Abstract: For increasing the reliability of contact closure in safety relays, a contact spring (10) is provided with two contact pieces (15, 16) which are disposed at the free end of the contact spring (10), spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperate with contact pieces (17, 18) disposed on a common fixed contact. The contact spring (10) has a zone (19) in which it is not only flexible but also sufficiently torsional about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure the closure of both contact couples. Disposing the free end of the contact spring (10) carrying the contact pieces (15, 16) at an angle with respect to the fixed contact (12) achieves smooth and low-bounce contact closure and at the same time provides the function of a pre-contact and a main contact.

Abstract: In a circuit breaker, fixed electrodes 14 in pair are secured in a male housing 13. A female housing 21 which contains a moving electrode 30 is fitted into the male housing 13, whereupon the moving electrode 30 contacts and straddles the fixed electrodes 14 to make a short circuit. The moving electrode 30 comprises in integral combination retainer pieces 32 that are retained in an electrode retainer tube 22 in the female housing 21, a contact lug 31 that either contacts or detaches from the fixed electrodes 14, and a narrow-width joint 33 that joints the retainer pieces 32 and the contact lug 31 to make an integral unit. The narrow-width joint 33 flexes to deform, thereby absorbing the positional offset that develops when the contact lug 31 comes into engagement with the fixed electrodes 14.

Abstract: For increasing the reliability of contact closure in safety relays, a contact spring (10) is provided with two contact pieces (15, 16) which are disposed at the free end of the contact spring (10), spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperate with contact pieces (17, 18) disposed on a common fixed contact. The contact spring (10) has a zone (19) in which it is not only flexible but also sufficiently torsional about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure the closure of both contact couples. Disposing the free end of the contact spring (10) carrying the contact pieces (15, 16) at an angle with respect to the fixed contact (12) achieves smooth and low-bounce contact closure and at the same time provides the function of a pre-contact and a main contact.

Abstract: For increasing the reliability of contact closure in safety relays, a contact spring (10) is provided with two contact pieces (15, 16) which are disposed at the free end of the contact spring (10), spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperate with contact pieces (17, 18) disposed on a common fixed contact. The contact spring (10) has a zone (19) in which it is not only flexible but also sufficiently torsional about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure the closure of both contact couples. Disposing the free end of the contact spring (10) carrying the contact pieces (15, 16) at an angle with respect to the fixed contact (12) achieves smooth and low-bounce contact closure and at the same time provides the function of a pre-contact and a main contact.

Abstract: The invention concerns a disconnecting appliance, such as a switch, a fuse-disconnecting switch or breaker-reversing switch, having a novel arrangement of fixed and moving contacts promoting contact surface self-cleaning and increasing contact force for the same contact force applied by the cam. Moreover, it comprises a newly designed cam for actuation the mobile contacts to optimize to the maximum the operating conditions when engaging and releasing. The appliance is characterized in that the moving contacts (35, 36) comprise two contact surfaces (38) arranged in substantially perpendicular planes, corresponding with those (27) of the fixed contacts (31, 31′ and 33, 33′), each moving contact (35, 36) moving in radial translation relative to the control shaft (23) along a direction (F) substantially perpendicular to a straight line passing through its two contact surfaces (38).

Abstract: In a panel switch movable contact body, and a panel switch using the movable contact body, the upwardly curved upper surface of a dome-shape movable contact 1 made of a thin elastic metal plate is bonded to a sheet 12 of insulating film whose lower surface is coated with an adhesive agent 12A, and the opening of the dome-shaped movable contact 1 is closed with a separator 13 which is bonded to the adhesive surface of the sheet 12. Hence, the panel switch movable contact body, and the panel using the latter is small in the number of components, and low in manufacturing cost, and can be assembled with high efficiency.

Abstract: A modular electrical system (10) supplies power to and controls a plurality of electric motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) associated with a plurality of drive units folding or extending rows in a telescopic seating system, comprising the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4), a control panel (12) removably communicating with the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) directing incoming current to drive the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) in a predetermined direction, a dual receptacle (18) communicating with the control panel (12), and a switch (26) terminating in a plug (30) removably communicating with the dual receptacle (18).

Abstract: This electrical switch (1) consists of a flat spring, profiled in order to provide both a contact function and a spring function; the flat spring (1) includes a first leg (2) which can be deformed by bearing on a fixed pivot pin (3) of a support (4), and a second leg (5), which can move at the same time as the first leg deforms and whose end (5a) can assume either of two positions for contacting pins (14,15) of an electrical circuit. The switch according to the invention is less bulky than the usual switches by virtue of its flat shape, less expensive to manufacture, because it only consists of a single component, and easy to install on its support.

Abstract: An improved acceleration sensor (10) includes a housing (12) having an internal passage (14) defined therein, a sensing mass (18) located within the passage which moves from a first position within the passage towards a second position therein in response to acceleration inputs to the sensor housing, and a pair of electrical contacts (22) projecting into the passage so as to be bridged by the sensing mass when it reaches its second position within the passage, thereby closing an electrical circuit. The supported end (28) of each of the contacts includes diametrical arms (32) which are themselves secured to the housing only at their outboard ends (36). The arms are thus free to rotate elastically when the sensing mass deflects the contact's cantilevered free end (30), thereby permitting greater elastic travel of the contact's free end, with its enhanced reliability and an attendant increase in contact dwell.

Abstract: A modular electrical system (10) supplies power to and controls a plurality of electric motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) associated with a plurality of drive units folding or extending rows in a telescopic seating system, comprising the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4), a control panel (12) removably communicating with the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) directing incoming current to drive the motors (M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3, M.sub.4) in a predetermined direction, a dual receptacle (18) communicating with the control panel (12), and a switch (26) terminating in a plug (30) removably communicating with the dual receptacle (18).

Abstract: A contact arrangement for a change-over contact relay has a movable contact spring (2), on the free end (3) of which switching contact pieces (5, 6) are arranged on both sides, the current to be switched being supplied via an electrical connecting line (9) to the switching contact pieces (5, 6). [2.2] In order to permit a mass distribution, which is as symmetrical as possible, in the region of the free end (3) of the contact spring (2) and a supply, which is as loss-free as possible, of the current to be switched to the switching contact pieces (5, 6), [it is provided that] the switching contact pieces (5, 6) are connected directly in an electrically conducting manner to the one end (8) of the electrical connecting line (9). For this purpose, the one end (8) of the connecting line (9) or a switching contact piece (5, 6) preferably has an extension piece, the end face of which forms a joining face for the purpose of producing the electrically conducting connection.

Abstract: The tri-state dual-in-line package (DIP) switch includes a base with a plurality of transverse grooves, a plurality of conducting pins attached to the transverse grooves; a plurality of slide members, each having a top protrusion and one conducting element attached to the rear surface; and a cover having a plurality of openings for the top protrusions of the slide members. The base is tightly sealed to the cover by means of high frequency welding, wherein energy directors provided for in at least one of the base or said cover are melted by allowing high frequency current to pass through the cover to the base. The width of the base is wider than that of prior art and the conducting pins are folded twice to maintain a standard distance.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a dielectric base member having parallel stationary contact assemblies provided with aligned contact segments, each of the contact segments including an exposed contact section and a dielectric section. A spring-biased movable contact assembly is disposed between the stationary contact assemblies and includes cantilevered arcuate contact sections springably engaging respective aligned contact segments. The exposed contact sections have parallel projections and the dielectric sections have a projection along which the arcuate contact sections move, one of the parallel projections being longer so that, when the arcuate contact sections move from the contact sections onto the dielectric sections or vice versa, the arcuate contact sections engage the longer projection last or first so that an electric arc, if it occurs, will occur therebetween rather than between the short projections and the arcuate contact sections.

Abstract: A high voltage vacuum-type circuit interrupter is disclosed that includes a single or one-piece ceramic insulating housing providing both the external solid insulation between a line terminal and a switch terminal and the external solid insulation between the line terminal and electrical ground. The ceramic housing is mounted on a metallic base by the wedging action of a spring disposed under tension on an exterior inclined surface at the lower longitudinal end of the insulating housing and on an interior inclined surface of the base. A solenoid operated toggle mechanism disposed in the base actuates an elongated operating rod that effectuates the opening and closing of a pair of switch contacts positioned in an evacuated ceramic casing that includes a relatively shallow recess formed about its internal periphery intermediate its longitudinal ends. A tubular metallic vapor shield is held in the ceramic casing by a plurality of metallic ring segments positioned in the recess.

Abstract: A door jamb switch has a first member adapted to be fixedly secured onto a door jamb of a motor vehicle, a first switch contact mounted on a plunger supported in the fixed first member for reciprocation along an axis between a first, door opened, position with the first switch contact engaging a second contact on the first member and a second, door closed, position with the switch contacts disengaging one another. At least one of two contacts is mounted resiliently in the switch, and the surface configurations of the two contacts can be made to interact with each other and with the resilient mounting so as to self-align the contacts with respect to one another upon interengagement therebetween.

Abstract: The disclosed electrode assembly used with vacuum circuit interrupters has a disc-shaped electrode including four coil sections defined by four short radial slots extending radially inward at equal angular intervals from its periphery, four circumferential slots extending in a common circumferential direction from the inner ends of the radial slots and terminating short of the adjacent radial slots to define base ends of the coil sections between the ends of the circumferential slots, and a short-circuiting member including a connecting ring connected to an extremity of an electrode rod, and four L-shaped radial arms extending radially outward at equal angular intervals from the connecting ring and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the ring with their free ends connected to the end portions of the coil sections remote from the base ends. The circumferential slots may have a radial slot extending radially inward toward the center of the electrode.

Abstract: An improved terminal pin and mounting construction therefor, for use in multicontact switches using flexible wire type contacts mounted upon a stator element, the contacts being bridged by corresponding contacts on a coaxially mounted rotor element. The mounting utilizes improved flexibility of the contact portion of each of the pins to lessen the stress placed upon the fixed mounting portion thereof.

Abstract: A multipole type switch for switching a relatively large plurality of independent circuits from one set of contacts to a second set of contacts by manual or remote operation using a solenoid or linear actuator. The switch utilizes as contacts a simple wire form cantilevered for compliance at one end, and free to move laterally at an opposite end. A plurality of bridging contacts properly sized and plated shorts adjacent pairs of wires together when the contacts move in a rectilinear or arcuate path of motion, causing the wires to laterally deflect, and causing the contacts to bridge pairs of adjacent wires to complete a circuit between them. Insulative members are positioned in the gaps between the wire contacts to limit the degree of flexing of the wires to unitary planes during movement of the bridging contacts.

Abstract: In an electrical switch being subject to high contact pressure and using contacts of relatively soft contact material, the isolating or electrical resistance is impaired by contact wear. A contact and a counter contact spring supported by an isolating support before and/or behind the contact with an area the surface of which is located lower than the level of the topside of the contact. On at least one side of said recess area, the isolating support is provided with an elevated portion which also extends in the direction of relative movement of the contact spring and on which the contact spring rests when the switch is in its open position.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a body having one open end exposed for adaptation of a pyrotechnic cartridge and the other end sealed by the base of a pin type connector assembly having short conductive pins and elongated conductive pins with relief areas containing insulative material. The pins are inserted into the body cavity. A conductive grounding plate or plates have tabs which bite into the pins and connect selected pins in a first operational state. A plunger having fracturable bosses is located adjacent the contact plate. Upon activation of a pyrotechnic cartridge, pressure is applied to the plunger, causing fracture of the bosses and resulting in the displacement of the plunger to move the contact plate to a different position thereby changing the number of closed circuits.

Abstract: The output segment of an ignition distributor rotor having an output segment and a spring contact member in series is coated with a silicone varnish dielectric material for effecting the suppression of radio frequency interference radiation and, toestablish an electrical connection between the ignition distributor rotor spring contact member and the silicone varnish coated rotor output segment, a potential is applied across the spring contact member, the rotor output segment and an air gap in series and of a sufficient level to overstress the dielectric strength of the silicone varnish material to thereby effect a rupture of the silicone varnish material to establish an electrical connection through electrical arcing between the spring contact member and the rotor output segment.

Abstract: A polyphase, e.g. three phase, isolator switch, of which the movable contact members of all phases extend through a common bushing insulator mounted in a partition between two compartments for rotation about an axis normal to said partition and are simultaneously moved to make and break the circuit by rotation of said insulator.

Abstract: The noise suppression contact of a keyboard with a row of pushbutton-operated slide switches consists of a flat U-shaped contact spring forming a double armed lever one arm of which is actuated by the stop slider and the other contacting a fixed contact. The pushbutton operators are mutually interlocked by the stop slides. The noise suppression contact assembly is activated momentarily during the change over from one desired switching mode of operation to another switching mode of operation thereby preventing disturbing "clicks" caused by the shorting of an amplifier input.

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 slotted plate type contact is disclosed for simultaneously terminating two wires of small diameter which are inserted simultaneously in a first slot portion of the contact and are automatically diverted into separate wire terminating slots.

Abstract: A reversible snap-action switch including a drive member and a switch-actuating driven member connected by a lost motion coupling. The relative position between the drive and driven members is shifted by substantially the lost motion distance as the drive member moves the driven member through a switching zone and then reverses its direction to return to its original position. In each direction of movement a bidirectional accelerating means imparts a snap-action motion to the drive member. This motion is coordinated with the position of the driven member so that switching occurs during the snap-action motion in each direction of movement, thereby inhibiting any hesitation in making or breaking the switch contacts. The invention also includes a cement-free mounting for the switch contacts.

Abstract: An electrical header device is comprised of an etched circuit board or a ceramic substrate having circuit paths thereon to which are soldered terminal pins, and a thermoplastic or thermoset plastic material covers the etched circuit board or ceramic substrate leaving parts of the terminal pins extending outwardly from the plastic material for connection with an electric component and with electrical terminals in a mounting board.

Abstract: The disconnect switch blade, prior to the engagement of the blade plug with the switch contact shoes, engages with a curved upper portion of an ice breaker lever to effect its pivotal movement and thereby move a plurality of associated ice breaker bars from between the switch contact shoes to remove accumulated ice from the contact shoes.

Abstract: Providing the contact spacer of a high voltage outdoor switch with a reduced number of inboard contacts to reduce the friction experienced in opening and closing the switch without reducing the switch rating.

Abstract: An electrical contact adapted to be mounted to a supporting member. The contact has a body with a peripheral portion, and a plurality of means is provided adjacent the peripheral portion for mounting the body in displacement preventing engagement with the supporting member.A method of mounting an electrical contact to a supporting member therefor and an assembly of an electrical contact and a supporting member are also disclosed.