Abstract: A vacuum operated electric switch designed for automotive applications having a vacuum responsive diaphragm that releases the switch mechanism for movement from one of its two stable conditions. The switch assembly has a spring biased pivotal overcenter contact blade movable between two stationary contacts to give the switch a snap action characteristic. Stationary contact wiring is eliminated by bending the ends of the terminals, which are insert molded in a switch base, to directly support the contacts. Movable contact wiring is eliminated by staking a bracket for the movable contact blade directly to one of the terminals so that the bracket provides the conductive path between the movable contact and its terminal. The switch assembly is designed as a complete integral subassembly that may be manufactured separately from the main switch housing having a vacuum chamber and diaphragm therein.

Abstract: A follower assembly for a lubrication gun that effectively seals in either the gun cylinder after bulk-loading of the lubricant, or a smaller diameter lubrication cartridge positioned alternatively in the gun cylinder. The primary element of the follower assembly is a one-piece elastomeric follower body slidably received on a follower rod in the gun cylinder. This elastomeric follower body has a heavy central portion with a thin forwardly extending outer wall that seals against different diameter bores. The forward end of this thin outer wall has a heavy inwardly directed flange portion that stabilizes the thin wall. A plurality of forwardly projecting posts on the heavy central portion of the follower body engage this flange to pull the thin wall when the follower assembly moves forwardly.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a single plunger that sequentially actuates electrically independent terminal contacts such as found in a speed control and brake light switch adapted to be actuated by an automobile brake assembly. The switch has a reciprocable plunger with a conductive ferrule on its end that actuates one set of terminal contacts and an intermediate cylindrical cam that operates another set of terminal contacts. A cover is positioned over an opening in the housing and it has a first integral yolk projection that surrounds a reduced shank on the plunger to maintain the plunger within the housing which permits the plunger to be inserted from outside the housing during assembly, and it also has an integral slotted projection that fits over one set of terminals to secure these terminals within the housing.

Abstract: A tire deflation monitor and method of making the same including a pressure switch consisting of a cup-shaped conducting retainer element and a cup-shaped substantially rigid electrical conducting diaphragm that has a very short travel. The diaphragm closes against a conducting base member spaced very close to the diaphragm but separated therefrom only by a thin insulator so that the contact travel of the diaphragm is very short and the switch is very insensitive to temperature gradients. A first terminal is connected to the diaphragm and a second terminal is connected to the base member. The retainer is roll staked around the diaphragm and the conducting base member.

Abstract: An indicator assemblyhaving a plurality of indicators mounted in a common rectangular housing having a rear wall, there being provided a circuit plate integrally molded in the rear wall of the housing that provides the necessary circuitry for actuating each of the indicators from a remote transducer, the circuit plate prior to being molded into the rear wall of the housing having narrow cut-out portions defining the circuits in the plate with small web bridges across these cut-out portions to provide the necessary support for the plate prior to insertion molding into the rear wall, and after molding the housing these supporting webs are selectively removed through the housing rear wall and the circuit plate at each of these webs to isolate the circuits in the circuit plate.

Abstract: A dual wheel caster assembly consisting of an arcuate central horn carrying an axle with projections on either side of the horn that rotatably receive wheels. The axle has recesses that receive annular projections on the wheels for the purpose of retaining the wheels in position.A vertical opening in the horn receives a vertical pintle having a portion projecting upwardly from the horn adapted to be received in an associated piece of furniture. This pintle has two spaced thrust surfaces, a lower one adapted to directly engage the plastic horn and the other one adapted to engage a one piece plastic bearing.The two thrust surfaces are spaced such that the lower thrust surface initially carries most of the load until a certain amount of wear causes the load to be distributed between the two thrust surfaces from the associated piece of furniture.

Abstract: A timed buzzer assembly having a rectangular base with four terminals insert molded in the base and a generally cup-shaped cover member over the base providing the housing. All of the terminals project through the base member with the armature of the buzzer supported on one terminal and the coil assembly of the buzzer supported on a second terminal. For the purpose of timing the buzzer and also controlling a warning light, a bimetal timer is provided having bimetal elements one supported on a third terminal and the other supported on the above referred to second terminal. The fourth terminal is a ground to which a heating element for the bimetal timer is connected.