Abstract: An electrical, multi-directional manual switch. The switch includes a central, pivoting arm and a plurality of sub-miniature switches positioned about the arm. The compact configuration of the sub-miniature switches allows one or more of the switches to be activated simply by pivoting the arm. Moreover, a plurality of the sub-miniature switches may be activated substantially simultaneously by a single pivoting movement of the arm. This allows the switch to continue working, even if one or more of the sub-miniature switches should fail. Alternatively, the sub-miniature switches may be arranged in a variety of different configurations about the arm so that the arm will activate different sub-miniature switches when pivoted in a variety of different directions or when depressed.

Abstract: An electrical trigger switch for controlling current through a pair of main leads. The switch includes a guard, which physically protects the trigger button from being depressed accidentally, and also an electrical safety feature. Particularly in harsh environments, the mechanical protection afforded by the guard alone may be insufficient. The trigger button may be depressed unintentionally, causing accidental injury. Accordingly, the guard of the present invention includes an electrical safety switch. The safety switch moves from a safety state to an enable state only when the guard is pivoted upward to an armed position. Unless the guard is so pivoted and the safety switch is placed in an enable state, the safety switch will stay in a safety state, disabling the trigger button, even if the trigger button is depressed.

Abstract: An improved solenoid actuated switch assembly is retained within a housing made from insulating material having three generally parallel recessed passages. The solenoid actuator is retained within the center passage or recess and the parallel side recesses retain heavy duty contacts and blades. A passage between the recesses permits a compressible spring actuating arm laterally projecting from the solenoid recess to drive the contact blades in response to movement of the solenoid corepiece. A pivot arm and cam assembly cooperate to retain the corepiece in a first or second position following momentary actuation of the corepiece in response to a signal through the coil.

Abstract: An improved solenoid actuated switch assembly is retained within a housing made from insulating material having three generally parallel recessed passages. The solenoid actuator is retained within the center passage or recess and the parallel side recesses retain heavy duty contacts and blades. A passage between the recesses permits an actuating arm laterally projecting from the solenoid to drive the contact blades in response to movement of the solenoid corepiece. A pivot arm and cam assembly cooperate to retain the corepiece in a first or second position following momentary actuation of the corepiece in response to a signal through the coil.

Abstract: An annunciator for a solenoid includes a conductive probe which projects into the pathway of the solenoid core piece. Upon actuation of the core piece, the probe is engaged by the core piece to partially complete an electrical circuit to an external signalling device. The probe includes a lost motion contact to insure proper making and breaking of a circuit upon further movement of the core piece into engagement with the field piece.

Abstract: A multipole, double throw relay includes a base with a coil and armature mounted at the center of the base. A terminal block with an L-shaped cantilever contact blade is mounted on one side of the coil. The contact blade extends up and over the coil, passes through a contact blade lifter affixed onto the armature and projects between a pair of contacts associated with a contact block assembly mounted on the opposite side of the coil. Operation of the coil causes the lifter to engage and move the flexible contact blade. The lifter has a lost motion action that prevents contact flutter and provides for a more efficient switching operation.

Abstract: An improved two position control switch includes a spring biased pivoting armature with a projecting cantilever spring wire. The spring wire can be flexed in a direction transverse to the pivoting movement of the armature. The spring wire flexes to cooperate with a cam track thereby retaining the armature in one of two stable positions. Switching between positions occurs in response to pulse signals to the armature coil.

Abstract: An improved four-way switch operated by a single manual push button at the end of a control column includes an axially extending shaft mounted to pivot on a stud. The shaft and stud are retained within a housing. An elastomeric washer with a frusto-conically shaped center passage is affixed on the shaft and engages the housing to radially bias the shaft and thereby maintain the shaft in proper axial alignment. Contacts are attached to the shaft and engage selected contacts on the housing when the shaft is pivoted. Guide slots in the housing cooperate with the pivotal shaft to control the direction of pivotal movement of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved relay includes a bobbin or spool having dual flanges at each end which include slots for receipt of one leg of an L-shaped armature and core piece. The coil and bobbin assembly including the armature are mounted in a housing on contact pins molded in the base of the housing. An integral armature spring and moving blade contact is also mounted in the housing attached to the armature. One leg of the armature extends along the outside length of the coil and cooperates with a core piece within the spool to complete a magnetic circuit. Upon movement of the armature, the connected moving blade contact provides a wiping action of the movable contact against stationary contact pins thereby effecting efficient making and breaking of a circuit.

Abstract: An improved multiple-pole, miniature relay includes a housing with a coil, a core, an attached field piece, armature and armature return spring positioned therein. The armature engages a lifter which is restrained from movement within the housing except in a direction parallel to the axis of the core. The lifter is connected with a plurality of pivotal contact blades. One or both ends of the blades have contacts thereon adapted to engage with contact pins depending upon the mode of pivotal movement. Electric contact is maintained through the blades by mounting the blades upon additional contact pins.

Abstract: An improved spring leaf construction for relays includes a cantilever blade fabricated to cooperate with a tapered lead post. The end of the blade which is attached to the post includes a pair of parallel slits defining a bridging portion. The bridging portion is friction fitted over the post and tightly engages that post. Preferably, a tapered post construction is utilized in combination with the improved cantilever blade.

Abstract: A counter device includes an outer annular dial which may be set to a desired detent position to indicate, for example, the number of copies required from a copying machine. A push button positioned at a null position within the annular dial may then be depressed to operate a control circuit initiating operation of the copying machine and simultaneously engage the counter mechanism of the counter device. The push button then moves incrementally to register with the setting on the annular dial, whereupon the counter device automatically terminates operation of the copying machine by opening the control circuit and simultaneously resets the push button to the null position.The internal mechanism of the counter device includes a ratchet and pawl operated by an external drive from the copying machine. The ratchet and pawl are advanced in incremental steps to register with the preset detent position of the annular dial. The ratchet is then released and returned to its initial or the null position.