Abstract: An inherently mechanically bistable self-supporting blade element for actuating snap-action switches, circuit breakers and devices, and methods and apparatus for producing such elements. The elements are formed from initially flat, unstressed spring material, and comprise two outer legs and a bridging portion integrally connecting them. By progressive coplanar relative displacement of the outer legs the bridging portion is deflected normally to the nominal plane of the element. Detection of this deflection enables attachment together of the outer legs to form a calibrated, inherently bistable blade element.

Abstract: A snap acting switch comprising an elongate cantilever mounted spring member having a contact portion, an electrically conductive element upon which the contact portion bears, and an actuator having surfaces intersecting at an angle, one of the surfaces bearing on the spring member. The switch is actuated by causing the spring member to approach and pass over the intersection of the surfaces, which causes the bearing pressure of the contact portion to increase before the snap action occurs.

Abstract: Modular electrical shunts for use in programming electric/electronic equipment are disclosed, comprising an electrically insulating, substantially rectangular housing having a plurality of electrically non-conducting walls, including a base wall having a pair of apertures in substantially mutually spaced relationship adapted to slidably receive male terminal pins, two end walls and two side walls. The housing further has an electrically insulating, substantially rectangular top cover bonded to the housing and having a pair of apertures corresponding in location to the apertures in the base wall of the housing, said cover being likewise adapted to slidably receive terminal pins passing through the base wall apertures. A pair of elongated, electrically conducting contacts are disposed within the housing and adapted for bias induced by the insertion of male terminal pins into the housing. In an alternate embodiment, a multitude of paired terminals are ganged in a single base.

Abstract: Modular electrical shunts for use in programming electric/electronic equipment are disclosed comprising a electrically insulating, substantially rectangular base having two end walls, an anchor pivot, a pair of parallel grooves adapted to slidably receive male terminals and a spring stop recess. An electrically insulating, substantially rectangular cover having a recess is bonded to the side of the base. A torsional spring contact is disposed between the base grooves adapted for torsional bias induced by the insertion of male terminal pins into the base grooves. In a second embodiment a bowed leaf spring contact, adapted for bias induced by the insertion of male terminal pins into the base, fits in the cover recess. Other embodiments relate to ganged shunts for selectively shorting combinations of male pins. The base and cover end walls may have horizontal grooves and bevelled edges on their external sides adapted for loading the shunt into a dispenser cartridge.

Abstract: A snap-acting mechanism such as a switch is constructed with a generally planar blade assembled between mutually spaced portions of a pair of members forming a base. The base includes means extending from one of the portions to the other which operate to stress the blade with precision to render it mechanically bistable as a result of the process of assembling the parts of the mechanism.

Abstract: A current activated actuator formed from a flat sheet of metal has diverging legs mounted in a base, the legs extending from an upper portion of the actuator. A snap action element is mounted on the upper portion and is located between spaced apart contacts. Overload current through one of the legs via a connection on the leg bottom causes the actuator to become vertically offset, moving the snap action element from contact with one of the spaced apart contacts to the other. Reset current through the other leg causes the snap action element to return to its original position.

Abstract: Disclosed are a switch structure and a calibration technique that facilitate the rapid and substantially automatic calibration of a switch of the type that responds to changes in an environmental parameter (e.g., a thermostatic switch). An abutment member (which will serve as the calibrated stop) is supported for preliminary movement with a switch movable member (e.g., a bimetallic arm) and is supported in a bracket which is capable of gripping the abutment member but which is initially prevented from doing so by the action of a member that stresses the bracket. The last-mentioned member is deformable (e.g., it melts) at a desired value of the environmental parameter, thereby resulting in the bracket gripping the abutment member (which then defines a stop for the switch's movable member).

Abstract: An ambient-compensated, current-actuated circuit breaker, adapted to be miniaturized. In one embodiment, the device has a movable spring arm with contact portion mounted on a base; a plural-legged, current sensitive monometallic element is mounted on the base with the legs joined at an upper end and spread apart to form a rigid structure, the current-sensitive element having a combined contact and latch portion at one end which engages the spring arm in a contact-closed position, the force of the spring arm being in a direction in which the current sensitive element is rigid. Upon heating a proper one or more of the legs by electrical current, the heated leg or legs elongate and move the upper end portion and latch portion in a direction to release the spring arm and open the contacts. An equal change in temperature of all the legs will not trip the latch.

Abstract: A snap-acting switch using a planar blade of resilient sheet metal which is stressed to an unstable condition such that with suitable stop members it will occupy two positions of stability. When motivated the blade will snap from one of the positions of stability to the opposite one. A pair of stop members (one or both of which may be electrical contacts) cooperate with the blade alternately as the latter changes in position. The stop members are displaced laterally from each other across the width of a resilient portion of the blade at or near one end thereof and are thus non-coaxial. The switch is an improvement of the switches shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,213,228, maintains high electrical contact pressure up to the point of snap, and exhibits little or no contact bounce.