Abstract: An electric control device is provided by this invention with a new and unique pull-out contact combination. This pull-out arrangement allows the contact assembly to be pulled away from the housing of the control device for visual inspection of the contacts without removing electrical conductors terminated there.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing (1) carrying a first, fixed contact (3) and a second, movable contact (6) in the form of a resilient contact arm secured to the housing (1) at one end. The resilient contact arm comprises a single inner limb (9) and two outer limbs (10, 11) one of which is engaged by the actuator member (15) and the other of which engages the fixed contact (3) on operation of the actuator member. The housing (1) is preferably of one-piece construction, the actuator member (15) being retained in the housing (1) by a part of the second contact (6).

Abstract: First and second cover plates are snapped together in parallelism to sealingly define therebetween a switch chamber. First and second sets of contacts are fixed to the first and second cover plates inside the switch chamber and a rotor disc formed with electrically conductive patterns on both sides is rotatably supported inside the switch chamber so that the first and second sets of contacts engage with the patterns on the opposite sides of the rotor disc respectively. The switch contacts are retained by interlocking projections of the first and second cover plates which also serve to prevent transverse relative movement between the cover plates.

Abstract: A multiple cantilever spring contact switch has a plurality of cantilever spring contacts, arranged in one or more series with the spring contacts of a series each clamped at one end in grooves which have base surfaces inclined relative to each other. By this means, predetermined angular inclinations are imposed on the spring contacts, urging the contacts into a correct positional relationship. Particularly the individual contact members are positioned side-by-side at their clamping positions, the free ends of one or more contact members extended laterally to overlie each other. In another arrangement two or more contacts can be stacked, with a spacer member between adjacent contacts, the spacer member having one or more of said grooves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wire engagement and release arrangement for electrical switches, and the like, wherein the wire engagement arrangement consists of an electrical contact which is bifurcated to form two flat spring arms, one of which is shorter than the other. A pair of individual passageways through the housing of the device to be wired are provided for receiving the bare end of an electrical wire of a pair of insulated wires which are inserted into the passageways so as to pass therethrough against the ends of the spring arms whereby the spring arms will deflect and will force the bare ends of these wires against the housing walls of the electrical device. The ends of the spring arms are provided with widened portions which allow the force on the bare ends of the wire to be applied over a larger area.

Abstract: A pushbutton switch of the type utilizing contact blades. The blades are the fixed contacts of the switch and consist of a U-shaped contact part and a straight connecting part joined therewith. The connecting part extends through an opening in the base of the U-shaped contact part and projects from opposite sides of the switch housing. Accordingly, the respective parts can be made of different materials and in an inexpensive and simple manner.

Abstract: A snap switch comprises a control button, a control rod slidable with the control button via a spring, two pairs of contacts associated, respectively, with two pairs of terminals, the two contacts of each pair of contacts being connectable by resilient conducting means under the action of a setting spring fixed to the control rod and to these resilient conducting means. The two contacts of one pair of contacts are borne by two pivotable conducting plates, biased by resilient means for connecting the two contacts borne by the conducting plates to their respective terminals. The conducting plates can be pivoted under the action of the control button and against the action of the resilient biasing means for disconnecting the two contacts borne by the conducting plates from their respective terminals.

Abstract: Precision snap switches having improved forms of integral one piece contact support and wire terminal members that reduce electrical heating, enhance the current carrying ratings of such switches, and facilitate the use of larger size wire terminal securing screws.

Abstract: A contact clip for a switch for dip soldered connection with lead wires of electrical components and for connecting the lead wires with a switch contact comprises a resilient plate having a fold portion at one end and a pair of facially superimposed layers bent midway at a right angle, whereby a terminal portion is formed between the fold portion and the right angle bend portion and a mounting portion is formed outwardly of the right angle bend portion, while the facially superimposed layers are terminated at the end in cooperating resilient jaws for connecting the clip to the switch contact. The terminal portion is provided at the opposite side edges of one layer opposite the mounting portion with wings extending in the same direction opposite to the mounting portion.

Abstract: In electric switchgear for high voltages a busbar system, of which each busbar consists of two identical rod-shaped conductors which are fastened by bolts to supporting insulators in specularly symmetric fashion.

Abstract: An improved breaker point assembly of the type including a stationary electrical contact and a pivotal breaker arm having a movable contact carried thereby. An integral breaker spring is provided for urging said contacts into engagement and for providing electrical interconnection between the movable contact, the condenser and ignition coil. One end of the integral spring is connected to the breaker arm and the other end has an inturned clamp portion to electrically engage the bared ends of lead wires and mechanically grip the insulation of the lead wires which are fitted through a hole in the inturned end portion of the breaker spring whereby the spring serves as an electrical and mechanical connector for the lead wires.

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 a formation of the mounting plate.

Abstract: An improved switch assembly incorporating a plurality of sliding switch subassemblies which each move between two switching positions by means of a contact slider. Each switch subassembly is provided with a pair of contact elements which are each provided with spaced extensions that are arranged to permit such contact elements to be coplanar interiorly of the housing of the switch assembly and to be extensible from the housing exteriorly thereof so as to be engagable with a carrier plate and solderable thereto. The individual switch subassemblies are adjustable without difficulty with the switch assembly engaged with such carrier plate.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing with at least one fixed contact thereon and at least one resilient movable contact which has a fixed end secured on said housing and an opposite movable end with a contact portion which is held by the fixed end in a position spaced from the fixed contact. The housing includes a supporting member located between the movable and fixed ends of the movable contact and on the same side as the fixed contact. The movable contact is engageable by actuating means which includes a rotatable cam which first contacts an intermediate wave-shaped portion to cause an inwardly directed portion of the movable contact to move first into engagement with the support member and to subsequently cause the contact portion to move into engagement with the fixed contact.

Abstract: A toggle switch having a snap-in bushing for mounting in a hole in a panel. A one-piece foldable housing has slots for the switch parts. These parts are assembled in one housing half and the other housing half is folded over and sonically bonded to the first half. Quick-connect terminals are provided by a hinged door on one housing half that allows the terminals to be pivoted up, an insulated conductor pair inserted therebelow and the door pinched shut by pliers or the like whereby the connectors pierce the insulation to make the connections. Resilient stationary contacts and a spherical movable contact provide snap-action closing and opening of the contacts.

Abstract: A slide switch having opposed contacts mounted on a base with a slider assembly moving over the base. A bridging conductor is included in the assembly whereby the positioning of the slider assembly determines the relationship of the bridging conductor to the opposed contacts to thereby provide the switching characteristic. The bridging conductor is held in assembly with the slider preferably by means of a resilient element pressing the conductor or a support therefor against a slider ledge so that this assembly remains intact when separated from the base. The base contacts comprise body portions receivable in slots defined by the base, the body portions defining recesses whereby the contacts can be press fit into engagement with the base.

Abstract: A rocker switch assembly for controlling at least one fluorescent lamp has a contact mounting block fitted in a housing, with a pair of normally closed contacts at one end of the block and at least one pair of normally open contacts at the other end. A rocker button is supported in an opening in the housing above the contacts on the mounting block for limited vertical and pivotal motion against spring biasing forces while being restrained against longitudinal movement. A preferred support means includes stub shafts extending laterally from each side of the rocker button that fit slidably in vertical bearing slots on each side of the opening in the housing.

Abstract: A reversible snap-action switch including a drive member and a switch-actuating driven member connected by a lost motion coupling. The relative position between the drive and driven members is shifted by substantially the lost motion distance as the drive member moves the driven member through a switching zone and then reverses its direction to return to its original position. In each direction of movement a bidirectional accelerating means imparts a snap-action motion to the drive member. This motion is coordinated with the position of the driven member so that switching occurs during the snap-action motion in each direction of movement, thereby inhibiting any hesitation in making or breaking the switch contacts. The invention also includes a cement-free mounting for the switch contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker line terminal characterized by an insulating housing having an opening, a plug-in type terminal structure having a terminal and being positioned near the opening and resiliently engageable with a stab on a panel board, a single integral flange on the terminal, a spring clip on the flange for holding a stab in good electrical contact against the flange, the stationary contact being mounted on the terminal, the flange being aligned with the opening, and the spring clip comprising resilient legs on opposite sides of the flange with the ends of the legs facing the opening.

Abstract: A rotary type electrical switch includes one housing section having a plurality of lugs and another housing section having resilient brackets which snap into engagement with the lugs to assemble the housing. The stationary electrical contacts comprise leaf spring elements which are held in place within the housing by bridge members. A spider member electrically connects selected contacts in response to manipulation of a shaft on which the spider is carried.A second embodiment eliminates the lugs and resilient brackets and holds the housing sections together with spring clips which surround portions of one housing section and engage shoulders of the other housing section.

Abstract: A switch cartridge wedgingly retains an electrical terminal structure having a terminal housing with a hollow interior which receives a threaded fastener and a terminal. The threaded fastener carries a pressure plate which is restrained against rotation and translated toward the terminal upon tightening of the fastener within the terminal housing. A wire is inserted into the terminal housing and firmly held between the pressure plate and the terminal by tightening the fastener thereby making a direct wire to terminal contact.

Abstract: A multi-position selector switch of the sliding bridging contact type having a molded plastic base and a metal cover closing the open top of the base and also serving to pivot the operating lever. A plurality of similar one-piece stationary contact-terminals are inserted through holes in the bottom of the base and are held in place by a plastic liner that is dropped in to hug the walls of the base and is clamped down by the cover. The stationary contact-terminals have pairs of wings recessed in the bottom of the base whereby they are held in place by the plastic liner. A movable bridging contact is spring-biased on a reciprocal actuator block that is detented to the cover. The inner end of the operating lever extends into a slot in the actuator block whereby the latter is moved over the stationary contacts from one detent to another. The switch parts are designed for simplicity and east of manufacture and automated assembly.

Abstract: An alternating current switch suitable for automatic assembly is provided having an insulating housing including an open top base and a cover to close the base. The base has side openings to expose screw terminals and may have bottom openings to admit wires to push in connectors. The terminals are integral parts of contact arms within the housing. The contact arms as well as a balance spring are held in place in the housing within side wall slots integral with the base of the housing and by bosses integral with the cover. The balance spring and a movable contact arm are shaped to bear against cam portions of a toggle.The cover is provided with bearings to hold the toggle at its trunions in pivoting relation and is provided with a top opening through which the trigger of the toggle extends to the switch exterior.