Abstract: An electrical power-operated accessory for automobiles and other vehicles, comprises an automatic electrical cigar lighter or power outlet device consisting of a holder structure which includes a socket having electrical contacts, and either an ignitor plug receivable in the socket for use with tobacco products, or else a power outlet plug to provide a source of power for operating other equipment. The ignitor plug has an electrical heating coil, and the socket has a base-mounted automatic switch to control the operating current. The socket also has safety overload protection in the form of a PTC wafer which functions to prevent overcurrent conditions. A glow ring on the holder or socket is illuminated concurrently with energization of the heating coil or the power outlet, or else separately controlled from an outside source.

Abstract: A liquid level gauge utilizes a liquid tight plastic envelope carrying an elongate p-c board that has a light source mounted so as to direct light laterally thereof, and a light sensor also mounted so as to receive light from a direction which is lateral of the board. The gauge further has a lens configuration which is part of the envelope, for providing a largely solid, reflective path for light which emanates at the light source and is to be received at the light sensor. The lens is capable of aiding in the establishment, at the exterior of the envelope, of a path which diverges from the solid reflective path when the exterior of the envelope is surrounded by liquid that has an index of refraction which is different from the index of refraction of the material of which the lens and envelope are constituted. Assembly is significantly simplified as compared with prior, known gauge constructions.

Abstract: A cigar lighter receptacle construction includes a well part and a separate safety connector cartridge part adapted to be disconnectably carried at the rear of the well part. The parts have electrical connector structures forming engageable pairs of contactors. At least one pair of contactors is in the form of telescopic cup-like formations. There is further provided a bimetallic finger carried by the cartridge part, adapted to shunt the connector structures of the cartridge part in response to overheating of the well part. The arrangement is such that both the well part and the cartridge part are relatively simple sub-assemblies which can be manufactured at greatly reduced expense by virtue of the various assembly steps being carried out largely by automated equipment.

Abstract: A cigar lighter receptacle construction includes a well part and a separate safety connector cartridge part adapted to be disconnectably carried at the rear of the well part. The parts have electrical connector structures forming engageable pairs of contactors. At least one pair of contactors is in the form of telescopic cup-like formations. There is further provided a bimetallic finger carried by the cartridge part, adapted to shunt the connector structures of the cartridge part in response to overheating of the well part. The arrangement is such that both the well part and the cartridge part are relatively simple sub-assemblies which can be manufactured at greatly reduced expense by virtue of the various assembly steps being carried out largely by automated equipment.

Abstract: A liquid level monitor for sensing the level of liquid in a tank or vessel, typically an automobile radiator, employing a probe with a light emitting diode and phototransistor mounted inside an enclosure, the enclosure having a transparent lens through which light can pass, and the lens having a prism configuration which diffuses or alters stray light which occurs by reflection off an interior core wall of the vessel and prevents the diffused or dispersed light from rendering the phototransistor conductive and possibly leading to a false indication or reading of liquid level. The light emitting diode is electrically excited with a high-intensity, short duration pulse, which improves the sensitivity of the monitor.

Abstract: An electrical power outlet assembly having a socket formed by a one-piece, deep-drawn metal cup with an integral out-turned flange at its mouth, the cup having at its bottom a transverse end wall that is lanced to form a diametric, spade-like terminal piece. One end of the terminal piece is integral with the metal cup, and the other end is free and clear. The terminal piece is bent outward to form an outstanding spade connector. An insulating terminal block is carried in the metal cup, and has a through passage extending from its front to its rear. An electrically conductive terminal is carried by the block and extends completely through the passage. The terminal has a forward contact portion adjacent the front of the block, and a rear terminal portion extending from the rear thereof. An especially simple, one-piece socket construction is thus realizeable by virtue of the integrally formed terminal piece that is stamped from the bottom wall of the metal cup.

Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic lamp fixture for mounting a light bulb at the exterior of the clamping shell portion of an electric cigar lighter for vehicles, to provide illumination of the socket thereof. The clamping shell has a light-admitting aperture over which the bulb is positioned when carried in a body part of the plastic fixutre. An integral plastic hood is connected to the body part adjacent the bulb, and can be swung from a first position overlying and generally concealing the bulb, to a second position wherein the bulb is exposed for replacement. The body and hood portions are joined by a living hinge, and the body portion is held on the clamping shell by resilient, opposed integral retainer fingers that are receivable in openings in the shell.

Abstract: A liquid level gauging system and sensor device for installation in the aperture of a wall of a liquid-containing vessel, including a metal fitting having a through bore and a substantially cylindrical body portion with external threads by which it can be secured in the aperture in the vessel wall, a cup-like enclosure disposed in the bore, the enclosure having a bottom wall containing a prism disposed adjacent the inner end of the bore, and a light source and a light-responsive device mounted in the enclosure. The prism has a substantially conical forward end portion for immersion in the liquid to be monitored. The conical forward end portion of the prism is characterized by an axis, and the prism has a light-admitting and light-transmitting conical recess coaxial with the conical end portion of the prism. Light rays from the source that pass into the surface of the conical recess are bent, by refraction, toward the conical end portion.

Abstract: An electric switch construction having a body member with a a stationary electrical contact, a movable plunger in the body member and carrying a second electrical contact, and a compression spring, one end of which is carried by the plunger. The other end of the spring preferably carries an abutment or button, intended for engagement by an actuator, such as the hood of a motor vehicle. The spring constitutes a yieldable drive or link between the actuator and plunger, to compensate for dimensional variations that normally occur in the environment in which the switch is used, as well as minimizing deleterious effects of high impulse forces that would otherwise be applied by the actuator to the switch plunger, and also the effects of overtravel of the actuator. Improved reliability and longer switch life expectancy are thus realizeable.

Abstract: A float switch construction for monitoring liquid levels, comprising a float housing having a float member which is movable therein between raised and lowered positions. In the housing there is a fixed contact member and an asymmetric, elongate movable contact member, the latter having a laterally offset portion constituting a gravity-responsive mass. The housing has an electrically conductive bearing which mounts the movable contact member for both turning and pivotal movement and for conducting current to or from it. The float member and movable contact member are freely turnable with respect to one another, and have cooperable engaging portions for causing the movable contact member to pivot in response to movement of the float member. The fixed contact member has contact portions disposed annularly for engagement by the movable contact member in response to its pivotal movement irrespective of the angular orientation of the float housing.

Abstract: A pre-heater for internal combustion engines, especially adapted for use in cold climates while a vehicle is being stored, parked, or otherwise idle. The heater has a base member that is adapted to be secured in an opening of the engine block, and an electric heating element carried by the base member and exposed to the interior area of the block so as to be in contact with the coolant thereof. Electric terminals carried by the base member are connected to the heating element to effect energization thereof. An electric cable is also provided, having a plug detachable from the base member. The plug has mating terminals cooperable with the electric terminals of the base member to establish an electrical circuit through the heating element. A heat-responsive sensor device is carried by the plug, and monitors the temperature of the base member and heating element in order to effect an automatic control of the energization of the latter.

Abstract: An electric heater assemblage for attachment to the air intake opening of a fuel vapor recovery canister of the type containing material adapted to alternately adsorb and store, or release fuel vapor. The assemblage includes a wafer of electric resistance heating material, and electrical connections for effecting energization of the wafer. The wafer has opposite expansive surfaces, and there is a first wall located at one side of the wafer and having an expansive surface coextensive with one wafer surface, and a second wall located at the opposite side of the wafer and having an expansive surface coextensive with the other wafer surface. The first wall and wafer thus define a first chamber, and the second wall and wafer define a second chamber in communication with the first chamber at the periphery of the wafer.

Abstract: A fuel vapor recovery canister having a housing including an outer wall with spaced-apart vapor ports. Adsorbent material in the housing adsorbs and stores fuel vapors entering one vapor port, or under other circumstances releases such vapors for exit through one of the ports. In one embodiment the housing has interleaved baffle plates between the ports, which force vapors entering one port to flow along a serpentine path, giving maximum exposure of the vapor to the adsorbent material. In a second embodiment, a helical partition is provided, similarly forcing vapor flow to occur along a serpentine path.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device for installation in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, for igniting and vaporizing particulate matter in the exhaust stream. The device includes a canister having a tubular casing with an open end, and an end fitting having a wide mouth which fits against the open end, and thereby closing off the same. The fitting has an inlet port for connection to the exhaust pipe of the engine. Disposed within the casing is a porous filter element which traps small amounts of solid matter such as soot, and keeps it from entering the atmosphere through the vehicle's tailpipe. Igniting devices in the canister adjacent the inlet side of the filter, are located along the exhaust stream flowpath. Upon contact with the igniting devices, at least some of the particulate matter in the stream is vaporized, and passed, as a gas, through the filter.

Abstract: A float switch construction for monitoring liquid levels, comprising a float housing having a float member which is movable therein between raised and lowered positions. In the housing there is a fixed contact member and an asymmetric, elongate movable contact member, the latter having a laterally offset portion constituting a gravity-responsive mass. The housing has an electrically conductive bearing which mounts the movable contact member for both turning and pivotal movement and for conducting current to or from it. The float member and movable contact member are freely turnable with respect to one another, and have cooperable engaging portions for causing the movable contact member to pivot in response to movement of the float member. The fixed contact member has contact portions disposed annularly for engagement by the movable contact member in response to its pivotal movement irrespective of the angular orientation of the float housing.

Abstract: A composite clamping shell for securing the socket of an electric cigar lighter to a panel of an automobile, has a rolled sheet-metal body of tubular shape, with open ends and a clinched seam. Attached to the body is a drawn, sheet metal sleeve having a rolled screw thread. The body has inwardly displaced stop shoulders to position the sleeve, which latter has an annular out-turned flange abutting the stop shoulders. Edge portions of the body end are laid over the out-turned flange of the sleeve to hold it captive and prevent relative movement. The body is stamped out of a piece of flat sheet metal stock and thereafter rolled into the desired cylindrical shape. The sleeve is produced by drawing operations, from flat stock, reduced manufacturing cost is thus realized.

Abstract: An electric switch construction having a housing with electric terminals, two concentric springs disposed in the housing and respectively connected with the terminals, and a movable contactor cup adapted to establish continuity between the terminals and a conductive, barrel portion of the housing. The outer spring biases the cup to a circuit-closing position wherein both terminals are connected to the barrel portion of the housing. A manually-engageable plunger is arranged to engage the cup. When the plunger is actuated, first one terminal is disconnected from the barrel portion of the switch, and subsequently, upon further movement of the plunger, the remaining terminal is disconnected therefrom. The plunger carries an O-ring which forms a partial seal along the bore of the housing, so as to minimize the accumulation of dirt or moisture from the surfaces where electrical contact is made or broken.

Abstract: An electric preheater for an internal combustion engine includes a heater having a metallic base member adapted to be secured to and cover an opening of an engine block and carrying an electric immersion heating element adapted to project through the opening into the coolant passage of the block. The base member has electric terminals for supplying power to the heating element. An electric power supply cable is detachably connected to the terminals by a molded plug having mating connectors embedded in a projecting resilient boss on the plug. A heat sensor, in the form of a thermistor, is embedded in the boss and has an exposed sloping leading surface at the side of the boss to facilitate insertion of the plug into a hollow recess defined by an encircling metallic side wall provided on the base around the heating element terminals.

Abstract: A device for the recovery of fuel vapors originating in the fuel system of a vehicle, particularly at the gas tank thereof or in the carburetor float bowl. In one arrangement, a fuel vapor line connects the fuel tank to an input port of a fuel vapor storage and recovery canister containing activated carbon or charcoal, with another port thereof, referred to as a "purge" port, being connected with either the engine intake manifold or else a vacuum port of the carburetor. Carried by the canister is a self-regulating electric heater assemblage adapted to heat air flowing into the canister through a large air port, thereby to also heat the charcoal. When the vehicle is idle, fumes from the gasoline tank can enter the input port of the canister to be adsorbed and stored by the charcoal. When the vehicle is operated, vacuum from the intake manifold draws air into the canister, causing the heated charcoal to release its stored fuel which is then burned in the engine.

Abstract: A composite clamping shell for securing the socket of an electric cigar lighter to a panel of an automobile, has a rolled sheet-metal body of tubular shape, with open ends and a clinched seam. Attached to the body is a drawn, sheet metal sleeve having a rolled screw thread. The body has inwardly displaced stop shoulders to position the sleeve, which latter has an annular out-turned flange abutting the stop shoulders. Edge portions of the body end are laid over the out-turned flange of the sleeve to hold it captive and prevent relative movement. The body is stamped out of a piece of flat sheet metal stock and thereafter rolled into the desired cylindrical shape. The sleeve is produced by drawing operations, from flat stock. Reduced manufacturing cost is thus realized.