Abstract: A rotary switch containing fuse capabilities. An electrical contact disc is rotatively mounted in a housing. A handle assembly is mounted to the electrical contact disc and rotates therewith, and is replaceably mounted in the housing so as to allow the handle assembly to be removed from the housing and prevent inadvertent operation of the rotary switch. A pin extends in the handle assembly and a fuse retainer and engages a horse shoe clip, and in doing so, axially movably attaches the fuse retainer to a fuse-holding disc. The pin then extends in a bushing. A pair of blind slots in the pin engage a hair pin clip, and in so doing, the handle assembly can rotate relative to, but cannot be removed from, the housing, unless the pin is rotated 90 degrees, which would orientate the pair of through slots out of engagement with the hair pin clip.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for a multi-pole electrical distribution circuit includes a cassette associated with each pole in the multi-pole electrical distribution circuit. Each cassette includes a housing, a pair of electrical contacts disposed in the housing, and a thermal and magnetic trip unit supported by the housing. The housing includes a first compartment having the electrical contacts disposed therein and a second compartment having at least a portion of the thermal and magnetic trip unit disposed therein. A wall separates the first and second compartments for isolating the second compartment from gasses generated by separation of the first and second contacts. A duct adjacent to the second compartment allows the gasses to pass to an exterior portion of the housing. The housing includes a pair of opposing slots formed therein for receiving edges of a load terminal.

Abstract: A lever switch has a housing with an opening, a slider slidably accommodated in the housing, and a lever engaged with the slider for causing sliding of the slider and projecting from the housing via the opening. A cover is mounted to the housing to cover the opening. A knob is mounted to and surrounds the lever and has a base end portion that faces the cover and through which the lever extends. One of the cover and the base end portion of the knob is convex, and the other is concave so that the cover and base end portion of the knob have generally mutually complementary shapes facing each other.

Abstract: A precision location system for a circuit breaker utilizing a phase cassette concept is disclosed. A cover plate is mounted to at least one of a plurality of single-pole units having a circuit breaker operating mechanism positioned thereon. The cover plate is configured to precisely align an actuator precisely located on the cover with the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The actuator trips a latch of the operating mechanism, thereby tripping the entire circuit.

Abstract: An optically controlled switch includes first and second electrodes, a channel extending between the electrodes, and a light source positioned to illuminate the channel. The light source produces a wavelength capable of changing the material's conductivity. The channel includes a photosensitive organic material and is configured to operate as a light controlled switch.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a first layer and a second layer attached to one another via sets of fastening elements formed on the layers. The fastening elements may comprise hook-like elements that engage one another in an interlocking arrangement to attach the layers, or alternatively, the fastening elements may take other forms. The fastening elements may include flexible portions that flex when the first layer and second layer are forced together. The apparatus may be used within switch arrays, and can eliminate the need for dome spring elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a snap-in locking device for a multistage rotary switch with a switch spindle that is connectable with a rotary knob. The switch spindle is connected with an axle part that is snapped into an inner receptacle of a built-in switch panel part. The axle part rests on the switch panel part and is lock-in adjustable between snap-in receptacles with cams that are each limited by two radially-aligned connector links. The snap-in receptacles cover the entire circumference of the inner receptacle of the switch panel part. The axle part can be set into rotary motion with the switch spindle by a rotary knob, which is attachable to the switch spindle, and that modifiable limit stops define the number of switch positions, then a snap-in locking device for a operating unit is created with simple and cost-effective production and assembly parts that is coupleable with other components of the operating unit and can be equipped with an over-rotation safeguard.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a tool includes a shell and a switch actuator. The shell includes a slot defined therein between two edges and at least one boss formed thereon. The switch actuator includes two hooks to be inserted through the slot for engagement with the two edges and at least one recess defined therein for receiving the at least one boss in a releasable manner. The switch actuator includes two tabs extending from a side thereof for insertion in the slot. The switch actuator includes a driving element extending from a side thereof through the slot for driving another element of the tool. The switch actuator includes a slot defined therein between two edges, at least one of which defines the at least one recess for receiving the at least one boss. The at least one boss is a semi-cylinder, and the at least one recess is semicircular. The shell includes two bosses, and each of the edges by the slot of the switch actuator defines a recess for receiving one of the bosses.

Abstract: In a touch switch with a keypad 2, a tactual feedback of its operation, perceptible to the user, is said to be achieved. For this purpose a transducer 7 is provided, which upon a touching of the keypad 2 impressed a movement on the latter.

Abstract: A system is provided for aiding left-handed individuals or individuals whose right hands are immobilized to be able to start a vehicle by turning an ignition key in which the key slot is movable or placeable to the left of the steering wheel at the driver's option to permit starting of the vehicle utilizing an individual's left hand only. In one embodiment a duplicate key slot is positioned to the left of the steering wheel on the dash of the car or, in a further embodiment, for key slots mounted to the steering column, the column is provided with a duplicate key slot to the left-hand side of the column. In another embodiment, a rotatable sleeve or collar is made part of the steering column, which when rotated rotates the key slot from an initial right-hand position to a left-hand position, thus to enable the starting of the vehicle only utilizing one's left hand.

Abstract: In a multi-operational electronic device of the present invention, a first switch, which operates when an operating lever is tilted, is so configured that a circular domelike resilient movable contact large enough to cover a plurality of first fixed contacts is partially turned inside out. A connecting part connects an outer cylinder holding a rotary resilient contact, which effects generation of a rotary signal, with an inner cylinder fixed to an operating shaft so that the outer and inner cylinders move with each other in a rotating direction to generate the electric signal and contract vertically to press a central switch.

Abstract: A surface mounted switchplate having a removable toggle cover for use as an auxiliary switching device with a prior art toggle switch unit. The invention completely encloses the terminal set while providing an auxiliary moveable cover mounted on pivot shafts, which when rocked back and forth, acts upon the toggle switch to open and close the electrical circuit. A second embodiment contains a clear button formed in the cover to allow light from an illuminated rocker switch to shine therethrough.

Abstract: A waterproof pushbutton consists of a body, a button housing and a cover with a hollow shaft. The button housing has a retractable sleeve with an annular shoulder, and the body has an outer lip and an inner lip. A seal device comprises a compression fitting, and an elastic seal with an outer and an inner flange. The zeal is securely mounted on the annular shoulder of the retractable sleeve, and the hollow shaft presses down on the inner flange of the elastic seal. The compression fitting is securely attached to the outer flange of the elastic seal to mount the elastic seal between the outer and inner lip of the body.

Abstract: An electric pole for a low-voltage power circuit breaker, comprising: a fixed contact and a movable contact which can be mutually coupled/uncoupled; at least two conducting elements, suitable to electrically connect the movable contact to a power supply grid, the conducting elements being arranged so that the electric currents flowing through them are equally orientated; means for mechanically supporting and actuating the movable contact; and at least one insulating element which is interposed between the conducting elements and is suitable to contrast, by friction with the conducting elements, electrodynamic repulsion forces that are generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact during opening in short-circuit operating conditions.

Abstract: A dust and moisture free switch includes a hollow casing, a contact pole device, a control plate and an isolation part. The contact pole device is inserted to the bottom of the casing with a stationary pole and a support pole being inserted into and locating at a respective pole hole and an arc pole being attached to the top of the support pole such that the arc pole can swing leftward and rightward. The control plate is joined to the upper portion of the casing and has the bottom thereof being arranged with a central hollow post to fit with an extensible stir lever, which has a bottom thereof contacting with the arc pole. The isolation part is made of soft high molecular plastic material and passed through by and fitting with the stir lever so as to be located at and closely joined to the inner wall of the casing to perform a function of blocking dust or moisture to enter the bottom of the casing.

Abstract: An elevatable key switch and a keyboard with the elevatable key switch are provided. The elevatable key switch includes a base, a cap, an up-down mechanism, an elastic member, a movable element, and a driving element. The cap is disposed above the base. The up-down mechanism, which is disposed between the base and the cap, supports the cap to perform vertical movement relative to the base. The elastic member is disposed on the base, and the movable element is movably disposed on the elastic member. The driving element drives the movable element to make substantial horizontal movement, so that the movable element selectively moves between a first position and a second position. When the movable element is in the first position, the movable element supports the up-down mechanism in an operation configuration. When the movable element is in the second position, the movable element releases the up-down mechanism entering a contraction configuration.

Abstract: A key top including a resin film, a key top body made of resin and being covered by the resin film except for the rear surface thereof, and a first extending portion extending outward from the peripheral surface of the key top body. A gate mark formed by a mold and a vent mark formed by a mold which are located on the rear surface of the first extending portion. The rear surfaces of the key top body and the first extending portion are flat and located rearward from the rear surface of the resin film.

Abstract: A push button structure has an outer face of a key top that extends from a top face to a seat portion. An outer face starting from the top face and terminating at a position between the top face and the seat portion is tapered in a spreading direction. An outer face that extends from the position between the top face and the seat portion toward the seat portion is formed so as not to approach the outer face of the adjacent key top. In the outer face of the key top, an inward step is disposed at the position between the top face and the seat portion. The starting end of the outer face extending toward the seat portion is shifted to the inner side from the terminating end of the outer face starting from the top face of the key top.

Abstract: An automated device (10) has a curved outer cover (12) through which a switch arm (48) extends. The switch arm is pivotally supported inside the cover and is connected therein by means of a lost motion mechanism (51) to a switch actuator (46) of a switch (44) to control operation of the switch.

Abstract: A vibration switch includes a housing with an accommodation chamber for receiving securely two electric contact bodies therein. The electric contact bodies are spaced apart from each other, and respectively have rolling surfaces, each of which defines a farthermost area and a tangential area. Two electrically conductive rollable bodies are respectively rollable on the rolling surfaces such that the rollable bodies respectively abut against the tangential areas by virtue of gravity to establish electric contact between the electric contact bodies. Once the housing is caused to quiver, the rollable bodies will lurch towards one of the farthermost areas so that one of the rollable bodies is out of contact with one of the rolling surfaces, thereby breaking the electric contact between the electric contact bodies.