Patents by Inventor Constance L. Williams

Constance L. Williams has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5130506
    Abstract: Pivotal movement of a switch actuator drives a finger projecting from the actuator against a convexly bowed leaf spring, depressing an intermediate portion of the leaf spring to an unstable concave condition. The leaf spring resists the actuator movement, initially with an increasing force but changing to a decreasing force at a predictable point in actuator movement to provide tactile feedback at an operator affixed to the actuator. The leaf spring is a flat beam. The spring force and point of changeover can be readily and predictably varied during manufacture by selecting springs having different widths, thicknesses or other variable parameters. A modular block holds the spring in the bowed condition and is positioned relative to the actuator finger by a support plate. The actuator finger drives the spring against a conductive rubber block, compressing the block against spaced conductors on a printed circuit to complete the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Zuercher, Edward G. Lewis, Michael G. Taranowski, Constance L. Williams