Abstract: A bellows has a first portion that is formed with a hollow protrusion and can be actuated and a second portion formed with an annular wall defining an opening. The hollow protrusion fits within the opening. Actuation of the first portion causes a fluid to flow through the hollow protrusion and opening, and the fluid tends to force the protrusion against the annular wall. In another embodiment, the first and second portions are sealed along planer front end rear walls. A nut is provided having teeth for clamping the device to an air tube. The device can be used in hot tubs, saunas, on vending machines, and has many medical uses.

Abstract: A driver side air bag module (50, 50', 50") formed of an air bag cover (2), mounting plate (10), inflator (22), and cushion (12). The driver side air bag module cover (2) includes a relatively flexible horn actuation area (4) which is depressible from its upper surface (6) by a driver. A primarily airtight chamber (18) can be found inside the air bag module (50) being coupled to a sensor (14) for sensing changes in pressure and actuating a horn (32).

Abstract: A dispenser includes a plurality of beverage dispensing valves mounted thereto along a front end thereof Each valve includes an air switch that is pneumatically operable to turn its associated valve on and off. An equal plurality of air actuators are secured to an elongate panel hingedly secured to the dispenser front surface. Each air actuator includes a pressurized chamber and a pliable front surface. Flexible tubes extend between the air switches and the air actuators for communicating pneumatic pressure there between. The air actuators include a graphics layer secured to the front surfaces thereof. In operation, a front surface an air actuator is depressed manually whereby pneumatic pressure created thereby in the pressurized chamber is communicated by the tube thereof to its particular air switch. The air switch then serves to operate a solenoid of the valve with which it is associated, resulting in dispensing of the beverage.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly includes a steering wheel body having a hole and a flexible outer cover. The cover and steering wheel body defines an air chamber. A diaphragm is disposed in line with the hole and includes an electrically conductive film on an opposed face. In an off position, the electrically conductive material is spaced from a pair of circuit traces in the clockspring. The circuit traces control a horn function. An operator may apply a force to the outer cover which drives the diaphragm and the electrically conductive material into contact with the circuit traces. An electrical circuit is closed and actuates the horn function. When the force is removed from the outer cover, the electrically conductive material moves out of contact with the circuit traces and into an off position.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated switching device is disclosed for forming a momentary electrical signal circuit with a receptacle of a patient call system utilizing a conductive plunger which slides in response to a pulse of pressurized air delivered to an internal chamber through a housing connection which provides for optional assembly orientations. A spring is used to maintain separation between a conductive plunger and the electrical components when the pneumatic switching device is not activated by a patient.

Abstract: A suction-actuated control system (10) for a whirlpool bath/spa installation includes a suction-side transducer (52) connected in the suction inlet path and a controller (54). The suction-side transducer (52) transmits an air pulse to the controller (54) when pressure in the suction path drops below a pre-determined value caused, for example, by a full or partial blockage of a suction cover (26) by a wash cloth or an article of clothing. The controller (54) includes an electric switch (62) in circuit with the recirculation pump (34) and a bi-state controller (66) that actuates the electric switch (62) between its ON state and its OFF state. An abnormally low pressure in the suction path to the recirculation pump (34) caused by a full or partial blockage of the suction cover (26) will cause the controller (54) to shut-off the recirculation pump (34). After the obstruction is removed and a short time delay, the user can actuate a user ON/OFF control (56) to restart the pump (34).

Abstract: The problem of providing plurality of different models of pressure switches to suit the requirements of a plurality of differing manufacturers may be minimized or eliminated in a pressure switch, including a frame (20), a diaphragm (50) secured to the frame (20) and adapted to be exposed to a mechanical source of fluid under pressure, such as a compressor, and electrical contacts (64), (66), (70) mounted on the frame (20) for relative movement toward and away from each other between open and closed positions. A lever system (72), (80) is mechanically interposed between the diaphragm (50) and the contacts (64), (66), (70) for effecting the previously mentioned relative movement and an unloader valve (110) is mounted on the frame (20) and adapted to be connected to the source of pressure fluid and operable when the contacts (64), (66), (70) are in an open position to vent fluid under pressure from the source.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated switching device comprises a pneumatic bulb including a base plate for anchoring the bulb by frictional contact with surfaces in contact therewith. The base plate further having pneumatic seal about an outer periphery thereof, and an actuator dome having a convexly extended pneumatic activation wall supported by an outer peripheral annular rim engaged with the base plate for pneumatic sealing with the seal to define a pneumatic pump chamber. The bulb further including a conduct for conducting a quantity of air pressurized by operation of the dome and, electrically conductive switch responsive to the discharge of a volume of air pressurized by the pneumatic bulb for producing a corresponding electrical signal.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic actuator for an electrical switch having a flexible diaphragm operating through a rigid disk member actuates an electrical contact when air pressure is applied to the diaphragm. A cylindrical ring acts as a guide for the rigid disk member. The rigid disk member serves to flatten the membrane and resist permanent deformation when air pressure is released from the membrane.

Abstract: A positionally neutral, liquid tight signaling device includes an electrical contact switch remotely actuated by a pneumatic squeeze bulb. A gas permeable, flexible diaphragm divides the internal chamber of the signaling device into a switching portion and an isolated actuating portion. First and second electrical contacts within the switching portion are biased into an open circuit position by a compression spring. The selective collapsing of the squeeze bulb creates an overpressure in the actuating portion of the internal chamber, collapsing the diaphragm and shifting the two electrical contacts into abutting, electrically conducting relationship.

Abstract: A protective mat for use with pressure-actuated switching devices having a moisture-resistant, isolated switching chamber protected by a puncture-resistant, protective layer which disperses forces applied to the mat.

Abstract: A trip-free mechanism for resetting an on-off unit, such as a thermostat (1), breakable by the tripping of an actuator element (3) from a first condition to a second condition comprises a resetting button (9) engageable to apply a resetting force to the actuator element (3) to reset the latter in its first condition, and a restraining lever (10) acted upon by the resetting button (9) when it applies the resetting force to the actuator element (3) to maintain the unit in its broken condition until the button (9) is disengaged upon resetting of the actuator element.

Abstract: A pneumatic system (10) is shown in its most preferred use in a spray gun (12) to remotely control a pressure washer. The system (10) generally includes an integrally formed, homogeneous squeeze box (40) including a location ear (52), a nose tube (46), a bellows (44) and a discharge tube (48). Bellows (44) is generally rectangular in cross section and includes a flat top (62) and bottom (63) and accordion sides (64) having generally longitudinal fold lines (72, 74, 76, 78, 80) which are generally parallel to the mold part line (93) and the tubes (46, 48) but include a 2.degree. draft for ease in mold removal. A valve and spring tube (42) is loosely received on the nose tube (46) for sealing a vent hole (60) provided therein when the bellows (44) is compressed by a trigger (30) of gun (12) and for biasing the trigger (30) to an uncompressed bellows condition.

Abstract: A remotely operable switching arrangement comprises a master and slave providing variable volume chambers in air communication with each other. A switch is operably connected to the slave so that variation in the volume of the master chamber causes switching of the switch between two states. The arrangement is such that the switch is stable in only one of the states. Preferably the master, or alternatively the slave, includes a means to provide a snap-action upon switching from one of the states to the other.

Abstract: A painting system having a supply section, a delivery and control section, and an applicator section. The supply section comprises a peristaltic type pump. The delivery and control section comprises a unitary tube having a delivery passageway and an air pressurizing passageway. A pressurizing control switch at the location of the applicator acts through the air passageway to control operation of the pump. The applicator section has a housing which provides a uniform pattern of distribution passageways for uniform application of paint.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch with a pair of switch contacts opened and closed by a first pivotably mounted lever urged in one direction by a spring and in the other by a bellows to alternately open and close the switch to operate a compressor. A manual switch can be rotated to vary the spring force through a cam follower and is also movable in and out of the housing. When moved into the housing a second lever is pivoted to engage the first lever and the cam follower so the force required by the bellows to pivot the first lever is such that defrosting occurs.

Abstract: A sealed pressure-responsive switch is manually resettable and trip-free. The switch has a separate snap-acting, bistable, dished metal disc or disc element disposed between a sealed snap-acting pressure-responsive diaphragm and a spring-biased switch arm. The disc moves to an inverted dished configuration with snap action to move the switch arm to a trip position against the arm bias when the diaphragm moves in response to application of a selected fluid pressure. The disc remains in its inverted shape to releasably hold the arm in tripped position until the switch is manually reset even when the diaphragm returns to its original position after removal of the selected fluid pressure from the diaphragm.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool or a hand controlled implement having a primary control system by which a user controls operation of the tool or implement also has a secondary control system of pneumatic form. Operation of both systems must take place before the tool or implement is energized. A tool with primary and secondary handles has an actuator for the primary system on the primary handle and an actuator for the secondary system on the secondary handle. An implement with a single handle has the actuators mounted at different locations on the single handle that are spaced apart by a distance preventing operation thereof by the same hand of a user.

Abstract: A sensing device for determining the amount of liquid in an oil crankcase of a vehicle. A hollow dipstick, closed at one end and having a metering hole therein, is inserted into the crankcase of a car. The other end of the dipstick is connected by flexible tubing to a suction bellows and a sensing bellows in a sensing module. The suction bellows and sensing bellows are linked together and to the dipstick by branches of a T-tubing. An opposed end of the suction bellows is connected to a piston of a solenoid. The sensing bellows is mounted to move in response to the amount of oil suctioned into the dipstick. An electrical circuit is formed between a push-button, a solenoid, ground and the car battery, such that when the push-button is closed, the solenoid becomes excited, drawing in the piston to thereby expand the suction bellows. Expansion of the suction bellows draws oil into the dipstick. An electrical circuit coupled to the sensing bellows indicates if oil is sampled by the dipstick.

Abstract: An electrically non-conductive separator having a hole formed therethrough is interposed between a pair of switch contacts having a modulus of elasticity. A cover of electrically non-conductive flexible material covers the switch contacts. Electrically conductive leads are electrically connected to, and extend from, the switch contacts. The positions of the switch contacts relative to each other are determined by differences in pressure and control the operation of an electrical circuit electrically connected to the leads to operate a circuit to perform a function.

Abstract: A pressure-responsive electric switch assembly provided with an elongated pneumatic tube of elastomeric foam material impermeable to air, one end of the tube being plugged and the other having a sleeve therein whose inner end is covered by a membrane to thereby seal the tube. The tube has a relatively thick, deformable wall whereby a slight manual pressure applied thereto gives rise to a substantial change in the internal volume of the sealed tube to dilate the membrane. A microswitch disposed within the sleeve has an actuating element operatively coupled to the membrane such that when manual pressure is applied to the tube, the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A switch, particularly for use in controlling the comminuter motor of a waste disposal unit, which provides pressure pulses, for use in the electrical control circuit of the motor, by compressing one or more resilient members in sequence when operated.

Abstract: A motor control circuit for the comminuter motor of a waste disposal unit, incorporating an air sack around the inlet to the waste disposal unit, and a pressure responsive electrical switch, the motor being de-energized in absence of a pressure signal from the sack caused by the insertion of a safety guard in the inlet.

Abstract: Canister type vacuum cleaners, which can be used in any of their horizontal and upright positions. The vacuum cleaners include a casing housing a motor and a vacuum pump and a readily accessible compartment for a dust bag. The casing is free of protuberances and is configured so it will slide easily across the surface of the area in which it is used. It may be surrounded with an integral or removable cover to keep the cleaner from damaging furniture, etc., and/or a removable dolly may be attached to increase the mobility of the cleaner. A readily locatable, foot-operated power switch external to the vacuum cleaner casing is also provided to facilitate turning it on and off.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a positive and negative pressure operated control device for use as a breath control device. The device includes a plurality of micro switches which can be sequentially actuated or rendered responsive to a person blowing or sucking on an expandible chamber whereby the change in pressure effected thereby will actuate the respective switches accordingly.