Abstract: An automotive flasher switch having two terminal pins is disclosed. A relay having a conductive yoke and having a conductive, spring mounted armature, is connected to one terminal. A contact, supported by the armature, intermittently engages the other terminal during cycling of the relay. During cycling of the relay, current passes along a conductive path in the relay. A circuit board, having a timing assembly, functions to determine the cycling frequency and duration of the relay contact operation. An integrated chip may be provided to provide protective safeguards for the circuit. A deflecting plate or buzzer may be incorporated to enhance the audible signal generated during cycling.

Abstract: An improved deck lid lock with remote release for motor vehicles. The deck lid lock employs a solenoid operated rotatable armature which acts directly on a leg of a rotatable latch plate which engages a lock bar. On energization of the solenoid, the armature is attracted to the solenoid causing it to disengage the latch plate so that the deck lid may be opened. When the deck lid is closed, the lock bar is engaged by the latch plate which is returned to its normal latched position in engagement with the armature. The deck lid lock further includes a rotatable key cam which acts on the armature to enable release of the deck lid through conventional external key actuation.

Abstract: An improved low cost relay which comprises a one-piece spool/base, a one-piece core/terminal and a one-piece yoke/armature (yokarm). A coil wound on the spool has one of its leads led to a wire which passes through the hollow stem of the spool for contact with the core upon its insertion into the stem. The stem also retains the yokarm in position with respect to the core and spool. A contact area on the yokarm moves against a contact area on a press-fit terminal mounted in the base with excellent wiping action. The other coil lead is led to a second wire mounted in the spool, and which is captured by a lanced split in a further terminal, which is also a press-fit in the base. A suppressor diode is received in the base and has one of its leads captured by the further terminal when inserted into the base, and its other lead received and captured between the yokarm and the base when the core/terminal is inserted. A backstop for the yokarm is provided by a cover for the device which is mounted on the base.

Abstract: An improved relay assembly comprising a relay, a circuit board and a base in which the relay is directly mounted to the circuit board terminals are mounted to the board and the assembly of relay board and terminals is then inserted and retained in the base. Interconnecting circuitry for connecting the terminals to the various elements of the relay and also for carrying out other chosen functions is provided by the circuit board and the connection of the relay and terminals to the board is carried out by one step soldering. The whole may be placed in the housing and be hermetically sealed. Variations of terminal structure arrangements for improved rigidity and reliability are described as well as details of relay structure and contact mounting.

Abstract: A timed switch for controlling an electric load has a relay mounted within the switch housing. The relay has a pair of contacts which are connected to the load, a movable core connected to one of the contacts and a holding coil which holds the core in and holds the contacts closed when energized and releases them when deenergized. The switch also has a timer; and a manual actuator for moving the core and closing the contacts, actuating the timer and actuating the relay coil. The timer is connected to the relay coil to deenergize the coil and release the contacts upon expiration of a predetermined interval measured by the timer. The contacts may also be opened by actuation of the manual actuator without having to overcome the holding force of the relay coil on the core.

Abstract: An electrical switch with a magnetic core for driving a first contact for engaging a second spring mounted contact. A plunger can engage the core to move it into a winding moving the first contact so that current is supplied to the winding for holding the core in inner position when the first and second contacts connect. The plunger carries an arm which can engage the spring mount for the second contact and move it away from the first contact, only when the second contact is in its deflected position by virtue of engagement by the first contact. A housing, an indicator light and connecting terminals are also provided.

Abstract: A timed electric switch in a housing preferably for direct current loads such as for heating elements in vehicle windows, in which manually closable contacts supply current to the load and also to a digital timing circuit, which completes a circuit from said contacts through a holding solenoid for the contacts. After a predetermined count has been achieved in the timing circuit, the current supply through the holding solenoid is interrupted thereby releasing the contacts. Provision is made for allowing the second and subsequent timing periods to differ from the first timing period by independently supplying potential to the timing circuit, such as through the vehicle ignition switch. Reset of the timing circuit to produce the initial timing period once again is effected by switch off and re-operation of the ignition switch. An illuminated indication is provided, preferably by a light emitting diode, which operates when power is supplied to the load.

Abstract: A monitoring circuit for electrically conductive resistive devices such as diesel glow plugs in which the devices are fed through an electrically sensitive path, and the voltage across the electrical devices is sensed with respect to a reference. If the sensed voltage is above the reference indicating the presence of a defective device, a warning is indicated. The circuit includes means allowing warm up of the devices before sensing, and for inhibiting signals, which would otherwise indicate a false warning, after a chosen period for sensing.

Abstract: An electrical relay of the low current type and general purpose usage in alternating current and direct current circuitry is provided in four main components in structural combination and organization enabling manufacture and assembly by automation techniques at a high degree of accuracy, and more particularly comprising a base mounting a core, the core in turn pivotally mounting an actuator thereby supported in engagement with a spring armature anchored to the base and movable by the actuator upon pivotal actuation of the latter, the assembly of core and base being adapted accurately to locate the actuator.

Abstract: A mechanically actuable electrical control relay has normally open contacts at least one of which is associated with a movable armature. A fixed, magnetizable core part has a winding or coil associated therewith. A movable core part associated with the armature is connected to a mechanical actuator for moving the movable core part toward the fixed core part. With the winding or coil energized, the fixed core part is magnetized and the movement of the movable core part (which is of a ferrous material) into proximity to the fixed part completes a magnetic circuit therebetween and the contacts are closed to establish and maintain an electrical circuit controlled by the relay. Improved circuitry for operating automotive equipment in which the control relay is one of the components is also described.

Abstract: The specification describes a device termed a silent obturator which is in the form of a flexible strip having at least one mounting hole at one end portion at least and supported in bowed or arcuate configuration between two supports, one of which is movable toward the other and which carries a "moveable" contact member near but not at the mid-point thereof whereby motion of one support relative to the other causes outward or inward deflection of the obturator relative to a line between the supports in such manner as to displace the contact member toward the fixed support in one coordinate direction and away from the line between said supports in another coordinate direction effectively providing a resultant path of motion at an angle to the line between said supports which, when said moveable contact member is placed in spaced association with a "fixed" contact member relatively fixed in space provides a contact action therewith which is substantially tangential relative to the bow or curve of the obturator

Abstract: In a relay construction, an insulate coil form having a through bore and a coil wound thereon is fixed to an insulate base by a fixed core part which straddles the coil form and is fastened to the base. The fixed core part has an opening aligned with the bore in the coil form and a plunger or movable core part is mounted for linear reciprocating travel in said opening and bore. An armature in the form of an obturator-type strip of spring metal has one end fastened to the base beneath the coil form and extends outwardly and upwardly from the base in a continuous arcuate bend to its other end which lies above the fixed core part and is fastened to the upper end of the plunger. The obturator strip carries a contact proximate the apex of its bend which tangentially engages a fixed contact leading to an output terminal when the relay coil is energized to magnetize the fixed core part and thereby cause the plunger to move downwardly further into the bore in the coil form.

Abstract: A hold-in type of automotive relay which when actuated by a first switch controlled exciting current closes its normally open relay contacts and a second switch magnetically connected to said relay and the source of current. The contacts of the second switch remain closed even after the first switch is opened and until such time as the current passing through the second switch is interrupted.

Abstract: A relay structure for direct current automotive use in which the armature member moves slidably and noiselessly to place a movable contact in engagement with a pair of spaced, fixed electrical contacts. The armature includes a movable core, a contact and an insulate bar. The fixed contact engaging surfaces of the insulate bar and the contact are located in a common plane. The stationary core of the relay surrounds the movable core and the relay winding, the latter being located between the movable core and the stationary core.

Abstract: The specification discloses a control device for an automotive window heater energized by an alternator having a field winding and comprising a manual switch terminal, an ignition terminal, a battery terminal, indicator terminal, field winding terminal and a ground terminal; a first normally open relay having a winding and a first normally open armature switch; a triggerable switch device electrically in series with said first relay winding between said ignition terminal and ground; a trigger circuit for said triggerable switch electrically disposed between ground and said manual switch terminal; a timing circuit including a chargeable condenser; a second relay having a winding and a second normally open armature switch; and a voltage responsive switch responsive to a voltage greater than a predetermined value and electrically in series with said winding of said second relay between ground and said indicator terminal; said first and second relay switches when closed connecting said indicator terminal respecti