Abstract: An anti-rebound latch having a generally U-shaped housing which defines a central blade path opening between first and second side legs. The housing supports a pivotally mounted generally crescent shaped drive-arm which includes a kicker portion at one end positioned adjacent the top of the blade path opening and a pusher portion at its opposite end. The drive-arm is operatively associated with a blade catcher carried by the first side leg which is reciprocally movable between a first position in which no part of the blade catcher extends into the opening and a second position in which the catcher extends across the opening to the second side leg. The catcher is spring biased to its first position.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes an elongated intermediate latch lever disposed between and in engagement with an intermediate latch plate and a trip bar. The intermediate latch lever is pivotable about a pivot axis and includes a first elongated portion between the latch plate and the pivot axis of a length substantially less than the length of a second elongated portion between the pivot axis and the trip bar. The intermediate latch lever so configured reduces the force required and the amount of travel of the trip bar required to effect a trip operation.

Abstract: A high amperage molded case circuit breaker utilizing a ratchet adapted to be operated manually or electrically and carrying a spring biased clutch connecting the ratchet to a crank for rotating the crank to tense a helical closing spring. The ratchet is disconnected from the crank when the closing spring has a predetermined tension by a crank operated trip assembly while the closing spring axis passes close to the crank axis to exert a relatively low torque on the crank. The crank rotates a handle positioner to prevent manual operation of the ratchet after the spring is tensed, while electrical operation of the ratchet continues until a switch located in any one of a large variety of positions terminates electrical operation.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a snap-acting actuator blade movable with a snap action between two configurations to control the making and breaking of electrical contacts and a latching mechanism which, when the actuator blade has snap-acted in one sense to break or make the contacts, prevents return movement of a movable contact carrying member until the latching mechanism has been positively released. The latching mechanism comprises a pivotal rigid member having an arm defining an engaging portion, for restraining return movement of the movable contact carrying member, and a biasing spring which urges the latching member in the movable contact carrying member engaging direction.

Abstract: In a pushbutton switch or pushbutton-actuated slide switch having a detent mechanism designed to have the shape of a heart cam, an individual latching and a mutual unlatching is made possible in that, according to the invention, the heart cam is provided with a further, center curved path for the unlatching (disengaging) purpose. Within this area of the position of the detent pin, the latching is accomplished by a cross slide which, during the off-switching process, can be pressed via a limit stop and by the detent pin into the unlatching (disengaging) position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oil damping device intended to be used in operating mechanisms for puffer-type SF.sub.6 breakers where there is a risk that the contact movement is reversed during an opening operation with great current. The damping device comprises a piston which is attached to a piston rod and is movable in a damping cylinder. The damping device is double-acting and the movement is damped against the two end positions of the piston (corresponding to the closed and open position, respectively, of the circuit breaker) by forcing oil to flow out through restricted openings in the damping cylinder. The damping cylinder is movable inside an additional cylinder between a rest position and a lock position. Upon an opening operation, the damping cylinder is automatically brought to the lock position where it is temporarily retained by a latching member.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a reciprocable actuating means which has a short linear reciprocable stroke between two opposed positions at opposed ends of the actuating stroke. The actuating means is designed for operating an electrical shunt switch useful with electrochemical cells. The latching mechanism operates to maintain the switch contacts in either the open contact or closed contact positions until a positive unlatching force is applied to permit movement of the contacts.

Abstract: A control lever for a power tool of a type which is normally held in an operator's hand during use and has a generally cylindrical body and an on/off switch. The switch is operated by an arm of the which is pivotally connected at or adjacent one end to the body. The arm is biased towards a first position in which the switch is `off` and is pivotably movable to a second position in which the switch is `on`. A latch member is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the body and biased by a torsion spring towards a first position in which, when the arm is also in its first position, the latch member engages the arm to prevent unintentional movement of the arm to its second position. The latch member has a thumb engageable section which extends through a slot or aperture in the arm whereby an operator can pivot the latch member towards a second position thus permitting the arm to be moved towards its second position to turn the switch `on`.

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: A miniature toggle switch having an actuator (20) pivotally mounted in a base (2) for operating contacts (8, 10, 12, 16). A switch lock is provided by a one-piece leaf spring (34) press-in mounted at one end in a slot (20f) in a side ledge of the actuator so that its other end abuts a shoulder (2g) in the base to lock the switch in one position. This lock spring is provided with a knee bend (34c) that sticks out beyond and below the actuator ledge (20d) in which it is mounted. A removable operating lever (26) has a pair of hooks (26a, 26b) for snap-on mounting it on the side ledges of the actuator. One of these hooks engages the knee bend (34c) of the lock spring to bias it clear of the shoulder (2g) to allow normal switch operation. A lamp (28) is mounted in the bottom of the base and extends up through a hole (20c) in the actuator to light the operating lever (26) as an indication.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a snap-acting actuator (22) movable with a snap action between two configurations to control the making and breaking of electrical contacts (3, 6), a latching member which, when the actuator blade has snap-acted in one sense to break or make the contacts restrains return movement of a movable contact carrying member (22) (which may be the actuator) to prevent re-making of re-breaking of the contacts until the latching member is positively displaced, the latching member comprising a spring member (7) having an arm (10) defining a portion (18) for restraining return movement of the movable contact carrying member (22), the engaging portion (18) being arranged to move in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the actuator blade between a latching position and a non-latching position and being biassed towards the latching position, the spring member (7) also having an operating portion (12) at an angle to the arm (10) and movable in a direction generally transverse to s

Abstract: A waterproof electrical switch or circuit breaker is precluded from being set in the ON position, except after a plug has been inserted into the receptacle and a safety-interlocking mechanism has been activated. Withdrawal of the plug from the receptacle is precluded, except when the circuit breaker is in the OFF position.

Abstract: A reciprocal locking device for the movements of two push buttons includes a pivoting bolt having the shape of a "T" which oscillates in a plane perpendicular to the directions of displacement of the push buttons and is urged back into a central rest position by its own resilient means.

Abstract: A pushbutton contactor has means for transforming the contacting function into a locking function or vice versa in which detent means are provided on the actuating member which cooperate with cam surfaces in the guide cylinder of the pushbutton contactor. Different cam surfaces in a guide cylinder are offset from each other and can be brought into operative connection with the detent means. By simple displacement of the actuating member, the function of the pushbutton contact can be changed from a locking to an intermittent contact or vice versa.

Abstract: A trigger control switch with speed control having a lock-on button on the side thereof is provided with a tab or protrusion extending radially outwardly of the lock pin, a slot is provided extending longitudinally of the lock barrel and a compression spring surrounding the lock pin within the lock barrel has one end portion thereof torsionally engaged with the lock barrel and the other end portion thereof engaged with the lock pin to bias the tab or protrusion out of alignment with the slot to prevent inadvertent depression of the lock pin while enabling an operator to rotate the tab or protrusion into alignment with the slot and thereafter depress the lock pin to provide lock-on effectuation.

Abstract: A unitary, self-enclosed electric switch having a pivotally mounted subactuator (6) that actuates the contacts (18 ) and carries a locking element (24) that normally catches on the switch housing (4k) to lock the switch in "off" position. A combined actuator and lock release member (8) is snap-in mounted on the subactuator and has push-to-unlock means (8b, 8c, 22) that releases the off-lock to allow pivotal actuation of this actuator and the subactuator in unison from "off" to "on" position. This actuator is normally spring-biased (22) into ineffective position from which it must be pushed in to unlock the switch and is removable to prevent unauthorized use of the switch. The subactuator has an upward extension (6h) that serves as a handle to enable the switch to be moved from "on" to "off" position even when the actuator has been removed, this extension serving also to trap the actuator bias spring (22) to retain it in place when the actuator is removed.

Abstract: A multi-pole molded case circuit breaker is provided with an interlock, including a forwardly biased actuator, that automatically operates a common trip bar to trip position when the front cover of the molded case is open. With the cover closed, the actuator Zis accessible for pivoting in a first direction to operate the trip bar to trip position. A single coil spring wound around the actuator is compression loaded to bias the actuator forward and is torsionally loaded to bias the actuator opposed to said first direction.

Abstract: An improved modular trigger assembly for an arc welding gun includes a trigger housing pivotably mounted to a welding gun. A switch is mounted inside the trigger housing and is actuated by movement of the trigger housing. The trigger housing also includes a slideable locking crescent having a first end near a finger surface of the trigger housing. This locking crescent is so arranged that pressure on the first end surface serves both to depress the trigger and to lock the trigger in the depressed position.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter for energizing a line includes stationary and movable main contacts, and stationary and movable impedance contacts which are used for inserting a resistance into the circuit upon closing. The movable impedance contact is rotatable with a projection extending outwardly therefrom, which projection, as the movable impedance contact moves towards the stationary impedance contacts, creates a non-uniform electric field distribution between the two impedance contacts. This distribution is especially useful in obtaining coordination between resistor insertion of multiple-interrupting-unit circuit interrupters. The movable impedance contact separates from the stationary impedance contact prior to separation of the main movable contact and the stationary main contact means during the opening operation.

Abstract: A mechanical transfer switch for use primarily in making rapid change of circuits in high energy coaxial transmission lines of the type employed in transmitting energy to a radio or television antenna. The switch is preferably manually actuated and includes structure in which a pivoted conductive bar is compelled to make simultaneous connection with or separation from the spaced terminals of the inner power conductors of a coaxial transmission line. The conductive bar includes two identical connectors which simultaneously engage two spaced terminals on the separated ends of the inner coaxial power line. The connectors on the conductive bar cannot be moved into connecting position with the two terminals until they are in exact axial alignment. In one form, the switch can connect a common terminal with anyone of a plurality of other terminals. In another form, the switch can be arranged to shift the connection between one pair of terminals to a connection between a second pair of terminals.

Abstract: A turn-push electric switch operator characterized by a tubular housing having a switch operator therein with a detent extending therefrom, a detent cam having a camming surface inclined at an angle to the axis of the housing with a detent retaining notch, and a manual handle operable between first and second positions and having a camming surface for returning the handle from one position to the other.

Abstract: A switch includes an actuating element movable against a biasing force from a rest into a working position. The element is engageable with a member movable under a force of a predetermined magnitude applied thereto between a first position corresponding to the rest position of the element and a second position in which it displaces the element into the working position. The member is provided with a spring for urging the member against the applied force into the first position so as to release the actuating element. The member tends to prematurely move into the first position in response to a slight decrease of the applied force to a lever below the predetermined magnitude. The switch is further provided with an arrangement for preventing the premature movement of the member into the first position until after the applied force decreases below the above-mentioned level.

Abstract: A lock-off switch comprises a lock plate rotatably disposed on a slider and having a projection at one side and a hole elongated in the lengthwise direction and a pin secured to the slider and loosely fitted in the elongated hole of the lock plate thereby to hold the lock plate rotatably. In the elongated hole of the lock plate a compression spring stretches between the pin and one end of the elongated hole, thus urging the lock plate toward a switch case. The slider has a stopper engageable with the projection of the lock plate thereby to stop the slider. An urging means, such as a compression spring, is provided at the other side of the slider and urging the projection of the lock plate into engagement with the stopper, thereby to prevent the slider from being pushed. To push the slider, the lock plate is rotated against the urging force of the urging means thereby to release the projection of the lock plate from the stopper.

Abstract: A change-over switch for a printed circuit board comprises an electrically conductive, resilient wire which is disposed in the manner of a torsion spring, on an electrically conductive support stud which in turn, is secured on an insulating substrate so as to be in electrical contact with a patterned electrical circuit printed thereon. The wire has a pair of limbs which are formed as movable electrical contacts and which are biased by the resilience of the wire material to move in opposite directions along a path on which are disposed a pair of stationary contacts in the form of studs secured to the substrate in electrical contact with other portions of the patterned electrical circuit. An operating member either constrains or permits a movement of the resilient wire under its bias, thus operating the movable contacts into and out of engagement with the stationary contacts.

Abstract: A safety switch for a floor treatment machine, such as a commercial type floor polishing apparatus. The switch is incorporated in an existing control housing of the apparatus and has a trigger mechanism for operating a microswitch to turn the apparatus on or off. The safety switch must be manually moved to permit the trigger to release the negative pressure microswitch. The microswitch reverts to an off position when the spring-loaded mechanism is released.

Abstract: A pivoted-actuator switch having a switch operator including a pivotally-mounted contact actuator and a manually-grasped, removable operating lever or "key" snap-in mounted to the contact actuator for actuating the switch. A spring-biased pivotal lock bar is normally retracted by the operating lever into the contact actuator so as to clear the rim of the hole in the switch housing through which the contact actuator extends. When the operating lever is removed, the spring pivots the lock bar to extend out from the contactor actuator and to catch on the rim of the hole thereby to prevent operation of the switch from off to on position. When the switch is on, it can nevertheless be turned off because this lock bar is shaped for one-way cam-in past the rim and then to pivot out again to abut the top of the rim. The operating lever has a projecting finger effective when inserted into the contact actuator to pivot the lock bar inwardly to clear the housing rim and thus to allow normal switch operation.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter latch release mechanism employs a pivotably mounted trigger action arm in cooperation with a support arm assembly to resist the force of a main spring until the normally closed interrupter must be opened. Rotating the trigger action arm causes a catch on the trigger arm to become disengaged from an associated stop provided on the support arm assembly and allows the support arm assembly to pivot under the force of the main spring while being resisted by its weaker support spring. The rotation of the support arm is accelerated by the main spring. After a short stroke, an associated linkage impacts a stop on the vacuum interrupter which then becomes opened. The large force of the main spring causes virtually no wearing effect on the catch and stop faces over long periods of continuous operation.

Abstract: A push-to-turn knob assembly comprising a tubular hub disposed for attachment to an axially inserted end portion of a rotatable shaft and having a slotted end portion releasably engaged by a plurality of resiliently biased wedges annularly spaced apart within an encircling race, the hub and race being enclosed by an axially movable knob shell having projection means for disengaging the wedges from the hub and having keying means for engaging the hub and rotating the attached shaft to a desired setting.

Abstract: An electrical switch is provided with at least one set of stationary and movable main contacts for opening and closing the circuit controlled by it, and a set of stationary and movable auxiliary contacts for connecting a resistor in parallel with the main contacts and hence into the circuit controlled by the switch during a switching-in operation prior to engagement of the main contacts. The resistor is then disconnected either after the main contacts have engaged, or it is disconnected later during a switching-out operation prior to dis-engagement of the main contacts. Both operational modes are effected by means of a follower device which couples the movable auxiliary contact with the movable main contact.

Abstract: A latch for a circuit interrupter is provided wherein a movable member having a contact attached thereto is latched in a selected position by a spring member which is deflected by the movable member until a predetermined distance is exceeded at which time the spring member moves into a latching position with respect to a latching surface provided on the movable member. In its simplest form the latch uses a single piece of spring wire. As a movable member moves past, the spring wire moves aside and once the movable member has completely passed the wire, the wire springs back into place preventing the contacts from reclosing. A reset is provided which permits the contact arms to be closed by moving the spring member to one side. The disclosed latch is very fast acting, can be independently actuated for each phase, and can be positioned so as to not interfere with low current operation of the switching device on which it is employed.

Abstract: An electrical switch construction having a housing provided with an electrical switch therein. A pair of actuators are carried by the housing and are operatively associated with the electrical switch for operating the electrical switch independently of each other, one of the actuators being automatically reset and the other of the actuators being manually reset by a manually operated reset member carried by the housing and being operatively associated with the other actuator.

Abstract: An electrical disconnect switch which includes a pair of fixed tubular conductors having tulip connectors mounted on the free ends thereof. The switch includes a pair of movable tubular conductors telescopically engageable with the tulip connectors for completing a circuit through the switch. The movable conductors are spring biased to an opened position and a latch is provided for retaining the movable conductors in a closed position. The switch also includes a solenoid connected across the fixed conductors and designed to operate a lever for blocking movement of the movable conductors to the closed position when a relatively high current is flowing through the solenoid.