Abstract: A miniature thermal switch features simplified single-spring construction requiring only four components within an enclosure housing. None of the components requires subassembly, and all are designed for completely automated assembly of the finished switch. A fabrication method features self-alignment of the elements by means of closely confining barrier walls. A wiping action of the contacts during melting of a contact-restraining meltable pellet serves to insure an abrupt circuit interruption at the threshold temperature.

Abstract: A fuse puller device comprises a pair of spaced confronting body portions respectively having confronting lower fuse-gripping jaw sections each formed by a wall terminating in a horizontally inwardly facing lip-forming projection adapted to underlie the overhung portion of a fuse housing head portion, the jaw sections respectively joining confronting finger-squeezable sections which effect a pivoting separation of the jaw sections when squeezed between the user's thumb and forefinger. The lip-forming projections have recesses which engage ribs on the fuse housing to center the fuse puller device. A fuse condition indicator unit mounted on the inner face of one of the jaw section walls has a pair of indicator terminals adapted to engage fuse continuity test terminals exposed on the head portion of the fuse housing to test whether or not there is continuity between the test terminals when the fuse puller device is applied over the head portion of the fuse.

Abstract: An ambient thermally actuated switch comprises a power lead extending longitudinally into and insulated from one end of a metal casing. The power lead made of a soft low resistance material like copper is bifurcated at its inner end to form outwardly inclining arms which, in a normally closed embodiment of the switch, makes contact with the inner surface of the casing. The arms are pressed against an insulating backing member so that the arms expand outwardly into a low resistance contact with the casing. The backing member forms part of a spring-urged, longitudinally extending, sandwich of elements extending between the ends of the casing and preferably comprising a pellet of meltable material, a first partially compressed spring, said backing member, arm-deforming means positioned contiguous to and adapted to collapse said arms when released to do so, and a second fully compressed spring applying a force acting on said deforming means to force it into an arm-collapsing position when the pellet melts.

Abstract: A method of assembling a normally-closed ambient thermally actuated switch comprises assembling into the open end of a casing a sandwich of elements including a meltable pellet, one or more springs, a backing member and a contact arm-deforming member which is released for movement under pressure of one of the springs when the pellet is melted at a given ambient control temperature. A power lead having resilient outwardly inclining contact arms at the inner end thereof and an axially outwardly facing shoulder is positioned in the casing so that the outer sides of the arms engage the backing member and the inner sides of the arms are confronted by the contact arm-deforming member.

Abstract: An alternate action switch includes a housing defining a cavity within which an actuator is mounted for reciprocal movement between alternate positions wherein slider contacts on the actuator selectively engage fixed contacts supported by the housing within the cavity. Indexing of the actuator for movement between positions is accomplished by a cam block mounted on the housing and a cam follower mounted on the actuator. The cam block and follower are integrally connected respectively to the housing and actuator by means of flexible integral webs serving both to resiliently bias the follower and cam block toward one another and to constrain their movement to a single direction. Within the housing cavity the actuator is provided with recesses supporting loop contact portions of the slider contacts. Retention recesses within the actuator and latch arms on the contacts hold the slider contacts in position on the actuator.