Abstract: A solenoid unit for use in high amperage environments includes a hollow cup-shaped housing having a closed end and an open end. A contact section is located adjacent to the closed end, and a coil section is located adjacent to the open end. The closed end includes an end wall. First and second power contact terminals each include a threaded member extending exteriorly for receiving a lead clamping nut. Each terminal includes an enlarged mounting head embedded within the end wall, with an inner contact extending from the end wall. Each head includes a circumferential knurled surface to oppose rotational and axial forces and thereby permits high clamping torque forces on the nut. A bridging contact is aligned with the inner contact ends of the terminals and moves axially thereof. The housing includes inwardly extending opposed locating members which define the contact chamber and guide the bridging contact within a free space to cool the contact assembly.

Abstract: A solenoid starter switch unit for garden tractors, outboard motors and the like operating in a vibrational environmental has an insulating housing with a coil chamber and an outwardly extending rectangular contact chamber. A coil unit supported in the coil chamber has a magnetic plunger with a contact pin journalled in one end and projecting into the contact chamber. The pin has an intermediate contact ledge and a contact has a flat base abutting the contact ledge. The contact is a winged-shaped strip of constant width substantially corresponding to the ledge and is symmetrically formed with a flat base on an inclined portion connected to an outer flat contact portion parallel to the base. An outer lip projects laterally and inwardly from the contact portion. A clamp nut on the pin has an outer edge engaging an outer portion of the base. Coil leads in one embodiment project through the top housing wall. Terminals are press fitted within receptacles on the top of the bobbin.

Abstract: A keylock switch has a standard housing and rotary switch unit for two, three, four, five or six terminals. The switch includes an outer housing has a lock section and an inner contact section closed by a back plate with fixed contacts secured thereto. A keylock assembly includes a rotating tube with edge slots and pivoted locking levers which are pivoted to a release position within the tube. A hub extends from the lock section into a contact chamber and forms a bearing wall, on which a contact carrier plate bears. A rotating U-shaped contact is coupled to the plate bottom and includes an integral leaf spring in the center acting between the carrier and a fixed terminal plate. The U-shaped contact includes opposite end contact plates, with one about twice the width of the other to span two adjacent fixed contacts while the shorter plate engages a single fixed contact.

Abstract: A low keylock unit includes an electrical switch unit. A pair of laterally spaced locking levers are pivotally mounted within a rotatable lock tube. The tube extends inwardly into a contact carrier rotatably mounted at the inner end of the switch housing for selective rotation thereof. A rotating switch is coupled to the carrier and selectively engages a fixed contact on a back plate closing the housing. Each lever includes a control leg between a key opening and the pivot and a lock leg between the pivot and the switch unit. A resilient element such as a coil spring compressed between the lock legs or an integral cross between the levers, bears the levers with the lock legs engaging locking grooves on the housing wall to prevent rotation of the tube and the switch unit. A flat key inserted into the lock deflects the legs and pivots the levers outwardly to release the lock legs. If the key is too wide, the control legs move outwardly into the grooves and maintain the locked state.

Abstract: An electric starter solenoid for starting internal combustion engines includes a housing having a lower coil section and an outer rectangular contact section. The coil section has a hexagonal cross-section and a depth to receive an annular coil unit. An armature is journaled in the coil unit. A contact guide with spaced terminals to the opposite ends in the upper section. A floating contact plate is resiliently mounted on a guide pin and guided in the rectangular section. The guide pin engages the armature. A light spring urges the guide pin against the armature in spaced relation to the terminals. The coil unit includes a bottom plate with opposite projection mating with corners of the housing to angularly orient the coil unit in the housing. In one unit, a common coil lead is connected to the bottom plate.

Abstract: A lighting fixture that is adapted to be mounted on a normally concealed, vertical surface of a large musical instrument or item of furniture such that the lamp assembly and its supporting frame may be concealed when lowered to an inoperative position behind the musical instrument or furniture item. The fixture includes a bracket mounted on the concealed side of the musical instrument or furniture item, and the longer leg of an inverted, J-shaped frame is mounted in the bracket for vertically shiftable and pivotal movement. The longer leg has a plurality of vertically spaced grooves in the outer surface thereof, which coact with a ball detent in the bracket to releasably retain the frame and lamp assembly in different, vertical positions. A swivel mounting connects the lamp assembly to the shorter leg of the frame and limits the extent of rotation of the lamp assembly relative to the shorter leg of the frame.

Abstract: A concealable lighting fixture wherein the longer, vertically extending leg of a support frame is mounted in a vertically extending bearing in a bracket so that the frame is vertically shiftable in and rotatable with respect to the bracket. A diametrically extending support pin is mounted in the lower end of the longer leg for engaging a support surface on the upper end of the bracket. When engaged with the support surface, the support pin releasably retains the frame, and a lamp assembly on the upper end of the support frame, in an elevated operative position. In one embodiment, the bearing for the longer leg of the frame is provided by concave recesses in the inner faces of a pair of vertically extending flanges on one side of the plate portion of the bracket. In another embodiment, the bearing is provided by a tube welded to the plate portion.