Abstract: A centrifugal switch assembly for a single phase induction motor connects a start winding in circuit to start the motor. A centrifugal actuator positions a movable contact on the end of a cantilevered spring arm relative to an aligned fixed switch carried by an insulating flat plate secured within the motor. A silicone rubber boot in the form of a tubular member has a first heavy end telescoped over the movable contact with a resilient gripping of the side of the contact. The opposite end of the boot is a heavy end which is freely telescoped over the opposite contact into engagement with the flat plate to totally enclose the contacts, but may also be attached to the contact with a resilient grip. The boot has an intermediate convolution between the two ends. The convolution is formed as a very thin wall to establish a highly flexible but supporting wall member.

Abstract: A Belleville spring type of overspeed trip mechanism is made to rotate at the same speed as the shaft by preventing slippage between the spring and the other members of the trip mechanism. Slippage is prevented by forming grooves in the periphery of the interior portion of the spring and using pins which coact with the grooves to prevent rotation of the spring relative to the other members.

Abstract: A switch actuating device designed to control the speed of rotation of shafts, particularly electric motor shafts. A plastic hub section is designed to be positioned about the shaft, and a plurality of relatively independent, flexing leg, weight members, radially disposed from the hub and integrally connected to the hub by a thin web section, create the actuating members for acting on a switch which directly controls the rotation of the shaft. The web section is dome-like in configuration so that the top regions of the legs are at an axial plane below the uppermost region of the hub and is so designed to permit the legs to force the web upwardly snappingly into contact with the independent switch member.

Abstract: A trip mechanism for use with a rotatable shaft comprising a Belleville spring encircling the shaft, a pair of collars secured to the shaft for mounting the spring thereon and engaging the spring to transmit rotary motion from the shaft to the Belleville spring, and a plurality of weights connected to the spring. The spring includes a reinforcing band portion annularly extending therearound, and the Belleville spring and weights are so proportioned that the spring will snap overcenter when the rotational speed of the shaft exceeds a preset value and will snap back overcenter toward an unstressed position when the rotational speed of the shaft is reduced.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a centrifugal mechanism and switch construction particularly for use in an electric motor. The mechanism includes a support part that is secured to and rotates with the motor shaft, and a weight that is carried by the support part. The weight has its center of gravity to one side of the motor axis, and the weight is pivotally attached to the support part. Centrifugal force tends to swing the weight in one direction and springs connected between the support part and the weight tend to counter the centrifugal force. A lightweight disc is pivotally connected to the moving end of the weight, the disc being located to activate the switch. The weight and a hinge member form a parallel arm connection between the disc and the support part.

Abstract: A centrifugal actuator assembly for an electric motor or the like is provided having a pair of opposed movable members rotatable with the rotor shaft of the motor and responsive to centrifugal force upon rotation of the rotor shaft for movement between a run and a start position. The movable members are biased inwardly toward their start position by means of compression coil springs interconnected between the movable members by means of a linkage designed to improve operating life of the centrifugal actuator.

Abstract: A speed sensor is attached to the output shaft of the rotary vane air motor. The speed sensor includes a body member which is pivotally mounted at one end on the output shaft for movement about an axis parallel to the shaft axis. The opposite end of the body member is biased into engagement with a locking pin. So long as the shaft of the air motor does not exceed a threshold speed, the body member remains in the described position. Upon exceeding a threshold speed, the body member disengages from the locking pin due to centrifugal force acting thereon and then engages a movable shutter. In this manner, the shutter is moved by the body member to close air flow passages to the air motor.

Abstract: A quick release centrifugal clutch construction having a driven member rotatably mounted on a shaft and a drive member rotatable with the shaft and axially engageable with the driven member. The drive member includes a rotor mounted on the shaft for rotation with the shaft. A cartridge is axially slidably mounted on the shaft and has a frictional coupling surface for engagement with the driven member, and has a preloaded disc spring mounted thereon. A drive block also is axially slidably mounted on the rotor and is adapted to engage the cartridge to further load the disc spring and to drivingly connect the cartridge with the driven member. A plurality of individual pairs of links are mounted circumferentially spaced on the rotor and are movable in radial directions between retracted and extended positions. The inner ends of each of the link pairs are pivotally joined by a pivot pin with the outer link ends being pivotally connected to the drive block and rotor member respectively.