Abstract: A flashlight has a center pivot mechanical connection between a plastic battery housing and a rotatable plastic turret, permitting free rotation of the turret. A lamp housing is pivotable within the turret about an axis perpendicular to the center pivot. Electrical connection between the lamp within the lamp housing, and the batteries within the battery housing is provided by two pairs of ring and point contacts mounted to the turret and the battery housing, and by ring contacts connected to the lamp housing surrounding the pivot axis of the lamp housing which engage with a point contact and ring contact in the turret. The light may thus be pointed in any direction in the hemisphere above the battery housing. A snap ring securely retains the turret to the battery housing while permitting free rotation about the rigid center pivot which does not provide electrical connection.

Abstract: An alternate action mechanism includes a ratchet cam moving a resilient contact between first and second positions. A push button, including an interface member, rotates the ratchet cam by applying force to ratchet teeth. The alternate action mechanism includes a frame supporting the ratchet cam and aligning the ratchet portion with the interface member. In one embodiment, the ratchet portion is between two cam portions. When the ratchet cam is rotated, the cam portions moves the resilient member to one of two alternating positions. In another embodiment, the cam portion is positioned between two ratchet portions. The frame includes cam support arms receiving the ratchet cam. The frame also includes detents which prevent improper movement of the ratchet cam and provide audible indication of actuation of the mechanism. The interface member can comprise a finger to contact a ratchet tooth and rotate the ratchet cam. The finger can be U-shaped, with the edges on the open side contacting the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A protective boot of resilient elastomer material comprising a fixed end sealable around a housing opening through which the reciprocal shaft of a solenoid or like device extends and having a movable end sealed to the shaft includes a fluid chamber interconnecting the fixed and movable ends of the boot; the fluid chamber has an unstressed length exceeding the length of the shaft stroke and is formed by a plurality of concave wall portions each extending axially of the shaft, the concave wall portions being forced outwardly of the shaft during retraction movement so that the volume in the fluid chamber remains generally constant.

Abstract: A hollow knob is provided for use on control shafts and the like. The knob comprises two hollow sections of plastic material and a metal insert threaded for receipt of a control rod or the like. The two hollow knob sections are provided with reinforcing ribs running at right angles to one another, and readily secured at crossover points by means of sonic welding. The metal insert is held securely in place in a well in one of the two plastic portions, being firmly trapped in place, and reinforcing the plastic sections.