Abstract: An electric contact arrangement has a plurality of movable contact elements which are biased oppositely with respect to a like plurality of associated stationary contact elements by spring elements comprised of elastic plastic. The plastic spring elements may be formed on a contact carrier for use of the contacts as bridge contacts having a high degree of voltage stability.

Abstract: A screw-switch assembly for use in place of present Dual-Inline-Package (DIP) slide-or snap-action switch assemblies is disclosed. An insulative body is molded to form a strip of joined segments arranged side-by-side, each segment constituting a single, independent switch having two poles and a single bridging contact member in the form of a screw head. The segments provide two passageways opening to both the top surface and the bottom surface of the segment and a socket opening to at least the top surface of the segment adjacent alternating passageways in sequential segments. A headed stake is inserted through the passageway of each segment adjacent the socket and a bent stake is inserted through the other passageway of each segment. The top portions of the stakes of each segment are formed to provide electrical contact surfaces adjacent the socket of that segment. The bottom portions of the stakes extend beyond the bottom surface of the segment for mounting in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A switch having a housing and within the housing a control plunger formed with a transverse opening through which a contact arm passes transversely to the direction of movement of the plunger; a tension spring urges the contact bridge against the plunger and the free ends of the bridge cooperate with stationary contacts mounted in the housing; another compression spring urges the plunger into its starting position; the free arms of the contact bridge support, respectively, detaching blocks having arresting edges engageable with the plunger in the event when, during the movement of the plunger, the contact arm accidentally sticks to the stationary contacts; the detaching blocks are provided with abutment surfaces cooperating with guiding edges on the inner wall of the housing to disengage the projection from the plunger.

Abstract: A contact device for low voltage switch devices, includes at least two stationary contact bars with contact pieces, as well as at least one electrically-conductive contact bridge which is disposed in a contact bridge support and is movable by means of a spring force. In order to provide a good contact device wherein a weight and material saving is obtained, wherein simultaneously a switch-on impact of the contact is prevented and wherein a good adaptability of the movable contact pieces to the position of the stationary contact pieces is obtained, the contact bridge is made from a flexible material and a contact pressure spring for each of the two movable contact pieces is provided.

Abstract: A multiposition switch, particularly suited for use as a motor speed controller, includes pairs of fixed contacts disposed in two parallel rows, and an arcuately shaped elongated movable contact. The movable contact rocks across successive pairs of the fixed contacts to make contact between a given pair of fixed contacts before contact is broken between a preceding pair. The movable contact is freely supported and rocked in response to forces exerted thereon by first and second rollers. The first roller is supported on a lever which is pivotable about a movable point so that as the lever is moved from an off position the first roller applies a force to the movable contact proximate a second end thereof. The second roller is supported on a pivotable member and applies a force to the movable contact proximate the first end thereof tending to return the contact to the off position.

Abstract: An electrical switch which is mainly adapted for household electrical appliances is made of a hollow main body in which a push-button can slide from top to bottom and from bottom to top. The lower portion of the push-button supports two lugs maintaining the blades carrying the mobile terminals cooperating with studs rigidly connected to square-pieces fixed on the bottom of the main body. The lugs carry laterally a hollow heart-shaped cam in which can circulate a dog fixed to the upper portion of a rock-piece pivotally mounted on a pin rigidly connected to the inner wall of the body, thereby allowing opening and closing of at least one electrical circuit by the switch.

Abstract: An electric switching apparatus having a nonconducting outer housing member containing a nonconducting inner member having a cavity therein containing a plurality of electrical contacts and a conducting rod. The contacts are resiliently supported and the conducting rod is resiliently supported between corresponding sets of resiliently deformable diaphragms. A conducting stiffening member is resiliently supported between the inner and outer nonconducting members.

Abstract: Pushbutton switch module having a molded unitary case and a movable contact carrier carrying a conductive contact bridge mounted therein. Two stationary contact members each have a contact arm and a stabilizing arm which extend from a field termination exterior of the case into slots in the side walls of the case. The contact arms extend through the respective slots into the interior of the case where they are contacted by the conductive contact bridge. A cover which closes off the interior of the case has pins projecting therefrom. The pins extend through passageways at the end surfaces of the side walls and into openings in one of the arms of each stationary contact member thus securing the stationary contact members in fixed position in the case.

Abstract: A push-pull switch unit includes a rectangular casing having a threaded mounted hub to clamp the casing to a support wall. The casing has a flat contact wall and an opposed flat latch wall. At least one pair of electrical contacts are secured to the contact wall in selected spaced relation to each other. A contact roller is mounted in a movable carrier within the housing adjacent the contact wall. A latch roller is also mounted in the opposite wall of the carrier in alignment with said contact roller. Springs urge the contact roller and the latch roller outwardly into engagement with the adjacent opposed walls. The opposite flat casing wall includes latch recesses into which the latch roller moves to hold said carrier in position. A push-pull operating rod is secured to the carrier for positioning thereof. The carrier includes an opening in the front wall having an outwardly extending slot defining a resiliently movable opening wall.

Abstract: An electric switch wherein longitudinal depression of a rod in a first direction toggles a spring pivoted on the rod. This snaps a movable contact bridge extending transversely to the rod away from a set of stationary contacts to open normally closed contacts. If the snap action fails to separate the movable bridge from the stationary contacts, a pair of contact levers forces the opening of the normally closed contacts. The inner ends of the levers are pivotally mounted on opposing sides of the rod at locations displaced in the first direction from the spring. Stationary fulcrums on opposite sides of the rod rotate the levers upon displacement of the rod and cause the lugs extending from the outer ends of the rod to engage the movable contact bridge on opposing sides of the rod and to force the bridge to separate.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is shown as having a housing carrying three electrical terminals with first and second of such terminals respectively terminating in first and second fixed electrical contacts and the third of such terminals being electrically connected to a conductive spring; a further third fixed electrical contact, spaced from the first and second fixed contacts of the first and second terminals, has an aperture formed therein permitting the extension therethrough of an actuator which in turn carries a movable contact which is situated generally between the third fixed contact and the first and second fixed contacts with the spring engaging and urging the movable contact and actuator in a direction whereby the movable contact is moved toward the third fixed contact; a pressure responsive diaphragm situated generally at a side of the third fixed contact operatively engages the actuator and upon sensing sufficient pressure is effective to move the actuator and movable contact against the spring

Abstract: A hand held power tool, particularly of the type of a dental handpiece or the like is provided with power shut-off means disposed directly within the handle. The shut-off means is mechanically connected with a suspension means for suspending the hand piece or the like power tool such that the weight of the tool shuts off power supply to the tool. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a dental handpiece is disclosed wherein the suspension means is a magnet, whereby the handpiece can be suspended on any ferromagnetic surface without having to reach to a suspension fork which, in the known devices, is itself associated with a shut-off valve. The basic idea of the invention has broad application in many different fields of technology.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held portable tool which is driven by an electric motor from a source of electricity. The tool has a housing for the motor which has a commutator which extends into a hollow handle. The hollow handle has mounted therein a printed-circuit board having electrically conductive pathways. An electric switch is mounted on the board and incorporates a bridging element which engages contact terminals on the printed-circuit board when the switch is manually actuated thereby closing the electric circuit of the tool motor. In this way, separate electrical connections to the switch assembly per se are avoided and substantial time in assembly of the tool is saved.

Abstract: A transfer switch for providing transfer of electrical signals between pairs of connectors in an array of four connectors, including a transfer structure disposed in a particular plane and formed by a plurality of transfer paths and including an outer circumferential portion formed by three linked portions and three radial portions each extending from a central position within the circumferential portion and each radial portion extending outwardly and intersecting the circumferential portion of the juncture of two linked portions, four connectors coupled to the transfer structure and with individual connectors coupled to the transfer structure at each intersection between a radial portion and two linked portions and with an individual connector coupled to the central position, and a plurality of transfer means individually coupled to the individual transfer paths and with each transfer means including a first position for preventing transfer of electrical signals between a pair of connectors and a second posi

Abstract: A contact block for an electrical switch includes an insulating housing for a pair of spaced stationary contacts. A movable contact support carrier or stroker carries a bridging member including contacts for engagement with the stationary contacts. Biasing means positioned between the stroker and the housing normally biases the carrier in the direction of a projection carried by the stroker, the stroker being actuated by a linear or rotary operator. Both normally open and normally closec contact blocks are described.

Abstract: The disclosed one piece self-locking switch contact member is arranged to mount on the handle of a printed circuit board. The switch member functions as a movable switch contact which is operable from the user's finger pressure to electrically connect together two test terminals located in an aperture of the handle. The switch member is made of a resilient dielectric material having an open loop end arranged for a snap-on lock mounting between the aperture and an edge of the handle. The other end of the switch member contains an electrical contact area and is cantilevered by the mounting to provide a resilient movement which permits contact with the test terminals when acted upon by finger pressure.

Abstract: A convertible switch operator for use as a pull momentary and as a push-pull momentary operation characterized by a tubular selector longitudinally movable in a housing and spring biased by a first spring for operation as a pull operator; and spring biased by two springs in an intermediate position as a push-pull operator.

Abstract: A rotary ignition switch has a pair of tiltable bridges extending in opposed directions and spring-pressed toward a center contact. When the switch is rotated a first end of one bridge remains against the center contact while its other or contact end rides up a helical cam track. The first end of the other bridge rests on the one bridge while its other or contact end also rides up a helical track. The contact ends of both bridges then drop off the helical cam tracks onto fixed contacts to complete respective circuits.

Abstract: A panel mounted switch consisting of two complementary side sections housing the switch components that include a plunger-type actuator carrying two movable switch blades and a series of fixed terminals. The switch blades being yieldably connected to the actuator whereby they are free to rock about their longitudinal axis upon engagement with certain of said fixed terminals, thereby achieving a self-cleaning, wiping switching contact.

Abstract: An electric switch device is provided having angled contact surfaces. First and second contact members are supported for movement of the second member relative to the first between open and closed positions. Planar contact surfaces of the members are in flush engagement in the closed position with such surfaces being at an acute angle, preferably between five and ten degrees, relative to the direction of movement. The contact members are substantially rigid and are so guided that the contact surfaces are at the same acute angle at impact. Preferably, the second contact member has another contact surface engageable with a contact surface of another contact member with such contact surfaces being at the same acute angle and cooperating in the same manner. The angle is such as to prevent contact bounce and prevent separation under high surge currents providing low contact resistance and minimizing operating forces.

Abstract: A contact bridge arrangement useful particularly in electromagnetic switchgear has a set of fixed contacts and a contact bridge which can be brought into active connection therewith. The contact bridge is movably guided in a window of a contact bridge carrier being spring loaded in the direction of the fixed contacts by a spring which is braced on a support part which is carried, in the active position, on parts fixed to the housing and which is elevated by a stop in the window of the contact bridge carrier. The support part is inserted between a spring cup and the stop in the window of the contact bridge carrier from the outside of the contact bridge assembly in a direction transverse to the direction of the spring loading.

Abstract: In an electrical switch including a housing and a button in which the button, by means of a manual depression thereof in a single direction is movable relative to the housing between two positions and during this movement causes a snap spring inserted in the button to slip from a first extreme position to a second one, the snap spring is set up or interlocked between two bearings or seats provided in opposite walls of the housing. The central part of the snap spring is arranged in a bridge member which carries resilient contact fingers. The bridge member is further arranged with a two-sided clearance in a recess provided in the button. The switch overcomes the problems of microphonic noise generated by any movement between the button and the housing and reduces considerably the contact resistances at the contact points due to a scrabing movement between the metal parts establishing the electrical connections.

Abstract: The snap action switch has a spring biased plunger carrying directly or indirectly at least one articulated contact carrier extending laterally from opposite sides of the plunger and having two convex contacts of cylindrical, semi-circular or prism configuration. These contacts cooperate with stationary contacts arranged in pairs and including at least two pairs with a total of four contacts arranged in a near-rectangle; the contacts of each pair are inclined to each other for defining a trough-like configuration for concurrent engagement with one of the contacts on the carrier. This way, a total of four contact make and break points is defined for a single current path.

Abstract: An electric power switch or contactor of the 3-pole AC type or the like is provided with means making it capable of withstanding higher fault currents such as short circuit currents. This is done by providing the insulating contact carrier with integrally molded stops that will allow the spring-biased bridging contacts to be blown slightly open by the high electro-dynamic forces occurring during high fault currents but will limit such opening of the contacts to gaps small enough to inhibit the arc from moving from between the contacts. Instead of attempting to keep the contacts closed under such conditions which would require a large magnetic force, allowing the contacts to open this small amount eliminates the need for a larger magnet, reduces the blow-open force and, more importantly, the small gaps will retain the arcs between the contacts and will inhibit them from flashing out to other parts of the contactor with consequent burning and destructive effect.

Abstract: A toggle switch has a light emitting diode element (LED) attached to the top end of a knob. The other end of the knob is attached to a rockable member which is supported by a case to be turnable within a predetermined angle. Two lead wires of the LED are inserted, respectively, into two holes in an insulating plastic spring holder fitted in the knob, through one-end openings of the two holes which extend along the axial direction of the spring holder and open at the other end of the knob. A conductive metal coil spring is contained in each hole and each lead wire is inserted into and electrically contacted with its corresponding coil spring at many places. The other opening of the hole is located in the vicinity of the rocking center of the rockable member, at which area is also located a pair of conductive metal terminals for power supply.

Abstract: A stationary contact structure for a gas blast circuit interrupter consists of a conductive hollow cylinder which is slotted to define contact fingers, and the ends of the contact fingers are inwardly deformed so that the ends of the fingers closely abut one another to prevent inward deflection of the contact fingers to a degree which would exceed their elastic limit.

Abstract: A spring switch for mounting on a circuit board substrate includes a spring contact element formed from a strip of metal having spring-like characteristics and comprising a convex or curved portion with support legs at each end thereof. The convex spring portion is monostable in nature but capable of assuming two states, one state being stable and the other state being unstable. Upon application of pressure thereto the convex spring portion will deform from its stable state to its unstable state, and thereby make contact with an underlying second contact element. Upon removal of the pressure, the convex portion snaps or springs back to its original, stable convex position. A pair of spades are attached to the legs, to be insertable in and through holes in the circuit board substrate, to secure the spring element to the substrate. A key of insulating material rides normally above the convex portion to enable downward pressure to be applied to said convex portion to deform it to the contacting posture.

Abstract: An electrical switch actuatable upon the occurrence of a preselected level, includes a generally cup shaped, open ended housing which mounts therein a spaced pair of stationary contacts. The housing has two pairs of upwardly extending channels in its side walls, the two channels of the first pair aligned with the stationary contacts and the two channels of the second pair aligned with platform surfaces. An electrically conductive, flexible cruciform element is disposed in the housing with the distal end portions of two legs of the cruciform received respectively in the two channels of the first pair, and the distal end portions of the other two legs of the cruciform received respectively in the two channels of the second pair and resting on the platform surfaces. The stationary contacts may be disposed above or beneath the cruciform element for a normally open or normally closed switch as desired.

Abstract: A stationary contact of an electromagnetic contactor having an insulating contact mounting plate, is part of a contact combination that includes a contact arm, a retainer and a fastening screw for electrically and mechanically securing the contact combination to a terminal of the contactor. The contact is mounted on the forward end of the arm and the retainer, constructed of spring sheet material, engages the rear of the arm. The front of the arm and the retainer cooperate to form a recess which receives and grips an L-shaped formation of the mounting plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electric switch having a linearly moveable actuator and a switch mechanism including a first electric contact which acts, in use, as a fulcrum, a second electric contact, and a contact bridging member; and constructed and arranged whereby the member is moveable slideably over the fulcrum and in so doing pivots thereabout whereby to bring the leading or trailing end of the member into or out of contact with the second electric contact.The switch can be constructed to be double pole or single pole and double throw or single throw. It can be extended to be multithrow.Contact bridging members which can be used include flat and arcuate members.Abutments for engagement with the actuator can be provided by a depression in the contact bridging member or outwardly struck portions thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical switch actuated by a longitudinally reciprocatable contact carrier and such reciprocation being brought about by tilting of a rocker actuator by means of a push button effect.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch structure characterized by a pushbutton switch handle and a plurality of switch blocks mounted in tandem, each switch block having an operating plunger for simultaneous operation by said switch handle carrier means associated with the plunger for carrying movable contacts between open and closed positions of stationary contacts, the plunger and carrier means having spaced complementary surface means engageable during movement of the plunger, whereby actuation of the pushbutton handle effects simultaneous operation of all of the plungers and a delay of movement of movable contacts from the normally closed position.

Abstract: A contact switch for momentary connection between conductors is disclosed. The switch has particular utility in a keyboard assembly, such as pocket calculators. In the first embodiment, the switch comprises a button member, and a sinusoidal-shaped spring. The spring is of a configuration such that reaction of the spring is stronger in its normal position than in its depressed state. This provides the user with a tactile feeling when the button is depressed. In the second embodiment, the button member is retained in an extended position by an associated buckle spring. This spring also provides the user with a tactile feeling.

Abstract: A momentary contact push switch comprising a thin terminal board having spaced stationary contacts on a narrow intermediate region thereof. A bridging contact is positioned on the underside of a unitary plastic housing member. The housing member includes integral yieldable side skirts that extend downwardly from opposite sides and below opposite side edges of the intermediate region of the terminal board. Inwardly extending barbs or latch elements on the bottoms of both side skirts snap under the edges of the terminal board and hold the housing on the terminal board. Spring means extending between the terminal board and the bridging contact hold the bridging contact and housing member above the stationary contacts. A downward force on the housing member overcomes the spring force and brings the bridging contact into contact with spaced stationary contacts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a switch means for push-button keys. The switch means comprises a roof shaped snap action spring element which is actuated by a push-button. The spring actuates a contact member which makes contact with electrical conductors on a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A current switching device for use in printed circuit board application includes a terminal contact board sandwiched with respect to a foamed spring pad that supportingly receives a pivotal contactor plate in juxtaposed relationship therewith and wherein the switch includes a rotatable rocker engageable with the contactor plate and pivotal to cause the contactor plate to be shifted into electrical bridging engagement with the terminal board and wherein the foamed pad yields in both compression and shear to produce a bias on the contactor plate for return thereof to a spaced relationship with the terminal board when the rocker is in a neutral position.

Abstract: The device includes a carrier having first and second openings which are interconnected by a breakthrough opening. A pull bracket, including a main portion which seats in one opening of the carrier and a pair of arms extending into the second opening through the breakthrough, retains the compression spring in the second opening. The arms positioned within the coils extend the length of the spring and just beyond where they are bent back along their longitudinal axis. A retainer washer is provided which has suitably dimensioned cutouts facilitating placement of the washer over the bent arms which then lock it in position to thereby retain the spring.

Abstract: An electrical contact unit, for example an add-on block for detachable attachment to an electromagnetic relay itself incorporating contact sets driven by the electromagnet, comprising at least one contact set normally biased closed and means for retaining the contact set in the closed condition against an applied actuating force until the actuating force exceeds a threshold value, whereupon the contact set snaps open. The retaining means may comprise a ball bearing urged outwardly from a channel formed in a linearly-movable actuating member for the contact set and a shoulder behind which the ball bearing engages when the contact set is in the closed condition.

Abstract: An auxiliary interlock switch for a DC contactor has a reciprocable one-piece insulating contact carrier and plural bridging contacts interchangeably mounted thereon in alternative positions to provide different desired arrangements of normally open and normally closed contact sets with the stationary contact posts. The contact carrier has a return spring compressed within a spring-receiving cavity and elongated abutment-receiving apertures registering with opposite ends of said cavity through which an abutment member, that is releasably assembled to the contact carrier, may interchangeably freely extend to permit relative movement therebetween and against which one end of the return spring reacts to resiliently bias the contact carrier against reciprocation in one direction.

Abstract: A low cost multiphase motor protector which employs only one movable contact attached to the center of a bimetallic snap-acting disc. After the disc is calibrated and upon the application or dissipation of heat, the one movable contact either connects or disconnects with a plurality of stationary contact terminals simultaneously.

Abstract: A generally C-shaped clip of electrically insulating material adapted for detachable connection to a pencil or the like mounts a switch comprising spaced contacts in the form of the bared ends of a conductor cord having on its other end a jack for connection to a recorder, and a metal sleeve is slidable along the clip between a switch-on position bridging the contacts and a remote switch-on position.

Abstract: A switch including a housing carrying a first contact defining a first fulcrum and having an elongated electrically conductive lever blade disposed in overlying relationship and carrying a second contact from one end thereof for normally engaging such first contact. A third contact is carried from the opposite end of such blade and is movable through a predetermined path to engage a fourth contact carried from the housing and defining a second fulcrum. Biasing means is provided for normally biasing the second and third contacts into engagement with the respective first and fourth contacts. An actuator is operative to overcome such biasing means to disengage the second contact from the first contact and is further operative to, in case the first and second contacts become welded together, sufficiently overcome such biasing means to disengage the third and fourth contacts.

Abstract: An electric switch which is constructed, with the exception of two metallic conductors, entirely of elastomeric or thermoplastic materials wherein relative motion between switch operating parts is confined to a resilient deformation and wherein the switching function occurs within a sealed recess or chamber.