Abstract: A swich comprises pack-aligned switching units 9, each provided with fixed 30 and movable contacts 36 operable by a cam shaft 11 rotatably passing through the switching units 9 to close and break electric circuits to which said contacts lead off. The shaft is supported, at one free end thereof, by a terminal closure element 10 fixed to the switching units 9 and is connected, at its opposed end, to a trip mechanism 12 located in a trip unit 8 fastened to said switching units. The switching units, trip unit and terminal closure element constitute each a modular unit engageable with other modular units by restrained fixing and disengageable therefrom without bringing about the disassembly and division of said unit into its component parts. The cam shaft is comprised of several hub-shaped elements 40 consecutively engaged in a rotational direction and associated each with a switching unit.

Abstract: A new and improved thermal ink jet printhead and fabrication process therefor are described. In one embodiment of this invention, heater resistors are formed on one area of an insulating substrate and relative large area electrical contacts are formed on an adjacent area of the insulating substrate. A barrier layer is formed over the conductive trace pattern defining the heater resistors on the one area, and a small via in this layer provides an electrical path between the large area electrical contacts and the conductive trace pattern, and thus provides a current drive path for the heater resistors. The small via provides minimum exposure of the barrier sidewall area and area of the conductive trace pattern and thus improves device reliability and fabrication yields and also improves electrical contact to the printhead.

Abstract: A switch device having a casing, an actuator swingably supported to the casing, a plurality of projections suspended down from the lower surface of the actuator for changing over a switch by pressing a plurality of switch elements arranged in the casing which has a partition plate for separating the actuator and the switch element in the casing, a plurality of operation openings perforated at the partition plate for the actuators of the switch elements, and rubber pressing gaskets which transfer movement of the actuator projections to movement of switch elements and seal the upper portion of the casing from the lower portion in which the switch elements are located. Thus, the switch device can provide high waterproofness with a simple construction.

Abstract: A digital fault locator of this invention comprises a memory for storing input electric amount from a system and a plurality of digital filters having different filter functions to which electric amounts are supplied from the memory. A fault location is determined by selectively providing a specific one of outputs from the digital filters according to a fault time.

Abstract: A control for an electrical tool, particulary of the garden tool type, comprises a housing containing an electrical switch having a projecting actuator and a handle assembly for switching the electrical switch from a deactivated condition to an activated condition by contact with the actuator. The handle assembly comprises an elongated handle projecting from the housing and pivotably attached to the housing by a pivot with one end of the handle adjacent to one side of the actuator. The handle assembly also includes an elongated trigger pivotably attached to the handle with an end projecting outside the housing and the other end adjacent to another side of the switch actuator. The handle further includes a spring biasing the handle and therefore the actuator towards the adjacent end of the trigger.

Abstract: A programmer/timer for an appliance of the type having a rotatable cam drum advanced for sequential actuation and deactuation of a plurality of electrical switches. The drum is advanced or indexed intermittently by an oscillating advance pawl engaging a ratchet wheel and also continuously by a gear driven by a common motor for oscillating the advance pawl. The ratchet wheel has a hub which is frictionally engaged to drive the cam drum. The driven gear in turn is frictionally engaged with the hub to also drive the ratchet wheel. When the advance pawl engages the ratchet wheel for intermittent drive, the driven gear slips on the ratchet hub. Upon user selection, a separate cam track lifts the advance pawl to permit the driven gear to continuously drive the ratchet wheel.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for energy dissipating devices includes thermal elements adjacent first and second sides of the device, and a heat-flow modifier adjacent the thermal element for regulating the flow of heat therefrom. A plurality of electrically conductive leads extend from the device to the exterior of the packaging arrangement. Portions of the electrically conductive leads extend between the thermal elements and are in thermal contact with at least one of these elements. The leads are electrically isolated from the thermal elements and a seal is maintained between the leads and the elements. An outer casing surrounds the thermal elements, and the plurality of leads extend through the outer casing to provide for connecting the device to the environment. A seal is also maintained between the outer casing and the leads. The outer casing is formed from premolded thermoplastic base and cap sections.

Abstract: A unitized hydrotherapy jet and pump assembly includes a housing having a mouth portion connected to and communicating through the wall of a hot tub, spa, bathtub, whirlpool or pool with the interior of the tub below the water line. In the mouth of the jet and pump assembly is a hydrotherapy jet nozzle outlet and a water inlet positioned adjacent to each other. A water pump within the assembly communicates between the water inlet and the jet outlet. A motor is connected to the pump to energize the pump for drawing water into the unit through the water inlet and expelling a stream of water back into the tub through the hydrotherapy jet.

Abstract: The mechanism includes a housing containing a plurality of switches and a cam shaft which is frictionally coupled by a first clutch band to a pivotal brake lever. Two cam members, which are rotatable on the cam shaft, are frictionally connected by another pair of interconnected clutch bands to a clutch lever. The cam shaft and the two cam members are pivotal within certain angular limits in response to pivotal movements of the vehicle's brake and clutch, respectively, to control the brake lights, cruise control and a starting switch. If after prolonged use the angular throw of the clutch or brake exceeds the throw for which it was originally designed, limit means associated with the cam members and cam shaft cause the associated clutch band to allow relative angular rotation between the cam shaft or cam member and the associated brake or clutch lever.

Abstract: A weather-tight air conditioning disconnect switch has both plastic and metal enclosure components for low cost assembly. The exterior components include a metal case and cover whereas the interior non-electrical components are plastic-molded. One such molded plastic dead-front shields the electrical terminals within the enclosure and contains instruction and caution indicia integrally-formed on the exterior surface during the plastic molding forming process. ON - OFF indication of the switch is achieved by the orientation of the switch handle with the switch handle receiver.

Abstract: An electric switch operating mechanism has a base fastened over an aperture in the cabinet enclosing the switch. A driving member extends into a cup-like member and the ends of both members extend through the base and the cabinet aperture. The ends of the driving member and retainer cup have apertures therein which receive an end of the control shaft for the switch. The cup-like member is rotatable with respect to the driving member to captivate a retaining pin on the end of the control shaft. A handle with a locking plate is connected to the driving member and abuts the base. The handle can be rotated to rotate the control shaft. The locking plate can engage the base and the retainer cup to lock the operating mechanism in different positions. The mechanism in addition to operating the switch also provides an interlock function preventing the cabinet from being opened.

Abstract: A miniature switch includes an actuator block operated by a toggle lever, a switch base having fixed contacts arranged on a top side thereof and terminals, which are formed integral with the fixed contacts, arranged on a bottom side thereof, and a movable contactor operatively associated with the actuator block for slidingly contacting mutually adjacent ones of the fixed contacts. The fixed contacts and the terminals are integrally formed. The fixed contacts are implanted in the switch base in first and second rows each of which includes a plurality of the fixed contacts. The first and second rows are arranged on the top side of the switch base symmetrically with respect to a center line and are spaced apart equidistantly. The terminals of the fixed contacts in these first and second rows are arranged to project from the bottom side of the switch base in a substantially linear, single row in which the terminals are mutually spaced apart substantially equidistantly.

Abstract: A slip ring wherein electric disconnection which may possibly arise from freezing of drops of condensed water is prevented with a simplified construction. The slip ring is of the type wherein electric connection between a fixed member and a movable member mounted for rotation relative to the fixed member is established by means of an annular conductive plate and a contact element mounted in mutual contact on one and the other of the fixed and movable members. The slip ring comprises an insulating cover mounted for rotation on the conductive plate and covering an annular face of the conductive plate. The cover has an opening formed therein through which the contact element is resiliently contacted with the conductive plate.

Abstract: An actuator (26) operates tappets (24, 25) of two switches (21, 22) each controlling one of the directions of operation of the motor. The actuator (26) is guided in a lateral direction (WW') between two active positions in each of which it may then be depressed, causing one of its bosses (55, 56) to actuate the corresponding switch (21 or 22). Flexible lugs (34, 35) return the actuator (26) to an intermediate position in which depression is prevented by a fixed pin (52) cooperating with a projection (51) of the actuator (26). The control box facilitates changing from one direction of operation to the other while avoiding rapid switching, harmful to the motors.

Abstract: An electric power tool includes an electric motor. A switch assembly for this power tool includes a device for controlling the on/off operation of the motor, actuated to and fro along a first actuation line, and a device for controlling the forward/reverse operation of the motor, actuated to and fro along a second actuation line. The first and the second actuation line do not intersect one another. This confers good operability upon the switch and upon the power tool as a whole. More particularly, the first actuation line should be skew to the second actuation line, even more particularly substantially skew perpendicular to it; or, alternatively, the first actuation line may be substantially parallel to the second actuation line and somewhat displaced therefrom.

Abstract: A catch mechanism is provided for use in a toilet tank flushing arrangement that includes a tank for storing water, a manually operated flush lever for causing the water to drain from the tank to flush the toilet, and a float means for detecting the presence of a low tank water level and causing the tank to refill when the low tank water level is detected. The catch mechanism is adapted to engage the float means to prevent it from causing the tank to refill, unless the flush lever has been operated.

Abstract: A key switch assembly for direct mounting on a PCB or similar substrate. The key switch has a body with depending mounting pin having retainers thereon to secure the key switch at apertures in the substrate. The key switch body has a hinged key and includes a snappable dome moveable from a non-actuated position to an actuated position in direct contact with conductive elements in the substrate by manual depression of a key.

Abstract: A push-button switch having an individual and interlocking action is provided which includes two operating members. The push-button switch comprises first and second sliders, each having a heart-shaped cam groove formed thereon. Actuator pins are provided for engagement with the cam grooves to provide the desired individual and interlocking action. The interlocking action is effectuated when the first slider is depressed while the second slider is locked at its depressed position. The invention allows the second slider to return to its unlocked nondepressed position while the first slider then becomes locked in its depressed position. The push-button switch has high versatility since the distance between the sliders can be easily changed. Further, common parts can be used individually for the sliders thus improving manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: A drainage system installed in a building for conducting waste water from such sanitary fixtures as toilet bowls into the underground sewer, has a stack extending through the floor of each story of the building and branch pipes for conducting the waste water from the fixtures mounted on each floor into the stack through connectors. The stack and each connector have a double structure comprising inner and outer members. The inside of the inner member is used for the discharge of waste water, while the space formed between the inner and the outer member communicates with the inside of the inner member within each connector to permit the flow of air necessary for eliminating a pressure variation induced inside the inner members by the flow of waste water.

Abstract: A method is presented in which at least one of the sinusoidal voltages (U.sub.S) which is induced in the stator windings by the residual magnetism or remanence of the rotor in a rotating-field machine, the frequency of which corresponds to the rotor speed is converted into a symmetrical square wave signal, (U.sub.R), the frequency and the phase of this square wave signal (U.sub.R) matching with the frequency and the phase of the induced sinusoidal voltage (U.sub.S). From this square wave signal (U.sub.R), an output signal (U.sub.DA) proportional to the frequency thereof is generated. Thus, a method is obtained by which the time required for finding the operational speed of the rotating-field machine (2) is reduced considerably so that a frequency converter can be connected to the rotating-field machine (2) rapidly at a synchronous speed.