Abstract: A system for applying a flowable material to a surface that includes an applicator and a storage pod is disclosed. The storage pod may have a housing and a lid that engage each other to form an interior cavity that contains a flowable material. The applicator receives the storage pod and has a pusher mechanism to apply a force to the housing causing the housing to collapse. As the housing collapses, the flowable material is expelled from the storage pod. The applicator may be a reusable applicator where the storage pods can be used and reloaded, or a single use disposable applicator.

Abstract: A universal load switch includes convex fixed terminal contacts and convex movable contacts selectively connectable electrically to the terminal contacts. Snap blades forcibly move the movable contacts toward and away from each of the terminal contacts.

Abstract: A gear position sensor employs a sliding electrical connection between arcuate conductors and flexible wiper arms held on opposite surfaces that rotate relative to each other with the movement of a gear selector shaft. The traces may have multiple segments joined by resistors to provide flexible change in resistance value and resistance range for different applications.

Abstract: An apparatus in an example comprises a seat, a torso support, and a connector. The seat comprises a rigid core. The torso support is coupled with the seat. The connector is coupled with the seat and/or the torso support. The connector is removably connectable with an accessory that serves to at least in part support a weight of a patient relative to a load-bearing surface. A location of the patient on the seat with a front of the patient faced toward the torso support and the connector coupled with the accessory allows control by a caregiver of an upper body of the patient for and during transfer of the patient by the caregiver from a start location to a target location.

Abstract: A gear position sensor employs a sliding electrical connection between arcuate conductors and flexible wiper arms held on opposite surfaces that rotate relative to each other with the movement of a gear selector shaft. The traces may have multiple segments joined by resistors to provide flexible change in resistance value and resistance range for different applications.

Abstract: An apparatus in an example comprises a seat, a torso support, and a connector. The seat comprises a rigid core. The torso support is coupled with the seat. The connector is coupled with the seat and/or the torso support. The connector is removably connectable with an accessory that serves to at least in part support a weight of a patient relative to a load-bearing surface. A location of the patient on the seat with a front of the patient faced toward the torso support and the connector coupled with the accessory allows control by a caregiver of an upper body of the patient for and during transfer of the patient by the caregiver from a start location to a target location.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a base, a flat spring, a switch, and an actuating member. The base includes a central channel. The flat spring may be pivotally secured to a portion of the base. The switch is proximate the flat spring, and is configured to selectively open and close a circuit, such as an ignition circuit of a vehicle. The actuating member is positioned through the central channel and abuts the flat spring. The actuating member is configured to be engaged toward the flat spring in order to activate the switch, wherein movement of the actuating member in a first direction causes the flat spring to move in a second direction into the switch to activate the switch. The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a base, a flat spring, a switch, and an actuating member. The base includes a central channel. The flat spring may be pivotally secured to a portion of the base. The switch is proximate the flat spring, and is configured to selectively open and close a circuit, such as an ignition circuit of a vehicle. The actuating member is positioned through the central channel and abuts the flat spring. The actuating member is configured to be engaged toward the flat spring in order to activate the switch, wherein movement of the actuating member in a first direction causes the flat spring to move in a second direction into the switch to activate the switch. The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

Abstract: A joystick module in which a toggle arm controls movement of a plurality of shutters, with each shutter arranged between a light receiver and a light emitter. Control of the light from the light receiver to the light emitter of each pair provides signal information for controlled operation of an activity.

Abstract: A position sensor device that produces a variable output voltage when using a light emitting diode, such as an infrared light emitting diode (IR-LED), and a phototransistor further includes the use of a semi-transparent piece of material having a varying thickness that passes between the IR-LED and the phototransistor. The output voltage provided by the phototransistor varies depending on the amount of light collected by the phototransistor, which is controlled by the amount of light passing through the semi-transparent material. The amount of light passing through the transparent material depends on the thickness of the semi-transparent material. With the invention, the semi-transparent material may pass between the IR-LED and phototransistor in either a linear or rotary manner.

Abstract: A push-button switch includes a universal assembly comprising a single body design, a single plunger design, and a single base design to provide various switch options in an overall single package design. The push-button switch of the invention may be operated by either a mechanical switch assembly or a hall-effect system. The push-button switch may also provide a momentary switch connection, such as a single push system, or a maintained switch connection, such as a push-push system. Further, the push-button switch may include feedback mechanisms, such as LED components and the like that provide a visible feedback of the switch connection, and tactile feedback components that also indicate the switch connection.

Abstract: A joystick module in which a toggle arm controls movement of a plurality of shutters, with each shutter arranged between a light receiver and a light emitter. Control of the light from the light receiver to the light emitter of each pair provides signal information for controlled operation of an activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electrical switch assembly generally comprising a snap-action electrical switch disposed in a module frame assembly and connected to electrical contact pins for mating with a contact pin connector. A switch module assembly is connected to the module frame assembly and includes a switch actuator assembly for actuating the snap-action electrical switch. The switch actuator includes a latch spring guide that may be configured for either "alternate" or "momentary" actuation of the snap-action electrical switch and emits audio and tactile switch status indicators perceptible to an operator. The module frame assembly and switch module assembly are releasably connectable to and form an integral unit with a cap base assembly having a cap module with a low power LED illuminatable display visible under extreme ambient lighting conditions for indicating switch status.

Abstract: A electrical switching apparatus having a housing, an actuator for actuating the apparatus along an axis, first contacts for establishing an incomplete electrical path within the housing and second contacts for bridgingly electrically completing the electrical path in response to movement of the actuator within the housing. The first contacts comprise at least two elongate contacts and the second contacts comprise at least one elongate bridging contact or in a generally perpendicular to the axis of the housing. Second contacts are floatingly captive to the actuator in a manner allowing movement of those second contacts with respect to the first contacts in at least one axis.

Abstract: An appliance switch includes a base housing having a pair of trough-like recesses and a cover member having a pair of cylindrically-shaped members. The cylindrically-shaped members are arranged so as to be received snugly within the respective pair of trough-like recesses in order to provide a stabilized engagement. A sealing member consisting of an inverted U-shaped flange is formed on the outer surface of the cover member for creating a tighter sealing contact between the cylindrically-shaped members and the trough-like recesses during the period of switch actuation.