Abstract: A safety switch that is constructed to change over the connection contact when an actuator enters the operating portion of the switch proper and an operating rod at the switch portion moves in response to this. The safety switch includes a driving cam and restricting plates arranged on either side of the driving cam for restricting movement of the driving cam when an object other than the actuator is inserted into the operating portion.

Abstract: A key switch comprising a base, a key top arranged above the base, a pair of link members interconnected with each other to support the key top above the base and to direct the key top in a vertical direction, a biasing member for elastically urging the key top vertically away from the base, and a switching mechanism for selectively opening and closing an electric circuit in connection with a vertical movement of the key top.

Abstract: An electrical safety outlet is provided and consists of a plug receptacle having typically at least a large neutral blade-slot and a small voltage blade-slot for receiving a large neutral blade and a small voltage blade of a corresponding and mating multi-prong polarized plug. The invention also applies to older plugs and three-blade plugs where both the neutral and voltage blades are the same width. In one embodiment, insertion of the multi-prong polarized plug depresses the exterior lobes of two separate cams which work together to change the normally open circuit receptacle of the present invention to a closed circuit receptacle. In order for both cams to be activated, the mating multi-prong polarized plug must be inserted almost completely into the plug receptacle before the electrical circuit is closed, thereby supplying current to the plug. The neutral prong must be at least the width of the voltage prong to close the circuit.

Abstract: An electrical switch combination, especially for controlling a cruise control of a motorcycle, has a first electrical toggle switch that can be pivoted from a middle position into two toggle positions, and which automatically returns to the middle position, and an additional electrical slide switch which can assume at least two different switch positions. Th slide switch is mutually linked with the first switch in such fashion that its actuating member mechanically blocks the actuating member of the toggle switch in its middle position in at least one switch position.

Abstract: A circuit breaking device includes a socket provided on the way of a circuit, a plug movably disposed in a direction that the plug is inserted into and removed from the socket, an explosive exploding in response to a trigger signal given thereto to thereby drive the plug by explosion force to move advanced, and the plug which is normally disposed in a retreated position at where the plug is in a conductive state with said socket, while the plug is in a non-conductive state with said socket when the plug moves to an advanced position.

Abstract: A switch assembly having an enlarged actuation surface and enhanced tactility is provided. The switch assembly may include a switch having a movable switch mounted within a recess. The actuation surface may be an elongate planar body loosely held within the recess and in engagement with the movable switch. A flexible protective cover may be provided over the recess, switch and actuation surface. The planar body increases the actuation area of the switch assembly without increasing the size, and accompanying cost, of the switch.

Abstract: A push-on switch includes a casing made of insulating material and having an inner bottom surface. First fixed contacts are provided on the inner bottom surface of the casing. Second fixed contacts are provided on the inner bottom surface of the casing. Movable contacts have base portions and resilient contact arms. The base portions are placed on and electrically connected to the first fixed contacts respectively. The resilient contact arms extend from the base portions to regions above the second fixed contacts respectively. A dome-shaped spring member made of resilient insulating material has a top portion, a conical portion, and a lower end. The top portion and the lower end are connected by the conical portion. The lower end is placed on the base portions of the movable contacts. The top portion has a lower surface located above free ends of the resilient contact arms of the movable contacts.

Abstract: The invention includes a switch designed for use in adverse conditions such as for use with physically challenged persons. The switch can include a housing comprising top and bottom housings. The top and bottom housing each have a mating surface which guide the top and bottom housing during activation of the switch while permitting an activation force applied from various directions to activate an electrical switch located within the housing. The switch can include a flange type seal member for resisting entrance of contaminants into the housing and can include a ring member for attaching the switch to a user's body for easy manipulation of the switch. In addition, the switch is designed to be quickly and easily fit together during assembly and therefore easily manufactured.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator for a safety switch provided with at least one insertion slot with inclined insertion guides for the actuator, having a holder which can be fastened to a part whose open and closed positions are to be monitored, and which is fitted with the key mounted on it such that the said key can be moved, the key comprising a foot, and the holder being provided with a recess for the key on the side facing the key and with a bearing for the foot, the said bearing extending around the recess and allowing the foot to be displaced and rotated.

Abstract: An interlock for aligned switch members, which are movable toward each other to an ON position and away from each other to an OFF position, includes a pair of engagement members and a connector member extending therebetween. Each engagement member includes a planar retainer section which extends outwardly and is adapted for receipt within a passage defined by the switch member, for guiding axial movement of the engagement members relative to the switch members. Each engagement member further includes a pair of upstanding tabs, and the engagement members are positioned such that the tabs are located adjacent each other between the switches. The connector member includes an upper wall located above the plane of the retainer sections, and depending side walls which are interconnected with the tabs via screws which pass through openings in the tabs and into aligned, threaded openings in the depending side walls.

Abstract: Switch apparatus in the form of a family of like bases and interconnected housings each carrying two switch actuators and switch circuits. Conductive traces on each printed circuit board are engaged by contact elements operable by movement of each switch actuator to provide signals to connector terminals extending through the base for engagement with an external connector. The base is keyed to the external connector to accept only a specific connector in a specific base to connector orientation. The base includes key members permitting the base to be mounted in only one specific mounting position and one specific orientation in a support. 180.degree. rotation of the base permits the base to be mounted in a different mounting position with different key members. A high current contact is carried on the base and actuated by a switch actuator to operate a high current device.

Abstract: A waterproof switch has a single contact arranged in a sealed housing, with an actuator arm protruding from one end and electrical terminals protruding from an opposite end. The single contact is arranged close to a metal portion that is moved by the actuator into mechanical and electrical contact with the single contact. The sealed housing is formed of two pieces that are attached by a heat activated adhesive. The switch can be assembled by forming the metal switch parts on a long strip and subsequently, following the assembly of the housing, the small metal portions joining the switch parts are sheared away.

Abstract: The invention relate to a position signaling layout for a motor drive which also serves to activate an on-load tap changer, an off-circuit tap changer or a plunger core coil. Position signaling devices of this kind detect the position at a given time of the on-load tap changer or similar and transmit this information in the form of an electric signal. According to the invention, the device consists essentially of a board on which there are fixed signaling contacts and a pivoted cam disc which connects said fixed contacts electrically and links them to a terminal lead via a spring operated switch, activating the spring operated switch by means of its front cam contour.

Abstract: A cam-operated timer for a household appliance has a variety of improvements. An audible and tactile feedback member engages a textured surface on the cam wheel, to produce desired audible and tactile feedback when the timer is manually set. When the timer is manually set, the cam-actuated switches are moved away from the cam surfaces, and a clutch is opened to permit bi-directional slip between the cam wheel and motor, so that the sole source of audible and tactile feedback is the audible and tactile feedback member. The timer also features lanced switch arm contacts, that provide a sharp contact edge to permit the switch arms to make good contact with adjacent switch arms. The switch arms are mounted in a stack of wafers, where each wafer may have switch arms of differing thickness or metal, allowing high current and low current switches to be mixed. Features in the housing are used to receive and locate the wafers to prevent inaccuracies in wafer thickness from accumulating through the stack of wafers.

Abstract: A semiconductor accelerometer switch having a fixed portion including a first control electrode and a movable portion including a movable body. By applying a voltage between the first control electrode and an electrode on the movable body, electrostatic attraction holds the movable body in an initial position. The movable body is displaced when acceleration having a magnitude in a direction acts on the switch. The threshold of acceleration to be detected and general-purpose properties of the accelerometer switch are easily adjusted.

Abstract: A lever switch comprises a box-shaped case 11 with the top open having fixed contact points 12, 13, 14 on the inner bottom surface. A movable contact element 15 made of an elastic metal, formed into an approximately reverse isosceles triangle having an elastic contact point 15E, 15F provided at the tip end of two respective elastic feet 15C, 15D extended from the equilateral sides to be crossing downward is placed in the case. An actuating body 16 of approximately isosceles triangle shape is disposed on the top of the movable contact element 15 so as protrusions 16C, 16D provided at the bottom corners press the upper surface of the flexed portions 15A, 15B, respectively, locating at the upper corners of the movable contact element 15. The operation lever 16E of actuating body 16 operates smoothly responding to the forces exerted from the three directions, both the right and the left, as well as from the up.

Abstract: An elongated key switch 1 includes a key top 2 and a guide support member 5 supporting the key top 2. The guide support member 5 includes connection members 3c, 4c formed in a thick plate or rod shape to provide them which high rigidity. The connection member 3c is provided with a press-down portion that directly presses down on a rubber spring to perform a switching operation. To insure that the connection member 3c is sufficiently rigid so that the switching operation can be performed, metal wire 3g having rigidity is press fitted in a lengthwise direction of the connection member 3c. Accordingly, even when a lengthwise end portion of the key top 2 is pressed down, the connection members 3c, 4c, particularly the connection member 3c that presses directly on the rubber spring, will not bend. As a result, switching operations can be accurately performed.

Abstract: A device for the actuation of at least one main switch, includes a lever having two main faces. In a working position of the lever, its main face is designed to actuate the main switch. In an idle position of the lever, its second main face is designed to actuate at least one ancillary switch capable of delivering an item of information on the idle position.

Abstract: Electrical switching apparatus such as a power circuit breaker, network protector or switch has a self-supporting operating mechanism module including a cage formed by a pair of side plates rigidly clamped in spaced relation by spacers. The cage supports all of the operating mechanism components including a helical compression close spring mounted fully between the side plates and coupled to a cam member through a rocker in a manner which maintains the forces longitudinal to the spring. The cam member has a charging cam with a charge profile for compressing the close spring and a close profile through which the spring drives the cam member to effect a controlled release of stored energy to close the contacts of the apparatus. The cam shaft is captured between bushings seated in non-circular openings in the side plates thereby eliminating the need for any fasteners. Likewise, other parts mounted between the side plates and joined by pins having enlarged heads retained by the side plates do not need retainers.

Abstract: A lever switch, in particular a steering column switch for a motor vehicle, comprises a housing (1) with connector contacts (5), a switch lever (10) supported in the housing (1), a switch element (30 and 32, respectively) actuated by the switch lever (10) and acting on switch contact paths (24), and comprises a switch gate (14), which resets the switch lever (10) or locks it in position. In order to provide a lever switch offering variable switching functions while permitting an economical and cost-effective manufacture at the same time, a predetermined layout of switch contact paths (14) is used for the implementation of different lever switching functions in that the division of the switch contact paths (24) is different, that the association and/or values of the resistors (25) relative to the switch contact paths (24) is different, and that different, interchangeable switch gates (14) are used.