Patents Examined by Lisa Klaus
  • Patent number: 7045732
    Abstract: A pull retainer emergency safety switch includes a plastic housing and a switch module, wherein, the plastic housing has a push block device and a pull retainer piece has a ring retainer. The ring retainer abuts on a rotating handle configured in an upper portion of the push block device, and causes an underside of the rotating handle to abut on a triangular push block, and a bottom surface of the triangular push block is utilized to abut on a top surface of another triangular push block, thereby enabling a side surface of the second triangular push block to abut upon a push button of the switch module. When pulling on the pull retainer pieces the rotating handle with an anticlockwise rotating force produced that actuates the triangular push block and enables a horizontal displacement thereby pressing the switch module to actualize rapid cutting off of power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Highly Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuang Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 7041918
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a power outlet comprising two elastic pieces being formed at the rears of two insertion holes of the outlet panel, wherein one end of each elastic piece, including a fastening hole corresponding with the insertion holes, is disposed on a fastening board connected with the outlet panel and the other end of each elastic piece facing a base of a chassis of the power outlet is connected with one end of an elastic element. The other end of the elastic element is connected with the base of the chassis. In addition, a switch comprising a spring is connected between the fastening board and the base of the chassis, when the panel being compressed towards the inside of the chassis, the switch can be locked in position, enabling a user to safely and easily operate the electricity power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Chia-Chen Wu
  • Patent number: 7038150
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) acceleration switch is disclosed which includes a proof mass flexibly connected to a substrate, with the proof mass being moveable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate in response to a sensed acceleration. An electrode on the proof mass contacts one or more electrodes located below the proof mass to provide a switch closure in response to the sensed acceleration. Electrical latching of the switch in the closed position is possible with an optional latching electrode. The MEM acceleration switch, which has applications for use as an environmental sensing device, can be fabricated using micromachining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Polosky, Laurance L. Lukens
  • Patent number: 7038156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary knob assembly for a home appliance. The assembly includes a rotary switch having an encoder and a shaft rotatably installed at the encoder, a knob coupled to the shaft of the rotary switch, and a support member provided around the rotary switch to support the rotary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Shin Kim, Bong Sang Lee
  • Patent number: 7038154
    Abstract: The present invention provides an actuating device suitable for remotely actuating a tool which can be the fluid delivery mechanism of a cleaning implement. The actuating device has a flexible tape attached at one end to a spring-loaded spool mechanism connected to a trigger where the spring loaded spool mechanism is located within a housing for holding the device. The tape is threaded through at least one pole segment and is attached to a tool which can be actuated by a pulling or pushing motion of the tape. The present invention also provides a pair of electric cables which are attached at one end to the spring-loaded spool and at the other end to an electric tool or device such as a motor for driving a pump. An electric switch, which is located on the housing of a pistol-grip, is used to close the electric circuit formed by the pair of cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paulus Antonius Augustinus Höfte, Gregory Clegg Spooner, Terence Graham Curtis, Hoss Vong, Leonard Joseph Keller, Jr., Thibault Fayette
  • Patent number: 7034238
    Abstract: A key fob assembly comprises an electronic circuit comprising a substrate carrying a plurality of switching elements and a display element. A rear casing member having a first outer rim and receives the electronic circuit. A front casing member has a second outer rim, a plurality of button apertures, and a display window. The button apertures are substantially aligned with the plurality of switching elements and the display window is substantially aligned with the display element. A lens is contained within the display window providing a protective layer over the display element. An elastomeric seal member is provided having an outer periphery captured between the first and second outer rims and having a display aperture defined by an edge wherein the edge is captured between the display element and at least one of the front casing member and the lens. The elastomeric seal member includes a plurality of pedestals aligned with respective ones of the button apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Uleski, Yi Luo
  • Patent number: 7034240
    Abstract: An electric tool includes a power supply, a controlling apparatus and a two-way motor. The motor includes first and second leads. The controlling apparatus includes a first conductive element connected with the anode of the power supply, a second conductive element connected with the cathode of the power supply, a switching device comprising a carrier for carrying and switching the conductive elements between a neutral position, a first operative position and a second operative position. In the neutral position, the conductive elements do not contact the leads of the motor. In the first operative position, the first end of the first conductive element contacts the first lead of the motor and the second end of the second conductive element contacts the second lead of the motor. In the second operative position, the second end of the first conductive element contacts the second lead of the motor and the first end of the second conductive element contacts the first lead of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Yeou Yeng Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Guan-Jiun Wang
  • Patent number: 7034235
    Abstract: A key sheet includes a base sheet and a plurality of key tops arranged on the base sheet. The base sheet includes an elastic member formed of a rubber-like elastic body and a light-reflective reinforcing member. The light-reflective reinforcing member having at least one surface constitutes the metal-containing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junko Hosaka
  • Patent number: 7030331
    Abstract: In a push switch device, a first latchet tooth is formed to an actuation body composed of an elastomer, a second latchet tooth is formed to a cam follower composed of a synthetic resin material, and the first latchet tooth is meshed with the second latchet tooth by elastically urging the cam follower upward by a second coil spring as well as a first coil spring having a spring load smaller than that of the second coil spring is interposed between the actuation body and the cam follower. Then, the first latchet tooth is engaged with the second latchet tooth at an unstable position by regulating the rotation of the cam follower by the guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7030328
    Abstract: An electronic switch comprises a droplet of conductive liquid located in contact with a surface having an alterable surface configuration, an input contact located on the alterable surface and configured such that the input contact is in constant electrical contact with the droplet, and a micro-electronic mechanical system (MEMS) for altering the surface configuration to change the contact angle of the droplet with respect to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Beerling
  • Patent number: 7030330
    Abstract: This keyboard spill-proofing mechanism reduces and prevents damage to the electronic circuitry in keyboard that would normally occur due to inadvertent spillages of liquids, such as water, coffee or soda, onto the keyboard. This keyboard spill-proofing mechanism features a membrane sheet positioned below the top case. The membrane sheet includes multiple layers that have electrical circuits. The electrical circuits detect the off/on state of the key caps when they are pressed. The keyboard design features a waterproof base sheet made of an adhesive material that is positioned between the top case and the membrane sheet. The waterproof base sheet is designed such that a plurality of rubber springs connected thereon transmit the off/on state of the key caps to the electrical circuits in the membrane sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Suda
  • Patent number: 7026562
    Abstract: Briefly, micromechanical system (MEMS) switches that utilize protective layers to protect electrical contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yuegang Zhang, Qing Ma
  • Patent number: 7026563
    Abstract: A switch-device sheet comprising: a soft and elastic sheet body (5) having operation parts (5a) for operating contacts of a switch device; and a light guiding member (6) containing an optical fiber and being partially or completely embedded and wired in the sheet body (5), the light guiding member receiving light at one end (6a) and emitting light at the other end (6b). Therefore, the whole of the switch-device sheet (4) is flexible, and further the light guiding member (6) may be wired, as desired, outside or in the sheet body (5), while allowing for the size and wiring configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Mamoru Miyako, Keiji Nagaya
  • Patent number: 7026564
    Abstract: A rocker switch assembly includes a switch body, a mounting strap, a frame, and a paddle for actuating the switch between an on and an off position. The paddle has a uni-convex cylindrical exterior surface. The rocker switch assembly further includes a faceplate in the form of a frame having an opening. The exterior front surface of the faceplate has a uni-convex cylindrical surface profile. In an assembled condition, the paddle substantially occupies the faceplate opening. Due to the selected convex shapes of the paddle and faceplate, a portion of the paddle front surface is always substantially flush with a portion of the faceplate surface and at no time does any part of the paddle surface protrude past the faceplate front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour/LeGrand
    Inventors: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr., Benjamin Coley, Francois Duval, Gad Shaanan
  • Patent number: 7022926
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a switch having a channel plate and a switching fluid. The channel plate defines at least a portion of a number of cavities, a first cavity of which is defined by an ultrasonically milled channel in the channel plate. The switching fluid is held within one or more of the cavities, and is movable between at least first and second switch states in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid. Alternate switch embodiments, and a method for making a switch, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin Glenn Wong
  • Patent number: 7019238
    Abstract: A stalk switch having a simplified structure and wide general-purpose applicability is provided. The stalk switch comprises an operating lever 4 manually operated by an operator, a supporting member 2 for rockably supporting the operating lever 4, an electromagnetic brake 5 arranged opposite to a base end of the operating lever 4, an optical image sensor 6 for detecting the operational state of the operating lever 4, and controlling means 8 for controlling the drive of the electromagnetic brake 5 based on an output signal a from the optical image sensor 6, wherein the range of movement of the operating lever 4 is defined by the electromagnetic brake 5, and a predetermined tactile response corresponding the operational state is given to the operating lever 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayumu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7019235
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a channel plate for a fluid-based switch. The channel plate is produced by 1) depositing a photoimagable dielectric layer onto a substrate, 2) photoimaging at least one channel plate feature on the dielectric layer, and 3) developing the dielectric layer to form the at least one channel plate feature in the dielectric layer, thereby forming the channel plate. Switches using photoimaged channel plates, and a method for making a switch with a photoimaged channel plate, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin Glenn Wong, John F. Casey
  • Patent number: 7019232
    Abstract: An operation lever structure of a lever switch for a vehicle has a knob, a lever guide inserted inside the knob, and a pair of guide ribs formed in an outer surface of the lever guide. A pair of guide ribs are formed projecting from and integrating with the knob at a position opposed to the pair of the guide ribs of the lever guide and extend to the outer surface of the lever guide between the pair of the guide ribs of the lever guide, wherein harnesses are inserted between the pair of the guide ribs of the knob. Thereby, sandwich of the harnesses on assembly is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norio Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7019240
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus interface assembly provides remote actuation of the operating handle of a circuit breaker. The interface assembly includes the circuit breaker, a second switching apparatus, such as an actuating handle disposed in a remote location from the circuit breaker, a connector and an operating handle attachment including a handle-engaging segment for securely engaging the circuit breaker operating handle and an interfacing segment for receiving the connector. The actuating handle is operable between ON and OFF positions corresponding to ON and OFF positions, respectively, of the circuit breaker operating handle. The connector interfaces or links the circuit breaker to the actuating handle. In this manner, when the actuating handle is moved from the ON or OFF position, the connector moves the circuit breaker operating handle in a likewise manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Eberts, Richard P. Malingowski, Roger W. Helms, Mark A. Janusek, Keith E. Thomas, David C. Turner, Ralph M. Ennis
  • Patent number: 7015405
    Abstract: A panel device for contacting with a switch on an ATCA main board in a case comprises a faceplate having openings and a pole, two first fasteners for securing the faceplate to the case, and a first arm pivotally connected to the faceplate. The first arm has a first finger passing through the opening to be coupled with the switch, a first ear for being touched by the case to swivel the first arm in order to make the first finger contact with the switch, and a lug with a second fastener to fix the first arm to the pole on the faceplate so that there is no possibility for the first finger to escape from the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Portwell Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Yang