Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A thermostatic switch has a contact arm which is adapted for reducing contact pressure and maximizing wiping action between fixed and movable contacts. The switch includes a housing, a pair of terminals mounted in the housing, a resilient contact arm connected to one of the terminals, a movable contact on the contact arm, a stationary contact connected to the other terminal, and an actuator assembly for opening and closing the switch. The contact arm is integrally struck from a resilient, electrically conductive metal and it includes a base portion, and a pair of supporting members extending outwardly and upwardly from the base portion and then bending back thereover merging into a main portion. The main portion includes a peripheral edge portion having a contact area, and a plurality of finger portions which converge inwardly therefrom and merge into an actuator portion. The actuator assembly communicates with the actuator portion of the contact arm for moving the contact arm from a normally biased open position, wherein the contacts are in spaced relation, through an intermediate position, wherein the contacts are in initial engagement, to a closed position, wherein the contacts are in at least slightly pressurized engagement and the actuator portion and the finger portions are deflected upwardly relative to the main portion, whereby a transverse wiping action is achieved between the contacts as the contact arm is moved from the intermediate position thereof to the closed position thereof.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim