A vehicle intruder detection system including at least one pressure operated switch which comprises a first, movable, conductive strip contact and a second, fixed, conductive strip contact. The second contact is attached to a fixed surface located within a vehicle interior so that the first contact is located in proximity, but not fixedly attached, to an internal face of a vehicle window. Each switch is connected into a circuit which incorporates an alarm, which is then triggered by application of a force to the external surface of a window sufficient to bring the first and second contacts together to close one of the switches.

A faucet-control device which enables users to control water flow in a basin fixture (10) by leaning against the front of the fixture (10) with a lower limb. Eight embodiments (A-H) are described. A normally-closed, electrically-controlled valve (16, 44, 46, or 62) controls water flow. A thin, flat, normally-open, momentary-contact, pressure-actuated mat switch (14) controls the valve (16, 44, 46, or 62). Any user in a normal stance may activate the mat switch (14) by applying a small pressure with a lower limb. In Embodiment A, activating the mat switch (14) opens the valve(s) (16), allowing water to flow. In Embodiment B, two stacked mat switches (14 and 14A) control a two-stage valve (44). In Embodiment C, a capacitive mat (50) enables the user to select continuously variable flow rates with a lower limb. A servo-drive circuit (48) converts variable capacitance from the capacitive mat (50) to an amplified current which drives a servo valve (46). In Embodiment D, the servo-drive circuit (48 ) drives a mixing valve (62). The mixing valve (62) provides continuously variable water temperatures in response to varying pressure on the capacitive mat (50). Embodiments E-H utilize four different faucet configurations, in combination with the valves (16, 44, 46, or 62) from Embodiments A-D.

An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.

An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.

A structure having a first semi-rigid surface with a first curved edge, the first semi-rigid surface adapted to be rotatably secured to a reference to permit the first semi-rigid surface to assume a first position and a second position, and a first joint structure spanning the first semi-rigid surface to permit the first semi-rigid surface to be folded when in the first position and unfolded when in the second position. The structure includes a second semi-rigid surface having a second curved edge, the second semi-rigid surface adapted to be rotatably secured to the reference to permit the second semi-rigid surface to assume a first position and a second position. The first and second semi-rigid surfaces are joined together at their first and second curved edges by a second joint structure adapted to permit the first and second semi-rigid surfaces to fold approximately together when the first and second semi-rigid surfaces are in their first positions.