Abstract: A pushbutton provides an operator with a replaceable cam ring that converts the operating mode of the operator from push-pull to twist-to-release.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a mechanical actuator having a first member configured to engage a contact block to move a contact slide for a first distance between open and closed positions of an electrical contact pair. The mechanical actuator also has a second member configured to engage an auxiliary device to move an actuator for a second distance between first and second positions, wherein the first and second distances are substantially different from one another.

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 switch assembly is provided that comprises a switch having a normally open contact and a normally closed contact which is electrically connected to the normally open contact and which is located either within the same housing as the normally open contact or a separate housing. The housing(s) may be mounted onto a latch assembly which, in turn, is mounted onto a switch operator, thereby closing the normally open contact. If the latch assembly becomes mechanically disengaged from the switch operator, thereby rendering the normally closed contact non-operational, the normally open contact will open, thereby opening the circuit to a machine performing a controlled function. The user, noticing the stoppage of operation, will then be alerted of a malfunction within the switch assembly.

Abstract: A device and method establishing an electrically conductive path between a pair of contacts in low voltage, low current applications, such as in electronic circuits. The device and method feature a flexible spanner that contacts a pair of fixed contacts with a sweeping movement. The spanner includes a bent portion that flexes when a force is exerted on the spanner such that a contact portion of the spanner sweeps across the surface of the pair of fixed contacts.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting industrial panel controls to a prewired harness attached to the I/O board of an industrial controller has columnar connectors which fasten to threaded terminals on the panel control and support a printed circuit card holding a standard electrical connector. Machine screws received by the panel control hold the printed circuit board against the columnar connectors. The columnar connector are attached to the printed circuit board by means of sleeve connectors to aid in assembly. Inputs and outputs from the panel controls are segregated by column of the connector to prevent erroneous connection on an input to an output.

Abstract: An improved momentary-maintained operating assembly for an electrical switch, including normally-closed maintained contacts and normally-open momentary contacts; lever operated overcenter, toggle mechanism including a stationary support pivotally supporting an operating cambeam member; a maintained and a momentary pushplate pivotally attached to rock the cambeam member on its pivot; spring members attached to cam follower rollers operating on convex cam surfaces of the cambeam member, with the spring members biasing the rollers towards the respective cam surfaces; the opposite ends of the pushplates being pivotally fastened to a yoke plate fastened to and rocked in alternative directions by the lever to operate the respective pushplates in maintained or momentary contact relationship; and separate spring means biasing the momentary pushplate away from contact operation.

Abstract: A pneumatic timer for a timing relay is regulated by the axial movement of a valve needle through a chamber formed in the body of the timer. The valve needle forms a tapered valve stem along its longitudinal axis and the valve stem is eccentrically disposed in a passageway leading from the valve chamber to provide a crescent-shaped bleed area between the valve chamber and the interior of an expandable bellows. Springs are disposed in the valve chamber to bias the needle to its eccentric position, where the valve stem contacts a portion of a valve seat formed around the passageway. The size of the bleed area between the valve stem and the noncontacting portion of the valve seat changes as the valve needle is moved along its axis, but the shape of the bleed area remains substantially the same, so that the valve can more easily be set to provide the desired time delay.

Abstract: A mechanical latch attachment (20) for a control relay (21) includes a mechanical latch movement (77), a solenoid (49), and a pair of contact cartridges (33) that are disposed in a housing (25). The wear-resistant latch movement (77) has a latch (95) with teeth (103) on one end that are engaged by a pair of pivotable, hooked pawls (105). The latch (95) is coupled to an operating plunger (79) through a contact actuator (82). The operating plunger (79) can be coupled to a conventional control relay (21), which moves the plunger (79) upon the closing of its relay armature (30) to actuate the contacts (35, 36) in both the relay (21) and the attachment (20) and to move the latch (95) to a position where it is restricted by the pawls (105). The restriction of the latch (95) holds the relay armature (30) closed and the contacts (35, 36) actuated even though the relay (21) is deenergized.

Abstract: An electrical limit switch has a rotary camshaft provided in an operating head which is mounted upon a main switch body which houses electrical switch contacts. Rotational input motion of the camshaft is translated into a linear output motion of an actuator for operating the switch contacts. A minor return spring acts in series with a major return spring upon a flat formed in the camshaft to center the camshaft in a neutral position. The minor return spring is compressed as the camshaft is initially rotated to enable a low torque operation of the shaft until after actuation of the switch contacts, while the major return spring is compressed after switch actuation to provide a principal return force for the camshaft upon its rotary deviation from the neutral position. A spring stop element is inserted between the major and minor springs to limit compression of the minor return spring following an operation of the switch contacts.