Abstract: An arm switch assembly, for an electrical instrument having a casing and electrical contacts, comprises an elongated insulating body member with a conductive member moved into engagement with and disengagement from the electrical contacts in response to operation of a camming mechanism. The camming mechanism is slidably mounted to the casing and has a cam surface movable between first and second positions. The insulating body member includes first and second ends, and a lateral arm connected to the first end permits the insulating body member to pivot relative to the casing. A cam follower is connected to and extends laterally from the second end of the insulating body member. The cam follower engages the cam surface in the first position and disengages the cam surface in the second position. The conductive member is mounted on the second end of the insulating body member and is positioned adjacent to the electrical contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for removing a single flexible member from a storage spool capable of holding multiple flexible members. This storage spool is designed to contain multiple elongated flexible members in an accurate position on the spool by means of radial channels or slots where the flexible members are held in place by interwinding material. By removing the interwinding material on a take up spool the individual flexible member can be positioned for removal from the storage spool by a pick up head or vacuum transport member. The invention has particular applicability to the handling of test devices, such as reagent strips, used in the determination of a biological constituent in a body fluid.