Abstract: The invention is a spring return type aircraft ignition switch characterized by retainer plate (10) that includes a tab (12) that extends between a portion of the coil spring (20) and the wall (65) of the rotor body (60) to prevent the windings from the coil (20) from wedging from between the retainer plate (10) and the rotor body (60).

Abstract: An electrical switch mechanism which operates in response to predetermined deceleration and/or acceleration is especially adapted for use on board trains for brake assurance purposes. Switch contacts biased to a safe switching condition are actuated by an arm. A pendulum pivots a predetermined distance with respect to the vertical in response to a predetermined acceleration or deceleration. The arm is carried by the pendulum and may be mounted on a bracket plate such that the arm is set at a predetermined inclination with respect to the vertical. The arm actuates the switch contact only when the train reaches the predetermined acceleration or deceleration. The switch mechanism is vital in operation in that the safe switching state is maintained in the absence of actuation. By adjustment of the bracket and arm inclination, the mechanism can be set to respond to different selected accelerations and/or decelerations.

Abstract: A combination switching means of the lever type includes a lever having a double-shaft construction so as to permit an operational shaft to be extended through the inside thereof. A first switching means is actuated through a first tilting pivotal operation of the lever, and a second switching means is actuated through a second tilting pivotal operation of the lever in a direction perpendicular to the first pivotal direction. A third switching means is actuated through a twisting pivotal actuation of the operating shaft. A first constructional arrangement prevents an undesirable transmission of a specific displacement inherent in the first pivotal operation to the other switching means, a second constructional arrangement prevents an undesirable transmission of a specific displacement inherent in the second pivotal operation to the third switching means.

Abstract: A capacitance type contact switch has a conductive push button in the form of a bottomed cylinder which is slidably contained in first and second fitting members attached to a support plate. One end of a conductive spring member presses on the inside of a bottom portion of the push button to bias the push button toward the back of a front contact plate, while the other end of the spring member is in contact with a conductive seat member. An electrical circuit substrate contained in a switch case is connected to the seat member by means of a lead wire. Thus, electrical conduction may be provided between the contact plate and the electrical circuit substrate by means of the push button, spring member, seat member, and the lead wire. The switch is operated when a user touches the front contact plate to form a capacitance, the charging voltage of the capacitance being detected to control the switch in a manner known per se.

Abstract: In a high voltage ignition distributor having a plurality of removable spark plug terminals which, when mounted on the distributor, extend from the outside to the commutation cavity inside the distributor. The distributor includes means within the commutation cavity for aligning the removably mounted terminals in a prescribed manner.

Abstract: A device responsive to a pressure loss in a vehicle tire includes a housing held in the vehicle wheel and a sealed chamber supported by the housing and situated in the inner space of the tire. One wall of the chamber is a deformable diaphragm which constitutes a movable contact and which cooperates with a stationary contact arranged in the chamber. The chamber contains gas which is at least at atmospheric pressure. The spring force of the diaphragm, its configuration as well as the pressure in the chamber are coordinated with one another in such a manner that at normal tire pressures the diaphragm is maintained relatively close to the stationary contact, while in case of a drop of the tire pressure below a predetermined value the diaphragm moves away from the stationary contact. The latter has a lead which is accessible externally of the wheel for connection, for example, to a signalling circuit.

Abstract: A control unit responsive to axial movements of a motor shaft coupled to an actuator. The control unit provides torque and limit switches which are connected to disable the electric motor. The rotation of the output shaft of the actuator is used to operate limit switches in the control unit so that the motor will be deenergized when the actuator has moved to its full limit or when an excessive torque is encountered. Limits are established by connecting a counting mechanism to the electric motor output shaft. The actuator is controlled in first and second directions by first and second switches. A switch actuator is associated with each switch which is latched into position by the motion of the actuator members. The latch member prevents relative movement of the actuator until the motor direction is reversed, thereby preventing hammering and repeated actuation of said motor upon detection of the torque limit.

Abstract: An inertia switch resettably breaks an electrical contact upon a change in the momentum of the switch body above a predetermined level or upon inversion of the switch body. An inertia sensing pendulum detects momentum changes upon the switch body and upwardly moves an actuator shaft upon a momentum change above a level determined by a biasing mechanism. The actuator shaft is coupled to an electric contact mechanism, which resettably interrupts an electrical connection upon the upward movement of the actuator shaft. A moveable mass in a cylindrical cavity is coupled to the contact mechanism and causes the electrical connection to be broken in response to an inversion of the body. A reset mechanism coupled to the contact mechanism, reestablishes the interrupted electrical connection when manual force is applied to the reset means.

Abstract: A circuit board and a method of making same having a plurality of conductor lines wherein at least one portion of at least one line is superimposed over a portion of at least one other line to define at least one intersection. A substrate is provided of insulating material and a first insulating coating is applied to at least one side of the substrate. A first set of conductive nonintersecting lines is applied to the varnished coating and a coating of insulating varnish is applied on and around the conductive lines only in the vicinity of the intersection. A second set of nonintersecting conductive lines define the intersection with the first set by being applied onto the substrate. The circuit board may be used in a multiple circuit keyboard switch assembly. A conventional type pushbutton bridging contact array selectively interconnects conductor lines at particular switch sites.

Abstract: An ignition switch has contact plates held in a socket plate and with trip cams on the circumference of the socket plate. A switching wheel carries a plurality of contact springs, which abut on one side against a central contact and have contact arms switchable by means of the trip cams with respect to the contact plates. The contact springs also cooperate with a starter repetition lock. The central contact is in the form of a spherical shell segment and each contact spring has a spherical shell segment pressed with a prestressing force onto the spherical shell segment.

Abstract: An electric gas-switch includes a switching chamber that is divided by a partition into an arc chamber and an additional chamber with a central pin being located within the arc chamber. The pin is embraced at least partially by a stationary switch part which is surrounded by a coil through which is flowing a cut-off current. One end of the coil is connected with an annular intermediate electrode which surrounds the central pin at a distance within the region of its free end. In an on position the central pin is embraced, at least at its free end, by the movable switch part that is designed in the form of a nozzle.

Abstract: A switch hinge includes door and jamb leaves having aligned knuckles through which a hinge pin extends. The hinge pin is fixed firmly in position with respect to the knuckles of the door leaf, and within one of the knuckles of the jamb leaf it has an eccentric camming surface. The jamb leaf has a transverse bore that extends from the region of the camming surface in its knuckle to the opposite side edge of the leaf, and intermediate the ends of the bore the jamb leaf is further provided with a recess that opens solely out of its back face. The bore contains a push rod which is threaded through an actuator within the recess, and this actuator is located opposite to a switch that is mounted firmly on the back of the jamb leaf. A coil-type compression spring encircles the push rod within the recess and urges it toward the hinge pin with sufficient force to enable the actuator to depress the actuating element on the switch when the hinge is closed.

Abstract: An acceleration actuated switch is disclosed which is capable of distinguishing between random and brief acceleration forces on the one hand and sustained acceleration forces on the other hand. The device comprises a stationary electrical contact and a movable contact held in position by biasing means. Sustained acceleration forces in a particular direction will drive the movable contact along a fixed path to a position whereat the biasing means may bring the movable contact into proximity with the stationary contact thereby closing the switch. If the acceleration force is not in the proper direction or is not applied to the switch for a sufficient length of time, the biasing means will return the movable contact to its original position thereby maintaining the switch in an open condition.

Abstract: A mercury switch assembly adapted to be secured to an anterior horizontal surface of a patient and connected to an electrical alarm system. The assembly includes a pair of connected and enclosed chambers which contain a quantity of mercury which moves into contact with electric terminals that project into one of the chambers only when the switch assembly is displaced from horizontal by a predetermined degree of inclination. The assembly contains an elliptical shaped head chamber with lateral extensions connected to a deep rounded foot chamber by a narrow throat passageway. The mercury normally lies within the head chamber in the horizontal position, but establishes electrical connection between the terminals contained in the foot chamber when the tilt threshold of the assembly is reached. The foot chamber retains the mercury in contact with the terminals despite subsequent displacements of the assembly until the device is removed and inverted, thereby causing the mercury to return to the head chamber.

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiment of a current-carrying pneumatic spring disclosed, flow of electric current between external terminals on the cylinder member and piston rod member of the spring is provided by a contact element fixed on one of the members and carrying one or more contact faces which are resiliently biased into sliding engagement with an axially elongated face portion of the other member. Flow of electric current between the external terminals may thereby be provided over a range of positions or over all positions of axial movement of the piston rod member inward and outward of the cylinder cavity.

Abstract: A high tension vacuum switch, comprising two relatively axially movable switching contacts and two annular electrodes for shielding the open contacts from excessive electric field, in which each shield is associated and electrically coupled with a respective one of said switching contacts and projects slightly beyond the contact surface of said contact in the direction towards the other switching contact to provide the field-shielding effect when the contacts are open. At least one of the shielding electrodes is not directly connected electrically but is only capacitively coupled with its respective switching contact so as to add the advantage of much smaller overall dimensions for a switch of this kind.

Abstract: A sulfur hexafluoride interrupter structure uses sulfur hexafluoride at supercritical pressure and includes two spaced pistons of different diameters disposed on opposite sides of the contact arcing region. The pistons are connected to a source of biasing force such as a spring and assume a static position dependent on the opposing force of the spring and of the differential pressure on the pistons. During contact interruption the initial arc between the separating contacts produces a high pressure in the contact space which is transmitted to the differential pistons and causes the pistons to move quickly in order to move fluid through the separating contacts. The piston biasing spring is also charged as the movable contact moves toward a disengaged position. High pressure surges created due to the arc energy are thus absorbed during the opening operation and a considerable part of the operating force needed to open the contacts and to move fluid is derived from the arc energy.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for determining the quantity of particles present in a container. A sensor device is movably mounted in the container and is in contact with the particles. When the filling height in the container falls below a predetermined value, an electrical switch is actuated and emits a signal to an indicator. The sensor device comprises a flap fixed on an axle rotatably mounted in the container. A resilient element presses the flap against the quantity of particles and a cam is mounted on the axle. On rotation of the axle, the cam actuates the electrical switch.

Abstract: A power interlock switch for an appliance having a removable panel, the power interlock switch comprising a base mounted to the housing, first and second switch terminals mounted to the base, a leaf spring conductor mounted to the first switch terminal and deflectable into contact with the second switch terminal, and a pivotally mounted lever which is engaged by the removable panel and rotates to deflect the leaf spring conductor into bridging contact across the two switch terminals. One conductor of the appliance line cord is connected to one of the switch terminals via a clip and tab structure, and the other switch terminal is connected to electrical components of the appliance. A third terminal mounted to the base has tabs for connecting the other conductor of the line cord and an additional conductor completing the circuit. A cover is provided and clamps the line cord to the base for strain relief purposes.

Abstract: A switch activating hinge comprises two hinge leaves having aligned knuckles, a hinge pin fixed in a knuckle of the first leaf and extending into a knuckle of the second leaf for aligning the leaves for relative pivotal movement with respect to each other, and a switch in the knuckle of the second leaf adjacent the hinge pin. Means are provided on the hinge pin and the switch for operating the switch in response to relative pivotal movement of the hinge pin with respect to the knuckle of the second leaf.