Abstract: A power plug includes a plug body having opposite sides and an end, terminal prongs extending from the end of the plug body, and a built-in circuit breaker. The circuit breaker is operable between a normal condition enabling the power plug to connect a load to a power source and a tripped condition disconnecting the load upon the detection of a circuit fault. The circuit breaker includes at least two members at respective opposite sides of the plug body which are simultaneously movable between a first position corresponding to the normal condition and a second position corresponding to the tripped condition. The members provide an indication of the operating condition of the circuit breaker viewable on both sides of the plug body.

Abstract: An electrical switch including a body, fixed and movable contacts in the body, a principal switching member supported by the body for movement between ON and OFF positions, and a subsidiary switching member supported by the principal switching member for movement in directions different from directions of movement of the principal switching member. The principal switching member has an inner part providing a switching profile to operate the movable contacts with respect to the fixed contacts for switching. The subsidiary switching member has an inner part positioned at the switching profile for changing the switching profile while the principal switching member is in the ON position. The switch may be used to control the operation of a hair dryer to provide, in particular, a COOL shot by operation of the subsidiary switching member.

Abstract: An on-off switch for an electric power hand tool such as an electric saw. The switch has a body, a switching mechanism within the body, and a spring-loaded trigger supported by the body for movement between a first position to turn on the switching mechanism and a second position to turn off the switching mechanism. The switch includes a movable locking device resiliently biased by a spring for locking the trigger in the second position against accidental switching on. The trigger and locking device include respective parts for abutment with each other to lock the trigger in the second position.

Abstract: An electrical rocker switch includes a body having at least two switch terminals, an internal switching mechanism for momentarily making or breaking an electrical connection between the terminals, an actuating knob on the body for operating the switching mechanism, a rocker supported on the body for pivotal movement between a first position depressing the actuating knob relative to the body and a second position releasing the actuating knob, and a resiliently biassed member for maintaining the rocker in the first and second positions.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a body, pressure-actuated buttons, switch terminals having respective parts forming internal switches, cam sliders extending side-by-side between the buttons and the parts for movement by the buttons to turn on and off the internal switches. The buttons include a first button for turning off all but the first of the internal switches. The other buttons turn on the other internal switches. The first button incorporates a movable cam engageable with the sliders for momentarily turning on the first internal switch after the other internal switches have all been turned off.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprising a switch for controlling the connection of a load to a power source, the switch having a fixed contact and a movable switch contact supported on a pivotable switching member and resiliently biased away from the fixed contact. The circuit breaker includes a solenoid having a first winding for initially moving the movable contact towards the fixed contact and a second winding for holding the movable contact against the fixed contact, a fault detection circuit adapted to detect a fault at the load and in response to disable the solenoid, and a reset switch for initially enabling energization of the first winding and when the movable contact is sufficiently close to or in contact with the fixed contact for subsequently enabling energization of the second winding. The reset switch is arranged to be operated by a part of the switching member by virtue of the movement of the movable contact in order to control energization of the windings.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a body having two switch terminals, a switching member having an a side and a window provided at the side. The switching member is supported by the body for pivotal movement between a first position in which the terminals are electrically interconnected and a second position in which the terminals are electrically disconnected. The switch includes an indicator supported behind and arranged for exposure through the window of the switching member to indicate the switching condition of the switch through relative movement between the switching member and the indicator. The indicator has a single surface to indicate said switching condition.