Abstract: A key structure includes a base plate, a key cap, a positioning base, a positioning cover, and a spring. The key cap is disposed above the base plate and has a bottom surface. The positioning base is connected to the bottom surface of the key cap and has a positioning recess. The positioning cover is slidably connected to the positioning base, is inserted into the positioning recess, and includes a bottom portion and a side wall. The spring includes a first spring portion and a second spring portion. The first spring portion is located in the positioning recess and is in contact with the bottom surface of the key cap. The second spring portion is located in the positioning cover. An orthographic projection of the first spring portion on the bottom surface of the key cap is overlapped with an orthographic projection of the side wall of the positioning cover on the bottom surface of the key cap.

Abstract: A key structure includes a base plate, a key cap, a positioning base, a positioning cover, and a spring. The key cap is disposed above the base plate and has a bottom surface. The positioning base is connected to the bottom surface of the key cap and has a positioning recess. The positioning cover is slidably connected to the positioning base, is inserted into the positioning recess, and includes a bottom portion and a side wall. The spring includes a first spring portion and a second spring portion. The first spring portion is located in the positioning recess and is in contact with the bottom surface of the key cap. The second spring portion is located in the positioning cover. The first spring portion is located on a path on which the side wall of the positioning cover slides toward the bottom surface of the key cap.

Abstract: A trigger switch includes a housing including a casing; a trigger coupled to the housing to be capable of approaching and separating from the housing; a contact mechanism; a first terminal extending from outside of the housing to the casing; and a second terminal extending from outside of the housing to the casing and including a plate surface facing a plate surface of the first terminal. A first wire connection portion capable of connecting a conductor portion of a first wire is provided to an end of the first terminal located outside of the housing in an extending direction of the first terminal, and a second wire connection portion capable of connecting a conductor portion of a second wire is provided to an end of the second terminal located outside of the housing in an extending direction of the second terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus such as an appliance with a printed circuit board, PCB, (202) mounted haptic feedback device (200) is provided. The apparatus comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) having an opening (204) defined therein, and a spool (206) affixed to the PCB and having a shaft with a coil (208) wound thereabout. The shaft defines an opening aligned with the opening of the PCB. The apparatus also comprises a spring-loaded plunger positioned and movable within the opening of the shaft. The spring-loaded plunger includes a metallic disk operatively coupled to an end of the plunger and distally positioned to the spool. A control component of the apparatus is configured to energize the coil according to a haptic feedback pattern, and thereby cause the coil to at tract the metallic disk and move the plunger within the opening of the shaft of the spool, and through the opening of the PCB.

Abstract: A mailbox has detection means inside the mailbox to detect the presence of mail and a warning device that is operatively connected to the detection means to inform a user of the presence of mail in the mailbox.

Abstract: A circuit breaker for protecting an electric circuit contains a housing and an adapter having a receiving connector. The circuit breaker has two electrically conductive, substantially cylinder-shaped connection points which are positioned along an axis. Either the outer diameter of the connection points is between 5.0 mm and 5.3 mm and the maximum distance between the connection points is between 19.0 mm and 21.0 mm, or the outer diameter of the connection points is between 6.2 mm and 6.5 mm and the maximum distance between the connection points is between 30.5 mm and 33.0 mm.

Abstract: A wiper holder to which a wiper is attached has an attachment surface including a positioning boss configured to position the wiper by being passed through a positioning hole in the wiper, a positioning protrusion configured to position a first edge of the wiper, and a swage boss configured to receive a second edge of the wiper. The first edge of the wiper contacts the positioning protrusion to position the first edge of the wiper and the wiper is secured to the wiper holder by the swage boss being swaged while the positioning boss is passed through the positioning hole in the wiper and the second edge of the wiper being received by the swage boss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for joining sections to enable plates to be separated, then reconnected and securely interlocked. A variety of plate configurations may be utilized with the locking mechanism in applications such as cable pass-through, electrical wiring, or any application in which the engagement of structures is desired. The locking mechanism embodying the principles of the present invention includes outwardly extending finger detents adjacent to the cantilever tabs of each plate that slideably engage the bottom surface of an opposing plate section and create resistive forces between the interlocked cantilever tabs. The addition of the finger detents increases the inter-mating strength of the locked plate by providing a resistive moment arm to resist outward forces acting to separate the plate sections. The cantilever tabs further include a locking lip that engages a locking means of an opposing plate section to resist lateral forces acting to separate the plate.

Abstract: An electrical switch having a housing with a support member, a rocker arm pivotally coupled to the support member for movement about an axis A, a first terminal coupled to the housing, and a lever pivotally coupled to the housing for pivotal movement about an axis B. The rocker arm includes a first member located on a first side of the pivot axis A, a second member on a second side of the pivot axis A, and a first movable contact coupled to the first member. The lever is pivoted in a first direction to engage the first member on the rocker arm to move the first movable contact away from the first terminal contact to scrape debris from the first movable contact and the first terminal contact. The lever is pivoted in a second direction to engage the second member on the rocker arm to move the first movable contact into a sliding engagement with the first terminal contact.

Abstract: An improved pressure switch comprises a cover assembly, a pair of electrical terminals, a spring, a contact disk, a diaphragm and a banjo housing. The pair of electrical terminals can be partially covered by the cover assembly and the spring can be placed within the cover assembly. The contact disk can tightly be connected with the diaphragm and arranged on top of the spring. When the pressure exceeds a preset pressure level, the diaphragm can be deflected down onto the contact disk, which compresses the spring to contact the terminals. The terminals can be activated for energizing, for example, a hydraulic circuit if the contact disk contacts the terminals. Therefore, the disk can bias itself when the disk makes contact on the top of the terminals, which creates a movement of the disk to provide a self cleaning feature.

Abstract: A relay assembly includes a coil and a stationary contact having a first contact surface. At least a portion of the first contact surface defines a wiping contact surface. The relay assembly also includes a movable contact having a second contact surface defining a contact area that engages the first contact surface. The movable contact is moved along a driving path toward the stationary contact when current is passed through the coil, and the movable contact is moved along a rebound path different from the driving path after initial impact with the stationary contact. The stationary contact is oriented or shaped with respect to the movable contact such that the movable contact engages, and wipes against, at least a portion of the wiping contact surface when the movable contact is moved along the rebound path.

Abstract: A device for actuating electric functional groups, in particular horns on the steering wheels of motor vehicles is disclosed. The device includes at least two opposing contacts which can be brought into contact with one another to actuate the functional group and which clean themselves by sliding against one another during contact. The opposing contacts are fixed to a respective support element with both of the elements being elastically deformable.

Abstract: A locking device of an electrical switch which can be moved between a disconnected position and an operating position with the switching states of the electrical switch. A first strip has a control contour which extends in a first direction and has a ramp which interacts with a control rod which can be moved in certain states of the electrical switch.

Abstract: A steering wheel for motor vehicle that includes at least one switching device for actuating an electric functional group such as, for example, a vehicle horn. The switching device includes two electric contact elements that can be moved in relation to one another and can be brought into contact with one another for actuating the functional group. According to the invention, one of the contact elements is mounted in a springy manner and so that one of the contact elements glides along the other element after the two contact elements have been brought into contact with one another for actuating the electric functional group.

Abstract: A key switch wherein a key top 1 made of thermoplastic resin and a extruding part 2 made of thermoplastic elastomer are integrally formed, thereby improving clicking touch of a contact member, such as a metal belleville spring, a resin film dome or the like, which is placed underneath the extruding part and preventing breakage and laceration of the contact member. Further, a key switch is constructed such that extruding parts 2 of a plurality of key tops 1 are integrally linked by means of a U-shaped bridging member 3 made of thermoplastic elastomer, thereby causing elastic deformation of the bridging member 3 at the time of pressing one of the plurality of key tops 1 so that an extruding part 2 of an adjacent key top is prevented from operating together.

Abstract: A sliding contact mechanism includes a sliding door contact, a spring having one end connected to the sliding door contact and another end connected to the sliding door of a mini-van, and a pillar contact attached to the stationary pillar of the mini-van. The pillar contact has a shape complementary to a shape of the sliding door contact. When the sliding door is in a closed position, the sliding door is adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact engages and is in a closed electrical connection with the pillar contact. When the sliding door is in an open position, the sliding door is not adjacent the pillar and the sliding door contact is an open electrical connection with the sliding door contact.

Abstract: A switch for use in a ride-on vehicle for children. The switch includes plural contact sets operated by an actuator to control the speed and/or direction of the vehicle. In the disclosed embodiment, a separator structure blocks contact sets from closing when they should be open to prevent inadvertent shorting.

Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes an elongate body including three unitary portions. A first portion and a third portion are substantially co-planar and a second portion is unitarily offset from the first and third portions. A contactor tip is mounted to a top surface of both the first portion and the third portion. During closure of the bus bar assembly, the offset second portion causes the contactor tips to roll which helps expel contaminants that may have accumulated on the contactor tips.

Abstract: An elastomeric switch is provided having self cleanings contacts. The switch includes a substrate and a switch actuator configured for reciprocating motion along an axis generally perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. A first switch contact, including a contact surface generally perpendicular to the actuator axis of motion is, carried by the switch actuator. A second switch contact is cantilevered from the surface of the substrate. Reciprocation of the actuator in a first direction toward the substrate acts to force the first contact against the distal end of the second contact. The two contacts are deflected together as result of further reciprocation of the actuator in the first direction. As the contacts are deflected, the distal end of the second contact is scraped across the contact surface of the first contact, thereby removing contaminants and other debris from the contact surface of the first contact.

Abstract: A switch (10) includes a pair of fixed contacts (20,22) spaced apart from each other. The switch (10) also includes a contact member (40) including a resilient base (42) and a pair of contact arms (80,82) connected to and extending from the base in a direction toward the fixed contacts (20,22). The switch (10) also includes a manually engageable member (110) connected with the contact member (40) for, upon the application of a predetermined force to the manually engageable member, moving the contact arms (80,82) into electrical contact with the fixed contacts (20,22) to complete an electric circuit between the fixed contacts. The resilient base (42) of the contact member (40) yields upon the application of the predetermined force to the manually engageable member (110). The resilient base (42) moves the contact arms (50,52) out of electrical contact with the fixed contacts (20,22) upon removal of the predetermined force from the manually engageable member (110).

Abstract: A pair of pivoted links positioned at opposite sides of a movable armature and reversely oriented with respect to each other, have a pivotal connection at their opposite ends to a movable contact carrier and intermediate their ends to the armature whereby movement of the armature is amplified in movement of the contact carrier to permit reduction in the air gap between the armature and electromagnet core without incurring a corresponding reduction in contact carrier movement.

Abstract: In a rotary switch, a manually rotatable shaft turns a disk which has a plurality of riser cam segments on one of its faces. Stepwise rotation of the disk causes the cam segments to press down on flat spring contacts arranged in the switch to put the tip of one of the contacts at a time into contact with a stationary electrical contact bar that is coated with a noble metal. The spring contacts are configured such that when pressed by a cam the tips are caused to make contact with the stationary contact bar and then slide longitudinally so as the tip will pick up some of the noble metal coating from the contact bar. The tips are shaped with a traverse curve intersecting a longitudinal groove to thereby produce two points that make high unit stress contact with the stationary contact bar.

Abstract: An electrical switch with pivot point wiping contact assemblies for scrubbing debris from electrical contact mating surfaces. For each electrical contact within the switch there is a battery rivet having a convex mating surface and a contact rivet which also has a convex mating surface. The contact rivet is mounted onto one end of a resilient wiping arm consisting of conductive material. The other end of the wiping arm is pivotally mounted within the slot of a pocket contact consisting of conductive material. Also connected to the wiping arm is a contact driver which abuts a manually moveable pin. Therefore, by moving the pin the resilient wiping arm rubs the contact rivet mating surface onto the battery rivet mating surface while making an electrical connection.

Abstract: An actuator control device used for, for instance, dampers of automobile air conditioners including first and second fixed contacts which are discontinuous on a path along which a movable contact travels and third and fourth fixed contacts which are also in a discontinuous fashion on the movable contact's path. A motor, that is, an actuator, is connected to a battery and rotated forward when the movable contact is in contact with the first contact and is rotated reversely when the movable contact is in contact with the third contact, thus opening and closing the damper. A first diode is connected to the second contact so that when the damper, which is rotated in a linkage with the movable contact, is opened and the movable contact comes into contact with the second contact, the first diode cuts off the current to the motor, thus completing the damper opening action.

Abstract: A plunger axially depressible within a tubular housing against a return spring has a conductive pin contact contained within a helically shaped slot through the plunger to project radially from opposite sides of the plunger. A spring biases the pin toward a first pair of stationary contacts. Depression of the plunger effects abutting engagement of the pin on the stationary contacts and continued depression causes the slot to rotationally wipe the pin on the stationary contacts. A conductive washer is slidably disposed over the plunger, keyed to a helical track on the exterior surface of the plunger to cooperatively abut and subsequently rotationally wipe a second pair of stationary contacts to provide a second pole for the switch.

Abstract: The electric push-button switch comprises a housing portion and a linearly moveable push-button portion. Guide columns at the housing portion and the push-button portion attain accurate linear guiding and rotational positioning of the push-button portion. These guide columns mutually interact or interengage and are in multiple line contact with one another. This multiple line contact extends in the direction of movement of the push-button portion. The length of such line contact is variable between a rest position and an operating position of the push-button portion. This line contact is greatest when the push-button portion assumes its operating position. A contact surface of a fixed counter contact comprises a planar slide surface for resilient contact arms carried by the push-button portion. The friction arising during the forced sliding movement of the resilient contact arms over the contact surface produces self-cleaning of the contacts and damping of contact chatter movements.

Abstract: A switch assembly for a geared limit switch for valve actuators is formed from aligned switch modules. The switch modules includes a pair of switch units, each switch unit having a plunger and a movable contact plate mounted between two springs. As the plunger is driven inward, a camming element on the plunger contacts an edge of an aperture in the movable contact plate, forcing the plate to move in a direction perpendicular to the line of plunger travel. The inward motion of the plunger and the camming action continue after the contacts have closed, wiping the contacts mounted on the movable plate across the surfaces of the stationary contacts. When the plunger is released, an outer edge of the movable plate engages a beveled inner wall of the switch unit housing, returning the movable contact plate to its original position.

Abstract: In a reversing switch comprising a substantially V-shaped swinging contact plate provided with a normally open movable contact and a normally closed movable contact, a pair of fixed contacts provided in opposed relationship to the normally open movable contact and the normally closed movable contact, an intermediate supporting member for supporting a normally open contact side of a central bent portion of the swinging contact plate, and a knob adapted to be swung and slid on the swinging contact plate; the improvement is characterized in that the swinging contact plate is formed of an elastic material, and that the knob is provided at its end portion with a pressing member adapted to elastically deform the swinging contact plate. With this arrangement, the swinging contact plate is elastically deformed by the pressing member in association with the swinging motion of the knob, thereby wiping off a bad conductor present between the movable contact and the fixed contact.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric switch having a shaft (33) with a switching coulisse (36) comprising two circular segments, with control cams (60, 64) being disposed on the one circular segment and ratchet elements (66) being disposed on the other circular segment, which cooperate with a detent spring (75) and a contact spring (70). Because the circular segments are arranged i1 a common plane, a highly compact switch is obtained.

Abstract: A push button operated electrical switch is disclosed including a resiliently deflectable contact element including a concavo-convex portion and a pivotable contact arm. Upon actuation, the concavo-convex portion deflects and extends contacting a ramp which causes the pivotable contact arm to pivot into wiping type contact with a stationary contact.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes an insulator base with two stationary contacts mounted on that base. A molded insulated tower and insulated post are unitary with the base and form a guide means and anchor means for a movable contact blade which has two movable contacts to engage the two stationary contacts. The tower has a unitary cap with a surface facing the base and a raised fulcrum on this facing surface. An actuator lever pivots on this raised fulcrum and moves the movable contact blade toward engagement of the pairs of contacts and establishes an over-travel means for the actuator lever after the contacts are in engagement.

Abstract: A snap switch with a self-cleaning function having a switch body with a fixed contact and a movable contact for performing make-break operations. A knob, mounted on the switch body, operates a contact operation member causing the movable contact to abut the fixed contact when the knob is rotated by a predetermined rotational angle and further causing the movable contact to slide on the fixed contact when the knob is further rotated.

Abstract: In a contact mechanism having electrical contact pieces in a switching device integrated with a spring plate fixed at one end, a wiping movable contact piece is fixed to the other end of the spring plate and has a semispherical shape at the contact portion, and a fixed contact piece also has a semispherical shape at its contact with a movable contact piece. The level of the apex of the contact area of the movable contact piece is shifted toward the support point side of the movable contact piece from the level of the apex of the contact area of the fixed contact piece. Conversely, the level of the apex of the contact area of the fixed contact piece is shifted toward the lower base stand side from the level of the apex of the apex if the contact area of the movable contact piece. As a result, the movable contact piece can surely and easily contact and separate from the fixed contact piece, and the movement of the movable contact piece in sliding is improved.

Abstract: An illuminated pushbutton switch has a translucent button aligned with a lamp, a stationary contact, and a sinuous spring urging the button to its released position, the spring being bifurcated and straddling the lamp to allow a clear illumination path. The spring serves as the movable contact of the switch and engages the stationary contact when the button is depressed.

Abstract: The switch comprises a hollow, generally rectangular casing, a generally rectangular pushbutton slidable rearwardly in such casing, and a terminal supporting block closing the rear end of such casing. All of such components are made of moldable resinous plastic materials. The block carries forwardly projecting contact points which connect with external electrical terminals. The pushbutton carries a cup-shaped contactor, slidably and rotatably mounted on a retaining pin which is pressed into a hollow post projecting rearwardly from the pushbutton. A compression coil spring is mounted around the pin and the post, between the contactor and the pushbutton. The contactor is fitted with an axial eyelet on which the contactor is freely rotatable. The contactor is movable into wiping engagement with the contact points, when the pushbutton is pushed rearwardly against the biasing force of a coil spring, compressed between the pushbutton and the terminal supporting block.

Abstract: A miniature switch which has reduced susceptibility to welding of contact elements due to high voltage arcing. The switch has parallel resilient spring like current carrying members each having a contact portion mounted adjacent an end thereof. A selectively actuatable switch plunger is adapted to bend the free end of one of the contact members about its fixed support so that the contact portion thereof contacts the contact portion of the other current carrying member, which in turn bends about its fixed support. Upon removal of the operating force of the plunger, the current carrying members spring back to their normal horizontal positions, breaking the electrical contact between the contact portions. The making and breaking actions are made in a slow manner so that the possibility of bouncing between contact elements and the consequent welding due to high voltage arcing, is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A contactor, relay, or other switch has stationary contacts and a movable crossbar which carries a movable contact member provided with movable contacts. The contact member has lost motion relative to the crossbar and is resiliently biased by a spring so that the crossbar can continue to move after the contacts have met the stationary contacts. The crossbar has oblique guide grooves engaging the contact member so that, during the further movement of the crossbar, the contact member is caused to move longitudinally while the movable and stationary contacts touch, thus producing a contact wiping action due to sliding of the contacts. The contact member also has an asymmetical cross section comprising a projection where, when the contacts are open, it touches the crossbar so that, in this condition, the contact member is laterally tilted.

Abstract: A switch assembly of the rotary and/or push-pull type is made up of a plurality of stacked switch section including rotary switch sections and/or push-pull switch sections, all actuated by a common central shaft. In the rotary sections, there are at least one pair of terminals, a rotary cam rotatable with the shaft, a substantially rigid cam follower contact arm biased against the rotary cam and movable, with rotation of the cam, between open and closed positions. The contact arm is hinged on and electrically connected with one of the pair of terminals. The other end of the contact arm has a dog-leg section and a resilient conductive leaf, favorably formed of beryllium-copper, on which a movable contact is mounted. The flexing of the leaf brings about wiping action of the movable contact when it closes onto a fixed contact connected with the other terminal. The push-pull switch sections have an axially movable carrier also including a flexible resilient leaf member on which movable contacts are mounted.

Abstract: A hookswitch mechanism for use in a telephone instrument utilizing a compound form cantilever spring fastened to a printed wiring card with circuit connections made to the printed wiring card. A contact engaging portion on the cantilever spring wipes across a contact located on the printed wiring card before disengaging the contact to insure a clean contact surface regardless of surrounding atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch is provided comprising a leaf spring with slotted leaf ends for forming a double contact and a fixed contact arranged transversely in relation thereto. The slotted spring ends, in the direction of the leaf spring axis, are provided with groove-shaped stampings. This results in a point-shaped contact which migrates as a result of the bending of the leaf spring so that a high contact pressure is produced and a self-cleaning of the contacts is achieved.

Abstract: A slide switch having at least one row of terminals arranged along a substrate has a slider movable along the terminals. The slider carries a movable contact element biased resiliently towards the terminals so as to connect separate pairs of these terminals electrically together during movement of the slider. Each of the terminals has an exposed contact portion having an arcuate surface and the movable contact element has a generally corrugated shape formed by three arcuate protrusions forming convex surfaces facing the terminals and each spaced by trough portions presenting concave surfaces facing the terminals. In this way, the arcuate surfaces of the exposed contact portions can be adapted to fit within the trough portions upon movement of the slider into particular positions so as to stabilize the slider in these positions.

Abstract: A push button electrical switch assembly including an actuator biased for resilient reciprocation between predetermined axial limits within a housing. A cover on the housing includes a push button movable between predetermined axial limits. The push button contacts and is biased by the actuator to one of its predetermined axial limits. First electrical contacts are fixed to the housing, and second electrical contacts are carried by the actuator. The second electrical contacts, when urged to a contact-engaging position with the first electrical contacts, pivot against the same bias which biases the actuator, to provide a contact-wiping engagement with the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A rocker type electric switch includes a first centrally mounted electrical terminal positioned so that an elongate bridging contact may pivot thereabout to and fro to engage and disengage a second fixed terminal to selectively make electrical contact therewith. The second fixed terminal has separate make, hold and break surfaces. The bridging contact is adapted to snap into initial electrical contact with the make surface of the second fixed terminal, thereafter slide up into abutting relationship with the hold surface of the second fixed terminal, wiping the initial make and hold surfaces clean of any electric arc contamination thereon. In the break cycle, the bridging contact initially slides away from the butt connection of the second fixed terminal, while retaining electrical contact with the terminal.

Abstract: A not-watertight touch pad for swimming competitions mounted partially submersed on the finishing wall of a swimming pool. It includes two plates located in front of each other, the front one of which is somehow perforated and loosely inserted in a frame consisting of channel sections on the four sides and movable towards the insulated back plate. Resting between the two plates, many turns of parallel conductive strips are bonded onto the back plate, whereas some hundreds of conductive springs shaped as seagull wings are welded onto the central strips. These springs are mounted perpendicularly to the strips and are acting as spacers between the two plates and as electrical contacts between the strips as soon as any pressure is applied on the front plate.

Abstract: An integral switch means on a printed circuit board is provided by a plurality of parallel conductor segments having insulating gaps which are aligned in a column transverse to the conductor tracks. Posts supported on the printed circuit board support and align a rigid support member for an elastomeric member having a plurality of conductor strips positioned to separately bridge the respective gaps of the connector segments on a printed circuit board when the elastomeric member is positioned against the printed circuit board. Spring biasing means extends between support posts and the rigid support member for normally urging the elastomeric member into the printed circuit board in position to close the switches. Actuator means is movably supported relative to the printed circuit board to cooperate with the support member to move the elastomeric member against the bias of the spring away from the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A toggle type electric switch includes a first centrally mounted electrical terminal positioned to support a roller member, which defines a translatable pivot axis of an essentially elongate bridging contact which rides on the roller member. A spring loaded plunger-toggle mechanism cooperates with the roller member to define a over-center switching mechanism whereby the bridging contact may selectively engage and disengage a second fixed terminal to establish electrical contact therewith. The effect of the spring loaded plunger member operates to retain the roller member in one position during make of the switch components and shift the roller member for the break of the switch components. In this manner, the make and break surfaces of the mating switch components are different.

Abstract: A switch wherein an expanded coil spring is utilized as a first contact and a striker bar having a transverse member disposed in the compression path of coil is utilized as a second contact. Various contact structures and mechanisms for compression spring contact are described.

Abstract: A snap action toggle switch having a spring contact element formed of resilient metal strip material and including a U-shaped body member rigidified against flexure and comprised of a pair of spaced parallel side legs integral with and connected at one end by a flat base end portion and a plate spring member connected at one end with said base end portion and extending flatwise therefrom in the same general direction as the side legs and located therebetween.

Abstract: A circuit-breaker has a fixed contact, a movable contact and coil for rotating the arc. The components are mounted in a casing containing pressurized gas having arc-extinguishing properties. The fixed contact is connected to a second end of the coil, the first end of which is connected to a first terminal. The movable contact is carried by a hollow movable contact member which is electrically connected to a second terminal. The contact member has ports which control communication between a first chamber in the casing in which the fixed contact is located and a second chamber in the casing in dependence upon the position of the contact member. Ferromagnetic material is positioned adjacent the coil which is coaxial with the line of movement of the contact member.

Abstract: A contactor, relay, or other switch has stationary contacts and a movable crossbar which carries a movable contact member provided with movable contacts. The contact member has lost motion relative to the crossbar and is resiliently biased by a spring so that the crossbar can continue to move after the contacts have met the stationary contacts. The crossbar has oblique guide grooves engaging the contact member so that, during the further movement of the crossbar, the contact member is caused to move longitudinally while the movable and stationary contacts touch, thus producing a contact wiping action due to sliding of the contacts. The contact member also has an asymmetical cross section comprising a projection where, when the contacts are open, it touches the crossbar so that, in this condition, the contact member is laterally tilted.