Abstract: A circuit breaker switch is disclosed, including a rocker, an actuator, and a dielectric separator element. The rocker is positionable between a first on position and a second off position. The actuator element is coupled to the rocker such that it causes a first electrically conductive contact portion to move into contact with a second electrically conductive contact portion when the rocker is in the on position. The dielectric separator element is urged between the first and second electrically conductive contact portions in the event of excess current being passed between the first and second electrically conductive contact portions.

Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter has a pair of stationary contacts and a pair of movable contacts mounted in a housing. Also included is an electromagnetic coil mounted in the housing for generating an electromagnetic field. The interrupter also has a plunger and an armature, each slidably mounted at least partially within the electromagnetic coil. The armature can be magnetically driven by the coil against the plunger. A latch means is included for releasably holding the pair of movable contacts against the pair of stationary contacts. A fault detector can detect a fault in an electrical distribution system in order to actuate the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating the contents of a container having a base with a planar heat conducting surface of predetermined shape. The apparatus includes a planar heat radiating surface of the same predetermined shape and a planar support surface for supporting the container in a stable position such that the heat conducting surface overlies the heat radiating surface. The support surface has a vertical projection in the plane of the heat radiating surface which is not coextensive with the heat radiating surface at any point. A mechanism is provided for adjusting the position of the support surface relative to the heat radiating surface in a direction perpendicular to the latter. The adjustment mechanism includes at least three rows of recesses, the recesses of each row being arranged in an ascending pattern and the rows being circumferentially distributed at equal angular intervals, and at least three projections circumferentially distributed at the same equal angular intervals.

Abstract: A thermally and manually operable circuit breaker switch has a housing and first and second conductive plates mounted in the housing. This first plate has a first contact. A cantilevered bimetallic blade is mounted on the second plate and has a free end and a second contact. This second contact is mounted on the free end opposite the first contact. The switch also has a push button with a lateral isolating tab slidably mounted together in the housing. A spring is mounted in the housing for outwardly urging the push button and causing the tab to keep apart the first and second contacts. Also, included is a push rod slidably mounted in the housing transverse to the length of the bimetallic blade and aligned with its free end. Thus, depression of the push rod flexes the blade and separates the first and second contacts to allow the tab to keep the contacts apart.