Abstract: A two pole electrical switch has side-by-side movable contacts operated by a single rocker/actuator of the type having side-by-side pin recesses. Two pins in these recesses are spring biased toward the movable contacts to achieve contact closing, but one pin has its end offset from the other pin end so the closing is sequential rather than simultaneous.

Abstract: A seesaw switch including a rigid member bridging first and second elastic click members, each elastic click member carrying a moveable contact positioned over a fixed contact. A lever is pivotably positioned over the rigid member and includes a first projection contacting the rigid member near the first elastic click member, and a second projection contacting the rigid member near the second elastic click member. When the lever is pivoted a first angular amount in a clockwise direction, the first projection presses against the rigid member, causing the rigid member to rotate with respect to the second elastic member to buckle the first elastic click member. Further pivoting of the lever in the clockwise direction causes the rigid member to rotate with respect to the buckled first elastic click member, thereby buckling the second elastic click member.

Abstract: A rocker-type electrical switch of the kind known as a "quiet switch" includes a manually depressible rocker having two opposed contact surfaces at a small angle to each other from which rocker depends a rocker arm terminating in a rocker cam. A slider positioned intermediately of the rocker and the rocker cam is moved back and forth by side-to-side movements of the rocker arm and opens and closes one or more pairs of contacts. Rocker movement is controlled by a rocker cam leaf spring engaging the rocker cam which spring has a cammed profile traversed by the rocker cam to slow the switch, lock the rocker and provide other desirable effects. The rocker cam spring is housed in a spring chamber longer than itself, allowing the rocker cam spring to float.

Abstract: A control switch for controlling the coiling and uncoiling of an electric winch cable has a push button installed on a top cover of the switch. Both sides of the push button have a retaining pin, and its bottom is an appropriate V-shaped surface. Both edges of the V-shaped surface have a conducting plate. The conducting plates to a dc voltage source on the bottom cover of the switch are arranged to cross each other, with a lateral contacting plate in between. The top of the contacting plate has a supporting post at each end, and the bottom has two retaining posts such that the push button is snug with the retaining pins and the supporting post of the contacting plate. The conducting plates for motor wiring are arranged in parallel on both sides of the conducting plates for the dc voltage source. With such a configuration, pressing the push button to the left or the right changes the polarity of the dc voltage source so as to control the winch cable to coil or uncoil.

Abstract: A water-splash protected electric switch apparatus which includes a casing of electrically insulating material and fixed contacts housed within the casing. A closure wall sealingly closes off the front of the casing. A pair of control push buttons disposed exteriorally of the closure wall are connected to respective ones of a pair of transmission rods that pass through the closure wall to actuate a contact element. The contact element is actuated to establish continuity or to break continuity between fixed contacts within the casing. Guide collars on the closure wall have perimetric walls on the push buttons sealingly associated therewith.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting two poppel-type actuation switches at a housing, such as a radiotelephone handset housing. The actuation switches are positioned beneath a support body of the support assembly and maintained in a desired orientation relative to such support body by pawl arms which extend beneath the support body. Post members extend beneath the support body to abut against membranes of the respective actuation switches. The support body is affixed to the housing by way of retaining arms positioned to extend beneath the support body midway along the length thereof while permitting limited pivotal movement about rocker arms positioned at sides of the support body responsive to twisting moments applied to the support body. The twisting moments applied to the support body are transmitted to the poppel-type switches by way of the post members form the actuation forces to actuate the poppel-type switches supported thereat.

Abstract: A switch is provided with a button frame which has two openings and two associated cam surfaces. A pivot pin can be assembled with a support structure and the button frame can be assembled onto the pivot pin by distorting the button frame. One end of the pivot pin is first inserted into a first opening of the button frame. Then the button frame is pushed downward to cause a second end of the pivot pin to move along a cam surface associated with a second opening. Further downward force causes the second end of the pivot pin to snap into the second opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto-switch which is used for a control circuit of a power window for moving automobile window glass up and down using an electric window motor, and has a manual/automatic contact, wherein the auto-switch is operably by a single operating knob. In the auto-state, the auto-switch can mechanically retain the manual/automatic contact at a closed state, and can always reset the operating knob to the neutral position.

Abstract: A computer keyboard includes a plurality of pairs of side by side keys, each pair of which is on opposite sides of a vertical plane lying between such keys. The keys are mounted for pivotal movement about respective first and second axes. The first key is located at one side of the plane and its pivotal axis is on the opposite side of such plane. The second key is located on the same side of the plane as the first axis and has its pivotal axis on the same side of the plane as the first key. The spacing between the axes is such that the keys have maximum vertical travel and minimal lateral travel. The keys have faces that are inclined toward the plane to form an upwardly concave pocket between the keys for the accommodation of a user's finger. A switch is activated by the first key and another switch is activated by the second key.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism including a collapsible toggle linkage, an operating handle and a movable frame. The collapsible toggle linkage includes a rectangular cross section knee pin non-rotatably held within an open rectangular slot in an upper link of the linkage. The operating handle pivots about a first pivot point when moving between ON, OFF and TRIPPED positions. The operating handle pivots about a second pivot point when moving to a RESET position thereby reducing the lateral force component of the operating springs of the operating mechanism for reliable return of the handle to the OFF position. Also, bifurcated movable contact fingers are provided for pivotal movement about a fixed pin to break contact welds and a trapezoidal cross section shaft interconnects the movable contact fingers.

Abstract: A movable contact piece support structure for a seesaw switch including guide portions formed in walls of the seesaw switch and slits formed by cutting the movable contact piece and bending back a pair of flaps to make a pair of bent portions. The size and shape of the guide portions and the angle at which the bent portions are bent are chosen so that the movable contact piece rests on the guide portions and on a central contact with the bent portions in contact with the guide portions. The guide portions are further shaped such that bent portions slide smoothly on the guide portions as the movable contact piece rocks back and forth between on and off positions of the seesaw switch.

Abstract: A wall switch (12) includes a face plate body (14) containing an aperture (20) and wall projections (22, 23, 24) carrying an actuator rocker (30) with a board (40) carrying switch contacts (58) momentarily closed by the rocker to effect a closure of circuits carried on the board and interconnected to a cable (88) through terminals in a connector (44) carried on the board and a connector (80) carried by the cable.

Abstract: A remotely controlled switch/receptacle assembly has a housing for providing a support which has at least a first section and a second section. A remote actuator has at least one moveable section. A nonlinear motion switch is located in the first section of the housing and has a moveable actuator for making and breaking an electrical connection between at least first and second electrical contacts. A cable connects the moveable section of the remote actuator to the moveable actuator in the nonlinear motion switch. An electrical receptacle is located in the second section of the housing, the receptacle having at least a first electrical prong which has a first end connected to the first electrical contact in the nonlinear motion switch.

Abstract: A rocker switch includes a casing composed of a lower base and an upper cover, an input terminal and an output terminal, respectively connected with an input electrical cord and an output electrical cord, and embedded in two sockets disposed in two opposite sides in the lower base, a pair of electrically conductive helical springs each spring retained in each socket for resiliently clamping either input or output cord with either spring and either terminal and for resiliently retaining each terminal in each socket, and an electrical insulative rocker switching device seesawly mounted in the casing for operatively separating two contactor blades respectively protruded from the two terminals for disconnecting a power supply, or for contacting the two contactor blades of the two terminals for connecting the power supply.

Abstract: A switch device is provided in which a clicking touch can easily be set and which is able to stably perform a switching operation while maintaining a predetermined clicking touch, exhibiting a long life when operated and causing an advantage to be obtained in reducing a manufacturing cost. The switch device has an operating rod which is inward pushed by an end portion of an operation lever and a leaf spring which is operated by an operating rod when the operation lever is inclined by a predetermined degree, so that a desired clicking touch can be easily set by selecting the leaf spring and a problem of wear which is inevitable for realizing the clicking touch can be overcome.

Abstract: A device (301) having manually controlled keys (310), in particular for controlling actuator devices of a motor vehicle, particularly for electric window winders and/or electric door locks and/or electric rearview mirrors, comprising means (317, 305) operative to determine at least one electrical signal in dependence on the operation of at least one of these keys (310) and including a specific electronic unit (27) for processing this electric signal for the respective actuator device, in which the electronic unit (27) includes an integrated circuit (25) for treatment of the information signals relating to the operation of the actuator device, the integrated circuit (25) being connected to a printed circuit (305) which is common to means (317, 305) operable to determine at least one electric signal in dependence on the operation of at least one of the keys (310), and both the printed circuit (305) and the integrated circuit (25) are housed in integral portions (380, 320) of the frame (302) of the device (301).

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: A switch comprises a housing having an upper member and a lower member, an actuator disposed in the housing and rockably supported on the upper member, switch means for connecting and disconnecting a movable contact with a stationary contact when the actuator rocks on the upper portion, and a connecting terminal for an external electric wire electrically connected to the switch means. The switch means includes a movable contact element having the movable contact and a support element which rockably supports the movable contact element. At least one of portions contacting each other between the support element and the movable contact element is provided with a clad layer of a high conductive noble metal which extends in the rocking direction at the width less than that of the contacting portions.

Abstract: A toggle switch includes a toggle lever with a spherical portion that is held against a partially spherical surface by a retaining ring or a pin to permit the toggle lever to swivel. A coil spring coaxial with the toggle lever and enclosing a portion of the lever forces a plunger against an actuator that rocks to place a blade in contact with a terminal to operate the switch. Terminals are molded into the case of the switch to maintain the terminals in a desired position. The actuator may be shaped in one of several ways to provide maintained contact, momentary contact, or a combination of these. Electrical contacts are formed by placing spherical balls or similar shapes made of a contact material into holes in the terminals and then forming the balls or other shapes to produce a contact surface.

Abstract: A sphere-actuated float switch including (i) a cage defining a longitudinal raceway, (ii) a yoke pivotally mounted externally to the cage and having first and second legs which extend into the raceway, (iii) an electrical switching means which is electrically open when the yoke is in a first position and electrically closed when the yoke is in a second position, (iii) an over-center spring capable of biasing the yoke into the appropriate electrically open and the electrically closed positions once the yoke is urged past a transition point, and (iv) a sphere within the raceway for urging the yoke between the electrically open and the electrically closed positions.

Abstract: An alternate action mechanism in which a rocker makes rolling contact with a surface on a frame, and a plunger is positioned to exert a force toward the surface at a location on the rocker separated from the rolling contact, the force at least initially being along an axis which intersects the surface between limiting positions of the rolling contact. Specially configured leaf springs bias the rocker toward positions corresponding with the limiting positions of the rolling contact.

Abstract: Pivotal movement of a switch actuator drives a finger projecting from the actuator against a convexly bowed leaf spring, depressing an intermediate portion of the leaf spring to an unstable concave condition. The leaf spring resists the actuator movement, initially with an increasing force but changing to a decreasing force at a predictable point in actuator movement to provide tactile feedback at an operator affixed to the actuator. The leaf spring is a flat beam. The spring force and point of changeover can be readily and predictably varied during manufacture by selecting springs having different widths, thicknesses or other variable parameters. A modular block holds the spring in the bowed condition and is positioned relative to the actuator finger by a support plate. The actuator finger drives the spring against a conductive rubber block, compressing the block against spaced conductors on a printed circuit to complete the circuit.

Abstract: A sphere-actuated float switch is provided including (i) a cage defining a longitudinal raceway, (ii) a yoke pivotally mounted externally to the cage and having a first and second legs which extend into the raceway, (iii) an electrical switching means which is electrically open when the yoke is in a first position and electrical closed when the yoke is in a second position, (iii) an over-center spring capable of biasing the yoke into the appropriate electrically open and the electrically closed positions once the yoke is urged past a transition point, and (iv) a sphere within the raceway for urging the yoke between the electrically open and the electrically closed positions.

Abstract: A switch device includes a housing including an upper member and a lower member, an actuator reversibly supported on actuator support portions in the upper member, a switch disposed in the housing, a translator disposed below the actuator and reversibly supported on translator support portions in said upper member for turning the switch on and off by the reversing action of the translator, and an interlocking mechanism for reversing said translator in the same direction as that of the reversing action of the actuator, the interlocking mechanism including pressing portions provided on said actuator and bearing portions provided on said translator with the surface of said bearing portions being formed into a given curved surface, and the pressing portions being provided with a V-shaped groove which contacts with said curved surface.

Abstract: Pivotal movement of a switch actuator drives a finger projecting from the actuator against a convexly bowed leaf spring, depressing an intermediate portion of the leaf spring to an unstable concave condition. The leaf spring resists the actuator movement, initially with an increasing force but changing to a decreasing force at a predictable point in actuator movement to provide tactile feedback at an operator affixed to the actuator. The leaf spring is a flat beam. The spring foce and point of changeover can be readily and predictably varied during manufacture by selecting springs having different widths, thicknesses or other variable parameters. A modular block holds the spring in the bowed condition and is positioned relative to the actuator finger by a support plate. The actuator finger drives the spring against a conductive rubber block, compressing the block against spaced conductors on a printed circuit to complete the circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle locking device having a mechanical rotary connection between a cylinder core of a lock cylinder and a lever system of an associated lock and comprises a driver coupling having two sleeve bodies which are mounted coaxially to one another and, in their installed position, are positively coupled to one another with the interposition of a rotary lost motion freewheeling connection. The rotary movement of the sleeve body drivable by the cylinder core, via a rotary connection element, is sensed for the purpose of controlling an additional locking function superposed on the rotation of the cylinder core. The other sleeve body is dynamically coupled to a securing element of the lever system of the lock. In order to achieve a substantial freedom in the arrangement of the control elements, the two sleeve bodies are rotatably connected to one another and are independently rotatably mounted on a support, spaced from the lock cylinder.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a pair of spaced parallel contact strips disposed in a housing with integral connector terminal portions thereof extending exteriorly of the housing. One of the contact strips serves as common bus and the other is divided into discrete individual contact portions and has surface portions thereof configured to provide detents integrally therewith. A wiper member bar is pivoted on the housing and has a shorting bar thereon spring biased against the contact strips to effect a switching action as the bar is moved along the strips.

Abstract: A switch device wherein components including an actuator bar and a spring can be installed one after another from above an upper opening of a casing, enabling automation of an assembling operation. The switch device includes a conductor plate mounted for rocking motion within a casing to cause switching of the switch device, and a switch operating member mounted for pivotal motion on the casing and including an actuator element and an operating element snap-coupled to each other. The actuator element has a vertical through-hole perforated therein while the operating element has formed thereon a depending projection which is received in the through-hole of the actuator element.

Abstract: A push button switch which may be used, for example, as a zooming switch in a video camera, having a uniform electrical resistance/applied pressure characteristic and which can be manufactured easily and at a low cost. The switch includes a conductive layer and a pressure-sensitive resistance element disposed between electrode patterns provided on a printed circuit board and an insulated push button. The conductive layer is coated with a pressure-sensitive conductive paste and the pressure-sensitive resistance element is fixed to the insulated push button at a opposed surface to the electrode patterns separated by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed having a case, a button with an operation portion and housed in the case, a fixed terminal fixed to the case, and a generally U-shaped movable piece having one end rotatably held by a holding member while the other end being provided with a movable contact for making and breaking contact with a fixed contact of the fixed terminal. The generally U-shaped movable piece has a middle portion which is in contact with the operation portion of the button between the movable contact and a bent portion of the movable piece.

Abstract: A switch device comprising an operating knob adapted to be selectively operated according to an operational amount and permit an automatic restoring condition and an automatic locking condition, a first selector member interlocking with the operating knob for effecting a switching operation of contacts, a second selector member engageable with the first selector member for selectively effecting the automatic restoring condition and the automatic locking condition of the operating knob, a switch wafer provided in opposed relationship to the first and second selector members, a locking member adapted to restrict movement of the second selector member, and a resilient member for biasing the locking member toward the second selector member. With this structure, the automatic locking condition may be maintained without the use of a solenoid, thereby reducing the power consumption and heat generation.

Abstract: A switch mechanism comprises, movably mounted between a fixed yoke and at least one fixed contact, at least one conductive contact arm which is articulated to the fixed yoke, which is itself conductive. The arm is controlled by an operating member available to the user to assume one or other of at least two positions in one of which it bears against the fixed contact through a bearing area and in the other of which it is spaced from the latter. A double pivot is used for articulating the conductive contact arm to the fixed yoke, which comprises two separate pivoting areas parallel to each other, one for each of said two positions of the conductive contact arm. The conductive contact arm itself comprises two distinct contact areas for cooperating each with a respective one of the pivoting areas.

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.