Abstract: A resilient bridge of a snap-action switch is normally held in an unactuated position by virtue of one end portion of the bridge bearing against a lobe formed integrally with a manually actuatable and linearly movable plunger. When the plunger is manually depressed toward an actuated position against the bias of a return spring, the lobe moves away from the end portion of the bridge. As an incident thereto, the bridge changes the state of the switch by automatically snapping over center along a path extending transversely of the path followed by the plunger.

Abstract: A switch particularly adapted for mounting to a panel. The switch includes a housing, a hollow post projecting from the housing and extending through an opening in the panel, and a nut adapted to be pushed onto the post and into engagement with the panel. The post receives a switch actuator and is formed with axially spaced frustums while the pushnut is formed with inwardly projecting tabs adapted to interlock with at least one of the frustums in order to secure the switch to the panel.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having concentrically supported inner and outer relatively rotatable races with a pair of endplates secured to the inner race for limiting relative lateral movement between the races. The endplates are secured to the inner race by solidified metal which is applied to the endplates and to the inner bearing race in molten form and which upon solidification secures the endplates in fixed relation to the bearing race. A method of manufacture is disclosed which involves injecting molten zinc between respective annular seating surfaces defined by the endplate and inner bearing race.

Abstract: A universal mounting mechanism for selectively suspending a power take-up reel from horizontally and vertically disposed supporting surfaces, the mechanism including a fitting having a shank portion and a head portion and a reversible mounting bracket having a cavity with an aperture located therein. The aperture is adapted to receive the fitting and to retain the head portion thereof within the cavity when the bracket is mounted on a horizontally disposed supporting surface. A double clevis having first and second sets of jaws is provided, the first set of jaws being adapted to receive the reel, while the second set of jaws is adapted to capture the shank portion of the fitting when the bracket is mounted on a horizontally disposed supporting surface, the cavity being adapted to receive and retain the second set of jaws when the bracket is mounted on a vertically disposed supporting surface.

Abstract: A bearing assembly having coaxial inner and outer bearing races, a plurality of rolling elements which ride in respective raceways in the inner and outer races, and annular sealing discs interposed between the inner and outer races for defining annular lubricant containing chambers on opposed axial sides of the rolling elements. For facilitating circulation of lubricant between moving parts during use of the bearing, the outer bearing race is formed with lands which extend axially outwardly of the raceway with a slight radially inwardly directed taper of about 10.degree. to the bearing axis.

Abstract: An electric power cord take-up reel having an external housing, a shaft mounted in the housing, and a spool journalled on the shaft for storing a length of electric power cord and spring-biased to rewind a length of cord previously withdrawn from the reel, and supplied with electric current from an external source through stator contacts in the housing and rotor contact rings on the spool. The reel includes an electric switch and a camming ratchet ring for interrupting the flow of current to the stator contacts while the cord is being withdrawn or retracted or is in its stored position on the spool. The camming ratchet ring is engageable with a latch pawl for locking the reel in a stationary position when a desired length of cord is withdrawn at which time the ring also activates the switch to energize the cord for use.

Abstract: A three-position electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator adapted to be pivoted within a housing in opposite directions from a neutral position to first and second actuated positions in order to close first and second sets of switch contacts. The actuator carries a latch which normally engages the housing to prevent the actuator from being pivoted from its neutral position to either of its switch-closed positions. By manually pulling on the latch and then pivoting the actuator, the actuator may be moved to either of its switch-closed positions; the two-step operation protecting against accidental actuation of the switch. The actuator is frictionally maintained in one of its switch-closed positions but may be returned to its switch-open position by a simple single motion thereby enabling rapid opening of the switch under emergency conditions. The actuator is only momentarily held in its other switch-closed position and returns automatically therefrom as soon as it is manually released.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions within a housing in order to close and open switch contacts. The actuator slidably supports a latch which normally engages the housing to prevent the actuator from being pivoted to its switch-closed position. By pulling on the latch and then lifting on the actuator, the actuator may be pivoted to its switch-closed position; the two-step operation protecting against accidental actuation of the switch. The actuator may be returned to its switch-open position by a simple single motion thereby enabling rapid opening of the switch under emergency conditions. A high strength rivet supports the actuator for pivoting within the housing and also supports the latch to pivot with and to slide relative to the actuator.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions within a housing in order to close and open switch contacts. The actuator slidably supports a latch which normally engages the housing to prevent the actuator from being pivoted to its switch-closed position. By pulling on the latch and then lifting on the actuator, the actuator may be pivoted to its switch-closed position; the two-step operation protecting against accidental actuation of the switch. The switch housing is mounted with a snap fit in an opening iun a panel. A lug on the housing engages the underside of the panel to prevent the switch from being pulled out of the opening in the event a heavy lifting force is applied to the actuator without first releasing the latch. One switch contact is adapted to pivot and slide on a fulcrum which is laterally offset from the pivot axis of the actuator in order to delay opening of the switch relative to the position of the actuator.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator molded of plastic and adapted to be pivoted between first and second positions within a housing in order to close and open switch contacts. The actuator includes an enlarged molded head and a separately molded indicator cap which is of a different color from the head and which is adapted to be snapped onto the head.

Abstract: A three-position electrical switch includes a rocker-type actuator adapted to be pivoted within a housing in opposite directions from a neutral position to first and second actuated positions in order to close first and second sets of switch contacts. The actuator carries a latch which normally engages the housing to prevent the actuator from being pivoted from its neutral position to either of its switch-closed positions. By manually sliding the latch and then pivoting the actuator, the actuator may be moved to either of its switch-closed positions; the two-step operation requiring a conscious effort and protecting against accidental actuation of the switch. The actuator is frictionally maintained in both of its switch-closed positions but may be returned to its neutral or switch-open position by a simple single motion thereby enabling rapid and easy opening of the switch.

Abstract: Inner and outer electrical switches are attached in ganged face-to-face relation to a mounting plate by a screw which extends through two upper alined holes of the switches, by a pin which projects from the plate and into a lower hole of the inner switch, and by an L-shaped locking element having one leg extending through a lower hole of the outer switch and into the lower hole of the inner switch. The other leg of the L-shaped locking element is torsionally loaded and is adapted to be clamped between the head of the screw and the outer side of the outer switch.

Abstract: A miniature switch which has reduced susceptibility to welding of contact elements due to high voltage arcing. The switch has parallel resilient spring like current carrying members each having a contact portion mounted adjacent an end thereof. A selectively actuatable switch plunger is adapted to bend the free end of one of the contact members about its fixed support so that the contact portion thereof contacts the contact portion of the other current carrying member, which in turn bends about its fixed support. Upon removal of the operating force of the plunger, the current carrying members spring back to their normal horizontal positions, breaking the electrical contact between the contact portions. The making and breaking actions are made in a slow manner so that the possibility of bouncing between contact elements and the consequent welding due to high voltage arcing, is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A self-lubricating track-roller bearing and the method of manufacturing the same that includes such a bearing with an inner race ring having a liner of self-lubricating material bonded to the outer surface of the inner race ring which is manufactured by the use of such a liner having self-lubricating material on one side and adhesive on the other side, with the latter side applied to such inner ring outer surface, positioning such inner ring with the liner thereon and a transparent heat shrinkable tubing assembly fixture together in a concentric relation so that upon the application of heat to said fixture it shrinks into a circumferential contact with the said liner to exert a force as the shrinking occurs to press said liner and said adhesive thereon against said outer surface to bond the latter thereto and thereby compress the thickness of said self-lubricating material, with said heat-shrunken tubing fixture maintaining said liner in position during additional heating to cure said adhesive, then removing

Abstract: An electrical toggle switch with self-contained indicating devices for displaying the operating condition of the switch and the electrical equipment controlled thereby. The switch may be of the single pole double throw type, or the double pole double throw type, operated by a three position toggle lever which actuates a fulcrum mounted conductive bridge. The switch housing incorporates indicating lamps with color coded lenses. A legend plate assembly mounted on the switch includes a readily interchangeable legend plate which indicates switch function whether or not specifically illuminated.

Abstract: A portable electrical circuit control unit with a key-lockable switch means assembled on a molded base member of insulating material with said unit including an electrical receptacle or outlet for receiving the plug on a conductor from a motor and also including an extension cord for connection to a source of electricity all on said base member which is covered by a molded member of insulating material to house that which is assembled on said base member and cooperate in maintaining the same on said base member, with said switch means including bridging contact means in continuous electrical connection with the receptacle or outlet and selectively operable to electrically connect with said extension cord and complete a circuit to said receptacle or outlet, said switch means including a removable key to disable said latter means.