Abstract: A keypad includes a light guide panel, the interior of which light propagates through; at least one key button positioned on the upper surface of the light guide panel; and at least one reflective pattern fixedly positioned with respect to the light guide panel to reflect a part of the light, which propagates through the interior of the light guide panel, towards the key button.

Abstract: In a rotary encoder, a range of operable angle is divided into four large sections. A plurality of signal contact shoes come into contact with signal conductive portions in different combinations at individual positions within each of the large sections, and these states of contacting combinations repeat in each of the large sections. A plurality of common contact shoes correspond individually to four large sections, and each remains in contact with a common conductive portion continuously in the corresponding large section.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a display that displays a determined screen including a character, during execution of a game, a touch panel sensor, disposed above the display, that is capable of detecting the contact position, the position of the character contacted by a player, and a CPU that determines the contact position of the character as well as the contact mode, and that displays an image on the display, that is changed based on the result of this determination.

Abstract: An interlock assembly for use with a pair of aligned multiple switch assemblies configured to control the supply of electrical power to an electrical panel. Each multiple switch assembly includes a two-pole transfer switch for a pair of “hot” conductors, and a single-pole transfer switch for a neutral connection. The interlock assembly is movably mounted relative to both of the multiple switch assemblies, and is configured to control a sequence of connection and interruption of each neutral connection relative to switching the hot conductors associated with switching each multiple switch assembly. The interlock assembly prevents the “hot” conductors of each multiple switch assembly from being connected without the associated respective neutral connection having been made in advance. The interlock assembly also ensures that the neutral connection of each multiple switch assembly is interrupted without previous interruption of the connection of the respective “hot” conductors.

Abstract: A safety switch is a shell and has a base, a cover and two fasteners. The fasteners are detachably mounted on the base and the cover. The fasteners are made of resilient material more resilient than material for the base and the cover so the safety switch can keep the fastener from being broken. Furthermore, the fasteners can be arranged in different sizes to allow the safety switch to fit with different panels.

Abstract: In order to perform maintenance of a working robot, a worker pulls a handle of a slider and moves the slider backward to thereby withdraw a slider fitting portion from a fitting hole portion and withdraw an actuator from an operating portion of a door switch. In this case, a key inserted into a key hole of a lock is rotated through 90° to vertically orient an interference protruding portion to thereby prevent fitting of the slider fitting portion into the fitting hole portion. Only in this state, the key can be withdrawn from the key hole of the lock.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a liquid switch. The liquid switch comprises a substrate having a surface with first and second regions thereon and a fluid configured to contact both of the regions. The regions each comprise electrically connected fluid-support-structures, wherein each of the fluid-support-structures have at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less. The regions are electrically isolated from each other.

Abstract: An improved button actuation assembly for activating a switch on hand held devices such as portable barcode readers has an improved structure that absorbs and dissipates the force exerted on the button. The improved structure thus protects the switch and the button actuation assembly itself from being damaged by excessive force such as from an impact shock caused by dropping or misuse.

Abstract: A safety lockout system deactivates a safety switch to interrupt unintentional electrical current flow or signals controlled by a safety switch which is used on door-like closures. The switch generally comprises two components: one mounted on a moveable closure and the other mounted on an adjacent fixed member, such as a door frame. When the two components are aligned and closely adjacent to each other, as when the closure is in closed position, the switch allows current to flow to an electrically powered device. But when the closure is in its open position, the components are not aligned or closely arranged next to each other so that the lockout system automatically deactivates the switch which then prevents unintentional current flow to the device. The closure and the adjacent fixed member are normally locked together by a slider element which engages a keeper element when the closure is in its closed position.

Abstract: A keypad includes a light guide panel, the interior of which light propagates through; at least one key button positioned on the upper surface of the light guide panel; and at least one reflective pattern fixedly positioned with respect to the light guide panel to reflect a part of the light, which propagates through the interior of the light guide panel, towards the key button.

Abstract: A latch release operating apparatus includes a switch unit that has a push button on its switch main unit and that is turned ON for releasing a latch state of a door when the push button is pressed down; a base member that holds the switch unit via the switch main unit such that the push button faces the outside; and a waterproof cover member that is attached on a surface of the base member and that covers the push button. A peripheral edge of the cover member is held between the base member and a door outer panel, and the switch unit is mounted on the door outer panel via the base member such that the push button is operable from an outside of the door outer panel via the cover member.

Abstract: An electrical socket includes a pair of terminal units and a latching mechanism. Each of the terminal units includes resilient first and second clamping arms. The latching mechanism includes a pair of engaging projections, each of which is provided on the second clamping arm of a respective one of the terminal units, and a pair of releasing units, each of which is operable so as to move the second clamping arm of a respective one of the terminal units away from the first clamping arm of a respective one of the terminal units.

Abstract: Enhancing efficiency in assembling a waterproof switch, and enhance flexibility of seal design. The waterproof switch 7 includes a plunger 11 accommodated in a cylindrical case 10 capable of moving in the longitudinal direction, and to which a spring 17 applies a force in a direction. One end of the plunger 11 is provided with a common contact point 16 which contacts with contact point terminals 18 and 19 when predetermined amount of displacement to the spring 17 which applies the force to the plunder 11 is provided. A concave portion 10a is that to which a seal 13 for a sliding part of the plunger 11 is attached, and this concave portion 10a is provided to an end portion of the case 10. Assembling is proceeded while recognizing how the seal 13 is attached thereto from the appearance in the assembling process.

Abstract: An input system is delineated comprising an array of touch regions. At least one touch region is aligned with a sensing structure. The sensing structure comprises a first conductive region; a second conductive region aligned with the first conductive region, the second conductive region including a first conductive pattern forming a first switch terminal and a second conductive pattern forming a second switch terminal, the first conductive pattern separated by a space from the second conductive pattern; and a third conductive region between the first conductive region and the second conductive region, the third conductive region electrically coupling the first switch terminal to the second switch terminal to provide a first indication when the switch is open and a second indication when the switch is closed. Also delineated is a control panel including a plurality of such switches, as well as an appliance including such a control panel.

Abstract: An enclosure for an electronic device includes a base having an outwardly extending peripheral wall which forms a compartment for receiving the electronic device. A caseplate is mounted to the peripheral wall for enclosing the electronic device. The caseplate has an access opening extending completely through the caseplate and located at a switch on the electronic device. The access opening is covered by a thin membrane which protects the electronic device and yet permits actuation of the switch. The caseplate can be decorated by art work on by another layer of material or can be clear and cover the device and an optional art work insert.

Abstract: A keystroke module for use with a light guiding plate includes a contacting and controlling layer, a light guiding plate and a light source. The contacting and controlling layer has a pressing side and a contacting and light guiding side. The light guiding plate is arranged under the contacting and light guiding side of the contacting and controlling layer and further includes a light auxiliary layer and a light inducting layer, which is a soft piece body having a reflecting side, on which plural light guiding parts are arranged, while the auxiliary light layer is a hard transparent piece body that is laminated correspondingly above the reflecting side of the light inducting layer.

Abstract: The present invention describes a multiple switch selection device where the movement of the first member may be very limited such that the overall construction height of the device may be very shallow, whereby the applications where such a multiple switch selection device can be built in, may be widened. Furthermore, it is also an object of the present invention to make the multiple switch selection device more versatile such that a wider range of input may be generated from one single device.

Abstract: A power handle module encloses rechargeable batteries which can be used to power a number of modular special-purpose tools which may be mounted to the power handle module. The power handle module includes a hand grip, a trigger switch operated by a trigger and a first connector for engagement with a second connector on the special-purpose tool. An interlock operator on the handle module may be moved between a guard position where it resists pressure to move the trigger and at least one armed position, in which position it allows the trigger to be pressed. A secondary switch is mounted within the power handle module. When the special-purpose tool is a fastener driver the secondary switch controls direction of rotation of the motor on the tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a contact arrangement of a relay with a contact head (11) with a crown (17) which encloses a contact surface (15) and is raised with respect to the contact surface. According to the invention, for increasing the contact reliability with a dry switching load, this crown (17) is interrupted at a multitude of locations, by which means teeth (21) and intermediate spaces between the teeth (21) are formed. This crown contact head in the closed position of the contact arrangement bears on a crownless contact head. The contact spring (23) carrying the movable contact head is designed in a manner such that it may be subjected to torsion. The result of this is that the crown contact head (11) reliably contacts the crownless adjacent contact head (25) at the two small-surfaced contact locations, in each case with a high specific surface pressing.

Abstract: A control panel for a vehicle air conditioner includes a dial configured to be turned to change a setting of an object selected from among a plurality of objects. A control panel for a vehicle air conditioner includes a switch configured to be pushed to change a setting of an object, a display adjacent to the switch, and an arrow formed on the display and configured to be turned on/off to point the switch.