Abstract: A button ball and alignment rib formed to a bezel mates with an aperture on a floating button cluster to align and secure the floating button cluster such that the buttons of the floating button cluster are aligned with their corresponding apertures formed in the bezel. The alignment rib has a tapered rib disposed upon it and upon the tapered rib is formed a semi-spherical ball reinforced by an enlarged post that is formed from the bezel to the semi-spherical ball. A plurality of apertures are formed in the floating button cluster, one of which receives the semi-spherical ball and retains it once it has passed through the aperture.

Abstract: Smoothing a mouse pointer track on a screen is accomplished by smoothing mouse movement information using a spatial filtering function. Initially it is determined if the mouse movement information from a pointing device should be smoothed, and if so, which component of the movement information needs smoothing. Then the type of smoothing function is selected and applied to the mouse movement information. The smoothed mouse movement information is then added to the last mouse pointer position thereby smoothing the mouse pointer track.

Abstract: A switching device has an improved fastening arrangement to provide a hermetic and gas-tight, secure joint where the electrical insulating bushing mates with a circuit interrupter tank. The fastening arrangement utilizes a plurality of fasteners that are inserted laterally, or more preferably, substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the insulating bushing, and spaced equidistantly around the perimeter of the insulating bushing. The switching device also discloses a novel external housing arrangement to enclose externally mounted circuit transformers that has an enhanced profile and affords easy accessibility to the transformers in the field.

Abstract: An attitude sensing electrical switch uses an electrically conductive powder as the switching medium. The powder has a particle size and shape that enables it to flow smoothly into and out of contact with electrical terminals mounted in the switch. Silver, gold, and copper powders with a particle size between one-hundred-forty and three-hundred microns perform effectively.

Abstract: An integral multi-switch comprises a switch box, conducting plates and switches. The switch box comprises at least two troughs to receive the conducting plates and switches therein. A first conducting plate is an one piece plate which inputs electric power, a second conducting plate outputs the power, and is connected to the first conducting plate by the switch. A third conducting plate is a ground connection. Each conducting plate has a conduct point in each trough which constitutes the multi-switch device, the switch box has a pushing plate which slides vertically to active the switches. The second and third conducting plates extend various clips which provide multi-contact for conduction.

Abstract: A switch which permits the use of high contact spring force without the correspondingly high mechanism actuator force typically needed with a switch which utilizes a high contact spring force.

Abstract: A push button switch cover capable of enhancing positional accuracy between a cover sheet and dish-shaped metal springs, thereby highly improving keying characteristics and reducing manufacturing cost. The cover sheet is provided on a front surface thereof with key tops and on a rear surface thereof with pressing projections in correspondence to the key tops. The dish-shaped metal springs are each bonded to a respective one of the pressing projections by an elastic adhesive section while keeping an apex of the dish-shaped metal spring abutted against a central portion of the pressing projection.

Abstract: A cover for an electrical switch, wherein the electrical switch includes a yoke and a switch handle. In a first embodiment, which is particularly well suited for rocker-type switches, the cover comprises a handle cover sized and shaped to substantially conform to and fit over the switch handle. The handle cover has rotation points disposed parallel to an axis and including two planar surfaces, each of the planar surfaces being parallel to and passing through the axis. The cover also comprises a cover plate having a switch handle aperture for receiving the handle cover. The cover plate includes contact points for receiving the rotation points in movable relation.

Abstract: A test switch apparatus for an electrical device includes identical modules each carrying at least one switch thereon and terminals coupled to the switch and receiving electrical conductors. Complimentary interconnecting members are formed on each base and opposed barrier walls of each module for releasably interconnecting two modules in a side-by-side arrangement. Lock elements are optionally formed on each module for locking two adjacent switch modules together, preferably after the two modules are substantially joined by the interconnected members. End pieces are interconnected by interconnecting members to endmost modules. A cover is releaseably attachable to the end pieces.

Abstract: A Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) device (100) having conductively filled vias (141). A MEMS component (124) is formed on a substrate (110). The substrate has conductively filled vias (140) extending therethrough. The MEMS component (124) is electrically coupled to the conductively filled vias (140). The MEMS component (124) is covered by a protective cap (150). An electrical interconnect (130) is formed on a bottom surface of the substrate (110) for transmission of electrical signals to the MEMS component (124), rather than using wirebonds.

Abstract: A removable latch assembly is provided to connect a contact block to an electrical switch operator in an industrial controller. The latch assembly comprises a housing having a spring disposed therein, to which a rotatable collar is mounted. A contact block may also be connected to the rear side of the housing. The collar, including a tab, is initially disposed in a first locked position to allow the latch assembly to be mounted onto a shaft of the operator. The collar may then be rotated to a second self-retained unlocked position that allows the user to pull the latch assembly away from the electrical switch. When this occurs, the spring automatically rotates the collar back to the locked position to permit the latch assembly to once again connect the contact block to the operator.

Abstract: A safety switch with a spring toggle linkage which causes the switch shaft to rapidly rotate for opening and closing the switch has a lost motion coupling between the switch handle and the switch shaft which engages at about the point of toggling to assure positive operation of the switch.

Abstract: A load connector module for connecting a multi-phase load to a circuit interrupter which includes all the multi-phase connectors, a current transformer for each respective phase, and a voltage transformer coupling, in an integral, solid, insulated unit.

Abstract: A composite switch comprises a first fixed contact unit and a second fixed contact unit which are disposed on the surface of a substrate in such a manner as to be symmetrical about a reference line which is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, a first rotating contact unit which contacts with the first fixed contact unit or the second fixed contact unit, and a second rotating contact unit which contacts with the second fixed contact unit or the first fixed contact unit. Both rotating contact units are respectively held by a rotating member which rotates on an axis along the reference line. A first facing contact leg is electrically connected to the first rotating contact unit and a second facing contact leg is electrically connected to the second rotating contact unit, wherein the two facing contact legs are disposed in such a manner as to face each other across the reference line.

Abstract: A device for closing an electrical switch, for installation in a steering wheel of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The switch has a first contact element (1) which is essentially fixed, a second contact element (2) moveable against a return force, and an actuating means (6). The contact elements (1, 2) consist of elongated wire shaped or strip shaped material sections which are held parallel to one another within a spacer cage (3) at a defined distance from each other. Sections (4) of the cage (3) with fixed distance between the contact elements alternate, as seen in a longitudinal direction, with sections (5) where the second contact element (2) can be pressed against the first contact element (1) by means of the actuating means (6), accompanied by an elastic deformation of the material section of the second contact element (2).

Abstract: A compact switchgear system employing a number of modular components that plug into their mating interface and are maintained in electrical isolation employing solid insulation in a manner that substantially shields the electrical conducting portions of the assembly from contact with lower voltage portions of the system. The assembly is primarily made up of five modules.

Abstract: A technique for building touch-sensitive panels which permits construction of large, low-cost electronic whiteboards with improved feel. The electronic whiteboards are of the resistive membrane type, in which a touch on a flexible membrane causes the membrane to come into contact with a surface and that in turn changes the resistances across the membrane and the surface, permitting determination of the location of the touch. A gap between the flexible membrane and the surface is maintained primarily by the use of relatively large spacing structures located between the membrane and the surface, instead of by tension on the membrane. The use of large spacing structures permits the surface to be made using relatively irregular and therefore low-cost material. The spacing structures are backed by an elastic layer, which permits the spacing structures to yield to a touch on the screen.

Abstract: To provide a water-resistant pilot switch in which the shape of a shield member is simple, processibility of parts and workability in mounting the parts to a housing are good, cost cutting is possible, and the on precision of the switch in action can be improved. The water-resistant pilot switch comprises: a housing having a receiving section, a fixed contact provided in the receiving section, a movable contact rotatably provided and being brought into or out of contact with the fixed contact, a lever member rotating the movable contact in the direction of the fixed contact, a cover member having an insertion hole through which one end of the lever member protrudes outwardly from the receiving section and being provided on the receiving section of the housing to be engaged therewith, and a shield member shielding the insertion hole.

Abstract: An electrical cable system can be modified to include a switch, so that signals traveling through the cable can be selectively interrupted. The switch can include threaded connectors for anchoring the switch to complementary threaded ends on the cable sections. Switch operation can be accomplished with a key-actuated lock mounted on the switch housing. The system is tamper resistant as its construction prevents access to the cable ends to bypass the system switch.

Abstract: A tilt switch includes a pair of contact elements; and at least one ball member which rolls along a path defined between the contact elements. The contact elements are disposed facing each other with a distance therebetween, as measured at one end, which is greater than the diameter of the ball member, and as measured at the other end, which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball member. Tilting of the tilt switch is electrically detected through detection of whether or not the ball member is held between the contact elements.