Abstract: A fail-safe assembly for an electronic or electrical component, device, system or apparatus with coacting operatively associated contacts has an impact member, normally maintained in a stressed and disengaged portion, and a meltable or fusible member for holding and for actuating the release of the impact member to guard against the danger of fire and damage due to current overload and/or unacceptable increases in the temperature in the current-carrying members for operating the coacting contacts or the ambient temperature for any reason and assures, on melting of the meltable or fusible member, that there are sufficient forces created to open and maintain the coacting contacts in the open position.

Abstract: A calibrated bimetallic actuator has contoured areas having either raised or recessed generally annular shaped forms about the locations thereon where the actuator is affixed in assembled position on associated electronic components or other devices or where a contact is affixed to the actuator to prevent loss of calibration by restricting transfer of force stresses in the bimetallic actuator during manufacture and assembly thereof into the associated components or devices. The action of the contoured areas on the actuator enables fabrication and assembly of miniaturized electronic components using bimetallic actuators for use in many applications.

Abstract: A calibrated bimetallic actuator has contoured areas having either raised or recessed generally annular shaped forms about the locations thereon where the actuator is affixed in assembled position on associated electronic components or other devices or where a contact is affixed to the actuator to prevent loss of calibration by restricting transfer of force stresses in the bimetallic actuator during manufacture and assembly thereof into the associated components or devices. The action of the contoured areas on the actuator enables fabrication and assembly of miniaturized electronic components using bimetallic actuators for use in many applications.

Abstract: A thermal protector for protecting an electrical accessory in a current carrying circuit is actuated when abnormal changes occur for any reason in the ambient temperature about the accessory has, a conductive first terminal defining a stationary contact and is connected to one side of the current carrying circuit, an insulator coacts with the first terminal for isolating the first terminal except for the stationary contact thereon from the other conductive elements of the thermal protector, a conductive actuating assembly having a leaf spring formed thereon and a contact fixedly connected and movable with the leaf spring is aligned for engagement and disengagement with said stationary contact, a second conductive terminal member is connected to the opposite side of said current carrying circuit and has a connector assembly for joining the first conductive terminal, the conductive actuating assembly and the second conductive terminal member to each other, a bimetallic element freely positioned in the thermal p

Abstract: A improved snap-in bracket for supporting an electronic component in an opening in a support panel has, a cylindrical body disposed for friction-fit or ultrasonically welded engagement with the electronic component, holding members hingedly connected on diametrically opposing sides of the cylindrical body, locking tabs operatively associated with the holding members, and resilient fingers medially connected at opposite sides of a cylindrical body and at a predetermined spaced distance from the holding members. When the snap-in bracket is in assembled position, the holding members are disposed to engage the upper face of the support panel about the opening therein to exert a downward force upon the upper face, and the resilient fingers are disposed to engage the lower face of the panel about the opening therein and exert an upward force thereon opposite to the two forces exerted by the holding members for operative coaction therewith to detachably fix and maintain the snap-in bracket in assembled position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a thermally operated snap acting bimetallic actuator is miniaturized for replacing or retrofitting in place of a conventional blade or clip type fuse heretofore used for limiting current overload in a given current carrying circuit and is standardized to permit manufacture of the circuit breaker for operation in either the cycling or non-cycling mode, by providing a sized and shaped housing in which the interacting elements are so mounted and aligned that the terminals are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal line of the housing, and the bimetallic actuator is so mounted, nested, and longitudinally aligned in assembled position between the interengaging elements to provide substantial amplitude of movement of the bimetallic element and the contact thereon for coacting relation with a generally fixed contact in the cycling mode.

Abstract: A switch has staggered terminals for better breakdown performance. An integral housing is used for close tolerances. Coaxial alignment provides for smooth operation. A heat operated actuator is disposed in the housing to trip when the current exceeds a selected amount.

Abstract: A snap-action thermal switch having a housing with an open hollow portion at one end with a central enlargement of the housing in the hollow portion; a central cavity in the other end of the housing extending into the central enlargement; a pair of opposed slots communicating between the hollow portions; through the enlargement into the cavity with stationary contact in the hollow portion extending through the slot into the cavity; the widest points of the internal rectangular cavity being equal to or greater than the width of the enlargement.