Split Housing Patents (Class 200/303)
  • Patent number: 6864451
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case having an opening, and separable contacts having a closed position and an open position housed within the case. An operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts includes a pivot and a pair of extension springs for moving the operating mechanism to close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism further includes an operating handle for operating the operating mechanism. The operating handle includes a first or handle portion extending through the opening of the case and a second arm portion having a pair of elongated arms within the case. Each one of the extension springs extends between a corresponding one of the elongated arms and the pivot. The operating mechanism further includes a pair of links having an unbroken state corresponding to the closed position of the separable contacts and a broken state. One of the links pivots about the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 6812422
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, separable contacts, an operating mechanism having an open position, a snap closed position, a closed position, an operating handle for moving the operating mechanism between the open and closed positions, a movable contact arm carrying a movable contact, a link having a first end pivotally mounted with respect to the case, a second end and a projection, and a linkage. A first end of the linkage is pivotally mounted to the link second end. A second end of the linkage is pivotally mounted to the movable contact arm. A flexible cantilever lever is fixed within the case, engages the link projection and holds the link in the open position of the operating mechanism. The flexible cantilever lever flexes and releases the link projection and releases the link as the operating handle moves the operating mechanism from the open position to the snap closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 6812423
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, a trip mechanism having an armature mechanism responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contacts. The operating mechanism includes an open position, a closed position, a tripped open position, a lock, a first link and a second link having a base and a pair of legs. The lock is pivotally mounted to and substantially between the legs of the second link. The first link is pivotally mounted to the second link. The first link and the second link have an unbroken state in the closed position and a broken state in the tripped open position. The lock maintains the unbroken state in the closed position and responds to the armature mechanism to release the first link and the second link to the broken state in the tripped open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Rodgers, Lance Gula, Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 6803536
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, separable contacts housed within the case, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contacts. The operating mechanism includes a first pivot, a catch link and a U-link. The catch link has a first end and a second end, is pivotally mounted to the first pivot at the first end of the catch link, and is pivotally mounted to the U-link at the second end of the catch link. An operating handle includes a first handle portion extending through an opening of the case, a second elongated arm portion within the case, and a second pivot between the first and second portions. An independent operating handle link has a first end and a second end, is pivotally mounted to the second pivot at the first end thereof, and is pivotally mounted to the first pivot at the second end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 6800823
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, separable contacts having a fixed contact and a movable contact, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a closed position, an open position, an operating handle for moving the operating mechanism between the open and closed positions, a movable contact arm carrying the movable contact, a linkage having a first end and a second end, and a snap lever. The second end of the linkage is pivotally mounted to the movable contact arm. The snap lever holds the linkage in the open position of the operating mechanism and releases the linkage as the operating handle moves from the open position toward the closed position of the operating mechanism, in order to snap close the separable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Malingowski, Craig A. Rodgers, Lance Gula, Randal D. Gazdecki, Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 6800824
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a case, a frame fixedly disposed within the case, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The frame includes a tab. The operating mechanism includes an operating handle, a closed position, an open position, a linkage, such as a pair of links, having a first end and a second end, and a link pivotally mounted to the case and to the first end of the linkage. The tab of the frame engages and stops movement of the link in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Slepian, Craig A. Rodgers, Lance Gula
  • Patent number: 6791046
    Abstract: A switch assembly is described having one or more switches and a holder. The switches are preferably of a pushbutton type having an outwardly extending flange. The holder includes a cover and base with a pair of upright arms. The cover includes a three-sided opening. As assembled, the upright arms receive a switch and the combination is received in the three-sided opening of the cover. A switch subassembly is further described having a circuit board and quick-disconnect unit. Such improved switch and switch subassembly allow a technician to quickly change out a defunct alarm system switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Corey T. King
  • Patent number: 6743992
    Abstract: A retaining device (30) for a sensor (10) includes a front wall (34), a rear wall (32), and a sidewall (36) connecting between the front wall and the rear wall. a pair of poles (361) extends perpendicularly from the sidewall. A pair of L-shaped hooks (38, 321) is arranged at the front and rear walls respectively. The sensor defines a pair of through holes (16). In assembly, the sensor is received in the retaining device, with the poles of the retaining device being received in the through holes of the sensor. The combined retaining device and sensor is then attached to an internal side panel (54) of a computer enclosure (50). The hooks resiliently engage with the internal side panel at aperture (541) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lin Hsu, Li Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 6692181
    Abstract: A connecting apparatus is provided for connecting a number of components, in particular for connecting the enclosure parts of circuit breakers. It includes a connecting element which has a shaft which passes through through-openings which are aligned with one another in the connection of the components, having an insertion end and having a holding end opposite it. In order to achieve firstly centering and secondly a turning or twisting distance which is as short as possible when the connecting element is twisted in order to brace the components, a first mounting depression, which holds the holding end and is aligned with the through-openings, as a centering cone, with the holding end being conical, forms a mating surface which corresponds with the centering cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Franz, Wolfgang Leitl, Josef Schmid
  • Patent number: 6657524
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a switching contact arrangement and a drive apparatus which operates it, with the connection between the switching contact arrangement and the drive apparatus being designed such that it is detachable. For this purpose, a contact support of the switching contact arrangement contains a coupling bolt, which produces a hinged connection to a lever arrangement for the drive apparatus. A holding piece allows a actuating shaft of the drive apparatus to be rotated to a position, and to be fixed in this position. This allows the switching contact arrangement to be removed without any problem, and subsequently to be replaced by another switching contact arrangement. Once the control panel for the circuit breaker has been removed, the holding piece can be placed on the actuating shaft and can be attached to a front housing body of the circuit breaker where the control panel would otherwise be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen, Artur Wajnberg
  • Patent number: 6621018
    Abstract: A reciprocal switch includes a shell with a stopper located therein, a connecting unit located on two sides of the stopper for generating circuit signals, two conducting units having movable contacts located on two sides of the stopper and engaged with an elastic element, and a displacement unit located between the two conducting units and exposed outside the shell. The displacement unit may be moved when subject to an external force to move the conducting units moving to either side to press the connecting unit on one side to generate circuit signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.
    Inventor: Hsin-Hsun Chen
  • Patent number: 6498310
    Abstract: A split housing circuit breaker having an auxiliary switch for connection to remote indicators that reflect the condition of the breaker has an actuator moveable between ON, OFF, and TRIPPED. When the actuator is moved between the ON and OFF positions, an auxiliary switch lever holds an auxiliary switch plunger against its bias to a normally-open condition for the auxiliary switch. When the actuator is in the TRIPPED position or reset to the OFF position after a fault, the plunger is allowed to extend and the auxiliary switch moves to the dosed condition. A trip lever sub-assembly includes an auxiliary switch lever that selectively acts on the plunger, a trip lever that selectively holds the auxiliary lever against the plunger, and a pin and torsion spring to rotatably interconnect the two said levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Bugryn
  • Patent number: 6441328
    Abstract: An electrical service switching device includes a contact point, a moveable contact piece, an auxiliary switch associated with the contact point and having a coupling element and an auxiliary switch contact point coupled to the moveable contact piece, the coupling element actuating the auxiliary switch contact point, and a T-shaped housing. The housing has a transverse web with two trailing narrow-side walls and a fastening surface perpendicular to the two trailing narrow-side walls, a longitudinal web with a leading front surface parallel to the fastening surface, leading narrow-side walls on both sides of the leading front surface, the leading narrow-side walls perpendicular to the leading front surface, and two trailing front surfaces parallel to the fastening surface. At least one of the two trailing front surfaces connects the transverse web and the longitudinal web. The auxiliary switch is releasably attachable to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Matejka, Richard Kommert
  • Patent number: 6373358
    Abstract: A compact power circuit breaker has a molded insulative casing providing the structural support and electrical isolation for the pole mechanisms mounted in cavities in the casing and the operating mechanism mounted to the front of the casing. A grounded barrier between the pole mechanisms and the operating mechanism protects the operator actuating push buttons controlling the operating mechanism and accessible through a molded insulative cover. Preferably, the grounded barrier is sandwiched between a rear section of the molded casing containing the pole cavities and a forward section to which the operating mechanism is secured. The grounded barrier is connected to an electrically conductive pan extending under the molded insulative casing which also houses electrically grounded linkages coupling the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupters of the pole mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Davies, Francois J. Marchand, Walter O. Jenkins, Paul T. Bottegal
  • Patent number: 6356450
    Abstract: A circuit board holder has or is provided with a face plate and with walls projecting from an inside of that face plate. A pair of opposite ones of such walls are equipped with circuit board retainers. Such retainers may be inside and/or outside of a space in the circuit board holder. The circuit board holder is equipped with one or more holder retainers or resilient snaps for releasably retaining that circuit board holder in an aperture of a panel. Such holder retainers or resilient snaps may have serrations for engaging panels of different thicknesses at their apertures. Such panel may be provided with a slot or slots at that aperture for access to the holder retainer or resilient snaps through the panel. The holder retainer or resilient snap may be released through such slots, such as by screwdrivers or other release tool, for removal of the circuit board holder or similar device from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hendry Mechanical Works
    Inventors: Paul E. Andreasen, Richard W. Sevier, James J. Keenan
  • Patent number: 6317019
    Abstract: A low-voltage multipole circuit breaker with high electrodynamic strength comprises a case made of insulating material, subdivided into a front compartment housing an operating mechanism commanding opening and closing of the circuit breaker and a rear compartment separated from the front compartment by an intermediate wall. The rear compartment is itself subdivided into individual compartments by separating partitions, each individual compartment housing one of the poles of the circuit breaker. The operating mechanism is linked to a pole shaft common to all the poles. The pole shaft is located in the rear compartment and supported by bearings passing through the separating partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Herpin, André Raso, Jean-Pierre Nebon
  • Patent number: 6210010
    Abstract: An illuminated pushbutton has a display assembly which is movable relative to a fixed part containing a switch assembly. The display assembly contains a plurality of solid state light generating devices which can individually or in combination provide illumination with variable coloring characteristics. A flexible circuit element connects these devices to electronic circuitry in the fixed part which controls the coloration of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: G. & A. Engineering S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Pontetti, Giorgia Pontetti
  • Patent number: 6087609
    Abstract: A arcing chamber housing is disclosed for a circuit breaker with a double turning contact breaker. The arcing chamber housing (1) is composed of two housing modules (2, 3) and an extinguishing chamber (19) is arranged in the area of the fixed contact pieces (6, 7) to extinguish the arcs which are formed between the contact pieces of the double turning contact breaker. In order to obtain a arcing chamber housing (1) which is easy and economical to produce, with extinguishing chambers (19) which have a reproducible extinguishing behavior once the arcing chamber is assembled, the two housing modules (2, 3) are substantially L-shaped parts whose inner marginal surfaces (4, 5) face each other. The first parts (17, 18) of the housing, which correspond to the first branches of the L-shaped housing modules (2,3), are designed as extinguishing chambers (19). Also disclosed are the housing modules (2, 3) used to produce such a arcing chamber housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Kloeckner-Moeller-GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Thilker, Wolfgang Erven, Klaus Jung
  • Patent number: 6046387
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn plant designated 17DHD7. This invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the inbred corn plant 17DHD7, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred plant 17DHD7 with itself or with another corn plant, such as another inbred. This invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred plant 17DHD7 with another corn plant, such as another inbred, and to crosses with related species. This invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of the inbred corn plant 17DHD7, and also to the RFLP and genetic isozyme typing profiles of inbred corn plant 17DHD7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Dekalb Genetics Corporation
    Inventor: Steven K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6034338
    Abstract: A lever switch arrangement used for vehicles comprising a first outer lever (3) provided with an operation rod (3a) at a base end portion thereof, a second lever (6) having a cylinder portion (6a) freely inserted into the first lever (3), and a third lever (22) rotatably inserted into the cylinder portion (6a) of the second lever (6). The switch arrangement further comprises a rotary knob (4) fixed at one end of the third lever, and an operation rod (22a) at another end thereof. A movable member (34) adapted to be operated in relation to the third lever (22) has a movable contact (35) and is rotatably fixed on a shaft rod (32a). The shaft rod (32a) is provided with a first substrate (14) at one end of the shaft rod (32a) and a second substrate (32) at another end thereof. The second substrate (32) is provided with a projection rod (32d) to be inserted into a through hole (14c) mounted on the first substrate (14), the second substrate (32) being integrally formed with the shaft rod (32a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norio Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 6008459
    Abstract: A molded plastic current limiting circuit breaker includes an interrupter assembly that includes an over-molded magnet, arc stack, baffle stack, and a chamber liner in which a trip unit is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Timothy R. Faber, Marsha F. Jennerjohn, Todd M. Munyon
  • Patent number: 6005207
    Abstract: A circuit breaker housing includes a base having a main portion and a separate subbase portion. The line contact arms for the breaker are mounted on the subbase portion and attached to the main portion which includes the load contact arms. The main portion of the base includes a bottom wall which insulates the load contact arms from the line contact arms along a portion of their lengths. In addition, the bottom wall forms a structural member which rigidly ties the two sidewalls of the main portion of the base. The bottom wall of the main portion of the base includes an opening through which line contacts coupled to the line contact arm make contact with load arm contacts coupled to the load contact arms. Adjacent to the opening, the main portion of the base includes vertical ribs directly tied to the bottom wall which strengthen internal and external side walls in the main portion of the base and reinforce the structural member formed by the bottom wall of the main portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard DiMarco, David A. Leone, Bruce D. Guiney, Neal Reeves
  • Patent number: 5977499
    Abstract: A linear slide selector switch for multiple channels for selecting between several switch positions. Specifically, there is a housing having a hinged door with a latch lock, the door rotates to a closed position and is held in a closed position by the latch lock. The housing also contains a slide and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has rows of contacts. A contactor is mounted to the slide. As the slide is moved linearly, electrical connections are made and broken on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Black, Kevin D. Kurtz, John Zdanys
  • Patent number: 5881865
    Abstract: A housing of electric switch is composed of a main body, a top cover, and a cover plate. The component parts of the electric switch are mounted in the main body. The top plate by the plurality of fastening bolts. The main body and the cover plate are made of a bakelite material resistant to heat and nonconductive to electricity. The top cover is made of a pliable plastic material and is therefore elastically deformable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Huey Ju Jang
  • Patent number: 5791458
    Abstract: A circuit breaker including a sliding connection between a trip unit and associated contact arm is disclosed herein. The sliding connection facilitates assembly of the circuit breaker and also permits a reduction of size for a circuit breaker of a given rating. An embodiment of the sliding connection includes a blade and jaw assembly connected between the trip unit and contact arm. Another embodiment of the sliding connection includes a blade or jaw assembly slidably connected directly to the contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Siemans Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Dimarco, David A. Leone
  • Patent number: 5761026
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting system for circuit breakers in an electrical panelboard assembly. The base and cover forming the circuit breaker casing has an integral foot extending from a bottom side. The foot is angled and has a notch on a side forming an acute angle with the bottom. The panelboard assembly has a bus cover adapted with a opening or opening to receive the foot. This secures the circuit breaker on one end, and a screw into a bus secures the circuit breaker on an opposing end. The bus cover has a rail which engages the notch in the foot. On an opposing side of the foot, a spring engages the foot and forces the foot into the rail. The spring is an integral part of the bus cover and is cantilevered at an angle to the main body of the bus cover. Ledges are formed integrally into the bus cover on opposing sides of the spring. The ledges prevent overstressing the spring while inserting the foot during installation of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Ronald Lee Robinson, Jerry Lynn Scheel, Dale Wayne Bennett
  • Patent number: 5746307
    Abstract: The PTT assembly (100) self locates and then locks a back support plate (106) and switches (146, 148) directly to an inner surface (134) of a housing wall (132). On the outer surface (136) of the housing wall (132), keypad plungers (116) self locate through holes (140) in the housing wall. The perimeter of the keypad itself is retained by a bezel (110) that snaps into the housing (132). A hook (130) extends from the bezel (110) to lock and fix the travel distance of the plungers (116) to the switches (146, 148). With the back support plate (106) firmly in place, the keypad actuation force remains consistent since the travel distance of the plungers (116) to the switches (146, 148) is fixed by the hook (130) length. Additionally, the back support plate (106) supports the switches without bowing under the applied plunger force further ensuring a consistent actuation force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve M. Joss, Tyler D. Jensen, Laurence E. Marvet, Julio C. Castaneda, David Auld, Steven J. Finch
  • Patent number: 5728982
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Tower Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Chepur P. Rao, Bryan A. Thurston, Robert J. Carreiro
  • Patent number: 5699899
    Abstract: The component has a casing base (1) which is coated with an elastomer layer (6; 9) in the region of apertures (4) and of an edge gap (15) between the casing base (11) and the cap (2). A good seal is thus produced, without any additional operations, when connecting elements (11) are pressed in or when the cap (2) is pressed on. The base can be produced from two plastics having different properties, using the two-component injection-molding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Lutz Kahlbau
  • Patent number: 5647478
    Abstract: A switch assembly having a switch contact section positioned with high precision by forming positioning portions for the switch contact section on a lower case 28. The lower case 28 is coupled with an upper case 2. Knobs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are pivotally supported on the upper case 2, respectively, and have operation rods 3b, 4c, 5c, 6c, 7c, 8a projected downwardly. The switch contact sections 11, 16, 19, 22, 25 and 26 have operation shafts 11a, 16a, 19a, 22a, 25a and 26a to be contacted with operation rods 3b, 4c, 6c, 7c and 8a, respectively. The lower case 28 is provided with positioning portions 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g and 28i for positioning the switch contact sections 11, 16, 19, 22, 25 and 26 at predetermined positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Hirai
  • Patent number: 5629504
    Abstract: A voltage switch including a casing, a plurality of terminals fastened to the casing, a bottom board covered on the casing and having a center opening, a contact slide mounted in the casing and moved within the center opening of the bottom board to alternatively connect the terminals together,, wherein the casing has a plurality of mounting grooves symmetrically disposed at two opposite sides; the bottom board is stamped from a metal plate and then bent into shape, having two screw holes longitudinally alinged at two opposite ends for mounting, and a plurality of upright hooks symmetrically and transversely aligned at two opposite ends and respectively fastened to the mounting grooves of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 5618212
    Abstract: A remote-control, foot-operated unit for use with trolling motors on boats is revealed. The unit has a snap-together design that does not use screw fasteners extending through holes. As a result, the sensitive electronic components are completely sealed from contact with any water or water vapor. The snap design has a back-up feature to prevent accidental snap-release in the event of shock loading. The assembly fits together as a sandwich, effectively positioning a sealing component in juxtaposition with the snap arrangements to promote a secure connection around the periphery of the unit, as well as a tight sealing engagement between the sandwich components to, in effect, isolate the sensitive electronic components from exposure to any moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Prentice Moore
  • Patent number: 5607047
    Abstract: A modular housing for a circuit breaker has first and second opposed side panels which engage one another at respective upper and lower edges defined by transversely extending flanges. The mated flanges define the upper and lower edges of the housing. When assembled, the side panels define an enclosure with front and rear openings, with grooves on the inner edges of the openings which receive tongues of respective modular front and rear panels of the circuit breaker housing. The front panel has an opening through which an operating lever protrudes when the housing is assembled, and the operating lever pivots on formations on the inner surfaces of the side panels. The modular construction of the circuit breaker housing allows different front and rear panels to be fitted to a common shell. For example, a range of circuit breakers having different operating handles and different terminal configurations can be provided at a relatively low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Circuit Breaker Industries Limited
    Inventors: Edward Leet, Manuel F. V. Ribeiro, Carlos A. Ferreira
  • Patent number: 5608603
    Abstract: A computer keyboard includes a printed circuit board, a rubber plate which is located over the printed circuit board, and a positioning device that positions the printed circuit board and the rubber plate in the keyboard. The positioning device includes an electrically insulating upper positioning plate located over the rubber plate, and a lower positioning plate located under the printed circuit plate. The lower positioning plate includes a plurality of socket units which project upwardly therefrom, and through the holes of the printed circuit board and the holes of the rubber plate. The upper positioning plate includes a plurality of generally L-shaped plug units which project downwardly therefrom, and through the holes of the rubber plate and the holes of the printed circuit board. Each of the L-shaped plug units has a vertical section formed integrally with a plate body of the upper positioning plate, and a horizontal section formed integrally with a lower end of the vertical section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.
    Inventor: Su Su
  • Patent number: 5593021
    Abstract: An electrical switch of a type having a detector probe with a sensor and a mounting, includes a housing having a bottom and a top which are detachably connected together solely by complementary locking elements. The mounting of the detector probe is rotatably supported in the top via a trunnion and secured by a fixture. Snapped onto the top is a cover which secures, partly via the fixture, the locking elements in their locking position and also secures the fixture in place, to thereby attain an assembly of the components of the switch without resorting to the use of screw fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignees: Bernstein Senso-Plus GmbH, Pulstonic Merten GmbH & Co. AG
    Inventors: Alfred Chwieralski, Rolf Wecke
  • Patent number: 5575177
    Abstract: A turn signal cancellation mechanism has an actuator and a pawl engagably interfacing therewith. In one aspect of the present invention, the pawl is disposed on an opposite side of a steering shaft from a handle interfacing segment of the actuator. In another aspect of the present invention, a unique pawl movably engages with a modified T-shaped slot within an actuator. A further aspect of the present invention provides a modularized system wherein a common housing interchangeably retains differing circuit boards, pivoting actuators coupled to handles, and various switches, depending on the specific options desired. In still another aspect of the present invention, a detent plunger has a shaft with a quadrilateral cross sectional shape along a portion thereof and an integrally formed semi-spherical cap. An improved fastening means is also employed to attach the present invention turn signal cancellation mechanism onto the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: LeRoy A. Poleschuk, James B. Wright, Dale R. Jesselson
  • Patent number: 5550342
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electrical switch assembly generally comprising a snap-action electrical switch disposed in a module frame assembly and connected to electrical contact pins for mating with a contact pin connector. A switch module assembly is connected to the module frame assembly and includes a switch actuator assembly for actuating the snap-action electrical switch. The switch actuator includes a latch spring guide that may be configured for either "alternate" or "momentary" actuation of the snap-action electrical switch and emits audio and tactile switch status indicators perceptible to an operator. The module frame assembly and switch module assembly are releasably connectable to and form an integral unit with a cap base assembly having a cap module with a low power LED illuminatable display visible under extreme ambient lighting conditions for indicating switch status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Danek, Harry N. Etters, Jr., Earl J. Genz, Brigg A. Johnston, Iran R. Littman, John N. Long, Anthony W. Meadors, Nicholas J. Mercadante, Mario M. Orrico, Stephan H. Schramme, Charles J. Shedore
  • Patent number: 5548094
    Abstract: A mounting base for an associated inductive proximity switch, with the mounting base having an approximately beaker-shaped plastic housing so constructed that the switching behavior of the proximity switch is independent of the respective mounting surfaces. A metal ring is disposed internally on a base bottom of the mounting base, with a diameter of the ring being approximately equal to transverse dimensions of the proximity switch. The metal ring is advantageously located in a corner area of the base bottom and a jacket surface of the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Werner Turck GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Burkhard Tigges
  • Patent number: 5539168
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a housing structure with accessory devices for power circuit breakers, which housing structure can essentially eliminate the need for complex and expensive methods for the insertion and positioning of the accessory devices in the main housing of the power circuit breaker. For that purpose, in the rear portion of the narrow side walls of the accessory housing enclosing an accessory device, there are first rigid guide and retaining members and second rigid retaining members located opposite one another, interacting with these members are a rigid third guide and retaining member and a flexible fourth retaining member, which are located in a recess of the top part of the main housing, which recess contains the accessory housing or housings. Actuator elements of the accessory devices, if any, and the corresponding bottom actuator openings in the recess interact as second and third guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Klockner-Moeller GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Linzenich
  • Patent number: 5486660
    Abstract: A split case magnetic circuit breaker has a bracket secured to the front of the breaker housing similar to that used to provide a rocker for operating the breaker manually and for resetting the breaker when tripped. The bracket is formed with a small access window so that the rocker can be reset, but cannot be manually switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Carlingswitch, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Fasano
  • Patent number: 5473128
    Abstract: A ceiling mounted wireless wall switch which has three main parts a base, a cover and a printed circuit assembly. The printed circuit assembly is mounted on the base and the base is mechanically engaged to the cover. The base portion of the base has a peripheral edge which has a series of upwardly extending spring fingers spaced around the peripheral edge and the spring fingers are spaced from each other and adapted to engage the cover. The cover has a base section, a, first wall and a second wall circumscribed by the first wall. The first wall has an inner surface with a series of pairs of spaced ribs positioned on the inner surface of the first wall, each of the pairs of spaced ribs defining a slide area, each of the slide areas having an impression formed there on and each of the slide areas has a top which is spaced from the base section. The top is open and each of the spring fingers engages one of the impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: C&K Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannu H. Pulli, Dan R. Test
  • Patent number: 5446251
    Abstract: A conducting assembly of a micro switch includes an insulating member which is made up of two molded pieces and a conducting unit which is enclosed partially by the molded pieces. The conducting unit includes a leg portion which is provided with a longitudinal reinforcing member that is formed along its length. The reinforcing member is partially enclosed by the insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 5440088
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes standard compartments each designed to accommodate a standard auxiliary indication or control unit. Each compartment is assigned to a predetermined function, the control device associated with this compartment being connected to the corresponding components of the circuit breaker supplying the information relating to this function. Customization of the circuit breaker can be performed by the distributor or fitter who fits a standard auxiliary unit in the compartment or compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Patrick Coudert, Jean-Pierre Nereau, Philippe Perrier
  • Patent number: 5436604
    Abstract: A molded case for a miniature circuit breaker provides a base and a cover whose outer mating peripheral walls, which form and enclose a cavity for housing a circuit breaker mechanism, have approximately equal widths, except for the projected handle area. In this handle area, the width of the peripheral wall of the base is increased and contains an aperture for receiving the handle, and the width of the peripheral wall of the cover is decreased to receive the increased aperture area of the base. This arrangement provides for full handle support in the base for ease of assembly; high ribbing for maximum strength for short circuits; and a minimum overall thickness of about 0.500 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Mrenna, Richard W. Weaver
  • Patent number: 5428502
    Abstract: A keyboard frame assembly mounting hardware includes a base frame having a plurality of female fastening device at the top, a plurality of oblong guide holes and a locating hole spaced along the longitudinal center line thereof, each female fastening device having a bridge strip bridged over a square hole; and a key switch supporting frame having a plurality of male fastening devices at the bottom respectively fastened to the female fastening devices, and a plurality of locating stub rods respectively inserted into the oblong guide holes and said locating hole, each male fastening device having a hook hooked on the bridge strip of the respective female fastening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 5343008
    Abstract: This is two embodiments of a sealed switch, one embodiment of which utilizes a plastic film which abuts the upper surface of the support portion and covers the upper edges of the walls defining the base and which is trapped between the upper edges of the walls defining the base and the cover portion forming a seal.The second embodiment utilizes a start button which comprises a disk like support which is formed of an elastomeric material that on assembly is trapped and squeezed between the upper edges of the walls defining the base and the cover portion forming a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventor: Ralph G. Ipcinski
  • Patent number: 5329083
    Abstract: An on-line switch includes a switch housing formed by combining an upper half shell on a lower half shell, a push-button switching device encased in the housing having a push button reciprocatively held in a button holder of the switching device and normally protruding upwardly outwardly beyond the housing for depressibly switching on or off of a power supply through the on-line switch connected between an input cord and an output cord of a power source, an electrically insulative protective cover integrally formed on an outer circumferential surface of the switch housing for completely shielding the switch housing for water proof and for protecting the cords from their damage, and a sealing cap formed as a telescopic bellows and made of electrically insulative elastomer material secured with the button holder of the push-button switching device for sealing the push button held in the switching device in the switch housing for water proof purpose, thereby providing an on-line switch of a power line suitable f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Shih-Wang Lai
  • Patent number: 5326952
    Abstract: This is an electric switch having an actuator with a transversely located movable contact moving within a housing having two parallel fixed contacts, the actuator includes projections from the exterior walls thereof, which ride in cutaways formed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: C & K Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph G. Ipcinski
  • Patent number: 5266761
    Abstract: A terminal board assembly for a dynamoelectric machine includes a body, a switch device associated with the body and having a movable actuating lever. An enclosures overlays the switch device and includes a pair of at least partially overlapping cover segments associated with the body for extending in part in enclosing relation about the switch device. Aligned passages extend through the pair of cover segments for the extension therethrough of a part of the actuating lever exteriorly of the pair of cover segments. A movable seat strip spans the passages and is associated in sealing relation with the pair of cover segments and the actuating lever part for accommodating the movement of the actuating lever while maintaining the sealing relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lynn E. Fisher, Richard A. Wandler, James P. Frank
  • Patent number: 5260530
    Abstract: An illuminated, press-at-any-point switching device which can be actuated by the application of or the removal of pressure at substantially any point along a surface of the switching device. The illuminated, press-at-any point switching device includes a cover, an illuminating member, a switching assembly and a mounting surface. The cover holds the components of the device onto the mounting surface. The device may also include a separate signal indicia to indicate the operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Tapeswitch Corporation of America
    Inventors: Edward W. Duhon, Timothy DiPeri