Abstract: An electric rocker switch is disclosed having a gull wing shaped rocking contact. The rocking contact pivots on a center terminal between a pair of upright blades. A centering protrusion disposed on a lower surface of the rocking contact rests between the uprights blades of the center terminal when the rocking contact is in a center position, thus preventing lateral movement of the rocking contact beyond the limits of the upright blades. First and second rocker contacts are located on opposite sides of the rocking contact. The first and second rocker contacts face toward first and second fixed contacts, respectively. Thus, the first rocker contact touches the first fixed contact when the rocking contact rocks to one side and the second rocker contact touches the second fixed contact when the rocking contact rocks to the other side. Positioning surfaces and top inside edges of the upright blades serve as pivots for the rocking contact as it rocks from side to side.

Abstract: Optical heat-generating apparatus and methods that rapidly, controllably deliver energy (heat) to heat shrink tubing disposed over wires or other components and that may be used to fuse insulated wires together, and solder and unsolder packaged IC chips. In general, the apparatus comprises a housing having one or more reflective cavities that each comprise a linear elliptical reflective surface having first and second focal lines, and into which the heatable component is inserted and disposed along the first focal line. One or more optical heat-generating elements are disposed along the second focal line of each respective linear elliptical reflective surface that emit energy that is focused by the one or more linear elliptical reflective surfaces onto the heatable component disposed along the first focal line. A number of different embodiments of the apparatus have been developed. Lengths of heat shrink tubing may be readily shrunk using various embodiments of the present invention in less than one second.

Abstract: A miniature ratchet type push button activated electrical switch wherein a first electrical contact is caused to sweep across and briefly contact a second electrical contact upon depression of a push button to transmit an electrical pulse. The rotation is driven by the free expansion of a spring upon depression of the push button beyond a preselected depth, and therefore results in a pulse of uniform duration independent of how quickly the push button is depressed or how long it is held in its depressed state.

Abstract: An electromechanical spring-loaded switch having a plunger employed for actuating a ratchet mechanism against a biasing spring for rotatively driving a contact cup, the combination utilized for providing electrical contact with a common terminal and a plurality of output load terminals, each component of the switch having a miniaturized low-profile construction for minimizing the size of the switch which includes a plurality of slots fashioned into a top body portion and a bottom cover portion for receiving a plurality of corresponding mounting clips permitting convenient mounting of the switch directly to a mounting enclosure significantly improving the utility of the switch in electrical circuits.

Abstract: A miniature ratchet type electrical switch exhibiting a reduced audible noise level operation having a damping spring incorporated in a ratchet mechanism switch construction for reducing the forces otherwise exerted on the ratcheting mechanism by a main spring during the camming and seating operation of the components with the force exerted by the damping spring opposing the force exerted by the main spring, thereby reducing the noise associated with this function, and including a reprofiled tooth and cam configuration for preventing the jamming of the moving parts. Incorporation of these features in a ratchet mechanism type electrical switch in which the main spring completes the switch circuitry yields a reliable and aesthetically improved switch function with a high current carrying capacity. Switch constructions in both single-pole, double-throw and single-pole, single-throw versions are disclosed.