Abstract: An illuminated switch, suitable for incorporation in a membrane keyboard or other microtravel switch array, is provided. By providing the switch with a translucent cover, on which symbols may be printed, and with a resilient metal spring conductor having a mesh area, light may pass through the operating mechanism of the switch. Thus, light from a source placed at the interior of the switch will pass through the switch and illuminate an area that is pressed to operate the switch.

Abstract: A light panel for the electrical mounting of components of airborne equipment is disclosed and comprises a first rigid plate having a plurality of holes for allowing component operating knobs to pass therethrough, a plurality of rings for individually guiding the knobs as well as holding components associated with the knobs in a fixed position, a printed circuit board having holes corresponding to like holes in the rigid plate and including conducting tracks for supplying electric power to microlamps which illuminate the knobs, and an insulating support plate for supporting component housings and electrically connecting the components to electrical conductors.

Abstract: A keyboard capable of efficiently illuminating push buttons with a small number of light sources, wherein light sources are randomly distributed below a grating-like retainer provided for retaining push buttons of the keyboard and light rays from the light sources are reflected by means of pyramidal reflectors disposed above the light sources so as to illuminate a plurality of push buttons sideways and thereby efficiently illuminate a push button with light rays from light sources positioned along a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A heart cam type locking mechanism is provided by which in response to a first push button depressing operation, a moving member is locked at a first position in a casing, the moving member is locked at a second position in response to a second push button depressing operation and the moving member is returned to its initial position in response to a third push button depressing operation. The inside of the push button is divided by a partition plate into first and second optical path spaces. A lamp is disposed in the casing so that it emits light into the first and second optical path spaces. A light shielding plate of a resilient material is disposed in the first optical path space and fixed at one end to the moving member.

Abstract: A keypad assembly is described that includes a novel elastomeric membrane keypad (120) sandwiched between a housing (110) and a circuit board 130. Keypad (120) is comprised of a sheet (122) and a plurality of keys (124) protruding therefrom. Keys (124) have carbon pads (220) on the bottom for producing electrical signal continuity between corresponding pairs of contacts on circuit board (130). Then sheet (122) further includes ridges (310) at the periphery of its top surface and surrounding each key (124). When keypad (120) is compressed between housing (110) and circuit board (130), ridges (310) produce a high compression seal around each key (124), thereby improving the tactile response thereof. Sheet (122) of keypad (120) also includes cavities (210) for light sources (410) on circuit board (130). The light from light sources (410) is conducted by sheet (122) throughout keypad (120) for brightly and evenly illuminating keys (124 ).

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker with overload condition illuminated indicator having a secondary switch coupled to the movement inherent in conventional circuit breaker levers. The improved circuit breaker is self-powered with batteries thereby insulating itself from possible power failures.

Abstract: An electric switch having a pair of light bulbs located in tandem with one light bulb serving to light the outer peripheral edge of a control knob for indicating location of the switch in the dark and the other light bulb serving to light the control knob center for providing a system status.

Abstract: A switch for controlling the current to a load combining an ON-OFF switch in series with a variable resistor. Switch has a housing which includes an actuator guided along a dimension of the housing. An opening through the actuator permits a portion of the regulator switch to pass through the actuator for operation. The actuator also includes a cam surface for operating the ON-OFF switch.

Abstract: A change-over position display device for use in a switch having a switch casing in which a movable contact is displaced to at least two positions through a pushing operation or a pulling operation of an operation knob. The device includes a plurality of change-over position display portions provided on the operating knob, an illuminating light source and a movable light guide for introducing illuminating light from the illuminating light source to any one of the plurality of the change-over position display portions in response to the pushing operation or the pulling operation of the operating knob.

Abstract: A membrane switch assembly for mounting on a cathode ray tube is disclosed. The assembly is comprised of two layers of transparent film having spaced-apart parallel double hairline conductors deposited on the internal surfaces of both layers. The internal surfaces are separated by an insulating ultraviolet curable polymer spacer applied in parallel strips over the conductors, the spacer being discontinuous at the switch sites. The conductors cross and are normally spaced from each other at the switch sites so that when the switch is closed by applying force to bring the two layers of conductors together, the electrical circuit can be completed at any one of four locations. This ensures completion of the electrical circuit even if force has been applied at the outer edge of the switch site.

Abstract: A rocker switch has a spring biased movable contact which is continually connected to an electrical potential source and a lamp in the actuator has one lead connected to this spring and the other to a uniquely located resistor such that the resistor is connected selectively to one of the fixed switch contacts for illuminating the lamp. The lamp wires and the resistor are retained in the rocker by means which permits ease of assembly for these elements.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an improved lever switch arrangement for use in a motor vehicle and the like, in which positions of a control lever are clearly indicated through illumination particularly at night for improved operability, while the illumination of the control lever positions is also utilized to display the state of functionings of switch members incorporated in the control lever.

Abstract: A flip cover functioning as a protective guard preventing accidental switch actuation and as a mechanical indicator of switch position. Cooperating slidable abutment elements on the push-button head of the switch and on the flip cover maintain the flip cover in outwardly tilted position with the switch latched in actuated position. With the switch pushed into latch-releasing position the abutment elements are relatively so positioned as to permit the switch to return to its released or unactuated position, the abutment elements slipping past each other to permit return of the flip cover into its normal guard position.

Abstract: A device for illuminating at least one hood-shaped push button, provided with a transparent surface, of a push-button switch having at least one source of light and having light-guide means acted on by the source. In the hood-shaped push button there is a light-conducting prism whose active illuminating surface is adjacent the light transparent area of the push button, two additional surfaces of the prism being coordinated to the source of light and formed such that the prism is illuminated by the source of light indirectly in one position of the push button and directly in the other position of the push button.

Abstract: An optically coated, flexible glass plate cemented to a sheet of polarizing aterial combine to provide a high contrast, non-glare, polarizing filter that can be used in combination with an illuminated switch assembly such as with conventional membrane switches.

Abstract: An electrical switch the body of which includes a base, and supports an operating member for rotational and axial movement relative to the body. The base is formed with an aperture and a light source support member is received in the aperture. Between the light source support member and the base there is defined a passage therein, in use, a region of an appropriately shaped blocking element can be received. The blocking element, when incorporated in the switch, extends into the path of either axial, or rotational movement of the operating member relative to the body to prevent such movement of the operating member.

Abstract: A device for indicating switch operation by variable illuminating light including a switch case, a means for controlling the switch operation provided on the case, a light transmitting window provided in the controlling means, an illuminating lamp installed in the switch case for illuminating through the light transmitting window, a moveable plate interposed between the light transmitting window and the illuminating lamp and being actuated in response to the controlling means and a light control aperture provided in the moveable plate for changing the character of the illuminating light through the light transmitting window in accordance with the actuation of the moveable plate.

Abstract: An indicator comprises first means adapted for emitting a ray of light; and second means having an indicating surface for receiving the ray of light to permit the ray of light to illuminate the indicating surface. The first and second means are movable relative to each other to vary intensity of illumination of the indicating surface.

Abstract: An electrical switch has an operating member movable between two positions and includes a light transmissive region in the operating member. The region is illuminated by a light source acting through a lens. Movement of the operating member between the two positions changes the relative position of the lens and the light source such that the area and intensity of the light on the light transmissive portion is varied in said two positions. This variation provides a visible indication of the operative position of the switch.

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 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: A switch assembly having a lighted display module for programmable character display where the module is an active part during switch actuation since the module is displaced by and transmits an applied switch actuating force. The switch assembly consists of electromechanical switch arrays having the illuminated solid-state programming character display (LED-type) disposed above the switch array. Transparent pushbuttons are illuminated when depressed. The electromechanical switch arrays consist of a matrix of conventional dome switches although other conventional types of switches may be used.

Abstract: A switch operator characterized by a tubular base, a tubular member movably mounted within the base, biasing means for holding the member in an inoperative position, a tubular manual knob detachably mounted on the member, the knob having an outer closed end portion, a switch unit including a contact operator adjacent the end of the member opposite the knob, the contact operator being operable by the member upon movement of the knob, and sealing means at least between the tubular base and tubular member.