Abstract: A keyboard for a typewriter or the like including a series of elongate keys disposed in a row and normally with respect to the front edge of the typewriter or at an acute angle with respect thereto. Each of the keys is depressable when a finger pressure is applied on the center, home tablet surface of the key for causing the typing action of a certain letter; the key is depressable when the finger is reached to a tablet surface adjacent to the upper edge of the key and the key is then depressed to cause the typing action for another letter; and the key likewise provides a typing action for still another letter when the finger is reached downwardly toward the lower edge of the key to a lower tablet surface and the key is then depressed.

Abstract: A rocker switch comprises a contact spring in the shape of a loop, supported against a pivot member. The spring has a catch in the free end of the loop. The contact spring can be pivoted by means of a rocker lever into its open or closed position. The rocker lever is mounted on a roll provided with two additional cams in the form of a rocker. By means of an elastic switching arm arranged on the slide, the rocker is actuated by overrunning, thereby effecting the pivoting of the end support cam over the pivot member. This in turn yields movement of the contact springs into their open or closed positions. The contact springs may be arranged in series adjacently to each other and/or on a common axis successively to each other with their loop openings in the same or in opposing directions.

Abstract: A control system for an industrial lift truck includes a housing, a cam plate rotatably mounted within said housing, and a plurality of switches urged against and riding on a surface of the cam plate. The cam plate is provided with grooves in its surface along a part of the paths defined by each switch traversing the plate. Accordingly, the movement of the plate actuates switches that are forced into or out of the corresponding groove. The closing and opening of switches produces signals which are used to select the speed and the drive direction of the lift truck.The cam plate can include detents which accommodate a ball as the cam is rotated to a position where the detent corresponds to the ball. The ball is urged into the detent by a spring. Consequently, the operator is able to select discrete speeds of the lift truck and the rotation of the cam plate is restricted.The control system can also include additional controllers for controlling other functions of the lift truck.

Abstract: An operator (10) having a lock releasing key (10a) formed thereon is removably coupled to a pivoted actuator (6) by resilient tabs (10d) depending from the operator which are cammed outwardly over the actuator during coupling operation and which engage with undercut surfaces (6e) in the actuator when the operator is fully seated upon the actuator. The tabs (10d) seated at one end of the actuator align with formations (4e) in the housing (2, 4) in the ON position of the actuator to prevent outward camming movement of the respective tabs, thereby preventing removal of the operator in the ON position.

Abstract: A snap action double throw switch has a dome-shaped switching element which is responsive to a downward pressure to flex downwardly into conductive contact with an underlying contact element. When pressure is removed, the dome snaps back to a stable position and thereby breaks contact with the contact element. In the stable position a spring arm of the dome element presses the top surface of the dome against an overlying conducting plate.

Abstract: A switch operating member for actuating a switch is pivotably accommodated in an opening of a base plate. A bearing member is secured to a rear surface of the base plate near the opening and overlying the same. The operating member is provided with U shaped supporting members on both sides to pivotally mount the operating member on a shaft in cooperation with the bearing member.

Abstract: A switch assembly incorporates miniature snap action switches (8) disposed over pins (26,28;56) molded integrally with a base member (6;52) and are held thereto by an enclosing case (4;50) to which the switch and base subassembly is snap-fit. A rocker actuator for the switches (8) is molded integrally with the base in one embodiment to have flexible wings (31) deformable to effect switch plunger (10) depression. In another version, a separate actuator (54) is pivotally supported by grooves (76) in the case (50) and the upper edge (60) of the base (52). The case is provided with serrated, variable panel thickness mounting structures (40;74) for snap-in attachment of the switch assembly in a panel opening.

Abstract: A manually operated switch, typically of DIP size, having a slightly deformable over-center cam rotor journalled in a hollow housing. Symmetrical projections on the rotor move two opposed cantilever springs into and out of electrical contact. The deformation of the rotor provides detent action. Stops are not required. Single wiping action occurs upon closing the contacts.The cantilever springs may be ridged and of unequal length, or not ridged and of equal free length.

Abstract: A pivoted operator d(4) for an electric switch has an inwardly extending actuating leg (4d) having direct connection with a contactor (12) to provide over-center pivoting and sliding motion for the contactor. The inner end of the actuating leg has a first slot (4f) wherein the actuator leg straddles the contactor and has grooved (4h) interior surfaces which receive outward lateral projections (12a) on the contactor for affecting a driving connection therebetween. The depending leg has a cylindrical recess (4e) which receives a helical compression spring (14) to bear between the operator and the contactor. Transversely aligned connection points (12a, 4h) actuator and contactor and the edges of the slot (4f) in the actuator cooperating with the lateral edges of the contactor (12) guide the latter throughout its longitudinal movement to prevent angular displacement in a horizontal plane of the contactor within the switch.

Abstract: A rocker-actuating mechanism comprises a housing having top and sides with openings in the sides that extend part way into the top. A bottom member is latchably secured to the housing. A rocker member is rockably mounted in the housing and includes pie-shaped members extending outwardly from the sides of the rocker member with apexes of the pie-shaped members and an apex of a top surface of the rocker member engaging the inside surface of the top of the housing thereby defining a pivot about which the rocker member rocks. Arcuate surfaces of the pie-shaped members are for engaging the bottom member when the rocker member is moved. Actuating arms extend outwardly from the rocker member and are disposed in the openings for actuating the rocker member. A spring-biased button is disposed in a cavity of the rocker member and moves along the bottom member. Stop surfaces on the rocker member engage the inside top surface of the housing to limit movement of the rocker member.

Abstract: A switch comprises a movable conductive contact in the form of a curved plate having an arcuate cross section, and terminals having ends projecting into a cavity. The movable conductive contact is pressed into the cavity to cause an end of the contact to be resiliently held against and slidably supported on the ends of the terminals.

Abstract: A switch mechanism comprises an operating member having an outer surface including tabs formed on the left- and the right-hand half thereof, with switch operating protuberances formed on the rear surface thereof in alignment with the respective tabs. A recess is integrally formed in a housing of an electrical instrument, and the operating member is rockably disposed in the recess for seesaw motion therein. A pair of pushbutton switches are disposed on paths of movement of the protuberances, and are quickly operated by an angular movement of the operating member through a reduced angular stroke.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism comprises a housing having top and sides with openings in the sides that extend into the top. A bottom member is latchably secured to the housing. A rocker member is mounted in the housing and is rockably moved about pie-shaped pivots. A leaf spring is disposed in a slot in the rocker member and extends across a central bore therein. A button is movably located in the central bore and is spring biased into engagement with the bottom member via the leaf spring which also biases the rocker member against an inside top surface of the housing. Actuating arms extend outwardly from the rocker member and through the openings for actuating the rocker member. Stop surfaces of the rocker member engage the inside top surface of the housing to limit movement of the rocker member.

Abstract: Electrically conductive paths are selectively engaged by a pair of electrical contacts that are carried in a pair of holders. Each holder is pivoted by an actuator. Each holder also carries a spring biased detent plunger that cooperates with V-shaped cavities in a switch housing to provide an over-center feel.

Abstract: An electrical snap-action switch has as its moving member a strip (15) of a springy metal with which there is integrally formed a contact-carrying arm (18). This strip is held bowed into a C shape in a metal carrier (10) with a concave inner face (11) near which the strip lies when in one position.The operating member of the switch is a rocker (23) of an insulating material which rocks on a convex "bump" (24) on the carrier so that it has an inwardly extending pillar (24) with two studs one on each side of the strip (15). Hence operation of the rocker snaps the strip between its two positions, with corresponding movement of the contact carrying arm.

Abstract: A miniature DIP switch (10) has actuator levers (82) projecting from a side of the housing (12). A plurality of cantilevered moveable contact arms (72) are supported by a section (34) of the base (30), and a plurality of oppositely disposed cantilevered contact arms (62) are supported by a complementary section (32) of the base. A plurality of insulative rotatable lever actuators (80) are supported each by a respective moveable contact arm (72). Each actuator (80) comprises a lever (82) projecting from a respective opening (18) In the housing (12), an arcuate bearing surface (86) engaging an arcuately shaped boss (22) in the housing, a pair of depending side walls (88) each having arcuately shaped ends (90), and a cam protrusion (87) disposed between the depending side walls (88) and engaging its respective moveable contact arm (72).

Abstract: Disclosed is a rocker switch for an electrical device, in particular an electronic watch. As adapted for use with a watch, the rocker switch is preferably disposed in a recess in the watchcase and includes a manually-operable actuator bar having a pair of spaced legs projecting through access holes into the watercase to alternately engage a pair of switch contact means when the actuator bar is rocked. Each leg of the actuator bar preferably includes an offset lip engaging the watchcase from the inside to retain the actuator bar in the recess. Resilient washer means is positioned around the legs between the actuator bar and the bottom of the watchcase recess in sealed contact therewith to provide switch sealing means and return-spring means for the actuator bar.

Abstract: A pivoted-actuator switch having two subassemblies snap-in mounted together. An operator subassembly includes an operating member which may be a toggle lever (24) or a rocker button (32), and LED indicator lamp (22, 34) mounted in a hole in the operating member, a double-sided PC board inserted into notches (24d, 24e) or a notch (32b) in the opening member and connected to the leads (22a, 34a) of the LED, and an actuator (16) snap-in mounted to the operating member to retain the PC board therein with its lower portion extending down through the actuator. A housing subassembly includes an insulating base 2 supporting sets of stationary switch contact-terminals (4, 6) and LED contact-terminals (8, 10), and movable contacts (12) therein, switch mounting clips (40) on opposite ends of the base for snap-in mounting the switch in a hole in a mounting panel, and a bezel (42) snap-in secured to the upper rim of the base.

Abstract: A plastic rocker is pivotally mounted in a plastic switch case and operates a conventional movable contact. The rocker has depending sides or legs which resiliently bend inwardly as a result of contacting abutments on the inside walls of the switch case providing a more positive action to hold the rocker and movable contact more securely in the various switch positions.

Abstract: A key device, as used in a keyboard, comprises(a) a hinge,(b) a key tab projecting in one direction relative to the hinge, and connected with the hinge,(c) a pusher projecting in another direction relative to the hinge, and connected with the hinge, and(d) a spring arranged to be deflected when the key tab is downwardly depressed about the hinge axis, to resist such depression.

Abstract: A snap-on actuator converts a toggle switch to a rocker switch without the necessity for pivotally supporting the rocker independently of the toggle. Depending skirts on the rocker actuator engage flats on the bushing, through which the toggle extends, and convexly contoured surfaces engage the upper end of the bushing to support the actuator during its motion. A paddle shaped actuator is also disclosed, and has such skirts and convexly contoured support surfaces.

Abstract: A modulator switch, adapted for telecommunication purposes, has a hollow body within which are a plurality of cantilever contact members, there being a center contact member and at least one side contact member. The center contact is biased towards one side or the other and has an extension actuated by an actuator rotatably mounted on the body. Actuation to make, break or transfer contact can be provided. The switch can be designed for sliding on a cover or another switch. The particular selection of two, or three contacts provides the particular actuation required.

Abstract: In a radio receiver which is electrically tuned to a broadcasting frequency, a preset station selecting device having a memory, a first circuit which previously writes a broadcasting frequency into the memory when it receives a write selection and write command, and a second circuit which reads the broadcasting frequency out of the memory and sets the frequency in the receiver. The station selecting device further includes a switch which in turn includes a switchable member which has two switched positions. This switch gives a write selection/write command to the first circuit when the switchable member is at one switched position, and a read command to the second circuit when the switchable member is at the other switched position.

Abstract: A miniature insert molded slide (10) or rocker (12) switch assembly is designed for machine insertion on printed circuit boards. A metallic strip (90) is blanked to form pairs of oppositely disposed terminals (22) still attached to the carrier strip (92). The insert-molding operation forms a box-like housing (14) about the terminals (22) on the strip (90), each pair of terminals (22) being embedded in the base (16) of said housing (14). During the insert-molding operation, the die forms the terminal head (28) of each terminal (22). The housing-terminals construction is utilized for both the slide (10) and rocker (12) switch assemblies. The slide switch assembly (10) includes an actuator (40) having a double cantilevered resilient contactor (50) entrapped in a through opening (48) in the actuator (40), the contactor (50) having a depending arcuately shaped contactor head (54) for engaging and disengaging the terminal heads (28).

Abstract: Two or more metal toggles, such as a bat or paddle can be alternatively assembled with a plastic actuator in an otherwise conventional toggle switch so that the bat type toggle can be made as a body of revolution whereas the paddle type toggle is made with non-circular projections on its shank portion which are oriented with respect to the broad dimension of the paddle in order that either the paddle or the bat toggle can be assembled with the same plastic actuator part of the toggle switch assembly. Both types of toggles can be conveniently assembled by inserting the shank portion of either toggle in the opening provided for this purpose in the actuator, and each toggle is adapted to be securely held in the actuator in spite of the difference in the geometry between these toggles.

Abstract: A vibration-preventing mechanism for a lock type push button switch eliminates vibration, chattering and vibration noise of a resilient spring contact by forming a projection on each push button.

Abstract: A plastic switch actuator is fitted with a spring so as to impart sliding and rocking motion to a movable contact by virtue of direct engagement between spring and element. The actuator has a depending integral portion received in an opening of the element but it is the spring which keeps the element in contact with the fixed switch contacts. Other embodiments provide for illuminating the rocker in the miniature switch made possible by this simplified switch construction of fewer component parts. Still further embodiments provide for a toggle style actuator having a movable contact capable of retention in a "center-off" position wherein the movable contact is releasably retained on shelf-like lands defined for this purpose in the switch base, and wherein this contact can be moved by the depending actuator portion through joint action by the actuator and the spring provided on said actuator.

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: A rocker switch housing has an upwardly open base, and a recessed cover secured to the base and defining a central upstanding boss for pivotally receiving an actuator. Aligned openings in the side walls of the recessed cover pivotally receive a manually movable rocker. The rocker is connected to the actuator, and loosely received in the recess, having a rectangular shape similar to that of the recess. The rocker may optionally have one or more transparent panels to provide light from one or more small lamps mounted in small openings in the recess of the cover to provide an indication of circuit condition. The two-part housing provides an environmentally sealed space for the switch contacts and for the electrical connection to the lamp.

Abstract: A snap-action switch unit uses as its movable element a spring strip (23) mounted in a frame (20) such that the strip is bowed. A rod or the like (22) across the strip at its middle constrains the strip so that one half is bowed away from a flat surface (21) while the other half is adjacent to and roughly parallel with the flat surface.On the opposite side of the spring strip (23) to the flat surface (21) there is a rocker (28) depression of which flips the spring strip (23) between two stable states. Integral with the strip (23) there are contact-bearing tongues (26, 27) which co-operate with stationary contacts on the supporting surface (21).Alternatively the spring strip carries a transverse strip carrying two contact buttons which co-operate with stationary contacts.

Abstract: There is herein described an electrical switch which is manually or mechanically moved from one position to another in order to change the electrical conductivity between one or more of its terminals and one or more of the other of its terminals, the invention including a unique member that is deformed by the manipulation of an actuation member and that toggles into a stable and less deformed configuration to make the desired electrical contacts.

Abstract: A switch having a pair of operating levers located within a housing in side-by-side relationship and in which the pair of operating levers are supported for conjoint and independent movement about a common pivot axis for selectively opening and closing contact members which establish a plurality of lighting circuits.

Abstract: A lighted toggle lever switch having a pair of like insulator halves (14, 16) with short trunnions (14a, 16a) that pivot a toggle lever (8) at opposite ends of a lateral hole 10b therethrough, these insulator halves lining the metal cover (4) and bushing (6) and each having a channel (14j, 14k) for a lamp terminal. Coaxial helical spring connectors (20, 22) separated by an insulating tube (26) electrically connect the terminals to a lamp bulb (18) within the hollow toggle lever handle that has a threaded-in lens cap (12) at its external end.

Abstract: A modular switch, which can be used in telecommunications systems, provides an enclosed environment and, from a particular selection of spring cantilever contact members, a normally made, a normally open and transfer function can be provided. By shaping the body of the switch a plurality of switches can be attached together.

Abstract: An improved switch unit for use, for example, in a motor vehicle in which a first and a second switch mechanisms are integrally incorporated together with a first and a second operating members for operating the switch mechanisms so as to reduce the space to be occupied by the switch unit on the whole, while the first operating member is arranged to be rotatable in association with the depression of the second operating member for elimination of troublesome operating procedures, with simultaneous simplification of the entire construction.

Abstract: A switch construction including opposed contacts positioned on a base and a bridging sliding contactor slidable between different switch positions. The design of the contacts on the base includes an upper section that defines a first surface engageable by a tab formed on the sliding contactor, and second surface blade portions which provide engagement with wing sections defined on opposite sides of a tab section formed on the sliding contactor. Resilient means press the sliding contactor against this upper section in a fashion such that the wing sections slide over the second surface portions and the tab section engages the first surface portions. The separate engagement of the tab and wing sections provide separate available current paths for the switch; and since either the tab or the wing sections may engage the contact first, arcing is confined to this initial contact area during switch closure.

Abstract: A miniature switch assembly of dual-in-line configuration having a plurality of switching chambers, each of the switching chambers having at least a pair of terminal lands disposed therein. Each switching chamber is sealed by means of an electrically-insulative, elastic membrane and has an electrically-conductive contact within each chamber disposed closely adjacent the membrane. The contact is permitted to float within its respective chamber and is adapted to interconnect one of the pair of contact lands with the other of the pair of contact lands by means of an actuator which flexes the membrane from outside of the chamber without extending through the membrane. An actuator of a rocker-type is retained in either an OFF or an ON position by means of a bezel which engages a detent on the upper surface of the actuator. The membrane and contact together bias the actuator in a desired operative position.

Abstract: In a controller of the type having a body, a pivot member within the body and an actuator shaft on the pivot member, a push button switch for the controller includes a handle fitted over an external end of the shaft and having a longitudinal opening therethrough, a push rod slidably positioned within the opening, a collar connected to the push rod, a switch operator which slidably engages the collar, and a switch positioned between the switch operator and the body such that, as the push rod is displaced toward the body, the push rod urges the collar to displace the switch operator toward the body thereby operating the switch. The switch operator preferably has an outer convex or arcuate bearing surface and an opening through which passes the actuator shaft. The sliding collar preferably has a lower concave portion which slidably engages the bearing surface of the switch operator, so that the push rod can actuate the switch at any given position of the controller.

Abstract: A lever switch has an actuating member and a cover member to be connected to each other. The actuating member includes first and second slots and notch portions. The cover member includes legs to be engaged with the notch portions of the actuating member. The first slot of the actuating member acts as a guide when it is attached to a mounting rod, and the second slot of the actuating member may support the mounting rod after the actuating member and cover member are connected, whereby the actuating member may be rotatably and removably attached to the mounting rod.

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: An electrical switch comprises a pair of spaced terminals, fixed in an insulating housing; a metal roller; and, a finger-piece for moving the roller between first and second switching positions engaging only one and both terminals respectively. The one terminal is resiliently flexed to bias the roller against the second terminal in the second switching position. The one terminal comprises a cantilever spring having an upset end protruding into the roller path and providing the fulcrum for an overcenter action biassing the roller in either switching position.

Abstract: A formed pivot structure for a pivotally operable lever mounted in a bushing such as a toggle switch lever bushing. The pivot is provided by a suitable through-hole, opposite blind holes or circular groove in the enlarged portion of the lever into which thin portions of the bushing, either perforated or unperforated, are punched from opposite sides of the bushing. This provides a pair of aligned pivots affording free pivoting of the toggle lever in one plane while retaining it snugly from wobbling out of said plane.

Abstract: An electrical switch has an operating handle which snaps onto a housing assembly, and when so attached is rockably mounted in engagement with a switch actuator projecting forwardly from the face of the assembly. The handle is formed with tapered projections at opposite sides, which resiliently yield upon insertion of the handle through the opening of a conventional wall plate and engage in back of the wall plate immediately prior to movement of the switch into its pivotal mounting on the housing assembly, to deter those who would casually and without authorization detach the handle from the housing assembly assembly. Removal of the wall plate permits the handle to be detached, to facilitate selection and interchangeability of handles according to a particular room decor or other aesthetic considerations.

Abstract: A rocker switch housing has an upwardly open base, and a recessed cover secured to the base and defining a central upstanding boss for pivotally receiving an actuator. Aligned openings in the side walls of the recessed cover pivotally receive a manually movable rocker. The rocker is connected to the actuator, and loosely received in the recess, having a rectangular shape similar to that of the recess. The rocker may optionally have one or more transparent panels to provide light from one or more small lamps mounted in small openings in the recess of the cover to provide an indication of circuit condition. The two-part housing provides an environmentally sealed space for the switch contacts and for the electrical connection to the lamp.

Abstract: An electrical rocker switch of the type having a removable actuator key to prevent turning the switch "on" when the key is removed, such switch having a rockable carrier member for operating switching bridge structure, a rocker member mounted cooperatively with said carrier member in a switch casing and with each such two members being movable independently of the other about a common axis. The removable key couples the rocker member and carrier member so that all three are then operated together as a coupled structure by actuation of such key, said switch having contact means for two different circuits, with the key member when inserted into the carrier-rocker members in one direction accomplishing the operation of the contact means to close one of said two circuits through the switch, and with removal of the key member, rotation thereof through 180.degree.

Abstract: A general purpose, alternating current wall switch is provided with a rocker handle having an extremely light feel resulting from the fact that the angular distance or throw between the opposite extreme positions thereof is very small, on the order of about 20 degrees in a preferred embodiment. Throw of the handle through the noted small angular distance is effective, however, to operate a contact actuator through a much larger angular distance to assure a proper mechanical and electrical function, the distance through which the contact actuator rocks in a preferred embodiment being on the order of about 50 degrees. The mechanical advantage is produced by a loose, lost motion interengagement between the rocker handle and the contact actuator, both of which are mounted to rock about spaced, separate pivot axes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piano switch having a driving lever which can be operated without clattering. The driving lever is generally L-shaped and has one end engaging a recess formed in a sliding body. The lever is pivoted to an attaching arm for free rotation. A spring is stretched between a frame of the switch and the driving lever.

Abstract: A rocker type electric switch operated by pressure on a knob which actuates a spring biased plunger that exerts a switch closing force on a movable switch contact element, in combination with means for preventing said plunger from forcing said element to the switch closed position until the knob and plunger have been rotated through a predetermined angle to a preselected position.

Abstract: A manually operable switch wherein at least the externally accessible portion of a pivotally mounted actuator member has a spheroidal configuration. An indentation in the spheroidal configuration enables the actuator member to be operated between predetermined angular positions.

Abstract: A rocker switch having a spring-biased lock lever within the contact actuator that extends out to catch beneath the rim of the hole in the frame to lock the rocker button in the "off" position. An insertable key, which may include the entire face of the rocker button, has a projecting cam effective when inserted to retract the lock lever to allow normal operation. Removal of the key prevents unlocking of the rocker switch for operation to "on" position. The lock lever has an angular end that allows actuation of the rocker button from "on" to "off" position even when the key is removed. This angular end cams on the frame to momentarily depress the lock lever and allow it to snap below the rim of the hole in the frame. This lock lever is then inaccessible except to the projecting cam of the key.