Abstract: The disclosure involves a transfer switch having a stationary frame and a front terminal matrix for connection to circuit boards undergoing test. There are two stationary connectors mounted on the switch frame. A platform is supported by the frame for reciprocating movement between first and second positions. Such platform has two movable connectors thereon and when the platform is in the first position, one of the movable connectors engages or "plug-connects" to one of the stationary connectors. When the platform is in the second position, the other movable connector plug-connects to the other stationary connector. The stationary connectors are electrically coupled to respective test devices, e.g., a load board and a signal bus. Thus, the boards under test can be connected to one or the other of the test devices by shifting the position of the platform. A new method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compact electrical power disconnect switch modularized to provide very broad current rating and comprising reverse-loop fingers which cooperate in pairs and form flexible spring-loaded contact members. An enlongated rotatable contact member is positioned between the reverse-loop fingers and makes and breaks electrical contact with same upon being rotated. Operation is fast and positive and three-phase power can readily be accommodated. A viewing window can be provided for a rapid check of the position of the switch.

Abstract: This is a slide switch which is formed by insert molding the base of the switch around a metal stamping which has a central portion arced to move the terminal elements closer together prior to molding. The movable contact assemblies comprise an actuator associated with a movable contact. The movable contact includes a first and second arm which are in spaced apposed relation to each other.

Abstract: A weather-tight air conditioning disconnect switch has both plastic and metal enclosure components for low cost assembly. The exterior components include a metal case and cover whereas the interior non-electrical components are plastic-molded. One such molded plastic dead-front shields the electrical terminals within the enclosure and contains instruction and caution indicia integrally-formed on the exterior surface during the plastic molding forming process. ON - OFF indication of the switch is achieved by the orientation of the switch handle with the switch handle receiver.

Abstract: A slide switch assembly having a slide contact movable by a slide actuator across aligned flat blade contacts of a plurality of electrical terminals fixed in position between complemental halves of an inner housing disposed within an outer housing. The slide actuator and outer housing include complemental detents providing a tactile indication of the attainment by the slide contact of a predetermined switch position relative to the fixed blade contacts. The inner housing includes a pair of resilient, oppositely extending cantilever members engaged upon the slide actuator to bias the complemental detents together to enhance the tactile indication. The arrangement eliminates coil springs, centering balls and the like. The inner housing halves and outer housing are made of plastic material whose resilience is utilized to snap fit them together without the use of conventional fasteners.

Abstract: A fused disconnect switch is contained within a molded plastic cover pivotally attached to a molded plastic case. The switch contact blade is directly attached to the cover whereby movement of the cover in one direction slidingly connects the switch contact blade between the line and load stabs mounted within the case. Movement of the cover in an opposite direction slidingly disconnects the switch contact blade from the line and load stabs. Tabs integrally formed within the cover and slots integrally formed within the case cooperate to prevent access to the switch components when the switch blade is in its "ON" position. An opening is provided for locking the switch in either the "ON" or "OFF" position.

Abstract: A subminiature switch includes a housing having a base portion in the central part of which is implanted a common stationary contact comprising a rod-shaped conductor and having a common stationary terminal extending outside the housing. Implanted in the base portion on both sides of the common stationary contact are switching stationary contacts each comprising a rod-shaped conductor bent at two locations and having a switching stationary terminal extending outside the housing. The arrangement is such that the inter-terminal spacing outside the housing is greater than the inter-contact spacing inside the housing, thus making it possible to reduce the size of the switch housing and adapt the switch to various mounting structures.

Abstract: A process for selectively manufacturing vertical or horizontal type switch devices using a common form for substantially all parts or components, and products manufactured by the same process. The process comprises subjecting a metallic strip to stamping-out to leave predetermined patterns, each pattern consisting of a set of fixed contact elements, and two groups of terminals extending from the fixed contact elements and perpendicular to each other, and passageways between adjacent terminals in part; cutting some selected sites from the passageways so that one desired group of terminals in accordance with horizontal or vertical type may remain connected to the fixed contact elements before or after the molding with an insulating synthetic resin so that each resulting pattern may be inserted in the mold formed thereby; and making assembly of the thus-obtained mold-with-terminal-pattern and other parts and components.

Abstract: A low voltage switch having relatively long plunger travel that maximizes internal self-wiping of the contacts thereby to prolong switch life. The support for the internal contacts functions as a guide for the plunger as well as providing the necessary electrical spacing.

Abstract: A miniature switch has an actuator block operated by a toggle lever and formed to include a recess in one side face thereof, the recess being open at its bottom and on one side and having a retaining portion. The upper part of a movable contactor is provided with an engagement portion loosely fitted into the retaining portion of the actuator block to mount the contactor in the actuator block. The arrangement is such that when the actuator block is covered by a switch housing, the inner wall surface of the housing is situated at the side of the movable contactor to prevent the movable contactor from becoming detached from the actuator block.

Abstract: A switch comprising a first contact leading to one terminal, a second contact in the form of a coil spring leading to the other terminal via a receiving plate with an elongate protuberance, a wafer receiving the first and second contacts, a case mounted on the wafer so as to cover an opening thereof, and a slide reciprocably received through an guide hole of the case for bringing one end portion of the second contact into and out of engagement with the first contact. The other end of the second contact extends substantially parallel to the protuberance and is disposed against the receiving plate so as to be engageable with the protuberance.

Abstract: A dual-in-line switch package includes a base, a slider, and a cover. The base comprises the in-line-terminals and on its upper part the corresponding contact pins. The slider contains at least one contact having teeth to contact the pins. A handle is used for moving the slider to its different positions. The cover has an opening for access to the upwardly extending handle. The base has a projecting detent on its upper surface. The slider has located on its bottom surface a pair of detent receiving recesses. The detent and recesses comprise a detent assembly which retain the slider in one of two operative positions.

Abstract: A compact pushbutton switch comprises a housing in which three chambers are formed and connected by a common contact member. A fixed contact, a nonconducting member forming a continuation to the fixed contact, a slider movable along both the fixed contact and the nonconducting member, a movable contact fixed to the slider, a control pushbutton mounted to the slider, and a coiled spring are mounted in each of the chambers. The spring is made of an electrically conductive material, and interposed between the common contact member and the movable contact to bias the movable contact out of contact with the fixed contact. When no control pushbuttons are depressed, each spring acts to hold the movable contact out of electrical connection with the fixed contact. When any one of the pushbuttons is depressed, the corresponding spring serves to establish an electrical connection between the corresponding movable contact and fixed contact by its electrical conductive property.

Abstract: A linear transformer switch adaptable for connecting the transformer windings in series-parallel or Delta-Y, the switch including a pair of dielectric plates having a number of sets of fixed contacts mounted in a parallel spaced relation, each contact having flat contact surfaces on each side, a bar mounted between the plates for linear movement, at least one sliding current carrying contact assembly mounted on the bar for each set of fixed contacts, each sliding current carrying contact assembly including a pair of conductive plates of a length sufficient to engage two fixed contacts and a pair of louvered contact sections mounted on each conductive plate, with the sections on one plate opposing the sections on the other plate, and a Geneva drive assembly operatively positioned to move the bar one step in each revolution of the bar and being operable externally of the transformer.

Abstract: A slide switch comprises a plurality of sets of aligned terminals, each set comprising at least a center terminal and two end terminals, one to either side of the center terminal and aligned along a common axis therewith, and a plurality of elongate slides respectively associated with the sets of terminals. The slides are of sufficient length to engage the center terminal and only one of the associated end terminals. An actuator mounts the slides for movement between a first position wherein the slides electrically couple each of the center terminals with one of its associated end terminals and a second position wherein the slides electrically couple each of the center terminals with the other of its associated end terminals. A light emitting element has a pair of electrodes and is responsive to a given voltage across the electrodes for emitting light.

Abstract: A three-phase transformer including tap changing apparatus for switching the turns ratio between the primary and secondary windings of a transformer. The tap changer comprises a cable operated mechanism for moving a movable contact carrier relative to three sets of fixed contacts disposed in a linear pattern, the movable contact carrier supporting three movable contacts for engagement with any pair of fixed contacts in each set of contacts, whereby a cable operated mechanism provides a high degree of flexibility in switch mounting position on a transformer.

Abstract: When an actuator held in a body of an insulating material is activated, one of arms of a conductive torsion spring in the body is displaced towards the other arm. By this displacement, the arm is inserted between contact portions of a pair of leg pieces of a conductive clip disposed between the actuator and the coil portion of the torsion spring, by which a terminal connected to the other arm and a terminal connected to the clip are connected via the torsion spring.

Abstract: A battery jumper cable assembly for preventing electrical sparking when a pair of batteries are connected together. The battery cable assembly includes a ground wire and a power wire with a switch assembly being connected at a location along the length of the power wire. The switch assembly includes a housing for a slidable switch element having an electrically conductive contact plate. The switch element is biased toward a normally open or off position by a spring. The power wire includes spaced apart contacts within the housing and the switch contact plate is movable to bridge the gap between the contacts. An electromagnet is mounted within the housing in alignment with the slidable switch element, and the electromagnet is electrically connected to the ground wire and to a contact element within the switch housing.

Abstract: A switch device including a base having extended therefrom a bowed spring provided with a peak portion, and a slidable actuator having a cam-shaped surface urged against said peak portion of the spring, the cam-shaped surface having at least one detent portion disposed for releasably engaging said peak portion of the spring to provide a tactile indication of the actuator position relative to said base of the device.

Abstract: A spring loaded switch which includes a coil spring having hook portions provided at respective ends thereof is first fastened to respective catch portions provided inside the switch frame. Thereafter a slider member having a vertical projection is inserted in the frame so that the projection is opposed to one of the hook portions, whereupon the one hook portion can be removed from the catch portion with which it has been engaged, and onto the projection so that the coil spring now urges the slider member in one direction. Since a coil spring can be fastened to the switch frame first as mentioned above, the coil spring can be thereafter handled very easily.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch of the type utilizing contact blades. The blades are the fixed contacts of the switch and consist of a U-shaped contact part and a straight connecting part joined therewith. The connecting part extends through an opening in the base of the U-shaped contact part and projects from opposite sides of the switch housing. Accordingly, the respective parts can be made of different materials and in an inexpensive and simple manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piano switch having a driving lever which can be operated without clattering. The driving lever is generally L-shaped and has one end engaging a recess formed in a sliding body. The lever is pivoted to an attaching arm for free rotation. A spring is stretched between a frame of the switch and the driving lever.

Abstract: In a multiple pushbutton switch assembly, a flexible restoring tape has both ends affixed to the casing at both ends with a predetermined slack in such a manner that it is tensioned by depressing any one of the sliders which, when depressed, are locked alternately at a switch-on position and a switch-off position by elastic springs. The amount of the predetermined slack of the restoring tape corresponds to the amount of depression of each slider, so that when one slider is depressed, another one which has been depressed is restored or returned to its initial position, and only one slider is allowed to be depressed at any one time.

Abstract: An improved electrical slide switch having a housing portion, a slidable actuator within the housing, and a resiliently engageable and removable cap which may itself be the actuator, the actuator having a pair of precisely spaced integral leaflike elements which form a trackway of predetermined length which slide over an integral centrally disposed fixed pin carried by the base, with the pin being adapted to repose at opposite ends of the trackway when terminals within the housing are properly engaged with selected slider elements carried by the actuator.

Abstract: A controlled feeder block for use in a telecommunications interface provides a plurality of slidable switching assemblies, each of which is selectively used to connect an in-feeder wire to either an out-feeder wire or a wire receiving terminal.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising two contacts each stamped and formed from a single piece of sheet metal stock and having a post and a receptacle portion comprising two opposed spring arms extending in flag fashion from the post, the two contacts being located in an insulating housing in spaced apart relation with mouths of their receptacle portions mutually opposed and the posts projecting out of the housing from the housing base, an elongate metal slider located in the housing in alignment with the mouths and slidable between first and second switching positions in which it is gripped by the arms of only one receptacle portion and of both receptacle portions respectively. The spring arms may be bowed inwardly to different radii at their free ends.

Abstract: Electric switches work with an electric arc when they switch on or off. A bridge of ionized gas builds up in an air gap between the metal contacts. The larger and the more open to the outside this air gap is, the easier the arc will break up; an air draft raised by heat will lift the gas bridge from the contacts quickly, if the gap is not cased in. The present invention is a switch, offering an all-around escape for ionized, hot gases out of that air gap. At the same time, by a large lever movement a flying contact is being latched between lugs of counter contacts which form a wedge holder, thus forestalling a return of the lever. This switch is simpler to make than the conventional fulcrum metal lever, pushing with its lower end a coilspring aside and pressing contact to contact.

Abstract: A multi-circuit switch is described which comprises a housing divided into a desired number of chambers, a base member fixed to one end of the housing, sliders disposed in respective chambers for sliding movement, stationary contact elements disposed in spaced relation on the base member and contained in the respective chambers, and movable contact elements attached to the respective sliders for engaging and dis-engaging each pair of the stationary contact elements as the corresponding slider is moved. The movable contact elements each have contact portions bifurcated in a clip shape for holding therebetween one or both of the stationary contact elements.

Abstract: A miniature change-over switch is disclosed which comprises a grounding spring member attached to a metal frame and having two arms engaging a camming projection formed on a slider. The camming projection is adapted to move one of the arms by a camming action so as to disconnect it from one of the stationary terminals while at the same time the projection is released from the other of the arms so as to connect the arm to the other of the stationary terminals when the slider is moved to cause a movable contact element to connect a common terminal to the one stationary terminal and to disconnect it from the other stationary terminal.

Abstract: A switchable attenuator includes a split housing assembly formed of interlocking cover and support members. A plurality of rocker arms are mounted for pivotable movement between the cover and the support members and each rocker arm has lugs formed on opposite ends thereof which receive respective ones of a pair of shorting bars. Electrical circuit connectors, coupled to an attenuator circuit mounted adjacent to the support member, are aligned in pairs with each pair being positioned to receive a respective one of the pair of shorting bars associated with each rocker arm. The rocker arms are selectively pivoted to cause the shorting bars to move into and out of engagement with the electrical circuit connectors aligned therewith to selectively provide attenuation of different magnitudes to an external circuit.

Abstract: A switchable attenuator assembly includes a housing, a plurality of rocker arms mounted for pivotable movement within the housing, and a pair of shorting bars associated with each rocker arm. Each shorting bar of the pair of shorting bars associated with each rocker arm is coupled to a respective end of the rocker arm and is aligned with electrical connectors which extend from an attenuator circuit aligned with and adjacent to the housing. The rocker arms are selectively pivoted to cause the shorting bars coupled thereto to move into and out of engagement with their respective electrical connectors to provide attenuation of selected magnitudes to an external circuit.

Abstract: An attenuator, which can readily provide balanced as well as unbalanced attenuation in a plurality of external circuits, includes first and second circuit substrate devices and an actuating device associated with the circuit substrate devices. The first and second circuit substrate devices each provide variable magnitudes of attenuation to respective ones of the external circuits such as, for example, signal transmission lines. The actuating device couples the first in the alternative, and second circuit substrate devices simultaneously or the first and second circuit substrate devices separately to their respective external circuits so as to produce desired magnitudes of balanced or unbalanced attenuation in the external circuits.

Abstract: A miniature slide switch assembly in which a fixed base member, has a pair of opposite longitudinal side surface, molded out of any suitable insulating material. Each of the side surface is provided with a pair of recesses. At least two adjacent molded fixed contacts are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the base member. A movable casing member slidably rides on the base member in such a manner that it can slide in the direction of the array of the fixed contacts, each of opposite side surfaces of the movable casing member having a resilient detent bar. The resilient detent bar is provided with, at the top end thereof, a finger capable of being alternately snap fitted into the recesses, and an electrically conductive inversed U-shaped strip is accommodated in the cavity of the movable casing member.

Abstract: Two integrally formed fixed contacts each have a lead portion with terminals at the opposite ends extending external of the switch housing and a contact portion connected to the lead portion by a connecting portion. A holder slidable in the housing retains a U-shaped movable contact which is movable to and from a position in which the opposed internal faces of the movable contact engage with the opposed external faces of the fixed contacts respectively to establish ohmic connection between the lead portions of the two fixed contacts.

Abstract: A weather-tight air conditioning disconnect switch has both plastic and metal enclosure components for low cost assembly. The exterior components include a metal case and cover whereas the interior non-electrical components are plastic-molded. One such molded plastic dead-front shields the electrical terminals within the enclosure and contains instruction and caution indicia integrally-formed on the exterior surface during the plastic molding forming process. ON - OFF indication of the switch is achieved by the orientation of the switch handle with the switch handle receiver.