Abstract: A collapsible contact arm drive link arrangement for a circuit breaker operating mechanism has a pair of upper links for receiving the circuit breaker operating mechanism and a lower link for receiving a circuit breaker contact arm carrier at one end. Intermediate the upper links and the lower link, a scissors link, which is connected with the upper links and lower link, allows the lower link to move from a first position (e.g., closed) to a second position (e.g., tripped). The movement occurs upon the application of a force on the lower link in excess of a predetermined force that is applied to the upper links.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a flow control vertical switch for starting and stopping electric pump motors and being controlled by the level of a liquid using the flow of the liquid being moved to hold the switch in a switched position until the sump is depleted. The invention consists of a collar, a shaft rotatably mounted on the collar, a float arm having a magnet and a float mounted on the collar and a switch housing affixed on the collar above the magnet. A flow arm mounted on the shaft and located in the stream flow retains the magnet in switching position until the fluid stops running.

Abstract: A mechanical shut-off and bypass assembly for controlling operation of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner includes a switch movable between on and off positions. A toggle member is pivotably mounted with respect to the switch and is movable to operate the switch between the on and off positions. A user operated actuator mechanism engages and manipulates the toggle member to actuate the switch. An automatic shut-off mechanism engages and manipulates the toggle member, independent of the user operated actuator mechanism, to move the switch to the off position when the liquid level in the vacuum cleaner tank reaches a preset shut-off level. The user operated actuator mechanism is operable in a bypass mode, in which the toggle member is manipulated so that the switch moves to the on position, thereby counteracting the shut-off mechanism.

Abstract: A layered structure for a keyswitch includes a lower flex circuit layer, an upper flex circuit layer and a spacer layer therebetween. A plurality of projecting flanges are arranged radially and extending from through holes formed in the spacer layer. The flanges may be placed on the lower surface of the upper layer, the upper surface of the lower layer or on the spacer. The flanges separate the spacer and the flex circuit layer such that air passages are formed between each two adjacent flanges, so that a vacuum sucking effect is substantially prevented.

Abstract: Electrical switchgear for receiving either a vacuum circuit breaker or a dummy element and including a levering-in assembly with a positional interlock bar that is operated by a levering-in block in the levering-in assembly and by a finger on the dummy element. Access to the levering-in device is blocked when the source breaker is in the connect position. A key to unlock the access is obtained by levering the source breaker or a dummy out to the test position and locking it in that position or by levering a dummy element to a connect position and locking it in that position.

Abstract: A DC contactor has stationary and movable contacts. A magnet is rotatably mounted adjacent to the stationary contact within a self magnetic field produced by the flow of electric current in the stationary contact. The magnet rotates so that its magnetic field extends around the stationary contact in the same direction as the self magnetic field. When an arc forms between the stationary and movable contacts, interaction with the self magnetic field and the magnetic field drives the arc toward an adjacent extinguishing chamber.

Abstract: A control unit has an electronic control device that includes a base board on which a plurality of elements, including a microcomputer containing an automatic transmission program, are disposed. The electronic control device includes an integral neutral start switch connected to the microcomputer. The neutral start switch also includes a rotor and contact-type switches operated by rotation-of the rotor. The base board and the rotor are disposed in a case and are substantially parallel to each other at opposite sides of an intermediate wall formed in the case. The base board is separated from the contact-type switches by the intermediate wall to prevent communication of oil or metal dust from the contact-type switches to the base board.

Abstract: A socket device has an upper casing, a lower casing coupling with the upper casing, a copper plate disposed in an interior of the socket device, two conductive devices disposed in the interior of the socket device, and one or more switch devices inserted in the upper casing. The upper casing has a number of through holes, a number of receptacles, a number of upper clamp bars, and a number of upper separation plates. Each upper clamp bar has a distal notch. Each receptacle has two slots. The driven plate is inserted in the respective through hole. The lower casing has a number of lower clamp bars, and a number of lower separation plates. Each lower clamp bar has an end notch.

Abstract: A contactor safety combination includes two contactors and a mechanical interlocking module coupled between them. It is possible to use conventional contactors of any size, i.e., even high-capacity loads are switchable with the contactor safety combination of the present invention. At the same time, this design approach dispenses with a third contactor conventionally used for the interlocking.

Abstract: A sliding element fixing structure for an electrical component comprising a sliding element formed of a metallic plate having tongues found in its base segment and a holding member to which the sliding element is fixed. The holding member has a flat surface and a bulged-out segment positioned and arranged below the flat surface. The base segment of the sliding element is mounted on the flat surface of the holding member with the end segments of the tongues engaging the lower part of the bulged-out segment which fixes the sliding element to the holding member.

Abstract: An improved switch design with power cable locking capability. A lower housing has at one end of its internal sides a receptacle for a power cord fitting in it firmly. At its other internal side, a passage is provided between two deflectors for two ends of a sheared power cord, with each cord end being bent round in order to hold them in the receptacle firmly. Blade/leaf conductors are provided which have a convex end and an elastic design so that when the upper and the lower housings are assembled together, the convex end of the blade/leaf conductors will contact with the copper switching conductor on the switching wheel. The switch design provides reliable electrical conduction, prevents breakage and electrical leakage, and provides a secure electrical connection even in the case of an applied foreign force.

Abstract: A foot pedal switch for manually operating a medical diagnostic apparatus has a switch housing and a switching rocker with a neutral position that can be rotated around a rotational axle, with the rotational axle projecting from the housing such that it forms a bearing point of the foot pedal switch with its free end. The switching rocker is angled twice, and the axle has a semicircular outer region, so that, viewed laterally, a central rectangular surface of the switching rocker is secured on the straight surface of the rotational axle in a horizontally oriented fashion, while two lateral switching surfaces, which are rounded in front, project upwardly.

Abstract: A silicon switch is provided. A silicon member biases a contact into abutment with an opposing contact located on a substrate such that a normally closed switch is provided. A plunger is provided which has an axis that extends along the axis of the two contacts. The plunger is secured by the silicon member in such a way that pressure on the plunger causes the switch contacts to open. When pressure is released, the bias built into the silicon member pushes the contacts back together. The switch is intended for use in a pen, for example in a white board application, where pressure of the pen to a marking surface forces the plunger upwardly into the pen and thus opens the switch contacts.

Abstract: A device for turning an electric motor on and off implements an expedient instantaneous turn-on or turn-off switching operation in which contact bridges are released for closing or pushed open by means of a spring-operated over-center device. Pivoting elements are rotated by means of the switching slide via their articulated legs such that, when the dead-center position, which is located between the axes of the pivoting elements, is overcome, one pivoting element axis is shifted in a quick-action motion. As a result of the contact bridge control levers, which are provided in different angular positions on the respective pivoting elements, a sequential switching of two contact bridges can be implemented such that initially the first contact bridge and then the second contact bridge are released for closing under the action of the contact closing spring while for opening initially the second and then the first contact bridge may be pushed open in opposition to the contact closing spring.

Abstract: The present invention is a membrane switch. The membrane switch includes a switch assembly having a switch frame coupled to the switch assembly. The switch frame is sandwiched between various layers of the membrane, thus holding it in place. The lower surface of the membrane is coated with an adhesive. Once installed in an electronic device, the adhesive layer secures the membrane as well as the switch assembly in place. The adhesive layer serves to form a waterproof barrier between the membrane and the switch assembly.

Abstract: The invention describes a switch, preferably a steering column switch, provided with an actuating member moved across the contact sections rigidly connected to the housing in a substantially pushing way. It is the object of the invention to provide a steering column switch which, being of a small-sized design, permanently provides for good contact making between the contacts to be interconnected. This problem, in the practice of the invention, is solved by ramps raising the contact bridge in the transitory area. Advantageous embodiments refer to the design of the ramp of the conductor bank and of the contact bridge.

Abstract: An assembly and associated method are provided for use with the stationary and moveable contact sub-assembly portions of a vacuum interrupter. This assembly employs a groove machined circumferentially into an electrode of the sub-assembly in conjunction with a retaining ring apparatus having a first portion inserted into the groove. A second portion of the retaining ring provides stable structural support to components stacked onto the retaining ring apparatus. The components are clamped together and brazing material is placed across junctions between and among the individual vacuum interrupter components. Methods for constructing a vacuum interrupter sub-assembly in conjunction with brazing processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Switchgear is provided that includes a housing enclosing electrical components having switch blades that establish visible open gaps in an open position. The switchgear includes an array of operating controls and viewing provisions to observe the open switch blades. The operating controls and viewing provisions are accessible from a first direction and are arranged at a first area of the housing while cable interconnection provisions are accessible from a second direction and are arranged at a second area of the housing. Thus, operating personnel can utilize the viewing provisions and the operating controls without being exposed to the area of the cable interconnections. In one specific arrangement, an array of operational displays is provided, with the displays overlying the viewing provisions and being movable to permit use of the viewing provisions. In a preferred arrangement, the switchgear includes multi-pole switchgear assemblies which are assembled from individual pole-unit assemblies.

Abstract: Microswitches, mounted in a compartment and molded housing of a circuit breaker separate from the compartment in which the circuit breaker mechanism is mounted, are actuated to indicate the operating status of the circuit breaker by cascaded first and second actuating members. The first actuating member bears against a cam surface on an operating member of the circuit breaker where the cam surface actuates the microswitches through the first actuating member when the operating member is in the off position. The second actuating member engages a cradle of the circuit breaker and actuates the microswitches through the first actuating member when the cradle is unlatched.

Abstract: A protective cover for a computer mouse made of an elastic, flexible material. The material, having a cupped shape, stretches over the top and sides of the mouse, held firmly in place by the elastic action. The bottom of the mouse is left open for proper use. In order to maintain functionality of the mouse buttons, the material is relatively thin. Various indicia may be provided on the cover, which may be transparent or any of a variety of colors. The cover may also be provided with various textures for tactile and aesthetic enhancement.