(19)
(11) EP 0 081 929 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
29.08.1984 Bulletin 1984/35

(43) Date of publication A2:
22.06.1983 Bulletin 1983/25

(21) Application number: 82306233

(22) Date of filing: 23.11.1982
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE DE FR GB IT NL

(30) Priority: 02.12.1981 US 326723
26.04.1982 US 371838

(71) Applicant: AMP INCORPORATED (a New Jersey corporation)
 ()

(72) Inventors:
  • Gingerich, David John
     ()
  • McCarty, Patrick Raymond
     ()
  • Shaffer, David Todd
     ()
  • Olsson, Billy Erik
     ()

   


(54) Sealed electrical contact assembly and electrical switch made therefrom


(57) A sealed electrical contact assembly (10, 110) comprises a dielectric frame (14, 114) in which a plurality of aligned stationary electrical contact members (16, 18, 116, 118) are secured as opposing sets of contact members (16A, 18A, 116A, 118A) and movable electrical contact members (34, 134) interconnect each set of stationary contact members (16A, 18A, 116A, 118A). One (18A, 118A) of the opposing sets of stationary contact members (16A, 18A, 116A, 118A) and the movable contact members (34, 134) have matable pivot areas (32, 132, 36, 136) at which the movable contact members (34,134) are mounted so that the movable contact members (34, 134) can be moved to a position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members (16A, 18A, 116A, 118A). A membrane (42,142) is sealingly secured onto the frame (14,114) covering each set of stationary (16A, 18A, 116A, 118A) and movable contact members (34,134) associated therewith. A housing (48,148) Is latchably secured onto the contact assembly (10,110) and has movable members (50,150) positioned in housing (48, 148) with spring-biased members (54, 154) engaging movable contact members (34,134) through membrane (42,142) to move movable contact members (34,134) from one position electrically connecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members (16A, 18A, 116A, 118A) to another position disconnecting the opposing sets of stationary contact members (16A, 18A, 116A, 118A)






Search report