Abstract: An ignition switch is disclosed. The switch includes a housing defining an interior region, a cover affixed to an open back end of the housing and supporting a plurality of electrical terminals. Each terminal includes an end portion extending into the housing interior region. The switch also includes a switch assembly supported by the housing and at least partially disposed within the interior region, the switch assembly being rotatable about an axis of rotation between at least two positions. The switch assembly includes first and second conductive contact plates, the second contact plate being moveable with respect to the first contact plate along the axis of rotation. In at least one of the switch positions, the first contact plate bridges ends of the two terminals and the second contact plate bridges ends of two terminals different that the two terminals bridged by the first contact plate.

Abstract: An electrical switch selectively controls an ignition circuit and accessory circuits of a motor vehicle. The electrical switch includes a rotatable member with radially extending side walls having cam surfaces formed thereon for operably actuating electrically conductive leaf spring members to individually open and close electrical circuits in response to positioning the rotatable member in predefined angular positions. The electrical switch can include both high current and low current leaf spring members in a single switch assembly capable of being assembled from one side.

Abstract: Provided is an improved key switch for vehicles which can control the generation of heat from the contacts without increasing the size of the switch structure itself. The key switch may comprise a rotor, which rotates in accordance with the insertion and rotation of a key, a plurality of fixed contacts provided in a terminal support plate, a plurality of moveable contacts carried by the rotor which cooperate with the fixed contacts according to the angular position of the rotor, and a plurality of terminal plates for connecting the fixed contacts to onboard electric equipment and an onboard battery via a coupler. The terminal plates include a redundant or idle terminal plate which is commonly connected to the terminal plate for power supply, and promotes the dissipation of heat from the terminal plate for power supply, and increases the rigidity of the structure for supporting the coupler.

Abstract: A non-sparking rotatable switch apparatus for a multi-speed fan includes stationary contacts positioned at two different levels relative to a plane of rotation of the switch. The rotatable portion of the switch apparatus includes upwardly extending contact sheets, some of which extend only to the lower level at which contacts are positioned and at least one of which extends to the higher level at which contacts are positioned. The higher level upwardly extending contact sheets have different widths than the lower level sheets, thereby changing the timing at which the upwardly extending contact sheets engage the respective contacts.

Abstract: A key switch comprises a disc-shaped switch contact suspended above a number of stationary terminals. The switch contact includes one or more cut-outs which isolate individual terminals in different angular orientations of the contact. The signals conducted through each terminal vary as different combinations are bridged by the contact in different angular orientations. By changing the pattern of the cut-outs through the contact, the signals conducted through the switch are changed. The switch is efficient to produce because it can be adapted to different circuits without substituting physically different terminal pieces.

Abstract: A vehicular engine safety switch having two or more functional positions, which includes a removable restraining device such as a clip or a pin which is flexibly attachable to the body or apparel of the vehicle operator. In the primary functional mode, the clip is in place on the switch and the engine may be started. Movement of the operator from the switch by a distance determined by the length of a flexible lanyard removes the clip, and the switch returns under spring pressure to an OFF position. The engine may be restarted with or without the clip in place, the latter condition occurring, for example, if the operator has been ejected from the vehicle. The safety action of the switch is achieved by the interaction of a specially formed detent sleeve and spring-loaded detent ball, and a lock cylinder rotationally and axially spring biased relative to the detent sleeve.

Abstract: A rotary switch for small appliances such as electric fans comprising base and cover assemblies, the former having low, medium and high output terminals and a splice terminal in side-by-side relation along one edge thereof for wedgingly receiving the bared ends of a ribbon cable, or alternatively receiving the bared ends of separate leads, and with the input terminal and the opposite end of the splice terminal being located at the opposite edge of the base. The cover assembly carries a rotor having contacts connected thereto whereby the rotor may be rotated so as to effect an electrical connection between either the low, medium or high output terminal and the input terminal. The cover further has a plurality of partitions which serve to isolate from each other the bared ends of the leads that engage the output terminals, when the cover and base are assembled to each other.

Abstract: A keylock switch has a standard housing and rotary switch unit for two, three, four, five or six terminals. The switch includes an outer housing has a lock section and an inner contact section closed by a back plate with fixed contacts secured thereto. A keylock assembly includes a rotating tube with edge slots and pivoted locking levers which are pivoted to a release position within the tube. A hub extends from the lock section into a contact chamber and forms a bearing wall, on which a contact carrier plate bears. A rotating U-shaped contact is coupled to the plate bottom and includes an integral leaf spring in the center acting between the carrier and a fixed terminal plate. The U-shaped contact includes opposite end contact plates, with one about twice the width of the other to span two adjacent fixed contacts while the shorter plate engages a single fixed contact.

Abstract: A rotary key switch has a momentary action such that a lock cylinder and control member are returned to normal positions by a torsion spring provided in a central bore of the control member. The switch housing is in two parts, a lower body portion and an upper panel mounted cap portion that also supports the lock cylinder. The lower portion defines a cylindrical cavity and supports the control member on a central post that is also provided in this central bore. The housing portions are telescopically secured to one another and a stop is deformed in part by the control member and the panel mounted cap portion to positively limit the rotation of the key and lock cylinder.

Abstract: A multi-position return to center potentiometer having a multiple detent configuration wherein the center detent position is a dimple and other detent positions provide a resistance to rotation that is greater during rotation away from center than rotation toward the center allowing the use of a small return to center spring.

Abstract: A new structure of electric supplying switch lock includes a switchable conductive path between two terminals and a lock core and lock pin which are made in one piece, all contained in a lock case. The conductive path between the two terminals is carried by an arc-shaped conducting sheet which is designed so as to have a large contact area and is mounted on a rotary seat. When the rotary seat is rotated, the conducting sheet moves into or out of contact with the terminals. The lock core and lock pin are formed in one piece. In the lock core, there are two lock bolt holes, each containing a small spring and a lock bolt so that each lock bolt will push against the lock core and into a locked key groove in the lock case to produce the locking action. The lock core is pushed to a designed depth by a correct key, and then the lock bolts slide into a ring groove.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power switch is provided and, in the form illustrated, is for use in conjunction with an automotive antitheft device. The antitheft device has apparatus for engaging a latch in a notch in the steering column to prevent turning of the steering column when the device is operative. A key operates the apparatus which moves a slider with respect to a stator. The slider has a plurality of conductive rollers which are urged toward the stator and at appropriate locations sequentially connects a main contact with secondary fixed contacts. The fixed contacts may be connected to the coil, the service mechanism, the fuel pump, to the starter. Specially designed sections are provided on the stator to facilitate rapid and positive closure of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: A multiposition switch for ignition or heater plug and starter circuits in a motor vehicle, adapted for an independent switching of a plurality of load circuits, includes a switching disk rotatable about an axis and supporting spring biased conductive arms crossing each other and being bent in the crossing region into a U-shaped configuration so that the arms are insulated one from the other. One end of each arm sweeps on a plurality of stationary load contacts whereas the other end portion of respective arms is controlled by annular cams surrounding the load contacts. A stationary counter-contact ring is provided in the region between the rotary axis and the load contacts and cooperates with contact studs secured to respective arms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle ignition-starter switch which is provided for the switching of a plurality of galvanically separated electric circuits. The switch wheel comprises lifting contact bridges, sliding contact bridges and a radially actuable slide with contact bridge. This slide cooperates simultaneously with the ignition repetitive catch.

Abstract: The invention is a spring return type aircraft ignition switch characterized by retainer plate (10) that includes a tab (12) that extends between a portion of the coil spring (20) and the wall (65) of the rotor body (60) to prevent the windings from the coil (20) from wedging from between the retainer plate (10) and the rotor body (60).

Abstract: An ignition switch has contact plates held in a socket plate and with trip cams on the circumference of the socket plate. A switching wheel carries a plurality of contact springs, which abut on one side against a central contact and have contact arms switchable by means of the trip cams with respect to the contact plates. The contact springs also cooperate with a starter repetition lock. The central contact is in the form of a spherical shell segment and each contact spring has a spherical shell segment pressed with a prestressing force onto the spherical shell segment.

Abstract: A control device having a support and a first selector member rotatably carried by the support. A second selector member is rotatably carried by the support and is axially movable relative to the support and the first selector member. The selector members are coupled together in a manner to cause the first selector member to rotate in unison with the second selector member when the second selector member is rotated. A pair of spaced spring members are disposed between and respectively engage the selector members to tend to maintain the second selector member axially away from the first selector member. The first selector member has a cylindrical part extending therefrom and the second selector member has a C-shaped shaft rotatably disposed against the cylindrical part of the first selector member.

Abstract: An improved rotary-type selector switch for fan speed control or the like including curved terminal members supported upon a base member around a central boss extending therefrom and having a conductive contactor for selectively interconnecting said terminal members when said contactor is pivoted. A cover member is attached to the contactor for pivotal movement together and retains springs which push the contactor against the terminal members and permit movement of the cover toward the contactor. The aforedescribed parts are assembled by a pin fastener with an expandable first end portion which engages the base in snapfitting relation and an enlarged second end portion overlying the cover member. Circumferentially spaced detent means and a projecting ridge formed between the pin fastener and the cover operably engage one another positively to locate the cover and connected contactor in a plurality of annular positions with respect to the base member.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed which comprises a rockable switch actuating element having contacts and a fixed switch terminal means. The rockable element is moved by operation of a lock of which the rotor has an eccentric extension disposed within and cooperating with an opening in said rockable actuating member so that upon insertion of the key into the rotor and turning of that rotor, the actuating element is moved to effect switching.