Abstract: A spherical movable contact is housed in housing portions of a first case and a second case so as to be able to roll, and is to come into or go out of contact with a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact. The first case and the second case are fixed to each other so as to form an integral body in such a manner that the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are opposed to each other. At least one of the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact is divided. The movable contact is disposed so as to roll while bridging the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact. Contact portions where the movable contact is to contact the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact assume arc shapes, respectively.

Abstract: A rotary housing is provided including relatively electrically insulated and electrically conductive inner and outer peripheral portions with which electrical contacts are electrically engaged. The housing is hollow and encloses a quantity of electrically conductive liquid which, when the housing is rotating below a predetermined low speed of rotation or is stationarily positioned with at least a first predetermined peripheral portion lowermost, establishes electrical contact between the inner and outer peripheral portions and which, when the housing is rotating above the aforementioned predetermined low speed of rotation or is stationary with a second predetermined peripheral portion lowermost, is ineffective to establish electrical contact between the inner and outer peripheral portions.

Abstract: A cam activated electrical switching means for an elastic multicircuit printed circuit board (PCB). A plurality of PCB reeds with disattached portions at one end nearest the edge of the PCB are cut out in the generally central portion of the PCB, and an electrical board, positioned adjacent to but separated from the PCB, made of elastic PCB-type material has the same number of plurality of flexible reeds cutout therefrom in its central portion. The PCB reeds and electrical board flexible reeds have electrical leads etched on the back sides thereof with the PCB reeds having an electrical contact pin on the front of the disattached end portion facing the etched electrical lead on the back of the disattached end of the flexible reed. An embossed mechanical rider is positioned on the front of the disattached end of the flexible reeds. The electrical etched lead on the back of the flexible reed may be connected to some electrical source on the electrical board.

Abstract: When it is necessary to detect the position of the end of the outer turn of a coil of strip material, the coil is rotatably supported with its axis substantially horizontal and apparatus for detecting the end comprises a detector assembly including a proximity switch and a projection extending beyond the switch and support means for the assembly such that the proximity switch is spaced from the outer surface of the coil and with the projection nearer to the coil than is the switch and the projection is upstream of the switch with reference to the non-paying out direction of rotation of the coil. When the end of the turn passes from beneath the projection, the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A switch mechanism useful in a calculator type keyboard includes a printed circuit board conductor in which is punched a crater-like depression with a raised edge portion and a dome-like member positioned so that its apex may contact the raised edge portion when the switch mechanism is depressed. The punched crater-like depression is specifically formed by striking the printed circuit board conductor to form an edge extending above the predetermined height of the conductor surface, which in turn, is disposed above the planar surface of the dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A safety power cutoff arrangement is disclosed for appliances which utilize membrane panel switches on their control panels causing electrical power to the appliance to be shut off in the event of damage to the control panel. The safety cutoff arrangement comprises a conductive track pattern formed over the outermost circuit sheet forming the membrane switch and interrupter circuitry which requires the continuity of the conductive track pattern to be maintained for electrical power to be continued to be supplied to the appliance circuitry. In the event of damage to the control panel, breaking of any segment of the conductive track pattern results in the interrupt safety circuit cutting off power to the appliance.

Abstract: A locked-type push button device has a plurality of push buttons and permits only any one of the push buttons to be locked in the depressed state when depressed. Each push button has a leaf spring for returning the push button to the initial non-depressing position, and has a cam engaging portion which can be engaged with a cam member when depressed. The cam member has a spring member to urge the cam member against the cam engaging portions. When more than two push-buttons are depressed, the total force of the two leaf springs of the two push buttons prevents the cam member from holding the cam engaging portions of two push buttons depressed.

Abstract: Multiple-circuit switch with selective operation, especially applicable to automotive vehicles, consisting of a chassis with a dentate configuration on its upper part, inside of which is housed a pin-bearing part and above it a cam-bearing part, and above the latter another part having a cross-section in the shape of a crown with a dentate configuration on its upper part linked to an operating lever ending in a fork so that the angular movements of the lever bring about longitudinal movements of the cam-bearing part and with it the crown part. There are contacts between the dentate surfaces which will bring about successive retentions of the movements, pushing downward the cam-bearing part in a successive and selective fashion, resulting in downward motion of some pins inserted in the pin-bearing part, the pins acting on contact plates in order to activate distinct associated circuits.

Abstract: An improved machine control for sensing an obstruction in the path of a machine tool and preventing movement of the tool along its path. A sensor is mounted on a movable support rod and adjustably positioned to move along a path coaxial with the path of the tool in order to sense any obstruction in a work area. The movable support rod is constructed to allow gravity fall of the sensor into the work area and to cause actuation of a switching circuit allowing machine tool movement if no obstructions are sensed. A spring-biased arm coupled to a rotary solenoid retains the movable support rod in a rest position. Upon actuation, the solenoid rotates the arm so that gravity causes the support rod to fall and the sensor to move into the work area. The elements of the machine control are mounted to a plate which may be removably attached to various types of machines.

Abstract: This is an electrical switch mechanism actuated by a piano-style key of a musical instrument. The switch consists of a pair of cross-bar contacts, at least one of which is resiliently flexible. This resilience permits a moveable contact member to be driven into engagement with a fixed contact member, and also keeps it firmly biased against the fixed contact member for electrical communication therewith whenever the key is in its actuated position. When the key is released, an actuator member on the key captures the moveable contact and moves it away from the fixed contact. Upon actuation, the key over-travels beyond the point of contact engagement, but the actuator decouples from the contact so as to avoid any increase in contact pressure and prevent double-keying. Various techniques for minimizing impact noise during contact recapture, and for mounting the contacts upon a circuit board, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an area actuated switch which can be used, by way of example, in a keyboard for a calculator, learning aid or the like. An area actuated switch array is formed using two insulating sheets which overlie one another such that one side of each sheet faces one another. Sets of spaced conductors formed on each of the facing sides also overlie one another, and selected ones of said conductors traverse the periphery of the keyboard. A plurality of raised, insulating spacer points are positioned on the facing sides and are in registration and contact with each other. An insulating substrate is formed over the conductors traversing the periphery and this insulating substrate has substantially the same thickness as the spacer points such that the spacer points and the insulating substrate prevent the spaced conductors from making electrical contact. An adhesive coating is applied to the spacer points and the insulating substrate to bond these two parts together.

Abstract: A shift lever for the selective actuation of power tools on a utility carries a rotary and axially shiftable knob which can be indexed by ball checks in a plurality of angular positions to establish different speed ratios of the vehicular transmission by actuating respective microswitches through cams bearing upon mobile bodies which are lodged in apertures of a stationary collar surrounding an extension of the knob. A rocker switch on that knob can be flipped by the fingers of the operator to switch between forward and reverse drive.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power switch is provided and, in the form illustrated, is for use in conjunction with an automotive antitheft device. The antitheft device has apparatus for engaging a latch in a notch in the steering column to prevent turning of the steering column when the device is operative. A key operates the apparatus which moves a slider with respect to a stator. The slider has a plurality of conductive rollers which are urged toward the stator and at appropriate locations sequentially connects a main contact with secondary fixed contacts. The fixed contacts may be connected to the coil, the service mechanism, the fuel pump, to the starter. Specially designed sections are provided on the stator to facilitate rapid and positive closure of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A modulator switch, adapted for telecommunication purposes, has a hollow body within which are a plurality of cantilever contact members, there being a center contact member and at least one side contact member. The center contact is biased towards one side or the other and has an extension actuated by an actuator rotatably mounted on the body. Actuation to make, break or transfer contact can be provided. The switch can be designed for sliding on a cover or another switch. The particular selection of two, or three contacts provides the particular actuation required.

Abstract: A combination of a burner valve control device and an electrical switch unit carried by the device and being operated by a movable actuator controlled by the selector of the device, the selector having a control shaft rotatable about an axis thereof. The switch unit has a snap-fit arrangement snap-fitted to the device when the entire switch unit is moved in a direction substantially transverse to the axis of the control shaft to detachably secure the switch unit to the device.

Abstract: An electromechanical arrangement for automatic return of an electronic blinker located on a steering column of a motor vehicle includes a movable arm carrying a magnet at its free end and slaved at its other end by the intermediary of a roller to the rotation of the steering column of the motor vehicle. Reed ampulses disposed in fixed positions permit detection of predetermined values of angles of rotation of the steering column.

Abstract: Electrical contact apparatus comprises a center holder supporting a principal roller actuated by a telescopic movement and two oscillating auxiliary holders each equipped with an auxiliary roller.

Abstract: Modular electrical switches and shunts for use in programming electric/electronic equipment are disclosed comprising an electrically insulating, substantially rectangular housing, and a pair of elongated electrically conducting terminals secured to the base of the housing. Electrical switches of this invention contain an electrically conducting contact bearing disposed within the housing and adapted to be movable between a first position and a second position corresponding respectively to the "off" and "on" configurations of the electrical switch in response to the movement of a switch actuating member slidably disposed within the housing. A mounting bar and cartridge-dispenser for storing, transporting and installing and removing the above-described switches and shunts from integrated electrical circuits are also described.

Abstract: A pull-to-turn rotary switch having an outer sleeve shaped housing into which a sleeve adapter is inserted and aligned by means of mutual detents. The sleeve adapter is provided with a washer shaped bottom plate which divides the housing into two chambers, one of which contains a biasing spring and a dual stop means and the other contains the switch contacts and a contact plate or rotor driven by the innermost end of the actuating shaft to which it is slidably keyed. The dual stop means includes two separate and distinct detent discs each cooperating with a separate and distinct detent stop pin or pins.

Abstract: An electromechanical timer arrangement includes a rotatable cam having a cam surface for actuating an associated switch. An inhibit member is movable between an active position and an idle position. In its active position, the member engages the switch and prevents cam actuation of the switch. In its idle position, the member permits normal cam actuation of the switch. In controlling a dishwasher the active and idle positions are user-selected non-heated and heated drying cycles and the switch controls energization of the heater. The cam surface is contoured to close the switch for heated drying. Moving the member to its active position opens the switch, regardless of the cam position, for non-heated drying.