Switch operating device for use with an over center diaphragm switch contact assembly with contact ramp camming surface

Claim 1

For use in an over center diaphragm switch contact assembly which includes a contact supporting board, a fixed contact, an over center diaphragm contact resiliently deformable from a first position spaced Apart from said fixed contact to a second position in electrical contact therewith, and means for making electrical connections thereto, a switch operating device comprising a rigid guide plate fixedly mounted in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship to said board and diaphragm contact, said plate having an elongated slot therein disposed in registry with said diaphragm contact, and a manually operable knob element having a guide portion positioned between said plate and diaphragm contact and slidably engaging the surface of said plate proximal said diaphragm contact, said guide portion having a width greater than the width of said slot, a nib portion protruding from said guide portion and slidably engaging said diaphragm contact, a tab portion slidably received through said slot for longitudinal movement forwardly and rearwardly therein, and a ramp surface angled forwardly and downwardly from said tab portion to said guide portion, said ramp frictionally, slidably engaging said proximal surface upon longitudinal movement of said tab portion forwardly in said slot thereby causing simultaneous downward movement of said device, said diaphragm contact being operated from said first to said second position thereof in response to said downward movement, said ramp surface frinctionally maintaining said diaphragm contact in said second position.