Abstract: A simplified retractable knob in which an actuating element can be displaced axially with respect to a bearing element with or counter to the force of a coiled spring. A latching element is integrated into the coil spring, which is guided in a guideway having at least a rest position and an actuating position of the actuating element.

Abstract: A switchgear and control unit with a communications capability is provided that includes a bus system with a power bus, and can easily be expanded allowing connection to the power bus with protection against direct contact. The switchgear and control unit is provided with a modular support having an integrated, modular bus system. Connections to a power bus section are arranged in a guide shaft.

Abstract: A distributor cap adaptor that secures an after market distributor cap adaptor to a distributor. The distributor distributes high voltages to spark plugs in an internal combustion engine. The after market distributor cap having a terminal distance diameter that is 15% greater than a conventional distributor cap. The connection of the after market distributor cap to a body of the distributor cap adaptor provides an improved insulation value that substantially eliminates ignition cross fire in the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A contact system having a two-armed contact arm equipped at its opposite ends with contact pieces that can be brought into and out of contact with corresponding contact pieces of stationary busbars. The contact arm is mounted rotatably on a central bearing axis using an elongated hole, the two lever arms being acted upon by contact force springs that brace with one end against a switching shaft or a switching shaft segment. To provide a uniform contact pressure in the presence of differing wear of the contact pieces, the elongated hole extends in a direction that differs substantially from the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the contact arm and substantially from the longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal action direction of the contact force springs extends neither perpendicular to the longitudinal axis nor perpendicular to the extension direction of the elongated hole.

Abstract: A multilayered structural element which is useful for forming housings for electronic devices such as cellular telephones. The multilayered structural element has sequentially attached layers: (a) thin, flexible polymeric outer film layer, (b) an electronic interface layer, the electronic interface layer comprising a thin, flexible polymeric film layer having a pattern of electrically conductive lines on at least one side thereof; (c) a rigid structural layer; (d) an electromagnetic interference shielding layer; and (e) an optional protective layer.

Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear of the present invention, a plurality of disconnect switches are provided on a line connecting a bus line to a circuit-breaker in such a manner as to be arranged in both a main bus unit, a breaker unit or in both a first and second insulating gas sections. Accordingly, when an inconvenience occurs in the gas insulated switchgear apparatus and the exchange work of a unit is required, it is possible to exchange the inconvenient damaged unit only by turning the circuit including the inconvenient damaged unit into power supply interruption, that is, without turning a normal circuit unit into power supply interruption.

Abstract: A moving member 20 for operating a contact mechanism is provided in a body case 12 in such a manner as to be movable in its projecting and retracting direction. A rubber-made waterproof cap 23 is provided on a front portion of the body case 12 in such a manner as to cover the moving member 20. When a door 31 is closed, the moving member 20 including the rubber cap 23 is pressed by the door 31 to turn off the contact, whereas when the door 31 is opened, the pressing force is canceled to turn on the contact. A distal wall portion of the rubber cap 23 is formed of a low-friction member to form a low-friction portion 23b. Consequently, contact surfaces of the rubber cap 23 and the door 31 are formed as low-friction surfaces, and contact surfaces of the rubber cap 23 and the moving member 20 are also formed as low-friction surfaces.

Abstract: The locking device comprises a first member disposed adjacent a toggle switch wall plate to pass a switch arm therethrough and having a first longitudinal slot of predetermined length along a given side thereof; a second member to pass the switch arm therethrough, to slide within the first member from an “ON” position to an “OFF” position and vice versa in step with the switch arm and having a lever extending out of the first longitudinal slot; and a third member disposed to cover the first and second member and to pass the switch arm therethrough, the third member having a second longitudinal slot along the side thereof adjacent the given side and coextensive with the first longitudinal slot and a detent disposed in the second longitudinal slot to lock the lever and, hence, the switch arm in a selected one of an “ON” position and an “OFF” position.

Abstract: A toggle switch (1), notably a window regulator switch in a motor vehicle, comprises a switch housing (2) in which a spring-biased toggle lever (12) is arranged in at least one switching limit position and a dead-center position. The toggle lever (12) comprises at least one switch-operating lever portion (25) that actuates at least one switching assembly (20), the toggle lever (12) featuring a center projection in which a spring-loaded catch unit (18) is fitted which interacts with a cam curve (9) contingent on the position of the toggle lever (12). To reduce the overall volume of the switch housing (2) and compensate for construction-related tolerances, the switch housing comprises a receiving part (5) that is integral with it, in which the toggle lever (12) is fitted, and in which at the same time the cam curve (9) is integrated, with the receiving part (5) enclosing the at least one switching assembly (20) and the at least one switch-operating lever portion (25).

Abstract: In a high-voltage circuit breaker, in particular having three poles, each circuit-breaker pole having at least one interrupter unit whose actuatable switching contact can be actuated by a joint actuating mechanism via a switching rod so that in the event of a closing operation there is a time delay at least between the closing of the interrupter units of two circuit-breaker poles. The switching rods of the second and/or third circuit-breaker pole are connected to the actuating mechanism via spring elements that are compressible in the event of a closing operation and expand after contact has been made.

Abstract: A Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) switch (100) having a bottom electrode (116) formed over a substrate (112) and a thin protective cap layer (130) disposed over the bottom electrode (116). A dielectric material (118) is disposed over the protective cap layer (130) and a pull-down electrode (122) is formed over the spacer (120) and the dielectric material (118). The protective cap layer (130) prevents the oxidation of the bottom electrode (116). The thin protective cap layer (130) comprises a metal having an associated oxide with a high dielectric constant. A portion (132) of the thin protective cap layer (130) may oxidize during the formation of the dielectric material (118), increasing the capacitance of the dielectric stack (128).

Abstract: A switch device includes a base, an operating plate depressed so as to be displaced from a neutral position to a proximity position where the operating plate is in proximity to the base, a first movable member disposed between the base and the operating plate and having a first pivot shaft which extends along the operating plate and about which the first movable member is caused to pivot when the operating plate is depressed, a second movable member disposed between the base and the operating plate and having a second pivot shaft spaced from and extending in parallel with the first pivot shaft, the second movable member pivoting about the second pivot shaft when the operating plate is depressed, the first movable member pivoting upon pivot of the second movable member, a switching element disposed on the base, and a switch operating section disposed on the first movable member for switching a state of the switching element when the first movable member pivots.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for use in for example a rope switch. The mechanism comprises a switch which is actuable to switch between first and second conditions, for example to turn on and off kinetic machinery. A cam follower actuates the switch, the cam follower bearing against the surface of a rotatably mounted cam. An actuator member is displaceable relative the cam and a linkage is provided between the actuator member and the cam such that displacement of the actuator member from a predetermined position causes the cam to rotate and actuate the switch. The linkage comprises a lever mounted on a pivot that is displaced with the actuator member, the lever co-operating with a surface of a stationary cam such that displacement of the actuator member causes the lever to pivot and rotate the rotatable cam.

Abstract: A key panel includes a key panel configuration having a number of switch locations arranged in a pattern so as to define an aspect ratio for the key panel configuration. A strip of switch material having an aspect ratio that is greater than the aspect ratio of the key panel configuration and having a number of switches that is at least equal to the number of switch locations for the key panel configuration is provided with at least one fold therein so as to arrange the number of switches on the strip of switch material in the pattern defined by the key panel configuration.

Abstract: A foot actuated pneumatic switch for use in association with food-equipment such as mixer-grinders. The switch includes a u-shaped compressible pedal and a hemispherically shaped rubber actuator. The operator applies pressure to the pedal thereby depressing the actuator and initiating operation of the equipment. The pedal operates by means of a spring-like operation which enables the pedal to return to its static position when the pressure on the pedal is removed.

Abstract: A key panel comprises a key pad having a number of key sites provided thereon that define an aspect ratio for the key pad. A strip of printed wiring material is positioned adjacent the key pad. A number of switch contact sites provided on the strip of printed wiring material define an aspect ratio for the strip of printed wiring material that is greater than the aspect ratio of the key pad. The strip of printed wiring material is provided with at least one fold therein so that each of the number of switch contact sites provided on the strip of printed wiring material is generally aligned with a corresponding one of the number of key sites provided on the key pad.

Abstract: An operation device is provided with an outer support section 1c which projects towards an outer face of a button 1, an inner support section 1e which projects towards an inner face of said button 1, a maintaining section 5b which is provided on a decorative front panel 5 and which maintains said outer support section in free rotation, a maintaining section 3a which is provided on a button depression member 3 and which maintains said inner support section 1e in free rotation and a flange 1b which is provided continuously on the outer edge of the aperture of the button 1. Thus it is possible to provide a smaller device than the conventional example while maintaining the rigidity of the outer support section 1c. A smaller button 1 and smooth see-saw operation can be realized as well as reductions in escaped light.

Abstract: An elevated neutral base for switches forming an open space for positioning of insulated electric wires.

Abstract: An electrical device, in particular a car radio, which requires less manufacturing outlay. The electrical device includes a display device and operating control elements. A transparent panel is provided, in front of which is arranged the display device. The panel has a contact strip with connection contacts for the display device. Arranged on the panel are contact surfaces, which are able to be contacted via the operating control elements. The contact strip has connection contacts for the contact surfaces.

Abstract: A low-voltage limiting circuit breaker comprises a stationary contact part and a movable contact part itself comprising a support pivoting around a fixed axis between a closed position and an open position, a contact finger pivoting around a fixed axis between a non-repelled position and a repelled position, and a bistable device comprising a spring arranged between the support and the finger. When the finger is positioned in its repelled position and the support pivots from its closed position to its open position, it drives the finger to its non-repelled position. A part of the energy necessary to pass the dead point of the bistable device is provided by a spring which urges the support to its open position only at the beginning of opening, which enables the opening spring of the circuit breaker not to be overdimensioned.