Abstract: A cam-switch assembly is disclosed in which the individual cam-switches are individually adjustable with respect to the registering cams. The cam-switch assembly comprises a support bracket having at least two parallel end walls supporting a pivot rod and a cam shaft. The cam shaft functions to support a plurality of cams coaxially mounted thereon. A plurality of cam switches are provided with each cam-switch including a cam follower responsive to a respective cam for actuating the switch. A plurality of mounting brackets are pivotally mounted on the pivot rod with each bracket supporting a respective cam-switch by means of the pivot rod and properly positioned anchor which is an integral part of the mounting bracket. Each mounting bracket includes a cantilevered end formed in a U-shaped configuration with one leg of the "U" having a slot formed thereon for adjustably receiving a locking screw. The other leg of the U includes a threaded bore for securedly receiving a locking screw.

Abstract: An on-off switch comprising a contact element of conductive elastomeric material for establishing a current path between a pair of terminals, a movable member for imparting a compressing force to the contact element, and an actuator for actuating the movable member. When the movable member is actuated by the actuator to compress the contact element, the contact element is rendered electrically conductive to electrically connect the terminals with each other thereby turning on the switch.

Abstract: A unique, two-node sense circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a bridge comprised of resistance elements and a differential amplifier. The two-node circuit is suitably adapted to be arranged in an array comprised of a plurality of discrete bridge-amplifiers which can be selectively energized. The circuit is arranged so as to form a configuration with minimum power utilization and a reduced number of components and interconnections therebetween.

Abstract: An anti-theft alarm system employing a timer having a normally closed timer switch which opens automatically within a selected time interval after the timer is energized, a normally deenergized relay having a winding and a set of normally open contacts, an ignition switch, an electrically operated alarm, plurality of trigger switches connected in parallel which are normally open and a battery. First means connect the main switch, timer switch, trigger switch and winding in series across the battery; second means connect said main switch, the alarm and the set of contacts in series across the battery; and the timer is connected in parallel with the winding of the relay.

Abstract: A control device having a housing provided with a movable actuator and a rotatable selector shaft for positioning the actuator in relation to the rotational position of the shaft. An actuator driver is carried by the shaft and is operatively interconnected to the actuator to drive the same upon rotation of the driver by the shaft, the shaft and driver being axially movable relative to the actuator. The housing has a latching part cooperable with a latching part of the driver when the shaft is in a certain rotational and axial position relative to the housing whereby the shaft cannot be rotated relative to the housing until the shaft is axially moved from that certain axial position thereof to another axial position thereof to clear the latching part of the driver from the latching part of the housing and thereby unlock the selector shaft.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a security lock of the combination type for the ignition, hood and trunk compartments of an automotive vehicle. The proper sequential operation of a plurality of pre-selected push buttons associated therewith conditions the electrical system of the device to permit the conventional ignition key of the vehicle to be actuated to start the car engine, or to selectively operate switches to open the hood or trunk lid by means of solenoid latches. Each push button is provided with an arm which actuates a control shaft to a limited degree and is lockingly engaged by a lock bar to condition the electrical system to permit operation of the ignition key, or the trunk or hood switches when the proper sequential manipulation of the push buttons has been accomplished. When a single push button is actuated out of sequence, the lock bar is released and the entire system returns to a neutral condition.

Abstract: An electrical switch suitable for use singly or in tandem with other switches and/or with a variable resistance control. Each of the tandem switch housing sections defines a cavity and provides an annular bearing member rotatably supporting the periphery of a disk shaped switch actuator. The switch actuators close the cavities of the respective switch housing sections and each of the switch actuators carries a cam disposed near its periphery in an interference path with a contact spring biased between spaced projections on common contact means. The contact spring is provided with a pair of end members pivotally secured to the common contact means and a U-shaped section joined to the end members. The cam engages the bight portion of the U-shaped section for moving the legs of the U-shaped section into and out of engagement with first and second contact means disposed in each housing section.

Abstract: A device for utilizing energy stored in wave motion. A buoyant body on the water surface is anchored so as to permit free, unrestricted vertical movement when acted upon by a heaving wave. An energy collecting member connected to the buoyant body and including propeller blades is located at a depth where the water is not subjected to the vertical wave motion.

Abstract: An automatic headlight control circuit is disclosed which will serve to turn-on automobile lights in response to pulsed external signals such as ignition pulses. A delay circuit is provided which will cause the lights to be turned-off a predetermined period of time after the external signals to the control circuit have ceased. A delay of several minutes is accomplished using an emitter follower circuit.

Abstract: Plug-in circuit modules and a prewired panel are provided for constructing fully functional relay-type control circuits according to ladder diagram conventions. Plug-in modules include input converters for interfacing external switch devices to the relay equivalent logic circuitry, output converter modules for interfacing the logic circuitry to external load devices, relay contact equivalent modules, relay coil equivalent modules, and wire equivalent modules which can be used to effect certain circuit interconnections. The panel is prewired to interconnect module plug-in positions such that insertion of modules produces continuous electrical circuits across the panel much like a ladder diagram. Contact equivalent modules can be addressed to effectively link them to selected coil equivalent modules to establish a master-slave relationship.

Abstract: A trip mechanism mounts to either side of a disconnect switch to couple the rotatable crossbar thereon to a manually operable handle. The trip mechanism is symmetrical about a vertical plane with the result that it may be mounted to the disconnect switch for either left hand or right hand operation with little modification. A unique coupling arrangement between the trip mechanism and the manually operable handle facilitates installation and connection of the disconnect switch in enclosures of various types and sizes.

Abstract: An electric coil is coupled across a pair of normally closed electric contacts which are attached to two electric terminals. The contacts and terminals are supported by pockets in an insulating base member which also supports a bobbin upon which the electric coil is wound. Each terminal is supported within its pocket by a pair of spaced legs having projecting spurs which bite into the margins of the pockets and prevent the terminals from being withdrawn. An armature is pivotally mounted over one end of the coil, and an actuating arm is attached to the armature for opening the contacts in response to a predetermined amount of movement by an object in contact with the actuating arm. This energizes the coil by removing the short circuit around it and causes the armature to buzz until the coil is de-energized.

Abstract: A miniature switch assembly includes a switch housing having a cover and end plate and includes a plurality of switch operating rocker arms extending outwardly from the switch cover. Each of the operating rocker arms is rotatably movable between a first closed position and a second open position and includes a spring mounted in the base which biases a ball contactor thereon to selectively bridge a pair of conductor terminals mounted within the housing to complete the switch action. Each pair of the conductor terminals is secured to the end plate which in turn is secured to the switch cover to hold the switch assembly in assembled relationship.

Abstract: The switch unit, suitable for use in instances of emergency and also for a normal electrical shut-off and re-setting of a controlled system, features a snap-action electrical switch, as an example, a microswitch type control operated selectively (or jointly) by a pair of like end-anchored tension cables which have their inner ends connected to the unit's operating and re-set signal arm to trip the latter from a normal release position upon a tensioning of either cable by an attendant. The tripping of the arm causes it to operate the snap-action switch, and the arm is automatically locked in the tripped position thereof, having with said switch typically interrupted the electrical operation of the controlled system.

Abstract: An indefinite number of batteries is connected in parallel to provide current to share a load. Each individual battery current is compared to an average value to regulate each battery controller so that each battery supplies its share of the current.

Abstract: An electrostatically controlled electrical relay switch is disclosed which includes two chambers joined together by a constricted region therebetween. A conducting liquid, such as mercury, is positioned in one of the chambers and the movement thereof between the chambers is controlled by an electrostatic field. Electrical conductors extend into at least one of the two chambers so that when the conductive liquid is moved into a chamber, the electrical conductors therein are electrically coupled to one another. In an alternative embodiment, the movement of the conductive liquid between the two chambers acts as a means for switching fluid or a light beam. A dielectric fluid could be substituted for conductive fluid in the optical or fluidic switch. Also more than two chambers are possible. In the case of multiple chambers they may be grouped in a string each closest pair being separated by a constricted region or the chambers may be grouped around a single constricted region.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing having a bore with an opening and having a recess stop surface defined along the bore. A push button actuator is displaceable in the bore and projects through the opening so that it may be moved by hand between a non-actuated position to an actuated position. The push button includes a cross-bore or cavity with a lock bolt movable in the cavity and biased by a spring so that it engages with the stop surface when the push button is in a deactivated position. The housing also has a crossbore or recess containing a release member which has a push button end which is engageable from the exterior of the housing to displace the release member. In the locked deactivated position, the release member is engaged with the locking member so that the displacement thereof forces the locking member against its biasing spring to a position in which it is moved out of engagement with the stop surface so that the push button may be moved to an activated position.

Abstract: A two-stroke switch to be actuated by two stroke operations comprises a first stationary terminal, a second stationary terminal, a contact element of conductive elastomeric material for establishing a current path between the first and second terminals, and an actuating member provided with a moving terminal for imparting a compressing force to the contact element. When the actuating member is first manipulated to compress the contact element axially thereof, the contact element is rendered electrically conductive, and when the actuating member is secondly manipulated to further compress the contact element which is then enlarged radially thereof, the contact element may be electrically connected to the first and/or second terminals thereby turning on the switch.

Abstract: A limit switch construction is provided in which a first component is affixed to a first section of a housing and a second component is affixed to a second section of the housing. When the two sections of the housing are assembled, the components electrically engage one another and are encompassed by the housing. The first component includes a pair of stationary contact means and a third contact means selectively movable into electrical contact with either of said stationary contact means. The second component is provided with a plurality of terminals which are electrically connected to corresponding contact means of the first component when the housing sections are assembled. The contact means and terminals are located adjacent one of the side walls of the first and the second sections and the second housing section is provided with an elongated pocket for accommodating portions of the electrical leads extending into the housing and connected to the terminals.

Abstract: Power is fed from a pair of power supplies to each one of a plurality of load circuits through a distributed power switch. A plurality of switch means are each associated with a respective one of the load circuits for connecting it to one of the power supplies in a primary manner and to the other power supply in a secondary manner. Upon failure of its primary source of power, each switch means is effective for automatically connecting its load circuit to its secondary source of power.