Abstract: A high-current shunt is disclosed for carrying current between relatively fixed and movable terminals in a mechanism for controlling the transfer of electrical energy. In one embodiment a plurality of generally oval, flexible, ribbon-like electrical conductors are used to bridge the gap between two spaced apart coaxial base members. Each ribbon-like conductor is suspended between the two base elements so as to have a generally U-shaped configuration. By connecting the conductors to each base element at a single point, the two base elements may be rotated relative to each other to a limited degree. Stacking and nesting of the ribbon conductors increases the current carrying capability. Good electrical contact is established within a relatively small volume and relatively little force is required to rotate the two elements relative to each other.

Abstract: A two-position rotary switch assembly is constructed of a mounting member and a switching member. The mounting member has an electrically non-conducting body in the form of a head portion with a central opening and a shank portion with a throughbore in axial alignment with the central opening. The switching member includes an electrically non-conducting rotary part having a shaft portion rotatably disposed in the throughbore of the mounting member and a knob portion which includes a flange integrally formed in normal relation to the shaft portion and slidingly engaging the head portion of the mounting member. Stop means is provided for limiting the rotational motion of the switching member between two arcuate positions. An electrical contact member is mounted on the shaft portion and includes an arm portion that is disposed along a chordal flat formed inwardly of the circumferential surface of the shaft portion.

Abstract: As a disc having teeth on its periphery is turned, one end of an engagement piece is engaged with a first lock member, a first protrusion provided on the engagement piece at that end portion is disengaged from the disc, and a second protrusion of the engagement piece at the other end portion thereof is engaged with one of the teeth of the disc. Each time one of the teeth of the disc crosses over the second protrusion, the latter pivots about the point of its engagement with the first lock member, driving the free end of the second resilient piece into and out of contact with the first contact piece. When the disc is turned in the opposite direction, the other end of the engagement piece is engaged with the second lock member to disengage the second protrusion from the disc and to engage the first protrusion with the periphery of the disc.

Abstract: Six high-current conducting receptacles are seated in a panel suitably insulated therefrom about an opening embracing an axis of a shaft protruding therethrough of a six-position detented rotary switch. Three equiangularly spaced studs support a tap select dial formed with an opening that selectively exposes one of the receptacles at a time and a central opening accommodating the shaft of a switch adapter below connected to the rotary switch shaft and maintained in fixed relationship with the rotary switch shaft and the tap select dial. The shaft of the switch adapter extending through the central opening in the tap select dial carries a knob. A connector plug may pass through the opening in the tap select dial for engagement with the exposed receptacle.

Abstract: A rotary pulse switch is disclosed in which contact pairs each consisting of a movable contact and a fixed contact are disposed along a radial face of the rotor so as to be closer to the center than the outer circumferential edge of the rotor. In this way, the width of a case into which the contact pairs fit can be made only slightly larger than the diameter of the rotor. A contact operating member for pushing a movable contact extends from the side of an operating member disposed in the proximity of the outer circumferential surface of the rotor between the two contact pairs and at substantially the same height as a projection of the operating member. Thus, the height of the case can also be reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical switch having a simplified structure.In one aspect of the invention, each of the pushers of the mechanism for driving the wheel is brought back to a rest position by the same return means made from a flexible material, this return means having substantially the shape of an X.The return means is advantageously integrally formed with said two pushers.

Abstract: Rotary switch includes a dielectric rotor with die cast conductive circuit paths therein which connect various surface contacts thereon. Rotor comprises first and second dielectric disc members facing internal surfaces which are sandwiched together. Internal surface on first disc member has channels therein which communicate with opposed surface via four circles of holes through the disc member. Holes through second disc member communicate between internal surface thereof and two circular bus channels on opposed surface. Metal die cast into sandwiched disc members forms inner circuit paths and surface contacts. Finished rotor is placed in housing with fixed contacts which make contact with different sets of surface contacts as rotor is rotated incrementally relative to housing. Two fixed contacts remain in contact with respective bus channels regardless of incremental position of rotor.

Abstract: A miniature multistage rotary switch having an injection-moulded metal casing and a threaded bushing moulded thereto for serving as the bearing of the switch spindle and for mounting the switch on a panel. Detent balls are supported inside a rotor and are pressed radially towards the outside against a ball-rest unit of the casing provided with detent grooves. In order to avoid the use of a lubricant the casing, within the area of the ball-rest unit, is made from a suitable plastics material and is firmly connected to the remaining metallic part of the casing.An annular groove is formed in the switch metal casing inner surface. The groove includes a circular portion intersected by radial slots equal in number to the detent positions. The slots contain one or more locking pin members extending across the annular groove formation circular portion. A switch rotor stop cam rotates within the annular groove and abuts the locking pin member(s).

Abstract: A multistage rotary switch with several wafers, is provided with one case member with fixed contacts per switch wafer and one rotor with the movable contacts. The rotor is axially acted upon by the contact springs. The edges of the case members adjoining one another, are provided with centering grooves of the same type, in which a centering ring is inserted, and the centering ring and rotor are made from a low-friction plastic material.

Abstract: A device for selectively connecting a plurality of circuit elements in a thick/thin film circuit comprising, a pivot pin mounted to the film circuit and a manually rotatable contact element mounted to the pin. Contact fingers emanating from the contact element communicate with contact pads connecting a different set of film circuit elements together each time the contact element is rotated.

Abstract: The present invention provides low cost electrical switch assemblies. The switch assembly comprises an array of resiliently flexible metallic conductors arranged in predetermined circuit pathways on a dielectric carrier panel. A plurality of apertures or cavities are provided at predetermined locations in the carrier panel. The switch contacts comprise a pair of generally L-shaped fingers which are integral extensions of the flexible conductors. The fingers extend cantilevered from opposite edge surfaces of the carrier panel defining an associated aperture or cavity, to beyond the geometric center of the said associated aperture or cavity, with the free ends of the fingers terminating adjacent one another.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary switch assembly which comprises a lamp support plate adapted to accommodate a plurality of switchable lamps. A power contact and a detent plate is positioned above the lamp plate and contains spring loaded power contacts which coact with terminals associated with the lamp support plate to enable energization of any selected one of said plurality of lamps. The power contact and detent plate further includes spring loaded detents which cooperate with detent recesses on the lamp support plate to assure optical alignment. These spring loaded detents are positioned approximately opposite to the power contacts and exert counter balancing forces to assure low shaft friction as the lamp support plate is rotated during lamp selection.

Abstract: A multiple position switch is provided which is actuated by a lever to plug the switching element into a selected one of a plurality of receptacles. The switch is particularly applicable in connection with peripheral equipment for computers.

Abstract: An electrical instrument including a housing with a faceplate, a component for providing a variable electrical characteristic and a control shaft having one end coupled to the component and rotatable to vary the electrical characteristics thereof and an opposite end extending through the faceplate. Attached to the opposite end of the shaft is a coupling that is shaped and arranged so as to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween while allowing relative axial movement therebetween during removal of the coupling from the shaft. A control knob is attached to the coupling in a manner that allows both relative axial and rotational movement therebetween which movement can be restrained by activation of a locking means. An indication of the relative angular position of the knob is provided by a scale located adjacent thereto on the faceplate.

Abstract: A switching device for detecting the rotational positions of a rotary shaft including a lever rotating with the rotary shaft as a unit, and an electrically conductive plate spring having a central portion and two side portions which is bent and mounted on the lever. The two side portions of the plate spring are each formed with a movable electrical contact, and electrical contacts each juxtaposed against one of the movable electrical contacts on the plate spring are formed in fixed members respectively. Rotation of the lever brings one set of movable and fixed contacts into and out of engagement with each other to detect one rotational position, and further rotation thereof brings the other set of movable and fixed contacts into and out of engagement with each other to detect another rotational position. The plate spring is held in position in flexed condition on the lever by retaining means which has the effect of positively keeping the two contacts with each other.

Abstract: Membrane switch technology is applied to the more conventional switch construction found in a rotary switch. Specifically, there may be a membrane and a substrate, each having electrical contacts or contact means formed thereon. A spacer having openings or opening means is positioned between the membrane and the substrate. The spacer is rotated between the membrane and substrate to vary the position of the opening which permits membrane contacts to be moved through the opening to form a switch closure.

Abstract: An elongated unitary arm of a rigid material is tiltably mounted upon a rotor supported for rotation about a central axis and is spring force tilted in a first direction. This assembly is located in such a manner that the arm may be placed in register with any one of the operating tabs of a plurality of electrical load switches so mounted and oriented that the operating tabs extend toward the central axis to define a circle. Upon being placed in register with a switch operating tab, the arm is tilted in the opposite direction by the action of a solenoid actuated plunger.

Abstract: The rotary SIP switch (10) provides a single in-line package (SIP) having switching capabilities previously found in dual in-line packages (DIP) while providing more switch contacts in the same package area. The miniature rotary SIP switch (10) has a pair of oppositely disposed terminal and contact leafs (30) fixedly mounted in the base wall (27) of the switch housing (12), with the contact leaf portions (36) cantilevered within the interior of the switch housing (12). Lateral tabs (38) integral with the leaf contacts (36) effect equal spring loading upon a contact pin (44) disposed within an aperture (42) extending through a cylindrically shaped rotary driver (40). The contact pin (44) is free floating in the aperture (42) and self-centers when the rotary driver (40) is rotated and the ends of the contact pin (44) engage respective contact leafs (36). The rotary driver (40) has integral detent protrusions (48) for positioning the driver (40) and contact pin (44) in an open circuit position.

Abstract: An adjustable rotary switch (10) effects a high degree of switching accuracy between the switching circuit disposed in a printed circuit board (60) and the external switch actuating means attached to the shaft (80) of the rotary switch (10). The switch (10) includes an annular rotor (40) mounted on the shaft (80), the rotor (40) having multi-fingered contactors (50) mounted thereon for engagement with conductive paths (70) disposed in the printed circuit board (60). The shaft (80), rotor (40), and printed circuit board (60) are disposed within a rectangular housing (12) having an aperture (18) providing access to one end of the shaft, and a housing cover (14) having an aperture (15) journalling the other end of the shaft. After assembly of the switch, the housing (12) and shaft (80) may be held in a fixed position while an adjustment tool (30) rotates the rotor (40) to adjust the position of the contactors (50 ) relative to the shaft (80) and the conductive paths (70) of the printed circuit board (60).

Abstract: A rotary circuit component with a rotatable shaft is secured to a mounting structure so that rotary motion of the shaft and axial motion along the shaft are prevented in part by a mating slot and notch, fastening means, and terminal tabs on the component soldered to slits in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A rotary switch comprising a rotatable driving shaft and a coaxial driven switching shaft has a coupling arranged between the shafts for indexing the rotary movement of the switching shaft in response to the rotation of the driving shaft. The coupling includes driving and driven coupling parts respectively keyed to the driving and driven shaft, the coupling parts having peripheries coaxial with the shafts. A spring having two ends respectively engaging the coupling parts is tensioned in the direction of the coupling part peripheries and a blocking device controlled by the rotary position of the shafts in relation to each other respectively blocks and unblocks the rotary movement of the driven coupling part.

Abstract: A pull-to-turn rotary switch having an outer sleeve shaped housing into which a sleeve adapter is inserted and aligned by means of mutual detents. The sleeve adapter is provided with a washer shaped bottom plate which divides the housing into two chambers, one of which contains a biasing spring and a dual stop means and the other contains the switch contacts and a contact plate or rotor driven by the innermost end of the actuating shaft to which it is slidably keyed. The dual stop means includes two separate and distinct detent discs each cooperating with a separate and distinct detent stop pin or pins.

Abstract: A switch using one or more flexible circuit members provides for rolling contact between circuit members. One circuit member is attached to and wraps round a roller, and the other circuit member, which may be flexible or rigid is supported so that as the roller rotates it rolls, the circuit member attached to the roller changing its contact position with the other circuit member. Conductive patterns on the circuit members are moved into contact and out of contact with each other and can provide varying forms of switching arrangements, for example, normally made to break, normally broken to make, and transfer. Electronic devices can be mounted on either or both circuit members.

Abstract: A quick dialing switching system for an adapter employed for testing a chaff-flare firing system used in military aircraft. The adapter has a base which carries a plurality of contacts for engaging the contacts of the chaff-flare firing system. The switching system comprises two rotary switches each operated by its own rotatable knob for sequentially dialing the contacts of the adapter base to allow the contacts of the firing system to be tested.

Abstract: An electrical test switch having a pair of spaced conductive rotors provided with matching cut-outs, the rotors being movable between a "normal" position and a "test" position. At least two spaced conductive contacts extend within a region between the rotors. The cut-outs and the conductive contacts are arranged so that the contacts wipe against the rotors when the rotors are in the "normal" position and at least one of the spaced contacts is aligned with the cut-outs when the rotors are in the "test" position. A shaft locks the switch in the "normal" position until manually released.

Abstract: An electric circuit unit includes a through-hole type plate on one side of which is printed an electrical circuit including switch terminals and on the other side of which are attached electrical circuit elements such as resistors, capacitors and semiconductor elements. An electrically-insulating protective cover is attached to the plate so as to cover the switch terminals provided on the plate. The protective cover supports elements which include movable switch contacts which are engageable with the switch terminals provided on the plate.

Abstract: A multi-contact rotary switch in which arcuate cam lobes on the planar faces of a rotatable disc-shaped cam rotor selectively engage a plurality of switch elements. Each switch element is attached to one of two switch blocks positioned adjacent to either cam rotor face. Slots in the switch blocks laterally confine the switch elements to preserve their alignment. A raised annular bearing on the cam rotor face maintains the position of the cam rotor relative to the switch blocks. Terminal extensions from the switch elements extend perpendicular to and away from the planar faces of the cam rotor.

Abstract: An improved multicontact switch is disclosed which has a molded plastic body supporting a molded plastic rotor. Metallic contacts are resiliently mounted on the rotor in position to engage and bridge a second set of contacts provided in the form of a printed circuit formed on an inner surface of the switch cover. A versatile multicontact switch pattern is obtained by an appropriate layout of the printed circuit contacts in combination with a particular mounting arrangement of the contacts on the switch rotor.

Abstract: A subminiature rotary coded switch having a dual-in-line configuration. Flexible contacts making electrical connection with the dual-in-line terminals of the switch are mounted within a stationary body. A drum-shaped detenting cover has printed circuitry on its inner cylindrical surface, typically in the form of a flexible printed circuit board. The cover rotates the flexible board with respect to the body, producing a wiping action with respect to the flexible contacts, thereby producing the desired switching operations. Each such switch can be electrically equivalent to four single-pole double-throw switches and two of the switches of this invention can be mounted in one conventional 14-terminal dual-in-line array of holes in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for use with a printed circuit board and for cooperatively operating with an advantageously formed housing to protect such printed circuit board from external forces.

Abstract: A lampchanger for a light, such as a navigational light, having a rotatable turret for holding a plurality of lamps, fixed power contacts for engaging and lighting the lamp positioned in the operating position, and means for rotating the turret thereby placing a new lamp into operating position when a lamp burns out. The turret includes a body and a clamp yieldably urged against the body for releasably holding and locking the lamps between the clamp and the body. Lamps may slide into a tapered slot between the body and the spring-loaded clamp and are locked into place. Tilting the lamp towards the spring-loaded clamp releases the lamp. A stop limits the movement of the clamp on removing one lamp without releasing other lamps. The turret is of metal and has cooling fins for radiating heat energy. The electrical power contacts include a flat spring contact spiraling outward from the turret axis to pierce any oxides on the lamp contacts in advance of reaching the operating position.

Abstract: A position-to-digital encoder for generating digital signals in the form of binary code in accordance with the relative positions between a pair of brush contacts and a series of contacts arranged in order. The latter contacts are disposed in a row along the path of movement of the brush contacts, with equal pitches and gaps between adjacent contacts. The brush contacts are spaced from each other along their path of movement with such a distance that two brush contacts are in contact with a single one of the series of contacts or with an adjacent two of the series of contacts, respectively. One line extends from each contact to a decoder which generates signals in accordance with which contact or contacts of the contact series is engaged by the brush contacts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary switch which is an improved stator provided with a plurality of projections extending outwardly from its edges to confront the corresponding surfaces of an improved chassis or the like to which the stator is to be secured. The improved chassis is formed, in positions corresponding to the positions of the projections of the stator, with openings or cutout portions each having a claw which can be deformed or bent. By bending the claws toward the projections after inserting the projections into the openings in the chassis, the projections of the stator are firmly held between the chassis and the claws and rigidly secure the stator to the chassis.

Abstract: A switch of an extremely small thickness is made of a reduced number of parts and can be easily assembled. The switch comprises a pair of complementary case members each of which has a plurality of fixed contacts having integrally formed terminals and a common fixed contact having an integrally formed terminal; and an operation member having a lever portion, and a disc portion disposed between the case members. The operation member is provided on its outer faces with identically shaped movable contact members having contacts on the outer surfaces thereof. The upper ends of the case members define a slot form which the lever portion of the operation member is upwardly projected, and the movement of the lever portion is restricted by the slot. The operation member is securely supported in the case members by horizontal fastener members extended from both faces of the former to the outer surfaces of the latter.

Abstract: An electric switch for connecting one or more of a plurality of leads on one side of an insulating substrate to a lead on the other side of the substrate. The switch includes a conductive contact member having a pin rotatably engaged in a hole in the substrate. The pin having a first end extending out of the first side of the substrate and having a head eccentrically connected thereto. The pin of the contact member is electrically connected to a lead on a second side of the substrate. Means are provided on the contact member for rotating the contact member head between the plurality of leads selectively to contact one or more of the leads on the first substrate side with the head to electrically connect the selected lead through the pin with the lead on the second substrate side.

Abstract: An improved shaft-operated rotary switch construction for printed circuitry applications is disclosed. The improved switch is a modular design incorporating a standardized rotor element accommodating the mounting of wiper contacts in different positions and different operational orientations. Also disclosed is an improved releasable clutch mechanism providing one mode of operation in which the rotors of different switch sections are coupled together for simultaneous rotation, and another mode in which they are rotatable independently, the operating mode being selected by axial movement of one section's operating shaft relative to that of the other.

Abstract: A switching device is provided which permits connection of two incompatibly wired electrical components. The electrical signal from each lead on the first electrical component is isolated on a particular switch assembly and re-routed along a selected path to a desired terminal, which then feeds the signal to a particular lead on the second electrical component. Each switch assembly operates independently of the other switch levels, thereby permitting any combination of electrical routes or paths to be selected and accommodating a great variety of wiring designs.

Abstract: A rotatable distributor comprising a frame section and a plate section which is associated with a coupling having clip means which press the plate against the frame. The device further comprises an incrementing or indexing element and a rotational guiding surface for guiding the plate with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A rotary switch for use with electrical circuits and including a housing having a cavity therein for receiving a rotatable disc. The housing supports a plurality of spaced apart electrical terminals each independently connected to an electric circuit and also supports a plurality of opposed resilient contacts selectively engagable with the electrical terminals. The rotor includes opposed planar surfaces, one of the surfaces parallel to and adjacent the resilient contacts, the rotor surface supporting a plurality of cams projecting from the surface and functional upon rotation of the rotor to force selected ones of the resilient contacts into engagement with the terminals to provide an electrical bridge between pairs of the electrical terminals. The rotary switch rotor can include cam members on both of its opposite surfaces and the housings are constructed such that they can be stacked.

Abstract: A rotary plural contact switch in which a walking-beam-like conductor is incrementally moved to break electrical contact with stationary contacts. This movement is brought about by a revolvable cam rotor. The basic double-contact mechanical structure may be multiplied; thus, switching functions related to digital circuits can be performed. The switch is particularly adapted for small-size embodiments. The external portion of the contacts are spaced to enter an integrated circuit socket, or a printed circuit board having terminals spaced according to the standard grid.A tang on the internal portion of each contact is used to assemble the insulating enclosure of the switch by simple linear pressure upon the housing and the base parts of the enclosure.

Abstract: A switching system comprises a switching mechanism including at least two stationary contact members, a movable contact and a rotatable switching member. The switching member rotates in one direction to urge the movable contact into contact with a first and then the second of the two stationary contacts and in the opposite direction to urge the movable contact into contact with the second and then the first stationary contact. A circuit has the two inputs thereof connected to the stationary contacts and has two outputs and is responsive to the order in which the first and second stationary contact members are contacted for generating an output signal at only a first of the two outputs when the rotatable switching member is rotated in one direction and for generating an output signal at only the second of the two outputs when the switching member is rotated in the other direction.

Abstract: The switch comprises a stator which is rigidly secured to a lock cylinder case and a rotor which is rigidly fixed to a lock cylinder. The rotor rotates within the stator which has two concentric and partially overlapping circular arc conductors. The rotor drives an elliptical slip ring in a groove between the conductors and between one of the conductors and a slide surface where the conductors do not overlap. The frictional connection between the conductors and the slip ring holds the slip ring from being fully drawn out of contact with both conductors when the locking cyclinder is turned from closed to neutral position and holds the slip ring from being drawn into contact with both conductors when the locking cylinder is turned from open to neutral position.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly of the type having a recessed base provided with a centrally rotatable contact member adapted to contact a plurality of spaced resilient contacts mounted in said base and spaced about the periphery of said contact member. The improvement resides in the use of an integral one-piece cover construction which serves to eliminate the need of a separate insulator sheet, a separate cover enclosure and a separate bushing element, thus not only eliminating the aforementioned separate components but furthermore eliminating the time and labor necessary to assemble and/or preassemble such components.

Abstract: A rotary type electrical switch includes one housing section having a plurality of lugs and another housing section having resilient brackets which snap into engagement with the lugs to assemble the housing. The stationary electrical contacts comprise leaf spring elements which are held in place within the housing by bridge members. A spider member electrically connects selected contacts in response to manipulation of a shaft on which the spider is carried.A second embodiment eliminates the lugs and resilient brackets and holds the housing sections together with spring clips which surround portions of one housing section and engage shoulders of the other housing section.

Abstract: A multiple contact rotary switch comprises a rotatable staff to which an armature is electrically and physically mounted. A plurality of pins is spaced equi-radially away from the staff and around the staff, and the armature is arranged to move past each of the pins in turn as the staff rotates. The armature is flexible and spring-like, so that it maintains contact with any one pin for as long as it can, then springs forwardly to contact the next pin. A low power SPDT switch is thereby provided. The switch may operate extremely slowly, with no switch contact dead-break or teasing.

Abstract: The switch housing has a recess with first and second spaced terminals mounted therein. A resilient conductive element is mounted for limited arcuate movement within the recess between a first position where the element is connected to the first terminal and the second position where the element is connected to the second terminal. A detent wheel is rotatably mounted in the recess and engages a protrusion on the element to move the element between the first and second positions to select one of the positions. A common terminal is spaced from the element at both positions thereof. The protrusion on the element is effective, upon further rotation of the detent wheel in the same direction, to reciprocate the element to contact the common terminal, thus intermittently completing the circuit associated with the selected position.

Abstract: A control device having a housing provided with a movable actuator and a rotatable selector shaft for positioning the actuator in relation to the rotational position of the shaft. An actuator driver is carried by the shaft and is operatively interconnected to the actuator to drive the same upon rotation of the driver by the shaft, the shaft and driver being axially movable relative to the actuator. The housing has a latching part cooperable with a latching part of the driver when the shaft is in a certain rotational and axial position relative to the housing whereby the shaft cannot be rotated relative to the housing until the shaft is axially moved from that certain axial position thereof to another axial position thereof to clear the latching part of the driver from the latching part of the housing and thereby unlock the selector shaft.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rotary switch assembly comprising a lamp plate adapted to accommodate a plurality of switchable lamps. A power contact plate is positioned above said lamp plate and contains spring loaded contacts which coact with terminals associated with said lamp plate to enable energization of any selected one of said plurality of lamps.The two plates are positioned and held in alignment by means of a clamping ring into which both plates are located. The clamping ring assures proper detenting of the rotatable lamp accommodating plate to ascertain reliable switching and further assure that any bulb selected will have its optical axis properly aligned.

Abstract: A multiple pole bushbutton rotary switch has axial as well as rotary travel. A first dimple in the back of the rotor of a stem and rotor assembly is rotatable over a desired number of position indicating detents for selective positioning of the rotor. The stem is then pushable on its axis to make a second dimple located on the opposite surface of the rotor travel into a second detent on a substrate and make electrical contact between the rotor and contact within the second detent which is preferably coupled to circuit conductors on the substrate. An embodiment of the pushbutton rotary switch is particularly useful for controlling a plurality of different time-date setting functions of electronic watches with a single switch mechanism.