Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and recognizing a gesture provided by an object. The apparatus includes an infrared emitter for emitting infrared signals to be at least partially reflected by the object, an infrared detector for detecting intensity of the infrared signals reflected by the object moving along an axis, a processor associated with the infrared detector for quantizing the intensity of the infrared signals within a measurement cycle into a signal intensity profile, and an adjuster configured to restrict field of detection such that the signal intensity profiles resulting from the object moving along a first axis, or a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, can be distinguished.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for circuit interruption, with auto-power on and fault memory. The interrupter includes first and second locks in series with one another, and in series between the circuit driving source and load. The first lock is in communication with the circuit driving source. Control circuitry may be disposed between the circuit driving source and the first lock. When either lock is open the circuit is open; with both locks closed the circuit is closed. Actuating one lock does not change the state of the other lock. While closing input such as a power signal is applied to the first lock it is closed, and while the closing input is not applied it is open. When an opening input such as a fault signal is applied the second lock opens, and when a closing input such as a reset signal is applied the second lock closes.

Abstract: An electrical switch having a casing, at least two fixed contacts and a corresponding moving contact. The moving contact has two parts contactable with the fixed contacts respectively thereby closing the switch. An operating member is supported for movement for moving the moving contact to close the switch. A spring acts upon the moving contact such that its two parts are inclined at an acute angle relative to the fixed contacts, with at least one of the parts being spaced apart from the corresponding fixed contact while the switch is open. The moving contact is movable such that said at least one or both of its parts comes or come into contact with the corresponding fixed contact or contacts against the action of the spring. In particular, the moving contact is movable against the action of the spring to have its two parts turning through said acute angle until both parts are in contact with the corresponding fixed contacts.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly for controlling an electrical appliance, wherein the assembly includes first and second electrical elements. The first element is an on/off switch for initially switching on the appliance. The second element is a pressure-sensitive variable resistor for adjusting the operating condition of the appliance. The variable resistor includes a first part having a resilient deformable and electrically conducting resistive surface and a second part. One of the parts is movable to press against the other part so that their surfaces bear against each other to make an electrical connection between the resistive surface and the element. The resistive surface and the element together provide a resultant resistance between the two contacts that declines as the area of contact increases corresponding to the pressure acting upon the two parts.

Abstract: A power supply module for use between an AC/DC power supply unit and an electrical power tool driven by an electric motor and powered by a rechargeable battery pack which has a normal operating voltage and a higher fully-charged terminal voltage. The module includes an input connectable to the supply unit and an output connectable in parallel to the battery pack, and an operating circuit for delivering DC power from the supply unit to the tool in parallel with the battery pack. The operating circuit provides a DC operating voltage at the output of a value between the normal operating voltage and the fully-charged terminal voltage of the battery pack, and provides an output current limited to a predetermined value. The circuit has a comparator for determining whether the output current is less than or is increasing toward exceeding the predetermined value provides a corresponding control signal.

Abstract: A toroidal core for a toroid, including at least two toroidal rings that are stacked co-axially one upon another. At least one of the two toroidal rings has a body including a gap that forms a break in one side of the body. The gap avoids saturation of the core.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a casing, and at least one fixed contact and a elongate resiliently deformable movable contact member in the casing, said contact member having opposite first and second sides. The switch includes a switching member supported in sliding contact on the first side of and with intermediate parts of the contact member to cause the contact member to pivot against its resilience for making and breaking electrical connection with the fixed contacts. The contact member includes a fixed end at which it is cantilevered for pivotal movement and a trifurcated free end for contact with the fixed contacts. Resilient means is provided acting resiliently upon the second side of the contact member to maintain the sliding contact of the contact member with the switching member.

Abstract: A trigger controller for an electric power tool including a motor and a pull-trigger movable along a path having a foremost home position comprises a mechanical switch and a solid-state switch connected in series to the motor, wherein the mechanical switch includes a first moving contact, and the controller includes a second moving contact wherein the first and second moving contacts are movable to operate the mechanical and solid-state switches respectively at different predetermined travelling positions of the pull-trigger from the home position such that the two switches are caused to be initially closed at different times.

Abstract: An electrical switch having a casing, at least two fixed contacts and a corresponding moving contact. The moving contact has two parts contactable with the fixed contacts respectively thereby closing the switch. An operating member is supported for movement for moving the moving contact to close the switch. A spring acts upon the moving contact such that its two parts are inclined at an acute angle relative to the fixed contacts, with at least one of the parts being spaced apart from the corresponding fixed contact while the switch is open. The moving contact is movable such that said at least one or both of its parts comes or come into contact with the corresponding fixed contact or contacts against the action of the spring. In particular, the moving contact is movable against the action of the spring to have its two parts turning through said acute angle until both parts are in contact with the corresponding fixed contacts.

Abstract: A trigger controller for an electric power tool including a motor and a pull-trigger movable along a path having a foremost home position. The controller comprises a mechanical switch and a solid-state switch connected in series to the motor. The mechanical switch includes a first moving contact movable by the pull-trigger. The controller includes a control unit including an IC chip connected to the solid-state switch for generating an adjustable control signal to turn on and off the solid-state switch for delivering an adjustable current via the mechanical switch to the motor. The controller includes an output selector including resistors interconnected in series and a second moving contact connectable selectively to junctions of the resistors and connected to the control unit for adjusting the control signal to operate, the solid-state switch. The second moving contact is movable by the pull-trigger.

Abstract: An electrical switch (100) comprising a casing (110), and three one fixed contacts (121-123) and a elongate resiliently deformable movable contact member (130) in the casing, said contact member (130) having opposite first and second sides. The switch (100) includes a switching member (140) supported in sliding contact on the first side of and with intermediate parts (131A-133A) of the contact member (130) to cause the contact member (130) to pivot against its resilience for making and breaking electrical connection with the fixed contacts (121-123). The contact member (130) includes a fixed end (134) at which it is cantilevered for pivotal movement and a trifurcated free end (131-133) for contact with the fixed contacts (121-123). Resilient means (150/150′) is provided acting resiliently upon the second side of the contact member (130) to maintain the sliding contact of the contact member (130) with the switching member (140).

Abstract: A toroidal core for a toroid, comprising at least two toroidal rings that are stacked co-axially one upon another. At least one of the two toroidal rings has a body including a gap that forms a break in one side of the body. The gap is present to avoid saturation of the core.

Abstract: A power supply module for use between an AC/DC power supply unit and an electrical power tool driven by an electric motor and powered by a rechargeable battery pack which has a normal operating voltage and a higher fully-charged terminal voltage. The module comprises an input connectable to the supply unit and an output connectable in parallel to the battery pack, and an operating circuitry for delivering DC power from the supply unit to the tool in parallel with the battery pack. The operating circuitry provides a DC operating voltage at the output of a value between the normal operating voltage and the fully-charged terminal voltage of the battery pack, and provides an output current limited to a predetermined value. The circuitry has a comparator for determining whether the output current is less than or has a tendency exceeding the predetermined value and then providing a corresponding control signal.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes two movable contacts for electrical connection to a load and a power source, respectively, a movable contact holder holding the first contact, a first spring biassing the contact holder, and an actuator for moving the second contact into contact with the first contact. A locking frame locks the contact holder and, in turn, the first contact at a first position in the path of movement of the second contact, against the spring, for contact by the second contact. The locking frame pivots between a first locking position locking the contact holder in the first position and a second position releasing the contact holder from the first position. A second spring biasses the locking frame towards the second position. A solenoid holds the locking frame in the first position against the second spring. An electronic control circuit detects occurrence of a circuit fault and, in response to detecting a fault, disables the solenoid.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a casing and a rotor supported within the casing for rotation about an axis. The rotor has a first surface extending around the axis and a second surface extending transversely of the axis. A moving contact is mounted on the rotor for rotation therewith, which has first and second inter-connected parts adjacent the first and second rotor surfaces respectively. A plurality of fixed contacts is located laterally of the rotor for short-circuiting by the moving contact whereby the switch is closed. At least one of the fixed contacts has first and second inter-connected parts bearing resiliently against the first and second rotor surfaces respectively for contact with the corresponding fist and second moving contact parts according to the angular position of the rotor.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly for controlling an electrical appliance, which assembly comprises first and second electrical elements. The first element is an on/off switch for initially switching on the appliance. The second element is a pressure-sensitive variable resistor for subsequently adjusting the operating condition of the appliance. The variable resistor comprises a first part having a resilient deformable and electrically conducting resistive surface, and a second part having a surface including two contacts and a resistive element connecting the two contacts. One of the parts is movable to press against the other part such that their surfaces bear against one another, thereby causing the resistive surface to deform against the surface of the second part over an area of contact and causing electrical connection between the resistive surface and element.

Abstract: A circuit breaker (100) for use between a load and a power source, comprising at least two movable contacts (212/222) for electrical connection to the load and power source respectively, a movable contact holder (220) holding the first contact (222), a first spring (224) biassing the contact holder (220) to move, and an actuator (210) arranged to move the second contact (212) into contact with the first contact (222). A locking frame (230) is arranged to lock the contact holder (220) and in turn the first contact (222) at a specific position into the path of movement of the second contact (212), against the action of the spring (224), for contact by the second contact (212). The locking frame (230) is supported for pivotal movement between a first position locking the contact holder (220) in said specific position and a second position releasing the contact holder (220) from said specific position. A second spring (238) biasses the locking frame (230) towards the second position.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a body, three control terminals and a common terminal for external connection and a movable contact for establishing connection between the control terminals and the common terminal. The movable contact has one end acting as the common terminal and three opposite ends that pivot to connect to the control terminals, respectively. Each opposite end is pivotable between a first position in contact with the corresponding control terminal and a second position separated from the corresponding control terminal. A switching member is supported for pivoting the opposite ends of the movable contact to establish the connection. A single metal heat sink is located within the body for contact by the opposite ends of the movable contacts when the movable contacts are in the second positions.

Abstract: An electrical switch (100) comprising a body (110), three control terminals (121-123) and a common terminal (134) for external connection, and a movable contact (130) for establishing connection between the control terminals (121-123) and the common terminal (123). The movable contact (130) has one end (134) acting as the common terminal (134) and three opposite ends (131-133) pivotable to connect to the control terminals (121-123) respectively. Each opposite end (131/132/133) is pivotable between a first position in contact with the corresponding control terminal (121/122/123) and a second position off the corresponding control terminal (121/122/123). A switching member (140) is supported for pivoting the opposite ends (131-133) of the movable contact (130) to establish the said connection. A single metal heat sink (160) is located within the body (110) for contact by the opposite ends (131-133) when they are in the second positions.

Abstract: A device for sensing motor current for over-current protection in an electric power tool. The tool includes an electric motor supplied with electrical power via a live cable and incorporates over-current protection including a tripping circuit with a current sensor associated with the live cable. The device includes a toroid of the sensor and two cable segments connected in parallel to a section of the live cable such that the motor current will be distributed among the cable segments and live cable section in respective proportions. The toroid extends around one cable segment for sensing the respective proportion of the motor current.