Abstract: A completely electronic programmable hour meter is disclosed. The hour meter accumulates and displays run time of the device being measured. The hour meter can also count pulses. The meter can be preprogrammed with a maintenance timer limit which is compared to the accumulated run time. If the accumulated run time equals or exceeds the preprogrammed time limit an alarm display flashes. The hour meter will store the accumulated run time for up to 5 years if power is interrupted. This memory retention occurs without use of a battery. The elapsed time is stored in a plurality of registers such that no register is written to more than a preselected number of times, nominally ten thousand, until all the registers have been updated the preselected number of times.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a single plunger that sequentially actuates electrically independent terminal contacts such as found in a speed control and brake light switch adapted to be actuated by an automobile brake assembly. The switch has a reciprocable plunger with a conductive ferrule on its end that actuates one set of terminal contacts and an intermediate cylindrical cam that operates another set of terminal contacts. A cover is positioned over an opening in the housing and it has a first integral yolk projection that surrounds a reduced shank on the plunger to maintain the plunger within the housing which permits the plunger to be inserted from outside the housing during assembly, and it also has an integral slotted projection that fits over one set of terminals to secure these terminals within the housing.