Abstract: An industrial locking switch comprises multiple locking tongue entry slots formed on adjacent sides of the locking switch housing, thereby supporting receipt of the corresponding locking tongue from multiple directions of approach without the need to mechanically modify the switch's head or to reorient the switch itself. The locking switch houses locking bolt detection circuity comprising multiple series connected RFID coils configured to detect an RFID tag mounted on the locking tongue when the locking tongue is inserted into any of the entry slots.

Abstract: An industrial locking switch comprises multiple locking tongue entry slots formed on adjacent sides of the locking switch housing, thereby supporting receipt of the corresponding locking tongue from multiple directions of approach without the need to mechanically modify the switch's head or to reorient the switch itself. The locking switch houses locking bolt detection circuity comprising multiple series connected RFID coils configured to detect an RFID tag mounted on the locking tongue when the locking tongue is inserted into any of the entry slots.

Abstract: A bobbin for holding inductive coils includes features that yield a smaller overall size and prevent irregular and asymmetric coil windings. The bobbin comprises a central hub and a single flange that extends from a middle circumference of the hub. The bobbin includes no end flanges at the ends of the central hub, reducing the height of the bobbin. The interface between the flange and the hub is a sharp corner with little or no radius, facilitating regular and symmetrical coil geometries. Coil assemblies can be attached to the respective two sides of the flange concentrically with the hub. Each coil assembly can be formed by winding a transmitter coil, then winding a receiver coil concentrically over the transmitter coil. Conductive pins that extend from the outer edge of the flange interface the coil lead wires to a printed circuit board of an inductive sensor or other device.

Abstract: A housing for an industrial sensor comprises integral U-shaped pockets configured to engage with attachment features of a complementary mounting bracket. The bracket comprises an overhang feature on a second end and a snap feature on an opposing first end. The housing can be mounted to the bracket by inserting a mounting boss formed within one of the U-shaped pockets underneath the overhang feature of the bracket, and pressing the housing against the bracket to cause the snap feature to engage with another mounting boss formed in the other U-shaped pocket. These mounting features allow the housing to be mounted easily and quickly without the use for additional tools. The housing can also be quickly removed from the bracket by pressing an extended tab near the snap feature to facilitate disengagement of the housing from the bracket.

Abstract: A housing for an industrial sensor comprises integral U-shaped pockets configured to engage with attachment features of a complementary mounting bracket. The bracket comprises an overhang feature on a second end and a snap feature on an opposing first end. The housing can be mounted to the bracket by inserting a mounting boss formed within one of the U-shaped pockets underneath the overhang feature of the bracket, and pressing the housing against the bracket to cause the snap feature to engage with another mounting boss formed in the other U-shaped pocket. These mounting features allow the housing to be mounted easily and quickly without the use for additional tools. The housing can also be quickly removed from the bracket by pressing an extended tab near the snap feature to facilitate disengagement of the housing from the bracket.

Abstract: A bobbin for holding inductive coils includes features that yield a smaller overall size and prevent irregular and asymmetric coil windings. The bobbin comprises a central hub and a single flange that extends from a middle circumference of the hub. The bobbin includes no end flanges at the ends of the central hub, reducing the height of the bobbin. The interface between the flange and the hub is a sharp corner with little or no radius, facilitating regular and symmetrical coil geometries. Coil assemblies can be attached to the respective two sides of the flange concentrically with the hub. Each coil assembly can be formed by winding a transmitter coil, then winding a receiver coil concentrically over the transmitter coil. Conductive pins that extend from the outer edge of the flange interface the coil lead wires to a printed circuit board of an inductive sensor or other device.

Abstract: A clamping bracket comprising, one or more bracket pieces, can be employed to hold an object in a desired position. The bracket can be constructed to make installation of the bracket with respect to the object easy and intuitive to the user, and more cost effective. The clamping bracket can have a top portion and bottom portion of the bracket that extend outward from a base portion of the bracket. Ends of the top and bottom portions can complement a groove formed in a casing of the object, wherein the ends of the top and bottom portions can be inserted into the groove. A fastener can be inserted through holes in the top and bottom portions, wherein, when the fastener is tightened down on the bracket, the fastener can cause the ends of the top and bottom portions to clamp down on and hold the object within the bracket.

Abstract: A clamping bracket comprising, one or more bracket pieces, can be employed to hold an object in a desired position. The bracket can be constructed to make installation of the bracket with respect to the object easy and intuitive to the user, and more cost effective. The clamping bracket can have a top portion and bottom portion of the bracket that extend outward from a base portion of the bracket. Ends of the top and bottom portions can complement a groove formed in a casing of the object, wherein the ends of the top and bottom portions can be inserted into the groove. A fastener can be inserted through holes in the top and bottom portions, wherein, when the fastener is tightened down on the bracket, the fastener can cause the ends of the top and bottom portions to clamp down on and hold the object within the bracket.

Abstract: A locking switch assembly includes a locking switch having a locking plunger, and an actuator has a housing and a cover. The actuator has a through hole, and the through hole receives the locking plunger. The actuator having a non-access mode and an access mode, and at least one of the housing or the cover is configured to change from the non-access mode to the access mode. The housing or the cover has a cap, and at least a portion of the cap prevents access to the through hole in the non-access mode.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing sensor indication and enhancing sensor indication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor indication is provided by sensing an operational status at a sensor circuit, generating a signal at the sensor circuit based on the sensed operational status, utilizing the signal to activate a light source, transmitting light into a first indicator layer with the light source, wherein the first indicator layer includes a fluorophore embedded within a substrate, and wherein the one or more fluorophores modify at least one characteristic of the transmitted light from the light source, and emitting the modified transmitted light from an end wall of the first indicator layer.

Abstract: A variety of sensing assembly components, and methods of assembling, mounting, and orientating such assemblies and/or components, are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a sensing assembly includes a main body including at least a housing portion, and a mounting portion protruding outward from the main body. The mounting portion includes an outer connector section including at least one electrical connector, and an intermediate section that includes an outer surface that either has substantially a shape of a polygon or is at least partly threaded, where the intermediate section is positioned in between the main body and the outer connector section. Additionally, the intermediate section has an outer diameter, the outer connector section has an outer diameter, and the intermediate section outer diameter is greater than the outer connection section outer diameter. In other example embodiments, retaining structures on portions of a sensing assembly, or bracket assembly components, are provided.

Abstract: A coating and method of making, using, and applying the coating to protect structures from scratches and/or the undesired collection of slag and/or spatter associated with metal working processes. The coating includes a base layer and a top layer that, when applied, mitigate adhesion of weld slag to the underlying structure. The coating is also transparent such that it does not interfere with the functionality of any indicia associated with the underlying structure or device and also renders the coating suitable for use with photo-reactive or responsive sensors and/or other non-opaque structures—such as goggles, facemasks, and/or shields.

Abstract: A locking switch assembly includes a locking switch having a locking plunger, and an actuator has a housing and a cover. The actuator has a through hole, and the through hole receives the locking plunger. The actuator having a non-access mode and an access mode, and at least one of the housing or the cover is configured to change from the non-access mode to the access mode. The housing or the cover has a cap, and at least a portion of the cap prevents access to the through hole in the non-access mode.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a coating mixture is capable of being applied on a substrate. The coating mixture includes acidified graphite particles, a suspension of polytetrafluoroethylene resin in water, and silver ion doped microporous particles. When the coating mixture is applied to a surface of the substrate, the coating resists growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a coating mixture is capable of being applied on a substrate. The coating mixture includes acidified graphite particles, a suspension of polytetrafluoroethylene resin in water, and silver ion doped microporous particles. When the coating mixture is applied to a surface of the substrate, the coating resists growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: A coating and method of making, using, and applying the coating to protect structures from scratches and/or the undesired collection of slag and/or spatter associated with metal working processes. The coating includes a base layer and a top layer that, when applied, mitigate adhesion of weld slag to the underlying structure. The coating is also transparent such that it does not interfere with the functionality of any indicia associated with the underlying structure or device and also renders the coating suitable for use with photo-reactive or responsive sensors and/or other non-opaque structures—such as goggles, facemasks, and/or shields.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing sensor indication and enhancing sensor indication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor indication is provided by sensing an operational status at a sensor circuit, generating a signal at the sensor circuit based on the sensed operational status, utilizing the signal to activate a light source, transmitting light into a first indicator layer with the light source, wherein the first indicator layer includes a fluorophore embedded within a substrate, and wherein the one or more fluorophores modify at least one characteristic of the transmitted light from the light source, and emitting the modified transmitted light from an end wall of the first indicator layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sensing assembly. The assembly includes a sensing assembly housing for enclosing an interior. The assembly further includes a plurality of sensing assembly components which are at least partially positioned, or at least partially contained, within the interior. And the assembly includes an indicator lens device which is integral with, or integrated with respect to the housing. In at least some embodiments, at least a portion of the housing coincides at least in part with a first axis and at least a portion of the indicator lens coincides with a second axis, such that the first axis and the second axis intersect to form an oblique viewing angle range and at least a portion of the indicator lens device is visible at least substantially throughout the oblique (e.g., obtuse) viewing angle range.