Manually Operated Latching Means Patents (Class 200/321)
  • Patent number: 11883943
    Abstract: An electric gardening machine includes a rod portion, including a machine tool head; an operation portion, disposed on the rod portion, including a first assembling portion having a first electrical terminal and a pressing member; and a controlling portion, including a shell body having a second assembling portion detachably assembled with the first assembling portion and a control module disposed in the shell body, a second electrical terminal of the control module being in electrical contact with the first electrical terminal, the control module being switchable by the pressing member to supply power to the machine tool head; wherein the shell body includes a first shell member and a second shell member connected with each other, the second electrical terminal is disposed through the first shell member, and the second assembling portion is disposed on the first shell member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Ping-Tzu Ho
  • Patent number: 11694862
    Abstract: A trigger switch assembly for use with an electrical device, including: a switch housing; a switch circuit disposed within the switch housing; an actuator rod configured for operable-interaction with a contact lever of the switch circuit; a trigger member having an actuator rod engagement recess configured for receiving a first end of the actuator rod therein, and, a finger-engagement portion configured for engagement by a user's finger so as to urge the actuator rod along the movement axis from the OFF position in to its ON position; and a lock-off mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: DEFOND ELECTECH CO., LTD., DEFOND COMPONENTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Wai Man Wong
  • Patent number: 11647883
    Abstract: A cleaner includes: a suction unit that guides dust and air; a main body that includes a dust separation unit for separating dust from air guided through the suction unit; a main body terminal mounted on the main body; a handle unit that is slide-coupled to the main body; and a handle terminal mounted on the handle unit and is connected to the main body terminal when the handle unit is slide-coupled to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Philjae Hwang, Eunji Sung, Taekgi Lee, Mantae Hwang, Jungbae Hwang
  • Patent number: 11393646
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor and a power supply that are connected by a switch disposed in an electrical circuit. The switch controls the on/off state of the motor and is actuated by a switch actuator that serves as a spring element. The switch actuator includes a guide plate supported on the housing, and a resilient arm that protrudes from the guide plate into an opening in the tool housing. When the switch actuator is in a first actuator position relative to the housing, the resilient arm is biased toward an edge of the opening and engages the edge, thereby preventing inadvertent movement of the switch actuator to the second actuator position. When the switch actuator is actuated by applying a bi-directional manual force to the resilient arm, the resilient arm is displaced from the edge, thereby permitting movement of the switch actuator to the second actuator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fernando Porchas Iniguez, Melchor Israel Chairez Lizcano, Jaime Moreno Terrazas, Alejandra Sanchez Hijar
  • Patent number: 11160425
    Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a main body having an upper end having a dirty air inlet conduit and a handle. The handle has a hand grip portion that extends upwardly and forwardly. An assembly comprising an air treatment member and a pre-motor filter media is removably mounted to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventors: Andre D. Brown, Wayne Conrad, Nina Conrad, Lee M. Cottrell, Dave Petersen, Jason B. Thorne, Adam Udy
  • Patent number: 10529508
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled heat dissipation apparatus includes a base (10), a telesignaling linkage member (20), a sliding plate (30) and a switch module (40). The telesignaling linkage member (20) is moveably installed on the base (10). The sliding plate (30) is installed corresponding to the telesignaling linkage member (20) and generates a movement along with the telesignaling linkage member (20). The switch module (40) includes a microswitch (41) arranged corresponding to the sliding plate (30) such that the microswitch (41) is operably opened or closed based on the movement of the sliding plate (30). Accordingly, through the opening and closing of the microswitch, the telesignaling monitoring on the functional module state can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DINKLE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shang-Tsai Wu
  • Patent number: 10218156
    Abstract: Enclosures for an electrical apparatus include a housing comprising a back and first and second spaced apart sidewalls extending outwardly from the back and providing an interior space and a door pivotably attached to the housing, the door having a primary body with a bottom having a bottom flange and first and second laterally spaced apart side flanges. The bottom flange and the side flanges have a folded inwardly extending edge joining first and second parallel wall segments that are orthogonal to the primary body of the door. The enclosure can also include at least one slot extending through the first and second parallel wall segments of the bottom flange and/or a retention bracket attached to an inner surface of the door that engages the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Johnson, James Lee Gehlbach
  • Patent number: 10195703
    Abstract: A machine tool, in particular an angle grinder, includes at least one switching unit that has at least one movably mounted ratchet element and at least one release element for unlocking a movement preventer of the ratchet element. The release element has at least one actuating region that is at least partially arranged laterally alongside an operating area of the ratchet element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelius Boeck, Daniel Barth, Joachim Schadow, Sinisa Andrasic
  • Patent number: 10121615
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled heat dissipation apparatus includes a base (10), a telesignaling linkage member (20), a sliding plate (30) and a switch module (40). The telesignaling linkage member (20) is moveably installed on the base (10). The sliding plate (30) is installed corresponding to the telesignaling linkage member (20) and generates a movement along with the telesignaling linkage member (20). The switch module (40) includes a microswitch (41) arranged corresponding to the sliding plate (30) such that the microswitch (41) is operably opened or closed based on the movement of the sliding plate (30). Accordingly, through the opening and closing of the microswitch, the telesignaling monitoring on the functional module state can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: DINKLE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shang-Tsai Wu
  • Patent number: 10112252
    Abstract: A wire feeder includes a tensioner with a discrete number of compressive force settings for applying a desired compressive force to welding wire fed through the wire feeder is provided. The tensioner includes an adjustment knob with a discrete number of detents disposed along a helical surface adjacent an inner bore of the adjustment knob. The tensioner also includes a pin extending from an end of a tensioning post located in the inner bore, the pin being configured to align with the detents of the adjustment knob. Rotation of the adjustment knob adjusts alignment of the pin among the discrete number of detents, which correspond to the discrete number of compressive force settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin David Romenesko, Paul William Garvey
  • Patent number: 10049832
    Abstract: A displacement switch includes a main operation portion having a hollow shape. The main operation portion includes a top surface via which the displacement switch is operated, and a side surface connected to the top surface to define the hollow shape. The displacement switch also includes a support member connected to the main operation portion and swingable around a swing axis together with the main operation portion, and a base including a peripheral wall surrounding an insertion inlet into which the support member is inserted. The main operation portion covers the insertion inlet such that the side surface surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakagawa, Masahiro Kuroda, Keisuke Miura, Ikuhiro Uotani, Satoshi Tajima, Hiroyuki Anami, Hayato Kawano
  • Patent number: 9919409
    Abstract: An electric power tool has a tool housing and a drive motor configured to drive an insert tool. The drive motor is switched on and off by an electric switch actuated by a switching device. The switching device has at least one switching slide with a first end and a second end. The first end has a receiver configured to receive an operating element. The second end is connected to an actuating element configured to actuate the electric switch. The receiver has a first region that tapers into a second region. The operating element has a connecting web connected to a holding element. The holding element has an extent that is less than or equal to an assigned extent of the first region. The connecting web has an extent that is less than or equal to an assigned extent of the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schomisch, Manfred Lutz
  • Patent number: 9735516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in connector (10) that has an insulation insert (1) and at least one contact element (2), wherein the at least one contact element (2) is connected to a conductor of a cable, wherein the insulation insert (1) has at least one receptacle, in which the at least one contact element (2) and the at least one section of the conductor connected thereto are provided, wherein a first seal (7) that seals the insulation insert (1) is provided in the at least one receptacle, wherein the at least one contact element (2) is sealed in the insulation insert (1) using the first seal (7) and wherein the conductor connected to the at least one contact element (2) is sealed in the insulation insert (1) using a second seal (8). According to the invention, the at least one contact element is held in a receptacle that is substantially formed from an opening (3) and two legs (4) axially protruding therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: HARTING AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Valentin Ens, Marco Grinblats, Wolfgang Neuhaus, Daniel Boesch
  • Patent number: 9615690
    Abstract: A cooking appliance including a housing and cooking vessel having a rim. A lid covers the cooking vessel when seated on the rim. At least one latch is disposed on the lid and a complementary engagement member is disposed on a sidewall of the housing. The at least one latch includes a base attached to the lid, a rotating arm having a cammed head at one end that engages the base, and a rod pivotally connected to the cammed head on one end and having a foot disposed at an opposite end. The rod passes through an aperture in the base and the cammed head engages the base as the arm is rotated. The rotation of the arm causes an axial displacement of the rod to cause a stop member on an end of the rod to engage the engagement member to seal the lid to the cooking vessel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jamal F. Hammad
  • Patent number: 9589755
    Abstract: A switch assembly including a housing. An escutcheon portion on the front surface of the housing has a raised platform. A transition ramp extends from the platform to a rest area and a finger area is adjacent the rest area. A perimeter frame encloses the finger area so that the escutcheon portion defines opposing notches aligned with the rest area. A handle has a hub with an axial bore so that a pivot pin insert through the axial bore rotatably couples the handle to the housing. A finger grip extends from the hub. The finger grip has a surface for selectively abutting against the rest area and a textured portion for manual actuation when a finger in inserted into the finger area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Keith A. Singer, Clifford Buxton
  • Patent number: 9508497
    Abstract: An electric switch, in particular for an electric power tool, in particular a hammer drill, comprises a first switching device and a second switching device, wherein the first switching device can be adjusted by adjusting a first mechanical signaling means from a first switched state to a second switched state, wherein the second switching device can be adjusted by adjusting a second electrical or mechanical signaling means from a third switched state in which the electric switch acts as a pushbutton into a fourth switched state in which the switch acts as a rocker switch. The disclosure further relates to an electrical power tool having an electric switch according to the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Kuhnle, Peter Schwenkel
  • Patent number: 9466442
    Abstract: A locking switch assembly includes a locking switch having a locking plunger, and an actuator has a housing and a cover. The actuator has a through hole, and the through hole receives the locking plunger. The actuator having a non-access mode and an access mode, and at least one of the housing or the cover is configured to change from the non-access mode to the access mode. The housing or the cover has a cap, and at least a portion of the cap prevents access to the through hole in the non-access mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Roberto S. Santos, Elik I. Fooks
  • Publication number: 20150034465
    Abstract: A power tool includes at least one grip housing having at least one handle-shaped grip region and at least one switching unit having at least one movably mounted latch element. The at least one movably mounted latch element has a maximum width that extends over at least a major part of at least one maximum width of the at least one handle-shaped grip region of the at least one grip housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelius Boeck, Daniel Barth, Joachim Schadow, Sinisa Andrasic
  • Patent number: 8859917
    Abstract: A latch assembly is provided for securing a switch operator to a contact block. The latch assembly includes a collar designed to retain the switch operator in the latch assembly. The latch assembly also includes a housing having one or more apertures for receiving fasteners to secure the contact block to the latch assembly. The collar is displaceable within the housing between a locked position that secures the switch operator and an unlocked position that permits disengagement of the switch operator from the collar. When the collar is in the locked position, corresponding apertures in the collar align with the one or more apertures in the housing, permitting the fasteners to be inserted through the collar apertures. Insertion of the fasteners through the collar apertures secures the collar in the locked position, thereby impeding unintentional disconnection of the switch operator from the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Li, Darrell S. Filtz
  • Patent number: 8716617
    Abstract: A power tool includes a linear activation switch incorporating features to prevent accidental activation. More particularly, the switch includes a switch cap that must be first rotated or pivoted before it can be linearly translated to activate the switch. The power tool includes a housing defining a guide track having a first section and an second section, offset from each other by a third section. The switch includes a switch cap having guide ribs, a first slidably disposed within the first section and a second rib one initially situated within the third section. The switch cap is pivotable about the first guide rib so that the second guide rib moves within the third section into alignment with the second section of the guide track. The switch cap can then be moved linearly with the second guide rib sliding within the second section, with this movement activating the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Kevin Wasielewski
  • Publication number: 20140008189
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an electronic circuit breaker. The electronic circuit breaker has a moveable contact arm having a moveable main electrical contact, and a lockout mechanism operable to contact the moveable contact arm and block motion of thereof, the lockout mechanism having a lockout latch with one or more pivot joints, a moveable stop on, and an offset engagement portion, the moveable stop adapted to contact the moveable contact arm, and an unlock actuator providing an unlock force at the engagement portion causing lockout latch pivoting and release of the moveable contact arm. Also disclosed are secondary electrical contacts configured to engage each other in the ON configuration, with a leaf spring operably supporting a moveable one of the secondary contacts, the leaf spring configured to be flexed to close the secondary contacts. A method of operating the electronic circuit breaker is provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Guang Yang, Timothy Biedrzycki
  • Publication number: 20130168213
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having a mechanical trip mechanism enabling a circuit breaker to perform an emergency manual trip operation is provided. The circuit breaker includes: a fixed contactor connected to a circuit; a movable contactor movable to a closed state in which the movable contactor is in contact with the fixed contactor and a broken state in which the movable contactor is separated from the fixed contactor, an opening and closing mechanism configured to convert a rotational motion of a plurality of links and a rotational shaft to enable the movable contactor to be brought into contact with the fixed contactor or separated therefrom; a trip latch locked to or unlocked from a main link provided in the opening and closing mechanism; and an OFF button configured to rotate the trip latch to unlock the trip latch from the main link when manually pressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LSIS CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130126319
    Abstract: An switching mechanism is disclosed for an electrical switching device. In at least one embodiment, the switching mechanism is for a low-voltage circuit-breaker. Further, an electrical switching device is disclosed, in particular a low-voltage circuit-breaker, with a switching mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Ludvik GODESA
  • Patent number: 8331107
    Abstract: A key button mechanism and a portable electronic device using same are provided. The key button mechanism includes a key button and a capturing element detachably latching with the key button. The key button includes a key body and two spaced-apart latching hooks protruding from the same surface of the key body. The capturing element includes a main body having two assembling holes spacingly defined therethrough, each assembling hole corresponds to one of the two latching hooks of the key button, each latching hook of the key button passes through one of the two assembling holes of the capturing element and detachably latches to the capturing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Zhi-Bin Ouyang
  • Patent number: 8151471
    Abstract: A control handle included in a bush cutter is provided. A driving controller is switched on so that the cutting blade is driven in an adjusted speed mode at a rotation speed set by a speed adjuster. The control handle includes a high-speed mode controller configured to set the rotation speed of the cutting blade to a high rotation speed, and an interlock device provided between the driving controller and the high-speed mode controller and configured to interlock the driving controller and the high-speed mode controller when the high-speed mode controller is switched on so as to move the driving controller concurrently with the high-speed mode controller. When the high-speed mode controller is switched on, the driving controller is concurrently switched on by the interlock device so that the cutting blade is driven in a high-speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Tomiyama, Masanobu Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20110182047
    Abstract: A key button mechanism and a portable electronic device using same are provided. The key button mechanism includes a key button and a capturing element detachably latching with the key button. The key button includes a key body and two spaced-apart latching hooks protruding from the same surface of the key body. The capturing element includes a main body having two assembling holes spacingly defined therethrough, each assembling hole corresponds to one of the two latching hooks of the key button, each latching hook of the key button passes through one of the two assembling holes of the capturing element and detachably latches to the capturing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: ZHI-BIN OUYANG
  • Publication number: 20090301850
    Abstract: A push-to-trip assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The push-to-trip assembly includes a push-to-trip actuator having first and second ends and being movable among a first position corresponding to the circuit breaker separable contacts being closeable, and a second position corresponding to the second end cooperating with a trip bar to cause the circuit breaker operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The first end is accessible from the exterior of the housing to actuate the push-to-trip actuator from the first position to the second position. A biasing element biases the push-to-trip actuator away from the base toward the first position. At least one cover stop of the push-to-trip actuator engages a corresponding portion of the housing cover to stop movement of the push-to-trip actuator. An overtravel restraint proximate the second end of the push-to-trip actuator restrains movement of the trip bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Craig J. Puhalla, Kelly J. McCarthy, Mark A. Janusek, Ronald W. Brand
  • Patent number: 7459649
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Inventor: Albert Huang
  • Publication number: 20080237016
    Abstract: A latch assembly for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The latch assembly is structured so that force from the closing spring is directed along a line extending through the pivot point of a latch prop. A reset assembly for the latch prop is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Perry R. Gibson, Paul R. Rakus, Douglas C. Marks, Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert M. Slepian, Roger J. Briggs
  • Patent number: 7297888
    Abstract: A food slicer has a housing with a first push-button for actuating an electric switch for operating the cutting blade and a second push-button, i.e., a safety button, locking the first push-button against actuation. The second push-button actuates a mechanical lock which can be engaged and disengaged, blocking the first push-button in an inserted position of the lock, thereby preventing actuation of the electric switch that triggers an electric motor drive used to actuate a circular cutting blade. The first push-button is formed with a stop surface for the lock on which the lock is arranged, when it is in an inserted position, either at or in close vicinity of an axis extending through the center of the push-button surface, pointing in the direction of actuation, and on which the lock engages in an inserted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kovacic, Aleksander Sedovsek
  • Patent number: 7038148
    Abstract: An operating device of an electronic apparatus contains a rotatable operating knob protruding from a panel and stopper means for preventing the rotation of the operating knob. When the power of the electronic apparatus is turned off, the rotation of the operating knob is prevented by a stopper part of the stopper means. When the power of the electronic apparatus is turned on, the rotational operation of the operating knob is can be performed by releasing the stopper part of the stopper means. Therefore, when the power of the electronic apparatus is turned off, that is, when the adjustment of the electronic apparatus is not needed, even when a user inadvertently touches the operating knob, the operating knob does not rotate. Thus, a previously set value is prevented from being inadvertently changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 7002085
    Abstract: A slide switch, in particular for an electric small appliance, with a switch slide slidably mounted in a housing and a locking switch that is arranged in the switch slide and is adapted to be locked with the housing or with a member connected with the housing in at least one switching position of the switch slide. The locking switch is comprised of at least one resiliently biased pushbutton pivotal about a pivot axle, the pivot axle being arranged in a fixed relationship to the switch slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Ullmann, Thorsten Pohl
  • Patent number: 6992256
    Abstract: A disconnect mechanism for an electrical system that is integrated with the enclosure of the system, yet includes an external handle for closing and opening the electrical circuit. The invention utilizes the system's circuit breaker to switch the current on or off, eliminating the need for a separate external disconnect. Moving parts are limited to an external actuating handle connected by a shaft to an actuating arm, which has an opening whose inner edges press against a pin connected to the circuit breaker to trigger its movement between the on and off positions. Automatic tripping of the circuit breaker during a system overload moves the external handle to the off position, furnishing visual evidence of the systems working status. A watertight seal maintains the integrity of the electrical system's enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Wiley Electronics LLC
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Wiley, Palvin Chee Leong Chan
  • Patent number: 6979799
    Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun. The welding gun is adapted with a trigger. The welding gun may have a lever to lock the trigger in a desired pivoted position. The lever may pivot the trigger as the lever is pivoted. The welding gun may have a trigger extension to enable a user to pivot the trigger by depressing the trigger extension. The trigger extension may be plastically deformed. The trigger extension may be removable. The trigger extension may be rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 6958455
    Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a power tool includes a chassis; a trigger mounted to the chassis for movement between ON and OFF positions; an electrical switch mounted to the chassis for activation by movement of the trigger between the ON and OFF positions to close and open an electrical circuit; and a locking mechanism comprising a lock button and a latch, user-depression of the lock button causing deflection of the latch to enable depression of the trigger in the OFF position, the pushbutton retaining the latch deflected in the OFF position of the trigger until further depression of the trigger beyond the ON position releases the pushbutton from the latch to enable release of the trigger for return to the OFF position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Defond Components Limited
    Inventor: Nelson Man Hoi Lui
  • Patent number: 6949711
    Abstract: A locking switch includes a shaft that engages one or more electromechanical switches and a knob that is secured to the shaft such that when the knob is rotated, a rotary motion is imparted to the shaft and to the electromechanical switches engaged by the shaft. The locking switch also includes a lock ring having multiple slots and a lock lever that is attached to the knob and that is captured in one of the slots in the lock ring to prevent rotation of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Adams Litteer
  • Patent number: 6921873
    Abstract: A circuit breaker trip unit includes a housing and a rotary plunger pivotally mounted within the housing. The rotary plunger has an on position and a tripped position. A portion of the rotary plunger is pivoted outside of the housing in the tripped position. A trip bar is pivotally mounted within the housing and includes a first tab latching the rotary plunger in the first position and releasing the rotary plunger from the first position. The trip bar also includes a second tab. A trip actuator includes a solenoid and a rotary trip lever engaging the second tab of the trip bar, in order to pivot the trip bar and release the rotary plunger from the on position. A spring biases the trip bar, in order that the first tab latches the rotary plunger in the on position. A pair of springs biases the rotary plunger to the tripped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Puskar, Thomas A. Whitaker, William M. Randal
  • Patent number: 6911609
    Abstract: A push-button switch 5 disposed in a switch case 3 has c-contacts and a normally close contact electrically connected with a terminal block 9 via conductors 39. Leading ends 23 of cores of a cable 7 introduced into the switch case 3 are inserted in insertion holes 49a, 49b formed in the terminal block 9. Screws 53a, 53b mounted to the terminal block 9 are tightened to press the leading ends 23 of the cores against conductive connection portions, on one side, in the insertion holes 49a, 49b, thereby to establish electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Idec Izumi Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Miyauchi, Takao Fukui, Kazuya Okada, Yasushi Kamino, Ken Maeda, Yoshio Sekino
  • Patent number: 6861598
    Abstract: A power tool includes a hollow housing defining a handle with an external wall. A motor is disposed in the housing. A switch is pivotally mounted in the handle about a first axis for actuating the motor. The switch has a first locking abutment. A latch is located adjacent the switch and is pivotally mounted in the handle about a second axis generally parallel to the first axis for movement back and forth between an engaged and a disengaged position. The latch has a second abutment for engaging the first abutment and preventing the switch from being actuated. The latch when pivoted to engage the first and second abutments applies a force vector generally intersecting the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Bascom, John E. Buck
  • Patent number: 6812425
    Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a power tool, comprises a chassis, a trigger mounted movably to the chassis, and an electrical switch mounted to the chassis and activated by movement of the trigger between ON and OFF positions to close and open an electrical circuit. A locking mechanism attached to the chassis is user-activated to unlock the trigger in the OFF position and trigger-activated to release the trigger in the ON position. The mechanism includes a single, spring-loaded locking pin arranged to lock the trigger in both the ON and the OFF positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Defond Components Limited
    Inventor: Kin Yu Wong
  • Patent number: 6794593
    Abstract: An electric hand power tool has an on/off switch, an elongated switching key having a front end and a rear end and actuating the switch, a blocking lever carried by and projecting from the switching key to prevent or to allow turning on of the latter, the switching key being supported turnably, the switching key having a convex curvature starting substantially centrally and extending toward the rear end, the switching key carrying the blocking lever near the rear end, the blocking lever having an upper edge located under a tangent between the convex curvature and the rear end of the switching key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Kraenzler, Peter Stierle, Harald Krondorfer, Ralph Dammertz, Ralph Beetz, Mario Pauli
  • Patent number: 6759609
    Abstract: A switch lockout and rocker switch includes a switch cover, a rocker plate, a base, and a lockout slide. The rocker plate has opposite first and second ends, and is pivotally mounted to the cover. The rocker plate is thus pivotable about a pivot axis between oppositely tilted first and second tilted positions. The slide is selectively translatable relative to the base, being slidably mounted on the base for translation of the slide in a slide direction perpendicular to the pivot axis so as to slide relative to the rocker plate between a first lockout position and second lockout position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Sharmaine Laura Lynn Henderson, Lorne Monroe Henderson
  • Patent number: 6753490
    Abstract: The present invention is for an ambidextrous lockout switch system for use with a power tool. With the system of the present invention in place, a multi-step process must be carried out before the power tool can be activated. The system is adapted for the process to be carried out with either a left or a right hand. The present invention includes a handle body having a switch trigger or lever blockable by a barrier. The barrier is movable with either a left of a right lockout button, with the right lockout button being operably linked to the left lockout button. The system includes also a spring, which is mechanically coupled to the barrier. The spring effectively restores the barrier to a position in which the barrier blocks actuation of the switch trigger or lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: S-B Power Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Svetlik, Peter Domeny
  • Publication number: 20040074752
    Abstract: The present invention is for an ambidextrous lockout switch system for use with a power tool. With the system of the present invention in place, a multi-step process must be carried out before the power tool can be activated. The system is adapted for the process to be carried out with either a left or a right hand. The present invention includes a handle body having a switch trigger or lever blockable by a barrier. The barrier is movable with either a left or a right lockout button, with the right lockout button being operably linked to the left lockout button. The system includes also a spring, which is mechanically coupled to the barrier. The spring effectively restores the barrier to a position in which the barrier blocks actuation of the switch trigger or lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: S-B Power Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Svetlik, Peter Domeny
  • Patent number: 6653584
    Abstract: A successive switch device of a slot cutting machine includes opposite first push button and second push button mounted on the handle, and a positioning block secured on secured on the press switch. The first push button and the second push button may be locked with the positioning block, so that the press switch may be positioned after being pressed. Thus, the slot cutting machine may be operated successively. In addition, the slot cutting machine is available for the right-handed and left-handed users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Rexon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ruey Zon Chen
  • Patent number: 6621020
    Abstract: A breaking mechanism includes a latch receiver engaging a latch to allow a movable contact shoe to be closed, and a tripping device for rotationally driving the latch receiver to disengage the latch to open the movable contact shoe. An engaging surface of the latch engaging the latch receiver is formed as a projecting circular surface, whereas an engaging surface of the latch receiver engaging the projecting circular surface is formed as a recessed circular surface having a radius of curvature greater than that of the projecting circular surface. The center of the curvature of the recessed circular surface coincides with the axis of a support shaft supporting the latch receiver. The loads causing a tripping device to drive the latch receiver do not change even if the location of an engaging point is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Toyama, Naoshi Uchida, Tatsunori Takahashi, Seiichi Suzuki, Tsuneo Fujiwara, Yoshinobu Hamada, Nobuhiro Sekine, Yoshimi Jumonji, Toshizo Kaihoku
  • Patent number: 6610946
    Abstract: The power tool includes a body, a trigger mechanism and a manually operated locking member. The trigger mechanism is mounted to the body for rotation about an axis between an actuated position and a non-actuated position. The manually operable locking member is translationally mounted to the body for movement between a first position and a second position. The locking member cooperates with the trigger mechanism to provide first, second and third modes of operation. In the first mode, the locking member is in the first position and articulation of the trigger mechanism from the non-actuated position to the actuated position is precluded. In the second mode, the locking member is in an intermediate position between the first and second positions and the trigger mechanism is freely allowed to articulate between the actuated and non-actuated positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Covell, John Vantran, Robert P. Wagster
  • Patent number: 6600119
    Abstract: Switch position indications and interlocks for power breaker circuits for air-insulated medium-voltage switchgear assemblies, having the functional features of power switching, disconnection and grounding. The switch position indications and interlocks are integrated jointly in control modules and are provided by indication slides and interlock slides which are guided in a center plate which is arranged between a front-face cover plate and a retaining plate facing the inner region of the power breaker systems, with the center plate having a number of guide openings matched to the positions and contours of the indication slides and of the interlock slides, the cover plate having a number of viewing openings matched to the positions and contours of the indication slides and of the interlock slides, and the retaining plate having a number of bushing openings matched to the positions and contours of the indication slides and of the interlock slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karsten Freundt
  • Patent number: 6555773
    Abstract: An electrical switch for the speed setting of an electric motor in an electrical appliance includes a movable actuator member and a blocking structure. The actuator member is movable from an initial position into a plurality of actuating positions. The blocking means can be switched over between a blocking state for blocking the movement of the actuating member and a release state for releasing the movement of the actuating member. A first blocking means acts on the actuating member in the initial position. A second blocking means acts on the actuating member in the first actuating position. An actuating element has three switching positions for switching over the two blocking means. The first blocking means is in the blocking state in the first switching position. The first blocking means is in the release state and the second blocking means is in the blocking state in the second switching position. Both blocking means are in the release state in the third switching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Broghammer, Uwe Stratmann
  • Patent number: RE40125
    Abstract: An electric appliance includes a first electric power supply of first batteries arranged in a first pattern, and alternatively a different second electric power supply of second batteries arranged in a second pattern. An electrical ON-OFF switch has an ON-OFF position push-button switch actuator and a rotary switch actuator which releasably blocks that ON-OFF position push-button switch actuator in an OFF position. A tail end is equipped with a bistable OFF and ON switching function and with a momentary ON switching function unified into one electric toggle switch having a stable OFF position, a stable ON position, and a momentary ON position. A flashlight beam is cast with a first lamp and reflector assembly, an alternative second lamp and reflector assembly is substituted for that first lamp and reflector assembly and a second light beam of a different configuration is cast with that alternative second lamp and reflector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventors: John Wallace Matthews, Paul Youngcho Kim