Abstract: A small switch comprising a plurality of switching elements with a hole which are oscillatably disposed one in each switch body and a single switching rod inserted through the holes of the switching elements whereby the contacts in a plurality of small switches can be made or broken simultaneously by operating the switching rod from the outside of the electronic device containing the switches. This small switch has projections and recesses on both sides of the switch body where the holes are formed so that a plurality of switches can be connected in series by fitting the projections of one switch into the recesses of other switch.

Abstract: One or more switch apparatus for controlling a digital display of a changing function each include stationary and movable contacts and an actuator having a rest position and movable longitudinally in opposite directions to second and third positions. Cam structure is supported on each actuator to interact with a follower carried by each movable contact whereby different conditions of switch operation may be indicated by the position of the actuator relative to the movable contact. Biasing structure intercooperates between each actuator and a support for biasing the actuator toward the rest position from at least one of the second and third positions. A latch, also, intercooperates with each actuator to latch the actuator in one of the last-mentioned positions.

Abstract: A position memory device for a reclining seat to memorize tilted positions of a seat back. The memory device includes a memory wheel adapted to be rotated with movements of the seat back, a reset cam integrally formed with the memory wheel, and a reset lever urging against the reset cam so as to rotate the memory wheel relative to the seat back. Two memory switches adapted to engage respective ends of a recessed portion of the memory wheel to sense when the memory wheel is rotated to a determined position with the seat back in the memorized position, thereby improving the accuracy of returned positions of the seat back and decreasing operative forces of the reset lever.

Abstract: In a joystick controller for electric switches, a resilient bias is provided, biasing the joystick to its neutral position, by means of a garter spring which encircles and embraces two ring members, one ring member being displaced in its own plane in response to pivoting the joystick about its pivot and the other ring member being secured to a fixed housing part. The two ring members are profiled so that the garter spring rides from them upon pivoting the joystick through greater than a threshold angle from its neutral position, so that the bias is removed and the joystick stays put.

Abstract: A multi-contact rotary switch in which arcuate cam lobes on the planar faces of a rotatable disc-shaped cam rotor selectively engage a plurality of switch elements. Each switch element is attached to one of two switch blocks positioned adjacent to either cam rotor face. Slots in the switch blocks laterally confine the switch elements to preserve their alignment. A raised annular bearing on the cam rotor face maintains the position of the cam rotor relative to the switch blocks. Terminal extensions from the switch elements extend perpendicular to and away from the planar faces of the cam rotor.

Abstract: A rotary operator for use with an electrical contact block includes a housing having a base portion and a hollow cylindrical extension having external threads on an end opposite the base portion, and a rotatable stem assembly disposed in the base portion and extension. The stem assembly comprises a control knob secured to one end of an intermediate member and a cam member secured to the opposite end. A clamp ring threaded to the extension retains stem assembly in the housing. Multiple position, and more particularly, two and three position cam members having novel camming surfaces are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for setting the switches of a circuitboard-carried dual in-line package [DIP] which includes an array of miniature closely lined switch actuators such as toggle elements adapted to be rocked around a common axis to open and close their associated switches, which device has a recess with an outline configuration conforming to that of the package to receive the upper portion of the package to bring the lower ends of a plurality of operating arms pivotable around a common axis and having an interarm spacing corresponding to the toggle elements spacing into cooperative relationship with the toggle elements. The arms have offset handles with progressively increasing offsets from the center handles outwardly and extend through slots in the cover of the device so that the interhandle spacing is appreciably greater than is the spacing between adjacent switch toggle elements.

Abstract: A mechanical switch having a plurality of sequentially energized outputs responsive to the displacement of a push button or other linear actuator comprises an arcuate array of fixed contacts on a rigid printed circuit board and a single movable contact comprising a helical spring member with its axis normal to the circuit board and having one end contacting one of the fixed contacts. The spring rate of the spring progressively varies along its length such that when the spring is compressed by an axially applied force the spring sequentially and progressively contacts and bridges the fixed contacts thereby sequentially engaging the fixed contacts.

Abstract: A multiple-switch arrangement wherein a battery of momentary and/or latching switches is mounted in a control panel and the inner end portions of switch housings have transversely extending channels for a centrally located tubular receptacle and two lateral control rails. The inner end portions of the housings carry adapters for blocks of microswitches which are actuated by motion transmitting posts secured to plungers which are reciprocable in the housings and can be depressed in response to displacement of knobs installed in the outer end portions of the housings. The posts which register with the receptacle can extend through the receptacle on their way into engagement with movable portions of the respective microswitches and thereby displace blocking members which are installed in the receptacle and serve to prevent simultaneous actuation of microswitches associated with two or more housings.

Abstract: The switch of the invention is a double deck type rotary switch having a position deck for detecting a home position and means for determining each position of the switch relative to the home position. A switching deck, rotated together with the position deck, selectively applies operating voltage to a plurality of operative devices, such as sprinkling valves.The system incorporates a microprocessor to control a motor for driving the rotary switch to a commanded position. The position deck signals the microprocessor as the deck reaches the predetermined position and the processor provides a delay before applying voltage to the switching deck, insuring that good load contact is made, so that arcing is avoided. The switching deck makes its load contact a few degrees ahead of the position deck in order that the load contacts for the work voltage are in the center of their terminal spring clips before the microprocessor is signaled that the predetermined position has been attained.

Abstract: A switch structure characterized by a pushbutton-rotatable switch handle and a plurality of switch blocks mounted in tandem, the switch blocks comprising molded base and cover portions which provide an insulating barrier between the moving and stationary contact arms for increased current capabilities, and the switches having reciprocable switch operating plungers which are actuated either together or separately by longitudinal or rotary movement of the switch actuator.

Abstract: Two parallel rows of three fixed electric contacts are mounted on an insulating base. An insulating slider movable lengthwise of the rows carries a pair of bridging contacts from a position in which each bridging contact bridges the adjoining middle fixed contact and either of the end contacts in the same row to a position bridging the same middle contact and the other end contact in that row. When the bridging contacts are moved into engagement with a pair of end contacts, the slider also moves a metal shorting contact into engagement with the other pair of end contacts, whereby those two contacts are electrically connected.

Abstract: A slide included in the push button set of a telephone instrument reciprocable to actuate a number of contact devices in the set. Each contact device comprises a pair of movable contact arms associated with fixed contacts. The slide is disposed between two oppositely situated contact assemblies and comprises an arm having two oppositely directed wedge members. Each member has a longitudinal center portions and is provided on each side with a rounded camming surface. The reciprocating action of the slide is effected by a push button on the set, one camming surface then contacting a flange on a movable contact arm thus establishing a contact between this arm and the associated fixed contact. The camming surfaces on both sides of the wedge member are displaced relative to each other to provide a sequential contact action.

Abstract: A slide switch actuating apparatus for operating a slide switch located inside a housing from the exterior thereof. A flexible retaining member engages the slide switch to be actuated on the interior of the housing. The housing is formed with a slot through which flexible hook members are received into a socket portion of a button member located exterior to the housing in a snap-fit fashion. A plurality of bosses with inclined surfaces are positioned on the interior of the housing adjacent to the slot opening to contact end portions of the flexible retaining member to effect a detent action upon sliding actuation of the switch located inside the housing.

Abstract: An electrical switch construction having two pairs of cooperable contacts each pair of which is adapted to be opened and closed independently of the other pair, a single manipulator being carried by the construction and being operatively associated with the pairs of contacts to operate either pair independently of the other pair by a cam member carried by the manipulator and having a generally rectangular profile defined by two right angle corners and two rounded corners.

Abstract: A tap-changing transformer system, utilized for voltage regulation of the line potential applied to a load from a source of energy, has a non-arcing switch to protect tap contacts during a tap change. A fail-safe circuit is utilized to determine that the non-arcing switch and its associated circuitry are operating properly before a movable tap contact is transferred from one stationary tap to another. In the event that the fail-safe circuit detects an improper operation of the non-arcing switch, the source is connected directly to the load to preclude the passage of any load current through the tap-changing transformer. A particular form of transfer switch useful in effecting the connection of the source directly to the load employs a current-limiting impedance arrangement.

Abstract: An improved miniature switch construction of a type in which a plurality of included switches are mounted in a common housing element to be actuated by a single shaft extending longitudinally within said housing, and having included operating cams which are radially aligned by bearing journals integrally formed on each side of the housing, and fitted into correspondingly sized bores, molded into each half of a pair of housing members. The shaft is formed as a single piece of pinion stock which mates with a corresponding opening in each cam.

Abstract: An electrical control device having a joystick operator normally biased to a central position by resiliently biased rigid strips secured to a base plate. The joystick operator is pivoted in anyone of a plurality of directions through a 360.degree. arc. No more than two electrical switches or actuatable devices can be operated simultaneously by the joystick operator. The rigid strips are resiliently biased by either the internal springs of the actuator elements of respective switches or by springs externally of the switches. Movement of the strip causes depression of the associated switch actuator element. When the joystick operator is released, its shaft is returned to an equilibrium position.

Abstract: An electric oven toaster construction wherein a unique inverted L-shaped lever is provided for controlling operation of an oven toaster switch and a toaster timer. The lever is pivotally mounted at the intersection of its legs and a generally horizontal leg extends outwardly from the oven toaster to a position where it may be manually actuated. The other leg extends downwardly for moving the toaster timer to its on position. The generally horizontal leg of the lever includes a downwardly extending latch arm which is movable into engagement with a solenoid armature for holding the lever and the switch in a closed position during a toasting cycle. Thus, at the end of a toasting cycle, the toaster timer actuates the solenoid to release the latch arm and a spring bias of the switch moves the switch and the inverted L-shaped lever to an open position.

Abstract: A rotary selector switch characterized by a rotatable switch actuator and at least two switch structures, the actuator having a shaft on which a handle is detachably mounted for operation in a plurality of modes to operate the switch structures in different combinations of open and closed conditions, the handle being detachably mounted on the shaft for rotating a cam through one limited sector thereof, the handle being repositionable on the shaft for rotation through another limited sector thereof, and the handle being rotatable between a pair of spaced ribs on the switch housing.

Abstract: A selector switch for use as a pushbutton and rotary switch characterized by a rotatable switch actuator and at least two switch structures, the actuator having a shaft on which a handle is detachably mounted for operation in a plurality of modes to operate the switch structures in different combinations of open and closed conditions, the handle being detachably mounted on the shaft for rotating the cam through one limited sector thereof, and the handle being repositionable on the shaft for rotation through another limited sector thereof.

Abstract: A multi-pole switch includes a wobble stick type actuator provided with a contactor engaging the free end portions of a plurality of displaceable resilient inner pin contacts having their base portions fixedly mounted in a support member. A plurality of stationary pin contacts are disposed radially outside and adjacent said displaceable pin contacts. A guide member adjacent the contactor includes a plurality of radially extending slots therethrough each housing a portion of one of the displaceable pin contacts and one of the stationary pin contacts in a normally spaced apart manner. A biasing element normally maintains the contactor in a central, neutral position whereby, upon deflection of the actuator the contactor is radially displaced and correspondingly displaces a selected inner pin contact into engagement with its radially adjacent stationary pin contact in the same guide member slot to close a circuit between the engaging contacts.

Abstract: An electric switch having two pushbuttons for rocking a pivotal actuator alternately in opposite directions for alternately closing double-throw contacts. The pivotal actuator is snap-in assembled to a switch frame which is snap-in assembled to a switch base or housing that supports the contacts. The two pushbuttons are alike and are guided in their vertical reciprocal motion by the switch frame and by one another. To allow use of minimum height pushbuttons while having ample finger-engaging surface, the pushbuttons are provided with like but complementary guiding structures integrally molded thereon to guide one another in their relative vertically reciprocal movements without binding or "window-locking" with respect to one another or the switch frame.

Abstract: An improved shaft-operated rotary switch construction for printed circuitry applications is disclosed. The improved switch is a modular design incorporating a standardized rotor element accommodating the mounting of wiper contacts in different positions and different operational orientations. Also disclosed is an improved releasable clutch mechanism providing one mode of operation in which the rotors of different switch sections are coupled together for simultaneous rotation, and another mode in which they are rotatable independently, the operating mode being selected by axial movement of one section's operating shaft relative to that of the other.

Abstract: A rotary switch for high current applications that rapidly actuates a first set of contacts in one direction of rotation of the switch and actuates the first set and a second set of contacts upon rotation of the switch in the other direction. Each set of contacts has a follower roller that is moved by a rotary cam biased axially by a detent assembly that prevents rotation of the cam below a predetermined rotational force. A torsion spring assembly is provided for overcoming the detent assembly force and rapidly rotating the cam by the energy stored in the torsional spring.

Abstract: A programmable, reciprocating, multiple electrical switch assembly contained within a waterproof housing. The assembly includes a plurality of discrete electrical switches arranged in a predetermined pattern on a fixed frame. The switches are triggered by projections strategically arranged on a sliding key-like finger which mates with the interior of the frame.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a manual switch having a lever positioned in opposition to a resilient coiled return spring anchored to a block which includes a projection engaging one of the coils of the return spring and thereby detaining either compaction or expansion of the spring until sufficient pivoting of the lever forces the detained coil to suddenly slidably traverse over the projection of the block to provide an audible noise and a tactile feel indicating sufficient pivoting of the lever.

Abstract: A rotary switch for use with electrical circuits and including a housing having a cavity therein for receiving a rotatable disc. The housing supports a plurality of spaced apart electrical terminals each independently connected to an electric circuit and also supports a plurality of opposed resilient contacts selectively engagable with the electrical terminals. The rotor includes opposed planar surfaces, one of the surfaces parallel to and adjacent the resilient contacts, the rotor surface supporting a plurality of cams projecting from the surface and functional upon rotation of the rotor to force selected ones of the resilient contacts into engagement with the terminals to provide an electrical bridge between pairs of the electrical terminals. The rotary switch rotor can include cam members on both of its opposite surfaces and the housings are constructed such that they can be stacked.

Abstract: A joystick controller assembly for generating switch closures in response to X-Y manual movements includes an elongate lever arm or handle disposed to be tipped through an operating arc in any direction from the axis of the handle for closing switches. Individual springs coupled between the lower end portion of the handle move operating arms which press against and activate related switches carried on a printed circuit board for indicating the direction of movement of the handle.

Abstract: A switching and heat control mechanism for induction heating cooking apparatus having a plurality of induction heating work coils comprises a single control shaft provided with a plurality of contact operating members. A plurality of switch contact units operable by the corresponding contact operating members provide different combinations of open and closed circuit conditions for various points of the apparatus in sequence as the control shaft is rotated. An elevating mechanism, carrying an associated work coil, moves the coil up and down in response to the angle of rotation of the control shaft to form a variable, power level controlling gap between the coil and a load placed on a nonmagnetic cook top.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a housing with means operable generally therein for switching power through the switch. Means is rotatable in the housing between a plurality of indexed positions for actuating the switching means, and means is provided for releasably holding the actuating means in each of its indexed positions. Means is also provided for retarding the rotation of the actuating means between at least some of its indexed positions.A method of operating an electrical switch, and an indexing system for an electrical switch are also disclosed.

Abstract: A first hollow control shaft is rotatable within a housing between actuating and restoring positions with intermediate ON-OFF positions therebetween. A first insulating actuator is rotatable within the housing to operate at least a pair of normally open contacts. A second insulating actuator is slidable along a predetermined path and normally biased to operate normally closed contacts and engageable with the first actuator by a lost motion connection which permits the second actuator to move in a limited range with respect to the rotational movement of the control shaft. The normally closed contacts are placed in a trigger circuit of an induction heating apparatus and the normally open contacts placed in a power supply circuit of the apparatus, the former being operated to disable the trigger circuit prior to energization or de-energization of the power supply circuit. A second control shaft is journaled through the first control shaft. A pinion gear is mounted on the second shaft.

Abstract: According to the invention, there are a plurality of insulatedly separated fixed contact means for connection to external circuits, movable contact means for selectively interconnecting predetermined ones of the fixed contact means, armature means movable in first and second opposed directions for coacting with the movable contact means for establishing a predetermined interconnecting relationship among the fixed contact means, and means coupling the movable contact means to the armature means responsive to movement of the armature means in the first and second directions for establishing first and second different interconnecting relationships, respectively, among the fixed contact means.

Abstract: An electrical switch is provided with a switch wheel having indicia appearing around the periphery of the switch wheel adapted to be presented to view through an aperture in a switch case as the switch wheel is rotated by a lever that projects through the wall of the switch case. The switch wheel rotates in accordance with the rotation of a lever-actuated switch plate with which the switch wheel is interconnected. Gears are provided interconnecting the switch wheel and the switch plate thereby allowing the switch wheel to be rotated through about 360.degree. when the switch plate is rotated through a much smaller angle, such as about 90.degree..