Abstract: An overtravel switch actuator for actuating a switch exposed through a switch housing, includes a housing positioned in a vicinity of the exposed switch. The housing includes opposite side walls having opposite angled elongated slots therein. An actuating lever includes a first end, a second opposite end and an intermediate bent portion between the first and second ends, the bent portion being positioned to actuate the exposed switch. A pin is fixed to the first end of the lever and positioned in the elongated slots for pivotal movement in the slots and for movement along the slots. A double torsion spring is mounted between the housing and the pin and applies a force to the pin. The pin is retained in a substantially fixed position at one end of the slots when an external force is initially applied to the second end of the lever such that the lever pivots about the first end and the bent portion actuates the exposed switch.

Abstract: A portable circuit interrupting apparatus for use in association with a circuit isolating device such as a fuse cutout, disconnecting switch, or power fuse. The apparatus has a tubular housing, with a sleeve coaxially and slidably mounted within the housing. A ring engaging terminal is mounted to the housing and engages a ring-like conducting part of the isolating device, and a hook engaging terminal is mounted to the sleeve and engages a hook-like conducting part of the isolating device. The ring engaging terminal is mounted to the housing by a tubular cylinder fixed to the housing, and a shuttle slidably mounted in the tubular cylinder and so as to be lockable in each of at least two axially spaced apart positions, and the ring engaging terminal is fixed to the shuttle. A shunting circuit is connected between the ring engaging and the hook engaging terminal and includes a circuit segment positioned within the housing which is automatically interrupted upon the sleeve being moved to a withdrawn position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided having a stationary contact, a movable contact and a blade which has a first end and a second end. The movable contact is secured to the first end of the blade. The blade is rotatable about a pin between a BLOWN OPEN position and a CLOSED position, wherein the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact when the blade is in the BLOWN OPEN position and the movable contact engages the stationary contact when the blade is in the CLOSED position. The blade further has a protrusion portion extending from its second end. The circuit breaker further includes a catcher rotatably coupled to a pivot pin and having a nose portion for engagement with the blade protrusion portion.

Abstract: An electric switch for toys comprises a stationary member and a member rotatable with respect to the stationary member. The stationary member includes a plurality of electrical connections in the physical form of fixed, variable configured contacts with integral terminals. The contacts are bridged by conductive pattern(s) forming part of the rotatable member. Circuits are broken or made which are dependent upon the position of the rotatable member. The rotatable member includes a coupling, preferably a cruciform hole for detachably mounting a protruding lever or protruding shaft. The rotatable member can be rotated between a plurality of premarked positions when the lever or shaft is mounted within the coupling hole. The switch may be used as a building block component.

Abstract: A safety switch assembly for fitting to a safety enclosure. The switch includes a rotatable cam which operates electrical contacts. An actuator is insertable into the switch housing through either of two apertures to engage locking members. The locking members move in a rectilinear direction perpendicular to the cam axis away from the actuator and our of locking engagement with the cam. Ears on the actuator then engage in pockets in the cam and rotate the cam which causes movement of the electrical contacts to the ON position. Each locking member comprises a pair of locking components one of which is slidable on the other and both of which define elongate slots through which a cam shaft extends. The slots are inclined such that when the actuator pushes either one of the components away from a first aperture the other component is forced to move away from the other aperture.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage for independently opening and closing a plurality of associated switches is provided by the invention. The linkage comprises a plurality of connecting rods that provide the initial driving force to open or close the switch, cranks for opening and closing the contacts of respective switches, linking elements which couple together the connecting rods and the cranks, and a number of lever assemblies having a bearing ring interfaced thereto. The bearing rings provide a supportive interface between two linking element but permit the linking elements to rotate independently from one another. The lever assemblies also provide an interface for the connecting rods and linking element. According to a method of the present invention, a connecting rod is actuated in response to a signal to cause the lever assembly to pivot. The linking rod interfaced with the connecting rod via the lever assembly is then rotated in response to the pivoting.

Abstract: The invention provides a high performance circuit breaker with an independent pole operation linkage and conical composite bushings. A mechanical linkage for independently opening and closing a plurality of associated switches is provided by the invention. The linkage comprises a plurality of connecting rods that provide the initial driving force to open or close the switch, cranks for opening and closing the contacts of respective switches, linking elements which couple together the connecting rods and the cranks, and a number of lever assemblies having a bearing ring interfaced thereto. The bearing rings provide a supportive interface between two linking element but permit the linking elements to rotate independently from one another. The lever assemblies also provide an interface for the connecting rods and linking element. According to a method of the present invention, a connecting rod is actuated in response to a signal to cause the lever assembly to pivot.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing provided with at least one fixed contact part and one switching contact part, which moves in cooperation therewith. At least one actuating element is movably mounted in the housing. The actuating element influences switching positions of the switching contact part. Also disclosed is a camform which defines the switching positions and which interacts with a spring-loaded plunger associated with the actuating element in order to create operating forces. Moreover, a displaceable spring-loaded retaining device is disposed within the housing which enables the electrical switch to be held firmly in a locked position. Finally, at least one actuating element cooperates with a retaining device through a transfer device so that by use of increased force, the actuating element is brought into a functional position which does not correspond with any of the switching positions.

Abstract: A remotely controlled actuator assembly is provided to switch a large power distribution switch used in an electrical utility power grid. The actuator of the assembly throws the switch between at least two positions to establish at least two power routing conditions. The actuator assembly includes a position-sensing device to repeatably and accurately indicate the position of the actuator. The position-sensing device generates a signal indicative of the extent of displacement of the actuator. The generated signal provides feed-back to a control system which control the extent of actuator travel.

Abstract: An inverter contact switch has a first pair of spaced fixed contacts connected to respective terminals of an inverter circuit for selectively disconnecting and connecting the inverter to a DC power bus. A first pair of spaced movable contacts are positioned on opposite sides of the fixed contacts. A drive actuator is coupled to the movable contacts for concurrently driving the movable contacts into substantially simultaneous engagement with the pair of fixed contacts for establishing a circuit path from one of the fixed contacts through each of the movable contacts to another of the fixed contacts. The switch may include a second pair of fixed and movable contacts operatively connected to a DC return bus and another terminal of the inverter for isolating the inverter from both the power and return buses.

Abstract: A safety switch includes a housing having at least one opening and supporting a spring-biased tappet which is movable between two end positions by a switching mechanism including a switch wheel received in the housing. The switch wheel includes at each side a pair of separate but operatively interconnected resiliently mounted locking members. Each locking member carries a locking pin which is engageable in a bore of the surrounding housing. An actuator is insertable through the opening to act on ramp surfaces of the locking member, with the ramp surfaces being spaced from the grooves in the switch wheel. Thus, only a very particular actuator of complex configuration is suitable to effect the unlatching and subsequently the turning of the switch wheel for movement of the tappet from the initial position to a switching position.

Abstract: A modular electrical switch provides a wiping or shearing action upon closing and opening thereof. A contact carrier disposed within a housing linearly carries a movable contact into engagement with a stationary contact. The contact carrier is guided by movable slide plates disposed on either side thereof and movable along with the contact carrier as a contact assembly. The guide plates also provide pivot recesses for pivot bosses of the contact carrier. The contact carrier is constrained to linear motion up to the point of contact between the movable contact and the stationary contact by a cam trace in the housing. After contact between the movable contact and the stationary contact, the contact carrier reaches a pocket defined by the cam trace, ceases linear movement and upwardly pivots to provide a wiping action between the movable contact and the stationary contact.

Abstract: A rotary control device for a circuit breaker having a front plate having an opening through which a crank pin extends, the crank pin being pivotal between first and second positions, the rotary control device including a housing and a rotary handle mounted on the housing, the rotary handle being rotatable between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the crank pin. A coupling mechanism is provided for mechanically coupling the rotary handle to the crank pin when the housing is mounted on the front plate of the circuit breaker, the connecting device preventing mounting of the rotary control device on the circuit breaker when the rotary handle and the crank pin are not in the same position, that is, are not both in the first position or both in the second position. The first and second positions may correspond to open and closed positions of the circuit breaker, for example.

Abstract: A powered mechanism displaces the toggle, handle or similar operator of a switch such as a circuit breaker, motor contactor or transfer switch. A linear induction motor drives a motor shaft between extended and retracted positions. A pair of S-shaped cam members pivot at one end on an axis, and a sliding pin carried on the end of the motor shaft rides along slots in the cam members. A couple engages over the switch operator and is pivotally attached to links that in turn are pivotally attached to the cam members, The links attach to the cam members at a point closer to the pivot axis of the cam member than the sliding pin in the slots, thus obtaining leverage. The slots have an inclined or curved section joined to a straight section. The straight section provides an idling action in that no force is applied to the operator via the couple as the sliding pin passes through the straight section, allowing the motor to accelerate unopposed.

Abstract: Switch operator having an actuator, a drive mechanism coupled to the switch for actuating a switch in response to a rotational force applied to the drive mechanism, and a flexible shaft which couples the actuator to the drive mechanism and communicates the rotational motion of the actuator to the drive mechanism. An interlock mechanism prevents the actuation of a second switch as a function of a first switch and prevents the opening of a door as a function of the position of the first switch.

Abstract: In an electronic position encoder (or other panel control) of the type having a shaft-retracted position for storage and a shaft-extended position for adjustment, an anti-backlash coupling substantially eliminates backlash between a rotor and a shaft. The anti-backlash coupling includes a first wedge member fixedly coupled to the shaft and a second wedge member fixedly coupled to the rotor. The second wedge member is adapted to mate with the first wedge member when the shaft is in the extended position.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a circuit interrupter comprising a crank and lever pivotally interconnected by a resiliently yielding connecting rod assembly. The connecting rod assembly comprises a coil compression spring and first and second links slidably coupled together to compress the coil compression spring. Rotation of the crank in either direction causes the lever to drive the movable contact of the circuit interrupter into and out of engagement with the stationary contact. The coil compression spring is loaded under compression when the movable contact is driven into engagement with the stationary contact, storing and maintaining a mechanical static load on the movable contact for as long as the movable contact is engaged with the stationary contact.

Abstract: A multiple switch device comprises a base having at least two switch units and supports with pawls placed on the tips of the pawls, a push button having at least two push members and supports with pawls placed on the tips of the pawls, and a spring for returning the push button to its original position. The base and the push button are assembled together through a coupling between the pawls of the supports of the base and the pawls of the supports of the push button. The push button moves in a seesaw-like motion, the fulcrum of which is derived by the two adjacent supports. The push members and the supports are arranged so that the fulcrum position is situated in the same or inside position of the push members.

Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided having an operating mechanism for rotating a blade about a pin between an OPEN position and a CLOSED position, thereby separating and engaging a stationary contact and a movable contact which is secured to the blade. The operating mechanism has a frame and a first link coupled at one end thereof to the frame and its opposite end coupled to a first end of a second link. The operating mechanism further includes a third link having a first end coupled to a second end of the second link and a second end coupled to the blade for moving the blade between the OPEN position and the CLOSED position. The first and second links are disposed on the opposite side of the pin from the movable contact.

Abstract: A two-way dual action electric switch assembly has an actuator that slides in housing from a neutral position to a first position to a second position and back to the neutral position in each direction. Travelling circuit boards are slideably disposed in the housing on either side of the actuator and a single elastomeric dome switch is disposed between the actuator and each travelling circuit board. A fixed circuit board is outboard of each travelling circuit board and a pair of second elastomeric dome switches are disposed between each travelling circuit board and its associated fixed outboard circuit board. The single elastomeric dome switches close electric circuitry of the travelling circuit boards in the first positions and the pairs of second elastomeric dome switches close electric circuitry of the fixed outboard circuit boards in the second positions.

Abstract: A switch assembly of the type having a rocker actuator user rotatable in opposite directions from a neutral position for alternate actuation of individual switches on opposite sides of the rocker each having a moveable actuator member movement of which by the rocker effects actuation of the switches. The rocker has a plurality of arcuately spaced recesses which are resiliently engaged to detent the rocker in a neutral and an actuated position. In one embodiment, the recesses engage a resilient wire beam spring extending parallel to the rocker axis. In another embodiment, the recesses are formed on a portion of the rocker which resiliently deflects to permit engagement and disengagement with a stationary pivot surface. In another embodiment, recesses in the rocker are engaged by a detent surface provided on a stationary resiliently deflectable beam extending at right angles to the rocker axis.

Abstract: A momentary electrical switch includes fixed contacts fixed relative to a switch housing and slidable contacts located within the housing. A contact operating mechanism includes a manual control knob, slide element and a support attached to the slide for supporting the slidable contacts, the contact operating mechanism being movable axially in a first direction against a compression spring when the knob is pulled. An interlock element extends beyond the periphery of the slide to engage the casing to prevent movement of the contact operating mechanism when the knob is pulled. A spring biased interlock release stem is moved axially in an opposing second direction by pressing on a pushbutton to disengage the interlock element from the casing. The movable switch contacts are moved in the first direction relative to the fixed contacts only by concurrently pressing in one direction on the pushbutton while pulling on the knob in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An electric operating device for a circuit breaker includes a cam which is turned in a predetermined direction by an electric motor which rotates in response to operating signals, and a slider having cam engaging portions which make engagement and disengagement every half revolution of the cam, and an opening into which the handle of the circuit breaker is inserted, the slider being slidable in the directions of the "on" and "off" operations of the handle. In the device, in response to the "on" and "off" operations, the cam engaging portions of the slider are disengaged from the cam, respectively. With the device, the tripping of the circuit breaker handle can be displayed without an intricate mechanism nor an additional space.

Abstract: The operating mechanism of the four-pole circuit breaker comprises an auxiliary mechanism coupled to the main mechanism. The spring of the auxiliary mechanism exerts a torque on the bar, opposing the force of the contact springs when the circuit breaker completes its closing travel and when it is closed; the spring ceases to act on the bar when the circuit breaker has begun its opening travel and when it is open.

Abstract: A night vision device with an infrared light usable for covert signaling and reading as well as for illumination of exceedingly dark areas where sufficient ambient light does not exist for the night vision device to provide a view of the area, includes a singular dual-action control switch which allows an operator of the night vision device to operate all of the functions of the device with a singular control. These functions include momentary illumination of the infrared light for signaling and for "quick look" purposes, such as for updating a user's knowledge of map coordinates, for example. The control circuit also allows the infrared light to be maintained on for area illumination, for example, until the user purposely turns it off.

Abstract: A tease-proof rotary switch has a driving shaft which is coupled to a driven shaft through a coupling spring. The driven shaft is connected to a rotating switch assembly. The driving shaft rotates, storing energy in the spring which, in turn, can rotate the driven shaft. The energy stored in the spring may be sufficient to start the rotation of the switch and to seat it in the next stable switch position. Alternatively, the driving shaft can engage an element of the driven shaft to start the rotation which can then be completed to the next stable position by the energy stored in the spring.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker movable contact arm electrically connects with the circuit breaker load terminal by means of parallel electric paths provided by a looped braid conductor. The contact arm support includes a single support leg for pivotally retaining the movable contact arm on one side. The opposite side of the contact arm is supported on the operating mechanism crossbar. Contact arms of increasing thickness are used to accommodate the higher transport currents required with circuit breakers of increased ampere ratings.

Abstract: A rotary switch permits the interrelation between the angle of rotation of a rotary switch knob and the angle of integral rotation of a rotor and a contact spring to be set as desired. A rotary switch knob and a rotor are respectively provided with a first gear and a second gear, and are linked together by these gears. The rotor carries a contact spring fixed thereto. When the ratio between the respective teeth numbers of the first and second gears is suitably set, the interrelation between the rotational angle of the rotary switch and that of the rotor and the integral contact spring can be set as desired.

Abstract: A safety switch is provided with an auxiliary contact that is actuated by the heel of the bail. The heel actuation enables the auxiliary switch to be easily installed and wired and enables the same actuator and bracket to be used for varying sizes of bails.

Abstract: A motor operator connecting member for padmount switchgear is provided which includes a connector and a key shiftably mounted thereon. The motor operator connecting member is adapted for selectively operatively coupling or decoupling a linear actuator and a shaft operatively connected to the switch blade of the switchgear for moving the switch blade in and out of contact with the switch contacts. The key is manually manipulable between a first position coupling the connecting member and the shaft and a second position effectively decoupling the connecting member from the shaft whereby the shaft and connecting member are free to pivot relative to one another.

Abstract: A lever assembly for the control of various electrical functions of a motor vehicle includes a hand operated control lever which is tiltable and rotatable with respect to and is supported by a base. A tension spring extends along a rotation axis of the control lever axis. One end of the spring is hooked to the control lever and the other end is coupled to the base, either directly or indirectly. The tension spring is hooked to a pin which is connected to the control lever and which simultaneously defines a tilt axis and forms part of a rotational stop mechanism.An arm of the control lever receives a plunger to which a contact of a horn operating switch element is attached. A pair of turn signal micro-switches are attached to the base and can be operated by rotation of the control lever. A third, central, dimmer micro-switch is operated by tilting the control lever to a detent position defined by a control gate which is attached to the base.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for the operation of a circuit breaker by movement of a toggle handle in a vertical plane and a switch handle movable in a horizontal plane, and comprising a housing, a shaft, a toggle handle and a gear plate mounted on the shaft, and a pivot plate. The pivot plate has slots arranged in an arcuate path, a butterfly cut-out section which receives and engages the switch handle of the circuit breaker, and an arcuate opening and pin arrangement for guiding the pivot plate in its pivotal movement. The gear plate has a flat portion and an arcuate portion with gear teeth. These gear teeth on the gear plate enter the slots in the pivot plate to rotate the pivot plate for operation of the switch handle. Rotation of the pivot plate is generated by movement of the toggle handle in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A signal activating device for activating a nurse call system as commonly used in hospitals and nursing homes to summon the attending personnel for assistance, wherein an elongate bar having circuitry electrically interconnected to the call system is supported on the railing structure of a bed or chair so as to extend transversely thereacross in a readily accessible location over a midportion of the body of a person in the bed or chair. A hollow tube is fitted over the bar in engaging, supported relation on a number of electric switches mounted at spaced intervals along the bar's length such that pressure applied by the person to any location along the upper portion of the tube serves to operate at least one electric switch on the bar, thereby activating the nurse call system.

Abstract: A switch operator is provided that is capable of field retrofit installation by being affixed to manually operable switchgear to provide power operation thereof. The switch operator includes provisions for connecting the drive output of the switch operator to a switch-operating shaft of a manually operable switch within the switchgear. The drive output provisions of the switch operator include a selectively operable decoupling arrangement which is operable without the need for tools. The switch operator also provides for manual operation without the need for decoupling or the disconnection of parts. The drive output of the switch operator is defined at an output shaft of a motor/gear train. Two coaxially arranged levers, an operator drive lever and a switch drive lever, are selectively coupled to transmit the drive output of the switch operator to the switch-operating shaft. A manual drive connection is affixed to the output shaft which is rotatable to provide manual operation via a handle.

Abstract: A blocking device for selectively restricting the movement of a multi-position electric switch between predetermined closed positions without restricting the switch's movement to an open non-conducting position. The blocking device includes a restrictive arm which can be quickly and easily connected or disengaged from the switch and further includes a retainer for insuring correct connection of the arm to the switch. The blocking device also serves as an indicator of the position currently occupied by the switch.

Abstract: In the electric actuator of the present invention, the power converting mechanism is provided for converting the rotary power of the motor into linear power of the driven member, which needs no special component part. Therefore, in comparison with the prior art power converting mechanism, it is advantage in that the scale of speed reduction and the stroke can be freely determined, with remarkably reduced number of parts and in low cost. The electric actuator according to the present invention is also provided with the improved clutch device employing the engagement of the weight and the recesses portion for secure transmission of the rotary power of the motor, resulting in full utilization of the capacity of the motor in simplified structure.

Abstract: A switch assembly having first and second snap acting switches sequentially actuated by user movement of a single rocker which contains a cantilever blade spring for effecting actuation of the first switch; and, upon continued user movement of the rocker overtravel of the first snap acting switch is absorbed by resilient movement of the cantilever blade member.

Abstract: A safety switch assembly comprises a safety switch for securement to an enclosure having an openable closure, and an actuator for operating the safety switch for securement to the closure. The safety switch comprises a housing, containing electrical contacts, and a cam arrangement for operating the electrical contacts and formed with peripheral inwardly directed radial pockets. An axially-movable rod connects the electrical contacts and the cam arrangement. The housing has openings adjacent the cam arrangement for insertion of the actuator. The cam arrangement comprises a shaft bridging lateral walls of the housing, and an actuating cam rotatably supported on the shaft and connected to the rod by a cam follower pin connected to the rod and engaged in cam grooves in the actuating cam.

Abstract: An electric pushbutton switch wherein the housing confines a reciprocable plunger which is coupled to and is movable by a pushbutton from an extended or inoperative to a depressed or operative position. The housing contains one or more pairs of fixed contacts and a mobile contact for each pair of fixed contacts. When the plunger is depressed, it simultaneously engages all mobile contacts with the respective pairs of fixed contacts through the medium of a ring-shaped insert which is floatingly installed in the housing between three or more spaced-apart legs of the plunger and discrete pushers, one for each mobile contact and each biased against the insert by a discrete spring acting upon a composite carrier for the respective mobile contact. Additional springs can react against the housing to bear against the insert with a force acting upon the insert within the polygon which is defined by the points of contact between the legs of the plunger and the insert.

Abstract: A switch apparatus comprises an arm which is rotated by a rotational force added to an operation knob and thus linearly drives a contact holder through an engagement portion so as to change over contacts points. The engagement portion is received in a groove formed in the contact holder and has surfaces which hold the center line in the radial direction of the arm, each surface having a circular arc form with a center substantially in the same place at a position equi-distance on either side of the center line so that the change in movement of the contact holder with the change in rotational angle of the arm is substantially constant.

Abstract: A self-setting switch-actuating assembly includes a pair of cam members and a rotational motion transmitting shaft. The cam members are mounted on the shaft. The shaft is rotatably mounted between a pair of switches and is connected to a rotatable device whose rotational movement will cause rotation of the shaft and will stop in response to reaching angularly-displaced limits. The cam members are mounted on the shaft one above the other with each cam member aligned with only one of the switches and movable along a rotational path toward and away from a predetermined actuating position relative to its aligned one of the switches in response to rotation of the shaft. Also, each cam member is mounted on the shaft so as to be capable of stopping movement in response to reaching its predetermined actuating position and relative to continuing rotation of the shaft thereby permitting a predetermined degree of overtravel of the shaft relative to each of the cam members at their respective actuating positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically operating a circuit breaker comprising an electrically powered pawl which is driven by an electric motor for causing a ratchet to rotate and a release mechanism for causing the electrically powered pawl to move out of driven engagement with the ratchet when the ratchet rotates to a predetermined angle. A guide bar on which a spring is mounted is secured on a main frame. A slider is slidably provided on the guide bar. The slider engages with a handle of the circuit breaker and throws the circuit breaker when it slides on the guide bar. The slider is driven into sliding motion by a cam which rotates with the ratchet gear in a unitary motion and the slider compresses the spring on the guide bar. When the slider reaches up a position where the circuit breaker is turned off, the release mechanism causes the electrically powered pawl to move out of driven engagement with the ratchet.

Abstract: A timed actuator moves the switch mechanism of a conventional wall switch. The actuator is detachably secured to the wall switch in abutting relation thereto. The actuator includes a small electric motor, a programmable timer, and several relays. Linkage, driven by the motor, engages the switch mechanism. The programmable timer drives the relays and the latter controls application of current to the motor. At preset times, current is applied to the motor causing the linkage to move the switch mechanism from one extreme of its travel to the other.

Abstract: A rotary switch actuating mechanism for at least two control elements is provided, including at least one axial cam, parallel to the axis of rotation, which, in a given position of the rotary switch actuating mechanism, comes into direct engagement with one of the control elements through a transmission lever actuated by the cam in another position of the rotary switch actuating mechanism for acting on another control element.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating switches including a driving shaft having an operation lever portion supporting one end of a spring mechanism, with the driving shaft being separated from an operation shaft associated with a switch. A driving lever fixed to the driving shaft is connected to a main lever with a recess fixed to the operation shaft. An angle formed by central axes of these levers is set to an angle slightly exceeding 90.degree. when a switch opening or closing operation is completed. Members for regulating the opening and closing positions of the switch are provided at positions opposed to the driving lever. By setting the angle to the above value, in a side where the angle exceeds 90.degree., an operating force transmitted from the driving lever to the main lever acts in a direction opposite to a direction to which the operating force acts until the angle reaches 90.degree., thus cancelling operating inertia energy and residual energy in the driving lever.

Abstract: A contact is attached to a carrier and the carrier-contact assembly encapsulated in a chamber in a light guide, the chamber having an open end closed by a circuit board having traces on it. A lever fitting into a lever housing in the carrier passes through a slot in the light guide permitting the carrier to be manually slid within the chamber parallel to the circuit board, thereby moving the contact over the traces. The carrier contacts the light guide wholly along narrow ribs which are greased with a viscous grease. An opaque cover, having a slot through which the lever extends, encloses the light guide. An opaque tape located between the cover and the light guide and having an opening through which the lever extends, slides with the lever to prevent light from escaping through the slot in the cover as the lever is moved. A rim on the lever housing prevents light from escaping around the opening in the tape.

Abstract: A dial device houses switches which have functions related to the dial device. An opening is formed at the front end of the dial knob. Switch operating parts for these switches housed in the dial device are exposed through the opening. The switches are attached to a member such as the shaft by which the dial knob is supported, and these switches and their operating parts are left not turned even when the dial knob is turned.

Abstract: An electromechanical switch includes a lever movable between neutral and activate positions, a first cam comprising a cylinder having oppositely disposed flat sides, a pair of elongated leaf springs, and a housing supporting the first cam sandwiched between the leaf springs, with the leaf springs bent a first non-zero amount when the lever is in neutral position and a second amount larger than the first amount when the lever is in the activate position, the leaf spring thereby acting to return the lever to neutral position whenever it is moved to activate position. There is also a detent which includes a second cam and a stop integrally formed with the second cam which is located between the lever and the first cam.

Abstract: In a switch operating mechanism in which the elastic force of a spring energized is transmitted through a link mechanism to achieve a switch opening or closing operation, one end of a first torsion bar is fixedly secured to a rotatable member while the other end is fixedly secured to a stationary part of the mechanism, and one end of a second torsion bard is fixedly secured to the rotatable member in such a maner that the one end is diametrically opposite to the one end of the first torsion bar while the other end is rotatably supported by the stationary part and coupled to the link mechanism.

Abstract: A self-contained electronic wall switch actuator can easily be mounted directly onto the outside of the face plate of an ordinary wall switch. When so mounted, the actuator engages the wall switch's actuating lever and permits the automatic actuation of the wall switch by way of simple touch action: (i) by lightly pressing a Bypass Key, the wall switch is caused to reverse its state from ON to OFF, or from OFF to ON, whichever is appropriate; (ii) by lightly pressing a Delay Key, the wall switch is caused to enter its ON-state and to remain there for a presetable first period of time; and (iii) by lightly pressing a Cycle Key, the wall switch will, starting right then and repeatedly every 24 hours thereafter, enter its ON-state for a presetable second period of time.The actuator comprises a small battery, a miniature electric motor with a gear/linkage mechanism operable to engage with and to move the wall switch's actuating lever between its OFF and ON positions, and a quartz-clock-based programming means.