Abstract: A piezoelectric active-mode incrementor switch system (100) includes two ratchet wheels (118, 124) that are rotationally mounted on a drive shaft (112) having a knob (102). The ratchet wheels (118, 128) form a slipping clutch with their respective drive wheels (116, 128) which are rigidly mounted to the drive shaft and mechanically loaded with spring (120). The ratchet wheels (118, 124) are mounted inversely to each other on the drive shaft (112) and make contact with their respective cantilever beams (114, 136) which each have a piezoelectric film. In operation, the switch (100) functions by mechanically stimulating the piezoelectric beams. When the knob (102) is rotated in one direction, only one of the beams (114, 136) is displaced causing a generation of an electrical charge that acts as a signal. The other beam (114 or 136) is prevented from moving and therefore its beam does not produce a signal.

Abstract: A piezoelectric switch (10) is made by laminating one piezoelectric film (16) on the top and a second piezoelectric film (18) on the bottom sides of a stiff central core (14). The central core has one or more actuation areas or poppels (12) formed therein. Each piezoelectric film has an electrically conductive portion (15, 17) formed directly over the actuating area. When the actuating area on the laminate is depressed (11), the piezoelectric films each generate an electric signal that is sent through the electrically conductive portions, thus creating a switching signal.

Abstract: A frequency domain switch (100) utilizes an array of cantilevered beams (108) laminated with a piezoelectric material (126). Each of the beams has a unique geometry, and produces a sinusoidal electrical signal in the piezoelectric film that is assignable only to one of the cantilevered beams. When a free end of one of the cantilevered beams is deflected, it produces a signal that is analyzed by suitable circuitry (410-440) to read the position of the switch.

Abstract: A control switch for a radio is formed using an electro-mechanical assembly (400) which includes an array of cantilevered beams (402) laminated with piezoelectric film. A movable surface (404) includes protrusions (406) positioned to deflect the cantilevered beams and generate pulsed signals in a coded manner. Electronic circuitry (410) stores the pulsed signals and associates the signals with a position of the switch.

Abstract: An intercooled electronic device, includes a thermally conductive chassis (110), a substrate (120) mounted onto the chassis (110), a housing (104) formed around the chassis (110), and a cooling fan (130) mounted internally within the housing (104). The substrate (120) carries electrical circuitry including at least one heat-generating component (122) which is thermally coupled to the chassis (110). The cooling fan (130) is oriented to direct air across the chassis (110).

Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric keypad having a hard key cap over the elastomeric key. A sheet (50) containing a key cap (24) with graphics (26) is placed onto a first plate (52) of a molding tool (54). A second plate (58) is then attached to the first plate, covering the graphic film. The first plate and the second plate interact in a manner such that the key cap containing the graphic is excised out of the film and retained in the molding tool assembly. The waste material (60) surrounding the key cap is displaced away from its original position. A third plate (64) is then attached to the assembled first and second plates. The assembled molding tool creates a cavity (66) that is representative of the keypad assembly, and an elastomeric material is molded into that cavity. Afar the elastomeric material (12) solidifies, the tool is opened, the molded keypad assembly (10) containing the integrally attached rigid key caps is removed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus provide a surface mountable package (100) with leads (150) having free end portions (355) coplanar in a target plane (370). The method includes forming the leads (150) such that the free end portions (355) angle away from the target plane (370), and biasing the free end portions (355) against a biasing surface (365) integral to the package (100) such that the free end portions (355) are forced toward the target plane (370) and into a coplanar state. The apparatus includes a housing (110), a plurality of leads (150) with free end portions (355) preformed to angle away from the target plane (370) mounted onto the housing (110), and a biasing surface (365), located on the package (100), to bias the free end portions (355) toward the target plane (370).

Abstract: A method for ultrasonically welding two plastic parts together. One part (30) has a weld joint feature (23) that is covered with a metal layer (27), and the other plastic part (25) has a complimentary weld joint feature. The two parts are joined together by ultrasonically welding the two weld joint features to each other. A force (40) is applied to the first and second plastic parts prior to the step of welding. The force is substantially in excess of that required to cause the two weld joint features to contact each other. This method creates an ultrasonic welded metallized plastic assembly. Each part of the assembly has a weld joint feature, at least one of which was covered with a metal layer prior to welding. Portions of the each of the two weld joint features are deformed to form a plastic weld joint through the metal coating.

Abstract: A display system includes a liquid crystal display, a light guide behind the display, and light emitting diodes. The light guide is a molded slab of clear material with a front display surface a rear surface and six bordering surfaces with two planes depressed into its rear surface and having two hollow half cylindrical extensions integrally molded with closed top and bottom ends. The rear surface and bordering surfaces and outer surface of the extensions are coated with reflective white paint. These extensions receive light from surface mounted LED's which are positioned directly below the extensions to redirect the light into the light guide.

Abstract: A vehicular adaptor for a portable communications device, such as a cellular telephone, pager, or two-way radio, is disclosed which includes a connector that aligns itself to a mating connector on the communication device. The connector permits spatial alignment of electrical contacts in the connector with electrical contacts in the communications device. A corrugated spring mounting clamp and a locating nest on the connector permit the alignment of connections.

Abstract: A detachable low profile mounting clip arrangement suitable for use with a portable hand-held electronic apparatus such as a paging receiver, includes a housing having a slot. A base member has a hook attached to one end and a pair of apertures at the other end. The hook engages in the slot of the housing while the apertures spring over a pair of wedge shape protuberancies in the housing and snap into place. A mounting clip or lanyard is attached to the base member.

Abstract: The molded resonator includes at least one formed resonator element having an resonator portion and opposed end leg portions which provide electrical connections to the main portion. A dielectric portion is molded about the resonator element. A conductive ground plane is carried by the dielectric portion and electrically shields the resonator element. The resonator element is formed of wire having a circular cross-section.

Abstract: An expandable chassis includes a four sided frame with a central opening to receive a plate or "shield" which is allowed to move within the frame between two predetermined positions. Protuberances on the shield contact the frame and limit its inward movement while outward movement is limited by a spring clip on the shield that snaps into an aperture in the frame. Tabs on the frame support integrally formed spring fingers on the shield which tend to force the shield outward. A membrane switch contact assembly and a speaker are respectively attached to the inside and outside surfaces of the shield. By compressing the shield partially into the frame, the chassis assembly slides into a molded plastic housing. A rubber key actuator pad on the outside of the housing has a plurality of keys each having a protrusion or "actuator" that extends partially into an actuator hole in the housing. When the key is depressed, the actuator depresses and activates one of the switches in the membrane switch contact assembly.

Abstract: An improved socket assembly is disclosed which is especially suited for use in printed circuitry with dense configuration of components in limited areas of surface. The socket is mounted on an associated printed circuit board and allows horizontal insertion of vertically stacked keyed components, from either side of the socket assembly. The socket assembly further includes a non-metallic insert, consisting of two mating halves containing a plurality of wire contacts of equal geometric diameters, capable of accommodating component leads of differing geometric configurations (i.e., square, rectangular, triangular, round, etc.) which provide pressure to the component lead thereby holding the component in place. The insert is unaffected by the molten solder or flux used during the manufacturing process and prevents entry of contaminating material into the interior of the socket assembly during the soldering process thereby eliminating electrical shorting problems occasionally caused by the soldering process.

Abstract: One specially designed fixture allows two components such as a microprocessor and its associated ROM to be simultaneously mounted on opposite surfaces of the substrate, with all or nearly all internal connections made through the area of the substrate between the components. A second fixture allows for wave soldering lead frames to the assembly while protecting the reflow soldered components. The method thus provides the most direct connections between the two components with all internal connections and external connections made by two automatic operations. A third component can be positioned astraddle the mounted assembly for minimum lead lengths.