Abstract: An electrical rotary switch having a housing formed of an electrically insulative material and including a plurality of fixed electrically conductive contacts therein. A rotatable contact is arranged to be rotated into a plurality of positions and includes electrically conductive means to electrically interconnect selected ones of the fixed contacts depending upon the rotational position of the contactor. A detent mechanism is located in the housing and comprises a generally planar, frame-like plate formed of a resilient material and having an opposed pair of elongated arms extending generally parallel to each other and interconnected adjacent their respective ends by cantilever arms. The cantilever arms form tapering cam surfaces which are adapted to engage diametrically opposed recesses in the rotatable contactor to establish the various rotational positions of the rotatable contactor. The decent plate is located within a recess in the housing.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector for flat multiconductor cable has a housing containing several, and preferably three, rows of openings on centers of 0.100 inch. The rows of openings are laterally aligned to each other so that aligned contact pins of a header may be inserted into the openings. Identical contacts are contained in each of the openings. The contacts contain wire piercing ends or tines which are laterally displaced from the center line of the contacts. The contacts are inserted into the openings with the contact tines displaced in one direction in a first row of contacts and in an opposite direction, such as 180.degree., on a second row of contacts. The lateral displacement between the centers of the contact tines from the center of the respective contact is equal to one-half of the spacing between the wires of the multiconductor cable.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic electrical connector comprising a pair of substantially identical body members releasably secured together to electrically connect plural electrical contacts of one member to respective electrical contacts of the other member and for maintaining such electrical connections while enabling the two connector members to be pivoted with respect to each other about a longitudinal axis through a predetermined angular range. The means for securing the two connector members together comprise a post and a recess on each body member aligned with the longitudinal axis to enable the post of one member to be readily snap-fit within the recess of the other member. Each of the two body members includes spaced-apart ribs which, when the two members are connected together, are interleaved to define plural internal spaces. Each space houses a pair of engaging contacts and is generally isolated from the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A connector structure for making electrical connection to a plurality of individual conductors contained within a flat wire cable has a plurality of fixed length flexible contact members assembled in parallel relationship in an insulation base. Each of the contact members has a nose portion at one end extending through the base and a piercing tail at the other end extending above the base and contained in a slot formed in a side extending from the base. A flexible connection region connects the piercing tail to the nose. The flexible connection region of each contact is bendable to accommodate a variable lateral spacing between the piercing and nose portions of each contact element. Alternatively, the contacts may be designed to bend in the same direction during installation. The central region of each contact is engaged by a contact locking plug which is frictionally held in the base.

Abstract: A slide switch is disclosed which is contained within a molded housing. The contact blade of the slide switch is pivoted at its center and is biased into sliding engagement with first and second spaced contacts by a spring pressing in the region of the pivotal axis of the sliding blade. Electrical terminals are connected to or are integral with the first and second contacts. A third contact or insulation pedestal is aligned in a row with the first and second contacts, with the center contact being slightly higher than the end contacts. When the pivot of the blade moves to either side of the central contact, the contact blade tilts on the central contact with a snap action during contact make and contact break with respect to the one or both of the end contacts, with arcs drawn to the very end of the tilting contact blade.

Abstract: A multiple-position slide switch having a detent member operative side-wise with respect to the path of movement of the sliding contact carrier of the switch to hold the carrier in a selected position. The detent member which is formed of material, preferably such as moldable plastic, having the power of recovering its initially produced durable or static shape when a deforming force or pressure causing it to be temporarily deformed is removed, is in the form of a flat member having a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending flexible struts which embrace therebetween an upwardly projecting knob of the slidable carrier, the inner edges of the struts and the outer surfaces of the carrier knob being complementally shaped to provide coacting surfaces which coact upon deflection of the struts to snap the carrier into its selected position.

Abstract: A pierce-type contact element for use with a connector for a multi-conductor flat cable having a plurality of parallel insulated round wire conductors, each contact element having a circuit connecting terminal and a bifurcated part nested within the connector. The bifurcated part provides a pair of sharply pointed tines the opposed inner edges of which are spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the wire conductor and act to slice through the conductor insulation to electrically engage opposite sides of the conductor wire. The tines are reversely bent to provide the same with parallel portions which are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis of the insulated conductor. The opposed inner edges of the tines are provided with sharply cornered cutting edges which respectively bite into and make contact with opposite sides of the conductor wire at two points spaced lengthwise of the wire.

Abstract: A slide switch designed for snap action operation thereof having a pivoted rocker arm engaging flexible elements of the insulated slide member of the switch. These flexible elements are formed of material, preferably such as moldable plastic, which has the inherent elastical power of recovering its initially produced durable shape when a deforming force or pressure causing it to be temporarily deformed is removed. The insulated slide member is provided with upwardly projecting lugs which embrace therebetween the pivoted lever arm by which they are outwardly deflected to store up energy for the snap action of the switch.