Auxiliary Motion Required To Actuate Or Release (e.g., Push To Rotate) Patents (Class 200/566)
  • Patent number: 11865440
    Abstract: A wearable augmented reality device is described. The device comprises a headband, brim, optical displays, and environmental sensors. The headband wraps at least partially around a head of a user and distributes the weight of components of the device across the head of the user, supporting the device. The brim is coupled to the headband such that the brim extends away from the headband, over the eyes of the user. The brim includes a heatsink that releases heat from the electronics of the device into the environment. The optical displays are coupled to the underside of the brim. The optical displays both present image light and allow environmental light to pass through. The environmental sensors are couples to the forward edge of the brim and capture data about the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: NIANTIC, INC.
    Inventors: Ross Edward Finman, Michael Miller, Maryam Sabour
  • Patent number: 11086351
    Abstract: A self-locking mechanism includes: a housing having a through hole and a dodge hole; an elastic member in the dodge hole, the elastic member being connected to a wall of the dodge hole and having a free end capable of swinging in a thickness direction of the housing; a first engaging member on the elastic member; a knob on an outer side of the housing and having one end passing through the through hole; a plurality of second engaging members on a side of the knob adjacent to the housing; wherein the first engaging member may be engaged with or disengaged from one of the second engaging members under an action of an elastic deformation of the elastic member as the knob rotates; and a driven member on an inner side of the housing and fixedly connected with the knob so as to be rotated under driving of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenhong Tian, Zhanshan Ma, Zhiyu Sun, Dong Chen, Hao Zhang, Lili Chen
  • Patent number: 9609902
    Abstract: Headgear is described herein having a camera device mounted to a brim thereof and accessories therefor. The camera device can include a viewfinder, such as a pivoting viewfinder or a viewfinder having a ball-and-socket mounting joint. The frame of reference of the camera device can be indicated to a wearer of the headgear with sighting members mounted to the brim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 9455103
    Abstract: A dial device according to the invention includes a fixed member, a rotating dial unit, a push button movable to a first position and a second position on an axis in a rotation center axis direction of the dial unit, a double knock mechanism that alternately holds the push button in the first position and the second position every time the push button is pressed, a moving and engaging member that moves on the axis in the rotation center axis direction of the dial unit in association with the first position and the second position of the push button, and a fixed side engaging section provided in the fixed member that is disengaged with the moving and engaging member when the push button is present in the first position and is engaged with the moving and engaging member when the push button is present in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8910541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging a Control Assembly (“CA”) on an Electronic Device (“ED”). The methods involve: mounting a first component (112, 812, 908) of CA on a Top Surface (“TS”) (104, 804, 904) of ED (100, 800, 900) such that a Central AXis (“CAX”) (136, 836, 934) thereof is at an acute angle (170, 870, 962) relative to a plane (152, 852, 952) perpendicular to a horizontal center axis (150, 850, 950) of ED; mounting a second component (106, 806, 906) of CA on TS such that CAX (132, 832, 932) thereof is at a first Obtuse Angle (“OA”) (164, 860, 960) relative to the plane; and mounting a third component (108, 808, 912) of CA on TS such that CAX (134, 834, 936) thereof is at a second OA (166, 862, 970) relative to the plane. The second or third component may have a trapezoidal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: David Cipolla, Jose Ricardo Duran, Jason Scott, Richard S. Currier
  • Patent number: 8757831
    Abstract: Headgear includes a brim portion and a power source. In one form, a camera is mounted to the brim portion such that the power source powers the camera. The camera includes a lens mounted to the brim portion and control circuitry for operating the camera mounted to the brim portion at least partially between upper and lower major surfaces thereof. In alternate forms, a heat sink can be mounted to the brim portion to dissipate heat generated by powered components of the headgear, such as the camera, a circuit board, a light source, or the like, and a rotary switch can be mounted to the brim portion for energizing the a light source and/or operating the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 8674245
    Abstract: A switch device includes a switch shifting a pair of input and output terminals in a housing and a manipulation knob for shifting the switch. The manipulation knob includes a rotating member rotatable to a plurality of rotating positions relative to the housing and a sliding member rotating with the rotating member and slidable along both positive and negative directions at each of the plurality of rotating positions, so that the manipulation knob is interconnected with a rotary shaft member which rotates with the rotating member. The switch gives an output corresponding to each direction according to the sliding of the sliding member in both the positive and negative directions even though the manipulation knob is at any one of the plurality of rotating positions. The rotary shaft member has a shifting unit for driving an external shifting mechanism accompanied by the rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20130270094
    Abstract: An operator control device for functional adjustment of a functional device includes an operator control knob which has an off position in which the operator control device is deactivated. Said knob can be brought into a working position for functional adjustment purposes. The working position is predetermined by a lock-in position, and, starting from the working position, the operator control knob can be pulled out of the operator control device or pressed into the operator control device against a counterforce which increases as the distance from the working position increases. Here, the operator control device includes a movement detection means for detecting movement of the operator control knob out of the working position in one direction or in the other direction. The movement detection means is connected to a controller of the operator control device so as to carry out functional adjustment in a manner dependent on the detected movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: E.G.O. ELEKTRO-GERAETEBAU GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hamm, Martin Baier
  • Patent number: 8551234
    Abstract: An air cleaner having a manipulator is disclosed. The manipulator (200) includes a rotary manipulation unit (300), which is provided so as to be movable between a first position, at which the rotary manipulation unit is retracted into the air cleaner, and a second position, to which the rotary manipulation unit is extracted from the air cleaner to enable a user to manipulate the rotary manipulation unit. The manipulator further includes a lift unit (400), which is installed in the air cleaner to move the rotary manipulation unit between the first position and the second position. In the present invention, the manipulator can control several functions of the air cleaner obviating the need for having several control buttons, thus being more convenient for a user. Furthermore, the present invention can prevent water from permeating a PCB mounted in the rotary manipulation unit, thus preventing malfunction of the encoder unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Ki Kim, Jun Hyung Bae
  • Patent number: 8419235
    Abstract: A lighting system including a powering rod and a first lighting unit is provided. The powering rod is used for providing power. The first lighting unit includes a housing, a light source, an inner ring body and an outer ring body. The light source is disposed inside the housing. The inner ring body, disposed in the housing, has a hollowed portion for receiving the powering rod and is electrically connected to the powering rod. The outer ring body, disposed on the inner ring body fixed to the housing. The outer ring body is capable of rotating with respect to the inner ring body for rotating the housing. When the outer ring body is rotated to a first position, the first lighting unit is in a first lighting state. When the outer ring body is rotated to a second position, the first lighting unit is in a second lighting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Tai-Sheng Chen, Hsun-Li Huang, Mong-Yong Sim, Jiung-Cheng Pan, Ho-Tsung Hsueh, Wen-Ming Wu, Cheng-En Wu
  • Patent number: 8168900
    Abstract: An auxiliary operating device for an electromechanical switching device having an operating mechanism. The auxiliary operating device including an actuating element couplable to the operating mechanism and movable between a first position and a second position, an actuation member movable relative to the actuating element between a third position and a fourth position, and a drive dog arrangement configured to cooperate with the actuating element and the actuation member. The auxiliary operating device further includes a coupling device movable between a release position and an operating position. The coupling device is configured, when in the operating position, so as to move the actuating element with the actuation member in a second direction of movement when the actuation member is in the third position. The coupling device is configured, when in the release position, so as to allow movement of the actuation member in the first and second directions between the third and fourth positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Industries GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Haendler, Walter Gilgen, Klaus-Dieter Nuerenberg
  • Patent number: 8093521
    Abstract: A button assembly includes a button, an indicating lamp, a rheostat and a switch. The button includes a transparent pressing portion. The indicating lamp is positioned in the pressing portion. The rheostat includes a base and an adjuster rotatably attached to the base. The adjuster is rotated by rotation of the button. The switch is capable of being triggered by downwardly movement of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hua Wang, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 8084701
    Abstract: A push button actuator unit has a housing that defines a passage extending along an axis. A push button assembly has components movable in the passage including a forwardly-biased push button at the front of the housing that is movable along and turnable about the axis. Two independently movable operating elements at the rear of the housing move differently in response to depression of the push button when the push button is turned to different orientations about the axis. The rear operating elements may extend concentrically along the axis, and the unit may be lockable to permit and prevent some operating element movement. The operating elements may be used to selectively disengage, or to engage and move a variety of auxiliary devices situated behind the unit. The unit may provide enhanced resistance to defeat by hammering than has been offered by a known form of push button unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventor: Michael O. Misner
  • Patent number: 8076603
    Abstract: An axially-movable rotary switch includes a casing, a fixing base, a substrate and a knob. The fixing base is fixed in the hollow casing. The substrate is fixed below the fixing base. The knob is pivotally disposed on the upper end of the hollow casing. The switching rod of the knob eccentrically penetrates a positioning hole of the fixing base. The elastic piece is disposed at the distal end of the switching rod and is brought into contact with the electrical contacts of the substrate. With the elastic piece of the switching rod being arranged to correspond to the electrical contacts of the substrate, a user can switch the states between a closed circuit and an open circuit by axially drawing/pressing the knob. Further, the contact between the elastic piece and the electrical contacts will not generate unnecessary frictional interference, so that the lifetime of the device can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hong Huang, Ta-Feng Yeh
  • Patent number: 7825347
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric rotary switch comprising a switching rotary unit (5) arranged in a housing provided with at least one switching contact (13) acting on switching contact paths (2) associated to socket (1). The rotary switching unit (5) is coupled with an actuating element (8) and interacts with a locking sleeve (9), bevel (10), or indentation (11) for determining switching positions. The locking sleeve (9), bevel (10), or indentation (11) are associated, in part with a face oriented towards the socket (1) of the rotary switching unit, and in part with the rotary switching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Schwarz, Gerd Rudolph
  • Patent number: 7705261
    Abstract: A pull-rotary filter switch with a fool-proof effect to avoid accidentally cut off power supply includes a rotary switch device, a transmission line and a filter. The rotary switch device has a casing, a fixing seat, a substrate, a pull-rotary button and a contact terminal. The casing has an opening and a through hole. The fixing seat has a penetrating hole, a first eccentric hole and a second eccentric hole. The substrate has a conductive point and a board hole. The contact terminal is disposed on one end of the eccentric rod and contacted to the conductive point. The transmission line is electrically connected to the transmission line, which passes through the shaft hole, the penetrating hole, the board hole, and the through hole to electrically connect to the conductive point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Chen, Tao-Lung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 7635817
    Abstract: A main body portion has fixed contacts and houses movable contacts. A lower electrode plate and upper electrode plate serving as the movable contacts are deformed at a time of a pressing operation. The upper electrode plate is contactable to the lower electrode plate and lower electrode plate brings contact pairs mounted in a center of the bottom inside the main body portion into conduction. On the bottom inside the main body portion, contacts serving as fixed contacts for a rotating operation are formed on the circumference of the same circle outside contact pairs for the pressing operation. A brush serving as the movable contacts is secured to a lever receiving rotating operational forces and brings contacts into conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Asada
  • Patent number: 7582841
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control button of a drum type washing machine. The control button comprises a button securing part, a button operating part, an elastic member, and a cylindrical button provided to a control panel. The button securing part includes a securing body having a fitting hole formed at the center thereof, a securing portion having a rack formed on an outer surface thereof, and a coupling hole coupled to the rotary switch. The button operating part includes an operating portion having an operating trough and a pinion corresponding to the rack to allow the securing portion to be coupled to the operating portion, a guide member formed on one side of the operating portion, and an operating body integral to one side of the guide member and operating portion. The operating body is press-fitted into the button adjusting part that is provided to a control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7223926
    Abstract: A knob assembly for the switch of a radio is provided which prevents the switch from being rotated to certain positions except when the knob is moved in an axial direction after contact with a stop. The knob may be returned to a location where other switch positions may be selected without requiring further axial motion of the knob on the part of the radio operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Storm Gannon, Amy Gontarek
  • Patent number: 7205492
    Abstract: A push button actuator unit has a housing which defines a through passage that extends along an axis of the housing, and a slot that extends in a plane which transversely intersects the axis and communicates with the passage for supporting in the housing-defined slot a disc-shaped member having a central opening that aligns with the passage. Movable in the aligned passage and opening is a push button sub-assembly of the unit which includes a front element that, when depressed rearwardly, may cause a rear element of the push button sub-assembly to extend rearwardly from the housing to release a latch or to operate a switch or the like. If the unit is to be lockable, an optional locking mechanism is added to the elements of the push button sub-assembly to selectively drivingly connect the front and rear elements so that depression of the front element will cause rearward extension of the rear element only when the unit is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Baltazar S. Corcino, Brian M. Ott
  • Patent number: 7141748
    Abstract: A multifunctional switch with an indicator for selecting and switching a plurality of functions is disclosed. The multifunctional switch is provided with a dial knob capable of being pushed in an axial direction and rotated; a window formed at a center of the dial knob; an indicator configured to indicate a selected function; an indicator support configured to support the indicator and disposed at a rear of the dial knob, the dial knob being rotatably fitted on the indicator support and movable with the indicator support In the axial direction; and means for anti-rotation of the indicator support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Tanaka, Kazuhiro Kikuya
  • Patent number: 7126066
    Abstract: A push button actuator unit has a housing which defines a through passage that extends along an axis of the housing, and a slot that extends in a plane which transversely intersects the axis and communicates with the passage for supporting in the housing-defined slot a disc-shaped member having a central opening that aligns with the passage. Movable in the aligned passage and opening is a push button sub-assembly of the unit which includes a front element that, when depressed rearwardly, may cause a rear element of the push button sub-assembly to extend rearwardly from the housing to release a latch or to operate a switch or the like. If the unit is to be lockable, an optional locking mechanism is added to the elements of the push button sub-assembly to selectively drivingly connect the front and rear elements so that depression of the front element will cause rearward extension of the rear element only when the unit is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Baltazar S. Corcino, Brian M. Ott
  • Patent number: 6949711
    Abstract: A locking switch includes a shaft that engages one or more electromechanical switches and a knob that is secured to the shaft such that when the knob is rotated, a rotary motion is imparted to the shaft and to the electromechanical switches engaged by the shaft. The locking switch also includes a lock ring having multiple slots and a lock lever that is attached to the knob and that is captured in one of the slots in the lock ring to prevent rotation of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Adams Litteer
  • Patent number: 6900406
    Abstract: A control unit, particularly for a cooking appliance, containing at least one depressible knob via which at least one switch can be actuated by an outward motion of the knob. The aim is to provide a control unit and cooking appliance of the aforementioned type, in which additional functions can be versatilely integrated in a structurally simple manner in a depressible knob without limiting the rotating motion of the knob. To this end, a blocking unit prevents the knob, in at least one rotating position, from being depressed and in this rotating position, the switch can be actuated by an outward motion of the knob that is transmitted to the switch via a transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Huber
  • Patent number: 6878887
    Abstract: A variable output device is mounted on a mounting unit with the operating shaft displaceable. An operating unit for transmitting the operation of the user to the operating shaft is mounted on the operating shaft relatively movably along the direction of the axis of the operating shaft, on the one hand, and in an operatively interlocked fashion along the direction of displacement of the operating shaft, on the other hand. A holding member is arranged in opposed relation with the mounting unit with the variable output device interposed therebetween. An elasticity applier urges the operating unit away from the variable output device. The holding member is provided with an operating hole. The holding member is arranged at a position in opposed relation with the mounting unit with the variable output device and the operating unit interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Futoshi Amano, Takamitsu Kouchi, Hisao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6722869
    Abstract: In a cotton candy making apparatus with a removable tray, a main power supply switch and an auxiliary switch are provided. The main power supply switch is locked by being rotated in a predetermined direction while being depressed. Contacts of the auxiliary switch are closed when the tray is properly attached to a main body of the apparatus. Carbon or alloy brushes are used for brush devices for supplying electric current to a heater for a rotary pot, and the brushes are each biased in a slip ring direction with a spring in a brush holder. A cover for the rotary pot is provided which is constructed so as to be assembled to and disassembled from the rotary pot by rotating the same cover. A translucent tray and light emitting portions are provided on the main body of the apparatus for illuminating cotton candies within the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Staff Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Todokoro
  • Patent number: 6720513
    Abstract: A rotary switch configuration for a household appliance includes a rotary knob seated in a cutout in an appliance panel and firmly connected to an actuating shaft so as to rotate with it but move axially, the actuating shaft transmitting the rotary movement of the rotary knob to a switching shaft of a switching unit mounted behind the appliance panel. Exact and wobble-free guidance of the rotary knob is achieved by the actuating shaft being rotatably mounted on the appliance panel by a bearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Aktingesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Fleissner, Ernst Huber, Dirk Schumann
  • Publication number: 20040065536
    Abstract: A battery device has a plurality of batteries connected in series. Each of the batteries includes a thermally responsive switch, a first conductive plate connected to a first terminal of the thermally responsive switch, a second conductive plate connected to a common terminal of the thermally responsive switch, and a third conductive plate which functions as a bypass when it is connected to a second terminal of the thermally responsive switch. In normal operation, the thermally responsive switch is in contact with the first fixed contact of the movable contact such that the first and second conductive plates are electrically connected. When the battery heats up abnormally, exceeding a maximum permissible temperature, the bimetal strip is inverted such that the movable contact comes into contact with the second fixed contact and thus the second and third conductive plates become electrically connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makito Takiagwa
  • Patent number: 6686551
    Abstract: A switch destined in particular for usage as a general cutout switch for batteries in low-voltage vehicle electrical systems and the like includes a supporting body carrying at least one pair of fixed electrical contacts,—a mobile element carrying at least one mobile electrical contact, cooperating with the fixed contacts and movable in a rectilinear direction between an open-contacts position and a closed-contacts position and vice versa, a rotary control member suitable for controlling the movement of the mobile element, an elastic structure that tends to push the mobile element towards the open-contacts position, mutually cooperative contact surfaces provided on the control member and on the mobile element and mutually cooperative stop mechanisms provided on the supporting body and on the rotary control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Menber's Spa
    Inventor: Giorgio Pasotto
  • Publication number: 20030057082
    Abstract: A switch, in particular a battery cutout switch for vehicles and the like, including:
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Giorgio Pasotto
  • Patent number: 6528743
    Abstract: A knob for installation on the end of a timer control shaft having a pair of flexible fingers. The knob includes a core, a hub in the core and a shaft receiving passage formed in the core. A shaft entrance of generally circular transverse cross section is formed on the timer side of the knob. A pair of arcuate ribs are formed in the passage inwardly of the entrance. A pair of diametrically located gaps are formed between the arcuate ribs. Shaft finger receiving channels are formed in the walls of the passage at the gaps with each channel having a base wall which tapers radially inwardly in an axial direction from the passage entrance to a constriction and then tapers radially outwardly in a farther axial direction away from the entrance. Corner projections are located at the constriction and extend axially of the constriction toward and away from the channel entrance. The shaft receiving passage may extend through the core or it may be a blind passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The Grigoleit Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Howie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6410871
    Abstract: A simplified retractable knob in which an actuating element can be displaced axially with respect to a bearing element with or counter to the force of a coiled spring. A latching element is integrated into the coil spring, which is guided in a guideway having at least a rest position and an actuating position of the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Rainer Rarbach
  • Publication number: 20010019047
    Abstract: A control device with several stable positions, has a cam and a finger, the finger traveling along a cam track around the cam, when the finger and the cam are moved with respect to one another in translation. The cam track has curvature about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the translation to move the finger and the cam in rotation with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Philippe Rostan
  • Patent number: 6274835
    Abstract: A modular selector switch operator includes a housing and a cylinder rotationally mounted in the housing. The cylinder has a radially extending follower and a circumferential cam track. A knob extends forwardly of the housing and is operatively connected to the cylinder for rotating the cylinder. A pusher is received in the housing and has a follower pin riding in the cam track to convert rotational movement of the cylinder to linear movement of the pusher for actuating an electrical switch, in use. An indexing cam ring is concentrically mounted to the cylinder in the housing in one of two orientations with the cylinder follower engaging the cam ring. A first orientation provides a maintained actuation position relative to a neutral position. A second orientation provides a momentary actuation position relative to the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventor: Patrick Mo
  • Patent number: 5967301
    Abstract: A radio keyboard supports a potentiometer on its rear surface and a popout control in the front surface. The control includes a housing between the keyboard and the radio trim plate, inner and outer stationary cams, and a rotatable cam follower on a shaft which controls the potentiometer. The cams index the cam follower each time a knob on the shaft outer end is depressed. The cams alternately hold the follower and the shaft in retracted and extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Thurman Russell Reed, John Patrick Absmeier
  • Patent number: 5669489
    Abstract: A coding device includes a contact carrier (3) and a coding disk (4) that can be set in a plurality of rotary positions relative to the contact carrier (3) to set corresponding codes. Moreover, the coding disk (4) is displaceable between an inactive position, in which it is spaced apart from the contact carrier (3) and no code is effective, and an active position, in which a code corresponding to the rotary position of the coding disk (4) is set on the contact carrier (3). Because a desired code can be selected by rotating the coding disk (4) to the corresponding rotary position while the coding disk is in its inactive position, the code selection can be effected in a potential-free manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fritz Hartmann Geratebau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hermann von Ende
  • Patent number: 5541379
    Abstract: A video cassette recorder operable in a plurality of picture search modes comprises a rotatable knob and a locking mechanism. The knob returns to an initial position thereof when an operational force applied thereto is released. Each of the picture search modes are selected in response to a respective angular displacement of the knob from the initial position. The locking mechanism has a locking arm urged to lock the knob while the video cassette recorder operates in one of the picture search modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hak-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 5401924
    Abstract: A remote battery switch for motor vehicles provides for the remotely controlled disconnection and connection of the vehicle electrical system, for long term storage or carjacking threats. The switch attaches directly to the side terminal or top post connector of a standard motor vehicle battery, without further need for additional structural attachment. A cord or cable is run from the battery switch to the vehicle passenger interior, and is preferably discreetly accessible by the vehicle operator should the need arise. The cord or cable serves to open the switch by releasing a magnetic contact and withdrawing the magnetic switch bar against a spring, whereupon the switch bar is caught and retained by a double acting catch. A second pull on the cord releases the catch, whereupon the spring pulls the magnetic switch bar into magnetic contact with the other switch point to close the circuit. Thus, the switch may be remotely opened and closed using purely tensile forces in the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Frank Armanno, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5384442
    Abstract: A control knob assembly for a cooking appliance includes a control knob and a track body disposed in the control knob. A ring-shaped bezel having a plurality of inwardly projecting guide followers is mounted to the control knob, whereby the guide followers ride in tracks disposed within a top surface of the track body. The control knob is slidable over the track body, and is alternatively locatable in extended and retracted positions. When the control knob is located in a retracted position, the guide followers are releasably secured in notches contained in the tracks. When depressed, the guide followers are disengaged from the notches, permitting the control knob to move to an extended, operating position. In the operating position, the user depresses the control knob, thereby engaging a second plurality of notches which permit operation of a two-step gas valve by sequentially depressing and rotating the control knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Danner
  • Patent number: 5326949
    Abstract: An adjusting shaft for an electric regulating or control device, which operates equipment functions by means of a control cam, is profiled to engage the control cam and can be installed subsequent to the complete assembly of the control device and fixed relative to the control device by a spring detent and associated stop. The stop can also serve to prevent unintentional rotation of the control cam until displacement of the stop against the opposition of a biasing spring. The subsequently installed shaft can allow use of universal control devices with random shaft lengths and types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerate Blanc u. Fischer
    Inventors: Siegfried Mannuss, Emmett L. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5310974
    Abstract: An electrical switch mechanism for actuating and deactuating a power take-off (PTO) drive connectable to ancillary equipment is disclosed wherein the operating member for the switch mechanism first requires a linear movement and then a rotary movement in order to complete actuation of the switch to render the PTO drive operative. In order to render the PTO drive inoperative quickly, the switch mechanism can be deactuated by striking the operating member, although the PTO drive can be rendered inoperative by reversing the movements of the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Churchill, Michael E. Langford, John G. Appleton, Alvin J. Budd, Michael P. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 5271293
    Abstract: A knob assembly is disclosed for a control unit of a medical apparatus with a front panel. In order to transfer a turning setting movement through the front panel, a feed-through sleeve is rotatably arranged in the front panel and a knob core is movably arranged in the feed-through sleeve. On the control side of the front panel the feed-through sleeve and the knob core are enclosed by a manipulable element which, through application of pressure, can axially move the knob core in the feed-through sleeve. The knob core on the back side of the front panel moves a resilient locking washer from a locking position to an unlocked position so that turning of the manipulable element also will turn the feed-through sleeve. To improve the sealing at the feed-through location, the front panel is provided with a protection plate which is beaded outwards and surrounding the feed-through sleeve, with the manipulable element tightly enclosing the beaded protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sven-Gunnar Olsson, Sture Eriksson, Rolf Edstroem
  • Patent number: 5018951
    Abstract: A portable electric appliance including a fan device comprising a rotatable blade assembly and an electrical motor operatively coupled thereto; a standard having an upper end fixed to the fan device; a pedestal base; a coupling including an upper member joined to a lower end of the standard and a lower member pivotally coupled with the upper member and joined to the pedestal, the upper member being freely demountable from the lower member; a manually operable latch for preventing demounting of the upper member from the lower member; and a positioning mechanism for selectively fixing the relative angular positions of the upper and lower members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Duracraft Corporation
    Inventor: Jui-Shang Wang
  • Patent number: 4849584
    Abstract: A high-voltage switching device is provided having an insulating base member mounted to a panel such that a wiper arm assembly of the switching device is accessible from the front of the panel for pivoting a switching member between open and closed positions. Preferably, the switching member is a conductive rod having a portion coiled about a primary terminal assembly of the switch such that a first end of the conductive rod may be pivoted about the axis of the coiled portion between the open and closed positions. Although the switch is intended for high-voltage applications, the conductive rod is of sufficiently small gauge so as to allow for the manual pivoting of the rod without the need of leveraging linkages. The insulating base member of the switching device provides effective electronic isolation of the terminal assemblies and the conductive rod from one another and from the ambient environment of the switch such that a protective insulating housing is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: McGill Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: John Resh