Patents Examined by Lisa Klaus
  • Patent number: 8053694
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter mechanism includes a first member movable in a first longitudinal direction and an opposite second longitudinal direction, and a second member pivotal in a first pivotal direction and an opposite second pivotal direction. A first tab is fixedly coupled to one of the first and second members, and a second tab is pivotally coupled to the other of the members. The first tab engages and disengages from the second tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction and in the second longitudinal direction. The second tab pivots with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the first longitudinal direction. The second tab does not pivot with respect to the other of the members when engaged by the first tab during movement of the first member in the second longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Yuri C. Spitsberg, Thomas A. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 8049128
    Abstract: This invention is for a trigger switch apparatus for a hand held electric drill and includes a control of the electric power to a drill for fast or slow rotation of the drill bit by moving a rheostat contact bridge over a rheostat coil section for control of the rotation speed of the drill bit, and further a leaf spring holds the trigger carriage stop shoulder onto the carriage, and on seizure, kick back or sudden torque of the drill bit there is a cut off of power and the switch reverts to an “off” or “open” position, which then requires re-setting of the switch to a “closed” or “on” position for re-actuating operation of the hand held electric drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel D. Witt
  • Patent number: 8044313
    Abstract: A push button switch includes a switch casing, and a printed circuit board with a switching element disposed thereupon. A push button is disposed in an opening of the switch casing. The push button includes a pushing portion, pushing projection, and an annular wall portion surrounding a periphery of the pushing projection. The pushing portion, the pushing projection, and the annular wall portion are configured of elastic material. The annular wall portion and the pushing projection are disposed in an interior of the switch casing such that the pushing portion projects outwardly from the opening portion of the switch casing. A distal end portion of the pushing projection is directed toward the switching element. The push button switch also includes a guide member configured to restrict movement of the pushing projection. The guide member is disposed inside the annular wall portion of the push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8039770
    Abstract: A movable arm assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus including a stationary contact and an operating mechanism. The arm assembly includes a biasing member and an arm member having a first end, an opposite second end, a pivot point therebetween, and a portion having a longitudinal axis. A movable contact is disposed at or about the first end. The arm member engages a crossbar member at or about the pivot point such that the arm member can pivot from a first position to a second position. The biasing member engages the arm member at a point between the pivot point and the second end and includes a portion that engages and biases against a housings of the crossbar member. The longitudinal axis of the portion of the arm member is oriented generally parallel to the portion of the biasing member when the arm member is at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Schaltenbrand, Mark A. Janusek, Craig J. Puhalla, Louis F. Grahor
  • Patent number: 8035045
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an inverter (1), comprising a casing (8) as well as at least one casing cover (2), said casing cover (2) being mechanically engaged with a safety plug (10), said safety plug (10) being in electrical connection with at least the one load-current circuit located on the DC side, the inverter being switched off or disconnected at least from the DC-side load-current circuit after removal of the safety plug from the casing (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Sven Bremicker, Andreas Donth, Manfred Dach, Matthias Victor
  • Patent number: 8030586
    Abstract: An electronic switch may include a horizontal bottom plate, a top side of the plate may support at least two electrical contacts. A contactor may be positioned on the top side of the plate and may be elastically deformable to electrically link the at least two electrical contacts. A pushbutton may be positioned vertically above the contactor such that manual displacement of the pushbutton downward may provoke the elastic deformation of the contactor. A first elastic sheet may include a top film protecting the contactor. The top film may be fixed to the top side of the plate to secure the contactor vertically on the plate to form an opening so that the pushbutton may act directly on the contactor. A second elastic sheet may position the pushbutton horizontally relative to the contactor on a top side of which the top film may be fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Villain, Michel Cour
  • Patent number: 8022319
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to linkage means. More particularly, the invention encompasses a handle operator linkage with sealing means. The present invention is also directed to a novel linkage for controlling switches or breakers, and more particularly to a linkage for use as a double throw switch for controlling two switches or breakers mounted in the same enclosure so that only one switch can be ON at any given time, and the second switch would automatically be in an OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Tod Taylor Lament, Michael J. Holland
  • Patent number: 7994446
    Abstract: A key mechanism. A base plate includes at least one first guiding base, at least one second guiding base, at least one first barricade, and at least one second barricade. The first guiding base opposes the second guiding base. The first barricade opposes the second barricade. A scissors linking assembly is connected to the base plate and includes a first linking member and a second linking member. The first linking member pivots to the second linking member and includes a first guiding pillar. The second linking member includes a second guiding pillar. The first guiding pillar is disposed in the first guiding base through the first barricade and is abutted therebetween. The second guiding pillar is disposed in the second guiding base through the second barricade and is abutted therebetween. A keycap is connected to the scissors linking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ling-Hsi Chao
  • Patent number: 7989722
    Abstract: Disclosed is an illuminated switch device capable of effectively preventing light leakage between different light sources, thereby obtaining a good lighting quality, while reducing the overall size of the switch device. The illuminated switch device includes: a casing that has an open upper end and a partition wall provided therein and is formed on a bottom plate member having light sources and a push switch mounted thereon; and an operating body that has a light-shielding wall provided on the rear surface of an upper plate, is arranged so as to close the open end, and can be pressed. First and second illuminated regions to which light components are emitted from first and second light sources are provided on the upper plate. A protruding portion is formed at a leading end portion of a light-shielding wall, and a concave groove is provided at a leading end portion of a partition wall. The leading end portions are opposite to each other such that they can approach or separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony McCurdy, Takayoshi Hoshi, Toshio Imai
  • Patent number: 7985935
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for electronic devices. The systems and methods provide for a switch disposed on a bottom surface of a circuit board enclosed in a housing of an electronic device. The circuit board may include an aperture. An actuating pin of the switch may extend through the aperture towards the top surface of the circuit board. An external actuator may be coupled to the actuating pin in the aperture on the circuit board. The external actuator may extend out through an opening in the housing for providing a user with access to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Emery Sanford
  • Patent number: 7973252
    Abstract: A three-position, single-pole, double-throw, rotary ignition switch is disclosed that is water-tight and provides qualitative and quantifiable durability in the presence of high-current loads, even after long use. It withstands a continuous 20 A load, plus an additional occasional 20 A load, when in the “run” position. It withstands an additional 75 A inductive load when in the “start” position. Then even after 12,000 operational cycles, leakage current (with 28 VDC supply voltage) when the switch is in the “off” position, and between non-current-carrying terminals when the switch is in the “on” position, remains under 0.3 mA, and still allows leakage current not exceeding 10 mA at any time while each disconnected pair of terminals and between terminals and ground are exposed to 1,000±5 Vrms at a frequency of at least 60 Hz being increased 400 V/sec for one minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: UCOM, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7964810
    Abstract: A contact element for the intermittent contacting of conductor tracks on a circuit board, in particular, for flexible touchpads, for example for flexible input devices in the automobile industry, is made from a metal foam. The metal foam may be at least partly infiltrated by an elastomeric material which can also be the material of construction of the touchpad. The contact element has a very reliable construction which is particularly suitable for high voltage application. A method for production of the contact element, touchpads/input devices with such contact pads and the use of the contact pads is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Abatek International AG
    Inventors: Christoph Keist, Klaus Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7964815
    Abstract: In a lateral pushing type push-button switch, a pair of guiding portions against which an actuating portion that is projected from a pressing portion of an operating member into a housing is buttable are disposed in a cover which is attached to an upper portion of the housing. The switch has a second actuating member which is formed in continuously with a peripheral portion that is accommodated in a peripheral side portion of the housing, and which is projected into the housing to be opposed to the actuating portion. When the operating member is pressed in a lateral direction, the actuating portion and the second actuating member are downward displaced to depress movable contacts to be contacted with stationary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Asada
  • Patent number: 7956298
    Abstract: A movable contact board is engaged to a detent plate and the movable contact board is provided with a plurality of support portions, for example, four legs for supporting a stationary contact board and, on the other hand, the stationary contact board is provided with a plurality of guide grooves for reciprocally guiding the four support portions (legs) in the movable contact board along the rotational direction. Further, the plurality of the support portions (leg) are configured of the support portions, for example, four legs extending generally vertically from the movable contact board so as to straddle stationary contact points and bending portions provided in the four respective legs to penetrate through the pair of the guide grooves in the stationary contact board for supporting the stationary contact board from the backside. Thereby, an inhibitor switch preferable in view of reduction in the number of components and reduction in a plastic amount can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shimada, Takashi Horikoshi
  • Patent number: 7956299
    Abstract: A movable contact board is engaged to a detent plate fixed and fastened to a manual shaft and a shaft support portion for supporting the manual shaft which is a turning center of the detent plate to the stationary contact board is formed integrally with the movable contact board. Therefore, the detent plate, the manual shaft and the movable contact board cooperate integrally, leading to an improvement on relative position accuracy of the movable contact board to the stationary contact board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shimada, Tsutomu Watada
  • Patent number: 7956304
    Abstract: A combination switch is provided for a high-speed oven, the oven having a door. The combination switch has a rotatable cam (40) that is rotated when the door of the oven is moved between a closed position and an open position. The cam (40) has at least one lobe (50, 52) for engaging at least one safety-switch (44, 46) for actuation by the at least one lobe of the cam as the cam rotates. The at least one safety switch controls operation of at least a portion of the oven. A locking latch (48) is selectively moveable between an engaged position, in which the latch engages the cam (40) to limit rotation of the cam and thereby prevent opening of the door, and a disengaged position, in which the latch (48) does not engage the cam (40) and thereby allows opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Bacigalupe, Michael J. Dobie
  • Patent number: 7956301
    Abstract: A tamper protection device for an electrical switching device including a housing and a panel for at least one control element. The tamper protection device a protection cap configured to prevent unwanted operation or tampering of the control element when in position on the housing and a seal retainer configured to block the protection cap from being removed from the covering position when the seal retainer and protection cap are connected by a secured seal wire thereby forming a sealed unit. Each of the protection cap and the seal retainer are releasably connectable to the housing. When the protection cap and seal retainer are secured as the sealed unit it is non-releasably connectable to the housing by an interlocking connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Industries GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Lankuttis, Claudia Pleikies
  • Patent number: 7935901
    Abstract: Actuator system comprising at least one actuator, a control unit, a power supply and an operations panel, where the actuator in a transmission between an activation element (4) and a reversible electric motor is inserted a quick release unit (13) for release of the activation element (4) from the electric motor and the part of the transmission between the motor and the quick release. The actuator comprises at least one electrical switch (30), activated with the quick release. The signal from the electrical switch(es) (30) may be used for various purposes, such as triggering a power supply from sleep mode, activating one or more actuators, or activating an external function such as an alarm etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: René Sørensen, Marin K. Knudsen
  • Patent number: 7935903
    Abstract: A call button device includes an electrical connector in electrical communication with an elongated electrical conductor. Also included is a cable housing at least a portion of the elongated conductor. Finally, the device includes a pendant member having an actuable switch that is in electrical communication with the electrical connector through the elongated conductor. The pendant member also includes a luminous portion configured to provide non-electrical illumination in a low light environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Crest Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Niedzielski, Mark Sowada
  • Patent number: 7932473
    Abstract: Actuator comprising of a quick release unit and a means for determining the position of an activation element. With the quick release unit it is possible to release the activation element from the actuator's electric motor and the transmission or, at least part of it, to make a rapid adjustment to the activation element without the motor and transmission. The means typically used for determining the position of the activation element comprises of a potentiometer, an optical or magnetic encoder indirectly driven by the motor. By connecting the instrument for position determination (33) to the spindle (2) or the part of the transmission between the quick release and the spindle (2), the position of the activation element remains known regardless of whether it is released or connected, or has been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: René Sørensen, Marin K. Knudsen