Abstract: A pressure sensitive switch and circuit breaker comprising a body formed of a resilient, deformable inorganic insulating material such as silicone rubber having dispersed therethrough, including its outer surface, a quantity of electrically conductive discrete metal particles. The particles are so oriented in the body of insulating material when the latter is in its normal, unstressed condition that the body is non-conductive, but the particles are movable relatively to one another in response to the application of a compressive force on the body so as to effect engagement of a sufficient number of particles to establish a conductive path through the body. The resilience of the body material enables it to return to its normal condition following release of the compressive force, thereby effecting relative movement of the particles out of engagement with one another and restoring the body to its non-conductive state.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to the formation of a solid bead at either or both ends of an insulated conductor, the opposite ends of the conductor having been stripped of insulation prior to beading of the ends. The beading is accomplished by heating the conductor to its liquification temperature while the conductor is in a horizontal position and prepares the end or ends of the conductor for assembly with terminals without necessitating twisting or soldering operations. To protect the insulator jacket during heating a heat sink is applied to the bare conductors during heating.

Abstract: A thermal relay having main contacts and normally closed auxiliary contacts, a thermally responsive actuator for sequentially operating the main and normally closed auxiliary contacts, and an electric heater for causing said thermally responsive actuator to move. The power supplied to the electric heater is controlled by the auxiliary contacts so that the position of the thermally responsive actuator in the operated position is self-regulated. Because the position of the thermally responsive actuator in the operated position is self-regulated, the time for deactuation of the relay is reduced from prior art relays. One use of the relay of the invention is that of a cornering relay in an automobile signal light system whereby the relay is actuated by the signal light flasher to actuate a cornering lamp.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive electrical contact member which surrounds a first electrical conductor and completes an electrical connection between the first conductor and a second electrical conductor in response to relative pressure exerted thereon by the two conductors. As an example, the pressure sensitive electrical contact member may be used as an insulating sleeve which surrounds that portion of an electro-plating rack upon which the articles to be plated are supported. The sleeve includes a pressure sensitive electrical contact portion which is normally nonconductive but becomes conductive when the article to be plated is placed on the rack so as to complete an electrical connection between the article and the rack. Because only substantially that portion of the pressure sensitive electrical contact that the article contacts is electrically conductive, the effects of parasitic plating on the rack are greatly minimized.

Abstract: A tactile switch plate for a keyboard member has a planar body portion provided with a plurality of outwardly deformed carrier portions corresponding in number and spacing to the number and spacing of the keys of the keyboard. Each of the carrier portions is resiliently flexible for movement toward the plane of the body and each carrier portion carries a preferably elastomeric switching member that is adapted to bridge the conductors and establish an electrical circuit between the conductors. The plate and switching members are produced by a molding process and the elastomeric switching members are cured by heat.

Abstract: A method of making a multi-circuit electrical interconnector comprises the molding of an elastomeric, non-conductive frame member having a number of openings extending therethrough corresponding to the number of circuits that are to be interconnected. Each of the openings is overfilled with a module of uncured, heat curable elastomeric resin containing a plurality of electrically conductive particles. All of the modules are subjected to compression and the modules are cured while maintaining them under compression. All of the cured modules are exercised and stabilized physically and electrically by subjecting them to successive applications of compressive force.

Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid relay assembly in which all the electrical connections are located on one end thereof. The solenoid relay assembly of the invention is attached to a printed circuit board by a spring clip member. The relay assembly of the invention includes a bobbin with an electromagnetic coil wound thereon, a stationary core located in the bore of the bobbin, and a movable core slidably located in the bore which is attracted to the stationary core when the electromagnetic coil is energized. An electrical contact is located on the opposing faces of the stationary and movable core members such that an electrical circuit through the two is completed when the coil is energized. A bias force on the movable core member is provided by a spring which urges the movable core away from the stationary core. A pressure plate member carrying a plurality of electrical contacts thereon makes electrical contact to the spring which, in turn, is electrically connected to the contact on the movable core member.

Abstract: An individual metallic, electrical conductor is terminated by heating one end thereof to form an enlarged molten mass, followed by cooling and subsequent shaping of the mass to form a terminal. Multiple conductors are spliced by heating adjacent ends thereof to form an enlarged, common molten mass at the end of each conductor. Alternatively, adjacent ends of multiple metallic conductors may be spliced by heating the ends thereof to form a molten mass at the end of each conductor followed by plunging the molten masses into one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting the armature of an electric motor against excessive temperatures comprises a resiliently compressible and expansible pad in the armature circuit and composed of thermally sensitive, non-conductive material containing a plurality of conductive particles engageable with one another when the pad is in a compressed condition to establish a conductive path through the pad. The pad normally is maintained in a compressed, conductive condition by resilient force applying means which is of such resilience as to permit expansion of the pad in response to an increase in its temperature and render the pad non-conductive.

Abstract: A multi-stage switching apparatus adapted to make and break an electrical circuit comprises a first compressible body having a resistance which varies inversely according to its state of compression and a second compressible body having a substantially uniform resistance lower than that of the first body, the two bodies being so arranged that the first body is compressed prior to compression of the second body in response to making of the circuit and is decompressed following decompression of the first body in response to breaking of the circuit.

Abstract: A sleeve-type electrical connector comprises a tubular conductor having a socket closed at one end and open at the other end and containing an elastomeric conductive body bonded in the socket adjacent its closed end and adapted to receive one end of a pin terminal. In the manufacture of the connector an excess of uncured, conductive elastomer is introduced to the socket and is subjected to compressive force sufficient to compact the elastomer and extrude the excess through an opening in the socket. The elastomer is cured in situ while subjected to compressive force.