Abstract: A control for activating an electrical load, such as a lighting system, in a motor vehicle having an ignition system. A first voltage, inversely proportional to the frequency of the motor vehicle ignition pulses, is applied to the anode of a programmable unijunction transistor (PUT), and a fixed reference voltage is applied to the gate of the PUT. At low engine speeds, the PUT tends to conduct periodically, deactivating a relay which is operable to energize the motor vehicle headlights. At higher engine speeds, with a greater frequency of ignition pulses, the programmable unijunction transistor fires less frequently, or not at all, allowing the energization of the headlight relay and hence, the application of power to the headlights. Circuitry is also provided to energize the motor vehicle headlights, taillights and instrument lights in response to the activation of the motor vehicle windshield wiper motor and also in response to ambient darkness.

Abstract: A road vehicle electrical system includes a plurality of switches controlling remote loads. The system makes use of voltage sensitive control devices which are operated in synchronism to connect each switch to its load periodically via a conductor which is common to all the load/switch control circuits. A further common conductor conveys a control voltage signal in the form of a repeated staircase wave form to all the control devices. Analogue signal generators and detectors may also share the common conductor under the control of the same wave form generator.

Abstract: A coaxial switch including a switch body having a metallic walled recess therein and including one input (or output) coaxial line connection communicating with the recess and a plurality of output (or input) coaxial line connections also communicating with the recess. A switch operator including a connecting pin electrically coupled to the input coaxial connector is adapted to be switched between a plurality of positions with the connecting pin engaging one of the output coaxial connections at each position of the switch operator. At least one shielding member is provided which is mechanically operatively coupled to the switch operator and is moved by the switch operator to a position immediately adjacent and covering all of the output coaxial connections other than the one engaged by the connecting pin of the switch operator. Such a construction shields unused coaxial connections and prevents crosstalk.

Abstract: A latch for a circuit interrupter is provided wherein a movable member having a contact attached thereto is latched in a selected position by a spring member which is deflected by the movable member until a predetermined distance is exceeded at which time the spring member moves into a latching position with respect to a latching surface provided on the movable member. In its simplest form the latch uses a single piece of spring wire. As a movable member moves past, the spring wire moves aside and once the movable member has completely passed the wire, the wire springs back into place preventing the contacts from reclosing. A reset is provided which permits the contact arms to be closed by moving the spring member to one side. The disclosed latch is very fast acting, can be independently actuated for each phase, and can be positioned so as to not interfere with low current operation of the switching device on which it is employed.

Abstract: An elevator system including a transmitter-receiver arrangement for detecting mechanical damage to the elevator system, such as might be caused by an earthquake. A transmitter carried by the counterweight provides a signal for a remotely located receiver, as long as the counterweight moves within its normal vertical path. Movement of the counterweight outside of this path terminates the transmitter signal and a control device operated by the receiver modifies the operation of the elevator system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manually actuated switch of miniature size wherein a circuit path is completed between poles of the switch by a contact having independent cantilever beams contacting a respective switch pole. The contact is carried by a manually displaceable sliding element in the form of a carriage. Movement of the carriage causes wiping of the cantilever beams over a substantial length of the switch poles. To interrupt the circuit the sliding element is moved to an extreme position whereby one of the beams is slidably traversed off a corresponding switch pole and into abutment against a dielectric projection which prevents chatter of the disengaged beam. Detenting action for precise positioning of the slider element is accomplished by sliding at least one of the cantilever beams over an irregular surface of one of the switch poles.

Abstract: A combined headlight and windshield wiper switch in an automotive vehicle includes a sliding core which may be advanced outward from an off position into three sequential active positions. Four longitudinally directed ribbon shaped contact elements are spaced angularly about a circular contact bridge carried by the core. Each contact element engages the bridge at a different number of positions. The respective contact elements, in the order of the number of positions of engagement, are connected to the auto electrical system, parking lights, headlights, and windshield wiper motor.

Abstract: An uninterruptable power supply supplies a regulated output by utilizing a ferroresonant transformer. Two independent inputs are connected to the transformer; one input is connected to a commercial AC line signal source, the other input is connected to a battery energized static inverter circuit. The AC line source normally supplies the output power. A phase control system monitors the phase of the regulated output signal and constrains the static inverter to run in phase with the output. The phase and magnitude of the AC line signal are monitored. If the magnitude of the AC line drops significantly, the static inverter is constrained to operate in phase with the AC line signal wherein the inverter and AC line both share to contribute power to the output load. If the AC line signal fails, the static inverter operates independently and supplies all of the output power to the load.

Abstract: A spring contact switch for a printed circuit board includes a flexible spring contact member affixed to a circuit board at one end and operatively available at an opposite end and an electrical component affixed to the circuit board with a lead member forward for contact by said flexible spring contact member.

Abstract: The arrangement includes at least one upper and one lower cooperating sensor element, each comprised of a naked electrically conductive portion adjoining the corresponding portion of the other and together defining an interelectrode gap. The naked portions are exposed to precipitation. The naked conductive portion of the lower sensor element is comprised of upwardly projecting teeth having pointed ends closely adjoining the naked conductive portion of the upper sensor element. Water droplets occupying the interelectrode gap will tend not to cling to the electrically conductive portion of the lower sensor element because of the pointed configuration of the ends of the upwardly projecting teeth.

Abstract: An anti-static keylock assembly includes a keylock device having a rotatable locking element; an adapter formed of a plastic material interlocked with the keylock device; a terminal assembly formed of a plastic material interlocked with the adapter; and a rotor assembly formed of a plastic material positioned within the terminal assembly and having a shaft interlocked with the locking element of the keylock assembly. A plurality of terminals extends outwardly from the terminal assembly with one of the terminals being centrally located and rotatably supporting a rotor contact which is attached to the rotor assembly. The remaining terminals are circumferentially positioned about the center terminal. Rotation of the keylock assembly effects rotation of the rotor contact and thus changes the electrical connections between the terminals.

Abstract: An attachment for a vehicle switch is provided in which a switch knob and decorative cover on the dashboard of a vehicle can be removed and replaced with a new decorative cover and knob incorporating a switch. This allows a separate electrical switch to be actuated simultaneously with the vehicle switch so that, for instance, actuation of the windshield wipers switch will simultaneously turn on the headlights of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interval timer for use in traffic control, industrial process control, or other interval timing applications includes a gated pulse generator.

Abstract: A direct replacement for mechanical relays without requirement for modification of associated circuitry and circuit connections. A standard relay base having a standard relay pin configuration is utilized for mating with a standard relay socket connected to the associated circuit. A control circuit is mounted on the base and connected to the relay pins and the base. A cover is provided which fits over the base and contains the control circuit. The cover has externally accessible cover terminals mounted therein connected to the control circuit. A remote heat sink is provided for mounting remotely from the relay base and socket for carrying a solid state triac device having a gate and first and second main terminals connected by electrical conductors to the cover terminals. The control circuit is configured to receive a command input signal and a power input signal. The command input signal enables the control circuit, so that the power input signal provides a trigger output coupled to the triac gate.

Abstract: An interphase support shaft is offset with respect to the rotation point to permit the shaft weight to serve as a counterbalance to the switch blade by locating its weight at a distance from the pivot point.

Abstract: A plurality of contacts, each comprising two electrodes, are arranged beh a plate to be used as a touch pad in a swimming competition timing device. Closing of a contact results in a signal being transmitted from a transistor to control electronic chronometric equipment. The contacts are connected in parallel and are coupled between the emitter and base of the transistor. The voltage across the contact is thereby held to the base-emitter voltage of the transistor, which is below the decomposition voltage of the electrodes. In a second embodiment, contacts are connected to either of two transistors which are in series to act as an "OR" circuit.

Abstract: A switch cartridge wedgingly retains an electrical terminal structure having a terminal housing with a hollow interior which receives a threaded fastener and a terminal. The threaded fastener carries a pressure plate which is restrained against rotation and translated toward the terminal upon tightening of the fastener within the terminal housing. A wire is inserted into the terminal housing and firmly held between the pressure plate and the terminal by tightening the fastener thereby making a direct wire to terminal contact.

Abstract: Two sources of current are applied to a load. One source supplies a constant current which is at least equal to the maximum current to be supplied to the load in one polarity. The second source is in opposition to the first source and is capable of being controlled from zero to a value at least double the value of the constant current. A voltage feedback circuit in combination with a bipolar control signal provides a bipolar voltage across the load having maximum positive and negative voltage excursions equal to the control signal times the feedback circuit gain and current in either direction having a maximum value substantially equal to the constant current value. In this manner a high voltage regulated bipolar voltage can be controlled across a load using one controlled unipolar device while providing class A operation, that is, without cross-over distortion. An important feature of the invention is the positive and negative limiting of both load voltage and load current.

Abstract: A double-throw rocker switch having a selectively shiftable lockout member which when shifted to one lateral position allows depression of only one end of the rocker button and when shifted to the opposite lateral position allows depression of only the other end of the rocker button. This lockout member is secured to the center of a mounting shaft having pushbuttons at its ends and this shaft is mounted to the switch housing for limited lateral sliding movement sufficient to shift the lockout member, this shaft serving also as a pivot pin for the rocker button and the contact actuator. This selective lockout may be used in a tool reversing application where plugging of the motor could be hazardous.

Abstract: The timer has switches including upper and lower passive blades and an active blade therebetween. The distal end of the lower passive blade has depending spacers which straddle the cam upon which the follower on the distal end of the active blade rides. The spacers reference the lower passive blade off the hub of the drum type program cam. The lower passive blade is provided with a rest or stop for the upper passive blade limiting downward movement of that blade. With precision molding, both passive blades are accurately referenced from the cam hub and the location of the follower which actuates the active blade is precisely located. Accuracy of switching is increased without increased precision in manufacture. Use of two cam tracks permits simultaneous actuation of the active and "passive" blades to effect faster switching. It is possible to provide a "make-make" arrangement instead of the double throw arrangement.