Abstract: A snap acting switch has a switch blade which is pivotally mounted for movement between two positions and is normally held in one position by an actuator spring. An actuator lever is pivotally mounted on the switch housing and has an external lever arm portion and an inner lever arm portion within the housing which is engageable with the actuator spring to move the spring laterally past the longitudinal axis of the switch blade in response to movement of the external actuator lever arm portion, to thereby cause snap acting movement of the switch blade from its normal position to a second position. Release of pressure on the external lever arm portion permits the actuator spring to cause snap acting movement of the switch blade back to its normal position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inexpensive tubular electromagnetic solenoid which employs stamped and drawn parts with a minimum of machined parts. The tubular housing is deep drawn and has a relatively light gauge side wall and an integrally formed end wall with apertures for pin terminals. A stamped flux enhancing disc is anchored exteriorly of the end wall and is swaged to a projecting portion of a pole piece located interiorly of the end wall. The flux disc-pole piece assembly rigidifies the housing end wall and the pole piece supports and positions one end of the bobbin. Stamped washers having axial apertures interfit into the end of the tubular housing and receive and support the other end of the bobbin. The bobbin has integrally molded pin terminal support bosses which project through apertures in the end wall and position and support the terminations.

Abstract: An interlock device for the door of an appliance, such as a washing machine, to prevent operator access to the spin dryer drum while it is driven or coasting. The device comprises a switch and a bimetal element for being connected in a series circuit including a timer operated switch and the drum drive motor. A slotted latch member projecting from the door closes the switch when the door is closed and the motor becomes energized if the timer switch is closed. The bimetal is heated by motor current and causes a latch lever to engage and maintain engagement with the latch member until expiration of a delay period which exceeds the time required for the motor to coast to a stop.

Abstract: A coil is wound on a hollow plastic bobbin and mounted in a U-shaped ferromagnetic frame, there being a pair of aligned bosses on opposite sides of the bobbin bore at one end thereof fitting into cooperating slots in the frame. A ferromagnetic core is axially movable within the hollow bobbin and is urged away from the bottom of the frame by a leaf spring. A compact plastic housing covers the bobbin, coil, and the upper portion of the frame, and electric terminals, mounted in pockets at the top of the bobbin, project through slots in the housing to the exterior. Portions of the bobbin are extruded into openings in the base of the terminals to hold them in place, and a pair of tabs on the bobbin interact with slots in the housing, and posts on the inside corners of the housing form abutments to prevent over-insertion of the tabs in the slots. A hook on the bottom of the frame is shaped to be engageable with an opening in external support elements of differing thickness to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A manually controlled set-speed-selector on the speedometer of a vehicle causes a pair of normally open electrical contacts to close when the speedometer indicator needle reaches the set point. This actuates a solenoid valve which applies intake manifold vacuum to an accelerator actuator to pull on a chain connected to the accelerator, thereby decelerating the vehicle. A vacuum relief valve enables the driver to over-ride the decelerating action for passing or emergency purposes. The flexibility of the chain enables the driver to slow down at any time by simply releasing foot pressure on the accelerator. One electrical contact is connected to the speedometer indicator needle by a torsion spring, which allows the contacts to chatter as they close due to vehicle vibration. The on time of the chattering contacts increases as the set speed is exceeded and reaches 100% at a predetermined overspeed value.

Abstract: A coil is wound on a hollow plastic bobbin and mounted in a U-shaped ferromagnetic frame, there being a pair of aligned bosses on opposite sides of the bobbin bore at one end thereof fitting into cooperating slots in the frame. A ferromagnetic core is axially movable within the hollow bobbin and is urged away from the bottom of the frame by a leaf spring. A compact plastic housing covers the bobbin, coil, and the upper portion of the frame, and electric terminals, mounted in pockets at the top of the bobbin, project through slots in the housing to the exterior. Portions of the bobbin are extruded into openings in the base of the terminals to hold them in place, and a pair of tabs on the bobbin interact with slots in the housing, and posts on the inside corners of the housing form abutments to prevent over-insertion of the tabs in the slots. A hook on the bottom of the frame is shaped to be engageable with an opening in external support elements of differing thickness to facilitate installation.

Abstract: A double pole double throw relay has two flexible electrically conductive contact arms which each carry an electrical contact positioned to engage cooperating contacts. Contact closing pressure is simultaneously applied to both contact arms by a yoke made of electrical insulating material which extends transversely of the arms and is pivotally connected midway of its length to an actuator which is positioned between the contact arms and is movable toward and away from the arms. The pivotal mounting of the yoke tends to equalize the contact closing pressure. In one embodiment, the yoke is supported by yielding means to provide a degree of overtravel which maintains pressure and compensates for contact erosion and water.

Abstract: A slotted resilient wedging sleeve is slideably mounted on one end of a solenoid plunger in position to wedgingly coact with an inwardly chamfered edge on the adjacent axial end of the solenoid bobbin when the plunger is drawn into the bore of the bobbin by current flow through the coil. A compression spring on the end of the plunger urges the sleeve into wedging engagement with the chamfered edge and causes the inner periphery of the sleeve to take up any play between the bobbin and plunger, thereby eliminating buzzing of the plunger.

Abstract: Two relays and a push-to-start switch are mounted together on a common frame within a common housing. The cores and coils for the devices are mounted in spaced parallel relationship on the frame. Three legs which extend from one side of the frame are supported adjacent an edge of an insulated terminal strip which latter supports the terminals, contacts, and contact arms for the devices. Two legs which extend at right angles to the first-mentioned legs and which are bent from spaces therebetween are received by slots in a base plate which is also slotted to receive portions of the terminal strip and the frame to support the same. Recesses are formed in the housing member adjacent to the base plate to allow insulated conductors to enter the housing. The recesses contain teeth that bite into the insulation over the conductors to prevent them from being moved longitudinally.

Abstract: An electric coil is coupled across a pair of normally closed electric contacts which are attached to two electric terminals. The contacts and terminals are supported by pockets in an insulating base member which also supports a bobbin upon which the electric coil is wound. Each terminal is supported within its pocket by a pair of spaced legs having projecting spurs which bite into the margins of the pockets and prevent the terminals from being withdrawn. An armature is pivotally mounted over one end of the coil, and an actuating arm is attached to the armature for opening the contacts in response to a predetermined amount of movement by an object in contact with the actuating arm. This energizes the coil by removing the short circuit around it and causes the armature to buzz until the coil is de-energized.