Abstract: An electric switch for toys comprises a stationary member and a member rotatable with respect to the stationary member. The stationary member includes a plurality of electrical connections in the physical form of fixed, variable configured contacts with integral terminals. The contacts are bridged by conductive pattern(s) forming part of the rotatable member. Circuits are broken or made which are dependent upon the position of the rotatable member. The rotatable member includes a coupling, preferably a cruciform hole for detachably mounting a protruding lever or protruding shaft. The rotatable member can be rotated between a plurality of premarked positions when the lever or shaft is mounted within the coupling hole. The switch may be used as a building block component.

Abstract: This apparatus incorporates an electric motor disconnecting safety switch within the motor's electrical terminal housing. This results in a single, compact device directly mounted to the electric motor body which is used for the safety disconnect as well as the termination point for the incoming power leads and the motor wire taps. The apparatus may be employed as a disconnecting device for single phase and three phase alternating current motors as well as various configurations of direct current motors. The apparatus further includes a simple and economical adapter plate mounting configuration which accommodates the device to a multiplicity of motor frames. This apparatus is used in three embodiments: the first being a rotary tumbler switching device with an external rotary hand operator; the second device being a draw-out disconnecting means; the third device including an integral motor starter which provides both disconnecting and motor controlling functions.

Abstract: A cam actuated control device (10) is provided. The control device (10) includes at least two momentary switches (13, 14) which are surface mounted on a circuit substrate (12). An actuating member (20) having a contoured cam surface (25) is movably positioned proximate to the switches (13, 14) such that movement of the actuating member (20) selectively actuates the switches (13, 14) to produce a binary encoded output.

Abstract: A method for combining the operation of the electrical disconnecting safety switch of an electric motor within the motor's electrical terminal housing. This method of operation results in a single, compact housing directly mounted to the electric motor body which is used for both the safety disconnect function as well as the termination point for the incoming power leads and the motor wire taps. This method of operation may be employed for single phase and three phase alternating current motors as well as commonly wired direct current motors. The method further provides for a simple and economical way of mounting the device to a variety of motor frames with the use of appropriate adapter plates. The incorporated motor safety disconnect function is available in either of two configurations. The disconnect function may be operated as a rotary tumbler switch with an external rotary hand operator which allows a fully weatherproof design.

Abstract: An electrical switch including a frame defined by a base and two opposing end walls extending substantially perpendicular from the base, and a spindle journalled in the line holes in the end walls to allow for oscillatory movement of the spindle. A plurality of resilient stationary contacts arms are releasably secured to the base and are cooperable with the moveable contact. A cam having a plurality of concave recesses on its periphery is positioned on the spindle. A bearings surface is biased against the cam. The biasing is accomplished by a spring positioned in a housing mounted on the frame. There is also a handle connected to the spindle for rotating the spindle so that the bearing surface may engage the cam recesses to releasably lock the spindle in a plurality of positions, thus resulting in the stationary contacts arm and moveable contact being selectively maintained in different electrical connection relationships.

Abstract: A pivotable shaft supports a plurality of conductor elements. The conductor elements are pivoted into and out of contact with their associated electrical contacts upon rotation of an over center mechanism so as to selectively make or break an electrical connection. The conductor elements are freely rotatable within the shaft so as to minimize the effects of arcing on these members. The pivotable shaft is supported in a housing made of non-conductive material such that the electrical contacts and conductor elements are isolated from the surrounding environment to provide an explosion proof switch.

Abstract: A novel rotary switch includes metal contact segments integrally molded into annular plastic frame members which segments are then further sealed to prevent passage of flux or other contaminants from reaching the interior of the switch. Further, each contact segment has an arcuate interior contact portion which engages a rotating bridging member on the inner periphery of the arcuate surface. The arcuate segments are spaced together so that the bridging member that conducts signals to the arcuate surface never contacts a plastic surface. A toothed member is provided to cam the bridging member out of contact with one contact segment before making contact with the next adjacent contact segment.

Abstract: This invention is directed at a lock actuated switch which has a housing and a lock cylinder. The housing includes a terminal housing portion and a support portion. The support portion has a wall that defines a longitudinal bore and that has an inner surface with V shaped notches formed therein. The V shaped notches may be formed by three triangular surfaces which meet at their apices. The longitudinal bore extends through the terminal housing portion and the wall has means of retaining a series of fixed contacts that have arced terminal ends. The lock cylinder includes a terminal end, a longitudinal second bore and a body portion. Tumbler slots are formed in the body portion in spaced relation to each other. One of the tumbler slots has a spring loaded detent tumbler mounted therein. As the lock cylinder is moved axially into the housing, the detent tumbler rides over one of the V shaped notches compressing the spring until the detent tumbler passes over the V shaped notch and comes to rest.

Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting two rows of closely-spaced miniature conductive pads on a pair of circuit boards, which enables zero insertion force for a circuit board and allows connection to be made without thereafter moving the inserted circuit board. The apparatus includes an elongated bobbin having a pivot axis extending along its length and an electrically conductive wire extending in multiple helical turns about the bobbin. The wire is severed along each turn, and forms a pair of contacts along each turn that are spaced further from the pivot axis than adjacent portions of the bobbin and wire. The bobbin is pivotally mounted so it can be pivoted between a connect position wherein the contact portions of each wire turn contact pads on the two boards to connect them, and a disconnect position wherein the contact portions do not contact the pads.

Abstract: An electrical switch for switching direct current in an inductively driven electromagnetic projectile launching system is provided with a rotor having a generally cylindrical conductive element with a first portion that includes a continuously conductive external surface. A second portion of the conductive element includes a pair of insulating members fixed at angularly spaced locations such that sections of the conductive elements and the insulating members alternate along the generally cylindrical surface of the elememt. One pair of angularly spaced retractable brush members extend radially inward toward and axially along the conductive surface of the first portion of the conductive element to make sliding electrical contact with the conductive element during the inductor charging phase of a launch sequence.

Abstract: A contact assembly for a switch is provided which has an array of fixed surfaces, such as posts, which are arranged in a pattern such as points on a circumference and into which a conductive, elastic or resilient closed loop is seated under stress. The loop completes an electrical circuit through at least some of the fixed surfaces or posts and is moved in and out of the array by an actuator. A plurality of loops and a plurality of arrays may be provided.

Abstract: A rotatable cylinder having a plurality of drivers mounted therein for axial movement with each driver having a projection thereon extending through openings in the cylinder to engage rotatably mounted rings coaxially positioned around the cylinder and a disk having a depression therein for receiving one of said drivers at a time as the disk and cylinder are rotated. When the disk and cylinder are rotated in one direction a driver positioned in the depression engages an associated ring to rotate the ring. As the disk and cylinder are rotated in an opposite direction the first driver is cammed from the depression and a second driver drops into place. The rings engage different conductors as they rotate to provide the encoding.

Abstract: Two pairs of contact strips are mounted on the respective bridge members of an integral web portion of the molded field case of a power tool or other motor-driven device. The forward ends of the contact strips are cantilever mounted and automatically engage the respective terminals on the field, as the field is inserted into the field case and is secured therein. An annular wire harness is mounted on the rear bearing boss of the field case. Spaced contacts are carried by the wire harness and engage the respective ends of the first pair of contact strips. The respective ends of the second pair of contact strips are connected to terminals on the ends of the brush shunts. In a reversing embodiment, a third pair of contact strips is mounted on the bridge, and a rotatable reversing subassembly is mounted on the rear bearing boss in lieu of the wire harness.

Abstract: A tap changer is adapted for being mounted both internally and externally to a transformer. The tap changer includes a frame having a planar portion and a flange portion generally transverse thereto. A plurality of contacts extend from the planar portion and are adapted for engaging the associated contacts of the transformer. A pivot control assembly is connected to the flange portion and defines a pivot axis. A shaft having a female coupling system adapted for engaging the pivot control assembly is mounted thereto for rotating the shaft. A brace is provided for positioning the shaft coupling system on the pivot control system. A displaceable disk having a spring mechanism is adapted for engaging the contacts while also simultaneously maintaining engagement of the coupling systems.

Abstract: Two pairs of contact strips are mounted on the respective bridge members of an integral web portion of the molded field case of a power tool or other motor-driven device. The forward ends of the contact strips are cantilever-mounted and automatically engage the respective terminals on the field, as the field is inserted into the field case and is secured in it. An annular wire harness is mounted on the rear bearing boss of the field case. Spaced contacts are carried by the wire harness and engage the respective ends of the first pair of contact strips. The respective ends of the second pair of contact strips are connected to terminals on the ends of the brush shunts. In a reversing embodiment, a third pair of contact strips is mounted on the bridge, and a rotatable reversing subassembly is mounted on the rear bearing boss in lieu of the wire harness.

Abstract: In order to prevent a plasma jet energy from discharging through a spark plug of an internal combustion engine prior to the proper ignition timing, an ignition distributor with a plurality of sliding contacts is proposed. A plasma jet energy as well as a spark energy is selectively delivered to the spark plugs at a predetermined ignition timing through a plurality of contact surfaces mounted on a shaft rotatable in synchronous with the engine crankshaft, thereby an irregular discharge of the plasma jet energy is eliminated.

Abstract: A subminiature rotary coded switch having a dual-in-line configuration. Flexible contacts making electrical connection with the dual-in-line terminals of the switch are mounted within a stationary body. A drum-shaped detenting cover has printed circuitry on its inner cylindrical surface, typically in the form of a flexible printed circuit board. The cover rotates the flexible board with respect to the body, producing a wiping action with respect to the flexible contacts, thereby producing the desired switching operations. Each such switch can be electrically equivalent to four single-pole double-throw switches and two of the switches of this invention can be mounted in one conventional 14-terminal dual-in-line array of holes in a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A multiple contact rotary switch comprises a rotatable staff to which an armature is electrically and physically mounted. A plurality of pins is spaced equi-radially away from the staff and around the staff, and the armature is arranged to move past each of the pins in turn as the staff rotates. The armature is flexible and spring-like, so that it maintains contact with any one pin for as long as it can, then springs forwardly to contact the next pin. A low power SPDT switch is thereby provided. The switch may operate extremely slowly, with no switch contact dead-break or teasing.

Abstract: Cylindrical tap terminals are attached to a base plate and are positioned symmetrically around an opening in the base plate. A contact carrier is positioned in the base plate opening and is dimensioned for rotation therein. A movable contact blade is disposed in a radial opening in the contact carrier and is dimensioned to connect together two adjacent tap terminals. A shaft with an inclined surface thereon extends into another opening in the contact carrier and is coupled to an operating handle. The handle may be pulled to move the inclined surface and permit movement of the contact blade away from the tap terminals. Rotation of the handle rotates the shaft, the contact carrier, and the contact blade to another position. When in position, a coil spring forces the inclined surface against the contact blade to maintain adequate electrical contact pressure between the blade and the tap terminals.