Push Button Patents (Class 200/341)
  • Patent number: 11972911
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing having a key hole formed therein and including a switch disposed therein, the key hole being formed such that a first length is longer than a second, perpendicular length and a key assembly coupled to the housing, a portion of the key assembly being disposed inside the key hole. The key assembly includes a cover member, a portion of which is exposed outside the housing through the key hole and a pressing member that is coupled to the cover member and presses the switch. The pressing member includes first protrusions protruding from opposite longitudinal ends of the pressing member in a first direction, and the first protrusions are brought into contact with an inner wall of the key hole and have elasticity such that a portion of the first protrusions are capable of elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seungwhee Choi, Jingook Kim, Chijoon Kim, Wonyoung Seo, Seongki Jeong, Halim Choi
  • Patent number: 11953088
    Abstract: A shift device including: a shift switch that, when operated, is configured to change a shift range of a transmission of a vehicle; and a tact switch that is provided in the shift switch and is operated as a result of the shift switch being operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Hironori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11937772
    Abstract: An operation switch includes an elastic operation member, a pressing member, and a switch main body. The elastic operation member is formed of an elastic member, and includes a dome portion on one end side and a circumferential plane portion on the other end side. The dome portion is formed in a dome shape in a natural state, elastically deformed to a balanced state with a predetermined tension different from the natural state, and held as a dome shape. The pressing member moves by deforming the dome portion, and presses an electric switch. The switch main body includes a recess for switch in which an electric switch is disposed, a housing hole in which the pressing member is housed, and a central protrusion around which an inner plane of the circumferential plane portion of the elastic operation member is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11921937
    Abstract: An input device comprises a depressible element with two switches including a first switch configured to generate a first signal when the depressible element is depressed by a threshold distance and a second switch configured to generate a second signal indicating when the depressible element is depressed by the threshold distance and the second switch is in an active state. One or more processors may be configured to receive the first signal from the first switch; configure the second switch to change from an inactive state to an active state in response to receiving the first signal; receive the second signal from the second switch in the active state; determine whether the second signal indicates that the depressible element is depressed by the threshold distance; and generate event data confirming that the depressible element is depressed by the threshold distance in response to receiving the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Jan Stoeckli, Nicolas Ramond, Olivier Egloff, Regis Croisonnier, Laurent Plancherel
  • Patent number: 11899850
    Abstract: An input device comprises a depressible element with two switches including a first switch configured to generate a first signal when the depressible element is depressed by a threshold distance and a second switch configured to generate a second signal indicating when the depressible element is depressed by the threshold distance and the second switch is in an active state. One or more processors may be configured to receive the first signal from the first switch; configure the second switch to change from an inactive state to an active state in response to receiving the first signal; receive the second signal from the second switch in the active state; determine whether the second signal indicates that the depressible element is depressed by the threshold distance; and generate event data confirming that the depressible element is depressed by the threshold distance in response to receiving the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Jan Stoeckli, Nicolas Ramond, Olivier Egloff, Regis Croisonnier, Laurent Plancherel
  • Patent number: 11901136
    Abstract: A mechanical component is provided. The component can have a core, a sheath circumferentially surrounding the core, and an insulator between the core and the sheath. The core can include a shape memory material that is arranged to move from an initial form to an activated form upon a temperature of the core warming past a transition temperature of the shape memory material. A distal portion of the sheath can be in electrical communication with a distal portion of the core, while the insulator blocks a flow of electrical current between a proximal portion of the sheath and a proximal portion of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Jacob Podesta
  • Patent number: 11880498
    Abstract: A human interface device may include a deformable body having a handle portion, and a deformable conductor coupled to the deformable body and arranged to deform in response to a physical manipulation of the deformable body. The physical manipulation may include compressing, flexing, twisting, and/or stretching at least a portion of the deformable body. The deformable conductor may be arranged to change an electric characteristic such as a resistance, capacitance and/or inductance in response to the physical manipulation. The deformable conductor may include a sensor portion, and a transmission portion. The sensor portion may sense a first type of physical manipulation, and the transmission portion may sense a second type of physical manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Liquid Wire Inc.
    Inventors: Sydney Steinmeyer Bright, Andrew Elliott
  • Patent number: 11830683
    Abstract: A key structure is provided. The key structure includes a base plate, a keycap, a positioning element and a rod. The base plate has a through hole. The positioning element is engaged with the through hole. A projection area of the positioning element on the base plate along a lifting direction of the keycap is larger than an area of the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Kun Liao, En-Huei Wang, Ming-Fu Yen
  • Patent number: 11815793
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a chassis unit, a movable section rotatably held by the chassis unit, and a circuit board assembly on which circuit components including a tall electronic component are mounted. The chassis unit includes a pan driving unit that drives the movable section, and a pan position detection unit that detects an amount of rotation of the movable section. The chassis unit and the circuit board assembly are arranged such that they are opposed to each other in a first direction perpendicular to an installation surface of the electronic apparatus. The tall electronic component is mounted on a mounting surface, opposed to the chassis unit, of the circuit board assembly, and mounted at a location where in a projection view in the first direction, the tall electronic component does not overlap the pan driving unit and the panning detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Obana, Koichi Odagaki
  • Patent number: 11802020
    Abstract: A floor selection operation panel for elevating equipment may include a panel including an opening, an electric compartment room disposed at a rear side of the panel, and a floor selection button disposed inside the electric compartment. The floor selection button may include a button body including a first body and a second body selectively exposed to the outside through the opening, a rotation shaft for rotating the button body, a printed circuit board disposed at a rear side of the button body, the printed circuit board including a switch and a germicidal lamp irradiating light toward the button body, and an elastic member disposed between the rotation shaft and the first body and between the rotation shaft and the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventor: Jang Moon Lee
  • Patent number: 11793276
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including an actuator assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, an actuator assembly can include an actuator frame with a plurality of integrated actuators. The actuator frame is adapted to interconnect elements of the actuator assembly, the actuator frame including a width, a length, and a thickness where the width and length form an exterior surface and an interior surface separated by the thickness. The plurality of actuators are integrated into the actuator frame, each actuator of the plurality of actuators including an actuator head extending from the exterior surface and a button interface extending from the backside of the actuator head through the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Avar, Narissa Chang, Fanny Yung Ho
  • Patent number: 11774071
    Abstract: A light-emitting module is adapted for a light-permeable button and includes a substrate, a switch, and a plurality of light-emitting units, the switch is disposed on the substrate and configured to contact the light-permeable button, the light-emitting units are disposed on the substrate and surround the switch, and the light-emitting units are disposed on the substrate, spaced apart by each other, and arranged to correspond to a light-receiving surface of the light-permeable button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: WIBASE INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Che Chuan Hsu, Guan Shin Luo
  • Patent number: 11756751
    Abstract: A functional component having a button function includes a support component, a film, and an electrical switching element. The support component has a recess. The film covers the recess. The electrical switching element is situated below the recess and is actuatable by pressure being exerted on the film in the area above the recess. A ring-shaped or hollow cylindrical body is situated along an inner edge surface of the recess and is in contact with the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Kostal Automobil Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Berthold Esders
  • Patent number: 11756753
    Abstract: The operating device for a vehicle is provided with a housing having a front wall. At least one operating element is arranged on the front wall and can be manually actuated starting from a rest position for the purpose of entering a command or activating a function. The operating element is associated with a switch having a switching member on which the operating key acts during manual operation. Furthermore, a support element is arranged in the housing at a distance from the operating element, on which support element the switch associated with the operating element is arranged, the support element having a bending bar with an upper side facing the operating element and a lower side facing away from the upper side, and the switch being arranged on the bending bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Kleine-Hollenhorst, Michael Arens
  • Patent number: 11742160
    Abstract: A key structure including a base plate, a keycap disposed above the base plate, a scissor structure disposed between the base plate and the keycap, a first sleeve connected to the keycap, a second sleeve rotatably inserted into the first sleeve and a trigger member is provided. The first sleeve is located between the base plate and the keycap and has a guiding chute. The first sleeve is slidably sleeved on the second sleeve. The second sleeve has a guiding protrusion slidably disposed in the guiding chute and a notch opposite to the guiding protrusion, and the notch faces the base plate. The second sleeve is slidably sleeved on the trigger member. The trigger member has a trigger protrusion contacting the base plate, and the trigger protrusion is located between the base plate and the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Chen, Cheng-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 11733589
    Abstract: A camera structure includes a support frame, a camera, a camera switch and a latch mechanism. The camera is supported by the support frame. The camera switch is spatially separated from the camera. The camera switch is configured to enable and disable the camera. The latch mechanism includes a slidable latch body and a cover and a connecting rod linking the latch body. The latch body is configured to move between a first position and a second position. When the latch body is at the first position, the camera is exposed from a first opening of the cover and the connecting rod interferes with the camera switch to enable the camera. When the latch body is at the second position, the cover shields the camera and the connecting rod moves away from the camera switch to enable the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corporation, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Yang Cheng, Yun-Chien Yen, Kuang Luo, Nien-Yu Pang
  • Patent number: 11688567
    Abstract: A waterproof switch assembly having a rigid casing with a first opening, a compressible elastomeric body attached to said casing around the first opening and defining a push button covering said first opening or attached to a push button covering said first opening, defining a hermetically sealed closed compartment within said casing; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) housed inside the closed compartment and bearing a protruding electric switch component pushable by the push button; a protective frame, housed inside the closed compartment, surrounding the perimeter of the protruding electric switch component, and attached to the PCB through several connection legs distributed around the protruding electric switch component. The compressible elastomeric body includes protruding elements surrounding the protective frame to transmit shear forces, parallel to the PCB, from the push button to the PCB through the protective frame and connection legs without affecting the protruding electric switch component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: PREMO, SA
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez Reina, Jose Antonio Jimenez Pavon, Antonio Rojas Cuevas, Francisco Ezequiel Navarro Perez
  • Patent number: 11685308
    Abstract: A switch structure includes a light-emitting part configured to receive power from a vehicle and to radiate light, a moving block located so as to surround the light-emitting part, a light-transmissive part configured to allow light radiated from the light-emitting part to pass through an opening in the moving block, and a film-printing layer located on a top surface of the light-transmissive part and including a symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Min Ha Lee, Ik Jin Jung, Seung Sik Han, Young Ju Lee, Kwan Bo Lee
  • Patent number: 11612061
    Abstract: Methods and systems for creating a device having a switch trace are disclosed. The systems and methods described herein may include a device that has a chassis, the chassis having a top and a bottom, at least one antenna affixed to the top of the chassis, a first laser direct structuring-fabricated (LDS) trace, a second LDS trace, and a button, the button connected to the first LDS trace and the top of the chassis, wherein the button is configured to contact the second LDS trace when the button is depressed and complete a circuit between the first LDS trace and the second LDS trace upon contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Appareo IoT, LLC
    Inventors: Wyatt Dick, Jeff Johnson, Christopher Horne
  • Patent number: 11610745
    Abstract: A key structure includes a base plate, a switch element, a key pedestal and a keycap. The key pedestal includes an opening, a first hooking structure and a second hooking structure. The keycap includes an edge part, a triggering post, a third hooking structure and a fourth hooking structure. The third hooking structure and the fourth hooking structure are installed on the edge part. The switch element is installed on the base plate. The key pedestal is installed on the base plate. The triggering post is inserted into the opening to trigger the switch element. The third hooking structure of the keycap is movably connected with the first hooking structure of the key pedestal. The fourth hooking structure of the keycap is movably connected with the second hooking structure of the key pedestal. Consequently, the keycap is maintained in a horizontal state and not tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng-Fan Chang, Lei-Lung Tsai, Chin-Sung Pan
  • Patent number: 11569046
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a board, a cap opposite to the board, a first support device, a second support device, and a first link member. The first support device is disposed between the cap and the board. An end of the first support device is connected to the board. Another end of the first support device is connected to the cap. The second support device is disposed between the cap and the board and is separate from the first support device at a specific distance. An end of the second support device is connected to the board. Another end of the second support device is connected to the cap. The first link member has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is movably connected to the first support device. The second end portion is connected to the second support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Chin-Lung Chan, Cheng-Min Su, Hung-Chieh Lo
  • Patent number: 11527371
    Abstract: A switch includes: a housing having a box shape; a plunger movable in a first direction intersecting an opening surface; and a movable piece arranged inside the housing and is elastically deformable in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The plunger has a touching portion which is arranged so as to face the movable piece in the second direction inside the housing and to be able to elastically deform the movable piece in the second direction by touching the movable piece, and further, a lubricant retaining portion that can retain a lubricant is provided in at least one of the touching portion of the plunger and a touched portion of the movable piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhira Izawa, Junichi Seto, Mamiko Naka
  • Patent number: 11495421
    Abstract: A keyswitch includes a bottom board, a cap structure, a lifting mechanism, and an elastic member. The lifting mechanism is detachably connected to the cap structure and the bottom board to make the cap structure movable upward and downward relative to the bottom board. The elastic member is connected to the cap structure so as to be detached from the lifting mechanism together with the cap structure when the cap structure is separate from the lifting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Jui-Yi Huang, Sheng-Yun Yang, Chin-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 11476062
    Abstract: A waterproof electric push button switch assembly having a closed compartment and an electric switch housed inside the closed compartment, the electric switch having connected thereto cables coming out of the compartment which is arranged inside a casing with a cavity with two openings, a first opening hermetically sealed by a compressible elastomeric body attached to the casing, and a second opening hermetically sealed by a cover. The elastomeric body extends into the cavity of the casing providing a surface supporting the electric switch and the cover has on its inner face a tubular wall which is inserted into the cavity of the casing and contacts the elastomeric body along the perimeter. The tubular wall completely surrounds the switch and assures its waterproofness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: PREMO, SA
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Jimenez Pavon, Juan Fernandez Reina, Antonio Rojas Cuevas, Francisco Ezequiel Navarro Perez
  • Patent number: 11417478
    Abstract: A multidirectional input apparatus with a switch includes a strain generating body including at least a cylindrical portion and a first plate portion; a plurality of strain sensors; a wiring substrate; a contact rubber configuring the switch together with an electrode on the wiring substrate; and a button. The contact rubber includes a base portion, a movable portion, and a deformable portion. The movable portion is movable to a first position when the deformable portion is not deformed, and to a second position when the deformable portion is deformed. A center of a lower surface of the button contacts an upper surface of the movable portion when the movable portion is at the first and second positions. When the movable portion moves from the first position to the second position and contacts the electrode, a protruding portion on the lower surface of the button presses the wiring substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sadayuki Yaginuma, Kunio Hosono, Tetsuo Muranaka, Yasuji Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 11404226
    Abstract: A hardware product for creating a light ring and a dead front effect. The product may include a housing with an opening. The hardware product may also include a button positioned within the opening and configured to be depressed by a user. The button is constructed using a two-part molding process and includes a first shot and a second shot. The first shot is configured to disperse light around the perimeter shape of the opening. The second shot is constructed from an optically opaque or semi-opaque material. A single light-emitting component electrically coupled to the circuit board provides light for creating the light ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Scott Duncan, Chee Sen Poh, Jacqueline Laiz, Anurag Gupta, Shelomon Doblack, Alexander Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 11373820
    Abstract: A key structure includes a keycap, a base plate, a first scissors-type connecting element, a second scissors-type connecting element and a coupling plate. The first scissors-type connecting element and the second scissors-type connecting element are arranged between the keycap and the base plate. The first scissors-type connecting element is upwardly assembled with the keycap and downwardly assembled with the base plate. The first scissors-type connecting element includes a first inner frame and a first outer frame. The second scissors-type connecting element is upwardly assembled with the keycap and downwardly assembled with the base plate. The second scissors-type connecting element includes a second inner frame and a second outer frame. The coupling plate is arranged between the first outer frame and the second outer frame. The coupling plate is detachably assembled with the first outer frame and the second outer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Shau-Cheng Sun, Tsu-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 11342139
    Abstract: A key structure includes a keycap, a base plate, a first scissors-type connecting element, a second scissors-type connecting element and a reinforced connecting rod. The first and second scissors-type connecting elements are arranged between the keycap and the base plate. The first scissors-type connecting element includes a first inner frame and a first outer frame. The second scissors-type connecting element includes a second inner frame and a second outer frame. The keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly relative to the base plate along a specified path with the assistance of the first and second scissors-type connecting elements. The reinforced connecting rod includes a hollow rectangular main body. The first outer frame has a first extension structure. The second outer frame has a second extension structure. Moreover, two opposite sides of the hollow rectangular main body are respectively received within the first extension structure and the second extension structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: De-Guang Zhu, Rong-Biao Xu
  • Patent number: 11342134
    Abstract: What is presented is a key module (120) for a keyboard. The key module (120) comprises a guide (230) for guiding a movement of the key module (120) upon actuation, at least one spring element (240) for providing a reset force upon actuation of the key module (120), a support element (250) for supporting the guide (230) and a switch unit. The switch unit comprises a housing (270) and a contact device (280) at least partially arranged in the housing (270) for establishing electric contact upon actuation of the key module (120). The contact device (280) comprises a fixed contact piece with a first contact and a contactor with a first spring clip carrying a second contact and/or a second spring clip for producing an actuation sound and/or at least one actuation portion. The contactor is integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CHERRY GMBH
    Inventor: Eduard Ruff
  • Patent number: 11328883
    Abstract: In a switch device, a switch part is turned ON/OFF by operation of an operating knob housed in a recessed part of a panel so that a movable terminal and a fixed terminal are in contact or are separated. An outside face, opposing an inner peripheral face of the recessed part of the panel, of the operating knob is an inclined face that is inclined inward of the operating knob in going downward. A gap that widens in going downward is formed between the outside face of the operating knob and the inner peripheral face of the recessed part of the panel. Accordingly, the device can ensure stable operation of the operating knob by discharging, from the gap between the panel and the operating knob, liquid that has entered the gap, and that can improve the appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Toyo Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Shimazu, Yuki Kuno, Taiji Okawa, Kouji Yamazaki, Hiroyuki Abe, Mitsuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 11309143
    Abstract: A push switch including a pressing member, a movable contact, an interposed member, a first fixed contact, and a second fixed contact is provided. The pressing member includes a pressing portion configured to be pressed, and includes an elastically deformable peripheral wall portion having a lower end portion and extending downward and outward from the outer periphery of the pressing portion. The movable contact has a dome shape and is disposed below the pressing member. The interposed member is disposed between the pressing member and the movable contact, and is configured to press the movable contact by receiving and being pressed by the lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion of the pressing member. The lower end portion of the peripheral wall portion of the pressing member presses the interposed member while the peripheral wall portion is subjected to elastic deformation in response to the pressing portion being pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Miyamoto, Toshiaki Mizukoshi, Akizumi Saito
  • Patent number: 11302495
    Abstract: A switch apparatus according to one embodiment includes an operation portion, a surface film and a light source. The operation portion has an elongated shape with first and second opposite ends in a longitudinal direction of the operation portion, receives a pressing operation of a user at least at one of the first and second ends, and is translucent. The surface film is formed on a surface of the operation portion and is translucent. The light source is arranged on a back-surface side of the operation portion and emits light toward the at least one of the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventor: Syohhei Yoshii
  • Patent number: 11289283
    Abstract: A key structure includes a keycap, a membrane circuit board, and a rubber dome between the keycap and the membrane circuit board. The rubber dome includes a ring-shaped structure, a lower foundation structure, a contacting post, a first inclined wall and a second inclined wall. The ring-shaped structure includes a first top surface. The first top surface is upwardly pushed against the keycap. The lower foundation structure includes a first bottom surface. The first bottom surface is pushed downwardly pushed against the membrane circuit board. The contacting post is connected with the ring-shaped structure. The first inclined wall is connected with the ring-shaped structure and the lower foundation structure. The second inclined wall is connected with the ring-shaped structure and the contacting post. There is a first included angle ?1 between the second inclined wall and the first bottom surface. Preferably, 30°??1?85°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Chang, Chin-Sung Pan, Lei-Lung Tsai
  • Patent number: 11291127
    Abstract: A hand controller has a housing, the housing provided with a plurality of convex keys, wherein the housing has an outside wall provided with a first engagement portion; a cover plate, being in a snap connection with the housing; and a connection assembly, the connection assembly provided with a second engagement portion which is in an engagement connection with the first engagement portion, wherein the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion drives the connection assembly to move up and down along the thickness direction of the housing, and the connection assembly is provided with a connection portion, wherein the connection portion is connected with the installation position of the hand controller via a fastener. The hand controller can apply to mounting desks of different thicknesses and improve the universality of the hand controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO WISTOPHT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jiayin Huang, Hongbin Lu, Jinyi Li, Enjie Ruan, Xingliang Chen
  • Patent number: 11269422
    Abstract: A force sensing device includes: a sensor support portion; at least one force sensor disposed on a first surface side of the sensor support portion; a frame disposed on a second surface side of the sensor support portion and spaced apart from the sensor support portion; and a pressure applying member disposed between the sensor support portion and the frame, and configured to apply pressure to the sensor support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Ju Lee, Gye Won Lee, Jong Yun Kim
  • Patent number: 11217403
    Abstract: A doorbell device including upper case, elastic component, and button module is provided. The upper case has an outer surface, first annular-holding surface disposed opposite to the outer surface, first opening and annular trench. The first annular-holding surface surrounds the first opening. The annular trench surrounds the first annular-holding surface. The elastic component has first fastening protrusion and flexible-carrier layer surrounded and connected by the first fastening protrusion. The button module has a second annular-holding surface, first bottom surface, and pressing surface disposed opposite to the first bottom surface. The first fastening protrusion is interference fit with the annular trench. The button module is disposed on the flexible-carrier layer. At least a part of the first bottom surface is facing the flexible-carrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lun-Hung Kuo, Pei-Sheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 11203887
    Abstract: A switch actuating device (1) for a vehicle door includes an actuating element (10) with an actuating surface (11), a mechanical switch (20) and a mechanism (30). The switch is secured on a first component/component group (31). A lever (32) is mounted for pivot in relation to the first component/component group (31). A first region (32.2) of the lever is connected to a first part of the actuating element (10) via a first articulation (10.1). A second part of the actuating element (10) is mounted on the first component/component group (31) via a second articulation (10.2). The actuating element (10) bends when the actuating surface (11) is subjected to manual pressure causing the distance between the first articulation (10.1) and the second articulation (10.2) to shorten, which causes the lever (32) to pivot toward the switch such that the switch is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Joachim Oberst, Andreas Rudolf, Matthias Seubert
  • Patent number: 11189440
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device, including a housing, a button, and a switch. An opening is formed through a wall surface of the housing. The housing has a stopping portion integrally disposed on the wall surface and adjacent to the opening, a notch being defined between a part of the stopping portion and the wall surface, the notch having a notch height. The button is configured to be mounted at the opening and includes a pressing portion and an extending portion. The pressing portion is movably accommodated in the opening. An end of the extending portion is connected to the pressing portion, and the other end is fixed to the wall surface. The extending portion movably passes through the notch. A thickness of the extending portion passing through the notch is smaller than the notch height. A switch is disposed at a position corresponding to the pressing portion in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Hsu, Pen-Uei Lu, Mao-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 11081298
    Abstract: A key structure includes a keycap, a guiding structure, a connection member and a base plate. The guiding structure is located below the keycap and includes at least one pivot shaft. The connection member includes a connection groove, and the at least one pivot shaft is connected to the connection groove. The base plate includes at least one fixing member. The connection member envelops the at least one fixing member such that the connection member is fixed to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Hung Cheng, Chia-Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 11065534
    Abstract: A thumbstick user input device may include a shaft carried by a housing and having an upper end extending outwardly beyond the housing for manipulation by the user's thumb and a lower end within the housing. Sensors may be carried by the housing to sense shaft movement. A first contact member may be within the housing, and a spring may be between the first contact member and the shaft to urge the first contact member and the shaft apart. A motor may be carried at a bottom of the housing and may have a rotatable output extending upwardly therefrom. A second contact member may be coupled to the rotatable output and in contact with the first contact member to be selectively moveable upward or downward based upon motor rotation to set a spring compression and thereby set a return-to-center bias for the shaft while being manipulated by the user's thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb J. Flori, Colin J. Abraham, Min C. Kim, Xuan Liu, Joshua J. Pong
  • Patent number: 11024475
    Abstract: A sealed switch having a switch body with first and second switch body sections, a switch contact configured to be disposed in a slot in the first switch body section, a switch contact cover configured to cover the slot, and a seal configured to cover the circumference of the second switch body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Juuso Heiskanen, Jari Lamminparras
  • Patent number: 10915135
    Abstract: A button assembly is disposed in a rocker. The button assembly including a base, a pressure sensor and a keycap. The base has two lower positioning portions with each of the two lower positioning portions protruding outwardly from respective sides of the base. The pressure sensor is mounted on the base. The keycap overlies the pressure sensor. The keycap has two upper positioning portions with each of the two upper positioning portions protruding outwardly from respective sides of the keycap. The two upper positioning portions are individually fixed on each of the two lower positioning portions. As described above, a push-button structure is thus formed by the two lower positioning portions and the two upper positioning portions configured among the base, the pressure sensor and the keycap to achieve the modularization of the button assembly of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CHENG UEI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Tseng, Tsung-Shih Lee
  • Patent number: 10910175
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a key structure, including a carrier, a buffer layer, a circuit film, a balance rod and a key cap. The carrier includes a body and a positioning element protruding from the body. The positioning element has a positioning hole. The buffer layer is disposed around the positioning hole. The circuit film and the balance rod are disposed on the body. The balance rod has an opposite first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion passes through the positioning hole and presses against the buffer layer. The key cap is connected with the second end portion, and the circuit film and the balance rod are positioned between the key cap and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kuan-Ming Huang, Jen-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 10908001
    Abstract: A wireless sensor assembly includes a wall plate that is configured to be secured to a wall of a building using either a threaded fastener or a releasable adhesive strip, the wall plate including an aperture therethrough for accommodating the threaded fastener and a recess on a back surface of the wall plate to accommodate at least part of the releasable adhesive strip. The wireless sensor assembly includes a sensor housing including a front housing region and a back housing region, the back housing region configured to be releasably secured to the wall plate, the back housing region including a recess that is configured to receive at least part of the wall plate when the back housing region is releasably secured to the wall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Read, Nathan Carlson, Christopher Heintzelman, Karla Morales
  • Patent number: 10892119
    Abstract: A push switch includes: a first fixture contact; a second fixture contact; a member that holds the first and second fixture contacts; a movable member positioned opposite a surface of the member in an operation direction; and a contact member. The contact member includes: a first support and a second support that are supported by the member; and a joint that joins the first support to the second support. The movable joint is disposed between the joint of the movable member and the member, with neither the first support nor the second support overlapping the movable member in a planar view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunio Doro
  • Patent number: 10892115
    Abstract: A veneer configured to be secured to a backlit button of a control device may include a plate portion. The plate portion may have one or more laser-cut indicia defined therethrough, may have laser-cut rounded corners, and may have angularly offset outer edges that may be defined during an embossing process. The laser-cut indicia may be representative of a command for controlling an electrical load. The indicia may include an alphanumeric character, an icon, or the like, may define one or more substantially zero-radius corners, and may define respective inner surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the plate portion. A laser-cut alphanumeric character may have variable (e.g., continuously variable) line width. The plate portion may define a rib that suspends a floating portion of the alphanumeric character relative to an open portion. The rib may define a thickness that does not exceed 0.003 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Rich Destremps, George M. Drizos, Scott A. Kleppinger, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Shawn A. Strange
  • Patent number: 10867761
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a scissor mechanism and a keyswitch. The scissor mechanism comprises an inner arm and an outer arm. Two opposite first side surfaces of the inner arm respectively comprise a first connecting part. Two opposite second side surfaces of the outer arm respectively comprise a second connecting part. The inner arm is disposed within the outer arm. The first connecting parts are pivotally connected to the corresponding second connecting parts. An anti-frictional configuration is disposed between each first side surface of the inner arm and the corresponding each second side surface of the outer arm. The anti-frictional configurations are provided with smooth contact surfaces without any burrs or parting lines by angle lifting demolding techniques. The present disclosure also discloses a keyswitch. When pressing and releasing the keyswitch, the noise can be reduced by the anti-frictional configurations when the inner arm and the outer arm pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY (CHANG ZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XiaoQiang Liang, Lei Shi, XueLei Liu
  • Patent number: 10866619
    Abstract: A biometric button assembly may be disposed in an opening of an enclosure of an electronic device. The biometric button assembly may include an input member that forms an exterior surface of the button housing and is configured to receive inputs, for example from a user of the electronic device. The biometric button assembly may further include a biometric sensor for detecting the received inputs and transmitting a signal to a processor of the electronic device. The signal may correspond to a biometric characteristic, such as a fingerprint. A flexible conduit may transmit the signal to the processor. A portion of the flexible conduit and a seal may be positioned between the button assembly and the enclosure that prevents contaminants from entering the button housing and the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, James G. Horiuchi, Michael K. McCord, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 10847130
    Abstract: A keyboard device having keys enabling sufficient weight of touch to be obtained in spite of being configured to be shorter in length than those of the grand piano and. Link mechanisms are each provided on a base for supporting an associated one of the keys from below and configured to cause the associated key to operate such that when a front end of the key is depressed, an amount of downward movement of a rear end of the key becomes approximately half of an amount of downward movement of the front end of the key. Each link mechanism includes front-side and rear-side key link bars and front-side and rear-side connecting link bars. The front-side and rear-side connecting link bars are pivotally supported, respectively, and are pivotally and slidably connected to each other via respective rear and front ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KAWAI GAKKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yasushi Terai, Mikhail Vasilievich Pletnev, Anton Anatolievich Nikitin, Hideyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 10840037
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a substrate, a limit connecting member, a keycap, and a liftable connecting member. The assembly area of the substrate includes a long fixation hole having two short sides, a first long side, and a second long side. A portion of the bottom surface of the substrate is further recessed to form a long bottom groove, and two ends of the long bottom groove are near to the two short sides. The limit connecting member is disposed on the assembly area and includes a fixed seat in the long fixation hole and a standing portion extending from the fixed seat. The fixed seat includes a lower wing plate correspondingly fixed in the long bottom groove. The keycap is disposed on the assembly area. The liftable connecting member is connected between the keycap and the assembly area and includes a shaft disposed on the limit connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horiuchi, Chia-Hsin Chen, Po-Hsin Li