Actuators Patents (Class 200/329)
  • Patent number: 11670466
    Abstract: A hand-held rotary power tool includes a housing that provides a manual grip zone that is grasped by the user during operation of the tool. The housing includes a switch opening that overlies an electrical switch that controls operation of a tool motor. The tool includes a switch actuator that is disposed in tool housing so as to be accessible to a user of the tool via the switch opening and is operable to control the position of the switch. The switch actuator is configured to damp tool noise and transmission of tool vibration to the tool housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Power Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Luis Felipe Gonzalez Jauregui, Jaime Moreno Terrazas
  • Patent number: 11462368
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for actuating an electrical switch housed in sealed electrical enclosure is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a handle assembly including a handle positioned on an exterior of a cover of the sealed enclosure, a trip bracket positioned within the sealed enclosure and a shaft connecting the handle to the trip bracket. A slider actuator is slidably mounted over an electrical switch positioned within the enclosure and operatively associated with or coupled to a toggle of the electrical switch. The slider actuator has a drive link which is adapted to engage the trip bracket such that rotation of the handle activates the drive link which causes linear movement of the slider actuator to move the electrical switch between on and off positions. The use of the slider actuator allows a higher density of electrical switches to be stacked within the sealed enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven John Taaffe, Anthony Dale Borzillo, Steven Howard Maddux
  • Patent number: 11169622
    Abstract: A mouse device with zero gapped switching for resistance comprises a housing unit, at least one pressing unit, at least one switch unit, and at least one adjustment unit. The housing unit includes a housing that surrounds a housing space. The pressing unit is connected to the housing unit, and includes a pressing body and an extension body. The switch unit touches the pressing unit and includes a switch module. The adjustment unit includes an adjustment base and a first elastic body. The adjustment base is movable between a first position and a second position. When the adjustment base is located at the first position, the first elastic body applies a force in the direction toward the switch module on the extension body. When the adjustment base is located at the second position, the first elastic body applies a force opposite to the direction of the switch module on the extension body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Corsair Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: I-Ning Chiu
  • Patent number: 11120954
    Abstract: An integrated switch is provided in the present application, comprising: a housing; a first circuit board, arranged in the housing; a movable stand, movably connected in the housing; a contact component; a second circuit board, arranged in the housing and connected with an inner wall thereof, and electrically connected with the first circuit board; an electric brush, arranged between the movable stand and the second circuit board, having one end connected with the movable stand and the other end slidably connected with the second circuit board, driven by the movable stand, the electric brush has a connection state after sliding to a first position of the second circuit board, and a disconnection state after sliding to a second position of the second circuit board, and the moving contact shifts from a power-on state to a power-off state after the electric brush slides to the disconnection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KEDU ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunkai Zheng, Ziping Li, Bangran Huang, Zhihao Chen, Zhihai Zhang
  • Patent number: 11024476
    Abstract: A push-button switch may include a housing, an operation unit, a lock lever unit, a transmission mechanism, a movement regulating portion, a contact mechanism, and a first biasing portion. The movement regulating portion enables movement of a lever body to a second position when an end of the operation unit on a housing portion side is positioned at an initial position, and disables movement of the lever body to the second position when the end of the operation unit on the housing portion side is positioned closer to an operation surface than the initial position in a movable direction. The first biasing portion biases the plunger from an operating position toward a return position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko Ogawa, Kazuaki Morita, Yusuke Komoguchi, Masami Nishida
  • Patent number: 11011325
    Abstract: A push button switch may include a housing, an operation unit, and, a lock lever unit. A lever body of the lock lever unit may have a locking portion capable of locking one end of a long jig in an extending direction. The housing may have a fulcrum projection that contacts an intermediate portion of the jig having the one end locked to a locking portion when the lever body is moved using the jig, and serves as a rotation fulcrum of the jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Morita, Yusuke Komoguchi, Tadahiko Ogawa, Masami Nishida
  • Patent number: 10998150
    Abstract: A push-button switch may include a housing, a plunger, an operation unit, a transmission mechanism, a contact mechanism, and a biasing portion. The plunger may have a first plunger that is disposed in series with the first plunger. The first plunger and the second plunger may be movable independently of each other. The contact mechanism may be configured to be opened/closed by movement of the second plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko Ogawa, Kazuaki Morita, Yusuke Komoguchi, Masami Nishida
  • Patent number: 10910174
    Abstract: A push-button switch may include a housing, an operation unit, a lock lever unit, and a biasing portion. A lever support portion may be connected to the operation unit so as to be movable together with the operation unit when a lever body is positioned at a second position. The housing may have a deformation portion that, when the operation unit is pulled in an opening direction when the lever body is positioned at the second position, deforms the lever body so as to be capable of releasing the pressing to the lever body by a holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuaki Morita, Yusuke Komoguchi, Tadahiko Ogawa, Masami Nishida
  • Patent number: 10817103
    Abstract: A touch panel device including: a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface arranged on an opposite side of the first surface; a second substrate having a third surface facing the first surface of the first substrate via a space; a first transparent conductive film formed on the first surface; a second transparent conductive film formed on the third surface; an adhesive layer formed between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film; and a decorative film that is fixed on the second surface, and includes a switch unit that projects in a direction from second substrate toward the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Masahiko Katayama, Yutaka Ueno, Katsuhiko Tanaka, Satoshi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 10763059
    Abstract: Embodiments of present disclosure provide a switch panel assembly comprising: a cover including a body and an first opening formed on the body; and a first button received in the first opening and switchable between a first position and a second position; the first button being coplanar with the cover while in the first position and being non-coplanar with the cover while in the second position. The first button of the switch panel assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure is coplanar with the cover in one of the on or off status, which leads to a better appearance of the switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric (Australia) Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Dahai Zhang, Zhen Ma, Pei Shang
  • Patent number: 10608421
    Abstract: A frame or the like incorporating a removable device for placement on a wallbox. The frame may be attached to a conventional wallbox without modification to the wallbox. The device may be mounted to, in or on the frame. A memory for the device may be situated on or embedded in the frame. If the device fails, it may be easily removed from the frame and replaced with a new or other working device without frame removal from the wallbox. The replacement device may be configured with information in the memory that contained the configuration for the failed device. The memory or the frame holding it may also be replaced if it fails; however, memory failure is rare compared to device failure. Thus, expense may be spared with just a replacement device and an available configuration in the remaining memory. The memory may have a secure trusted platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp Roosli, Ryan Gardner, Ravi Sagar, Brendan Donecker, Tom Woodruff
  • Patent number: 10600587
    Abstract: A transfer assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus has a first housing, separable contacts internal the first housing, and an operating handle having an ON position and an OFF position. The transfer assembly includes a rotary handle, a number of transfer components each structured to cooperate with the rotary handle, one of the transfer components being structured to engage the operating handle in order to allow the rotary handle to move the operating handle between the ON position and the OFF position, and a support assembly. The support assembly includes a second housing and a support member coupled to and located internal with respect to the second housing, the second housing being structured to be coupled to the first housing, the rotary handle being coupled to the second housing. Each of the transfer components is coupled to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Sujit Subhash Patwardhan, Ramesh Shivaji Powar
  • Patent number: 10468212
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electrical switch that includes a rotor cam having a rotor interface, a handle interface, and a spring arm interface. The rotor interface includes a plurality of side interface features that couple the rotor cam to a rotor of the electrical switch so that rotation of the rotor cam causes rotation of the rotor. The handle interface allows coupling of the rotor cam to a handle, wherein the handle interface is sized so as to allow a predetermined amount of independent rotation of the handle relative to the rotor cam before further rotation of the handle causes rotation of the rotor cam. The spring arm interface couples a spring arm of the electrical switch to the rotor cam so that a bias spring of the spring arm biases the spring arm against the rotor cam. Numerous other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Troy Groehl, Dan A. Fisher
  • Patent number: 10319541
    Abstract: A rotary motion switching apparatus is usable with a circuit interrupter and employs an attachment system in order to resist removal of the rotary motion switching apparatus from the circuit interrupter. The attachment system has three connectors that are engaged with an exterior surface of a housing of the circuit interrupter. The portions of the housing that are engaged by the three connectors are pre-existing portions of the exterior surface of the housing of the circuit interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: John Thomas Clark, Ramesh Shivaji Powar, Sujit Subhash Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 10312037
    Abstract: A rotary motion switching apparatus is usable with a circuit interrupter and employs an attachment system having a pair of connectors that are received in a pair of openings formed in a housing of a circuit interrupter and that are affixed to the housing within the openings in order to resist removal of the rotary motion switching apparatus from the circuit interrupter. The openings are pre-existing in the housing of the circuit interrupter and are provided to enable access by tools with terminals of the circuit interrupter to which load wires and the like are connectable. The connectors thus secure the rotary motion switching apparatus to the circuit interrupter by using openings that are already formed in the circuit interrupter and thus the rotary motion switching apparatus is usable without requiring a modification to the housing or to the molds that are employed to form the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: John Thomas Clark, Ramesh Shivaji Powar, Sujit Subhash Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 10312046
    Abstract: A rotary motion switching apparatus is usable with a circuit interrupter that is situated in a NEMA box or other box and employs an attachment system. An access port that is formed in a wall of the NEMA box or other box permits a shaft having a handle at an end thereof to be connected with the rotary motion switching apparatus. The rotary motion switching apparatus includes a universal joint on a rotational component that enables operation of the handle and shaft without binding on the wall of the NEMA or other box even if the access port in the box is offset from an axis of rotation of the rotational component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: John Thomas Clark, Ramesh Shivaji Powar, Sujit Subhash Patwardhan
  • Patent number: 10301172
    Abstract: To provide a contact point structure of an electronic device capable of maintaining stable impact resistance. There is provided a contact point structure including: a base portion that is a semiconductor substrate; a movable contact point portion that is supported by the base portion and is a part of a movable member capable of being driven in a predetermined direction; and a fixed contact point portion that faces the movable contact point portion. The fixed contact point portion includes a fixed portion that is supported by the base portion and an extending member that extends from the fixed portion and is capable of being displaced relative to the fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10157721
    Abstract: A breaker actuator includes a slide plate, at least one actuator lever, and a drive plate. The slide plate is linearly movable. The actuator lever is rotatable about a pivot. The actuator lever engages the slide plate and rotational movement of the actuator lever is actuatable by linear movement of the slide plate. The drive plate is moveable between an off position and an on position and is actuatable by rotational motion of the at least one actuator lever. A method for actuating a breaker includes moving a slide plate linearly from a first position to a second position, rotating at least one actuator lever about a pivot from a first position to a second position by the linear movement of the slide plate, and moving a drive plate in front of an electrical breaker from an off position to an on position by the rotational motion of the actuator lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: DEA Incorporated
    Inventor: Edward E. Netherton
  • Patent number: 10146210
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for controlling a process, where the process is implemented by a machine system. The system includes a user interface device and a first transceiver coupled to the user interface device. The first transceiver is configured to receive communications from the user interface device and transfer the communications. The system also includes a second transceiver in communication with the first transceiver and configured to transfer power to the first transceiver, receive the communications from the first transceiver, and transfer the communications to control the process implemented by the machine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne H. Wielebski, Michael L. Gasperi, David L. Jensen, David D. Brandt
  • Patent number: 9989345
    Abstract: There is provided a linear displacement measuring apparatus which notifies a user when being installed defectively. A slider includes a traveling body which travels along a main scale on the main scale, a carriage part mounted on an object, and coupling means which couples the traveling body with the carriage part. The coupling means allows relative displacement between the traveling body and the carriage part and biases the traveling body towards the main scale. The coupling means has a connecting rod arranged so as to couple the traveling body with the carriage part via a ball joint. The slider further has misalignment detecting means which detects that the relative displacement between the traveling body and the carriage part exceeds a prescribed allowable range. The misalignment detecting means is a pair of projecting pieces arranged in a vicinity of the connecting rod so that the displacement of the connecting rod is regulated within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazushi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9941063
    Abstract: A limit switch having a housing having a box, an attachment hold made in a side surface of the box, having a cylindrical bearing section, a rotating shaft rotatably inserted through the cylindrical bearing section, a cam unit provided in a leading end portion of the rotating shaft, and an operation lever provided in the other end portion of the rotating shaft. Rotational action of the operation lever is converted into vertical action by the cam unit in the box. A contact of a switch main body accommodated in and fixed to the housing is opened and closed. An outer diameter of the cam unit is smaller than an inner diameter of the attachment hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Takahashi, Kazuyuki Tsukimori, Shigenobu Fukui, Hiroyuki Moriyama, Yuichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9922779
    Abstract: A transfer assembly is for a switching assembly of an electrical enclosure. The switching assembly includes an electrical switching apparatus having an operating handle structured to move from an OFF position to an ON position. The transfer assembly includes a driving handle; a first shaft member coupled to the driving handle; a second shaft member structured to be coupled to the operating handle; and a transmission assembly having a first component and a second component, the first component being coupled to the first shaft member, the second component being coupled to the second shaft member. The transfer assembly is structured to move from a FIRST position to a SECOND position. When the transfer assembly moves from the FIRST position to the SECOND position, the first component drives the second component, thereby causing the second shaft member to move the operating handle from the OFF position to the ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuecheng Zhang, Matthew Rain Darr, Xuan Guo
  • Patent number: 9894797
    Abstract: Power switch manipulation apparatuses that allow users to manipulate power switches of FRUs mounted within storage racks in a manner free of a user having to physically reach into the storage rack to manipulate the power switches. One embodiment of the disclosed manipulation apparatus broadly includes a base member that may be rigidly secured to a portion of the frame of a storage rack (e.g., on a side or vertical member adjacent a rear door or opening of the rack at the same or similar height as at least one of the power switches) along with a tool that is movably mounted or mountable to the base member for manipulating a power switch of a FRU mounted in the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Ramanan Sampath
  • Patent number: 9861991
    Abstract: A torque sensing device capable of measuring the force exerted by a torque arm on a lever is positioned between the torque arm and the lever. The torque arm is connected to the pinion of a planetary gearbox for rotating the bowl and screw conveyer of a decanter centrifuge at different speeds. The torque sensing device measures the torque between the pinion gear and the planetary gearbox. The sensor can be connected to a controller which can reduce the flow of the liquid/solid mixture to the decanter centrifuge thereby/reducing the torque and avoiding substantial damage to the planetary gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Engip, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Hilpert
  • Patent number: 9852853
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to thermally fused spacers. In one example, keyboard membranes including thermally fused spacers include a first circuit including a first conductive trace and a first key contact of the keyboard membrane, where the first conductive trace is coupled to the first key contact, a second circuit including a second conductive trace and a second key contact of the keyboard membrane, where the second conductive trace is coupled to the second key contact, and wherein the second key contact is to couple to the first key contact, and a spacer formed of a layer of thermoplastic material, a first thermoplastic film, and a second thermoplastic film, where the spacer is fused via the first thermoplastic film to the first circuit and via the second thermoplastic film to the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Luis C. Armendariz
  • Patent number: 9805882
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a locking device for an operating mechanism of a gas insulated switchgear, capable of locking or unlocking operations of an operating mechanism of disconnecting switches and earthing switches of the gas insulated switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seongho Jeon
  • Patent number: 9769950
    Abstract: Power switch manipulation apparatuses that allow users to manipulate power switches of FRUs mounted within storage racks in a manner free of a user having to physically reach into the storage rack to manipulate the power switches. One embodiment of the disclosed manipulation apparatus broadly includes a base member that may be rigidly secured to a portion of the frame of a storage rack (e.g., on a side or vertical member adjacent a rear door or opening of the rack at the same or similar height as at least one of the power switches) along with a tool that is movably mounted or mountable to the base member for manipulating a power switch of a FRU mounted in the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Stewart, Tina Vazirizad, Ramanan Sampath, Gilberto Figueroa
  • Patent number: 9768562
    Abstract: In one example, a modified electrical device includes a body and at least one connector on the body to make power and control connections with an active cover plate. A system includes an active cover plate with low voltage circuitry and a first interface and a modified electrical device. The modified electrical device includes high voltage circuitry and a second interface to connect to the first interface to supply low voltage to the active cover plate. A method for controlling a flow of power through a modified electrical device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Snap Rays LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy C Smith, Sean D Watkins, Martin Johnson
  • Patent number: 9742111
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a cover plate for an electrical receptacle. The cover plate includes first and second conductors that protrude rearward from the cover plate and are configured to contact terminals of a receptacle to supply power to a load associated with the cover plate. Insulators over at least a portion of the conductors inhibit the conductors from contacting other conductive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy Cornell Smith, Sean Daniel Watkins, Phillip W. Dietz, Richard Camden Robinson, Darren Knight
  • Patent number: 9530576
    Abstract: Provided is a device for remote operation of an electrical disconnect. The device can include a handle clamp configured to be secured to an extending member of the electrical disconnect. The device can further include a case clamp configured to be secured to a rigid portion of the electrical disconnect. The device can further include a cable having an exterior sheath coaxially surrounding an inner cable. The inner cable can be coaxially slidable with respect to the exterior sheath. The inner cable can extend through an opening of the case clamp and be secured to the handle clamp. The device can further include an actuator configured to coaxially slide the inner cable such that the handle clamp is actuated towards the case clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jody Rustyn Coleman, John Thomas Bobbitt, III
  • Patent number: 9528293
    Abstract: An operating attachment (10) for operating a push button or switch, which includes a housing, (12) a handling part (11) having an actuator element (19) supported by said housing (12) for rotation in a direction of rotation (U), an operating element (26) displaceable parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the housing for operating a push button or switch, an operating drive (37) for transferring rotary movement of the actuator element (19) into a linear motion of the operating element (26) between an initial position (A) and an operating position (B), and a latching device (42) for latching the actuator element (19) in a latched position (R). The attachment apparatus (10) further includes at least one encoding element (48) moveable between a first encoding position (K1) that allows for rotation of the actuator (11) into the latched position (R) and a second encoding position (K2) which limits rotation of the actuator element (19) prior to reaching the latched position (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: R. Stahl Schaltgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Kai-Uwe Wolpert, Ingo Wolff
  • Patent number: 9342091
    Abstract: A control grip is disclosed for off-road vehicles that functions as a combined stabilizing support and multi-function implement control device for the vehicle operator. The control grip includes a structural frame providing a mounting base with upright supports for a grab bar. The control grip mounts various control switches, which can vary in quantity, configuration, position and function depending on the work vehicle type. In one configuration, a pair of control switches are mounted at the distal end of the control grip, one switch positioned for manipulation by the operator's thumb for controlling a first range of motion of the implement, and a second switch positioned to be manipulated by the operator's thumb and/or index finger for controlling the implement's second range of motion. The control switch placement enables the operator to actuate one or both of the switches while maintaining a firm grip on the grab bar during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Daniel R. Klein, Joseph F. Tilp
  • Patent number: 9251975
    Abstract: An apparatus including a switch and a push-button coupled to the switch. The push-button can include a push-button head including a push-button face and a contact portion opposite from the push-button face. An applied force can move the push-button head in an actuation direction in a switch actuation plane relative to the switch to actuate the switch. The contact portion can actuate the switch when the applied force moves the push-button head in the actuation direction. The push-button can also include a compressible member that compresses in a compression plane parallel with and offset from the switch actuation plane. The compressible member can include a first end coupled to the push-button head and a second end opposite from the first end. The second end can be coupled to a fixed point relative to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Mark R. Brandau
  • Publication number: 20150060246
    Abstract: An inter-pole drive bar in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept is usable to extend among a plurality of poles of an improved switch apparatus and to cause the plurality of poles to be together moved between a CLOSED position and an OPEN position. The inter-pole drive bar is elongated and has a plurality of connection points that are connectable with the poles and further includes a number of features that avoid engagement or other interference between the inter-pole drive bar and the various structures of the switch apparatus. The inter-pole drive bar includes an elongated linkage element whose movement between the CLOSED and OPEN positions of the switch apparatus are primarily translation of the linkage element in a direction generally parallel with its longitudinal extent and translation of the linkage element in a direction generally perpendicular to its longitudinal extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Garett Sims, Christopher Michael Diroll, Jon Christopher Beaver
  • Publication number: 20150041296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch spring arrangement for operating a switch, comprising a first spring arm that can be actuated by a card, and at least one second spring arm, with a contact dome at the free end thereof, for operating a switch that is located beneath the contact dome of the second spring arm, wherein the first spring arm can be actuated by the second spring arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. Bertsch
  • Patent number: 8952281
    Abstract: In a slide switch device in which a tactile-feel generation portion generates a tactile feel when a slider is operated to slide via an operation knob, the tactile-feel generation portion includes cam portions formed at a back surface of a flat plate portion of the slider, coil springs held at a guide base, and driving bodies that are elastically urged to the coil springs and are pressed to the cam portions. Elastic arms that elastically contact a guide flat surface of the guide base are provided at the flat plate portion of the slider. The elastic arms and the cam portions are arranged by the same number at positions separated from a shaft portion of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Shinya Muto
  • Publication number: 20150008110
    Abstract: An actuating device for actuating a function on a motor vehicle includes a touch surface actuated by a user. The touch surface is arranged in such a way that it can be moved under pressure from a first end position to a second end position. An elastic reset urges the touch surface into the first end position. A contact switch is arranged between the touch surface and a support surface. A guide sleeve and a guide pin guide the touch surface when actuated. When moving the touch surface, the guide pin is moved in an axial direction into the sleeve and is secured against lateral movement in a small diameter section of the pin. However, the guide pin can be tipped in the sleeve about a pivot point in the small diameter section, thus preventing the touch surface from being jammed in the event of a decentralized impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Thau, Janine Husemann, Petra Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 8912457
    Abstract: A controlling device of turning knob is disposed on a touch panel removably so as to control the touch panel. The controlling device of turning knob includes a base and a turning knob. The base has a bottom side, a top side, a plurality of first pads disposed at the bottom side, and at least two second pads disposed at the top side. The second pads are electrically connected to parts of the first pads. The base is assembled to the touch panel with its bottom side, such that the first pads touch the touch panel. The turning knob disposed on the top side rotates about a rotating axis. The turning knob has a plurality of third pads surrounding the rotating axis. When the turning knob rotates along a direction relative to the base, the third pads are electrically connected to the corresponding second pads sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Tien-Chung Tseng
  • Patent number: 8884172
    Abstract: A keypad apparatus for a portable communication device in which a plurality of pressurizing protrusions are integrated with a plurality of dome switches is provided. To this end, the keypad apparatus includes a keypad comprising a plurality of key buttons, a front frame provided on a top surface of the keypad, a light path provided on a bottom surface of the keypad, and a plurality of dome switches provided on a bottom surface of the light path, such that a respective plurality of pressurizing protrusions are integrated with the plurality of dome switches on top surfaces of the plurality of dome switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Hyun Lee, Seok-Gyu Lee, Cheol-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 8872053
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a housing with an opening. A button may be formed within the electronic device. The button may have a button member that is actuated by a user. The button member may translate within an opening in the electronic device housing when actuated by a user. The button may have a shaft that is coupled to the button member by a coupling mechanism. When the button member is laterally translated within the opening, the coupling mechanism may rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis. The button may be provided with detents using a detent biasing mechanism. The detent biasing mechanism may be based on a spring having grooves that interact with a protrusion on the shaft or a spring-loaded pin that engages recesses in the shaft. A switch mechanism for the button may be formed using traces on the shaft, spring-type switch contacts, and other structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. Wittenberg
  • Publication number: 20140284192
    Abstract: A device for medium or high voltage switching element gear, the device having: a switching element for connecting two conductors: and a driving rod for operating the switch, wherein the driving rod comprises at least a surface layer of an electrically high resistance material. The electrically high resistance material ensures that a small current will flow through the material due to the present electrical field. This small current will cause a heating of the driving rod, such that condensation is reduced or prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: EATON INDUSTRIES (NETHERLANDS) B.V.
    Inventors: Arend Lammers, Gerard Schoonenberg
  • Publication number: 20140251771
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a slide fasteners (SF1, SF4, SF7), each of which: is interposed between a power supply unit (PU) and signal unit (SU) provided on an input side, and a powered device (DK) provided on an output side; has uniquely shaped elements (20, 50, 80) created by means of a new idea; and forms an input/output line (L12) that enables the operation of a powered device (DK) by means of the closing action of the slide fastener (SF1, SF4, SF7). [Solution] A slide fastener (SF1) is configured from: mutually facing rows of elements (20) provided along the edges of opening/closing sides of mutually opposed fastener tapes (10); and a slider (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Masaki MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140224629
    Abstract: A contact slider unit is disclosed for a switching unit, in particular for a circuit breaker, having a contact slider and a contact piece. In an embodiment, the stabilising element preventing bridge rotation is arranged on the contact piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernhard Rösch, Alexander Spies
  • Patent number: 8803013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-tamper cam system 2 used to selectively operate a safety interlock switch 6. The cam system 2 comprising a cam 12 selectively rotatable between two positions in order to activate the switch 6. The cam 12 has a locking system 20, 22; 32a, 32b to lock the cam 12 in one of its positions. The locking system 20, 22; 32a, 32b comprises a separate mechanical locks 20, 22; 32a, 32b on each side of the cam 12, each of which must be unlocked using a dedicated key actuator 8 before the cam 12 can be rotated to its other position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Idem Safety Switches Limited
    Inventors: Medi Mohtasham, Hamed Faridfar
  • Publication number: 20140151206
    Abstract: A movable contact arm assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The movable contact arm assembly includes a first member, and a second member attached to the first member. The first member is made from a first material, such as steel, and the second member is made from a second different material, such as copper. The first and second members each include first and second ends. The first end of the first member cooperates with the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. The first end of the second member is attached to the second end of the first member. A movable contact is disposed on the second end of the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES G. MALONEY, ROGER W. HELMS
  • Patent number: 8723064
    Abstract: A button mechanism includes a casing. A lock hole and an engaging portion are formed and disposed on a bottom of the casing, and a plurality of open slots is formed on a lateral wall of the casing. The button mechanism further includes a plurality of buttons respectively disposed on the corresponding open slots, a fixing component, and a supporting component. An end of the supporting component is engaged with the engaging portion. The supporting component includes a first part whereon a piercing hole is formed. The fixing component pierces through the piercing hole and the lock hole to fix the first part on the bottom of the casing. The supporting component further includes a second part connected to the first part and contacting against the plurality of first buttons for constraining movements of the plurality of buttons relative to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Chang Cheng, Chih-Peng Chen
  • Publication number: 20140054146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a driven machine tool, and in particular to an angle grinder or a straight grinder, and which includes a drive unit having a drive switch for switching the drive unit on and off, a housing in which the drive unit is at least partially received, and an actuation mechanism for actuating the drive switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: METABOWERKE GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Hiller
  • Patent number: 8641525
    Abstract: An improved controller (10) for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller (1), which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs (2), (3), (4), (5), and has two additional controls (11) located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle fingers of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger
  • Patent number: 8624142
    Abstract: An electrical device controller is provided for controlling power to a load. The controller includes a housing having an open face and a plate having a unitary aperture secured to the housing and disposed over the open face. The controller further includes an electrical power controller component positioned within the housing for coupling to a power source and a load, a first actuator coupled to the electrical component, and an adjacent second actuator coupled to the electrical component. The first actuator has a movable user operable portion that is user accessible via the unitary aperture for controlling power ON/OFF to the load. The second actuator has a movable user operable portion that is user accessible via the unitary aperture for adjusting magnitude of power delivered to the load. The movement and position of the respective user operable portions of the first and second actuators are mutually independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Renjith Mathew, Walter Ancipiuk, Yun Wu, Alfred J. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 8618430
    Abstract: A spring operated actuator for an electrical switching apparatus. The actuator has a main shaft transmitting the actuation movement to the switching apparatus and has opening spring means and closing spring means. The opening spring means includes an opening torsion spring and the closing means includes a closing torsion spring. The axes of the torsion springs extend in the same direction and at a distance from each other that is less than 20% of the external opening spring diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Daniel Staffas, Johannes Tredoux, Mats Holman