Double Snap Patents (Class 200/405)
  • Patent number: 10665406
    Abstract: A contact mechanism includes: a movable touch piece that includes a caulking portion, a pair of arms forked from the caulking portion and respectively having free ends, first and second movable contacts provided at the respective free ends of the pair of arms, and a coupler configured to couple the free ends of the pair of arms; and first and second fixed contacts disposed respectively facing the first and second movable contacts contactably to or separably from the first and second movable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sasaki, Kazuhiro Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 10546703
    Abstract: A switch mechanism has a compliant buckling bar that includes a single fixed end mounted to a mounting surface and a free end that is displaced with respect to the fixed end. The mounting of the fixed end to the mounting surface may constitute the only fixed connection between the bar and the mounting surface. The bar moves between two stable positions in response to a transition force applied transversely to the free end. Residual stress in the bar may be higher when the free end is at each of the stable positions than when the free end is at a neutral position located between the stable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: James J. Joo
  • Patent number: 9171686
    Abstract: A bistable electric switch is described. The switch has as actuators a pair of opposing SMA wires acting on a drive element integral with a snap-action spring so as to toggle the snap-action spring between two stable positions corresponding to two operating positions of the switch, the drive element being shorter than the distance existing between the two opposing SMA wires when one of the SMA wires is contracted and the other SMA wire is uncontracted. The entire force exerted by the activated SMA wire is used to overcome the resistance of the snap-action spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SAES GETTERS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Alacqua, Francesco Butera
  • Patent number: 9024219
    Abstract: A push switch of the present invention includes a case in which a concave portion is formed. The push switch of the present invention includes a movable member formed so as to be convex upward and arranged in the concave portion. The push switch of the present invention includes a protecting sheet provided above the movable member so as to cover the concave portion, the protecting sheet having an adhesive formed on a lower surface thereof. The push switch of the present invention is provided with an intermediate sheet between a lower surface of the adhesive and an upper surface of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakaoka, Kojiro Yano
  • Patent number: 8822862
    Abstract: It comprises fixed terminal 42 provided with fixed contact 42a; movable armature 44 provided with movable contact 45; shaft 44 inserted in the movable armature; sealing container 40 holding the fixed terminal and housing the movable armature and the shaft therein in hermetically-sealed state; contact pressure spring 410 giving contact pressure between the movable contact and the fixed contact; return spring 411 urging the shaft to move away from the fixed contact; operation handle 1; shaft pressing piece 56 pressing, in accordance with the operation of the operation handle, the other end of main body of the shaft to move the shaft closer to the fixed contact; and electromagnetic tripping block 6 which makes the movable/fixed contacts open by taking the pressing means away from the other end of the main body of the shaft in case that anomalous current flows through the movable/fixed contacts when they are contacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Cyuzawa
  • Patent number: 8237523
    Abstract: The relay has a movable first contact, a second contact, and an actuating element operatively connected with an armature of the relay. The first contact is movable toward the second contact by the actuating element and dependent on a supply of current to the relay. A snap action spring connects the second contact to a housing of the relay. The second contact is positioned between two arrangements by the snap action spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Helmreich
  • Publication number: 20120132508
    Abstract: It comprises fixed terminal 42 provided with fixed contact 42a; movable armature 44 provided with movable contact 45; shaft 44 inserted in the movable armature; sealing container 40 holding the fixed terminal and housing the movable armature and the shaft therein in hermetically-sealed state; contact pressure spring 410 giving contact pressure between the movable contact and the fixed contact; return spring 411 urging the shaft to move away from the fixed contact; operation handle 1; shaft pressing piece 56 pressing, in accordance with the operation of the operation handle, the other end of main body of the shaft to move the shaft closer to the fixed contact; and electromagnetic tripping block 6 which makes the movable/fixed contacts open by taking the pressing means away from the other end of the main body of the shaft in case that anomalous current flows through the movable/fixed contacts when they are contacted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaaki Cyuzawa
  • Patent number: 8129642
    Abstract: A hinge actuator includes a first part, a second part, an electric drive, a coupling, and an auxiliary coupling. The first part and second part are configured for connection via the electric drive. The coupling is provided between the first part and the second part such that, in a first position, the first part and the second part are connected via the drive and can be pivoted relative to each other via the drive, and, in a second position, the first part and the second part are not connected to each other via the drive and can be pivoted relative to each other manually. In an embodiment, first stops are included on the coupling and the auxiliary coupling, and second stops are included on the coupling and the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Peter Alexander Hamming, Andreas Johannes Petrus Schalkwijk, Eric Gerardus Paulus van Slagmaat, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout
  • Publication number: 20110011714
    Abstract: A circuit breaker, may comprise a circuit board, a resetting button, a tripping button, a lock pin and an elevator. The resetting button may comprise a locking device with a resetting drawbar having a resetting spring on an upper portion, a tripping spring on a middle portion, and a hook at a lower end. A lock pin below the resetting drawbar, may comprise a lock pin slope for selectively contacting the hook. The tripping button may comprise a tripping device configured to selectively contact the locking device. The tripping device may comprise a tripping block, a loosening block slope configured to selectively contact the lock pin slope, and a moveable spring between the tripping block and the circuit board. The elevator may house the portion of the resetting drawbar covered by the tripping spring, and the hook may align with the bottom of the elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Zhejiang Trimone Electric Science & Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shaohua Gao
  • Patent number: 7847205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge actuator comprising a first part which is configured for connection with a second part via an electric drive. The first and the second part are provided with stops cooperating in a pivoting direction for defining a select or predetermined position of the actuator parts with respect to each other. In an embodiment, in a first position of a coupling between the first part and the second part, these parts can pivot via the electric drive. In a second position, the first part and the second part are not connected via the drive but can be pivoted relative to each other manually. Further, the first and the second part may be provided with stops only cooperating in the second position of the coupling in an opposing pivoting direction, for defining the select or predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Peter Alexander Hamming, Andreas Johannes Petrus Schalkwijk, Eric Gerardus Paulus van Slagmaat, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout
  • Patent number: 7605337
    Abstract: A system includes a control device including an actuator, a movement of which is adapted to cause a movement of an actuator plunger; and a switching element. The switching element includes a switch slide adapted to follow a movement of the actuator plunger; a first terminal and a second terminal; contacting members adapted to connect the first terminal to the second terminal; and contact breaking member adapted to disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal in response to an inward displacement of the switch slide exceeding a first distance. The switching element further includes a jump system, responsive to displacement of the switch slide, adapted to bring the contacting members together to connect the first terminal to the second terminal if the inward displacement of the switch slide exceeds a second distance that is less than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Scherl, Rudolf Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20090229962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge actuator comprising a first part which is configured for connection with a second part via an electric drive. The first and the second part are provided with stops cooperating in a pivoting direction for defining a select or predetermined position of the actuator parts with respect to each other. In an embodiment, in a first position of a coupling between the first part and the second part, these parts can pivot via the electric drive. In a second position, the first part and the second part are not connected via the drive but can be pivoted relative to each other manually. Further, the first and the second part may be provided with stops only cooperating in the second position of the coupling in an opposing pivoting direction, for defining the select or predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Peter Alexander Hamming, Andreas Johannes Petrus Schalkwijk, Eric Gerardus Paulus van Slagmaat, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout
  • Patent number: 7547855
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge actuator comprising a first part which is configured for connection with a second part via an electric drive. The first and the second part are provided with stops cooperating in a pivoting direction for defining a select or predetermined position of the actuator parts with respect to each other. In an embodiment, in a first position of a coupling between the first part and the second part, these parts can pivot via the electric drive. In a second position, the first part and the second part are not connected via the drive but can be pivoted relative to each other manually. Further, the first and the second part may be provided with stops only cooperating in the second position of the coupling in an opposing pivoting direction, for defining the select position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Peter Alexander Hamming, Andreas Johannes Petrus Schalkwijk, Eric Gerardus Paulus van Slagmaat, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout
  • Patent number: 7479609
    Abstract: A snap action switch (12) which includes an M-type actuator having an actuation location that can be depressed to cause a middle contact to snap up against an upper contact, and which can be released to cause the middle contact to snap down against a lower contact, which enables adjustment of the position at which the middle contact snaps against a selected one of the upper and lower contacts. The adjustment of a snap position of the actuation location is accomplished by raising or lowering the position of one of the upper or lower contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Barksdale, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong C. Kim, Hein Pekelharing
  • Patent number: 7355139
    Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker includes an elastic contact piece to contact with two terminals of a circuit, thereby electrically connecting the circuit. One end of the elastic contact piece fixed to a terminal is a fixed end, and the other end of the elastic contact piece is a free end. The portion of the elastic contact piece close to the fixed end is bended to form an elastic curved section, which is capable of deforming and resuming an original state after deformation. Because of the elastic curved section, the elastic contact piece is capable of deforming, deflecting, and resuming the original state after deformation. Therefore, the length and size of the elastic contact piece can be reduced, and the circuit breaker is miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Publication number: 20070137995
    Abstract: A system includes a control device including an actuator, a movement of which is adapted to cause a movement of an actuator plunger; and a switching element. The switching element includes a switch slide adapted to follow a movement of the actuator plunger; a first terminal and a second terminal; contacting members adapted to connect the first terminal to the second terminal; and contact breaking member adapted to disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal in response to an inward displacement of the switch slide exceeding a first distance. The switching element further includes a jump system, responsive to displacement of the switch slide, adapted to bring the contacting members together to connect the first terminal to the second terminal if the inward displacement of the switch slide exceeds a second distance that is less than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Josef Scherl, Rudolf Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7211757
    Abstract: For a push slide switch in which as a knob is slid, terminals and are electrically connected, click springs and are provided, which have a characteristic that as displacement level is increased, stress increases, and as the displacement level is more increased, the stress decreases sharply. The click springs and are arranged so that force necessary for operation of the knob decreases sharply when the terminals are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Masataka Maehara
  • Patent number: 7173206
    Abstract: A switch assembly is provided which includes a holder defining at least a pair of eyelets extending completely therethrough; an electrically conductive lead-frame supported on the holder, the lead-frame defining at least a pair of openings therein; and at least a pair of electrically conductive rivets each configured and adapted for at least partial positioning in a respective eyelet. The first opening of the lead-frame is larger than a head portion of a first rivet such that the head portion does not contact the lead-frame. The second opening of the lead-frame is smaller than a head portion of another rivet such that the head portion contacts the lead-frame. The switch assembly further includes at least one electrically conductive snap dome in electrical contact with the lead-frame and overlying the first rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronal Charles Du Pont
  • Patent number: 7087851
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microswitch comprising a housing, a switching plunger arranged in displaced relationship with the center of said housing and projecting from said housing, contacts which are arranged on the housing side located opposite the switching plunger, and a contact bridge which is adapted to be transferred from a first to a second switching position through the switching plunger and a bistable spring, said switching plunger being provided with a cantilevered arm which projects on one side and on the projecting end of which a downholder is provided for positive opening of the contact bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Schaltbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Mayer
  • Patent number: 6943653
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bi-stable electric switch comprising a spring (101) that is configured as a bi-stable snap-action spring and carries contact elements (114, 116) on the carrier strip (104) of the spring and comprising at least one drive element made from shape memory material per switch state for actuating the spring, the spring having a plate (110) that is rigidly fixed at one end (102) and that is subjected to a pressure in the direction of its linear extension and evades this by bulging towards one side into one of two stable final states, the regions of the spring in the stable final states taking up different lateral positions and the drive elements (118, 119) acting upon the free end of the plate and as a result of the tilting of free end (104) cause it to snap into the second stable final state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Hanke, Matthias Kroeker, Thomas Haehnel, Joerg Schultheiss
  • Patent number: 6878893
    Abstract: A first stationary contact is provided on the base body. A second stationary contact is provided on the base body. A conductive click spring is disposed over the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact, so as to be always electrically connected to the first stationary contact and so as to be away from the second stationary contact in a neutral position thereof. A push button includes a head portion which is depressed by an operator, and an actuator which pushes the click spring so as to be abutted against the second stationary contact when the head portion is depressed. The head portion and the actuator is integrally formed from rubber having elastic restorability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tanaka, Kazunori Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 6797905
    Abstract: This invention discloses a rocker switch which provides a reliable movement and a heat-resistant rocker switch by redesigning the position holding mechanism. The rocker switch of the invention comprises: a common contact point, a close circuit contact point, a movable contact point permanently coupled to the common contact point, a rocking switch connecting to the movable contact point and rocking between a close circuit position and an open circuit position, and a position holding mechanism having a spring and an extension rod coupled to one end of the spring. The extension rod is used to change the position of the force acting between the spring and the rocking button and the force acting on the spring in order to improve the life of the spring and increase heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yung-Hui Wang, Hui-Chun Hsu
  • Patent number: 6759608
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprising a casing, and at least one fixed contact and a elongate resiliently deformable movable contact member in the casing, said contact member having opposite first and second sides. The switch includes a switching member supported in sliding contact on the first side of and with intermediate parts of the contact member to cause the contact member to pivot against its resilience for making and breaking electrical connection with the fixed contacts. The contact member includes a fixed end at which it is cantilevered for pivotal movement and a trifurcated free end for contact with the fixed contacts. Resilient means is provided acting resiliently upon the second side of the contact member to maintain the sliding contact of the contact member with the switching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Defond Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Raymond Wai Hang Chu
  • Patent number: 6737597
    Abstract: A sump pump switch for controlling the application of power from a power source to a sump pump motor in response to the rise and fall of a liquid collecting in a sump includes a housing, a pair of electrically conductive terminal members fixedly disposed within the housing and a pair of electrically conductive contact members fixedly disposed within the housing. A pair of electrically conductive movable contacts are mounted onto a contact bridge. The contact bridge is pivotally disposed within the housing and is actuated by an over-center mechanism. The movable contacts are pivotally coupled to the terminal members and selectively contact the contact members to effectively close the switch. A pair of electrically conductive wiper contacts connect the terminal members with the contact members and provide a non-articulating current path between the terminal members and the contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tower Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Levon Galpchian
  • Patent number: 6469268
    Abstract: An electrical switch which can be used in particular in power tools, such as drilling machines, angle grinders or the like, is disclosed. The switch has an actuator, at least one fixed contact, and at least one switching contact. The switching contact is arranged on a slide which is moveable between two positions by means of the actuator. The switching contact is at a distance from the fixed contact in the one position and bears against the fixed contact in the other position. An elastic device interacts with the slide, so that the slide can be changed over between the two positions with a type of snap movement. The elastic device may be a first spring, arranged on the slide, like a pressure-point spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Alois Schaeffeler, Alfons Steidle
  • Patent number: 6399910
    Abstract: A switch assembly includes a housing within which is arranged a convex, over-center spring which deforms when pressure is applied to a push button. In a default position, the push button sits atop an apex of the spring, with the spring being spaced from a contact associated with a first electrical lead. One end of the spring projects from the housing and defines a second electrical lead. When pressure is applied to the push button, the spring is pushed into electrical communication with the contact, thus completing a circuit between the electrical leads. In a first embodiment, a base housing member and a separate snap-on cover is provided. In a second embodiment, the cover is attached to the base housing via a living hinge. In both the first and second embodiments, the cover assists in holding the spring in the default position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Crawford, Jeffrey L. Sears, Harold T. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6313419
    Abstract: A pressure responsive electrical switch (10) has a base (12) formed with a bottom wall (12a) having a top surface (12b) formed with a generally disc seat (12c). A recess (12d) is formed in the bottom wall through the top surface within the area defined by the disc seat and with first and second bores (12e) formed through the bottom wall aligned with the recess. Integrally formed combination terminal and movable contact arm members (14) each have a first portion (14a) serving as a respective terminal and a second, movable contact arm portion (14b) swaged to an attenuated thickness. The movable contact arm portions extend side by side transversely across the bottom surface of the recess in generally opposite directions and with a free distal contact end portion (14d) extending slightly above a disc seat formed on the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Alan G. Amore
  • Patent number: 6201201
    Abstract: An electrical switch for switching on and off an electrical appliance such as a light bulb. The switch includes a body, a fixed contact and a movable contact, an actuator supported by the body for pivotal movement, causing movement of the movable contact between a switched-on position and a switched-off position, and an internal spring acting upon the actuator. The spring extends generally in-line with the actuator, in compression, such that the actuator and spring are pivotable rapidly and simultaneously in opposite directions through an over-centre action about an unstable central position. The body may include a lamp socket for receiving the light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Chi Man Wu
  • Patent number: 5239151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a leaf switch having a scroll spring (6) which can be hooked between a switching are elongate windows which extend in the transverse direction and into which centrally projecting tongues (3a, 2a) of the switching tongue (3) and of the spring lever (2) engage. In order to avoid an unintentional unhooking of the scroll spring (6), there is a deformation projecting beyond the tongue surface at the front section of at least one of the two tongues (3a, 2a). The said deformation can be constructed as an embossed hollow projection or as laterally bent-over tongue legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Albert King, Guenther Marquardt
  • Patent number: 4911841
    Abstract: A belt filter press comprising two co-operating, endless belts, particularly for manure, which according to the invention takes steps to enable liquid and solid substance to be better separated from each other. The pressure between the endless belts is increased, the longitudinal edges are sufficiently sealed and substance that is still too moist is subjected repeatedly to compression since it remains stuck to the upper endless belt and is carried to the intake of the belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Strategic American Markets, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick W. Put
  • Patent number: 4891481
    Abstract: An electrical snap-action type switch contact blade (80) is provided. Blade (80) has a base (6) and an electrical contact region (10) intermediate a pair of spaced-apart support legs (14) that extend angularly away from base (6) to respective free-ends. A tongue (12) extends arcuately away from region (10) in a direction opposite to support legs (14) and towards base (6) to a free-end (23). Free-end (23) of tongue (12) and the free-ends of support legs (14) respectively engage spaced-apart anchoring sites to secure blade (80) to the switch frame. Blade (80) can be actuated by application and removal of a Force (F) both against base (6) and for a prescribed distance (X) along support legs (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: John Comerford