Patents Examined by A. R. Scott
  • Patent number: 6713697
    Abstract: A dust and moisture free switch includes a hollow casing, a contact pole device, a control plate and an isolation part. The contact pole device is inserted to the bottom of the casing with a stationary pole and a support pole being inserted into and locating at a respective pole hole and an arc pole being attached to the top of the support pole such that the arc pole can swing leftward and rightward. The control plate is joined to the upper portion of the casing and has the bottom thereof being arranged with a central hollow post to fit with an extensible stir lever, which has a bottom thereof contacting with the arc pole. The isolation part is made of soft high molecular plastic material and passed through by and fitting with the stir lever so as to be located at and closely joined to the inner wall of the casing to perform a function of blocking dust or moisture to enter the bottom of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih Song Liu, Jui Jung Chiu
  • Patent number: 6713698
    Abstract: A key top including a resin film, a key top body made of resin and being covered by the resin film except for the rear surface thereof, and a first extending portion extending outward from the peripheral surface of the key top body. A gate mark formed by a mold and a vent mark formed by a mold which are located on the rear surface of the first extending portion. The rear surfaces of the key top body and the first extending portion are flat and located rearward from the rear surface of the resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kashino
  • Patent number: 6710275
    Abstract: A push button structure has an outer face of a key top that extends from a top face to a seat portion. An outer face starting from the top face and terminating at a position between the top face and the seat portion is tapered in a spreading direction. An outer face that extends from the position between the top face and the seat portion toward the seat portion is formed so as not to approach the outer face of the adjacent key top. In the outer face of the key top, an inward step is disposed at the position between the top face and the seat portion. The starting end of the outer face extending toward the seat portion is shifted to the inner side from the terminating end of the outer face starting from the top face of the key top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Sunadome
  • Patent number: 6710271
    Abstract: A centrifugal operated switch particularly suitable for operating a circuit for starter windings of a motor. A spindle is connected to and rotated by the motor shaft. Swing arms connected to the spindle move upwardly and outwardly in response to rotational speed of the spindle. A plunger is movable in the spindle, and moves together with movement of the swing arms. The plunger is operationally connected to a contactor having one end electrically connected to a first terminal, and a second end alternatively connected to and disconnected from a second terminal. Movement of the plunger causes movement of the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Spedale, Ghaffar Kazkaz, Frank Villari, Tao-Ming Wang, Daniel J. Danek
  • Patent number: 6706988
    Abstract: An automated device (10) has a curved outer cover (12) through which a switch arm (48) extends. The switch arm is pivotally supported inside the cover and is connected therein by means of a lost motion mechanism (51) to a switch actuator (46) of a switch (44) to control operation of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Helf, Tyler D. Duston
  • Patent number: 6706979
    Abstract: A vibration switch includes a housing with an accommodation chamber for receiving securely two electric contact bodies therein. The electric contact bodies are spaced apart from each other, and respectively have rolling surfaces, each of which defines a farthermost area and a tangential area. Two electrically conductive rollable bodies are respectively rollable on the rolling surfaces such that the rollable bodies respectively abut against the tangential areas by virtue of gravity to establish electric contact between the electric contact bodies. Once the housing is caused to quiver, the rollable bodies will lurch towards one of the farthermost areas so that one of the rollable bodies is out of contact with one of the rolling surfaces, thereby breaking the electric contact between the electric contact bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Tien-Ming Chou
  • Patent number: 6706978
    Abstract: A spherical movable contact is housed in housing portions of a first case and a second case so as to be able to roll, and is to come into or go out of contact with a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact. The first case and the second case are fixed to each other so as to form an integral body in such a manner that the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact are opposed to each other. At least one of the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact is divided. The movable contact is disposed so as to roll while bridging the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact. Contact portions where the movable contact is to contact the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact assume arc shapes, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Wagatsuma, Shuichi Kuwabara, Yoshiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6696658
    Abstract: A single-pole circuit interrupter is provided that includes a sealed housing containing a pressurized gas, relatively movable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the relatively movable contacts. The operating mechanism is responsive to a low-speed rotational charging input and includes energy storage means capable of being charged and storing operating energy and charging means responsive to the low-speed rotational charging input for charging the energy storage means. Thus, the only seal to the environment for the overall single-pole circuit interrupter is at the single low-speed charging input. The operating mechanism includes linear stored energy devices arranged so as to generally define one or more planes or arrays and a latch arrangement that is disposed intermediate the stored energy devices and operating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one or more planes or arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: S & C Electric Co.
    Inventors: Henry W. Kowalyshen, Andrew C. Shum
  • Patent number: 6689975
    Abstract: A foot controller 10 for use in ophthalmic surgery includes an accelerator-type pedal 14 for activating and controlling various surgical instruments, and a door 18 covering a switch 24. The door functions as a heel-rest when in a closed position and as a switch-shroud when in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael E. Metzler, Merlin Hall
  • Patent number: 6680444
    Abstract: A structure of an electronic switch is disclosed. The structure of the electronic switch comprises an adjustment groove in the neck portion of the button, a pressing element disposed in the adjustment groove, and an elastic plate area which is defined by a slit of the case of the switch. A plurality of pressing points in a form of grooves is disposed on the elastic plate area at a position where the adjustment groove is positioned, wherein the grooves correspond to every electrical signals generated by the switch, allowing to press and push the button to move the pressing element in right and left, or up and down directions through an external force, in doing so, the pressing element presses the corresponding pressing points generating the corresponding obvious synchronization contact stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Shin-Jiuh Corp.
    Inventor: King-Long Lee
  • Patent number: 6674027
    Abstract: An operating arrangement is provided for a mechanism or the like, e.g. an operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter for electrical power transmission and distribution systems where the operating mechanism operates on stored energy and requires a recharging operation after the stored energy is utilized to operate the circuit interrupter. The operating arrangement includes an operating member and a cooperating arrangement carried by the operating mechanism for retaining the operating member during a multi-turn charging operation. Initial operation of the operating member for one or more turns causes the operating member to be retained before any charging operation takes place. Subsequent operation of the operating member results in the charging of the operating mechanism. The operating member is then returned to an initial engagement position whereupon the operating member is released for removal from the operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: S&C Electric Co.
    Inventors: Henry W. Kowalyshen, Andrew C. Shum, John C. Opfer
  • Patent number: 6664489
    Abstract: A sensor element and a touch switch arrangement have a sensor surface, which engages on the underside of a control surface. The sensor surface is at least partly light-transmitting and is illuminated from below by a LED as the light source. A Funnel-shaped, closed light guide structure is provided, which guides or conducts the light from the LED to the sensor surface or shield against the environment. The light guide structure can additionally have further function(s) such as securing in position or electrical contacting of the sensor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Kleinhans, Wilfried Schilling
  • Patent number: 6657324
    Abstract: A micromachine switch for use in a millimeter wave circuit and a microwave circuit is simpler in structure than conventional micromachine switches. The micromachine switch has first and second high-frequency signal lines (1b, 1a), cantilever (11) fixed to an end of the first high-frequency signal line (1b) and extending to a position above second high-frequency signal line (1a), first insulating means (15) disposed on second high-frequency signal line (1a), second insulating means (14) disposed in an area where cantilever (11) and second high-frequency signal line (1a) confront each other, and first control signal line (2) connected between an end of second high-frequency signal line (1a) and first insulating means (15), for applying a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tsunehisa Marumoto
  • Patent number: 6653579
    Abstract: When elastic driver (13) tilts, elastic pressing portion (13B) thereof depresses the upper face of flexible insulated substrate (15), thereby bringing circular-ring-like upper resistor layer (16) on the bottom face of flexible insulated substrate (15) into partial contact with lower conductor layer (17) opposed to the upper resistor layer. In this state, a computing unit (not shown) recognizes the tilt direction and the tilt angle of elastic driver (13) according to information from leads of upper resistor layer (16) and lower conductor layer (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroto Inoue, Tamotsu Yamamoto, Masaki Sawada, Hiroaki Nishiono
  • Patent number: 6649852
    Abstract: The organic MEMS according to the present invention comprises a polymeric substrate comprising a substrate surface including a first region and a second region. A polymer coating is applied to the first region to provide a coating surface that is spaced apart from the substrate surface. A terminal is disposed on the second region. A metallic trace is affixed to the coating surface such that the metallic trace forms a flexible extension over the second region. The extension has a rest position where the extension is spaced apart from the terminal, and a flexed position where the extension is disposed towards the terminal. An actuator is used to provide an electric field to deflect the extension from the rest position to the flexed position. By changing the spacing between the extension and the terminal, it is possible to change the electrical condition provided by the MEMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Chason, Andrew Skipor, Aroon Tungare, Daniel Gamota, Sanjar Ghaem
  • Patent number: 6646215
    Abstract: A device is provided which is adapted to electrostatically pull a cantilever away from a conductive pad. In particular, a microelectromechanical device is provided which includes a fulcrum contact structure interposed between two electrodes spaced under a cantilever and a conductive pad arranged laterally adjacent to one of the electrodes. The cantilever may be brought into contact with the conductive pad by residual forces within the cantilever and/or an application of a closing voltage to one of the electrodes. Such a device may be adapted bring the cantilever in contact with the fulcrum contact structure by applying an actuation voltage to the other of the electrodes. In addition, the actuation voltage may deflect the cantilever away from the conductive pad. In some cases, deflecting the cantilever from the conductive pad may include releasing the closing voltage and increasing the actuation voltage subsequent to the release of the closing voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Teravicin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6646212
    Abstract: A switch mechanism comprising a housing in which a switch is mounted, the switch being actuable to switch between first and second conditions. A cam is mounted within the housing to rotate about a predetermined cam axis, the cam defining a cam surface against which a cam follower bears such that rotation of the cam causes displacement of the cam follower to activate the switch. An actuator shaft which may be connected to a safety rope is mounted to be axially displaceable within the housing, the actuator shaft being mechanically coupled to the cam such that axial displacement of the shaft causes the cam to rotate about its axis. The actuator shaft is positionable in an intermediate axial position in which the cam is rotatable to a predetermined rotational position such that the cam follower causes the switch to assume the first condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: EJA, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mehdi Mohtasham
  • Patent number: 6642463
    Abstract: An improved remote actuator for use with a circuit breaker includes a handle assembly that can be disposed at the exterior of a cabinet and an actuation assembly that is operatively connected with the handle assembly and with the circuit breaker. The remote actuator includes a spring that is connected with a transfer link of the handle assembly and that biases a handle of the handle assembly to either an ON position or an OFF position. The remote actuator includes a fulcrum member on a bracket of the actuation assembly that at least partially overcomes the bias of the spring to facilitate assembly of the remote actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: David C. Turner
  • Patent number: 6639332
    Abstract: A foot controller 32 for use with ophthalmic surgical equipment 34 includes a foot controller 32 having a door 18. Door 18 covers a surgical switch 24 when door 18 is in a closed position, and door 18 is a shroud for a surgical switch 24 when door 18 is in an open position. A door-position sensor 48 disables activation of the surgical switch 24, except when the door is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael E. Metzler, Robert Allyn, William J. Neubert
  • Patent number: 6639159
    Abstract: A key input device for portable terminals and the like, having a reduced sized and improved key input operation. The device has a wiring substrate, multiple keys on the substrate, with each key having three-dimensional displacement surfaces that are displacable in a linked fashion relative to one another. The displacement surfaces have a preceding displacement surface and a succeeding displacement surface corresponding respectively to a preceding and a succeeding key displacement. A first switching operation occurs when a first key part of a first key and first substrate part of the wiring substrate are brought into mechanical contact with each other on the basis of displacement of the preceding displacement surface. A second switching operation results when a second key part of a second key and a second substrate part of the wiring surface are contacted on the basis of displacement of the succeeding displacement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Anzai