Patents Examined by James R. Scott
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Patent number: 6867672Abstract: A switching device includes a latching mechanism and is cheap to produce and easy to assemble. To this end, the construction is essentially formed from a three-part modular unit including metallic material, and has a spring which supports the back-latching of the latching mechanism, and forces which extend essentially in one plane in the latching mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Winfried Vierling
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Patent number: 6864446Abstract: The present invention provides a rolling seal that is disposed between the handle and the housing. The subminiature circuit breaker has a housing and a handle assembly as noted above. The housing has a handle opening bushing that includes at least one through opening. The handle assembly has a handle member disposed in the handle opening which is structured to move between a first position and a second position. The handle member further has an attachment ring. The rolling seal includes a flexible tubular member having a first end and a second end, and a lip. Said lip extends inwardly toward the axis of the tubular member. The lip is disposed at the first end of the tubular member and the second end is disposed at the second end of the tubular member. The lip is structured to engage the handle opening at least one through opening and the second end is structured to engage the attachment ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Patrick W. Mills
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Patent number: 6861600Abstract: Integrated switch and backlight assembly includes a flexible light panel disposed between a circuit board and a keypad for backlighting the keypad. On the back side of the light panel is a back reflector having a plurality of contacts for selectively establishing electrical contact with the circuit board upon actuating selective portions of the keypad to cause corresponding portions of the light panel and back reflector to flex toward the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Lumitex, Inc.Inventors: Walter B. Schulz, David J. Page
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Patent number: 6861597Abstract: A device switches an electrical connection in accordance with the condition of a device to be monitored, especially to a safety switch (1) for a protective device. The safety switch includes a housing (2,3) in which a switch disk (7) is mounted for rotation about an axis (8). An actuator (5) can be inserted for triggering the switching process. A latching device blocks the switch disk (7). The latching device has a latching element (12a, 12b) guided in the switch disk (7) and movable against the effect of a first energy accumulator (11). In a position in which it blocks the switch disk (7), the latching element (12a, 12b) engages an associated recess (13a, 13b) in the housing (2, 3). A rotatable release element (14a, 14b) disposed beside the switch disk (7), is rotatable relative to the switch disk (7) when the actuator (5) is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Euchner GmbH & Co.Inventor: Erik Baechle
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Patent number: 6861606Abstract: A switch actuator mechanism, for example for use with a circuit breaker, includes a rocker which has first and second rocker members which are hinged together. The rocker members have flat front faces which are movable between a condition in which they lie flat in the same plane, and a second position in which the faces are inclined relative to one another, with one rocker member standing proud of the housing of the switch or circuit breaker. Fingers on one of the rocker members engage a link of the circuit breaker mechanism to open or close its contacts. A spring loaded latching mechanism locks the rocker members alternately in their first and second conditions with successive operations of the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Circuit Breaker Industries LTDInventors: Manuel Fernando Vidal Ribeiro, Carlos Alberto Ferreira
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Patent number: 6858810Abstract: An inertial sensor with failure threshold includes a first body and a second body, which can move relative to one another and are constrained by a plurality of elastic elements, and a sample element connected between the first body and the second body and shaped so as to be subjected to a stress when the second body is outside of a relative resting position with respect to the first body. The sample element has at least one weakened region. The sensor may also include additional sample elements connected between the first and second bodies.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Nokia CorporationInventors: Sarah Zerbini, Angelo Merassi, Guido Spinola Durante, Biagio De Masi
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Patent number: 6849813Abstract: The invention relates to a tap selector switch with a preselector for uninterrupted switching-over between different winding taps of a tapped transformer. The entire selector is in that case accommodated as a separate assembly in an own insulating material housing, and the fixed preselector contacts are constructed in circular form and arranged around a switch rod in different planes in the interior of this insulating material cylinder. Connection to them is made by preselector contact bridges, which are fastened to the switch rod, with radially resilient contact members.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Albrecht
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Patent number: 6849968Abstract: A switch unit allows a user to perform an on-and-off switching control of a load which is installed in a certain place without having the user move to the load position and confirm the control status of the load. The switch unit includes a local switching unit having a plurality of buttons each coresponding to each load which is installed in a current place, for directly selecting a load to be switching-controlled, an overall switching unit fabricated in the form of a dial, for selecting a load to be switching-controlled, an overall display unit having a number of LEDs, for displaying the switching control state of each load, an all-off switch which is slightly sunk from the surface of the switch unit, for switching all the loads entirely, and a remote controller signal receiver for receiving a remote controller signal. The switch unit further includes a FND display unit for displaying a load corresponding to the current dial position in the overall switching unit with a numerical symbol.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventor: Hyung-Sik Park
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Patent number: 6850134Abstract: An operating mechanism assembly for a circuit breaker that includes a frame assembly, a metal pivot structure, and a trip device. The trip device has a cradle member structured to pivot about a pivot point and a trip assembly. The trip assembly is coupled to the frame assembly. The cradle member is pivotally disposed on the metal pivot structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Edward E. Lias, Michael J. Whipple, Michael W. Nordmeyer
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Patent number: 6846996Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Medconx, Inc.Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Aaron T. Fine, Joseph R. Layton
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Patent number: 6846995Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device for a vehicle horn of a vehicle having an actuation element by means of which the vehicle horn is triggered when pressure is applied by an operator. In order to make the switching device particularly user-friendly, the invention provides for the actuation element to be mounted on a pantograph device in such a way that the actuation element can move exclusively in a direction which is predefined by the pantograph device.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Takata-Petri AGInventor: Helmut Bonn
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Patent number: 6841895Abstract: The configuration switch array for motor vehicle instrument panels provides for the free substitution and replacement of switches without rewiring of the instrument panel. Each switch assembly in the switch array includes a plurality of identification fingers projecting from the bottom of a switch assembly housing. The pattern and number of the identification fingers indicate the function the switch assembly is to invoke.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventor: H. Edward Kelwaski
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Patent number: 6838785Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention it is possible to create an operating unit (11) with a rotary toggle (14), which has an integrated bearing device (15) with which the operating unit (11) can be magnetically fixed to a cover (12). The operating unit (11) has a control means (23) with a microprocessor for evaluating magnetic signalling means (19), which detect a rotation of the rotary toggle (14) relative to the bearing device (15). Through a first transformer (26) in the operating unit (11) and a second transformer (29) on the underside of the cover (12), it is possible to have both a signal transmission and a power transmission between the operating unit (11) and the electrical appliance.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbHInventor: Wilfried Schilling
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Patent number: 6838629Abstract: A force-storing unit for a tap changer has an output shaft journaled in a support and a pair of parallel guide rods fixed on the support, defining a longitudinal direction, and spaced parallel to the shaft. A force-storing slide and an output part are displaceable longitudinally along the rods between respective end positions. Teeth on the output part mesh with a gear carried on the output shaft. Mechanism between a drive shaft and the slide displaces the slide longitudinally on the rods in a direction dependent on a rotation direction of the drive shaft and loads a spring between the slide and the output part as the slide is moved longitudinally relative to the output part. A latch connected between the slide and the output part retains the output part in each of its end positions until the slide moves into the respective end position.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbHInventor: Reinhold Baertl
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Patent number: 6838961Abstract: A unitary operating mechanism assembly for a circuit breaker that includes a frame assembly having a planar member with a first pivot point located thereon, a handle member rotatably attached to the frame assembly at the first pivot point and structured to move between a first, closed position, a second, open position having an intermediate position therebetween, and a third, reset position, an operating arm coupled to the handle member and structured to move between a first and second position, and a trip device attached to the frame assembly and structured to move the handle member between the first, closed position and the intermediate position upon the occurrence of a predefined condition. The trip device causes the handle member to rotate upon the occurrence of a predefined condition, such as an overcurrent, thereby causing the operating arm to rotate and wherein none of the components except the frame assembly is attached to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Edward E. Lias, Michael J. Whipple, Michael W. Nordmeyer
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Patent number: 6838627Abstract: An element (20) for making an electric contact to another contact member (19) for enabling an electric current to flow between said element (20) and said contact member comprises a body having at least a contact surface thereof coated with a contact layer (21) to be applied against said contact member. This contact layer comprises a continuous film comprising a laminated multielement material having strong bonds, such as covalent or metallic bonds, within each atomic layer and weaker bonds, through larger bonding distance or for example as van der Waals bonds or hydrogen bonds, between at least some adjacent atomic layers thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: ABB ABInventors: Peter Isberg, Björn Hellström, Bengt Stridh, Anna-Liisa Lönn, Rolf Gustafsson, Sylvia Arnell, Pan Min
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Patent number: 6838960Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a molded case comprised of a case and a cover. Terminal parts to be connected to a power supply and a load are provided respectively at front and rear ends of the molded case. A control mechanism for switching a movable contact is disposed between the front and rear terminal parts. The cover is divided into three parts for covering the control mechanism and the terminal parts disposed at front and rear of the control mechanism, respectively. The front and rear parts of the cover covering the terminal parts are detachably mounted on the molded case as terminal covers.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Asakawa, Hisao Kawato, Yasutoshi Ide, Hideto Yamagata, Akihiko Kohanawa
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Patent number: 6836411Abstract: An operating device for a vehicle, such as an airplane or a bus, includes a board that is adapted to carry electronic circuits, and at least two catch hooks for receiving the board between them. Each of the catch hooks has a contact portion for retaining the board and a base part for supporting the contact portion. The base parts of the catch hooks face each other, and the contact portions face away from each other. When the board is loaded, the catch hooks are pressed towards the respectively other catch hook which results in that the catch hooks lean more and more firmly against the board when force is induced onto the board.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Goodrich Hella Aerospace Lighting Systems GmbHInventors: Yvonne Slowig, Rolf Broelemann
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Patent number: 6833777Abstract: The aim of the invention is to protect an electromagnet switching device when a load is switched to a supply voltage. A current that flows through the load contact is monitored. The electric circuit is interrupted when the current exceeds a threshold value that is below the current carrying capacity of the load contact. The electric circuit is automatically closed again after the current which flows through the load contact has decreased.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Georg Bollinger, Peter Donhauser
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Patent number: 6833779Abstract: A proportional solenoid valve for a high-pressure diesel pump of a motor vehicle has a housing and a solenoid with an armature movable in the housing. A bushing is provided, and a piston is arranged in the bushing. The armature acts on the piston for moving the piston in the bushing as a function of a current supply to the solenoid. At least one component is positioned between the bushing and the housing and is deformable in an axial direction of the piston so as to allow an exact adjustment of the position of the piston relative to the bushing.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Hydraulik-Ring GmbHInventors: Alfred Trzmiel, Rolf Neuhaus, Friedrich Zapf