Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is disclosed to include a self-contained switch unit having a pair of depressible operators. A rocker actuator is rockably mounted about a rotational axis overlying the switch unit with wing portions of the actuator disposed on opposite sides of the rotational axis for alternatingly engaging the depressible operators. A two-part housing includes a base part and a cover part. The base part has a receptacle for mounting the self-contained switch unit. The cover part rockably mounts the rocker actuator. The two housing parts have complementary interengaging latches for snapping the parts into latched interengagement. The base part and the self-contained switch unit have complementary interengaging snap latches for snapping the switch unit into latched interengagement with the base part. The rocker actuator and the cover part have complementary interengaging snap latches for snapping the rocker actuator into latched interengagement with the cover part.

Abstract: The present invention is a squeeze switch device (10) for use in plush toys wherein the device housing is comprised of upper (14) and lower (16) sections secured together by protrusions (44) and slots (24) and wherein springs (62) bias the device for activation by applying a squeezing pressure to the stuffed toy in any one of a plurality of directions. A device (36) for reducing battery drain during device manufacture, storage and shipping are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive control device having a housing made up of a plurality of housing members, a diaphragm, a bistable snap-disc, a switch and an actuator. The snap-disc moves from one configuration to another upon application of pressure over a predetermined amount to drive the actuator which moves the switch from its normal operating position, which can be either closed or open, to a tripped position, which is opposite its normal operating position. Two adjacent housing members, which support the snap-disc and switch, respectively, are formed with cooperating spacers which allow the spacing of these housing members to be continuously varied over a small range of adjustment to allow the switch point of the control device to be adjusted after partial assembly of the control device. The diaphragm and some of the housing members may be subassembled for testing the components of the control device prior to complete assembly.

Abstract: A light emitting type push button switch having an indication unit including an operation block containing an indicator and a switch unit having a microswitch turned on or off by the pushing of the operation block through a plunger axially movably held in the case of the indication unit, the indication unit and switch unit which can be easily engaged with each other or disengaged from each other.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes a base, a sliding block, two short circuit metal pieces, contact metal pieces, and a cover. The base is provided at a central portion of the top surface thereof a rectangular slot including therein a sliding block. Located at both sides of the sliding block are short circuit metal pieces. Located at both sides of the rectangular slot are several depressions arranged in a side-by-side manner and connected with the rectangular slot. The depressions include therein the contact metal pieces of triangular construction. The short circuit metal pieces make contact with the contact metal pieces adjacent to each other. The top of the base is provided with a cover. The sliding block is capable of moving in the rectangular slot so as to trigger the short circuit metal pieces to make contact with the contact metal pieces located at different positions in order to carry out the function of circuit switching.

Abstract: An electrical switchgear cabinet comprises a frame, formed by uprights and switchgear support rails, which is fixed to props securedly united to a back plate. The sides of the back plate are folded forwards over a limited height smaller than the distance between the rails and the back plate, so as to define with the ends of these rails, trunkings for the cables to run facilitating connection to the switchgear. The back plate bears two blanking plates which extend over the whole width of the cabinet and an enclosure can be fitted on the sides to cover the frame and the switchgear supported by this frame. The props serve the purpose of fixing the uprights and enclosure and comprise lateral flanges enabling the back plate to be fixed to the wall. These lateral flanges comprise a guide for the bit for drilling the holes in the wall and a device to make up for drilling deviations.

Abstract: A cover apparatus including a transparent housing overlying a computer keyboard, wherein the cover apparatus includes a plurality of forward and rear side walls defining rows of openings, wherein each row of openings is arranged overlying rows of computer keys. The openings are provided with cover housings to selectively cover individual or the plurality of keys, wherein each of the plurality of keys of the computer keyboard is positioned within the openings to provide selective covering thereof to minimize inadvertent pressing of such keys in usage of the keyboard.

Abstract: An in line key-locked switch for a power cord for electronic equipment. The key locked switch may be easily connected to the power cord of electronic apparatus such as a television set to limit access to the electronic apparatus. The key locked switch, generally stated, comprises, a two piece protective outer casing including a base portion, and a nestable cover portion, a key actuated switch mounted within the outer casing, and piercing means mounted to the cover portion for piercing the cut separate ends of a lead of the power cord to provide electrical contact with the key actuated switch. The protective outer casing includes a piercing guide for engaging the separate lead wires of the power cord to hold the separate ends in position for piercing by the piercing means.

Abstract: A push button switch comprising a body, a cover, a push button and a diaphragm type movable contact. The casing body and cover (or the casing body, cover and push button, or the casing body and cover provided with a push button section) are concurrently formed by monolithic molding and are integrally connected to each other through a hinge section.

Abstract: A multi-phase switch assembly (10) has a base (12) and an operating mechanism (14). The base (12) and operating mechanism (14) are formed to fit together as an integrated unit by sliding engagement of the base (48) of framework (32) between bosses (30,31) of the base (12) of the switch. Fastener holes (74,76) extend through both the base (12) of the switch and the operating mechanism (14) so that the entire switch assembly (10) can easily be mounted as a unit.

Abstract: A microswitch, comprising: a casing consisting of a base casing half and a cover casing half; a plurality of terminal pieces received, at their intermediate parts, in slots provided in the base casing half and extending substantially perpendicularly from a surface opposing a corresponding surface of the cover casing half; a contact mechanism accommodated in a cavity in the casing and electrically connected to the terminal pieces; and a push-button member elastically supported by a spring member and projecting out of the casing for actuating the contact mechanism by movement of the push-button member; the terminal pieces being provided with projections extending from their leading edges, and the slot being provided with a recess for receiving the projection; wherein the slot comprises an external part and an internal part which is narrower than the external part, and a projecting length of the projection is larger than a depth of the internal part.

Abstract: A screw-nut arrangement for securing two or more members together is provided with a unique design for a locking nut insert. The locking nut insert has a straight knurled cylindrical portion with an end surface which abuts a shoulder in a counterbore of a through hole and a gripper retainer ring mounted adjacent to the knurled portion. The retainer ring is fabricated from strip material with grippers punched outwardly and is formed into an annular sleeve which fits around the locking nut insert. The retainer ring is held onto the locking nut by a collar.

Abstract: A u-shaped timer housing body has a pair of elongated legs, a closed end, an open end, and a pair of open sides. There are a plurality of electrical switches, each switch including a pair of contacts, one of which comprises a terminal-switch blade combination passing through and secured to the closed end of the housing body. A cylindrical cam assembly, including a cam shaft, is rotatably supported by a pair of side panels, one end of the shaft mounted in a bearing in each of the panels. The panels and the housing body have a tongue and groove construction which permits the panels to be slid into the housing body along the legs, the panels closing the open sides and the cam assembly entering the housing through the open end, in a direction along a radius of the cam axis. A cover plate snaps onto the housing body, closing the open end and locking the panels and the cam assembly in place.

Abstract: A rotary switch has a case, a housing, and a rotor rotatably arranged in a chamber of the housing. The housing carries a pair of projections on both side walls and a pair of corner projections together with a pair of grooves defined in the bottom center thereof, while the case has a pair of bent legs in the center of which are defined holes to receive the side wall projections of the housing and the undersurface of which extend to form a pair of depending lugs which may be crimped inwardly into a pair of grooves defined in the housing. A contact member positioned between rotor and the housing carries a plurality of contact fingers provided with contact projections having contact points one of which may be contacted, in accordance with the rotation of the rotor, on one of the terminal lead contacts spaced around the housing chamber caused by slidable touching on one of the contact projections by means of a cam pattern provided on a circuit board attached to the rotor.

Abstract: An electrical switch including a housing having a planar electrically insulating interior surface on which is seated a printed circuit terminal board that has at least a pair of electrolytically deposited electrical terminals, and a rotatable contact plate having contacts for electrically connecting and disconnecting said terminals in a predetermined sequence, and a push-button stepping means operatively connected to the contact plate for selective rotation of said contact plate.

Abstract: A push-button switch wherein proper operation is always assured. The push-button switch includes an insulating case of an enclosure structure having a side wall from which a plurality of connecting terminals and a dummy terminal are exposed outside. The insulating case further has a first recess formed in a lower face thereof on the side of the dummy terminal which opposes to a printed circuit board to which the push-button switch is soldered, and a second recess formed in the first recess and located below the dummy terminal. A projected step portion is provided around the dummy terminal and has a side face having a sufficient height to prevent flux of cream solder from advancing to the location of the dummy terminal.

Abstract: An electromechanical spring-loaded switch having a plunger employed for actuating a ratchet mechanism against a biasing spring for rotatively driving a contact cup, the combination utilized for providing electrical contact with a common terminal and a plurality of output load terminals, each component of the switch having a miniaturized low-profile construction for minimizing the size of the switch which includes a plurality of slots fashioned into a top body portion and a bottom cover portion for receiving a plurality of corresponding mounting clips permitting convenient mounting of the switch directly to a mounting enclosure significantly improving the utility of the switch in electrical circuits.

Abstract: An electric circuit breaker enclosure includes a pultruded glass-filled plastic inset for added strength to the line and load terminal straps. The line and load terminal straps are fastened to the inset on the side and receive the corresponding line and load terminal cables on an opposite side thereof. The inset allows connection within a high-rated electrical power distribution circuit without damage to the circuit breaker case upon short circuit interruption.

Abstract: A switch assembly having switch contacts located in a lower housing component and having a movable actuator located in an upper housing component and extending downwardly into the lower housing component through a sealing gasket located between the two housing components. The gasket prevents liquid spilled into the upper housing component from leaking into the lower housing component and shorting out the switch contacts. Drain openings are formed in the upper housing component and prevent the liquid from rising to a level where the liquid could leak past the sealing gasket. The actuator includes a manually operable button which is shaped to direct spilled liquid toward the drain openings. In addition, fin-like portions of the gasket extend beneath the drain openings to deflect the discharged liquid away from the outer side of the switch assembly.

Abstract: A cylinder-operable key switch 5 comprises a cylinder housing 1 and a cylinder core 7 mounted rotatably therein, which acts upon an electrical switching device 3. The switching device 3 is located at one side of and adjacent to the cylinder core 7 which operates the switching device 3 by rotation of a control member 18.The key switch is particularly suitable for fitting to electronic equipment, where it provides a high insulation against flash-over voltage.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having the generally rectangular case with an actuating switch handle on one edge and terminals at the opposite edge is provided with an auxiliary switch receptacle at the edge by the terminal. Retainer means is provided for holding the auxiliary switch in the receptacle and an access opening is provided through the edge wall for communication between the switch actuating member and a portion of the breaker mechanism moving in response to breaker contact opening and closing. A U-shaped retainer is preferably used to retain the switch in the receptacle by passing prongs thereof through the holes in the switch walls and the aligned switch holes. The actuator member may be in accordance with various types of mechanisms, either a compressible member or a rigid slide, and in either case is moved by the breaker mechanism into the actuating means of the switch.

Abstract: Electrical control switch mechanisms of the so-called "dead-man" type which may be used to actuate the operation of small electrically powered tools such as mowers, trimmers and the like. These switch mechanisms provide for immediate deactivation of the tool upon release by the operator.

Abstract: A member for reinforcing the juction between the molded half portions of the housing for a molded case circuit breaker. The member is interposed between the portions and extends along the sidewalls of the portions and rest in a channel in each portion adapted to accept the member. The member serves to strengthen the juction between the housing portions.

Abstract: A slide switch is coupled with a connector socket which is capable of firmly gripping a plug inserted thereinto and in which a resilient tubular metal cover having a slit in its axial direction is fitted in an annular groove cut in a socket body. An actuator formed integrally with and extending from a holder carrying a movable contact piece is disposed in a main positioning groove which extend across and in parallel to the annular groove. The actuator is driven by inserting a plug into the pulling it out of the socket body, by which the connection of the slide switch is changed over.

Abstract: A circuit breaker enclosure consists of a cover and a case designed for robotic assembly of the circuit breaker components. A current transformer assembly and a printed wire board containing the electronic trip unit circuit are precisely positioned within the case and cover by means of a transitory circuit breaker case support platform. The transitory support platform includes four upstanding posts that pass through openings formed in the circuit breaker case and are received within corresponding openings through the circuit breaker cover. Leads extending from the current transformer assembly within the case become automatically positioned within corresponding openings through the printed wire board by means of tapered lead-in openings formed within the circuit breaker cover.

Abstract: A memory card comprises a plastic outer package which houses a semiconductor device and electrical connector. The outer package comprises a plurality of package sections which are stacked atop one another and bonded together along connecting surfaces formed on the outer peripheries of the package sections. The connecting surface of one package section of each pair of adjoining package sections has a projecting engaging portion formed thereon, and the connecting surface of the other package section of the pair of adjoining package sections has a recessed engaging portion formed therein which engages with the projecting engaging portion of the adjoining package section.

Abstract: An insulating plastic case and cover for a circuit breaker having complementary extensions on the cover and recesses on the base side walls to transfer internal stress from the base side walls to the cover during circuit interruption.

Abstract: In an electrical desired-value transmitter, particularly for an electronic gas pedal system, a return spring (5) as well as a force elastic jump spring (15) arranged parallel to it are provided. The desired-value transmitter has an electric path converter which gives off an electrical desired-value signal. In order to verify the proper operation of the return spring, a contact spring (9) of a first safety switch contact (10) acts on it in such a manner that the force of the return spring is transmitted to the contact spring. In the event that the return spring is broken, the safety switch contact assumes a position which is characteristic of this and gives off a corresponding signal which can reduce the output of the engine. The electric path converter may be a potentiometer.

Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the circuit breaker cover from the environment. An auxiliary switch unit is one such accessory component which can be field-installed without affecting the integrity of the circuit breaker overcurrent protection components.

Abstract: An electric timing device having a split housing for the timer and motor mechanism separated by a cover which has a plurality of snap fingers engaging complimentary recesses in each component of the split housings. The positioning and shape of the fingers and recesses prevents unintentional separation of the split housing components.

Abstract: A slide switch assembly having a slide contact movable by a slide actuator across aligned flat blade contacts of a plurality of electrical terminals fixed in position between complemental halves of an inner housing disposed within an outer housing. The slide actuator and outer housing include complemental detents providing a tactile indication of the attainment by the slide contact of a predetermined switch position relative to the fixed blade contacts. The inner housing includes a pair of resilient, oppositely extending cantilever members engaged upon the slide actuator to bias the complemental detents together to enhance the tactile indication. The arrangement eliminates coil springs, centering balls and the like. The inner housing halves and outer housing are made of plastic material whose resilience is utilized to snap fit them together without the use of conventional fasteners.

Abstract: A two pole circuit breaker has a central opening to receive the single actuator provided for setting and resetting the two breaker mechanisms. These mechanisms are compactly housed in two chambers that are defined by half sections which are in turn provided inside an outer shell that defines the top opening. In one version the actuator is a pushbutton that is coupled to both breaker mechanisms. In other versions the actuator is in the form of a toggle or a rocker with coupling means to both breaker mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment the half sections that define the breaker mechanism chambers include a center section of I-shape that defines the adjacent chambers and also accommodates a lamp to light the rocker/actuator and/or a well to receive a light switch that can be wired to provide remote indication of switch condition.

Abstract: A switch housing extends to enclose wiring terminals, incorporating holes for insertion of wire conductors and for accessing a clamping screw assembly with a tool to clamp the conductor against the terminal. Individual cavities for each terminal are substantially sealed against ingress of dust, electrically isolating the terminals, and preventing removal of the screw from the respective cavity.

Abstract: A proximity switch including a base assembly rotatably carries a sensing head formed of a support part rotatable about one axis extending through a base assembly for positioning a sensing face on a complementary sensing part in any one of four planes parallel to the one axis. A pivot between for the support and sensing parts enable the sensing face to be placed in a plane transverse to the one axis by rotation about a second axis at 45.degree. to the one axis. Flexible connections extend along the one axis and stops between the sensing and support parts avoid undue twisting of the connections. An annular printed circuit board supported by the base assembly and a plurality of fine wires carried on an elastomeric member supported in the support part provides separable multiple connections between each conductor on the board and the flexible connections.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes a wafer defining a cavity, a case defining a guide hole and received in the cavity, and a slide reciprocally movably received in the guide hole to close or open contacts provided in the cavity. The case and slide are originally molded in a single body united by runners and they are separated by cutting the runners just before the case is mounted on the wafer, but the slide is held in the guide hole and never drops from it before the case is mounted in position of the wafer.

Abstract: A rotary switch including a housing having three integrally molded portions adapted to be folded into a body of the housing for holding the components of the switch in place.

Abstract: A sub-assembly comprising a contact finger support cage and a connection pad of each pole is securedly united to an intermediate insulating partition of the case by a bracket and screw fixing device. The cage is pivotally mounted on a spindle positioned in bearings of the pad, and is connected to a switching bar by a mechanical link cooperating with a disengageable coupling, capable of breaking the linking system with the bar at the level of each pole. One side wall of the insulating case includes an opening communicating with the compartment housing the separable contacts of each pole. The arc chute is fixedly secured to an insulating support capable of being moved in translation in the longitudinal direction of the pole to ensure either blanking-off of the opening in the inserted position of the arc chute inside the compartment, or removal of the arc chute via said opening allowing the condition of the contacts of each pole to be checked visually, without removing the main fixing screws of the case.

Abstract: A push button switch includes a case consisting of an upper case member and a lower case member, a stem vertically movably provided in the case, and a switch element for effecting on-and-off operation of the switch by vertical movement of the stem. A holding structure for the switch element has a first projection formed at an upper end of a frame of the switch element, a second projection formed around a terminal of the switch element, a projection insert hole formed through the upper case member and engaged with the first projection, and a terminal insert hole formed through the lower case member and engaged with the second projection.

Abstract: A split case breaker housing has a depending well at the bottom and any one of three different filler blocks can be assembled with the split case sections to provide a convenient receptacle for a limit switch or for auxiliary studs, or to simply close the opening provided in the well for these filler blocks.

Abstract: A trigger operated switch assembly for a portable hand tool such as an electric drill that includes a switch casing, housing a switch contact module and a reciprocally movable contact carrier operatively engageable with the switch contact module for controlling communication of electrical energy from a source to an electrical load. An elongated arm extends through an opening in the switch casing and operatively interconnects the movable switch contact module with trigger structure. A seal arrangement prevents or substantially inhibits the entry of foreign material into the switch casing and includes a seal located in wiping relation with the elongated arm and mounted within an opening integrally molded in the switch casing. An additional seal seals a gap between the switch contact module and an inside surface of the casing. An elastomeric cap covers an end opening of the casing and includes apertures through which electrical conductors extend and are connected with the switch contact module.

Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components from the environment. The accessory cover includes means for cooperating with a load center or panelboard circuit breaker enclosure to prevent access to the accessory components within the load center or panelboard interior.

Abstract: An illuminated push button switch module comprised of a lamp subassembly and push button switch subassembly. The switch subassembly is physically mounted on and electrically connected to a circuit board. The lamp subassembly is configured for detachable spring mounting on the switch subassembly enabling the lamp subassembly to be manually depressed to actuate the switch subassembly. The spring mounting includes a pair of coil springs which terminate in cantilevered arms to electrically contact pads on the lamp subassembly for energizing an incandescent bulb carried thereby. The lamp subassembly can be easily detached from the switch subassembly for bulb replacement.

Abstract: A control button unit with a block element design includes an actuator (1) having a manually operable plunger (6), which is preferably cylindrical and hollow for the purpose of interior illumination, and a coupling piece (9) having several plug-in locations for receiving electrical block elements (10 and 12) parallel and next to one another. The block elements may include a pair of switching elements (10, 12) with differing contact arrangements and a lighting element (11) to illuminate the interior of the plunger. The block elements have movable members (15, 19) contained therein so that they can be coupled to one another and moved in unison when the plunger is actuated. To provide such coupling the movable members (15, 19) have recesses and/or projections which cooperate to interlock the movable member of different block elements.

Abstract: A telephone hook switch assembly has a housing which defines first and second cavities and a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing. A hook switch lever is mounted on the shaft and is rotatable therewith in the first housing cavity. A switch assembly having snap-action switches is positioned in the second housing cavity. The snap-action switches open and close in a predetermined sequence in response to rotation of the hook switch lever. The assembly provides superior isolation of the electrical contacts from environmental contaminants and is more rugged than conventional leaf spring and program card arrangements.

Abstract: A multiple position, multiple contact key switch, and method of constructing same, including an electrical contact module having a housing defined by first and second separable housing members which snap together in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal rotational axis of the key switch. The first and second housing members each carry contact sets which alternate with one another along the longitudinal axis. Each housing member includes posts which extend towards the opposing housing member, to maintain the desired positions of the elements of the contact sets carried by the opposing housing member. An arbor is mounted for rotation within the housing, with the arbor having cams spaced along the rotational axis for actuating the contact sets. A halo module and a lock module form a subassembly which is coupled with the electrical contact module, with adjacent ends of the lock module and electrical contact module engaging to transmit rotary motion of the lock module to rotary motion of the arbor.

Abstract: A multi-phase circuit breaker characterized by a plurality of phase compartments separated by spaced barriers, a circuit breaker structure within compartment and having separable contacts, manually operable handle within one compartment and including a crossbar extending laterally through the compartments and barriers and each barrier having a removable portion that is retained in place by an overlying portion of a handle.

Abstract: An insulator system for a plurality of male switch terminals protruding from a switch housing. An integrally formed insulative jacket has a skirt extending from the switch housing outwardly past the distal end of the male terminals. The jacket further has means internal of the skirt for frictionally engaging at least one of the male terminals. The jacket has an opening adjacent the distal end of at least one of the male terminals so that a female terminal may be connected to the male terminal. Female terminal has a surrounding insulative jacket which is engagable by the insulative jacket when the male and female terminals are connected, which sleeve, in cooperation with the frictionally engaging means, holds the insulative jacket in place on the switch housing.

Abstract: A rocker switch has within a housing, a two-position actuator which moves a spring-loaded plunger from a first position to a second position of engagement with a bar, moving the bar over a fulcrum and wedging a second conductive end of the bar into bridging engagement between a second pair of spring contact terminals while simultaneously forcing the first conductive end out of engagement with a first pair of terminals. During moving from the first position to the second position the plunger disengages from contact with the bar at a first position proximate a first end of the bar and rides over a peaked camming surface which substantially compresses the spring while the bar remains stationary, bridging the first pair of terminals. When the plunger reaches the peak of the camming surface, the plunger is released to impact on the bar at a second position proximate the second end of the bar, suddenly forcing the second end downward into bridging the second pair of terminals.

Abstract: A switch housing includes two identical halves forming a top wall and a bottom wall each of which has transverse countersinks. The countersinks are provided with permanently secured polygonal nut members for receiving screws for fastening the mounting ends of L-shaped fixed contacts and external terminals. The countersinks also have elongated holes for receiving the contact ends of L-shaped contacts.

Abstract: An inner rectangular housing insertable into a cavity of an outer rectangular housing has latching projections on sidewalls near the bottom to latch into latching recesses on inside surfaces of the sidewalls of the outer housing near the cavity entrance. Endwalls of the inner housing have stress ledges near the bottom to deflect outwardly the endwalls of the outer housing to generate permanent tension which is transferred by integral wall corners to the sidewalls of the outer housing to urge them inwardly to maintain the latched condition of the projections and recesses. Such latching and tensioning is useful in the type of electrical switch assemblies whose housings are under long-term stress, vibration and/or heat even when bonded and sealed.