Abstract: A load-breaking and load-returning apparatus and method of breaking and returning a load are provided for quickly breaking and returning a load to portions of a power line. The apparatus preferably includes at least one power line jumper cable including first and second cable ends and a first connector connected to the first cable end of the at least one power line jumper cable for connecting the at least one power line jumper cable to a portion of a power line. A load-breaking and load-returning device is preferably connected to the second cable end of the at least one power line jumper cable for quickly breaking and returning a load to portions of a power line responsive to a user thereof. The load-breaking and load-returning device preferably includes a second connector for connecting the load-breaking and load-returning device to a portion of a power line.

Abstract: A power locking mechanism provides a structure for supporting a physically manipulable lock, and is in communication with a permanently installed switching connector fitting within the confines of an alternating current power socket typically found at the rear of a personal computer. The switching connector has a male portion which becomes a male locking portion with the addition of a locking clip member which positively engages the alternating current socket of a computer, an intermediate portion containing circuitry to insure proper switched on and off operation, and a female socket portion for interfitting with the end of the power cord which was previously used to connect into the alternating power socket.

Abstract: Each free end of a severed single conductor is bared and attached to a different terminal member by means of a terminal screw. The terminal members are each coupled to a contact of a rocker type switch. When in a first position a bridging element contacts both contacts of the switch and closes the circuit through the severed conductor. The rocker when placed in a second position permits the bridging element to open the circuit through the severed conductor.

Abstract: A push button style power switch using a switching button to control movement of a curved sheet to form an electric power on or off state, the power switch is comprised of a base, a power control portion, a switching button and a cover. Wherein the power control portion is provided with a first conducting piece, a second conducting piece and a curved sheet. The conducting pieces connect respectively with two connecting ends of a wire of a power line. The curved sheet is mounted on the first conducting piece. When the switching button is pushed down, it lowers a bottom control tip beneath it to render the tailing end having a small boss of the curved sheet to move down/raise and press/leave the second conducting piece to make electric connection/circuit breaking of the power line. Therefore, this is a power switch structure capable of fast switching.

Abstract: A switchable electrical connector for automatically terminating signals in distribution equipment is provided, particularly in the form of a tap housing containing the F-port connector which when installed in a CATV system, is switchable to selectively supply RF with power to customers who subscribe to telephone service; and to provide only RF (5Hz-1GHz) to customers who subscribe only to cable television service.

Abstract: A switch box having a connector comprises eaves for covering an upper part of the connector, side water stopping walls for covering both sides of the connector, and an upper water stopping wall rising from a frontal edge of the eaves. When water splashes on the box from above, the water is guided to the side water stopping walls by the upper water stopping wall, whereafter the water flows down along the side water stopping walls. As a result, water flow to the connector can be prevented.

Abstract: A connector is provided for use with a microcircuit card that has contact pads on its lower face, which assures that connector contact blades fully engage the card pads when full insertion of the card is detected. The connector includes a body with a contact body portion that holds the card-engaging contacts and a switch body portion that holds a switch with an actuator. The body portions are integral and have coplanar upper faces which assures precision relative positioning of the card-engaging blades and the actuator that detects full insertion of the card. The switch body portion is preferably offset from the contact body portion, which facilitates routing of circuit board conductors when the connector is mounted on a circuit board, especially where the connector has surface mount terminals. The switch actuator has a fixed rear end and two forward arms, one for depression by a card and the other for depressing and releasing a snap dome.

Abstract: Electronic load switch has an electronic power switch and a control circuit mounted on a hybrid ceramic. Plug lugs are soldered directly to the hybrid ceramic to form a motor-vehicle-typical plug contact element which is engagement compatible with standard plug-contact elements of electromechanical load switches. The electronic load switch of this invention can therefore, without further expense, replace previous electromechanical load switches.

Abstract: Portable electronic equipment is disclosed which includes a source of power and operational circuitry. A load device, which may be internal or external to the equipment, is coupleable to the operational circuitry. A switch is coupled between the power source and the operational circuitry and connects the power source to the operating circuitry only when the load device is coupled to the operational circuitry. In portable audio equipment, for example, the switch connects the power source to the operational circuitry only if an external or the internal speaker is coupled to the operational circuitry.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-terminal connector for connecting a circuit board to another circuit board. The connector body consists of a first body 20 having a bar-like base part 21 and an uprightly and linearly projecting part 22 and a second body 40 having a slot 42 into which the projecting part 22 of the first body 20 fits. The cross-sectional shape of the slot 42 is such that the projecting part 22 of the first body 20 fits into the slot 42. The first body 20 is to be attached to a circuit board 100 and the second body 40 to another. The first body 20 has cavities 27 at intervals in the lengthwise direction, and each cavity 27 provides openings in side faces of the projecting part 22. A shaft 24 extends through the projecting part 22 of the first body 20, and contact blades 26 are fixed to the shaft 24 in the respective cavities 27 in the first body 20.

Abstract: This invention relates to a make-before-break switch of the type for electrical connector, where the connector is intended to be mated with a complementary coaxial cable connector. The switching connector comprises a pair of spaced-apart, cantilevered switch contacts mounted within a dielectric housing, where such mating is between the pair of switch contacts. A unique feature hereof is that the shank portion of one of the switch contacts has a contact arm extending toward and in contact with the shank portion of the other switch contact in an unmated condition, and that the respective mating ends of the switch contacts are axially offset from one another. By this arrangement, upon mating by the complementary connector, contact is made sequentially with the mating ends and the contact arm is caused to wipe along the shank portion of the first switch contact to counter the effects of contaminants and oxides which may be present at the contact point.

Abstract: An electrical switching assembly which is formed by a base unit (10) and a control unit (11) having respective bodies which are releasibly engageable together through mechanical connection. The base unit (10) includes two supply terminals (20 & 21) for electrical connection to a power supply, two load terminals (22 & 23) for electrical connection to a load, and a built-in electrical switch (31) having an exposed operating member for manual operation. The electrical switch (31) is connected electrically in series between the power supply and the load terminals (20/21 & 22/23) in order to manually control the electrical connection of the load to the power supply.

Abstract: A plurality of terminal blocks are secured to a molded case circuit breaker by a bracket assembly which includes a mounting bracket placed against a side wall of the circuit breaker molded case. A back-up plate is inserted in a pocket formed between the outer wall and an inner wall of the molded case and electrically isolated from the cavity containing the circuit breaker operating mechanism. Fasteners extend from the mounting bracket through the outer wall and engage the back-up plate. Since the pocket is electrically isolated from the circuit breaker operating mechanism, the back-up plate, and particularly the fasteners, can be made of metal for a solid, durable connection.

Abstract: A power center for using ON-OFF switches to control power availability for individual receptacle outlets is disclosed. The molded-in receptacle apertures and podded contact strips provide significant space, cost and efficiency improvements over existing power centers which use stand-alone, off-the shelve receptacle parts.

Abstract: A safety plug which includes a first metal contact plate and a second metal contact plate respectively connected to the two conductors of an electric wire, and a first metal blade and a second metal blade for connection to an electric power outlet. A cartridge fuse is connected between the second metal contact plate and the second metal blade. A switch is controlled to force the first metal contact plate into contact with the first metal blade to close the circuit. A base is mounted within a housing to hold the above members therein which has a rear panel and two plug holes on the rear panel for the insertion of an external electric plug for connection the first metal blade and the second metal blade, and a slide controlled to close/open the plug holes of the rear panel.

Abstract: An anti-theft sensor contact mechanism for an ignition system of an automotive vehicle has a sensor contact mechanism 24 which utilizes a non-conducting lever 46 to sense the physical presence of a lock liner 26 within a lock cylinder 28 of the ignition system and to depress a moveable contact 40 against a stationary contact 38 of the same metal for closing a path in an electrical monitoring, or sensing, circuit 32. When the lock liner 26 is removed, such as when tampered with during theft of the vehicle, the sensor contact mechanism 24 causes a break in an electrical path in the circuit 32 through movement of the moveable contact 40 to a non-contacting position with the stationary contact 38 so that a conventional alarm system may be triggered to sound an audible or visible.

Abstract: A make-before-break bypass switch is combined with a pair of probes projecting from a support where a member is provided with sockets to slidably receive the probes. The probes define a gap in a first RF circuit. The corresponding sockets are connected by a second RF circuit. A pair of spring clips on the support are connected by a bypass circuit on the support and are designed on retraction of the sockets from the probes to connect a bypass circuit between the probes before the sockets are completely disconnected from the probes. On application of the sockets, the sockets are designed to connect to the probes before a part of the member disconnects the spring clips from the probe. If the first RF circuit may carry signals in either direction and the second RF circuit is directional, the probes and sockets may be arranged to allow reversal of the sockets relative to the probes.

Abstract: An external terminal end of an electrical element of a switch has a thick central portion providing enhanced elimination of heat generated by switching arcs to a connected female spade receptacle.

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: Terminal receiving chambers are formed within an air bag-side housing and are disposed respectively at right and left portions of the housing. A female metal terminal is fitted in each of these chambers. A short-circuit member receiving chamber is formed between the two terminal receiving chambers, and a short-circuit member is fitted in the chamber. Contact portions that project from respective right and left side portions of the short-circuit member extend through respective insertion grooves formed through respective opposite side walls of the receiving chamber and are resiliently contacted with respective inner surfaces of the female metal terminals. An insulating member projects from a reverse surface of a manipulation lever, which is pivotally mounted by pins on a mating power source-side housing and is adapted to intrude between one of the side portions of the short-circuit member and the corresponding female metal terminal through an open groove formed in an upper portion of the air bag-side housing.

Abstract: A terminal connection for a flat stab of an electrical switch includes a spring clip which retains a nut in alignment with an aperture in the flat stab. The spring clip is fabricated from a strip of resilient electrically conductive material and has a top wall with a central aperture, side walls extending downward from the top wall and having slots therein, an end wall extending downward from the top wall and a bottom wall cantilevered forward from the bottom of the end wall under the top wall and between the side walls. A square nut is retained in the spring clip with its tapped hole aligned with the aperture in the top wall and with either an aperture or a depression in the bottom wall. The fastener assembly clips onto the end of the flat stab with the stab between the nut and the top wall of the spring clip. A screw passed through the apertures in the top wall and the flat stab engages the nut to secure a conductor to the stab.

Abstract: A switch with a connector, having a switch body and a first connector member. The switch body is screwed into and fixed to a supporting member. The first connector member is mounted to the switch body and provided such that a direction of connecting a second connector member to the first connector member is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction of inserting the switch body. The first connector member is disposed so as to be rotatable around an axis along the direction of inserting the switch body. When the first connector member is rotated around the axis along the direction of inserting the switch body after the switch body is fixed to the supporting member, the first connector member can be set at a predetermined position for connecting the first connector member to the second connector member.

Abstract: A liquid level sensor is provided with a single piece pivotable device which is used to move a permanent magnet into and out of the detection zone of a magnetically sensitive component, such as a Hall effect element. The pivotable device comprises a buoyant portion, a magnet holding portion and a pivot portion with arms connecting the pivot portion to the buoyant portion and the magnet holding portion. The pivot portion of the pivotable device is shaped to be received over a fixed post attached to a container. The injection gate of the mold used to form the pivotable device is advantageously located so that the pressures throughout the mold cavity are positive to the action of the foaming agent to result in the buoyant portion of the pivotable device having a significantly lower density than the other portions of the pivotable device. This variable density in a single piece device permits a smaller overall size to be used without sacrificing the sensitivity needed to detect changes in a liquid level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lever assembly for reversibly inserting a control device into a cell of a center for controlling electrical service. The center has electrical terminals and a post extending perpendicularly into the cell and the control device has a frame of cross-members. The assembly includes a left hand lever, a right hand lever, and a fastener adapted to secure the levers to one of the cross-members and position the levers to engage the post as the device is inserted into the cell. Each lever includes a pivot hole positioned towards one end of the lever. The pivot holes receive the fastener and allow rotation of each lever about the fastener. Each lever also includes an open-ended slot to engage the post in the control center. Each lever also includes means for manually rotating the lever about the pivot hole. The rotating means connects to the end of each lever opposite the open end of the slot.

Abstract: The present invention is illustrated in one form as an inline electrical circuit breaker system for an electrical extension cable comprising an intermediate coupler having opposite end terminals adapted for electrically coupling a female terminal of a first electrical cable to a male terminal of a second electrical cable. A recess is formed in the coupler and has a pair of opposite end walls, the recess being adapted for receiving a circuit breaker. A first power bus segment extends from one of the opposite end terminals through an adjacent one of the opposite end walls and partially into the recess. A second power bus segment extends from another of the opposite end terminals through an adjacent one of the pair of opposite end walls and partially into the recess. The circuit breaker includes terminals for coupling the first and second power bus segments for establishing a current path through the coupler when the breaker is installed in the recess.

Abstract: A power cord for use by electricians to supply power to the construction area while normal electrical power has been disconnected. The present invention allows the electrician to draw power from severed power lines without the necessity of removing the insulation from the severed power lines. The power cord provides un-metered power to ground fault current interrupter and circuit breaker protected outlets.

Abstract: A male conductor plug for a cord set includes a bi-metallic circuit breaker. The positive, neutral and ground blades extend outwardly from the front end of the plug housing and the reset switch of the circuit breaker extends outwardly from the rear end of the housing. A circular wall extends outwardly from the rear of the housing to form a socket-like enclosure around the reset switch and a flexible water resistant boot is received over the reset switch and inside the wall to prevent the introduction of moisture into the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A safety retainer for retaining an electrical device connected to an electrical receptacle against inadvertent disconnection includes a cover plate having opposed raised bars secured to the cover plate adjacent the electrical connector of the receptacle and a retainer strap looped beneath the raised bars and across the electrical device to secure the electrical device in place when connected to the receptacle, the cover plate being unbroken between the electrical connector and the peripheral edge of the cover plate so as to provide a completely integrated cover plate over the receptacle.

Abstract: A switching cable, for connecting a peripheral machine or a computer with another computer, comprises a pair of connectors each having a plurality of pins, a plurality of wires each adapted to connect each pin of one of the connectors with each pin of the other connector, and a switching device mounted on at least one of the connectors for switching over the connecting state of the wires.

Abstract: A contact structure for toy motors in which a battery case housing a battery and a motor case housing a motor are detachably and relatively rotatably joined by means of the outer circumferential surface of the end of the battery case and the inner circumferential surface of the end of the motor case, and terminals are provided in the vicinity of the ends of both cases in such a manner that the terminals can be brought into contact with, or separated from each other, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the ends of motor terminals provided on the motor case is formed into a U shape having a closed end on the side of the outer circumferential surface thereof, with the end thereof on the side of the axial line of the motor being opened, and the inside surfaces of the battery terminals are brought into contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the closed ends of the motor terminals.

Abstract: A reservoir tank according to the present invention is comprised of a tank body storing an amount of operating fluid, connected to a specific device for supplying thereinto the operating fluid and having a bottom with a hole isolated from the operating fluid; a float movable in the vertical direction according to the variation of the liquid level of the operating fluid; a magnet secured to a lower end of the float; and a reed switch unit assembly having a reed switch with a pair of terminals, a pair of conducting elements connected to the pair of terminals of the reed switch, a connector casing, and a pair of connectors each of which is secured to one end of the connector casing in such a manner that each connector is electrically connected to the respective conducting element.

Abstract: The invention is a weather resistant container in the nature of a box with tightly fitting cover for a timer unit controlling operation of an irrigation system and associated transformer and electrical plug. The container also houses an electrical receptacle and wiring. Such container is adapted to receive electrical power from an outside source through conventional electrical conduit. Within the box are provided supports for a removable, broad partition wall defining a relatively shallow wiring compartment between the back wall and the partition wall and a relatively deep compartment between the partition wall and open front of the box for housing the timer components.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism operably associated with the plug receptacle of an explosion-proof housing whereby a plug may be inserted into or removed from the receptacle only when electrical current is not delivered to the receptacle. The interlock mechanism comprises a safety shaft for engaging a plug inserted into the receptacle, a reciprocating shaft operatively connected to a circuit breaker handle, and a locking pin for securing the safety shaft in a standby position, whereby the circuit breaker handle cannot be moved unless the safety shaft engages the plug casing, the safety shaft cannot be disengaged from the plug casing unless the circuit breaker handle has been moved to an off position, and the safety shaft will not engage the plug casing until it is released by the locking pin after the locking pin is biased to its disengaged position by the inserted plug.

Abstract: A female electrical plug includes a pair of female terminals for engaging prongs of a male electrical plug, a female ground terminal, and a circuit breaker providing a path for electrical current and being responsive to electrical current flow in excess of a predetermined amount for opening the path and preventing the current flow, the circuit breaker having a reset button manually actuatable for closing the path. The plug also has a first conductor connected in series with the circuit breaker to one of the female terminals, a second conductor connected to another one of the female terminals and a third conductor connected to the female ground terminal. A body formed of an insulating material encapsulates the female terminals, the female ground terminal, the conductors and the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A wall plug for use with a split circuit duplex wall outlet, including an indicator light to identify the split circuit and including switch means for selectively operating the wall plug on one or both of these two household circuits available at a standard outlet.

Abstract: A multiple outlet receptacle has a molded insulating body which includes multiple groups of internal contact elements disposed in the body and defining multiple electrical outlets adapted for receiving multiple outlet plugs. The receptacle also has a circuit breaker mechanism and a continuity switch mechanism mounted in the body and connected in series with one another and with an electrical power cord and each of the multiple electrical outlets for respectively protecting external electrical circuits plugged into the multiple electrical outlets and switching on and off external electrical circuits plugged into the multiple electrical outlets.

Abstract: A connector comprising a carrier body with at least two contact elements and a magnetically actuatable switching device. The switching device is arranged to electrically connect or disconnect the two contact elements when the connector mates with or disconnects from another connector. Control means activate the switching device. The control means includes a movably disposed tracer finger. In a preferred embodiment, the switching device includes a reed relay which is activated by a permanent magnet.

Abstract: An in line key-locked switch for a power cord for electronic equipment. The key locked switch may be easily connected to the power cord of electronic apparatus such as a television set to limit access to the electronic apparatus. The key locked switch, generally stated, comprises, a two piece protective outer casing including a base portion, and a nestable cover portion, a key actuated switch mounted within the outer casing, and piercing means mounted to the cover portion for piercing the cut separate ends of a lead of the power cord to provide electrical contact with the key actuated switch. The protective outer casing includes a piercing guide for engaging the separate lead wires of the power cord to hold the separate ends in position for piercing by the piercing means.

Abstract: A fluid pressure transducer with an electrical switch structure therein including a conductor which is movable relative to fixed contacts as influenced by the force of internal spring forces whereas the relative positioning of a spring's end in the housing is adjustable after the transducer's assembly thereby effectively calibrating the switch's opening and closing characteristics relative to a predetermined fluid test pressure.

Abstract: A power outlet device (10) including a plastic case (12); ground, neutral and hot conductive strips (30, 28, 26); and a printed circuit board assembly (54) connected to strips (30, 28, 26). The printed circuit board assembly (54), which could include a surge suppressing circuit, is connected to the strips (26, 28, 30) through the use of resilient contacts (58, 60, 56, respectively). Blades (58, 60, 56) extend upward and laterally from the substrate (55) of printed circuit board assembly (54). A bottom cover (14) of case (12) presses against the underside of substrate (55) to urge contacts (56, 58, 60) into resilient conductive contact with the strips (30, 26, 28, respectively). A preferred power outlet device (10) also includes a pair of one-piece sheet metal jumpers (50, 120) which interconnect various components thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contact block includes the processes of forming make contact pieces, break contact pieces, base pieces, and terminal pieces in a first hoop member by blanking, forming a first subcontact block having the break contact pieces and a second subcontact block having the make contact pieces by molding these pieces, forming movable contact spring pieces by blanking a second hoop member, aligning the second hoop member with the first hoop member and welding the movable contact spring pieces to the base pieces, cutting off the movable contact spring pieces from the second hoop member, and cutting off the first or second subcontact block from the first hoop member and aligning/coupling these subcontact blocks to each other. According to these processes, the respective components are held on a loop member up to the final process so that contamination and deformation of these components can be prevented.

Abstract: A control body includes a circuit board, a housing having three engaging sets and a base having electric wire guiding grooves each of which includes three spaced radially arcuate platelets, a cover plate having three pairs of barbed legs respectively engaging with the three engaging sets, an end cover, a switch disk, a coupling piece, and a rotating disk so that the control body can be closed though a mechanically engaging style to have a water-proof effect.

Abstract: A bus bar assembly comprises a frame in which circuit modules are slidable on rails towards and away from a power bus bar. Each module has a receptacle for receiving the bus bar when the module has been slid to a home position in the frame. Each receptacle is secured to a guide fork for guiding the receptacle into mating relationship with the bus bar, the guide fork being fixed to a slide block mounted on the module for sliding movement transversely of the rails to take up play between the module and the rails.

Abstract: To improve the denseness of a reservoir telltale sounding device of a reservoir for a hydraulic brake system, while reducing the costs of manufacture and assembly, the plug portion comprises a first face and a second face which are respectively connected, in liquid-tight manner, to the housing of the reservoir telltale sounding device and the cover.

Abstract: A flat plastic retainer having a loop at one end rotatably receiving a threaded fastener and a tongue and outboard fingers unidirectionally extending from the loop to engage an essentially upright leg of a terminal of a circuit breaker, has lateral projections on the tongue which are compressed when the tongue is inserted through an opening in the leg of the terminal and expand when the projections pass beyond the opposite side of the terminal to resist pull-out of the retainer from the terminal. The outboard fingers are deflected along the terminal to bias the fastener into engagement with an associated leg of the terminal having an opening through which one portion of a threaded fastener pair projects to engage the other portion.

Abstract: An electric switch has a first molding for supporting an isolation switch and at least one line side power fuse clip, where the line fuse clip is capable of retaining a first end of a power fuse fed by the isolation switch. A second molding for supporting at least one load side power fuse clip is provided, where the load fuse clip is capable of retaining a second end of the power fuse. At least one projection is formed into the second molding for supporting a control circuit fuse, where the projection is substantially parallel to and beside an installed power fuse, and a control circuit line side fuse clip and a corresponding load side clip is mounted to each of the projections formed into the second molding, so that installed control and power fuses are spaced apart and substantially parallel. A conductor behind a terminal of the power fuse connects the load side power fuse clip to the control circuit line side fuse clip.

Abstract: A switching device with a normally open electrical condition which engages contacts in response to a rise in fluid pressure for the purpose of activating an associated electric powered device such as a fuel pump in an automobile when pressures are much greater than zero.

Abstract: A switching device operated in response to changes in fluid pressure, including a housing supporting a switch conductor and including a movable terminal support which is insertably attached to the housing, the terminal having a contact surface thereon in sliding engagement with an exposed surface of the conductor to maintain electrical continuity even while there is relative insertive movement between the housing and support member.

Abstract: A six plug safety receptacle is described that is designed to replace the standard double plug receptacle usually found in most homes and businesses. In one embodiment the receptacle is adapted to plug into a standard three prong receptacle. The face plate is usually removed and the receptacle is locked in place using the same opening that secures the face plate. In the second embodiment the outlet contains a terminal block having three terminals adapted to be connected to the house wires located in the receptacle box. In this case the standard double plug receptacle is eliminated and the wall receptacle is secured to the box by the same two screw holes in the box used to secure the former receptacle. A circuit breaker and an external switch control for resetting the circuit breaker is located on the wall receptacle.

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.