Abstract: A rotary switch device in which fixed contacts are fixed to one face side of a base member made of a synthetic resin, contact plates in a ring shape are floatingly held by a rotor disposed opposed to the one face side of the base member, movable contacts capable switching the connection and disconnection to and from the fixed contacts in accordance with the rotation of the rotor are integrally formed at a plurality of places spaced from each other at circumferential intervals on the contact plates, and sliding faces capable of being brought into slide contact with the movable contacts are formed on the one face of the rotor side of the base member, along a plane orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotor. The sliding faces are formed in the base member so as to avoid the loci which are drawn by portions of the movable contacts to be brought into slide contact with the fixed contacts in accordance with the rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A miniature electrical switch that can be mounted on a circuit board, includes a dielectric housing (12) with a forwardly-opening cavity (26), a first contact (16) lying primarily within the cavity, and a second contact (14) lying outside the cavity and engaging the first contact except when the first contact is depressed. The second contact is of largely U-shape, with a middle (64) and lower section (52) in a fixed position and with an upper section (60) that can resiliently bend. The second contact is a thicker plate of sheet metal with a top section (28) that forms the top of the cavity front and which has a front edge (30) which engages a contacting part (66) at the front of the first contact upper section. The second contact is mounted to lie on the outside of the housing.

Abstract: A joystick device includes a case so that first and second rocking members are respectively supported in a overlapped manner by first and second bearings formed in the case with their first and second elongate holes positioned perpendicular to each other. The operation of the lever inserted through the first and second elongate holes causes tilt movement in at least one of the rocking members so that the movement of the rocking member is supplied as a pulse signal by a detecting device. The lever includes an engaging portion engaged with the rocking member on the upper side, and a spherical portion formed at a position above the same rocking member. The cover has a hole having an inner peripheral edge with which an outer peripheral surface of the spherical portion is contacted so that the lever is operable in every direction. A spring is provided with the case, which acts to press down the rocking member thereby returning the lever to a neutral position.

Abstract: A process and an adjustable circuit using a joystick activated controller constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention to provide balanced forward and reverse directional regulation of bidirectional motors oppositely deployed to cooperation in the propulsion of an item of equipment. The joystick responds to the hand of a human operator to regulate the operation of a pair of motors driving opposite sides of an item of equipment along a path of travel. By operating the joystick, the operator can adjust the speed and the forward and reverse directions while trimming the motors or actuators to allow the piece of construction equipment to travel a straight path, or alternatively, to enable the operator to toggle the joystick to guide the equipment during its operational performance, along a path of varied direction.

Abstract: A rocker-type switch having components which can be assembled by automatic assembly machines and do not require the intervention of a human operator. A star shaped spring provides the necessary forces to hold the rocker in a selected position and hold the rocker to a switch spacer and couple the rocker to a movable contact arm. The movable contact arm is inserted in the switch spacer. The star spring is assembled to the rocker and the rocker is assembled to the movable contact arm when the rocker is assembled to the switch spacer.

Abstract: A selective switch includes a switch housing, and a button cap with two opposite side portions. A contact assembly includes first, second and third conductive members which are all fixed in the switch housing. A helical spring is mounted in the switch housing, and has an outer end portion to support the button cap thereon and an inner end portion adjacent to the contact assembly. A flexible mandrel has an inner end portion and an outer end portion which is integrally formed with the outer end portion of the helical spring. The helical spring extends around the flexible mandrel.

Abstract: Right and left handpieces have five manually operated control switches each and are pivotally connected, face-to-face, with contactors in each handpiece face contacting contacts in the other to provide a plurality of sets of discreet signals as the handpieces are pivotally repositioned.

Abstract: A data entry device is provided, having as its primary function the entry of numeric data. A secondary function is the entry of alphabetic characters. The device is operated with a single hand and requires no shift or function keys. The number of keys of the device is kept to a minimum to avoid visual clutter and to facilitate its use with one hand. The keys are designed to be easy to access and to be operated while wearing a glove.

Abstract: A switching device includes the ability to perform a primary and secondary switching function through the use of a single switch handle. A primary switch contact is activated when the switch handle is moved in a desired direction. A secondary switch contact is activated when the switch handle is further moved in the same direction. The secondary switch contact includes a generally flexible conductive member supported adjacent a printed circuit board. An actuator portion of the switch handle moves into contact with the generally flexible conductive member causing a central portion of that member to flex toward and contact the printed circuit board. Such electrical contact results in a signal being generated that is indicative of a desire to accomplish the secondary switching function.

Abstract: A button switch includes: a housing provided with two resilient members at two opposite lateral sides thereof and two aligned holes at another two opposite sides thereof, a first blade extending upwardly into the housing and pivotally connected with an intermediate portion of a rocking plate; a second blade being a L-shaped member extending upwardly into the housing and engageable with the rocking plate; a button provided with two protuberances adapted to engage with the aligned holes of the housing, a projection at a bottom thereof, and a recess at an end thereof, the recess being provided with a protrusion at one side thereof and a through hole at another side thereof; a spring mounted between the first blade and the projection of the button; and an indicating member having a cavity at a bottom and a protuberance at a top, the indicating member being fitted within the recess of the button with the cavity and protuberance engaged with the protrusion and through hole.

Abstract: A thermally stable, mass-producible pointing device (10) producing an analog signal proportional to an applied force comprises actuator (20), including an arm (22) and a force transfer member (26), a connector (44), and a sensor (50). The connector maintains the force transfer member in contact with the sensor yet allows the force transfer member to change dimensions with ambient temperature without inducing stresses detectable by the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises an elastomeric adhesive and the sensor comprises a force-sensing resistor. The force transfer member is prevented from coming out of the assembly either by a retainer (12) comprising a shell or a potting compound retaining the force transfer member but permitting thermal expansion or contraction of the force transfer member. The force transfer member typically has a rounded or bevelled bottom surface (28) so the actuator rocks under an applied force.

Abstract: The double switch includes a core formed of insulating material and a connector formed of electrically conductive material. The connector extends along a front face of the core and has spring portions overlying a pair of isolated terminals secured on the opposite ends of the core. The connector includes a first pad lying in a plane common to second and third pads such that the switch can be mounted on a printed circuit board. By deflecting one or more of the spring portions into the second or third pad, an electrical circuit is completed between the first pad and the selected pad.

Abstract: A casing 1 has an inside bottom and an open top. Fixed terminals 2 and 3, having stationary contacts 2a and 3a, are provided on the inside bottom of casing 1. An operational lever 5 is swingably supported at the upper part of casing 1. A contact piece 4, made of a resilient thin plate formed into a U-shaped configuration, has a base end engageable with the pivot portion of operational lever 5 and a movable portion 4f brought into contact with the lower surface of operational lever 5. The distal end of contact piece 4 is provided with movable contacts 4b and 4c which are slidably brought into contact with stationary contacts 2a and 3a.

Abstract: A rotary electric switch having push-in wire terminals includes a hollow plastic housing having a recessed base and a cover, the base having a plurality of wire receiving openings. A plurality of resilient stationary contacts are positioned in the base, each resilient stationary contact being generally Z-shaped and having a locking tongue at one end, an intermediate arm, and a spring finger at the opposite end from the locking tongue. Each resilient stationary contact is positioned in the base with its locking tongue overlying a wire receiving opening in a side wall in the housing. A rotatable contactor is mounted in the base between the spring fingers of the resilient stationary contacts.

Abstract: A two-way lever switch capable of being highly readily and rapidly assembled with high accuracy, exhibiting satisfactory durability, and reducing a manufacturing cost thereof. The two-way lever switch includes three component or a spring-equipped lever in which a U-shaped spring is fitted in a lever member, an upper casing in which the spring-equipped lever is mounted, and a lower casing in which the upper casing is fitted; wherein the three components are assembled together in turn without using any fasteners such as screws or the like.

Abstract: The invention comprises a switch assembly having a housing with a recess therein. A first contact has a mating section and is disposed within the recess. A second contact has a deflectable mating section and is disposed within the recess. An elastomeric material encapsulates the first and second contacts within the recess wherein force on the elastomeric material pushes the deflectable mating section of the second contact into electrical engagement with the mating section of the first contact thereby activating the switch.

Abstract: A miniature rotary electric switch having push-in wire terminals comprises a housing which is about 1 inch in length, 1 inch in width and 0.2 inches in thickness and which includes a plurality of wire receiving openings. A plurality of Z-shaped stationary contacts are positioned inside the housing and a rotatable contactor is disposed inside the housing for selectively contacting the stationary contacts. Each stationary contact is positioned to overlie at least a portion of one of the wire receiving openings for locking engagement with a wire to be inserted therethrough. Each stationary contact includes a locking tongue, a spring finger and an intermediate arm, the intermediate arm linking the locking tongue to the spring finger. The locking tongue is connected to the intermediate arm at a first bend and the intermediate arm is connected to the spring finger at a second bend.

Abstract: This invention includes a switch using two flexible domes positioned to engage the underside of a lever bar. The lever bar includes a top substantially flat surface with the exception of two spaced apart ramped nubs. A keycap is positioned over the lever bar for pivotal movement in a housing carrying the same. The keycap includes two spaced apart downwardly extending legs for engaging the top surface of the lever bar. The keycap is movable from a first position wherein the two downwardly extending legs straddle the outside of the two ramped nubs and wherein both flexible domes are fully extended and not collapsed. The elongated keycap may be depressed on a first end causing a first leg of the keycap to force the lever bar downward collapsing a first dome and closing a circuit underneath the dome. As the keycap is depressed the first leg moves over a first ramped nub and is latched in a position between the two ramped nubs. In this second position the second dome is fully extended.

Abstract: A button interface for a state machine provides three signals, X, Y, or X and Y. The state machine further detects a single contact, a double contact, or a persistent contact to provide a matrix of nine separate states which control player functions. The cover of the button interface has two degrees of freedom, rotation and depression, which are achieved by various embodiments of leaf and coil springs.

Abstract: A joystick for generation of directional control signals for computers, video games, remote controllers, and other electronic devices and instrumentation. The present invention comprises a resistive membrane sensor and an actuator for coupling directional forces onto the membrane sensor. The resistive membrane sensor is comprised of two insulating substrates with resistor rings on each substrate, conductive leads, and a pressure-variable resistor. Increasing pressure on the actuator and membrane sensor decreases the resistance of the pressure-variable resistor in series with the resistor rings. An electronic circuit measures the membrane sensor and converts the resistances into the X and Y components of the force vector acting on the joystick. An alternative membrane sensor comprises a resistive ring, a conductive ring, and a pressure-variable resistor.

Abstract: A joystick controller for utilizing omnidirectional pivoting manual displacement by an operator to operate transducers for producing control signals comprises a mounting plate defining an opening therethrough and gimbal mounting means secured to the mounting plate for pivotally mounting a joystick shaft extending through the opening. The joystick shaft has an operator knob on one end, and a gauge plate on the other end, the gauge plate having a first straight edge and a second straight edge perpendicular thereto. First and second lever arms are pivotally mounted and biased against the first and second straight edges of the gauge plate, whereby displacement of the joystick knob causes displacement of the gauge plate and pivots the lever arms biased thereagainst. Follower rods extend from the lever arms to engage the gauge plate. First and second transducers are respectively operated by the pivoting lever arms.

Abstract: A trim switch for mounting in an opening in an outboard motor cowl is disclosed. The trim switch includes an outer housing which overlies a rocker assembly. The rocker assembly includes a rocker and a rocker support housing. The rocker support housing defines an interior region in which terminals and a terminal bridging contact are disposed. A cup-shaped waterproof boot overlies the rocker assembly and is sandwiched between the outer housing and the rocker assembly. The boot prevents water from leaking between the rocker and the rocker support housing and provides a positive seal between the outer housing the rocker assembly.

Abstract: A thermally stable, mass-producible pointing device (10) producing an analog signal proportional to an applied force comprises actuator (20), including an arm (22) and a force transfer member (26), a connector (44), and a sensor (50). The connector maintains the force transfer member in contact with the sensor yet allows the force transfer member to change dimensions with ambient temperature without inducing stresses detectable by the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the connector comprises an elastomeric adhesive and the sensor comprises a force-sensing resistor. The force transfer member is prevented from coming out of the assembly either by a retainer (12) comprising a shell or a potting compound retaining the force transfer member but permitting thermal expansion or contraction of the force transfer member. The force transfer member typically has a rounded or bevelled bottom surface (28) so the actuator rocks under an applied force.

Abstract: A lever operated rotary reversing switch wherein a lever is snap-fit attached to the switch housing with a portion of the lever inserted under an overhang on the housing to maintain that portion of the lever against the exterior surface. A detent is provided between the overhang and the end of the lever to direct the forces longitudinally in the plane of the lever. A rotor plate located exteriorly of the housing is connected to the rotor by an axial shaft, and an eccentric received in a slot in the lever for providing a driving coupling between the lever and internal contact mechanism is located on the exterior surface of the rotor plate.

Abstract: A shifter design for a child's ride-on vehicle is described. The shifter allows for selection of various speeds and directions while precluding the selection of undesirable speeds and directions. Preferably the shifter includes a housing mounted on the body of the vehicle, a speed and direction switch mounted on the housing and an actuator on the housing for selectively contacting the switches. The switches are conventional rocker switches pivotable about a central axis to two settings. In the preferred embodiment, the actuator is pivotally mounted to the housing and a depending selection member with longitudinally-spaced annular structure pivots about an axis generally perpendicular to the pivot axes of the switches to contact the switches. In other embodiments, the actuator is slidably mounted to the housing. The rocker switches are provided with concave contact surfaces to ensure the desired speed and direction are selected.

Abstract: A multi-axial position sensor assembly for a joystick in which sensor/magnet pairs are positioned orthogonally on concentric gimbal rings such that each sensor and corresponding magnet pivot in relation to each other as a result of joystick movement. The sensors produce a reference output voltage when the joystick is centered and the sensors are aligned with the magnets. As a magnet rotates in relation to a sensor, the sensor produces an output voltage which is proportional to the angle of rotation and which has a polarity dependent upon the direction of rotation relative to the centered position.

Abstract: A double pole single throw electric switch has normally closed contacts of one pole connected in a dynamic braking circuit with a motor load and normally open contacts connecting the motor to a source of power. A partial movable contact conductively connected to movable contacts of the normally open contacts is disposed in normally open position relative to one contact of the normally closed contacts to provide a parallel path through the switch for making and breaking the circuit to the power source.

Abstract: A switch device includes a stationary contact, a movable contact member having a pair of arms on both sides through which the movable contact piece is swung so as to be brought selectively into or out of engagement with the stationary contact. The movable contact piece is sloping near the dead point thereof on a surface to be pushed. The device both includes an operating knob having a pusher adapted to apply a force the surface to be pushed, the pusher swinging the movable contact piece when the pusher, and sliding on the surface to be pushed, goes over the dead point, wherein the center of swing of the movable contact piece is substantially equal in level to the dead point on the surface which is to be pushed.

Abstract: In a rotary switch, a manually rotatable shaft turns a disk which has a plurality of riser cam segments on one of its face. Stepwise rotation of the disk causes the cam segments to press down on flat spring contacts arranged in the switch to put the tip of one of the contacts at a time into electric contact with a stationary electrical contact that is connected to a source of electric potential or, in the alternative, to relieve one of the contacts from being pressed onto the stationary contact. An index wheel mounts to the shaft and has equiangularly spaced grooves. A plastic spring having parallel legs is mounted on the base of the switch. The legs have convex detents which register in successive grooves as the rotor is indexed rotationally in a stepwise fashion. The radius of the detents is greater than the radius of the grooves between the teeth of the index wheel. The legs of the spring are prohibited from moving longitudinally and tension is maintained in the spring legs at all times.

Abstract: A control module (1) for servo assisted window operation in motor vehicles comprises a number of individual controls (2a-2d) for the respective side windows and also other controls (3, 4, 5) for actuating the locking out of rear seat controls for rear side windows, the release of jamming protection and the roof hatch servo. The control module (1) is preferably intended for placing on a central console (16) between the vehicle's front seats for easy access by the driver. Each individual control (2a-2d) for the respective side windows not only has an asymmetry of shape pointing towards the respective window but is also designed with first and second operating surfaces (12 and 13 respectively) which made it possible to press the control downwards towards and lift it upwards away from a horizontal baseplate (6) of the control module (1) so as to permit logical actuation of the controls (2a-2d) with respect to the movement of the windows.

Abstract: A switch device includes a switch body, an operating knob rockingly provided on the switch body, an articulation surface provided in a rear surface the operating knob, an articulation piece provided on the switch body, the articulation piece being pushed against the articulation surface to urge the operating knob to be set at a neutral position, a pusher cooperating with the operating knob a switch operated by the pusher when the operating knob rocks, and a pin penetrating both side walls of the operating knob and extending through the pusher, the pin being provided inside the operating knob, the pin inserted into an elongated hole formed in said articulation piece to permit an articulating motion of the articulation piece.

Abstract: A manual switch (2) has a switching plate (9), which can be tilted to several sides and is mounted on a mounting (10). This switching plate (9) can move with star-shaped actuating arms that correspond to the contact arms of a contact spring (7) in the direction of a printed circuit board (6), so that it can close a circuit by means releasably, lockingly engaging the selected actuating arm against a respective contact arm and an electric contact on the printed circuit board. At any switch position one can switch back directly into the zero position by pressing an adjusting arm (13) which moves the switching plate (9) back into its non-tilted position.

Abstract: A switch assembly having a rocker type actuator user moveable for actuating plural switches in a housing. The rocker type actuator includes first and second rocker members journalled together for rotation about a common axis. The first member has a paddle extending out of the housing and a first cam portion for actuating a first switch upon initial rotation in one direction. Upon continued rotation in the same direction, overtravel of the first switch is absorbed by a torsion spring which permits resiliently biased lost motion of the first cam with respect to a second cam for subsequent actuation of a second switch. The torsion spring provides a significant increase in the force required to move the actuator between the first and second switch actuation to provide tactiley discernable feedback to the user of the state of switch actuations.

Abstract: A rocker type switch actuator for sequentially actuating plural switches upon rotation in either of opposite directions from a neutral position. The actuator has a springloaded plunger which engages a recess in the housing. The recess has a central depression for neutral position detention and steep ramps disposed spaced on either side of the neutral recess. The steep ramps provide first actuation position detent action against the plunger upon user movement of the rocker from the neutral position. The steep ramp requires a substantially/increased user applied actuation force to move the plunger beyond the initial actuation position; and, upon the plunger cresting the top of the steep ramp a sudden decrease in user applied force is tactilely discernible to provide an indication that the second switching position has been reached.

Abstract: A plurality of contacts for rotary switches are concentrically formed on a printed circuit board accommodated in a case. A fixed cylinder is disposed opposite to the concentric arrangement of the contacts. A rotary shaft of a first rotary knob pierces through and supports the fixed cylinder so as to drive slidable contact pieces for a first rotary switch. A rotary cylinder which functions as a rotary shaft of a second rotary knob is fitted to the outer periphery of the fixed cylinder so as to drive slidable contact pieces for a second rotary switch. Spring coils for the first and second rotary knobs are mounted on the fixed cylinder. The spring coils provide the first and second rotary knobs with tensions for their rotation reference positions. Thus, the positions of slidable contact pieces of the rotary switches are elastically maintained to their reference angle positions.

Abstract: A power switch control module for a power window control circuit of a motor vehicle. The control module incorporates a printed circuit board, a plurality of switch contacts secured to the printed circuit board, a plurality of connector terminals also secured to the printed circuit board, a plurality of high current traces formed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board for coupling selected pairs of the switch contacts and connector terminals electrically together, and a switch control. The switch control is mounted in a frame member for pivotal movement relative to the printed circuit board and is movable between up and down positions. When in the up position the switch control electrically couples a first selected pair of switch contacts and when in the down position the switch control electrically couples a second selected pair of the switch contacts. The high current traces are capable of handling about 20-80 amps of current.

Abstract: A section of a printed circuit board itself is used as an armature for an electrical switch. The armature section of the board is formed by a cutout, and is movable from an initial state to a final state, and is returnable by its inherent resilience to the initial state.

Abstract: A switch group for the remote control of a vehicle seat adjustable via actuating drives, having two switching elements, which symbolize a seat cushion and a backrest of the vehicle seat, are held in a position relative to one another which corresponds to the use position of the seat, and are arranged so as to be accessible from above on a bearing surface which the user of the seat can reach. The switching element symbolizing the seat cushion is mounted on a horizontal surface portion of the bearing surface. To make the switch group highly suitable for expansion by additional control functions, the bearing surface for the switch group merges behind the switching element symbolizing the seat cushion into a surface portion angled obliquely upwards.

Abstract: An automatically reversing, self-cleaning electric switch preferably for use in miniature, electronic aggregates such as hearing aids comprises a box (1) manufactured from electrically insulating material with a pushing rod (2) also from electrically insulating material mounted in the upper end of the box, a U-formed spring (4) fastened in a hollow space within the pushing rod and spring legs (5,6) which depending on the position of the pushing rod may rest against one or more end terminals (7,8,9) mounted in the lower part of the box for disconnecting or connecting a current through the switch. The resilient force of the U-formed spring causes the pushing rod to revert automatically to a center or zero position when no outer force is applied to the rod and a self-cleaning effect is obtained through the spring legs (5,6) resting slidingly against the terminals (7,8,9).

Abstract: A contact switch includes a casing, and a first, a second, and a third conductor mounted to the casing. Each of the first, second and third conductors has a leg portion extending downward and out of the casing. A spring mounting plate member extends from the leg portion of the first conductor inside the casing and has an upward end flange extending from one end of the mounting plate member. The mounting plate member has an opening and a top end portion provided with a gap to access the opening. A spring engaging member projects upward from the mounting plate member and is spaced from the end flange. The spring engaging member is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed notches. A movable contact arm has one end abutting the end flange and is turnable about the point of contact between the movable contact arm and the end flange. A helical spring member has a curved end attached to the spring engaging member at the notches thereof.

Abstract: A switch device for a power driven seat of a vehicle wherein the position of the seat is adjusted by the driving force of a motor. A first control knob three-dimensionally representing the shape of the seat cushion and a second control knob three-dimensionally representing the shape of the seat back are provided. These knobs are capable of moving relative to each other, and the movement of each of the knobs by an occupant is detected by a limit switch. Therefore, when the passenger intends to move each portion of the seat, it is necessary to move the first and the second control knobs in the desired direction of the seat. As a result, the seat is moved.

Abstract: A rotary adjustment device adapted for user rotation to adjust the position of an adjacent mechanism such as the linkage for actuating an electrical snap switch. The device has an outer annular cam with a central hub structure with a shaft defining surface adapted for being rotatably journalled. The hub is suspended from the cam by torsionally stiff web structure which is radially inner an outer pairs of oppositely disposed spokes which permit resilient deflection, when unwanted side loads are applied to the shaft for preventing disturbances of the cam once the user has selected a rotary position.

Abstract: A switch device includes an insulating base formed of a plastics material which defines upper and lower switch operation spaces, a pair of confronting hinge bosses interposed between the upper and lower switch operating spaces, and a lamp-mounting space. An operation lever having upper and lower ends is pivotally coupled to the hinge bosses such that the upper end extends into the upper switch operation space and a lower end extends into the lower switch operating space. In this manner, the operation lever may be pivotally moved between first and second states. The lower end of the operation lever includes a bridge portion which establishes a hole such that an opposed pair of resilient contact members associated with a U-shaped movable contact are disposed adjacent to the hole and are thereby capable of being resiliently displaced therewithin. A lamp-holding connector is mounted to the base for holding a lamp within a lamp-mounting space.

Abstract: A switch device includes an insulating base formed of a plastics material which defines upper and lower switch operation spaces, a pair of confronting hinge bosses interposed between the upper and lower switch operating spaces, and a lamp-mounting space. An operation lever having upper and lower ends is pivotally coupled to the hinge bosses such that the upper end extends into the upper switch operation space and a lower end extends into the lower switch operating space. In this manner, the operation lever may be pivotally moved between first and second states. The lower end of the operation lever includes a bridge portion which establishes a hole such that an an opposed pair of resilient contact members associated with a U-shaped movable contact are disposed adjacent to the hole and are thereby capable of being resiliently displaced therewithin. A lamp-holding connector is mounted to the base for holding a lamp within a lamp-mounting space.

Abstract: A single in-line package switch for individually switching a number of terminals to establish separate conductive paths with a common terminal. The switch comprises an insulating housing with a number of terminal pins exceeding the number of switching poles by one. The insulating housing has an internal cavity corresponding to each terminal switch and recesses in certain of the cavities for receiving rotary actuators. A cover and base clamp a common strip portion of a contact finger structure and bias cantilevered contact fingers into engagement with internal contact end sections of the terminals. One of the contact fingers permanently contacts one terminal connected to a reference potential, thereby establishing a fixed electrical path between the common strip portion and the reference potential. Each actuator includes a planar portion for engaging a free end section of the contact fingers for producing the switching action.

Abstract: In a dual disconnect terminal assembly including a switch, the disconnect contact member for opening and closing the current paths formed by bus bar segments in the upper and lower terminal tiers is a toggle lever which includes contact bridges for each respective tier. The lever can be pivoted into three different switch positions. In a first position, the upper and lower contact bridges are connected with the bus bar segments of the upper and lower tiers, respectively, to close the current paths therebetween. In a second position, the upper and lower contact bridges are spaced from the bus bar segments of the upper and lower tiers, respectively, to open the current paths therebetween. In a third position, the upper contact bridges are connected with extensions of the bus bar segments of the upper tier to close the current path thereof and the lower contact bridges are spaced from the bus bar segments of the lower tier to open the current path thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a digital pulse train from a dial rotation indicating the direction and degree of rotation. The device incorporates two facing disks mounted to a stem and having mating teeth on adjacent surfaces. One disk is mounted for free rotation about the winding stem and projects an actuating lever arm from its periphery. The other disk is mounted for axial movement and is keyed to rotate with the shaft. Left and right micro-switches are mounted proximate the disks and positioned to be contacted by the actuating lever when it is rotated in the respective left and right directions. During this rotation the stem moves the keyed disk in the selected direction of rotation. The keyed disk engages the free disk and causes it to rotate until the actuating lever arm contacts a micro-switch. When such contact occurs, the free disk is prevented from further rotation and the keyed disk shifts over the teeth of the free disk.

Abstract: An electrical switching device of the dual in-line package type. A multiple-pole switching device contains a plurality of independent switching elements aligned on individual pole planes. Each switching element includes first and second terminals and stationary contacts centered on the pole plane. A movable contact engages a first stationary contact and is held in position by a boss on a cover actuator. An actuator, captured in the cover-actuator, includes a cam that engages an intermediate portion of the movable contact to move the second end of the movable contact into engagement with the second stationary contact to complete an electrical circuit. The cam and movable contact are configured to produce a detent action as the actuator moves between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A switch device where the components include an actuator bar and a spring which can be installed one after the other from above through an upper opening of a casing, thereby enabling automation of a switch assembly operation. The casing, having a fixed contact, eccentrically supports a rockable conductor plate with a movable contact at one end. A switch operating member having an actuator element and an operating element is pivotally mounted in the casing. The actuator element has a vertical through-hole into which the actuator bar and spring are placed. The actuator bar extends out of the bottom end of the actuator element to contact the conductor plate. The operating element has a depending pressing projection formed on its bottom matching the location of the top of the through-hole into which the actuator bar and spring are placed.

Abstract: A self-centering switch is provided with a rocker bar pivotally mounted to move between a neutral and an actuated position. A contact element having a pair of contact bearing resilient arms is mounted at the pivot axis of the rocker bar. The resilient arms are biased against the rocker bar and act to return the bar to its neutral position. The contact element may be connected to a control circuit formed on a circuit board and having one or more fixed contacts alternately engageable by the contacts on the resilient arms.