Trip-free limit switch and reset mechanism

1 . A switch comprising:

a resettable temperature responsive mechanism movable between a non-tripped position and a tripped position;

a reset member movable between a position of rest and a reset position;

a non-movable fixed contact; and

a pivotable contact support member including a contact movable with respect to the non-movable fixed contact, wherein the contact support member is configured to prevent the movable contact from engaging the fixed contact while the resettable temperature responsive mechanism is urged from the tripped position to the non-tripped position in response to force applied to the reset member until the reset member is returned toward the position of rest.

2 . The switch of claim 1 , further comprising a fulcrum abutting the contact support member.

3 . The switch of claim 2 , wherein the reset member is pressed against the contact support member as the reset member is being moved from the position of rest to the reset position causing the contact support member to pivot about the fulcrum.

4 . The switch of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator disposed between the contact support member and the temperature responsive member, wherein the temperature responsive mechanism causes the actuator to press against the contact support member as the temperature responsive mechanism moves from the non-tripped position to the tripped position.

5 . The switch of claim 4 , wherein the contact support member includes a fixed end and wherein the movable contact is remote from the fixed end.

6 . The switch of claim 5 , further comprising a fulcrum abutting the contact support member between the contact and the fixed end.

7 . The switch of claim 4 , further comprising a fulcrum abutting the contact support member on a first side of the contact support member, wherein the actuator presses against the first side of the contact support member.

8 . The switch of claim 7 , wherein the reset member presses against a second side of the contact support member, the second side opposite of said first side.

9 . A high temperature limit switch comprising:

a resettable temperature responsive mechanism movable between a non-tripped position and a tripped position;

a moveable actuator constructed and arranged to cooperate with the resettable temperature responsive mechanism;

a reset member movable between a position of rest and a reset position;

a fixed pivot point;

a non-movable fixed contact; and

a pivotable contact support member having a contact movable with respect to the non-movable fixed contact, wherein the contact support member is configured to cooperate with the fixed pivot point to prevent the movable contact from engaging the non-movable fixed contact while the resettable temperature responsive mechanism is urged from the tripped position to the non-tripped position in response to force applied to the reset member.

10 . The switch of claim 9 , wherein the reset member is pressed against the contact support member as the reset member is being moved from the position of rest to the reset position thereby causing the contact support member to pivot about a pivot point.

11 . The switch of claim 9 , wherein the reset member is pressed against the contact support member as the reset member is being moved from the position of rest to the reset position thereby flexing the contact support member.

12 . A method of resetting a high temperature limit switch, the method comprising the steps of:

moving a reset member from a position of rest toward a reset position to exert force on a contact support member having a contact movable with respect to a non-movable fixed contact; and

depressing an actuator in response to the moving step to move a resettable temperature responsive mechanism from a tripped position to a non-tripped position without allowing the movable contact to engage the non-movable fixed contact until the reset member is returned toward the position of rest.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the force causes the contact support member to pivot about a pivot point.

14 . A method of resetting a high temperature limit switch, the method comprising the steps of:

moving a reset member from a position of rest toward a reset position to exert force on a contact support member, the contact support member including a fixed end and a first contact remote from the fixed end; and

pivoting the contact support member at a fixed pivot point disposed between the fixed end and the first contact in response to the moving step to prevent the first contact from engaging a second contact while a resettable temperature responsive mechanism is urged from a tripped position to a non-tripped position.

15 . A high temperature limit switch comprising;

a resettable temperature responsive mechanism movable between a non-tripped position and a tripped position;

a reset member movable between a position of rest and a reset position;

a pivotable contact support member including a fixed end and a first contact remote from the fixed end;

a fixed contact configured to receive the first contact;

a pivot point disposed between the fixed end and the first contact; and

a moveable actuator disposed between the pivot point and the first contact to urge the resettable temperature responsive mechanism from the tripped position to the non-tripped position in response to movement of the reset member in the direction of the reset position, the first contact being prevented from contacting the fixed contact by force applied at the pivot point until the reset member is returned toward the position of rest.