuator member connected with said push-button, an actuator link connected with said movable switch contacts, and first and second springs which transmit force between said actuator link and said actuator member, said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through said actuator mechanism at a location which is disposed between said first and second springs.

67. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 60 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a spring which urges said pushbutton toward an initial position, said switch assembly further including support means for supporting said connector portion of said printed circuit and for transmitting force from said spring to said housing, said support means includes a support member which extends through said actuator mechanism and receives force from said spring.

68. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 60 further including a support having first and second spaced apart sections which extend from said first end portion of said housing toward said second end portion of said housing and a third section which extends between said first and second sections of said support and extends through said actuator mechanism at a location between and spaced from said first and second end potions of said housing, said connector portion of said printed circuit being supported by said third section of said support.

69. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 68 wherein said actuator mechanism applies force against said third section of said support, said first and second sections of said support being effective to transmit force from said third section of said support to said first end portion of said housing.

70. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 69 wherein said third section of said support at least partially encloses said connector portion of said printed circuit.

71. A switch assembly comprising a housing having first and second end portions, a plurality of terminals disposed adjacent to said first end portion of said housing, a manually actuatable push-button disposed adjacent to said second end portion of said housing, a printed circuit disposed in said housing, said printed circuit having a first end portion which is connected with said plurality of terminals, said printed circuit having a second end portion which is connected with said push-button and is movable with said push-button relative to said housing upon manual actuation of said push-button, said printed circuit including an intermediate portion which is connected with said second end portion of said printed circuit and has a zig-zag configuration, said printed circuit having a connector portion which interconnects said first end portion of said printed circuit and said intermediate portion of said printed circuit, an enclosure which is connected with said housing and at least partially encloses said connector portion of said printed circuit, a plurality of stationary switch contacts disposed in said housing, a plurality of movable switch contacts disposed in said housing, an actuator mechanism disposed in said housing and connected with said movable switch contacts and said push-button, said actuator mechanism being operable to move said movable switch contacts relative to said stationary switch contacts upon manual actuation of said push-button, said actuator mechanism including a spring which urges components of said actuator mechanism toward an initial condition, said spring having an end portion which is disposed in engagement with said enclosure which at least partially encloses said connector portion of said printed circuit, and a plurality of light sources disposed on said second end portion of said printed circuit to illuminate at least a portion of said push-button under the influence of electrical energy conducted from said plurality of terminals to said light sources through said printed circuit.

72. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 71 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit has a first major side surface area which faces toward said first end portion of said housing and said first end portion of said printed circuit, said connector portion of said printed circuit having a second major side surface area which faces toward said push-button and said second end portion of said printed circuit.

73. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 71 wherein said connector portion of said printed circuit extends through said actuator mechanism.

74. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 71 wherein said enclosure and said connector portion of said printed circuit extend through said actuator mechanism.

75. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 71 wherein said intermediate portion of said printed circuit is offset in a first direction from a central axis of said switch assembly, said first end portion of said printed circuit being connected with said first plurality of terminals at a location which is offset in a second direction from the central axis of said switch assembly, said connector portion of said printed circuit and said enclosure extend through the central axis of said switch assembly.

76. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 71 wherein said actuator mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending actuator levers disposed adjacent to said first end portion of said housing, each of said actuator levers having a first end portion and a second end portion, each of said movable switch contacts being connected with the first end portion of one of said actuator levers, said intermediate portion of said printed circuit being at least partially disposed between said first end portions of said actuator levers and said push-button.

77. A switch assembly as set forth in claim 71 wherein said actuator levers are pivotal about their first and second end portions, said actuator mechanism further including an actuator link connected with said second end portions of said actuator levers, said actuator link being movable relative to said housing under the influence of force transmitted to said actuator link from said push-button to pivot said actuator levers about the first end portions of said actuator levers upon manual actuation of said push-button, at least a portion of said connector portion of said printed circuit being disposed between at least a portion of said actuator link and said push-button.