Importance

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Abstract

An overtravel switch actuator for actuating a switch exposed through a switch housing, includes a housing positioned in a vicinity of the exposed switch. The housing includes opposite side walls having opposite angled elongated slots therein. An actuating lever includes a first end, a second opposite end and an intermediate bent portion between the first and second ends, the bent portion being positioned to actuate the exposed switch. A pin is fixed to the first end of the lever and positioned in the elongated slots for pivotal movement in the slots and for movement along the slots. A double torsion spring is mounted between the housing and the pin and applies a force to the pin. The pin is retained in a substantially fixed position at one end of the slots when an external force is initially applied to the second end of the lever such that the lever pivots about the first end and the bent portion actuates the exposed switch. After actuation of the exposed switch by the bent portion and upon continued application of the external force to the second end of the lever, the pin moves along the slots such that the lever pivots about the bent portion, avoiding high stress placed on the bent area of the actuator lever during overtravel thereof.

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First Claim