SPDT switch with multiple contact arrangement
DCFirst Claim
1. An electrical switch, comprising:
- a housing;
a plurality of first contacts stationarily mounted to the housing;
a plurality of second contacts stationarily mounted to the housing and spaced from the plurality of first contacts;
a stationary center contact arrangement mounted to the housing between the first and second stationary contacts;
a movable contact member mounted to the housing and movable between first and second engaged positions, wherein the movable contact member includes a center contact area and first and second arms extending outwardly from the center contact area, wherein the center contact area is engaged with the stationary center contact arrangement, and wherein each of the first and second arms comprises a plurality of separate arm sections extending outwardly from the center contact area, wherein each of the arm sections of the first arm includes a contact area adapted to engage one of the plurality of first stationary contacts when the movable contact member is in the first engaged position, and wherein each of the arm sections of the second arm includes a contact area adapted to engage one of the plurality of second stationary contacts when the movable contact member is in the second engaged position; and
an actuator operably engaged with the movable contact member for moving the movable contact member between the first and second engaged positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical switch includes a housing within which a stationary center contact arrangement is located. Spaced apart stationary first and second contacts are located on opposite sides of the center contact arrangement. A movable contact member is maintained in engagement with the center contact arrangement, and is selectively engageable with either the first stationary contacts or the second stationary contacts, in response to operation of an actuator mechanism associated with the housing. The movable contact member includes a unitary center contact area, in combination with a series of spaced apart first contact arms extending outwardly from the center contact area, and a series of spaced apart second contact arms extending outwardly from the center contact area. The first and second contact arms are selectively engageable with the stationary first and second contacts mounted to the housing, and the common center contact area ensures movement of the first and second contact arms in unison between respective first and second operative positions which establish connection with the respective first and second stationary contacts. The electrical switch is capable of being used as a transfer switch, for selectively supplying power to a single load from one of two power sources, each of which is interconnected with one of the sets of first and second stationary contacts.
30 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An electrical switch, comprising:
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a housing;
a plurality of first contacts stationarily mounted to the housing;
a plurality of second contacts stationarily mounted to the housing and spaced from the plurality of first contacts;
a stationary center contact arrangement mounted to the housing between the first and second stationary contacts;
a movable contact member mounted to the housing and movable between first and second engaged positions, wherein the movable contact member includes a center contact area and first and second arms extending outwardly from the center contact area, wherein the center contact area is engaged with the stationary center contact arrangement, and wherein each of the first and second arms comprises a plurality of separate arm sections extending outwardly from the center contact area, wherein each of the arm sections of the first arm includes a contact area adapted to engage one of the plurality of first stationary contacts when the movable contact member is in the first engaged position, and wherein each of the arm sections of the second arm includes a contact area adapted to engage one of the plurality of second stationary contacts when the movable contact member is in the second engaged position; and
an actuator operably engaged with the movable contact member for moving the movable contact member between the first and second engaged positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In an electrical switch including a plurality of stationary first contacts and a plurality of stationary second contacts spaced apart from each other and a center contact arrangement located therebetween, in combination with a movable contact member and an actuator operably engaged with the movable contact member for moving the movable contact member between first and second engaged positions, the improvement wherein the movable contact member comprises:
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a center contact area engaged with the stationary center contact arrangement;
a plurality of separate first arm members extending outwardly from the center contact area in a first direction, wherein each of the first arm second members includes a contact area for engaging one of the plurality of stationary first contacts when the movable contact member is in the first engaged position; and
a plurality of separate second arm members extending outwardly from the center contact area in a second direction opposite the first direction, wherein each of the second arm members includes a contact area for engaging one of the plurality of stationary second contacts when the movable contact member is in the second engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electrical switch, comprising:
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a housing;
a plurality of stationary first contacts mounted to the housing;
a plurality of stationary second contacts mounted to the housing and spaced from the stationary first contacts;
a stationary center contact arrangement mounted to the housing and located between the stationary first and second contacts;
a movable contact member comprising a center contact area engaged with the stationary center contact arrangement, a plurality of first arms interconnected with the center contact area and extending outwardly therefrom, wherein each of the first arms includes a contact adapted to engage one of the plurality of stationary first contacts when the movable contact member is in a first position, and a plurality of second arms interconnected with the center contact area and extending outwardly therefrom, wherein each of the second arms includes a contact adapted to engage one of the plurality of stationary second contacts when the movable contact member is in a second position; and
an actuator interconnected with the housing and engageable with the movable contact member, wherein the actuator is operable to move the movable contact member between the first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification