Abstract: Push-button switches include a housing which defines an interior space and an opposed pair of longitudinally oriented recessed channels. At least upper regions of the recessed channels are open to said defined interior space. A pair of elongate fixed contact strips are each positioned within a respective one of the defined recessed channels, the fixed contact strips being of a sufficient length so that a terminal end portion thereof is disposed in the open upper region of the recessed channel to thereby be exposed to the interior space of the housing. In this regard, the housing preferably includes interior cover walls covering a major extent of the recessed channels so that the terminal end portions of the fixed contact strips positioned therewithin are exposed to the defined housing interior space.

Abstract: Slide switches include an electrically insulated support housing having opposing pairs of side walls which establish an interior space. An upper wall is joined to an upper edge of the opposing pairs of side walls to close an upper end of the interior space and defines an opening in communication with the interior cavity. An electrically insulated slide body which is slidably disposed within the interior space of the support housing so as to be movable reciprocally between at least first and second positions therewithin. The slide body also defines a cavity and has a knob which projects through the opening defined in the upper wall of the support housing to allow movement of the slide body between the first and second positions. At least one pair of elongate conductors are fixed to the support housing such that the at least one pair of fixed elongate conductors extend parallel to one another but are positioned in spaced relationship transversely relative to the reciprocal movement of the slide body.

Abstract: A switchable light fixture which may be usefully be employed as an interior automotive lighting fixture includes an insulating plate defining an interior cavity in which a sliding piece is disposed and supports an opposed pair of lamp sockets for holding a lamp. A plurality of stationary parallel contacts (at least two of which form a pair of lateral stationary contacts, and one of which forms a middle stationary contact) are positionally held by means of recessed surfaces or channels defined between respective upright supports. A pair of lateral plugs each formed by an outwardly bent terminal end portion of a respective one of the lateral stationary contacts is positioned in a respective pair of the recessed surfaces or defined channels so as to be disposed over the lateral pair of stationary contacts, with a middle plug being portioned between the pair of lateral plugs.

Abstract: Push-button switches are provided with a housing having opposed pairs of side walls defining an interior space, and an opposed pair of fixed contact members. A push-button assembly is received within the interior space of the housing for reciprocal movements between extended and retracted positions. The push-button assembly including a pair of opposed side windows having lower extents established by a bridge wall. A spring exerts a bias force to move the push-button assembly into its extended position. A generally inverted V-shaped slide contact member is movable with the push-button assembly between its extended and retracted positions, and includes a pair of resilient legs each having an outwardly curved contact region.

Abstract: An electrical connector device allows interconnection between a male connector piece and a female connector plug. The device includes an insulating base having a mounting region and a restraining wall which projects upwardly therefrom. The restraining wall defines at least one slit oriented in a plane which is parallel to the restraining wall. A tubular housing establishes an interior space which is sized and configured to accept the female connector plug therewithin. The housing is coupled to the mounting region of the insulating base and has a forward end engages the restraining wall and a rearward end which receives the female connector plug. At least one electrically conductive strip having a leg portion is positioned within the slit of said restraining wall. The conductive strip includes a terminal end portion which is bent so as to be disposed within a transverse plane relative to the slit and thereby extend into the interior space of the tubular housing.

Abstract: A connector for mounting and grounding electrical components to an underlyuing electrically conductive support structure by a mounting screw includes an electrically insulating mounting block which defines at least one mounting hole. A bent, electrically conductive bus bar having upper and lower legs is operatively associated with the mounting block such that a terminal end portion of the lower leg extends from the mounting block so as to contact the mounting screw when the connector is mounted to the support structure. Thus, grounding of the bus bar to the support structure occurs through the mounting screw. A reinforcement ring may be provided for the mounting hole which is positionally retained therewithin by various structures. Thus, reliable mounting and grounding of an electrical component may be achieved by the connectors of this invention, while minimizing the risk that excessive tightening of the mounting screw will result in breakage of the mounting block in the vicinity of the mounting hole.

Abstract: Connector assemblies for electrical components include a base frame having opposing side walls and opposed pairs of interior walls which are disposed parallel to the side walls. The interior walls define a mounting hole which is sized and configured to receive an individual one of the holders. The interior walls are interiorly spaced from their respective side walls so as to establish a relief slot therebetween. The side walls of the base frame are provided with vertically separated locking tabs and mounting flanges. During mounting of the connector assembly to the supporting structure, the locking tabs will be inwardly resiliently displaced until such time that they each clear the edge which defines the mounting space in the supporting structure for the connector assembly. At that time, the locking tabs will resiliently return to their "normal" condition. As a result, the supporting structure will be lockably positioned between the vertically separated locking tabs and mounting flanges.

Abstract: A switch device includes an insulating base formed of a plastics material which defines upper and lower switch operation spaces, a pair of confronting hinge bosses interposed between the upper and lower switch operating spaces, and a lamp-mounting space. An operation lever having upper and lower ends is pivotally coupled to the hinge bosses such that the upper end extends into the upper switch operation space and a lower end extends into the lower switch operating space. In this manner, the operation lever may be pivotally moved between first and second states. The lower end of the operation lever includes a bridge portion which establishes a hole such that an opposed pair of resilient contact members associated with a U-shaped movable contact are disposed adjacent to the hole and are thereby capable of being resiliently displaced therewithin. A lamp-holding connector is mounted to the base for holding a lamp within a lamp-mounting space.

Abstract: A switch device includes an insulating base formed of a plastics material which defines upper and lower switch operation spaces, a pair of confronting hinge bosses interposed between the upper and lower switch operating spaces, and a lamp-mounting space. An operation lever having upper and lower ends is pivotally coupled to the hinge bosses such that the upper end extends into the upper switch operation space and a lower end extends into the lower switch operating space. In this manner, the operation lever may be pivotally moved between first and second states. The lower end of the operation lever includes a bridge portion which establishes a hole such that an an opposed pair of resilient contact members associated with a U-shaped movable contact are disposed adjacent to the hole and are thereby capable of being resiliently displaced therewithin. A lamp-holding connector is mounted to the base for holding a lamp within a lamp-mounting space.

Abstract: Electrical connectors are provided with an electrically insulating base member having a connector mounting portion from which at least one pair of mounting lugs extend from an interior surface thereof. A pair of spaced-apart clamp-type connectors, each of which includes a clamp member having a generally U-shaped portion, are provided so as to resiliently engage (and thus mount) an electrical component (e.g., a cylindrical type lamp). The connectors define mounting holes for receiving a respective one of the mounting lugs, whereby the connectors are mounted to said insulating base member. A pair of ribs is provided on the connectors (preferably adjacent the mounting holes) so as to establish a vent space between said connectors and the interior surface of the base member's connector mounting portion. The established vent space allows heat generated during use of the electrical component to dissipate.

Abstract: Slide switches have an electrically insulated slide body which is slidably disposed within an interior cavity defined in an electrically insulated support housing. The slide body has a knob which projects through a opening defined in an upper wall of the support housing so as to allow manual movement of the slide body between the first and second positions. At least one pair of elongated conductors is provided with the opposed ends being fixed to an opposed pair of side walls of the housing so that the fixed conductors extend parallel to one another, but are positioned in spaced relationship transversely relative to the reciprocal movement of the slide body within the support housing. The slide body carries a movable conductor which is sized and configured so as to be in contact with the pair of elongate fixed conductors when the slide body is in its first position so as to make an electrical circuit therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connector device has elongated narrow conductor plates provided on one side of an insulating base made of plastic, the conductor plates being bent upward so as to provide upwardly projecting conductor strips. The device also has a tubular insulating member having a bottom provided with apertures for receiving the conductor strips. Structures are provided on the insulating base and the tubular insulating member for fastening the tubular insulating member to the insulating base by a single snap fit action. The device further has a male engaging member having female connector members adapted to fit on the conductor strips. When the tubular insulating member is fixed to the insulating base, the base portions of the conductor strips are clamped between the portions of the lower surface of the bottom of the tubular insulating member around the apertures and the surface of the insulating base.

Abstract: Electrical connectors include a base (preferably formed of a plastics material) having an upright retaining wall. An electrically conductive bus plate has a base portion disposed adjacent a forward surface of the retaining wall so that a male terminal projects forwardly therefrom. A tubular housing is coupled to the base forwardly of the retaining wall via resilient tongue structures, and includes an opening through which the male terminal extends. When mounted to the base, a rear wall of the tubular housing will forcibly press the base portion of the male terminal against the retaining wall so as to rigidly hold the male terminal positionally within the tubular housing. In such a manner, the electrical connectors of the present invention minimize (if not eliminate entirely) distortion and/or positional skewing of the male terminal.

Abstract: A self-resetting push switch includes a closed-end insulating housing having first and second pairs of opposing inner wall surfaces. First grooves are formed on the first pair of surfaces, while a second groove having a projection is formed on at least one of the second pair of surfaces. First and second movable contact pieces project outwardly from a sliding sleeve being integral with an operation rod and having at least one engagement piece engageable with the projection of the second groove. The movable contact pieces are capable of coming into sliding contact with a first stationary contact piece inserted in one of the first grooves, and a second stationary contact piece.

Abstract: A lamp with an integral switch comprises a push switch knob assembly including a knob (33) mounted in a tubular member (31) and urged by a spring (33). The lamp can be mounted such that the switch knob (33) is maintained in its retracted position by something such as a closed trunk hood of an automobile thereby breaking the circuit between a power source and a bulb (4) of the lamp, and is allowed to be moved to its extended position under the action of the spring (33) making the circuit between the power source and the bulb (4). It can be conveniently used for automatically illuminating a trunk room of an automobile, for example, when its trunk hood is opened.

Abstract: A fuse assembly having a casing, a fuse element made of an electrically conductive material having a low fusion point, and tab insertion sockets into which tab terminals are inserted and which are made of a highly resilient, electrically conductive material having a high fusion point, the fuse element and the tab insertion socket being combined with each other in the casing, the fuse element alone being replaced when blown at a relatively low level of heat generation.

Abstract: The fuse block assembly has a block which holds an element of substantially inverted U-shape. Co-operating projections and holes or recesses hold the element in position in the block. The ends of the legs of the element project out of the block to act as blade-type electrical terminals. The legs are joined to each other by a fusible portion which acts as the fuse. The plane of the terminals is transverse to the plane of the U. This configuration is stronger than a configuration in which the plane of the terminals lies in the plane of the U. It can be made by bending a flat strip into a U which is less wasteful of materials than cutting out the space between the legs.