Abstract: An integral volume control and switch assembly comprising a resilient conductive member serving for switching between a first and second switch state and a resilient tactile member serving for providing a user with a tactile feedback upon change of switch state. The resilient tactile member and the resilient conductive member are formed by separate members. Hereby the assembly can be further miniaturised without the resilient tactile member and the resilient conductive member being too small to handle in a manufacturing process. In addition, it is possible to adjust angular position of the rotatable member where switch function and tactile feedback occurs. Preferably the resilient tactile member and the resilient conductive member are spatially separated along a rotational axis of the rotatable member. The assembly according to the invention is suitable for hearing aids.

Abstract: An acceleration switch and method therefor includes providing a conductive substrate and an insulating cap. A recessed area is formed in the insulating cap. An insulating layer is disposed on the conductive substrate. A conductive layer is disposed on the insulating layer. The conductive layer is etched to form a cantilever beam and an electrically isolated island. The insulating layer is etched around the cantilever beam to free the cantilever beam to move. Contacts are disposed on the cantilever beam and in the recessed area such that the contacts are able to electrically contact each other upon application of an acceleration to the switch. The cap is bonded to the conductive layer to hermetically seal the cantilever beam.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is provided for use as a single-pole, double-throw switch. The assembly includes a housing having an interior cavity. First and second stationary contacts are positioned on one side of the interior cavity, and third and fourth stationary contacts are positioned on the other side of the interior cavity. A conductive member is interconnected between the first and third stationary contacts. A movable contact member is configured in one operative position to complete an electrical path between the first and the second stationary contacts, configured in a second operative position to complete an electrical path between the third and the fourth stationary contacts, and configured in an inoperative or OFF position to be electrically disconnected from all four stationary contacts. The improved switch assembly eliminates a center contact disposed in the housing, such that the switch assembly is less cumbersome and costly to manufacture and assemble.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical thermostatic cord assembly and a method of manufacturing the same. The cord assembly includes an electrical subassembly, a protective cap, and a one-piece body. The electrical subassembly includes a thermally sensitive switch mechanism. The protective cap is disposed on at least a portion of the switch mechanism. The one-piece body is molded over the electrical subassembly such that a portion of the protective cap is exposed to allow the switch mechanism to respond to ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: A cam-operated timer for a household appliance. The timer includes a rotatable cam-carrying member having cam surfaces, a drive mechanism to rotate the cam-carrying member, a plurality of cam-actuated switches each mounted for engagement with a cam surface, and a textured surface and an audible and/or tactile feedback member. The audible and/or tactile feedback member is positioned to move across the textured surface to generate audible and/or tactile feedback in response to at least manual rotation of the cam-carrying member.

Abstract: An illuminated pushbutton switch cover member has a key seat and a resin key top. An indicator portion provided in the resin key top is illuminated with light from an internal light source provided below the key seat, and the light is emitted from the inside to the outside of the cover member through the indicator portion. The cover member is constructed by joining the resin key top to the key seat. The key seat is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that prevents leakage of light, and an opening for passage of light is formed in the key seat to expose the bottom side of the resin key top to the internal light source. Thus, light from the internal light source can reach the bottom side of the resin key top directly without being attenuated. The indicator portion of the resin key top can therefore be illuminated with high luminance.

Abstract: A keyboard comprising at least one flap forming a key, the flap being pressed against a contact point when depressed from above, and rising back after the depressing. The flap is attached by its one end to the frame sheet of the keyboard in such a way that this structure forms the hinge of the key. There is at least one buckling member in connection with the flap, and the flap is formed rigid. The keyboard may be formed in such a way, for example, that a keyboard frame sheet is formed, the flap forming the key is cut partially off the keyboard frame sheet, a buckling member is formed in connection with the flap, and the flap is lifted upwards from the surface of the frame sheet.

Abstract: A switch-device sheet comprising: a soft and elastic sheet body (5) having operation parts (5a) for operating contacts of a switch device; and a light guiding member (6) containing an optical fiber and being partially or completely embedded and wired in the sheet body (5), the light guiding member receiving light at one end (6a) and emitting light at the other end (6b). Therefore, the whole of the switch-device sheet (4) is flexible, and further the light guiding member (6) may be wired, as desired, outside or in the sheet body (5), while allowing for the size and wiring configuration.

Abstract: A shaving head cleaner includes a housing defining a receptacle adapted to receive a shaving head of the dry shaving apparatus. A contact member extends from the housing, and is adapted to accommodate an end of the dry shaving apparatus remote from the shaving head. A pushbutton is positioned near an end of the contact member, and the pushbutton has electrical connectors configured to be moved by the pushbutton for establishing an electrical connection between the dry shaving apparatus and the shaving head cleaner. A tolerance compensating device is arranged between the electrical connectors and the pushbutton.

Abstract: A layered switch assembly permits more than one electric circuit function to be obtained from each of a set of switches used to control electric circuit functions such as the operation or adjustment of seats, mirrors or other components in an automotive vehicle passenger compartment. A group of switches for operator control is embedded in an armrest, console, or the like. Overlying the discrete switches are two or more flexible sheet or membrane layers for selective activation of one or more of the switches. Illuminated indicia on each switch activation layer identify the underlying switch operation. The uppermost layer controls the electrical switch function unless that layer has been moved aside to expose the next lower switch function activation layer.

Abstract: A push-button switch unit includes a push switch which is fixed to a main body and includes an operating part; and a push button fitted to the operating part. The push button is pressed in order to turn the push switch on and off. An undersurface of the push button is provided with a pair of shaft rods each having a columnar segment and a prismatic segment. The main body includes shaft sockets each having a circular hole segment and a rectangular hole segment for receiving a corresponding one of the shaft rods.

Abstract: A switching device includes a casing having two opposite lateral walls, two spaced-apart terminal plates secured in a bottom wall of the casing, and a slide unit. The lateral walls respectively have opposite guide faces that extend downwardly and inclinedly toward each other, and opposite limiting faces that extend downwardly and respectively from the guide faces toward the bottom wall. The slide unit includes a slide piece mounted movably within the casing, and a conductive piece connected to the slide piece and disposed between the limiting faces. The slide piece is slidable along the guide faces to move the conductive piece between first and second positions, where the conductive piece contacts conductively and moves away from the terminal plates, respectively. A biasing unit is provided for biasing the conductive piece to the second position.

Abstract: A switch includes a switching element, a substrate, a lid and a thickfilm dielectric. The substrate has a plurality of signal conductors formed thereon, at least some of which are in contact with the switching element. The lid covers the switching element and has a perimeter that intersects at least some of the signal conductors. The thickfilm dielectric is printed on the substrate below the perimeter of the lid, and the lid is mounted on the thickfilm dielectric.

Abstract: A float switch made from plastic and impervious to corrosion, with improvements over the prior art including a more responsive operation resulting from use of a wide float switch body and a closely fitting housing that allow rapid shut-off of condensate production after collection of only a very small amount of fluid, a small housing dimension for easy installation in the small areas used for air conditioning system air handlers, a removable bottom cap for easy debris removal as well as float switch body adjustment for changing conditions, a housing design that allows operation without air vent holes in the housing, and anti-rotation features that stabilize the level orientation of the float switch body needed for proper operation after installation. By its quick and reliable response, the switch promotes use and longevity of energy efficient air conditioners without concern for the increased condensate produced, protecting the environment and energy resources.

Abstract: A switch is provided that is of the type that may be installed in a contact block engaging a pushbutton operator via a latch assembly. The switch includes a spanner that engages a pair of terminals, each having a pair of contacts. The outer ends of the spanner are wider than the central portion so as to render the spanner torsionally compliant. The wide outer ends provide a sufficient thermal mass to absorb an arc that may be created when the switch is opened.

Abstract: A limit switch having a housing carrying one or more components that are individually field replaceable by an operator so that an operator can make an on-the-go field repair any faulty component in the limit switch. The field replaceable components can be frictionally or mechanically secured by a finger operable latch or the like so that an operator can remove and quickly replace a faulty component while the limit switch is connected a pneumatic conveying system or the like.

Abstract: A push-button actuatable electrical switch is disclosed. In one embodiment, the push-button electrical switch includes a body, a push-button lens cap extending from a first end of the body, and an electrical switch. Depression of the push-button lens cap causes the electrical switch to be activated. An electrically conductive pathway is defined through the body to a support structure whereby electrical discharges are routed to ground rather than through the lamp and electrical switch. In one embodiment, the pathway is defined by conductive carbon particles dispersed through a plastic forming parts of the switch, such as the body and the lens cap.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a switch assembly (12). The switch assembly (12) includes a housing (16) and a set of contacts (14) supported by the housing. The set of contacts (14) includes a first contact (20) and a second contact (40). The first contact (20) includes a first pad portion (22) supported in the housing (16) and a first connector portion (26) protruding from the housing. The first connector portion (26) includes a compliant connector (220). The second contact (40) includes a second pad portion (42) supported in the housing (16) and a second connector portion (54) protruding from the housing. The second pad portion (42) is movable relative to and is engageable with the first pad portion (22). The second connector portion (54) includes a compliant connector (220).

Abstract: A contact structure for a sliding switch includes a conductive stationary contact disposed on a base and a conductive movable contact for electrically contacting the stationary contact. The movable contact is movable along a path between a non-contact position and a make-contact position with respect to the stationary contact, and at least one of the contacts has a protruding portion that provides an electrical interface for discharge of arcing as the movable contact breaks from the stationary contact. As a result, the invention prevents or substantially reduces degradation in switch performance which might otherwise be caused by debris accumulation associated with arcing.

Abstract: An power switching device includes a base with input wires and output wires electrically connected to the base and opposite to the input wires, multiple conducting tubes electrically connected to and orthogonally mounted on the base, and multiple conducting plates each having holes to selectively allow an extension of some of the conducting tubes and screw holes selectively defined to correspond to and allow a bottom face of each of the screw holes to abut free ends of the rest of the conducting tubes such that screws are able to threadingly extend from the screw holes and into the free ends of the conducting tubes abutted to the bottom faces of the screw holes to secure engagement between conducting plate and the conducting tubes.