Abstract: A keypad with a contact element in a form of a contact pill for intermittent contacting of printed circuit board (PCB) contacts on a PCB, where the contact element includes a plurality of irregularly shaped electrically conductive particles, and where the contact element is connected to the keypad or to an element of the keypad.

Abstract: A cordless heating tool, including a housing, a battery coupled to the housing, a heat source, a control circuit for controlling power of the heat source, one or more reflectors mounted on the housing to focus radiant energy from the heat source toward a focal region, an opening in the housing for receiving an object to be heated in the focal region.

Abstract: A water resistant switch assembly comprises a sealed compartment, and an electrical switch within the compartment. The sealed compartment includes a housing defining a cavity that maintains the electrical switch therein, the housing having an upper opening and a lower opening. The sealed compartment further includes an elastomeric member sealing said upper opening, and a moldable member sealing said lower opening, whereby the electrical switch is sealed from the ambient. The elastomeric member is sufficiently flexible for moving a switch button of the switch within said cavity when the elastomeric member is pressed from outside the switch assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame having multiple openings for slidably receiving multiple airbag support assemblies. Each support assembly includes an airbag coupling member slidably disposed in a one of the openings in the frame for maintaining a spring member between the frame and the airbag device. The airbag coupling member has a coupling end protruding from a first side of the frame facing the airbag device for connecting to the airbag device. Pressing the airbag device towards the frame compresses the spring member therebetween. An electrical switch assembly is connected to the frame. The electrical switch assembly includes an electrical switch for a circuit. The electrical switch has a push button that continuously engages the airbag device when the frame is connected to the airbag device via an airbag coupling member, to maintain the electrical switch between the frame and the airbag device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame configured for supporting a vehicle airbag device. Support assemblies are movably connected to the frame. Each support assembly includes an airbag connecting member engaging a spring member. Pressing the airbag connecting member towards the frame compresses the spring member. An electrical switch assembly is connected to the frame. The electrical switch assembly includes at least one push button electrical switch for connecting to an electrical circuit. Pressing at least one support assembly a predetermined distance lowers a portion of the at least one support assembly towards the frame for urging a vehicle airbag device capable of being connected to a connecting end of each airbag connecting member, against at least one switch in the electrical switch assembly.

Abstract: A heating tool, including a housing having a handle, a heat source, a control circuit for controlling power of the heat source, one or more reflectors mounted in the housing to focus radiant energy from the heat source toward a focal region, an opening in the housing for receiving an object to be heated in the focal region, and a blower directing cooling air toward the reflectors and exiting the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame configured for supporting a vehicle airbag device. Support assemblies are movably connected to the frame. Each support assembly includes an airbag connecting member engaging a spring member. Pressing the airbag connecting member towards the frame compresses the spring member. An electrical switch assembly is connected to the frame. The electrical switch assembly includes at least one push button electrical switch for connecting to an electrical circuit. Pressing at least one support assembly a predetermined distance lowers a portion of the at least one support assembly towards the frame for urging a vehicle airbag device capable of being connected to a connecting end of each airbag connecting member, against at least one switch in the electrical switch assembly.

Abstract: A heating tool, including a housing having a handle, a heat source, a control circuit for controlling power of the heat source, one or more reflectors mounted in the housing to focus radiant energy from the heat source toward a focal region, an opening in the housing for receiving an object to be heated in the focal region, and a blower directing cooling air toward the reflectors and exiting the housing.

Abstract: A water resistant switch assembly comprises a sealed compartment, and an electrical switch within the compartment. The sealed compartment includes a housing defining a cavity that maintains the electrical switch therein, the housing having an upper opening and a lower opening. The sealed compartment further includes an elastomeric member sealing said upper opening, and a moldable member sealing said lower opening, whereby the electrical switch is sealed from the ambient. The elastomeric member is sufficiently flexible for moving a switch button of the switch within said cavity when the elastomeric member is pressed from outside the switch assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame configured for supporting a vehicle airbag device. Support assemblies are movably connected to the frame. Each support assembly includes an airbag connecting member engaging a spring member. Pressing the airbag connecting member towards the frame compresses the spring member. An electrical switch assembly is connected to the frame. The electrical switch assembly includes at least one push button electrical switch for connecting to an electrical circuit. Pressing at least one support assembly a predetermined distance lowers a portion of the at least one support assembly towards the frame for urging a vehicle airbag device capable of being connected to a connecting end of each airbag connecting member, against at least one switch in the electrical switch assembly.

Abstract: A switch device includes a contact member and a plunger that removably connects to the contact member. The contact member creates a first audible feedback sound in response to being placed in a first electrical state. Additionally, a switch device includes a compressible contact member including at least one removable electrical contact portion, and a movable member that removably connects to a center portion of the compressible contact member. The compressible contact member creates a first audible feedback sound in response to being placed in a compressed state by the moveable member and creates a second audible feedback sound in response to being uncompressed.

Abstract: A switching apparatus has a normally-open switching device comprising first and second normally-open switches and a normally-closed switching device comprising first and second normally-closed switches. The switching apparatus also has an actuator operable in conjunction with the switching devices such that: (a) in a neutral actuator mode the first and second normally-open switches remain open, and the first and second normally-closed switches remain closed, (b) in a first operation mode the actuator operates on the first normally-closed switch and the first normally-open switch, and (c) in a second operation mode the actuator operates on the second normally-closed switch and the second normally-open switch.

Abstract: A handheld heating tool has a pair of elliptical reflectors with the major axes of the ellipses being at an acute angle to each other and intersecting in a focal region including one focus of each ellipse. A pair of incandescent bulbs are mounted so that each bulb filament is at the other focus of one of the elliptical reflectors. Thus, radiant energy from both bulbs is concentrated at the focal region. This focal region lies in a channel at the front of the housing of the tool. An object to be heated lying in the channel receives radiant energy from the lamps and reflectors. A blower directs cooling air toward the reflectors and along different paths within the housing to exit through the channel. One such path is between the outside of the reflectors and adjacent reflector shields.

Abstract: A lighted pushbutton switch assembly has a printed circuit board in the bottom of a housing, with an LED mounted on the board. A switch operating plunger at the top rotates a ratchet and electrical contact member whenever the plunger is depressed. The contact member engages conductive paths on the top of the PC board and moves from path to path as it is rotated to change the state of the switch. A transparent light pipe over the LED transmits light through the plunger. The light pipe fits through the ratchet and is rotated by the ratchet to rotate the electrical contact member.

Abstract: A water resistant switch assembly as a housing and cover. A reed switch is in the housing is connected to electrical wires extending out of the housing through an elastomeric grommet that seals to the housing. A plunger is mounted for longitudinal movement in the housing and supports a magnet which can move closer to the reed switch in one direction of motion and further away from the reed switch in the opposite direction. An elastomeric boot is between the housing and cover and also over the end of the plunger, thereby sealing the interior of the switch assembly. The boot has a flexible portion adjacent to the end of the plunger so that the plunger can be moved by pressing on the boot. This moves the magnet toward the reed switch to actuate the reed switch, and a spring biases the plunger and magnet away from the reed switch when pressure on the boot is relieved.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly includes an electrical terminal, a push button, and a contact member adapted to be in electrical contact with the electrical terminal when the push button is compressed. The contact member has a first contact portion forming a first angle with a surface of the electrical terminal, and a second contact portion forming a second angle with the surface of the electrical terminal. The second angle is smaller than the first angle, and the second contact portion is adapted to slide on the surface of the electrical terminal when the push button is compressed.

Abstract: A switching apparatus has a normally-open switching device comprising first and second normally-open switches and a normally-closed switching device comprising first and second normally-closed switches. The switching apparatus also has an actuator operable in conjunction with the switching devices such that: (a) in a neutral actuator mode the first and second normally-open switches remain open, and the first and second normally-closed switches remain closed, (b) in a first operation mode the actuator operates on the first normally-closed switch and the first normally-open switch, and (c) in a second operation mode the actuator operates on the second normally-closed switch and the second normally-open switch.

Abstract: A lamp and switch assembly with an insulation displacement connector as an insulating base with a pair of wire receiving groups standing walls straddle each of the groups. A pair of insulation displacement connector members has a fixed end secured to the base and a movable end including an insulation displacement slot transfers to the groove. One of the connectors has a switch contact extension which is contacted by a switch contact member electrically connected to one of the lamps. Electrical contact is made to an external insulated wire by flexing the insulation displacement connector to engage the slot with a wire. A pair of opposed ears on the movable end of the connector engages the walls on the base to hold the slot in engagement with the wire.

Abstract: A lamp and switch assembly with an insulation displacement connector as an insulating base with a pair of wire receiving groups standing walls straddle each of the groups. A pair of insulation displacement connector members has a fixed end secured to the base and a movable end including an insulation displacement slot transfers to the groove. One of the connectors has a switch contact extension which is contacted by a switch contact member electrically connected to one of the lamps. Electrical contact is made to an external insulated wire by flexing the insulation displacement connector to engage the slot with a wire. A pair of opposed ears on the movable end of the connector engages the walls on the base to hold the slot in engagement with the wire.

Abstract: A switch has insulation displacement connectors on a connector portion of the switch body. Such an insulation displacement connector has two tines with an open-ended slot for receiving a wire transverse to the slot. When the wire is pushed along the length of the slot, insulation is displaced and there is electrical contact made with the connector. An insulating flap is hinged to the switch body for rotation between an open position, an intermediate catch position at an acute angle from the connector portions, and a latched position approximately parallel to the connector portion. Rotating the flap from the catch position to the latched position presses wires into the insulation displacement connectors. Each of the connectors has a generally keyhole-shaped opening for receiving the wire. The axis of the hinge between the flap and body is approximately parallel to the length of the wire in the connector and is integrally molded with the switch body and flap.