Abstract: In high-voltage switchgear, apparatus for preventing two switches from being closed at the same time to prevent their being electrically paralleled relative to a common bus. The position of each switch is mimicked by a rotatable cam having a notch. When either switch closes while the other switch is fully open, its cam moves a member into the path of the notch in the other cam which is blocked from rotating, preventing the other switch from closing. If both switches attempt to close simultaneously, the member either blocks both cams or blocks one while permitting the other to rotate. If one switch attempts to close while the other switch is closed, and if the one switch continues to attempt closure through the time the other switch opens, its cam continues to be blocked until the one switch is returned to full open.

Abstract: A locked-type push-button device which has a plurality of push buttons and only one of the push buttons can be locked in the depressed state when it is depressed. A mechanism includes a cam for preventing the simultaneous locking of two adjacent push buttons, which has nearly a semicircular shape in cross section. The cam has notches at positions corresponding to the positions of the push buttons, and the notches each have a width greater than the width of the respective push buttons. The notches are alternately arrayed on opposite sides of the cam, and is thus urged to turn in the opposite directions when it is depressed by the neighboring push buttons.

Abstract: The invention concerns a steering column assembly switch for automotive vehicles with a supporting sleeve surrounding the casing tube of a steering mechanism and mountable thereon, supported by means of a roller bearing on the steering column and housing a plurality of switches, the sleeve having a hollow cylinder mounted at an acute angle to the axis of the sleeve, for a column lock and an ignition switch. The plurality switches are located in a common housing mounted on the supporting sleeve concentrically to the axis of said sleeve. The internal space is divided into two chambers by means of an annular disk and on both sides with conductor bars and switch contacts; each of the chambers contains an annular, rotatably and tiltably mounted sliding contact with a switching lever.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition distributor wherein the circumferentially disposed stationary output electrodes carried by the distributor cap are made up of a resistive material having a predetermined resistance value per unit length. The resistive material may be (1) an electrically resistive, resin bonded mixture of metal, carbon and ferrite powders or (2) an electrically resistive, epoxy resin bonded mixture of copper alloy powder, manganese-zinc-ferrite powder and carbon powder.

Abstract: A DIP switch is disclosed comprising improved sliding actuator means receivable within a rectangular housing channel. The slide actuator comprises a dielectric body having a plurality of parallel arms projecting forward therefrom, with each of the arms having a free, reversely formed end segment projecting backward in superior relationship to the actuator body. The slide actuator further comprises a plurality of parallel conductive arms, electrically and mechanically connected at one end, and projecting rearwardly from the actuator body. Each of the conductive arms is formed to provide a reversely-bent depending end segment projecting downwardly for engaging and interconnecting appropriate circuitry in the housing channel. A cover is further provided for enclosing the top of the housing channel, and provides a series of corrugations along a bottom surface thereof which are engaged by the superior actuator arm segments to register the actuator slide body along the housing channel.

Abstract: An electric switch device, particularly for toys, has contacts for closing and opening an electric circuit, and a switch button element which is movable between a first position in which it does not act on the contacts so that the latter opens the electric circuit, a second position in which a user applies a pressure to the button element and the latter acts on the contact so that the latter closes the electric circuit, but after removal of the user's pressure the button element returns to the first position, and a third position in which the button element acts on the contacts even after removal of the user's pressure so that the contacts keep the electric circuit closed.

Abstract: A complex switch assembly specially for use in a motor vehicle for controlling positions of rear viewing mirrors provided on left and right-hand sides of the motor vehicle includes an operating lever constituted by a sphere, a bar portion extending radially outwardly from the sphere and a leg portion extending radially outwardly from the sphere in a direction opposite to the bar portion. The sphere is rotatably supported in a casing so that the operating lever can be rotated between first and second neutral positions about the axis of the operating lever and also can be tilted in four directions about the center of the sphere from each of the neutral positions. The leg portion controls a switch mechanism in accordance with the tilting of the operating lever.

Abstract: A velocity change sensor comprises a body having a passage within which is a movable sensing mass normally maintained in an inactive position by a magnetic biasing force, but which is movable from its inactive position to an operating position in response to acceleration exceeding the biasing force. Movement of the mass is fluid damped to delay its movement to the operating position for a period of time during which the acceleration must exceed the biasing force.

Abstract: A preprogrammed slide switch assembly (10) is provided for the simultaneous opening or closing of a series of switches disposed within a housing (12). A slider (60) having a grip (66) extending through an longitudinal opening (14) in the housing (12), has a plurality of contactor bars (54) attached thereto and extending laterally, each in a predetermined direction. A two part base (22) has each part (24, 26) molded about a plurality of terminals (28) so that when the parts (24, 26) are coupled together, pairs of oppositely disposed terminals (28) will each be positioned for engagement with a respective one of the lateral contactor bars (54). The lateral contactor bars (54) engage either one or both of the terminals (28) of the respective set of terminals in one of two transverse positions of the slider (60), and in a predetermined pattern of open and closed switches.

Abstract: An inertia switch having an inertia mass, in the form of a ball resting in a conical seat, which mass is responsive to applied acceleration or deceleration in any direction in a horizontal plane and is arranged to operate changeover electrical contacts connected in an electrical circuit for unlocking the electrically operated door locks of an automobile.

Abstract: An actuating member in an electric switch housing is provided with a bore that opens downwardly inside the housing and contains a plunger slidably mounted therein and projecting from the lower end of the bore. A coil spring in the bore presses the plunger down against a movable contact to press it against stationary contacts. The plunger and movable contact are interconnected for movement of the contact by the actuating member, and the actuating member and plunger are provided with interengaging means for limiting downward movement of the plunger in the bore in the absence of the movable contact, whereby the plunger cannot escape from the actuating member.

Abstract: A pre-insertion resistor mechanism for a circuit interrupting device of the type which has a pair of normally-engaged contacts. One of the contacts is movable relative to the other contact in an arc-extinguishing environment to selectively separate the contacts to open a gap therebetween to effect circuit interruption. The contacts are continuously, electrically connected to respective, opposed circuit-connectable terminals on the device. The pre-insertion resistor mechanism includes a pre-insertion resistor electrically connected at one end to one of the terminals. The other end of the resistor carries a stationary electrode. A movable electrode assembly which is electrically connected to the other terminal is mechanically coupled to the movable contact so that upon movement thereof to open the gap, the movable electrode simultaneously separates from the stationary electrode.

Abstract: The locking bar for mutually acting upon several push button switches, which is slideably arranged within an U-shaped fastening bar for the switches, which are arranged in parallel to each other, consists of a metal bar with punched holes, on which plastic locking elements can be snapped-on. A great variety of locking bars can be built up using only two simple piece parts.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid-proof slide switch having at least a pair of contacts contained in a housing, and a horizontally movable slider for electrical connection or disconnection of the contacts.A flexible sealing member is placed between the slider and contacts to form a fluid-proof chamber containing the contacts. The sealing member is deformed in response to the movement of said slider to make the electrical connection or disconnection.

Abstract: An activation device is presented for a tactile keyboard of the type having a molded monolithic plastic layer of tactile elements. The actuator is a thermocompressively molded monolithic plastic layer which incorporates a matrix of geometrically designed strikers, the actuator layer being interposed between the keys and the molded monolithic plastic layer of tactile elements in a keyboard assembly.

Abstract: This control device for electric motor-reduction units comprises two cams rotating at different speeds about a common shaft, each cam having only one notch formed in its outer periphery, the cam notches being adapted to cooperate with catch-forming portions of a rocker controlling the motor switch. The first cam is rigid and coaxial with a toothed wheel meshing with a driving toothed pinion pivoted on a shaft parallel to the cam shaft, and comprises two drive teeth adapted, during each revolution, to mesh with a reversing pinion pivoted to the driving pinion shaft and rigid with another pinion meshing with a second toothed wheel rigid with the second cam.

Abstract: A pendulum-like, impact-responsive switch is provided to disconnect the battery from the electrical system of a car in the event of a collision to thereby prevent the ignition by sparking wires of fuel and other flammable material.Means are provided to control the force-level responsiveness of the pendulum-like member and to hold the member in de-activated position.

Abstract: A multiple-function electrical switch has an automatic return to an initial position upon release of the shaft (60). An annular drive (70) mounted upon the shaft (60) has a rotary contactor (100) and momentary switch contacts (90,92) secured thereto, and a torsional spring (110) is mounted in a cover (36) enclosing one end of the housing (11). As the shaft is rotated, a tongue (78) on the driver (70) engages the torsional spring (110) which will effect return of the driver and shaft to its initial position upon release of the shaft. The tongue (78) is received in a pocket (56) located in the cover (36) such that the shaft (60) may be moved axially at only one rotational position, such movement effecting engagement between the momentary switch contacts (90,92) and terminals (44,46) disposed in the cover.

Abstract: An improved dome switch is disclosed in which the configuration of the dome is modified to avoid premature wear of the circular contact. Specifically, the marginal portions of the dome is physical contact with the circular contact are provided with reverse curvature relative to the curvature of the remainder of the dome. The dome switch is incorporated in devices in which the switch is mechanically actuated, such as in a video game joy stick, or manually actuated, such as in the keyboard of a hand-held calculator.

Abstract: A keyboard switch assembly including a printed circuit board having four switch terminals on one side of the board, three of the terminals being arranged in a triangle and the fourth disposed within the triangle. Conductors on the one side of the board are respectively joined to the interior terminal and at least one of the three terminals. A conductive, generally triangular, snap-acting dome switch member is provided having arcuate apices, projections being respectively formed from the apices and respectively engaging the three terminals thereby spacing the periphery of the switch element from the one surface of the printed circuit board and the conductors thereon, at least the conductor connected to the interior terminal extending under the dome.