Patents Examined by K. Richard Lee
  • Patent number: 7288731
    Abstract: A switching device (2) for a multi-step vehicle transmission (4) having one main transmission part (6) and an auxiliary-section transmission part (10) comprising the switching mechanisms (12, 14, 18, 38) for actuating switching elements (44, 50, 52, 54) in the main transmission part (6) and switching mechanisms (12, 14, 18, 38) for actuating switching elements (42, 46) in the auxiliary-section transmission part (10). The switching mechanisms (12, 14, 18, 38) for actuating the switching elements (44, 50, 52, 54) in the main transmission part (6) also actuate the switching elements (42, 46) in the auxiliary-section transmission part (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Josef Bader
  • Patent number: 7288735
    Abstract: The conductors are shaped into a flat shape and a part of the conductors is exposed from the recess portion formed in a part of the insulator respectively to constitute fixed contacts. Therefore, there is no necessity to bend the conductors and thus a bending error is not caused. As a result, no level difference can be generated between the fixed contacts and the problem of defective contact due to such level difference can be never caused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshihiro Naijo
  • Patent number: 7286038
    Abstract: An over-current protection device comprises two metal foils and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material layer laminated between the two metal foils. The PTC material layer includes: (1) a polymer substrate, being 35-60% by volume of the PTC material layer and including a fluorine-containing crystalline polymer with a melting point higher than 150° C., e.g., polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF); and (2) a conductive ceramic filler (e.g., titanium carbide) distributed in the polymer substrate. The conductive ceramic filler is 40-65% by volume of the PTC material layer, and has a volume resistivity less than 500 ??-cm. The volume resistivity of the PTC material layer is less than 0.1 ?-cm, and the ratio of the hold current of the PTC material layer at 25° C. to the area of the PTC material layer is between 0.05 and 0.2 A/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Polytronics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Shau Chew Wang, Jyh Ming Yu
  • Patent number: 7283033
    Abstract: An axial leaded over-current protection device comprised of a plurality of PTC devices, a first terminal metal strip, and a second terminal metal strip. One end of the first terminal metal strip diverges into a plurality of electrode strips, and the plurality electrode strips are connected to an electrode layer of each PTC device. The second terminal metal strip is connected to the other electrode layer of each PTC device, i.e., the one not being connected to the first terminal metal strip. Accordingly, the first terminal metal strip and second terminal metal strip are respectively connected to the two electrode layers of each PTC device and become in parallel thereby, so that the resistance of the over-current protection device can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Polytronics Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Shau Chew Wang, Yi Nuo Chen
  • Patent number: 7277003
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection component of an array type includes ceramic insulating substrate 12; varistor region 10 which is pasted on ceramic insulating substrate 12 and then is sintered integrally with ceramic insulating substrate 12; and at least one ground outer electrode 15A and a plurality of input/output outer electrodes 15B. Varistor region 10 includes at least one ground inner electrode 14A, varistor layer 10C and the plurality of input/output outer electrodes 15B so as to form the plurality of varistors. Ground inner electrode 14A is connected with ground outer electrode 15A. This structure enables the protection component to be extremely thin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Inoue, Hidenori Katsumura, Hiroshi Kagata
  • Patent number: 7277005
    Abstract: Disclosed is a PCB including an embedded resistor and a method of fabricating the same. The PCB includes a plurality of circuit layers in which circuit patterns are formed. A plurality of insulating layers is each interposed between the circuit layers. The embedded resistor is made of a resistive material and received in a receiving hole formed in the plurality of circuit layers and the plurality of insulating layers such that walls defining the receiving hole extends from one of the circuit layers to another circuit layer. The receiving hole has a closed section, and a conductive material is plated on the opposite walls of the walls defining the receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung Sam Kang, Chang Sup Ryu, Jong Kuk Hong
  • Patent number: 7268663
    Abstract: A precision AC input voltage divider of input resistance RI and feedback resistance RF on a substrate is printed as a serpentine pattern for a thin line of resistive material. The input resistance is formed between a first and second terminal, and feedback resistance is formed between the second terminal and a third terminal. A first metallic conductor is formed on the substrate, connected to the first terminal, disposed to be adjacent to the input resistance, and having a distributed capacitive coupling to the input resistance that compensates for corresponding distributed stray capacitance from the input resistance to a circuit ground. A second metallic conductor is formed on the substrate, connected to the third terminal, disposed to be adjacent the feedback resistance, and having a distributed capacitive coupling to the feedback resistance that compensates for corresponding distributed stray capacitance from the feedback resistance to the circuit ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvia J. Budak, Joe E. Marriott
  • Patent number: 7262374
    Abstract: Provided are a pointing device allowing accurate depressing operation on a key top and involving no erroneous input or erroneous operation, and a key sheet for the pointing device. On the back surface of a base sheet (14) of a key sheet (15) for a pointing device, an accommodating portion (17) for a magnet (13), for accommodating portion greatly protrudes toward a board (P) beyond a pusher (14b) is provided. When the key top (12) is depressed, the accommodating portion (17) and the magnet (13) come into contact with the board (P), and causes the depressed key top (12) to tilt using the point of contact as a fulcrum, thereby pressing the pusher (14b) against a contact switch (Pi, Po). Thus, it is possible to reduce the thickness and weight of the pointing device (10) and the key sheet (15) for the pointing device. Further, a reduction is achieved in terms of the possibility of erroneous input and erroneous operation, making it possible to reliably effect confirmation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Asahi Kasel EMD Corp., Polymatech Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Takatsuka, Yoshifumi Honmatsu, Masami Arai
  • Patent number: 7129435
    Abstract: Provided are a movable contact element used in a panel switch on the operation panel of various electronic devices and a panel switch using the movable contact element, which provide excellent operation feeling and simplify the production and integration processes. Between base sheet and the center of the outer surface of domed part of movable contact point is disposed spacer piece. Base sheet has a small protrusion swollen upward on its top surface, and the small protrusion serves as pressed part. This structure can eliminate the detachment of spacer piece from base sheet, and can also both simplify and improve reliability of the production and integration processes of the movable contact element and the panel switch. Providing pressed part ensures that the center of movable contact point is fully pressed down to a predetermined level, thus providing the user with excellent operation feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiro Sano
  • Patent number: 7084362
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator, which is used in a belt latch mechanism of restraint systems in motor vehicles and which indicates the proper locking of the tongue of the safety belt when the tongue is inserted into the belt latch mechanism. The actuator is provided in the form of a double-contact actuator, whereby the contact steel plates are arranged inside a contact space that is closed at the top, and the contact can be actuated by a slide by moving this slide into a channel situated to the side of the inner space of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignees: EAO-ESA Zweigniederlassung der EAO Lumitas GmbH, Autoliv Development
    Inventor: Bernd Ebert
  • Patent number: 7064286
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a simple, economical, reliable secure operation mechanism that can be adapted to factory production, or for post-sale, on any electrical shutdown device in a cabinet, that is designed to enable the shutdown device to be switched, while the cabinet is open, only after an additional voluntary action is performed by the operator on a secondary handle provided inside said cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Socomec, S. A.
    Inventors: Roger Dumont, Régis Heymann
  • Patent number: 7034236
    Abstract: There is disclosed a paddle switch operated by pushing on the lower portion of a rocker paddle to turn the switch “on” or “off”. The lower edge of the paddle pivots in and out about its upper edge. The switch includes semi-rigid spiral wound driver means having a conical end coupled to be driven by the rocker paddle. When the rocker paddle is pushed in, the paddle urges the semi-rigid driver means to rotate a cam means in a first, clock wise direction, or a second, counter clock wise direction. Alternate rotation of the cam drives a slider member having a cam follower back and forth along a linear axis. A shaped leaf spring cooperates with the cam follower to assist in the movement of the slider and determines its rest positions. An indicator such as an LED is used to indicate the state of conduction of the switch. When the rocker paddle is released, it is biased by a spring to pivot back to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Endres, Stephen R. Kurek, Anthony Tufano, Dennis A. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 6998547
    Abstract: A load changeover switch for a tap changer with two permanent main contact pairs for each phase to be switched, wherein the fixed contacts thereof are each time bridged over by a movable permanent main contact. The fixed permanent main contacts consist of a plurality of contact plates, which are articulated by means of contact springs, in the manner that the direction of deflection of the individual contact plates corresponds in each instance with the direction of impinging of the movable permanent main contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Kloth, Silke Wrede
  • Patent number: 6979792
    Abstract: A keystroke structure (1) comprising a baseplate with insert holes are considerably spaced; the baseplate further comprises a membrane circuit board; an electrically conductive and round in shape resilient body is on the circuit board, a first key frame and a second key frame are on the rim of the resilient body; the first key frame and the second key frame comprise two protruding hinged arms at one end and two extending posts at the other end; the posts comprise a shaft lever respectively; the shaft levers can thread insert the holes on the hood frame; furthermore, the posts comprise a protruding tubes each where they are connected with the first key frame and the second key frame; the tubes comprise a through holes each which the hinged arms thread such that the first key frame and the second key frame can be connected in “Y” shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Lai Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 6967293
    Abstract: The present invention is a roller construction module having an error prevention structure, comprising a base; a roller disposed in said base; two terminals at two opposite ends of the base to be electrically connected with a metal ring in the roller; a first and a second plungers on the bottom surface of the base; a post between the first and the second plungers; a third plunger on the position at the opposite side to the post on the bottom surface; and a first and a second protecting rods at two opposite ends near the third plunger. Based on the above-said structure, the switch at the left or the right side of the roller construction module can be respectively activated, and another switch, at the middle area of the mobile device, can be prevented from being activated simultaneously so that error prevention is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Speed Tech Corp.
    Inventors: Li-Sen Chen, Chien-Yu Hsu, Chang-Yi Li
  • Patent number: 6960731
    Abstract: A rotating contact supporting shaft for a low-voltage power circuit breaker, whose particularity consists of the fact that it has a modular structure that comprises, along the rotation axis, at least one first and one second supporting module (10, 20), each module being functionally coupled to at least one corresponding moving contact (3) of the circuit breaker and being provided respectively with first and second means (22) for connection to at least one first interconnection module (30); the first interconnection module is interposed between the first and second supporting modules and is provided with third and fourth connection means (31) that are suitable to be coupled respectively to the first and second connection means; the coupling between the first and third connection means and between the second and fourth connection means allows the functional connection between the first and second supporting modules and the direct structural connection of the interconnection module to the first and second suppor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Services S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lucio Azzola, Eligio Zanchi
  • Patent number: 6953901
    Abstract: A force sense imparting type input apparatus includes an exterior decoration plate having an opening, an operation lever supported by a stick controller positioned inside the exterior decoration plate in such a manner as to be capable of rocking, encoders for detecting a rocking amount and a rocking direction of the operation lever, motors for imparting desired external force to the operation lever, and a control unit for controlling driving of the motors on the basis of an output signal outputted from the encoders, wherein an operation knob is provided to an upper end of the operation lever protruding outward from the opening, and can be pushed or pulled in an axial direction of the operation lever with a neutral position of the operation knob as a reference, and the push-pull operation of the operation knob selectively operates first and second push switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Onodera
  • Patent number: 6949713
    Abstract: A lighting system having a vibration switch for a footwear is disclosed. The system comprise a vibrating switch turning “on” or “off” responsive to motions of the footwear. The vibrating switch further comprises an isolating housing, a spring on the isolating housing, one end of the spring being a free end and another end thereof being a fixing end, a conductive plate in the isolating housing; a metal support plate in the isolating housing and being at another side of the conductive plate; and a first and a second pins; the first pin being connected to the conductive plate and extending out of the isolating housing; and the second pin connected to the metal support plate and extending out of the isolating housing. When the isolating housing vibrates, the free end of the spring will swing to contact the conductive plate so as to conduct current to the conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Ming-Bi Weng, Pi-Lin Wang
  • Patent number: 6946608
    Abstract: A pyromechanical battery pole disconnect element, includes a housing (1) in which an electrical conductor is located, a pyrotechnic active element (14) including a breaking piston with a disconnect element (7) to sever the electrical conductor at an isolating point (11), and a pyrotechnic charge to drive the disconnect element (7). All of the current-conducting components except the active element (14) are combined to form a one-piece battery terminal clamp element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Uwe Brede, Uwo Albrecht
  • Patent number: 6943310
    Abstract: A toggle switch apparatus is disclosed, which includes a toggle mechanism and a plurality of basic switches maintained within a tubular housing. An actuator is associated with at least one spring which together can serve to actuate the plurality of basic switches. A lead wire termination assembly can also be configured within the tubular housing, wherein the lead wire termination assembly comprises a plurality of lead wires attached to a plurality of pin contacts that exit through a cover of the tubular housing, thereby permitting the toggle switch apparatus to be actuated manually in a maintained position during high gravity conditions. The tubular housing can be configured as a sealed metal tube. A header can also be sealed into the tubular housing utilizing a glass-to-metal seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Eisenhower