Importance

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Abstract

A pushbutton switch which is convertible to operate as a momentary switch or as a latching switch has a tubular housing for a reciprocable plunger which is movable between an extended and a depressed position and is biased to extended position. The plunger carries a cam which is tracked by a pendulum-type follower coupled to a leaf spring which is shiftable in the housing between a first position and a second position. When the leaf spring is held in the first position, the follower cooperates with the cam to ensure that the switch acts as a momentary switch, namely the plunger is free to reassume its extended position as soon as the force which has caused depression of the plunger is terminated or relaxed. If the leaf spring is shifted to the second position, the follower holds the plunger and the cam in or close to the depressed position. It is then necessary to depress the plunger a second time before the plunger can return to the extended position. The leaf spring is maintained in frictional engagement with the housing and can be designed to remain in the second position so that, once the switch is converted into a latching switch, it can act only as a latching switch.

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First Claim