Abstract: A subinterval sampler is provided for sampling short duration analog input signal pulses with slower speed processing hardware than would otherwise be required. The peak value of the input signal is detected during each sampling interval regardless of the absolute times at which peaks occur, an no input signal peak is missed. A pair of parallel peak detectors have active intervals overlapped by a duration longer than the rise time of the peak detectors, and have nonconcurrent inactive intervals for clearing. The outputs of the peak detectors are alternately switched into sample and hold circuitry at a switching rate equal to the sampling rate but staggered such that switching times occur midway in the sampling intervals.

Abstract: A plurality of conferencers are connected to a common bus. Each conferencer has a plurality of accumulators each for outputting a CVSD conference. Each conferencer selectively places any one or all or any combination of a plurality of inputs in any one or all or any combination of its accumulators independently of each other and independently of the accumulators in the remaining conferencers. Inputs may be selectively scaled to provide different volume levels for different conferees.

Abstract: A digital circuit receives symmetrical clock pulses of frequency F and outputs symmetrical pulses of frequency 1/3 F. A divide by one and one-half circuit clocks a divide by two flip-flop resulting in a symmetrical divide by three output. The divide by one and one-half circuit includes a pair of JK flip-flops and logic gates which receive clock pulses of frequency F and generate a plurality of staggered signal streams with nonsymmetrical pulses of frequency 1/3 F and a duty cycle of substantially 33%. The input clock pulses are gated against two of these streams to provide an output pulse during the first half of the duty portion of a cycle of one of the streams, and another output pulse during the second half of the duty portion of a cycle of the other stream, to provide an output frequency of 2/3 F which then clocks the divide by two flip-flop.

Abstract: A single-bolt joint having louvered contact strips interposed the bus bars and conductor splice plates for improved electrical connection under low insertion forces is tightened to become a solid connector assembly prior to attachment to the bus bars of a first bus duct and requires no additional tightening after insertion of the bus bars of the second bus duct. Expansion of the bus bars is accommodated at each joint without special apparatus.

Abstract: A pivoted-actuator safety switch of the type having a spring-biased lock lever within the sub-actuator that extends out to catch beneath the rim of the hole in the switch frame or housing to lock the pivoted-actuator in its "off" position, and a removable insertable actuator, covering the sub-actuator, has a projecting cam effective when inserted to retract the lock lever to allow normal operation, but removal thereof prevents unlocking of the sub-actuator and thus prevents operation from "off" to "on". A half-guard integral with the frame guards the actuator in "off" position to meet the "palm test", that is, it cannot be turned on accidentally by bumping or striking with the palm of the hand, while providing open access to the actuator in its "on" position so that it can be quickly turned off. This half-guard consists of upstanding plates integral with the frame on opposite sides of and extending higher than the actuator in "off" position.

Abstract: An electric switch having two pushbuttons for rocking a pivotal actuator alternately in opposite directions for alternately closing double-throw contacts. The pivotal actuator is snap-in assembled to a switch frame which is snap-in assembled to a switch base or housing that supports the contacts. The two pushbuttons are alike and are guided in their vertical reciprocal motion by the switch frame and by one another. To allow use of minimum height pushbuttons while having ample finger-engaging surface, the pushbuttons are provided with like but complementary guiding structures integrally molded thereon to guide one another in their relative vertically reciprocal movements without binding or "window-locking" with respect to one another or the switch frame.

Abstract: A method of and means for securing a toggle type operating lever in place in an electric switch or the like. The lever is provided with integral trunnions that are fitted into pivot sockets formed internally in a switch mounting bushing. Tab portions partially sheared out the bushing wall are bent inwardly to underlie the pivot trunnions to retain the latter in place.

Abstract: Submerged percussion welding is disclosed wherein the parts to be welded are in intimate contact with a liquid, such as water, during explosion and vaporization of the arc starter therebetween. In preferred form, one part is mounted to a stationary bottom electrode around which a movable water tank is raised to immerse the part. The other part, mounted to a movable top electrode, is brought into contact with the first part and the weld is completed under water.

Abstract: A small toggle lever switch with positive position feel is disclosed. A toggle lever is pivotally mounted to a housing and has a shaft extending thereinto. Upper and lower plungers are slidably disposed on the shaft and are biased apart by a compression spring encircling the shaft. The lower plunger is biased downwardly into engagement with a teeter-totter type contactor for actuation thereof. The upper plunger is biased upwardly into engagement with a stationary block having a clearance aperture through which the shaft extends. The block has grooved detents which variously receive a complemental apex of the upper plunger to afford indexing as the toggle lever is pivoted.

Abstract: A low profile semiconductor clamp with force indicating means is disclosed. A resiliently compressive spring washer, such as a belleville, is incentrically disposed within and bowed above an annularly larger indicator washer. The washers rest on a base member to which a clamping force is to be applied by tightening a nut down on a threaded stud extending freely up through the base member and the washers. A load washer is disposed between the nut and the spring washer. In unclamped condition, the load washer rests on the spring washer and hence is spaced above the indicator washer, whereby the indicator washer may be freely manually rotated about the stud. Upon tightening the nut, the load washer compresses the spring washer until the load washer engages the indicator washer to impede manual rotation thereof due to its frictional binding between the load washer and the base member.

Abstract: A toggle switch having a molded insulating frame mounting a snap-in bushing secured thereto for snap-in mounting of the switch in a hole in a mounting pane. This bushing pivotally retains the toggle lever for operating the switch contacts within the base. This frame includes a pair of depending legs between which the insulating switch base is snap-in mounted and retained. This frame has integrally molded therewith a pair of oppositely disposed resilient back-up elements for pressing against the back of the panel, these elements having at their ends ramped riser bars for accommodating a range of different panel thicknesses while retaining the switch against significant movement on the panel during toggle lever operation.

Abstract: A speed control subassembly is made by providing a generally flat heat sink plate having a laterally-formed collector strip at its upper edge. A double-sided-adhesive insulator tape strip is stuck to the heat sink, this tape having a hole large enough to receive a thyristor chip so that the thyristor anode contacts the heat sink with solder paste therebetween. Two formed terminal strips extending in opposite directions are stuck to the tape so that one contacts the cathode and the other contacts the gate of the thyristor chip with solder paste therebetween. A chip capacitor is placed across the terminal strips with solder paste therebetween. A small force is applied to the capacitor and then heat is applied to the stack of parts to solder the parts together and to the heat sink and to set the adhesive resin. This subassembly is then placed into a trigger switch housing and connected to the contacts and variable resistor thereof to provide a trigger speed control switch for portable tools.

Abstract: A toggle switch having an insulating housing that completely encloses all metal parts enabling connection of "live" wires to the switch terminals safely. The housing includes a molded base and a molded snap-in cover. A toggle lever supporting bushing is clamped between the base and cover and is provided with a snap-in collar for snap-in mounting the switch in a hole in a mounting panel. The toggle lever actuates an over-center wire link that imparts shear and wiping motion and snap-action to butt contacts. The terminals have insulation shearing slots into which unstripped wires are forced to make electrical connections. An integrally molded plug overlies a hole in the cover and is connected to the cover by thin sections which break when the plug is depressed into such hole to force the wires into the connectors.

Abstract: A chopper for adjustably controlling the average value of the voltage supplied from a D.C. battery source to a motor load for adjustable speed control. The chopper comprises manually-operable spring-biasing means for applying force to close a contact to energize the motor and electromagnetic means simultaneously energized for re-opening the contact. This occurs at a high repetition rate so that the average value of the voltage across the motor determines the motor speed. This average value of voltage is proportional to the closed-to-open time ratio of the contact and is adjustable by manual control. Two versions are disclosed. In the first version, the spring-biasing force is applied to the contact by depressing a trigger. In the second version, the spring-biasing force is applied to the contact by rotation of a knob. Both versions may use either tension or compression spring force.

Abstract: A two-piece snap-on yarn trapper including a molded U-shaped bracket that snaps onto a yarn detector switch and supports a plural-turn helical spring. This spring is held inwardly bowed in the bracket so that the turns are held open or separated on the yarn side to provide a series of V-grooves for receiving the yarn that is drawn tightly thereinto by the trip lever of the yarn detector switch thereby to trap the yarn when it goes slack. The bracket is provided with a pair of inner edges or guides to guide the yarn to the middle portion of the helix where trapping is most effective and reliable. The helical spring is compressed and snap-in assembled on a pair of angularly-disposed stubs received in opposite ends thereof to hold the spring in its bowed condition on the bracket due to the tension of the helix.

Abstract: Improved pivoting and sliding contactors and an operating member for lever and rocker operated electric switches are disclosed. A resiliently pivotally mounted forked operating member engages with the contactors adjacent opposite sides thereof and pivots and slides the contactors on a common contact terminal into and out of sliding engagement with contact terminals on either side of the common terminal. Separate contactor forms for maintained ON-OFF-ON and momentary ON-ON type circuit commutations are used.

Abstract: An electric snap-action electric switch is disclosed which employs movable contact means having an inverted V-shaped cam surface. The movable contact means is spring biased into engagement along its cam surface with the end of a pivoted operator lever. Upon movement from one extreme position the lever cams and pivots the contact means inwardly of the switch until the end of the lever rides beyond the apex of the V-shaped surface, whereupon the contact means moves with snap action under spring action to change switch circuits. Contact wiping action occurs during inward pivotal movement of said contact means, and abutting stationary contact engagement results from its snap-action movement.

Abstract: An off-lock for a toggle switch of the type having a slotted guide plate and a spring-biased toggle lever having flats on opposite sides of the portion thereof extending through the elongated slot in the guide plate to confine the toggle lever for non-rotatable pivotal motion. The lever lock consists of arcuate grooves around the toggle lever slightly above the guide plate deep enough to allow rotation of the toggle lever after it is pressed down to bring such grooves to the level of the guide plate. For off-lock in its center off position, the toggle lever is pressed down against the force of the plunger springs and turned 90.degree. so as to cause the opposite edges of the slot in the guide plate to mesh with the arcuate grooves and thus lock the toggle lever against pivotal movement. To release the off-lock, the toggle lever is turned 90.degree. whereupon it snaps up to normal position allowing pivotal movement.

Abstract: An electric snap-action switch is disclosed having a movable contactor with oppositely inclined camming surfaces meeting at an apex on the top thereof. The contactor is centrally biased upwardly from below and cammed downwardly from above by a laterally movable operator traversing the inclined camming surfaces such that the contactor snaps laterally against vertical stationary contacts as the apex is crossed by the operator.

Abstract: A snap-action overcenter contact mechanism utilizes a spring-loaded apexed plunger depressibly cammed within a rockable actuator block. The plunger rides in tracks in the block which ensure registered pivotal movement of the block and plunger, and also guides the plunger for depression within the block perpendicular to the pivotal axis thereof. A cam, which may be in the form of a roller mounted to a linearly sliding operator or a toggle lever operator, traverses the plunger to depress the plunger within the block against the bias of compression springs. When the cam translationally crosses the apex of the plunger, the stored energy of the springs is released, and the plunger and block pivot to an alternate position. A positive off feature is also disclosed wherein secondary cams formed on the operator strike the block to force it to pivot to an off position if the first cam has crossed the apex of the plunger and the block has not pivoted to the off position.