Patents Examined by J. R. Scott
  • Patent number: 6337452
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear includes a bus unit, a breaker unit and a line side unit. An insulating spacer structure attaching at least two of the units together includes an inner flange on a first unit, an outer flange on a second unit, and an insulating spacer positioned between the first and second units. Closed end tapped holes are formed in the inner flange and idle holes are formed in the outer flange, and tapped holes with a larger diameter than that of the tapped holes of the inner flange are formed in the insulating spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tsuzura, Kazuhiko Takahashi, Junzo Kida, Minoru Yabuki
  • Patent number: 6333474
    Abstract: A distributor rotor for use with an after market distributor cap that is secured to a computer controlled electronic distributor that distributes voltages to spark plugs in internal combustion engines by a distributor cap adapter. The distributor rotor is injection molded and has a stainless steel spring contact and a metallic contact overlaid the stainless steel spring contact, thereby relocating the critical electrical contacts to a desired location when used with the after market distributor cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Metro Motorsports, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Aluise, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6333477
    Abstract: A switch that provides a stable contact and a superior feeling of operation despite the small profile. Its movable contact point 15 comprises a round dome section 15A, a flat section 15C formed by cutting a side alley 17B for a certain specific length and a connection section 15B provided at the outer circumference of the round dome section 15A for connecting the two items 15A and 15C together. On an insulating substrate 11, a first fixed contact point 12 is provided in an area underneath the round dome section 15A, while a second fixed contact point 13 is provided under the flat section 15C always keeping contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Koyama, Koji Sako
  • Patent number: 6331684
    Abstract: A switch mechanism module for a switch including a first housing member, a second housing member, and an operating mechanism between the first and second housing members. The first housing member has first and second integral stops depending therefrom, and the second housing member has first and second integral legs depending therefrom. The operating mechanism rotates upon rotation of the handle of the switch causing rotation of the rotor of the switch. Movement of the operating mechanism ceases upon engagement of the operator cam with the stop of the first housing member. The integral legs of the second housing member provide reinforcement for the stops to prevent movement of the stops in the direction of the rotating cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Hamid S. Abroy, David E. Greer, John K. Leppla
  • Patent number: 6329620
    Abstract: A flat foot switch unit has a surface has a slippage-preventing measure. In this, a foot switch section has a four-sided surface shape and step-motion-detectable foot switches internally formed in nine regions by dividing the surface shape in 3×3. Furthermore, the foot switch section has slippage-preventing linear grooves at least in the regions on the surface of the top layer of a first sheet unit, which is part of the surface shape, and in which the foot switches are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Oishi, Toru Okubo
  • Patent number: 6329622
    Abstract: A small-sized oscillating-operation type switch apparatus where plural switch devices are selectively on-operated by oscillating operation of an operating body. The apparatus has an operating body oscillate-operated by a user, a support member oscillate-movably supporting the operating body, a flexible substrate with tact switches on-operated by oscillating operation of the operating body, and a fixed plate supporting the operating body, the support member and the flexible substrate. A support shaft as the center of oscillation is perpendicularly provided at the center of a lower surface of the operating body, and four press projections and four connection projections are provided alternately, outside the support shaft, in a circumferential direction at equal 45° intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ando
  • Patent number: 6326569
    Abstract: A control panel assembly having a plurality of buttons located in a bezel and supported by a switch mat. A bezel and/or button is formed using a vacuum forming technique and has a transparent inner surface layer and a middle translucent color layer and an opaque outer surface layer. A portion of the opaque outer surface layer is removed to define a desired indicia on an outer surface of the bezel or button. In addition, the bezel or button can be backlit to allow visibility in low light conditions. A method of making a control panel component, such as a bezel or button, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Key Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ardrey, Mark R. Weston
  • Patent number: 6323449
    Abstract: An electrical switch is provided, which is of low height and which uses a single snap dome tripper (36) to close a plurality of switch devices and provide tactile feedback to the person who has depressed the tripper. The switch includes a support (12), a plurality of contacts (26) mounted on the support with each contact having an exposed engaging surface in the lower portion of the support. An intermediate contact member in the form of a plate (44), lies over the engaging surfaces of the contacts, and the snap dome tripper lies over the intermediate contact member. The intermediate contact member has a plurality of blades (50) that are each downwardly deflected against a corresponding engaging surface (29) when the tripper is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Janniere
  • Patent number: 6323445
    Abstract: A membrane switch structure providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection has three layers of insulating material, including two outer layers containing on their inside opposing surfaces printed conductive circuit patterns which may be selectively brought into electrical contact with each other through contact apertures provided in an intermediate insulting layer. An ESD protection circuit is provided in close proximity to at least one of the two outer layers, e.g., by printing the pattern on a backside of one of the outer layers in the same manner that printing of the circuit pattern is carried out. The ESD protection circuit pattern replicates, at least generally, all or a portion of the layout of the conductive circuit patterns. The ESD protection circuit can be efficiently fabricated and offers effective protection of the membrane switches from ESD events that can cause device operation problems in, for example, computer keyboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Dawson Yee
  • Patent number: 6323448
    Abstract: A stab assembly (41) in which a spring clip (24) and a conductor member (16) define a pair of engagement surfaces for engaging a stab blade (12). The conductor member (16) has an opening (34) to allow for the insertion of an extended surface of the spring clip (24). Once in position, the spring clip (24) and conductor member (16) are frictionally engaged and define a channel (126) that will accept and hold a stab blade (12). The stab assembly (14) is retained within a molded case circuit breaker (10) and provides electrical contact between a bus bar and the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Seymour, Anapam Tiwari, Frederick W. Glabau, Michael C. Guerrette
  • Patent number: 6320146
    Abstract: An operator is prevented from slipping out when it is pulled, and an operating apparatus equipped with such an operator can be realized at lower production cost. A hole is formed in the operator. A member to be operated is formed with a pawl such that when the operator is pushed down onto the member, the pawl is engaged with the hole. The operator is thereby firmly coupled with the member. Under this arrangement, if the operator is pulled, the member is also moved integrally with the operator. Moreover, the operating apparatus further includes a case comprising a hole. Thus, the pawl is further prevented from slipping out of the hole because any outward bending of the pawl caused by the pulling is restricted due to a peripheral part of the hole of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yoshiki Mori
  • Patent number: 6320143
    Abstract: The present invention is a linkage assembly for a double throw safety switch. In one embodiment, the linkage assembly includes a frame connected to a first slider plate and a second slider plate. The first and second slider plates are moveably connected to the frame by guides in the form of slots which cooperate with slider supports on the frame. The profile of the slots define a range of movement of the slider plates. A driver arm is used to effect simultaneous movement of the slider plates either toward or away from a central portion of the driver arm. A first follower arm which controls a first single throw switch, and a second follower arm which controls a second single throw switch, are also connected to the frame by a spline coupling. The first follower arm includes a slider support which cooperates with a guide, again a slot, in the first slider plate. Similarly, the second follower arm includes a slider support which cooperates with a guide in the second slider plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: David E. Greer
  • Patent number: 6320144
    Abstract: A cover plate is attached to a switch portion of a coaxial connector. With this construction, even when the rising of flux due to surface tension occurs during a surface-mounting operation by reflow soldering, the flux is prevented from reaching the switch portion, thus preventing a disadvantage that the contact resistance is increased by the flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoji Inomata
  • Patent number: 6316742
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Southern States, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Rostron, Cary J. Ahrano, Brian J. Berner
  • Patent number: 6313416
    Abstract: A switch assembly for a circuit having an insulating base, a blade, a blade hinge member that allows for rotation of the blade about a pivot position, a first contact member, identical in construction to the blade hinge member, having opposing sidewalls that electrically engage and disengage the blade in response to pivoting movement of the blade, a rotor member for engaging and rotating the blade, and a second contact member, identical in construction to blade hinge member and the first contact member, for retaining a fuse is provided. The opposing sidewalls of the either the blade hinge member or the first and second contact members, being identical in construction, are adapted to either pivotally support the blade, engage and disengage the blade, or secure the fusible member thereto, depending on their position on the insulating base. Identical spring members are connected to the blade hinge member and contact members for retention force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Hamid S. Abroy, John Kenneth Leppla
  • 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: 6310310
    Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes an insulated housing with an opening therethrough and an interior surface. The housing has an upper open end and a lower open end. A conductive upper terminal pad has a downwardly extending bar, wherein the upper terminal pad encloses the upper open end. A vacuum interrupter has a stationary stem that is electrically connected to the bar, and a moving stem extending in a direction opposite the stationary stem. A dielectric material is permanently bonded to at least a portion of the vacuum interrupter and substantially fills any voids between the vacuum interrupter and the interior surface. The dielectric material and the vacuum interrupter are selectively removable from the housing when the upper terminal pad is removed. A moving end assembly is connected to the moving stem and includes a highly conductive outer sleeve which receives a high strength inner sleeve having a cross-hole therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Vacuum Electric Switch Co.
    Inventor: Cecil C. Wristen
  • Patent number: 6310311
    Abstract: An integrated bushing component for use in conjunction with pad mounted high voltage three-phase switch gear located with an electrical cabinet. The integrated bushing component providing an electrically insulated conductive path through a dead front barrier separating a first switch gear confinement area, wherein a first electrical circuit is connected to the switch gear mounted therein, and an second electrical connection confinement area, wherein connection to a second electrical circuit is provided by an end of the integrated bushing component. The switch gear includes a switch arm selectively positionable between an open non-conducting position and a closed conducting position. The switch arm provides a primary conductive path connecting a first electrical circuit with a terminal when the switch arm is placed in the closed conducting position. The integrated bushing includes, in a unitary component, a conductive inner core and a pump housing which receives an electrical arc extinguishing pump therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Gary Hakes, Glenn E. Himstedt
  • Patent number: 6307169
    Abstract: A Micro-Electromechanical System (MEMS) switch (100) having a single, center hinge (120) which supports a membrane-type electrode (104) on a substrate (101). The single, center hinge (120) has a control electrode (104) coupled to the substrate (101) by an anchor (113), a hinge collar (121), a set of hinge arms (122, 123). The control electrode (104) has a shorting bar (106) coupled thereto and is electrically isolated from another control electrode (105), which is formed on the substrate (101). A travel stop (130) is positioned between the substrate and the control electrode (104). Another aspect of the present invention is a Single Pole, Double Throw (SPDT) switch (160) into which is incorporated the single, center hinge (170) and the travel stop (185, 186).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola Inc.
    Inventors: Xi-Qing Sun, John Michael Parsey, Jr., Jenn-Hwa Huang, Ji-Hai Xu
  • Patent number: 6307172
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided having a particle trap within an interior gas-insulation cavity containing a contact mechanism. The interior cavity is defined within a tank. In an embodiment, the tank has a generally cylindrical tank wall, and the trap is a recessed channel formed by the tank wall along a bottom of the interior cavity. The trap is effective to collect foreign particles present within the tank, thereby reducing breakdown. In an embodiment, portions of the tank wall adjacent to the channel curve or slope downwardly toward the channel to guide particles moving under the influence of gravity, mechanical vibration and gas flow into the trap where they are immobilized in operation due to the low electrical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Clarence Bolin, Harley Wayne Wilson, Dennis J. Matuszak