Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for a vehicle includes a spark arrester having a tubular spark arrester body assembled on a rear portion of a muffler connected to an exhaust pipe. A tail pipe is inserted in the spark arrester body and is mounted on the spark arrester such that exhaust gas flowing through the muffler is discharged into the atmospheric air from the tail pipe through the spark arrester, to carry out, expansion and contraction of exhaust gas in the spark arrester occurs to augment the sound reduction performance. An annular partition plate cooperates with an inner face of a spark arrester body to form a throttle path therebetween that is securely mounted on a tail pipe wherein a plurality of expansion chambers that communicate with each other through the throttle path are formed between the tail pipe and the spark arrester body with the annular partition plate disposed therebetween.

Abstract: The Escape System provides fast and safe escape from architecture for larger numbers of people. The system can even evacuate an entire skyscraper in just a few minutes, while age, disabilities, injuries or even unconsciousness of evacuees do not impair the efficiency ot the evacuation (they only need an assistant). Even CPR could be administered during an evacuation. The banking and geometry of the slide surface utilizes the laws of physics to separate the faster sliders from the slower ones. The maximal number of people evacuated can exceed 200 per second, or 12,000 per minute per system. Optional Escape devices, such as Escape-Tunnels, can be used alone, or enhance the functionality of the system and offer choices of escape routes to the evacuees. Either configuration can be installed in new architecture, or retrofit existing ones.

Abstract: A device for erecting roof comprises a portable platform of a size and weight easily lifted and manipulated by a single worker. The platform is configured to fit over the upper ends of the chords of a truss that has already been secured in place so that it can support a worker. By using a pair of the devices, the worker can move from truss to truss, from one end of the roof to the other. The worker moves the device that is not currently in use from one truss to the truss that he has just finished securing in place, and then steps from the device currently in use onto the other device so that the worker is supported on the newly secured truss, in position to guide a new truss into position so that it can be secured. This process is repeated until all trusses have been secured.

Abstract: A modified hole is simply fitted and retained to a rotary shaft so that a pulley may be coupled so as to be rotated together with the rotary shaft, in particular, pulley forming plates are coupled in a rotation preventing manner but slidably to the rotary shaft, an interval of a pulley groove may be formed to be variable with ease, even if the rope is loosened in an initial stage upon descending and so on and a rope has the minimum winding diameter at once due to the change in the pulley groove interval so that the rope is brought into pressing contact with the rotary shaft outer circumferential surface, the rope is hardly brought into contact with one corner edge, because of the easy slippage due to the number of convex and concave portions, it is possible to provide a novel refuge device from a high place which is superior in safety aspect and in which the local cutting force is hardly generated in the rope.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing elevator shaft equipment includes utilizing an installing elevator to transport guide rail sections upwardly in an elevator shaft. The installing elevator includes an installing frame having at least one installation platform from which one or more movable parts can be retractably extended to change the size of the support area. Thus, the installing frame can be used for elevator shafts having different cross-sectional areas. At the completion of the shaft equipment installation, an elevator car is attached and the installing frame becomes part of the permanent elevator installation.

Abstract: A brake device includes a brake disk fixed to a power transmission shaft, and a brake caliper for braking the brake disk by a nipping action. The brake caliper includes a caliper bracket fitted to a final gear case, and a caliper body detachably fitted to the caliper bracket, wherein the caliper body is fitted to the caliper bracket by a pair of fixing bolts. The screw-fitting directions of the individual bolts of the pair of fixing bolts are opposite to each other. The aforementioned brake device for a vehicle permits maintenance work to be quickly and easily carried out.

Abstract: A brake device for a vehicle such as an all terrain vehicle includes a brake disk fixed to a drive shaft, and a brake caliper for braking by a nipping action of the brake disk. The brake caliper is fitted to a final gear case on an outer side of the vehicle body frame. The brake device permits maintenance work to be easily carried out and with few obstructions from neighboring parts.

Abstract: A full disk brake for a vehicle includes a rotor disk, which is attached to the vehicle wheel. Two friction disks are installed within a brake-clamping unit, facing each side of the rotor disk. The friction disks are secured in the direction of rotation, but are capable of being shifted in an axial direction. Brake lining segments are attached to both sides of the rotor disk. When the brake-clamping unit is actuated, a friction connection is established between the rotor disk and the friction disks. Air cooling channels, located between the brake lining segments, provide cooling air between the rotor disk and the friction disks directly at the point of origination. Moreover, the brake lining segments act as heat-insulating elements between the friction disks and the rotor disk, thus further reducing the heating of the rotor disk.

Abstract: The device, inserted between a motor (9) and a load (11), allows the load (11) to be immobilized when power is not applied to the motor (9) and allows mechanical torque to be transmitted when power is applied to the motor (9). Such a device is produced by virtue of a juxtaposition of brake disks connected alternately to the drive shaft (8) by pivoting connections and to a casing (10) containing the motor (9) by sliding connections, the end disks (1, 3) of the juxtaposition being in pivoting connection on the drive shaft (8) and by virtue of means (4, 5) collaborating to separate these disks and transmit the mechanical torque. The architecture of the device allows the string of dimensions associated with the functional clearance between the means (4, 5) to be reduced and allows the force exerted by the spring (6) on the disk (1) to be reacted by the bearing.

Abstract: The invention provides a brake caliper backdrive apparatus and method of backdriving a brake caliper. The apparatus includes a brake caliper, a motor including a shaft operably attached to the brake caliper and, a biasing member operably attached to the shaft. The biasing member backdrives the motor thereby releasing the brake caliper. The method includes rotating a shaft to clamp the brake caliper, storing energy in a biasing member responsive to the shaft rotation, and reversing the shaft rotation using the stored energy.

Abstract: A disk-brake unit which has an unusual ability to operate safely as well as a simple construction and which is intended to be fitted in vehicles, comprises a caliper body extending astride a braking disk, at least one pair of pads facing the disk on opposite sides and restrained on the caliper body by suspension on a pin, each pad having a support plate for a friction lining, and stop means formed in the plates and facing respective complementary stop means formed in the caliper body for restraining the pads in a direction tangential to the disk, the unit further comprising between the pin and the at least one pair of pads, a single element for constantly maintaining the suspension of the pads on the pin and simultaneously constantly urging each pad both towards the complementary stop means and away from the braking disk.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device, specifically to actuate locking differentials on vehicles, having an actuating shaft, a drive unit to drive the actuating shaft, where the drive unit comprises an armature core mounted on the actuating shaft so as not to rotate and a commutator mounted on the actuating shaft so as not rotate, having an electromagnetic brake unit to brake and/or to hold the actuating shaft, where the brake unit comprises a brake hub flange mounted on the armature so as not to rotate, and having a single- or multi-piece housing tightly enclosing the drive unit and the brake unit, where the free end of the actuating shaft extends from the housing.

Abstract: A brake shoe assembly provides a plurality of drain openings located through a brake shoe table which correspond with drain openings in a brake lining. The aligned drain openings provide an unobstructed moisture escape path from an inner surface of the brake shoe table to minimize moisture retention and the possibility of corrosion.

Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit, in particular a gas spring, comprises a substantially cylindrical casing with a central longitudinal axis, the casing having a first end with an edge that is bent inwards, a closed second end, and an interior space that is filled with a working fluid; a guide unit which is disposed in the casing in the vicinity of the first end and supported outwards by the inwardly bent edge; a piston rod which is coaxial to the central longitudinal axis and which is displaceably passed through the guide unit and which has a piston on the end of the piston rod that is on the side of the interior space; the piston-cylinder unit is characterized in that a plastic sleeve is mounted on the edge, enfolding the edge on the outside of the casing.

Abstract: A fluidic dampening device having a housing containing a rotatably mounted wiper that sealingly moves past the side walls, bottom, and peripheral wall of the housing as well as a faceplate attached to the top of the housing. The housing contains a bypass channel that has a first port in the first side wall of the chamber and a second port in the second side wall of the chamber. In a first embodiment, a control shaft is rotatably mounted within the housing. The control shaft has indentations of varying sizes formed at distinct points around the shaft with areas having no indentation between each consecutive pair of indentations and is so located in the housing that either no indentation or only one indentation lies within the bypass channel at a given time. When no indentation has been rotated into the bypass channel, the control shaft completely blocks the bypass channel.

Abstract: An efficient method of supplying a first series of suspension struts for a first vehicle and a second series of suspension struts for a second vehicle. The method includes providing a first series of pressure vessels for the first vehicle and a second series of pressure vessels for the second vehicle. Each pressure vessel defines an outer cavity with an effective fluid volume. The effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the first series is smaller than the effective fluid volume of the pressure vessels of the second series. The method also includes providing a series of hydraulic tubes for the first vehicle and for the second vehicle, wherein each hydraulic tube is adapted to be located within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the first series and alternatively within the outer cavity of the pressure vessel of the second series.

Abstract: A bag system for a breast pump system is provided. The bag system separates used and unused components of the breast pump system, provides thermal isolation for stored breast milk, and orientates the breast pump so that it is readily useable and accessible.

Abstract: A starter having a one-way clutch connects with an output shaft via helical spline. A braking member is provided in a bearing portion of a center case adjacent to an end of the center case away from the motor. The clutch moves toward the rear via a lever when the starter is stopped, and a flange portion, provided at a rear end of a barrel portion, presses against the braking member. As a result, the rotation of the clutch stops within a short time period.

Abstract: A torque limiting coupling has a coupling hub (2) with circumferentially distributed apertures (5). Driving members (6) are adjustably held in the apertures (5). A coupling sleeve (3) includes first recesses (7). A switching disk (4) is rotatably arranged between a coupling position and an uncoupling position. The switching disk (4) is loaded towards the coupling position and loads the driving members (6) towards the coupling hub (2). The driving members (6), for torque transmitting purposes, engage the first recesses (7). When a torque limit is exceeded, the driving members (6) are transferred into the uncoupling position. Here, second recesses (8) are engaged by the driving members (6) in the uncoupling position. A locking means (28) is adjustable between a locking position, where the switching disk (4) is locked in its uncoupling position, and a disengaging position.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological clutch assembly for use in an electromechanical system. The clutch assembly includes a motor having a shaft that is coupled to a magneto-rheological clutch. There is also included a gear plate that is attached to the clutch, as well as being connected to a contact plate and pinion gear. The pinion gear engages a corresponding connection of a power operator system. The magneto-rheological clutch prevents damage to the motor power operator system and panel by simulating a slipping condition when a load exceeding a specified tolerance is applied to the panel.

Abstract: The engageable and disengageable friction clutch between the prime mover and the gearbox in the power train of a motor vehicle can be adjusted by an electric motor against the opposition of at least one resilient element by applying rest current from a source to an electric motor which opposes the bias of the resilient element in response to detection, by a sensor, that the bias of such resilient element upon a displaceable clutch actuating member exceeds the force then being exerted by the clutch. The application of rest current to the motor normally takes place when the vehicle is started and/or subsequent to shifting of the gearbox into a different gear. The thus actuated motor can prevent a worm wheel gearing or an analogous motor-operated component from partially disengaging the clutch when the disengagement is undesirable or harmful.

Abstract: Polyurethane conveyor roller end cap (10) internally houses rolling bearing (30) and externally is interference-fitted into an end of roller tube (52). The outside surface of body (12) of end cap (10), although arranged in large part to engage tube (52), has provided therein a circumferential line of blind recesses (44) designed to mininimise the amount of polyurethane used for the end cap while still allowing for the provision of load bearing column (58) of polyurethane.

Abstract: Articles of currency, for example coins, are validated by calculating a Mahalanobis distance associated with a plurality of properties in successive stages, the results at each stage being used to reduce a number of target classes, and hence the number of calculations required, in the successive stage or stages. Preliminary stages may represent Mahalanobis distance calculations for a sub-set of the measurements represented by the final Mahalanobis distance calculation. Thus, the Mahalanobis distance calculation can be started before some of the measurement parameters required for the later stages are available.

Abstract: The banknote processing apparatus has a receiving portion into which banknotes are inserted, a take-out roller for taking out banknotes from the receiving portion, a detector for discriminating “regular and defective” and “front and back” of taken-out banknotes, and first to fourth stacking and banding devices for classifying and stacking banknotes on the basis of discrimination results and banding each 100 banknotes. When the first stacking and banding device fails in a mode that the first and second stacking and banding devices stack front bills and the third and fourth stacking and banding devices stack back bills, in expectation of 100 front bills being stacked in the second stacking and banding device, in the timing that the 97th front bill passes the detector, the take-out roller is stopped. When the number of front bills is less than 100, the take-out roller rotates and takes out one banknote.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coin detection apparatus that is specially designed to avoid coins' sticking in a coin passage and that is capable of distributing an item to a customer only when a predetermined number of valid coins are paid. Coins (C) deposited by the customer are kept in a coin shoot (13). The coins (C) stand upright on a floor plate (20) that forms a part of the coin shoot (13). The floor plate (20) is urged by a spring member to protrude into the coin shoot (13). As a rotary disk (100) rotates, one end (119) of a recessed portion (120) defined in the rotary disk (100) leans on the floor plate (20) against elastic force of the spring member to make the floor plate (20) tilt. Subsequently, recessed edge of the rotary disk (100) continues to tilt the floor plate (20). As the other end 118 of the recessed portion (120) reaches the floor plate (20), the floor plate (20) is disengaged from the rotary disk (100).

Abstract: Mobile conveyor modules are used for transporting aggregate over a long distance, or for transferring the aggregate to other modules, and for stacking the aggregate either linearly or radially. These modules may be used in various combinations by themselves or in combination with existing conveyor systems and bridge stackers to stack aggregate on and off multi-lift leach pads and on multi-lift dump sites. The mobile conveyor modules are designed to be steerable and self-propelled, providing increased maneuverability and reducing relocation/reformation time. Multiple stacking methods may be used with the mobile conveyor modules either separately, or at the same time, advance and retreat stacking, the stacking of a berm, or the filling in of a corridor, may be accomplished on a variety of terrain.

Abstract: An escalator with a high speed inclined section according to the present invention is structured such that assuming that an upper-step-side end of a tread is the origin of a coordinate system when a step is seen from a side with the tread being horizontal and on an upper side, a riser passes a point whose horizontal and vertical coordinates can be expressed as follows: (kr cos &agr;m, −kr sin &agr;m) (where k is a speed change ratio; r is a distance between the step link roller shafts of the steps adjacent to each other in an upper and lower landing sections; and &agr;m is an inclination angle of an intermediate inclined section).

Abstract: There is provided an escalator with a high speed inclined section, including a plurality of link mechanisms each of which has a first link with one end portion thereof rotatably connected to a step link roller shaft and a second link one end portion of which is rotatably connected to a middle portion of the first link and the other end portion of which is rotatably connected to a step link roller shaft of an adjacent step. In the other end of the first link, a rotatable auxiliary roller is provided.

Abstract: An escalator handrail load monitoring and detection apparatus monitors and detects variations to a load applied to the handrail during operation. A distortable element is mounted to a handrail guide upon which the handrail rides and responds through distortions to downward-applied forces to the handrail. An electrical switch is activated by the distortion, allowing an output signal to be generated indicating that a particular minimum downward force has been applied to the handrail. The minimum force may be chosen to be above the range of forces normally applied to the handrail during normal passenger use, and thus be responsive to unsafe or improper operating conditions, such as when a passenger sits on the handrail or places packages thereon.

Abstract: A printed circuit board conveying and processing system. In accordance with the present invention, a printed circuit board conveying system is provided comprising a pair of conveyor rails and a printed circuit board support. The conveyor rails are positioned to engage opposite lateral edge portions of a printed circuit board along a conveyor path. The printed circuit board support is positioned to support a major portion of the printed circuit board between the lateral edge portions. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR §1.72(b).

Abstract: A method of conveying a printed circuit board in a printed circuit board conveying system. The conveying system comprises a pair of conveyor rails and a printed circuit board support assembly. The rails are positioned to engage opposite lateral edge portions of a printed circuit board and configured to convey the printed circuit board along a conveyor path. The support assembly is positioned to support a major portion of the printed circuit board between the lateral edge portions and comprises a support base and a spacer selected from a plurality of spacers. The method comprises selecting a spacer as a function of its thickness and a thickness profile of the printed circuit board engaged by the pair of conveyor rails, installing the selected spacer by extending at least one projection into a recess, and engaging an upper spacer surface of the selected spacer with the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: On a processing apparatus with step-by-step conveying of the articles to be processed and a turning module for the articles, turning is performed transversely with respect to the conveying direction. This allows much space to be saved in the turning arrangement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to manually discharge bottles from a tray of bottles onto a slippery slope at the bottom of which tilted bottles are gravitationally inserted into the top receiving edge of a parallel sloped multi-pocketed indexing wheel, and sequentially: a. discharged tangentially at the bottom edge of said indexing wheel in a single file row, b. automatically corrected from a tilted axis to a vertical axis, and, c. pushed on to adjoining equipment for further operations.

Abstract: A placing apparatus having first and second rear end holding members is provided between a loading apparatus that loads items in an upright position and a conveyance apparatus downstream. These rear end holding members move making a box motion when seen from the side. As a result, while the first rear end holding member holds the rearmost end of a group of items, the second rear end holding member stands by to receive a new item. The invention provides a conveyance apparatus and a boxing apparatus comprising the same that have widespread applicability. The conveyance apparatus and boxing apparatus, while achieving high-speed processing, are able to convey items of varying thickness and grouped in varying numbers in a stable manner and maintained in a prescribed position.

Abstract: A captured belt path selection device includes a first fixed frame including a plurality of fixed, vertically oriented belts mounted thereon and a second moveable frame including a plurality of vertically oriented movable selector belts and guide rollers mounted thereon, the moveable frame being positioned adjacent to and over the fixed frame, the moveable selector belts and guide rollers being vertically offset from the fixed belts so that the moveable belts and guide rollers pass above and below at least a portion of a fixed belt as the second frame is moved from a first position to a second position. At least a first one of the moveable belts and a fixed belt transport media therebetween along a first path when the moveable frame is in a first position and at least a second one of the moveable belts and a fixed belt transport media therebetween along a second path when the moveable frame is in a second position.

Abstract: A mounting system for a compressible conveyor belt drive roller comprises lower and upper bearing assemblies, and in accordance with a first embodiment, a jack screw mechanism is provided for engaging the upper bearing assembly so as to cause axial movement of the upper bearing assembly toward and away from the lower bearing assembly. As a result of such axial movement, the compressible conveyor belt drive roller is axially compressed or expanded so as to accordingly cause radial expansion and contraction of the drive roller. The radial expansion and contraction of the drive roller alters the circumferential extent of the drive roller which alters the conveying speed of a conveyor belt operatively engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the drive roller such that the conveyance speed of the conveyor belt can be synchronized with the conveyance speed of an oppositely disposed paired or companioned conveyor belt.

Abstract: A method and system for aspirating sample volumes from luggage/packages for testing includes a series of rollers that convey each luggage article or package through a pressurized flow of air; the rollers are organized to subject each luggage article or package to a series of forces or kinetic movements to effect a momentary volumetric reduction and/or cause displacement of the contents to cause interior air to be expressed or aspirated. A sensor suite tests the aspirated air for the presence of proscribed materials, including those related to explosive, hazardous chemicals, and/or biohazards.

Abstract: A novel and advantageous carrier mechanism, primarily useful for raising roofing shingle bundles, automatically by control by the user to lift and carry one or more of the shingle bundles or other items.

Abstract: A steering device and method for a steering roller guiding a flexible band. The device includes a worm and worm wheel transmission mounted to the roller at one axial end thereof. Coupled to the transmission, a motor is provided for receiving signals for bidirectionally steering the band on the roller via the transmission.

Abstract: A platform-top modular radius belt capable of conveying articles along a conveying path that includes straight and curved segments. The belt is constructed of a series of rows of belt modules hingedly interconnected by hinge pins received in aligned apertures formed in interleaved hinge elements of adjacent belt rows. A product support platform is attached to intermediate belt module structure to form a generally continuous article-conveying surface. An overhang forms an extension of the conveying surface and extends over hinge elements along one end of the row to form a gap between the overhang and the hinge elements. An edge portion of the product support platform extends from and is recessed below the level of the conveying surface. The recessed edge of a belt row is received in the gap of an adjacent row below the overlying overhang without interference to allow the inside edge of the modular platform-top belt to collapse at the inside of a turn.

Abstract: A belt conveyor includes a strut adapted to be connected to at least two parallel arranged drive elements. At least one belt is positioned on the cross strut between the two drive elements. A detachable connecting mechanism detachably connects the belt to the cross strut.

Abstract: Apparatuses for article handling, comprising one or more of a) an article-moving conveyor belt (1) designed to move along an underlying plate (55) which has a ridge portion (56), so that a substantial part of each article (21) will lie on one side or the other of the highest point of the conveyor belt; b) a lifting apparatus (4) for moving articles, e.g., PET bottles, from an in-feed point to discharge point located above the in-feed point, with the aid of a continuous row of movable article-carrying baskets (26-36) spaced apart along the length of driving belts or drive chains; and c) an article sorting apparatus (6) that is conveyed on a continuously moving conveyor belt (22) and includes a gate (15) that is designed to be able to move an article (21) away from the conveyor belt (22) sideways, and which in the neutral position of the gate (15) is designed to allow the article (21) to move past the gate (15) unaffected thereby.

Abstract: A two-stage touch switch includes a circuit layer, a base, an elastic member, an insulating film, and a key base sequentially stacked from bottom to top. The key base includes an elastically raised key having a piece of electrically conductive rubber attached to a bottom surface thereof. The elastic member has an outward curved top, and the insulating film stacked on the elastic member has an outward curved area corresponding to the curved top of the elastic member. When the raised key is lightly pushed downward, a first stage of touch occurs; and when the raised key is further pushed, it forces and sinks the curved area of the insulating film and the curved top of the elastic member, and a second stage of touch occurs to complete the two-stage touch.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to improve, in a switch device in which two operators are aligned with one operator in between, the operability thereof, and a switch device (11) according to the present invention has a dial section (23) (a middle operator) of a jog dial (20) and operation buttons (24, 24) (outer operators) of two operation button switches (21) placed closely to one another with the dial section in between, and an operation plane (35) of the operation button is formed on a slanted plane (35a) which becomes higher the further it is from the jog dial section.

Abstract: A power tool includes a hollow housing defining a handle with an external wall. A motor is disposed in the housing. A switch is pivotally mounted in the handle about a first axis for actuating the motor. The switch has a first locking abutment. A latch is located adjacent the switch and is pivotally mounted in the handle about a second axis generally parallel to the first axis for movement back and forth between an engaged and a disengaged position. The latch has a second abutment for engaging the first abutment and preventing the switch from being actuated. The latch when pivoted to engage the first and second abutments applies a force vector generally intersecting the second axis.

Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for power-operated equipment, for power-operated machinery and for power-operated windows, doors, sliding equipment and the like, in particular of vehicles, having at least a light source, an optical waveguide (1), a light sensor and an associated control unit that controls the driving of the equipment in dependence on the intensity of light received by the light sensor, the optical waveguide (1) having a light-guiding core (2) with a high refraction coefficient and an outer wall (3) surrounding the light-guiding core (2) and having a lower refraction coefficient than the light guiding core (2), the light-guiding core (2) and/or that outer wall (3) being fabricated from a material that is in a liquid or elastically deformable state in the optical waveguide (1) ready for service.

Abstract: An acceleration switch that operates even when acceleration is applied to the acceleration switch from a direction other than a predetermined detection direction. The acceleration switch (1) includes a movable portion (M1), which has a movable electrode (12), and a fixed electrode (14). The movable portion includes an inertial weight (8) moved in accordance with the application of acceleration, a beam portion (10) for pivotably supporting the inertial weight, and a plurality flexible plates (11) that are arranged in the inertial weight and each have a distal end in which the movable electrode is located and are flexed separately from one another. The flexible plates separately move to contact the fixed portion when acceleration is applied from a direction other than a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A steering column switch of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one individual switch (6) whose pivotally mounted switch lever (18) actuates connecting contacts (14) by means of a switch element (16 or 17) having at least one switch contact (33 or 59). The switch lever (18) consists of a base (19) cooperating with the switch element (16) and a handle piece (20) inserted in the base (19). Due to the fact that the switch lever (18) is embodied in two parts, the switch mechanical system operates independently from its switching functions.

Abstract: An interchangeable printed circuit board having electrical components is attached externally proximate to the base of a switch to customize switch performance. The circuit board includes openings which slide over and electrically engage the terminals of the switch proximate the base, leaving the remainder of the terminals exposed and available for plug-in or solder electrical connection within an electrical system. The openings may be copper contact members having fingers which engage and electrically connect to the switch terminals.