Abstract: A switch assembly for adapting a non-contact switch into a contact triggered switch, such that the internal electrical state of the non-contact switch can be triggered by mechanical contact with an object or surface. The switch assembly can include an adapter body coupled to the non-contact switch and an actuation body coupled to the adapter body. The actuation body can be movable relative to the adapter body to selectively position a target supported by the actuation body within a sensing region of the non-contact switch. The actuation body can be moved by an external object making contact with a portion of the actuation body.

Abstract: A bistable device including a fixed baseplate, at least two levers, a tappet rigidly secured to between each lever and the baseplate and aligned in a first direction, where a lever is capable of displacement relative to the baseplate so as to displace the associated tappet substantially in translation in the first direction, and a member that is able to take two positions, the device additionally including a rocker associated with each lever, arranged between the baseplate and the associated tappet, including two V-shapes facing the associated tappet, where the associated tappet in the first V-shape tends to turn the associated rocker in a first direction and the associated tappet in the second V-shape tends to turn the associated rocker in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the rockers being synchronized in rotation and the rockers being synchronized with the member.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes an actuator assembly having a slidably supported pushbutton and a switch mechanism switchable between alternate positions. The pushbutton is biased by a return spring between the pushbutton and a retainer. A pin is received within the return spring coils and engages a pivot member through an elongated opening in the retainer that allows lateral pin movement. A switch plate moves between alternate positions by contact with the pivot member and is maintained in one of the positions by a contact spring between the pivot member and plate. A spring damper in the contact spring coils limits resonating vibration. The switch assembly provides a multiple segment force input profile having first and second segments leading to the switching force with slopes according to a preferred ratio. Third and fourth segments of the input profile following the switching force define a V-shape.

Abstract: A switch device that prevents a contact failure from occurring between electrode contact points by having a self-cleaning function is provided. When a key top 4 is pushed downward, a portion between a winding start end 7b and a winding terminal end 7c of a spiral contactor 7 is extended by an operation part 3B provided in an actuator 3. At this time, the winding start end 7c slides along the surface of a stationary electrode 5. As a result, dusts or stains attached to the winding terminal end 7c and/or the stationary electrode 5, oxide films formed on the surfaces of the electrodes, etc., is self-cleaned. Therefore, it is possible to solve a contact failure problem between the movable electrode 6 and the stationary electrode 5.

Abstract: To improve the possibilities of using a fast-action switch with positive opening, of the end-of-travel type, the switch is equipped with a set of compression springs which cause its moving equipment to rock and with a set of compensating springs which allow its operating plunger to move through an additional travel after switching, without damaging interference with a positive opening paddle. The additional travel is increased by placing the compensating springs between a front conducting element and the moving equipment which rocks at the time of switching.

Abstract: A closure-sensitive signalling device with a cantilever switch responsive to the opening of a folded article such as a business card holder, greeting card, folder, or other article having panels foldable with respect to each other along a fold line. The cantilever switch has a stationary electrical contact and a conductive cantilever arm engageable therewith, and is mounted along with a battery-powered signal generator IC on a low-profile printed circuit board adapted for mounting on one panel of the folded article with the cantilever switch adjacent to the fold line. The cantilever arm's free end is engageable with another panel of the folded article such that the switch is held open when the article is closed and is closed when the article is open. The signalling device generates an audible or visible signal in response to a signal from the signal generator IC.

Abstract: A single pole, snap action, sump pump switch is disclosed having a housing containing a single electrically conductive contact arm with a contact mounted on a forward end portion, which arm is pivotally movable between on and off positions. The contact arm contains a pair of pivot tabs projecting from opposite sides on a rear end portion thereof, which pivot tabs fit within rearwardly opening, triangularly shaped notches on a U-shaped terminal. The notches form a fulcrum about which the contact arm rocks through the U-shaped member when switching between the on and off positions. An actuator arm is pivotally mounted between a pair of shoulders formed on opposing sidewalls within the housing and projects out of a rear end of the housing for connection to a float bulb assembly. A forward end of the actuator arm fits within a recess in one end of a pivot bushing.

Abstract: An actuator for use in operating switches such as air break switches of the type used on overhead power systems. The actuator is based on an over-center mechanism. Movement of an operating arm indirectly drives a drive arm via the over-center mechanism with the energy of a resilient member being used to regulate the opening of a switch connected to the drive.

Abstract: A switch actuator having a bezel, paddle and spring-biased lever. The bezel has a pivot defining a first pivot axis and an outer surface defining a plane. The paddle has an outer surface and an inner surface facing in a direction opposite the outer surface. The inner surface has structure for actuating a switch in response to actuation of the paddle, which is pivotably supported in the bezel for limited pivoting movement about the first pivot axis between first and second positions. A lever is pivotably mounted on the bezel and disposed at an acute angle to said plane. The lever is pivotable with respect to the bezel and the paddle about a second pivot axis as the paddle is pivoted about the first pivot axis. The second pivot axis is spaced from and substantially parallel to the first pivot axis. A spring is disposed at an acute angle to the plane.

Abstract: In a push-button switch in which a switch mechanism switched over on the basis of push-button depression is supported between a pair of split-type switch bases so as to be switchably operated, a falling-off prevention engage portion is formed at an end of a lever pivotal axle of a inclination lever provided for the switch mechanism, so as to be engageable with a pivotal hole formed in an opposing side wall of the switch base for prevention of falling-off of the inclination lever from the switch base.

Abstract: An operating switch has a push button provided in a housing of a switch body for operation when depressed by an operating lever pivoted on the housing. The operation of the push button causes a switch arrangement to be turned by a turning arrangement so that a movable contact is engaged with or disengaged from a stationary contact. The turning arrangement includes a sliding cam disposed along the interior face of the push button and having cam parts engageable with engaging projections of a pivotable actuator coupled resiliently to the switching arrangement upon performing a sliding movement in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the push button.

Abstract: A push button switch used for a personal computer or a word processor, which uses a membrane switch in a contact portion. The push button switch comprises a casing, a key top slidably guided along the casing, a contact portion arranged below the key top, an actuator rotatably supported on the casing to open and close the contact portion, a spring retained in a curved orientation between the actuator and the top key, and a click portion provided on the actuator by which a curved side of the spring is pressed, the clock portion of the actuator actuated by downward movement of the key top urging the side of the spring so as to invert the curved orientation of the spring.

Abstract: A push-button switch comprises a fixed electrode; a movable electrode disposed opposite to the fixed electrode; a key housing having a tubular spring retainer, and an annular guide wall surrounding the tubular spring retainer and having a stopping flange, a coil spring received in the tubular spring retainer, and a key for operating the movable electrode through the coil spring. The coil spring has a large coil section, a middle extension coil section, and a small compression coil section having a projecting part. The tubular spring retainer is provided with a protrusion on the inner circumference thereof. When the key is depressed to close the switch, the projecting part of the coil spring is forced to move down over the protrusion in a snap motion, and the projecting part is forced to move up over the protrusion by the contractive force of the middle extension coil section and the recoiling force of the small compression coil section of the coil spring when the key is released.

Abstract: A snap action switch is provided with an operating member in the form of an operating lever and a one piece actuating lever with a compression spring interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A key switch utilizing a buckling compression spring to move a switch actuator mechanism includes a cylindrical core of resilient material located within an opening formed by the coils of the compression spring to attenuate the acoustical energy generated by the buckling and unbuckling action of the spring.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical lamp of diameter D is provided in a miniature double pole switch case of internal height only 2.times.D. The movable contact levers are shorter than the length of the switch case cavity and an internal divider wall cooperates with skirt portions of the rocker to support these levers during pivotal movement on the upper ends of the center fixed contacts. The levers are spaced apart at least approximately by the dimension D.