Abstract: Relay switching circuits for supplying power to a vehicle exterior lighting system to provide for daytime running lights and which are controlled by solid state logic circuits, depending upon the condition of either or both of the vehicle starter and ignition switches.

Abstract: A switch for making multiple contacts formed as an elastomeric molded body having a base with a ring of material molded therewith to the base, and attached to the base by a web. An interior cylindrical member is supported within the ring of material by another web. Electrically conductive media is formed on the ring and on the interior cylindrical member. The switch is mounted on a board having multiple stationary contacts that can be contacted by the conductive surfaces on the ring and the conductive surface on the interior cylindrical member.

Abstract: A surface mountable reed switch, which is particularly useful for implantable devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, drug pumps and neurostimulators. The switch includes reed contacts hermetically sealed within a tubular glass envelop, wherein the reed contacts extend through ends of the envelop to provide external contacts. A trilobular cross section mounting bar is attached to each external contact such that the reed switch can be mounted on a mounting surface such as a ceramic substrate or the like. A protective housing contains the reed switch while the attached trilobular bars extend from a side of the housing to allow communication between the switch and the mounting surface. Further, a testing apparatus is provided for evaluating how the housed reed switch will perform when installed in the implantable device and subjected to stray (must not operate) as well as designated (must operate) magnetic fields.

Abstract: An assortment of lock washers is produced from a method including the steps of (a) providing a plurality of blanks formed of generally planar resilient metal, some of the blanks having a different configuration from other of the blanks, each of the blanks including a central aperture, an outer periphery, a tab, and two locating holes spaced from the central aperture and spaced from each other a selected distance and at a selected orientation relative to the tab; (b) providing a tool having two locator pins and structure for bending a tab out of the plane of a blank; (c) orientating the two locating pins with the two locating holes of a selected blank; (d) actuating the tool to bend the tab of the selected blank out of the plane of the selected blank; and (e) repeating steps (c)-(d) for each of the blanks.

Abstract: A programmable switch includes a housing. A sensor is associated with the housing. The sensor senses a measurable physical property of a sensed element proximate the housing and developing an electrical signal varying relative thereto to represent the sensed physical property. A logic circuit is disposed in the housing and receives the electrical signal. The logic circuit includes a memory for storing a reference value and a controller for comparing the reference value to the sensed physical property to determine status of the sensed physical property. An input circuit is operatively associated with the logic circuit for selectively changing the stored reference value to reprogram the switch. An output switch is operatively associated with the logic circuit to externally indicate status of the sensed property.

Abstract: An automated daytime running light system for surface transport vehicles having headlights and taillights which includes a daytime running light control circuit which activates the highbeam filament of the headlights at a reduced power level whenever the vehicle ignition is ON and the starter motor OFF during daylight conditions. In one embodiment, the daytime running light control circuit activates the high beam filaments of the headlight at a reduced power level and also activates the parking lights to provide taillights whenever the vehicle ignition is ON and the starter motor OFF during daylight conditions.

Abstract: A solid state load switching conservation circuit removably connectable with a control output of a traffic control logic circuit and responsive to an actuating input to energize an incandescent lamp from an a.c. power source exhibiting a given voltage level. The switching circuit conserves electrical power consumption and the life span of incandescent lamps and, in this regard, employs a thyristor switch, triac driver, shunting network, voltage level monitoring network, a.c. cycle monitoring network, and processor to provide a soft start form of turn on for the lamps being energized. Subsequent to the completion of soft start control, the conservation approach of the invention then turns to a voltage regulation mode which regulates the voltage applied to the lamp during traffic logic control illumination intervals such that the lamp is energized at an acceptable but lowered RMS voltage to conserve both energy and lamp life spans.

Abstract: Corrosion, loosening and reusability problems incurred with prior art lock washers are eliminated in a lock washer having a planar washer body (10) formed of a thin sheet of resilient metal. A central aperture (18) is locate in the body (10) and is adapted to receive the shank (42) of a bolt to which a nut (40) is to be attached and locked. First and second lock tabs (14), (16) are formed in the body (10) radially outward of the central aperture (18) and are the sole lock tabs on the body (10). Each of the tabs (14), (16), has a radially inwardly facing, straight free edge (30) displaced to one side of the plane of the body (10). Each of the edges (30) is transverse to a radius of the body (10) and the lock tabs (14), (16) are angularly spaced by more than 90.degree. and less than 180.degree. such that when one free edge 30 is engaging the flat (50) of a nut (40), the other free edge (30) will be underlying a point (52) of the nut (40), between two adjacent flats (50) thereof.

Abstract: A keyboard has two segments connected to each other at their rear ends by a connector. The two segments can be pivoted about the connector through 90.degree. in the plane of a support surface for the keyboard. In one embodiment, each keyboard segment may be disposed at a maximum angle of 45.degree. to its support surface in a plane perpendicular to its support surface. Thus, the two segments may be tilted 90.degree. with respect to each other. The two segments may be separated and supported individually through three pivotally mounted supports on its bottom surface. Two of the supports are disposed adjacent the rear corners and pivot on the same axis while the third support is disposed adjacent a lower inner corner of the segment and pivots on an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the other two supports. Each of the supports has two legs of different lengths to permit various tilting configurations of each segment with one of the legs having an adjustable length in one embodiment.

Abstract: An automatic daytime running light system for a vehicle having an engine, an electric power source, a starter motor circuit for the engine, external running lights including headlights and parking lights, and input switches for ignition circuit and the external running lights, the system being responsive to the input switches and starter motor circuit to automatically control the operation of the external running lights, and the system including digital logic timer circuit means for automatically controlling the operation of the external running lights, and MOSFET output switching devices, which thereby provide high reliability and safety, redundant circuitry to thereby provide a higher level of reliability and fail-safe operation of the system, and MOSFET fault current monitoring circuitry which monitors the drain to source fault currents of the MOSFET output switch means, whereby upon detection of fault currents, the digital logic timer controls a fault current indicator to provide an indication of a fault

Abstract: A keyboard arrangement and particularly an ergonomic keyboard arrangement is provided which includes, in particular, keyboard blocks (5, 6) that are arranged in the shape of a V for ergonomic operation.In order to be able to vary the V-shaped arrangement of the keyboard blocks (5, 6), one or a plurality of hinges (14, 15) are provided. Moreover, in order to accommodate the keyboard blocks (5, 6), the keyboard housings (2, 3) can be displaced laterally by means of long holes that are arranged in a transverse web in the upper region of the housing so as to vary the distance between the keyboard blocks (5, 6).

Abstract: Assembly for unidirectional magnetic proximity detecting wherein a magnet is used in conjunction with a permeable plate for absorbing magnetic flux and a reed type switch. The switch contacts remain open due to the absorption of the magnetic flux away from the contacts and into the permeable plate. Proximation of a permeable target object near the magnet enhances the magnetic flux creating an opposite magnetic flux across the switch contacts; thus, actuating the switch closed. Proximation of the permeable target object is only effective in actuating the switch when it approaches the sensing area defined adjacent to the magnet portion opposite the permeable plate. A preferred apparatus includes an enclosure which provides a weatherproof environment for the detector assembly.

Abstract: A controller for a vehicle fuel pump electric motor is connected to one or more vehicle sensors for sensing fuel flow demand and pulse width modulating the motor to control the speed. A fuel demand sensor and a triangle generator are connected to a summing controller for generating a pulse width modulated control signal to a driver. The driver has a pair of outputs for generating a pair of complementary pulse width modulated switch signals to a pair of switches whereby the switches are switched on and off alternately. One of the switches is connected in series between a power supply and the motor armature and the other switch is connected across the armature. A crash sensor, such as an inertia switch, is connected to the summing controller for terminating pulse width modulation in the event of a crash. The switch connected across the armature can be turned on to short circuit the armature and quickly stop the motor in the event of a crash.

Abstract: Complexity and unreliability in a mounting structure for a switch (40) used to sense the position of another object is avoided in a switch and mounting structure that includes a switch body (46) with a movable switch plunger (48) extending from one end (50) of the body (46). The body (46) has an outwardly opening groove (52) and a mounting bracket (44) is adapted to be secured to a desired object (70). The mounting bracket (42) has a base section (98) for mounting purposes and two spaced legs (100,102) extending therefrom. A relatively large hole (76) is in one of the legs (102) and sized to receive the switch body (46) while a relatively small hole (78) is in the other of the legs (100) and sized to slidably receive the plunger (48). A resilient lock ring (44) is located in the groove (52) and in abutment with one of the legs (102) to hold the end (50) in firm abutment with the other of the legs (100) thereby securely mounting the switch body (46).

Abstract: Apparatus for proximity magnetic switching wherein magnet assemblies are used in combination with magnetic reed switches by placement of the reed switch axis in a magnetic field null position which is shifted or unbalanced by proximation of certain magnetic materials to actuate the magnetic reed switch. In particular, such proximity magnetic switch is made weather proof and entirely sealed from its environment by molding the magnet assembly and reed switch assembly in fixed orientation within a potting compound which then exposes an actuating surface for sensing the presence of a magnetically permeable material.

Abstract: A housing (10), (54) defines a well which holds a diaphragm assembly (12). The diaphragm assembly has a stud portion (14) that extends through an aperture in the housing and is biased into the housing by a spring (16). The stud portion defines a channel (18) which is received in a slot between arms of a calibration plate (20). Movement of the calibration plate transverse to the axis of the stud portion engages a cam surface (24) to position the diaphragm, more particularly a dielectric button (34) which engages a switch control member (50). As a fluid in a bulb (32) expands, it causes the diaphragm to expand, moving the control member (50) and one end of spring portion (48) causing contacts (46, 52) to open. The temperature or degree of diaphragm extension at which the switch contacts open is adjusted by rotating a shaft (60). As the stem is rotated, a cam follower (76) and cam (70) interact causing a dielectric actuator (64 ) to change the bias force, hence pivot point, of spring elements (44).

Abstract: Apparatus for proximity magnetic switching wherein magnet assemblies are used in combination with magnetic reed switches by placement of the reed switch axis in a magnetic field null position which is shifted or unbalanced by proximation of certain magnetic materials to actuate the magnetic reed switch. In particular, such proximity magnetic switch is made weather proof and entirely sealed from its environment by molding the magnet assembly and reed switch assembly in fixed orientation within a potted compound which then exposes an actuating surface for sensing the presence of a magnetically permeable material.