Abstract: An arc electrode, especially for a contact arrangement in a vacuum switch, comprising electrode plates serving to take-up the arc base points and secured to a contact element. Neighboring electrode plates are arranged in spaced relationship from one another. The electrode plates are provided at least at one of their surfaces with impressed or embossed recesses.

Abstract: A key switch provided with plural elastic elements to be actuated in succession in response to the operation of key top by finger and composed to perform opening or closing operation when at least two of said elastic elements are actuated thereby reducing bouncing or chattering.

Abstract: A sandwich type computer keyboard with keys characterized by a tactility to provide a positive degree of tactile feedback to an operator and having an electroluminescent panel for illuminating the keyboard panel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a keyboard comprising a support member, first and second sets of spaced-apart parallel conducting strips and a plurality of keys. The upper surface of the support has recesses formed therein arranged in a matrix, there being an aperture in each recess extending to the lower surface of the support. A key is adapted to fit in each recess and has a portion extending through the aperture therein. The lower surface is formed with recesses to receive the first and second sets of conducting strips which are arranged generally perpendicular to each other. Strips in the first set intersect with those in the second set, each point of intersection being generally beneath and to one side of a key. The strips of the first set are fixed in the support lower recesses. The second set of conducting strips are formed in a manner beneath each key to hold the key in its upper position when the key is at rest, and to engage a strip of the first set in a wiping action when a key is depressed.

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: A connector for a plurality of contact parts which are arrayed next to each other in a plane are supported by a planar shell of insulating material. A removable cap is provided with a plurality of receptacles for the free ends of the contact parts with a border edge resting tightly against a corresponding border edge of the shell. The border edge of the shell is shaped with a meander-formed border line to permit passage of wires. The cap is shaped like a flexible clamp which stretches over the plane shell and is attached by elastic engagement at the end of the shell.

Abstract: The contact structure for a puffer-type compressed-gas circuit interrupter comprises a pair of elongated aligned axially separable contacts one of which is hollow and has an end portion provided with a plurality of axially extending, circumferentially spaced-apart contact fingers adapted to resiliently grip the other contact in telescoping relation therewith. The fingers are surrounded by a snugly sleeve ending short of the tips of the fingers permitting the puffer mechanism to direct a radial (cross-blast) jet of arc-extinguishing gas through the interstices between said tips exhausting subsequently through the interior of the tubular contact. The sleeve screens off the residual, major part of the length of the fingers to prevent a radial flow of gas therebetween at this level. It has been found that this arrangement provides an unexpected increase in the breaking power of the apparatus as compared to contact structures having sleeves covering the total length of the contact fingers or no sleeves at all.

Abstract: A printed wiring board comprised of a plurality of keys or switches, which form a keyboard, for entry of data or changing the function of an electrical circuit. Each key comprises a flexible conductive actuating element and at least two conductive contacts which are affixed in a nonplanar relationship to the substrate of a printed wiring board. The actuating element is caused to come in contact with the conductive contacts when the actuating element is depressed, thus closing the switch.

Abstract: A strip of electroconductive material is perforated by I-shaped holes. Contact materials shaped to conform to said I-shaped holes are inserted in the holes and caulked. Then, the I-shaped contact materials are perforated across the middle thereof in conjuction with the adjoining portions of the electroconductive material so as to divide each contact material into two contacts separated by a contact gap formed therebetween. A leaf spring fitted at one end thereof with a movable contact intended for insertion into said contact gap is held in position, though not in an immobilized state, with the other end thereof simply inserted around the stem of a spring support. Terminals which are retained in their fixed relative position by means of a webbing interconnecting them are fastened with adhesive agent to a plastic case. After the fastening, said webbing is cut off.

Abstract: In an electric switch a slide containing a shorting contact is movable back and forth along a row of at least three fixed electric contacts. The shorting contact is formed from a spring metal strip having an elongated central body between a pair of end portions, the body having contact surface for sliding engagement with the fixed contacts and being long enough to bridge three of them simultaneously. The end portions of the shorting contact extend toward the back wall of the contact-receiving recess in the slide and toward each other to form inclined legs having free ends pressing against the slide to press the contact surface against the fixed contacts. The central body of the shorting contact is provided with at least one slot extending lengthwise of it and into its legs to separate the body into laterally spaced contact bands integrally connected at the free ends of the legs.

Abstract: A switch construction comprises a housing which has a base wall and an upstanding side wall with first and second contact terminals arranged in spaced locations in the housing and with one of them bent over on its top so as to form a contact making portion. A spring member has an upper part with one end engaged in a V-shaped bearing on the one contact terminal and has a lower part with a contact arm which is engageable with the contact portion of the other terminal. The upper and lower parts of the spring member are interconnected by a curved bearing portion which is engaged and supported in the housing sidewall. In addition the spring member has an intermediate part of the upper portion which is substantially straight and which is engageable by an extension of an actuation member which is engaged on the housing and confined for movement upwardly and downwardly within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A push button switch mounted on a conductor-carrying insulator plate includes a push button to which an external operating force can be applied; an electrically conducting, resilient switch element carrying a movable contact and arranged on the plate within the operating range of the push button for effecting at least an indirect transmission of the operating force to the switch element; and at least one fixed contact carried by the plate. In the operating position the movable contact is in engagement with the fixed contact. The switch element is constituted by a planar sheet member having a central zone bounded by two parallel edges and carrying the movable contact, and strip-like legs integral with the central zone and extending from the edges towards the insulator plate at an inclination with respect to the central zone that is greater than 90.degree.. The legs are supported at least indirectly on the insulator plate at conductor-free portions thereof.

Abstract: A low profile keyboard switch with tactile feel and short key travel is disclosed. The keyboard may be a matrix connected keyboard and includes a lower, fixed contact and an upper, concave contact. The concave contact is supported at one end and operates as a cantilever beam. When pressure is applied by a key, at the unsupported end to cause buckling of the concave contact at its supported end, electrical contact is made with the lower fixed contact. The concave contacts possess the key return force and the snap action desirable for tactile feel and short key travel for a low-profile, low-cost keyboard switch.

Abstract: A multiple switch device is connectable on-line between a multiple conductor electrical cable termination assembly or the like and a receptacle or the like to which the assembly would otherwise be connected. The multiple switch device includes a plurality of slide switches that are selectively actuable to open or to close respective circuits between such assembly and such receptacle.

Abstract: A push button switch has a spring contact plate and a circuit board in superposed position. The spring contact plate has one or more switch positions, each switch position comprising a prestressed domed portion surrounded by a flat sheet portion. The domed portion includes a central portion and radial webs connecting the central portion to the flat sheet portion. Spring contacts extend radially from the central portion, each contact between a pair of webs. The domed portion is prestressed to assume a stable position offset upwards from a plane coincident with the flat sheet portion, and the webs each have an upwardly bent portion at the junction with the flat sheet portion. A push button acts on the central portion and pressure on the push button causes the central portion to snap through the plane of the flat sheet portion, with the spring contacts contacting contact areas on the circuit board. Release of the push button enables the domed portion to snap back to the stable position.

Abstract: An electrical terminal having a looped configuration for properly orienting a segment of the terminal to which a contact may be mounted to thereby properly direct a magnetic blow-out force induced by current flow through said segment. The terminal is formed by two longitudinal, parallel 90.degree. bends rather than two lateral, parallel 90.degree. bends, and comprises a flat rectangular member having a U-shaped aperture formed longitudinally therein defining a tongue segment (to which a contact may be mounted) spaced between a pair of longitudinal side segments joined at their ends by a pair of lateral segments bent 90.degree. from the plane of said tongue segment about longitudinal axes co-linear with the legs of the U-shaped aperture.

Abstract: A keyswitch assembly including a circuit board having a plurality of circuits, each circuit terminating with a pair of first and second contacts, and a curved, resilient contact plate associated with each pair of contacts having at least a portion of its periphery in communication with one of the pair of contacts, the plate being selectively deflectable so that it communicates with the other contact to close the respective circuit. The contact plates are fixed in position by a retaining element comprising a film formed by a layer of thermoplastic material bonded to a flexible sheet of insulative material, the thermoplastic material being bonded to the resilient plates and circuit board thereby maintaining the former in correct position relative to the latter. The method of manufacturing the assembly includes precisely locating the plates over the pairs of contacts, placing the retaining element over the circuit board and applying pressure to the assembly at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.

Abstract: Two integrally formed fixed contacts each have a lead portion with terminals at the opposite ends extending external of the switch housing and a contact portion connected to the lead portion by a connecting portion. A holder slidable in the housing retains a U-shaped movable contact which is movable to and from a position in which the opposed internal faces of the movable contact engage with the opposed external faces of the fixed contacts respectively to establish ohmic connection between the lead portions of the two fixed contacts.

Abstract: An electrical contact for an electric switching apparatus which includes a contact carrier and contact overlay soldered to one of the surfaces of the carrier. The improvement of the invention comprises at least one longitudinal slot disposed in the contact along the arc travel direction thereof which forms a blind hole in the contact open at the end thereof along the arc travel direction.

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: An electrically conductive moveable support member for use as a contact carrier, contactor or armature support.Such electrically conductive support member is formed of electrically conductive material of sufficient cross section to carry the desired current, and is formed with reverse convolutions which may be interleaved to provide a small, compact, support member. The convolutions are formed about the mid-point of the length of the material, to leave opposite end portions, one of which may be supported to a base member and the other of which is provided with a contactor, armature or the like.

Abstract: A pushbutton keyboard system comprising an electrically insulative substrate, a plurality of actuating elements or disks arranged in an array of columns and rows on one face of the substrate, and a plurality of conductors on this one face of the substrate with the conductors being parallel to one another and extending in the direction of the columns.

Abstract: An electric switch especially adapted for use in a variety of keyboard applications includes an elongated and generally straight wire beam spring which is fixedly supported at its ends in the switch housing with a center portion free to be flexed relative to the ends of the spring. The normal position of the wire beam spring has the center portion spaced from a pair of spaced contacts and an actuator mounted on the switch housing is depressed to flex this center portion from its normal position into engagement with the contacts and thereby close an electric circuit between such contacts.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a plurality of movable elements for connection with underlying fixed contact elements carried by a base member, the movable insulative support sheet mounted on the base member. Each movable element is spaced by an electrically insulative sheet carried by the support sheet, and has a pair of opposed tines extending through the support sheet received in base member apertures. The movable elements may be dome shaped, partially cylindrical in shape, and span a plurality of the fixed contact elements.

Abstract: A push-button switch has a spring contact plate and a circuit board in superposed position. The spring contact plate has one or more switch positions, each switch position comprising a prestressed domed portion surrounded by a common flat sheet portion. The spring contacts of each prestressed dome portion selectively engage peripheral contact areas on the circuit board followed by the central contact portion engaging subsequently with a further fixed central contact area on the circuit board. Accordingly, plural inputs of electronic logic circuits may be preselected prior to simultaneous activation upon subsequent closure of the central contacts at a given switch position. Release of the push button enables the domed portion to snap back to the stable position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic remote control device of the type having an integrated switching network formed in a multilayer printed circuit and mechanical switching means whereby at least some of the circuit connection paths intersect in a cross connection matrix with the switching means manually operable to connect each intersecting path to a common potential, for example ground.

Abstract: A switching device having a movable contact that is an integral part of a metallic support substrate and is supported above the support substrate by a plurality of spring-like support legs that are also an integral part of the support substrate. The support legs extend radially outward from the movable contact and contact the substrate and the movable contact at equally spaced points. The movable contact is aligned with either a stationary contact or another movable contact and a stationary contact to provide either single or multiple switching. The switching device can be used for contact switching or capacitive switching. A plurality of the switching devices can be formed on the support substrate making the switching device particularly well suited for use in a keyboard. A portion of each support leg may be thinned to provide a negative force-displacement characteristic which provides a good tactile feedback signal indicating switching.

Abstract: A miniature switch assembly comprising a base member having a plurality of parallel finned projections, a pair of contact members each having a plurality of contact terminals being fixed on both sides of the base member, respectively, a plurality of lever wheels being disposed between the adjacent finned projections, and a housing having a plurality of partition walls for accommodating the base member with the contact members and the lever wheels, wherein the lever wheels each having conductive plate perform the switching action in a manner that the conductive plate slides over the contact terminals. A locking member is also provided for locking the lever wheels. Preferably, a dust cover is provided for protecting the switch assembly from dust or mechanical injuries.

Abstract: A keyboard system for an electronic pocket calculator, remote TV tuner or the like comprises a substrate board having a generally flat surface with a network of circuit paths thereon. The board is provided with switch contacts at a plurality of switching stations. The switch contacts comprise at least one inner and outer contact for each switch station with the top surface of the outer contact spaced from the substrate a greater distance than the top surface of the inner contact. A switch actuating electrically conductive disc is placed over each switch station and is resiliently deformable into a position in which the disc bridges the outer and inner contacts to thereby complete a circuit therebetwen.

Abstract: A multiple switching apparatus comprising two spring-like switching members disposed in a tandem array with each integral with its metallic support base. The central area of each of the switching members is defined by a plurality of slots formed in the support base with the length and displacement of the slots defining the force-displacement characteristics of each switching member and, accordingly, of the tandem array. The top switching member moves downward until it produces a first switching function, with further movement of the top switching member effecting movement of the second switching member such that a second switching function is produced.

Abstract: A switching device having a movable contact element characterized by a set of unconnected, curved slots radiating outward from a central key area and equally spaced around the central key area. The radially extending unconnected, curved slots may be sections of a spiral, at least some of which sections overlap each other. Adjustment of the spring rate of the movable contact element is accomplished by adjusting the length of the slots or by regulating the distance of the inner terminus of the slots from a central point of the central key area. The movable contact element either contacts a second contact element for contact switching or approaches the second contact element for capacitive switching.A plurality of the switching elements can be formed in a planar array on a continuous metallic substrate to provide a keyboard. The movable switching elements can be formed on the metallized areas of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes an insulative substrate upon which are carried a plurality of conductive paths. Respective portions of the paths are selectively bridged upon depression of a dome-shaped conductive resilient contact element. A pair of space-opposed regions of the dome's marginal portion are deformed downwardly away from its apex so as to constitute a pair of space-opposed feet. The feet have a complex shape which leads to high lifetime of the dome. Preferably, the feet rest on corresponding conductive pads, and the pad pairs for adjacent domes may be differently oriented so as better to accommodate the passage of leads between those domes. Leads on the substrate passing beneath dome edges desirably are depressed into the substrate. Overlying the domes in a completed assembly is a layer of deflectable insulating material that is adhesively affixed to the substrate and to the domes; the latter includes an aperture in registry with each dome but of a diameter smaller than the width of such dome.

Abstract: A leaf spring and contact arrangement for an electromagnetic switch. A movable contact has a magnetic body attached thereto and is restrained by side arms secured to a housing and bent arms connecting the contact member to the side arms. The side arms are arranged symmetrically about the center of gravity of the movable contact. The contact member, side arms and bent arms are all in substantially the same plane. A magnetic force overcoming the restraining force causes movement of the movable contact in a direction perpendicular to said plane. The leaf spring may be formed in a repeat pattern consisting of a plurality of movable contacts each having a pair of bent arms associated therewith for connecting the movable contact to the secured side arms.

Abstract: A keyboard system has a plurality of spaced sets of conductive members, each set including two outer U-shaped support members and a central U-shaped contact member disposed between the support members. The central member is coined to reduce the thickness of its outer portions and to dispose a central part upstanding at the center of the member. These members are arranged at a surface of an insulating support in electrical communication with conductive paths on an opposite surface of the support. A plurality of actuatable conductive elements, one for each set of conductive members, are provided to establish bridging electrical connections between the support members of the sets and the upstanding parts of the central contact members of the sets upon application of preselected deflecting forces to the conductive elements.

Abstract: A pushbutton keyboard system comprising an electrically insulative substrate, a plurality of actuating elements or disks arranged in an array of columns and rows on one face of the substrate, and a plurality of conductors on this one face of the substrate with the conductors being parallel to one another and extending in the direction of the columns. There is one conductor for each row of elements and one conductor for each column of elements with each respective column conductor being disposed between the substrate and the elements of its respective column. Each of the conductors is a wire of generally round cross-section. The elements in each of the rows are electrically connected to their respective row conductor, whereby upon moving any one of the elements to its overcentered actuated position, a circuit is completed between the column conductor and the row conductor of the actuated element.

Abstract: A switching plate having a plurality of arch-shaped snap-type switching members formed in a continuous metallic sheet or from sections of a metallic sheet bonded to an insulating substrate. Adjacent of the switching members extend in transverse directions. The switching members will snap downward when forced sufficiently downward thereby achieving contact or capacitive switching.The switching members are formed in a metallic sheet by providing a first plurality of groups of parallel slots in one direction and a second plurality of groups of parallel slots in a transverse direction, one of the slots of the first group being longer than the other slots. The sheet is placed in a die having members conforming in shape to the desired arches, wherein the sheet is deformed elastically at desired locations to provide the arch-shaped snap-type switching members.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a low-profile package containing one or more individually operated switches. More particularly, the present invention consists of an insulating housing having therein one or more single pole - single throw switches all of which have been stamped and formed from a single coplanar sheet of conductive material. The upper portion of the housing contains one or more switch actuators which can be depressed to provide momentary switch closure or rotated to provide continuous switch closure.

Abstract: A push-button type switch device for use in generating binary coded signals. An insulative board is provided having flat opposite surfaces. An overcenter, snap-acting diaphragm switch element is provided movable between a first inactive position and a second overcenter operative position in response to application of a predetermined operating force thereon, as by depression of a push button. The diaphragm element has a centrally disposed common contact area and a plurality of radially spaced leg members extending outwardly therefrom. The leg members have outer ends which respectively engage first terminal pads on one surface of the board thereby normally supporting the diaphragm element thereon in its first position. A common terminal is provided on the one side of the board and has an external conductor connected thereto, the common terminal being in registry with the common contact area of the diaphragm element and spaced therefrom in the first position.

Abstract: An array of curved metal strips is supported over an array of conductors, and a key is supported over each intersection of a metal strip and a conductor. When a user depresses a key, a metal strip is pressed against a conductor to make an electrical connection. As the metal strip is deflected by the key, it snaps or buckles, providing tactile feedback to the user.

Abstract: A rotary switch of sliding contact type for use in a torque converter of an automotive vehicle comprises a base in the surface of which a plurality of stationary contact plates are molded, a cover plate for the base plate suitably secured to the latter with a space for movably enclosing a rotary contact arm between the cover plate and the base plate, and a rotatable shaft fixedly received in the hub of the rotary contact arm. The hub is rotatably held between edges of corresponding openings formed in the base plate and the cover plate, so that, upon rotation of the shaft, contacts of the rotary contact arm slide across the stationary contact plates and can be stopped at positions precisely corresponding to predetermined angles of rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A keyboard switch assembly including a printed circuit board having four switch terminals on one side of the board, three of the terminals being arranged in a triangle and the fourth disposed within the triangle. Conductors on the one side of the board are respectively joined to the interior terminal and at least one of the three terminals. A conductive, generally triangular, snap-acting dome switch member is provided having arcuate apices, projections being respectively formed from the apices and respectively engaging the three terminals thereby spacing the periphery of the switch element from the one surface of the printed circuit board and the conductors thereon, at least the conductor connected to the interior terminal extending under the dome.