Abstract: Two identical toggle springs of a snap action switch are inserted in the same knife-edged bearings and are spaced apart in the region of their clamping locations and are activated by the same plunger. There are two control arms connected to the toggle springs each having a movable contact. The relative distance between the control arms is limited by a lost motion buffer. Stationary contacts are positioned above and below the movable contacts. The control arms are actuated by the plunger and move in the same direction as the plunger establishing contact between one of the movable contacts of the control arms and one of the stationary contacts.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an air circuit breaker including a compression coil; a second spring holder to compress the compression coil in the axial direction thereof; and a first spring holder which is subjected to the compression force of the compression coil, the second spring holder being constructed in such a manner that it is formed of a plate material in a rectangular shape, a pair of projected pieces are provided on both sides of the plate material, and a pin is held to pass between the pair of projected pieces in the direction of thickness of the plate so as to be able to support one end of the energy accumulating spring at four points with the pair of projected pieces and the pin in a compressible manner. After compression of the energy accumulating spring by pressure application thereto, its pressure application is released to stretch the energy accumulating spring so as to close a pair of contact points through the first and second spring holders.

Abstract: An alternate mechanism comprising a plunger (4) supported for a linear movement, a rotary cam (71) rotatably supported by the plunger, a spring (43) for biasing the plunger toward an original position (P.sub.1) of the plunger, a first stationary cam (76) which as the plunger is pushed to a first position (P.sub.2, P.sub.3) against the spring, is adapted to be engaged with the rotary cam so as to rotate the rotary cam by a predetermined angle, and a second stationary cam (32) which as the plunger supporting the rotary cam at the predetermined angle returns from the first position, is engaged with the rotary cam so as to lock the plunger in a second position (P.sub.4), and as the plunger locked in the second position is pushed again, the rotary cam is further rotated by the first stationary cam so as to be disengaged from the second stationary cam when the plunger returns to the second position.

Abstract: A mechanized work transfer system in which a robot assembly riding on a horizontal rail and driven by an external motor acts to convey a basket carrying work along a row of processing stages on a work bench. The assembly includes a robot provided with an elevator operated by an internal motor which serves to lower the basket at each stage on the work bench and to deposit it into a processing tank for a predetermined dwell period, after which the basket is hoisted out of the tank and transferred to another stage where the procedure is repeated. To render the assembly substantially immune to corrosive vapors emanating from the tanks, the robot housing is sectioned into left and right compartments, the left compartment being reserved for those moving and stationary components which can be fabricated of corrosion-resistant materials.

Abstract: Key switch assembly comprises a frame and a plunger in the frame which is movable from an extended position to a depressed position to close a switch. A one piece member is provided which serves as both a return spring for the plunger and an actuator for closing the switch when the plunger is depressed. The one piece member has a force-receiving portion which is against the end of the plunger. The return spring and the actuator are integral with, and extend from, the force-receiving portion.

Abstract: A cleaning machine for cleaning annular discs is disclosed. Annular discs of rigid or flexible material are designed to receive a magnetic coating capable of operating as a memory for a computer. The cleaning machine uses a spindle that aligns and holds the disc. The spindle rotates and high pressure cleaning fluid simultaneously washes both sides of the disc. In one embodiment the spindle has a conical ferrule made of abrasion-resistant rubber. In another embodiment the spindle includes centrifugally-operable hold down arms that extend from the spindle during rotation to keep the disc on the spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing an endoscope by spraying washing liquid thereagainst is disclosed, which comprises a housing including a washing tank, and a rotary body rotatably mounted on a central portion of the washing tank. The rotary body has a horizontal cylindrical inner space formed in its upper portion. The rotary body carries an upper nozzle, which includes a cylindrical body capable of being retracted into the cylindrical space and a nozzle tip provided on the free end of the cylindrical member and directed downwards. The cylindrical member has a piston provided on its rear end and biased by a spring in the direction of retraction of the cylindrical member into the cylindrical space. The rotary body also carries a lower nozzle secured to its lower portion and directed upwards. When pressurized washing liquid is supplied to the upper and lower nozzles, it is sprayed from these nozzles against an endoscope which is set at a level between these nozzles.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a snap-acting actuator blade movable with a snap action between two configurations to control the making and breaking of electrical contacts and a latching mechanism which, when the actuator blade has snap-acted in one sense to break or make the contacts, prevents return movement of a movable contact carrying member until the latching mechanism has been positively released. The latching mechanism comprises a pivotal rigid member having an arm defining an engaging portion, for restraining return movement of the movable contact carrying member, and a biasing spring which urges the latching member in the movable contact carrying member engaging direction.

Abstract: A sealed toggle switch is formed of a hollow thermosetting plastic base, a metal cover closing off the base, a rocking blade, and a bat actuator handle having a ball disposed to rotate in a socket bushing in the cover and a resiliently biased finger pushing against the blade to rock it from one position to another when the bat actuator is moved. Sealing is accomplished by an O-ring seated in a groove on an upper surface of the base and extending around the periphery of the same. This O-ring is compressed by the cover to form a seal. Another O-ring is seated in an annular groove in the bushing and is compressed against the ball of the actuator handle. Contacts of the switch are selectively connectable by rocking of the blade, and these extend through the base. Seals, such as O-rings or flat rubber seals, are provided between these contacts and the base.

Abstract: An electrical contact element includes a support component of an effectively electrically insulating material, especially silicon, the support component including a supporting body and an armature integral with and hingedly connected to the supporting body, the armature carrying at least one electrical contact. The electrical contact element is accommodated in a housing which is hermetically sealed and either filled with an inert gas or evacuated. The housing includes at least one fixed contact, and the supporting body is shaped as a frame which has a recess in which the armature is received when electrical contact is established between the electrical contact carried by the armature and the fixed electrical contacts carried by the housing. The electrical contact element is made by material-removing techniques from a single substantially plate-shaped member and then the electrical contact is vapor-deposited thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the amount of clearance between the tips of the blades of a large axial flow fan and the inner surfaces of the fan cylinder wall. A plurality of foam spacer panels are secured to the inner surfaces of the fan cylinder walls. A cutting means is attached to the outer end of the longest fan blade and extends a short distance outwardly therefrom. Rotation of the fan causes the cutting means to trim the spacer panels to achieve the required clearance. A plurality of plastic sheets are secured to the spacer panels in covering relationship thereto.

Abstract: A switch for use in keyboards and the like has a housing mounted on a baseplate, with a set of electrical contacts associated with the housing. There is a reciprocative plunger mounted in the housing. An actuator is operatively connected to the electrical contacts for closing them in response to movement of the plunger. A first spring is located between the plunger and the actuator biasing these components apart. A reciprocative coupler is mounted in the housing, and is engageable with the plunger during a first portion of the plunger stroke. The coupler includes a blocking tang which engages the actuator during the first portion of the plunger stroke to prevent movement of the actuator. A second spring is located between the coupler and the housing to bias the coupler upwardly, this force being also transferred to the plunger when the coupler and plunger are engaged.

Abstract: A terminal seal for an environmentally sealed electric switch is reduced in cost while maintaining an effective seal by eliminating the O-ring and instead angularly reshaping the lower annular surface (20d) of the stationary contact head (20c) and the lower annular surface (28d) of the contact support rivet (28) to coact with the reversed radii (R1, R2) surface of the terminal hole (14, 18) in the molded nylon base (2). Such coaction, when the stationary contact (20) or the contact support rivet (28) is clamped in place and riveted to the external terminal (24, 32), causes cold flow of the radius (R1) along the reshaped angular surface (20d, 28d) to provide an effective seal without the need of an O-ring or other packing material or cement.

Abstract: A multi-position switch suitable for use as a remote control switch for electrically operated rearview mirrors of a motor vehicle. The switch of the invention comprises fixed contact components in the form of printed circuits disposed on an insulating base plate, a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber sheet (which becomes conductive only when and where it is pressed) being laid over the fixed contact components, whereby the fixed contact components and the rubber sheet forming switch elements, and an operating button adapted to be tilted with respect to the rubber sheet and having a tendency to return to its original position. Therefore, the switch of the invention can have a flat, thin shape. Also, the switch is easy to assemble and has satisfactory reliability because it consists of a small number of component parts. Furthermore, the operating button is adapted to have a tilting stroke and make clicks, so that the switch of the invention is easy to use and gives a reassuring feeling of use.

Abstract: An insulating contact holder (26) is reciprocally movable in sliding engagement between flexible stationary contacts (22, 24) to interrupt the circuit therebetween in one position of the holder and to carry a contact (32) into bridging engagement with said stationary contacts in another position of the holder. A wedge formation (40) on the holder separates the stationary contacts a predetermined distance in the circuit interrupting position, and movement therefrom to the bridging position causes said stationary contacts (22, 24) to converge immediately prior to engagement by the bridging contact (32), thereby to relieve the bias in the stationary contacts prior to said bridging engagement to reduce contact bounce. The wedge surfaces (42) are provided with a matte surface for cleaning the stationary contacts.

Abstract: A contact switching device has a driving link pivoted on its one end, a spring loaded slide slidably disposed within a longitudinal guide groove disposed on the other end portion of the driving link, a connecting link pivoted at one end on the slide and at the other end on an intermediate point of a driven link pivoted on its one end and having a movable contactor disposed on the other end portion of the driven link to separably engage two stationary contacts. Alternatively two connecting links having equal lengths may be pivoted at one end on the slide and at the other ends on respective driven links at points equidistant from the pivot on which the driven links are pivoted. The driven links have equal length and movable contactors for separably engaging pairs of stationary contacts. The contact of one pair is connected to one contact of the other pair.

Abstract: A portable electric power tool incorporates in conjunction with its double-pole main switch mechanism (11) a separate carrier member (10) which carries two pairs of terminals (20; 41) for the attachment of the main electric leads and the motor stator leads. Four pairs of complementary connectors (23, 24, 32, 33; 48) are also provided, the two connectors of each pair being mounted one on the carrier member (10) and the other on the switch mechanism (11) and the four connectors on the carrier member (10) are respectively connected to the terminals (20; 41). The carrier member (10) is appropriately located in the tool and has two posts (44) which become engaged in apertures (45) in the body of the switch mechanism (11) as the mechanism (11) is placed in position. The connectors (23, 24, 32, 33; 48) of each pair are so disposed that the act of positioning the switch mechanism (11) in this way brings the connectors (23, 24, 32, 33; 48) of each of the four pairs into engagement.

Abstract: Each of a pair of low voltage, residential type circuit breaker housings includes a molded case, a mating cover, a spring clip, and a conductive contact member. The clip, generally U-shaped, has a stiff outer leg with smoothly formed edges, a base, and an inner leg forming two flat springs joined by a flat leg coupled to the base. The flat leg is case supported to stabilize the base and outer leg. The member has an outer conductive leg so formed that when the clip's stiff outer leg's inner surface opposes a connecting surface thereof, and spaced therefrom, a bus bar blade is receivable. The contact member includes a step having a riser in one direction joining at a roundly formed right angle with one end of its leg (the roundly formed angle and smoothly formed edges serving as lead-in contours for a bus bar blade) and a tread along a second orthogonally oriented direction, which tread rests on one of the flat springs.

Abstract: An annular friction seal device to be disposed around the impeller of a turbine or high pressure compressor is disclosed. The turbine or compressor is of the type comprising, from the periphery inward, a support-ring surrounding the impeller, a first air-permeable annular layer fastened to the support-ring, and a second annular layer joined to the first layer and coming into immediate proximity with the impeller blade ends, and being abaradable by these ends. To simplify production of the annular seal device, it is provided with two annular layers provided within a single superalloy seal ring with channels bored through the entire seal ring. The channels are open to air in one zone and are closed in at least the upstream end of the other zone.

Abstract: A lock out assembly for a circuit breaker which consists of a generally step-shaped unitary base with an aperture in the small portion of the step-shaped base and a roughly "S" shaped retaining pin which loops through the large portion of the step-shaped base. The lock out assembly is adapted to fit over a circuit breaker with the handle switch projecting through the aperture, and the retaining pin projecting into an opening of the handle switch, preventing removal.