Abstract: A thermally responsive switch comprises a housing enclosing a contact arm bearing a fixed contact and a thermally responsive snap-acting element designed to move and return with snap action depending upon the degree of switch self-generated heat or the ambient temperature. One end of the snap-acting element carries a movable contact and its other end is the supporting portion connected to a metallically elastic member mounted in the housing. To a stationary member integrated with the housing, an end support element and a central support element are respectively mounted. The end support element engages the supporting portion of the snap-acting element against the elastically urging force of the elastic member to push in one direction, while the central support element engages a middle portion of the snap-acting element to push in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A heat switch which includes a base body having electrical connection elements fixed thereon and insulated from each other, a movable contact member, a fixed contact member, and a bimetallic member for controlling relative positions of the contact members with respect to each other. Each of the contact members is connected with a respective one of the electrical connection elements in an electrically conductive manner. The bimetallic member is operable for conductively connecting or separating the contact members from each other. The movable contact member is relatively resistant to bending and is connected by an electrically conducting articulated connection with one of the electrical connection elements. The articulated connection includes an articulation part formed on one of the connection elements and a movable articulation part formed on the movable contact member.

Abstract: A heat operated protective switch, with a housing, with a bimetallic snap disc guided peripherally in the housing, with a contact adapted to be operated by the bimetallic snap disc, and also with an associated contact. The contact and the associated contact are connected in electrically conductive manner to one another by way of contact surfaces in a low temperature position while when a predetermined temperature is exceeded the bimetallic snap disc snaps over into a high temperature position and lifts the contact away from the associated contact. The contact has a circumferential edge whereby its contact surface coming into contact with the associated contact is set off sharply from the bimetallic disc. Thus operationally caused impairment of the switch-over behavior of the bimetallic snap disc, more particularly impairment caused by switching sparking is obviated.

Abstract: A motor overload protector or the like is disclosed in which a switch chamber is defined by a cup-shaped element and a header adhesively secured to the open mouth of the cup. A plurality of parallel support pins extend through and are adhered to the header to form a tight seal therewith. A flat continuous shoulder is provided within the housing which sharply intersects with the inner walls of the housing. One face of the header engages the shoulder and the edges of the header snugly engage a portion of the walls of the housing between the shoulder and the open mouth to form the switch chamber with the support pins extending into the chamber. A suitable plastic, such as epoxy resin, is provided in the space between the header and the open mouth to provide a tightly sealed switch chamber. A bimetal snap assembly is cantilever mounted by welding adjacent one of the support elements in the chamber and has a movable contact mounted on its free end.

Abstract: A thermostatic electrical switch for providing an electrically conductive path when the temperature of the switch is below a threshold temperature and for opening the path when the temperature of the switch is above the threshold temperature, includes a bimetal thermostatic element which is riveted to a support post. The post is welded to a base plate which forms a portion of the switch casing. An indentation is formed in the casing such that a portion of the mounting for an electrically conductive terminal is urged downwardly, thus positioning the terminal for proper switch operation.

Abstract: A thermal switch having contacts with one contact being movably mounted on a carrier and with movement of the carrier controlled by a bimetal actuator disc. The actuating movement is transmitted through a striker pin of molded ceramic material which is fastened in fixed relation to the carrier by a layer of adhesive of controllable thickness to establish the effective length of the striker pin.The method of manufacturing the thermal switch embodies holding of the striker pin in fixed predetermined relation to components of the thermal switch. During movement of the parts to this position, a mass of adhesive carried at an end of the striker pin is pressed between the end of the striker pin and the carrier to provide lateral flow thereof until said pressing is discontinued to provide a controlled thickness layer of adhesive which is then set with the parts held in a predetermined relation.

Abstract: An electrical cigar lighter for automotive vehicles is provided with a socket assembly and a plug assembly including a heater element adapted to be electrically heated when the plug assembly is in a connected position within the socket assembly. Electrical circuitry is provided within the socket assembly to effect electrical heating of the heater element. A bimetallic switch including a snap disc for making and breaking contact with the electrical circuitry in response to the temperature of the heating element is also provided in the socket assembly. A dish-shaped contact member formed as part of the heater element of the plug assembly operates to place the heater element in circuit with the electrical circuitry of the socket assembly.

Abstract: A thermal relay construction capable of operating a pair of electrical contacts. The thermal relay includes an electrical heater of the self-regulating PTC type which is mounted upon and thermally coupled directly to a bimetal snap disc so that heat generated by the heater causes the bimetal snap disc to overcenter and operate the electrical contacts. The other electrical connection to the heater is made through a compensating blade which bears against the heater to compensate for ambient temperature effects on the thermal relay. An electric range oven control uses temperature sensitive electrical contacts in conjunction with the thermal relay to control the oven heaters.

Abstract: A bimetal circuit breaker comprises a frame and a plate-like bimetal component which includes a base part, two U-shaped legs each having a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a U-shaped connecting portion. Each first leg portion is attached to the base part and diverges therefrom in a V shape. The circuit breaker further has a movable contact affixed to each second leg portion; a support tab attached to the base part and extending between the first leg portions; a support member attached to the frame and engaging a free end of the support tab for positioning the bimetal component in the frame; stationary contacts carried by the frame and cooperating with the movable contacts; and a rocker support held in the frame and engaging the base part in an over-the-center arrangement. The bimetal component and the rocker support have first and second stable positions in which the movable contacts are in engagement or out of engagement with the respective stationary contacts.

Abstract: A thermostatic electrical switch and method of switch assembly are disclosed for a switch which provides an electrically conductive path when the temperature of the switch is below a threshold temperature and which opens the path when the temperature of the switch exceeds the threshold temperature. A conductive base plate has a bimetal thermostatic snap element attached at first end of the snap element to the top of the base plate and making electrical contact therewith. The snap element is generally concave upwardly when its temperature is less than the threshold temperature and snaps to a straightened position when its temperature is above the threshold temperature. An electrical snap contact is mounted on the upper surface of the snap element adjacent a second end of the snap element and is electrically connected to the snap element. A conductive cap covers the snap element and is welded to the base plate around a portion of the periphery of the cap, thereby forming a casing with the base plate.

Abstract: An electric switch comprising an insulative body, a pair of electrical terminals mounted on flat portions of one side of the body member, the terminals having ear portions crimped about portions of the body to mount the terminals to the body while providing some resilience in the mounting. One terminal mounts a stationary switch contact and the other terminal mounts a thermally responsive bimetallic snap-acting actuator carrying a movable switch contact.

Abstract: An elongated bimetal member has a transverse curvature opposing temperature warp and a longitudinal curvature aiding temperature warp. The transverse curvature maintains the member straight in a longitudinal direction until the sum of the longitudinal temperature warp forces and the bias of the longitudinal curvature exceed the retaining forces of the transverse curvature.

Abstract: A motor overload protector or the like is disclosed in which a bimetal snap disc is centrally supported by a stud which is press fitted into a bore within the body. The stud is knurled to provide axially extending teeth having a root diameter at least substantially equal to the diameter of the body stud receiving bore prior to the insertion of the stud so that sufficient friction is provided to maintain the stud in the calibrated position. Additional locking is provided where necessary by forming the stud with annular ribs which interlock with a potting material applied after assembly of the stud within the body. The device is calibrated by maintaining the disc at the desired operating temperature as the stud is pressed into the body stud receiving bore until the disc operates.

Abstract: The switch includes a generally J-shaped, bimetallic switch arm having two, spaced, parallel legs, one of which is longer than the other. The shorter leg is welded at its outer end to a metal boss, which is formed on the face of a mounting bracket, and thus supports the longer leg above the face of the bracket so that a first contact on the outer end of the longer leg overlies, and is normally engaged with, a second contact, which is mounted on said bracket to be insulated therefrom. The high expansion side of the switch arm faces downwardly to confront the bracket, and since the shorter leg responds more rapidly to temperature changes than the longer leg, it tends to resist movement of the longer leg between open and closed positions and thereby prolongs the time the switch arm remains in either position.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed motor protector or the like is disclosed in which a switch chamber is defined by a cylindrical, cup shaped element and a header welded to one end thereof. A pair of insulated pins extend through the header substantially parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the center axis of the device. A switch including a stationary contact mounted on one pin and a movable contact assembly supported by the other pin is arranged so that the line of action of the movable contact is along a diametrical plane inclined with respect to the pins. Such structure facilitates the assembly of the device. The structure is arranged so that the pins supporting the bimetal snap element limits movement of the free end thereof in a direction away from the fixed contact to reduce the tendency for calibration drift and fatigue cracking of the snap element. In one embodiment, a shunt formed of flexible material is connected in parallel to the bimetal snap element to provide greater current carrying capacity.

Abstract: A thermal change-over switch has a switch arm movable between first and second contact positions with an intervening dead center position, a temperature responsive bimetal element is connected to the switch arm through a prestressed resilient element so as to effect quick switch-over of the arm from either position to the other while maintaining contact pressure up to the time of switch-over.

Abstract: A low cost multiphase motor protector which employs only one movable contact attached to the center of a bimetallic snap-acting disc. After the disc is calibrated and upon the application or dissipation of heat, the one movable contact either connects or disconnects with a plurality of stationary contact terminals simultaneously.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch with a compact design to allow for miniaturization of the device with a minimum number of parts while providing for accurately controlled "on" time and protracted "off" time. An improved heater and thermostatic disk assembly overcomes yield problems associated with prior art devices in mass producing the switch.