Patents Examined by M. Fishman
  • Patent number: 7485825
    Abstract: The push-type vehicle switch has a case, an actuator, a movable contact, and a cap made of elastic material. The case has an opening and a fixed contact implanted inside thereof. The actuator is contained in the case reciprocably. The movable contact is provided facing the fixed contact and connects to and disconnects from the fixed contact according to reciprocable movement of the actuator. The cap covers the opening of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Nishikawa, Masaru Shimizu, Hiroyuki Kosaka, Yoshiyuki Nakade, Toru Arakawa
  • Patent number: 7388166
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable fabric that may serve as a switch device or coupling to an electronic device and a power source by merely stretching or pushing the fabric. The stretchable fabrics may be usable in a wearable garment, furniture, or other suitable locations where it can be incorporated to close a circuit. Through a releasable stretching or pushing action by the user, electrically conductive strips integrated in the fabrics come in contact to activate related ancillary equipment such as power supplies or electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: George Marmaropoulos, Giang Truong Vu, Katharine Pulford
  • Patent number: 7385154
    Abstract: A cam switch assembly is actuated by movement of a member, such as a part of a convertible top that is pivoted about a first pivot axis toward and away from a surface that is fixed relative to the pivot. The cam switch comprises a holder for at least one switch that is attached to the member. A cam switch actuator having an arm is attached to the holder at a second pivot axis. The cam switch actuator opens and closes the switch as the cam switch actuator is pivoted relative to the holder about the second pivot axis. The arm has a first lost motion connection to the movable member in a first direction. The member has a second lost motion connection at the first pivot axis that is aligned with the first direction when the member is moved into engagement with the surface. The member is movable relative to the surface in a first direction and the arm is permitted to move relative to the surface without changing the angular orientation of the cam switch actuator relative to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Carl J. Klug
  • Patent number: 7381911
    Abstract: A multi-instruction switch includes a base, a control disk, a plurality of electrodes and a conductive element. The control disk is located above the base and can rotate relative to the base to issue instructions. The conductive element is bent to form a common contact end in the middle portion and a first contact end and a second contact end on two ends to connect respectively to a common electrode, a first electrode and a second electrode. By rotating the control disk, a guiding portion located on an inner peripheral rim of the control disk can move the conductive element in a biased manner so that the common electrode and the first electrode or the second electrode are electrically connected to generate a leftward or rightward rotational instruction. Meanwhile a rotational click is produced. The structure is simple and the fabrication cost is lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Chou, Hong-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 7375298
    Abstract: An indexing mechanism with positive ON and OFF positions for a motor starter switch mounted in an NEMA 3R enclosure. The indexing mechanism includes a shaft having longitudinally extending projections coupled in fixed relationship to a handle, an index element coupled to the shaft, and a yoke having a pin positioned to engage the index element to positively position the shaft to the first or the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, Emma Levin
  • Patent number: 7371987
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device with a switching structure (1), which includes a cage assembly (21) having two opposite first sidewalls (5) and a bottom wall (6) integrally connecting the first sidewalls. The cage assembly (21) is at least partly configured as a cage (24) in which a slide (4) is displaceably arranged. A moving contact bridge (3) associated with stationary contact members is held in an opening (15) of the slide (4) under the pressure of a contact pressure spring (2). A clearance (26) is provided between the two first sidewalls (5) for the displacement of the contact bridge (3). A limit stop (18) is provided to retain the slide (4). Arcing chambers (7) formed by insulating second sidewalls (23) form part of the switching structure (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Kinzler, Ludwig Niebler
  • Patent number: 7371979
    Abstract: An electrical busbar arrangement has provision for connecting a single feeder cable to a plurality of branch cables within an insulating housing. A branch port is provided for each branch cable, and a spring-loaded slidable support plate is arranged to receive the branch cable and to retain it in an aperture thereof. The support plate moves within a cable holder that is driven by a rotatable cam by means of a switch. Operation of the switch between OFF and ON positions is effective to move the branch cable into and out off contact respectively with the busbar. The switches of each port are selectively operable independently of each other. In this way, branch cables may be independently and selectively mounted in the housing and brought into electrical connection with and disconnected from the busbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda.
    Inventors: Vagner Fuzetti, Jose Alexandre La Salvia
  • Patent number: 7368679
    Abstract: A switching gas damper is for low voltage power switches, especially for low voltage power switches which can be inserted into low voltage switching installations. The switching gas damper is arranged above an arc extinguisher of the low voltage power switches and includes at least one inlet for switching gases and at least one outlet for damped deionised switching gases. The switching gas damper is provided with a carrier element which can be arranged directly adjacent to the arc extinguisher and can be fixed to a housing receiving the low voltage power switch. The carrier element forms at least one receiving chamber for a flow element creating a flow resistance for the switching gases, and the at least one receiving chamber can be closed by at least one closing element fixing the at least one flow element. The carrier element forms the at least one inlet and the at least one closing element forms the at least one outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Clifford A. Buxton, Thomas Leye, Stefan Losch
  • Patent number: 7361857
    Abstract: An external operating handle mechanism for a mold cased circuit breaker comprising: an external operating handle; a pinion gear coupled to the external operating handle to be rotatable in response to a rotation of the external operating handle; a movable member provided with a rack gear portion coupled to the pinion gear to be linearly movable according to the rotation of the pinion gear, and provided with a handle connecting portion connected to the handle of the mold cased circuit breaker to linearly move the handle of the mold cased circuit breaker; and a guide member for guiding the movable member to linearly move, by which it is easy to control a stroke required for a displacement of the handle of the mold cased circuit breaker and the displacement of the external operating handle according to the stroke, and it is possible to accurately and efficiently transfer power upon performing a reset operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-Woo Suh
  • Patent number: 7355132
    Abstract: A circuit breaker lock-off device is side-mounted to a circuit breaker case in a tenacious engagement. The lock-off device has a generally planar body carrying a lock-off arm pivotable in a plane parallel to the body to place an engagement tab extending therefrom into a position for preventing movement of the breaker handle without being physically attached to the breaker handle. The lock-off arm and the body further have complementary rings for accepting a padlock shackle in the locked off position. The invention allows a rugged lock-off accessory which is field installable and which can accommodate various breaker handle geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Willard J Rezac, John M Winter, Antonio Zubieta
  • Patent number: 7351924
    Abstract: A key switch is disclosed, including a key channel for receiving a key and including a key-insertion-dependent switching mechanism. The switching mechanism exhibits a device for key monitoring. A key switch is specified which can be inexpensively manufactured and exhibits additional security-related options. For this purpose, the key switch exhibits a device for key monitoring which exhibits a quasi-rigid system arranged axially in the key channel, which are provided for key ejection and for operating a switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Scherl, Ralf Tomaschek, Rudolf Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7348514
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes fixed and movable contacts, an operating mechanism including a movable arm carrying the movable contact, an arc chute including a plurality of spaced apart first and second arc plates, and a slot motor. A slot motor structure is disposed about the contacts and a portion of the movable arm. An insulative housing at least substantially covers and insulates the slot motor structure from the movable arm and contacts. The insulative housing includes a base and a pair of arms disposed therefrom. Each of the arms includes a first portion disposed proximate the first arc plates and a second smaller portion disposed proximate the second arc plates. A space extending from the first portion, not occupied by the second portion, is generally occupied by a portion of the second arc plates. The second portion forms a debris shield between the second arc plates and the operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Puskar, William E. Beatty, Jr., Robert W. Mueller, Paul A. Merck, Arthur D. Carothers
  • Patent number: 7345253
    Abstract: Key structures are provided. A key structure includes a key cover, a substrate, a slider movable with respect to the substrate, a first rod, a second rod and a resilient member. The first rod pivotally connects the key cover and a first guiding portion of the substrate. The second rod pivotally connects the key cover and a second guiding portion of the substrate. The resilient member connects the substrate and the first rod, and exerts a lateral force on the first rod. When the key structure is in a normal state, a first contact portion of the slider contacts and restricts the second rod. When the key structure is switched from the normal state to a depressed state, a second contact portion of the slider impels the second rod outward of the key structure, such that the key cover descends toward the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Shih Hsu
  • Patent number: 7345250
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly (20) has a light guide (23, 31, 33) and a supporting structure (23, 33) arranged to provide an illuminated and integrated keyboard assembly (20). A light guide (23, 31, 33) provides an integrated supporting, protecting and illuminating structure for keyboard assemblies (20). The keyboard assembly (20) has a layer of rigid material (31) which separates the elastic layer (21) from the printed wired board (9) located under the rigid layer (31). The layers are bonded together. The protection rib (33) is part of the combination of the elastic layer (21) and rigid layer (31) which is supported against the printed wired board (9) by the rigid layer (31). The combined structure of the light guide and supporting frame forms an integrated structure (23, 31, 33) which illuminates an array of keys (22), supports the keyboard assembly (20) and protects the keys (22) and key tops 25 from mechanical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi Hakunti, Mikko Laitinen
  • Patent number: 7342191
    Abstract: A button assembly includes a panel (10), an indicating lamp (30) and a button member (20). The panel defines a through hole (15) with supporting collar. The button member defines a securing hole (28) corresponding to the through hole. The securing hole is aligned with the through hole with the supporting collar connecting therethrough, and the indicating lamp is positioned in the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh Yang, Chen-Lu Fan, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7342187
    Abstract: A rotating input selection device is equipped with a rotating input unit, a case member rotatably supporting the rotating input unit, a circuit substrate opposing the rotating input unit, and a contact connection structures formed from a fixed contact point and a movable contact point. A rubber sheet, interposed between the rotating input unit and the circuit substrate, includes a tilting pressure section supported on the rotating substrate by way of a tilting support section, so that a tilting motion is possible. The contact point connection structures are disposed so that they are separated from each other and are aligned with the ends of the tilting pressure section on the circuit substrate. Rotation of the rotating input unit causes the tilting pressure section to tilt in the direction of rotation, resulting in the tilting pressure section pushing the movable contacts toward the fixed contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuaru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7342193
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus with an electrostatic discharging structure is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a key cap, a switch component, a discharging conductor, a grounding point and a circuit board. The switch component is mounted on the circuit board. The key cap is installed on the switch component. The grounding point is used to make contact with the ground of the electronic apparatus and is formed on the circuit board. The discharging conductor extends from a side of the key cap. When the key cap is pressed by a user, a part of the discharging conductor approaches or makes contact with the grounding point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Chang, Yu-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 7339132
    Abstract: A puffer type gas circuit breaker has a piston, which is connected with a center shaft via a link mechanism. At an initial stage of an interruption operation, the link mechanism drives a puffer cylinder and the piston both in an interruption direction while maintaining an almost constant distance therebetween. Even when a pressure rise occurs in a compression chamber by the heat of an arc generated in accordance with opening between a fixed arc contact and a movable arc contact, the pressure rise does not become an operation counterforce to an operator. At a final stage of the interruption operation where the fixed arc contact is removed from a throat of an insulating nozzle, the link mechanism drives the piston in an almost stopped status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Japan AE Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Urai, Youichi Ohshita, Makoto Koizumi, Naoki Osawa, Hiroaki Hashimoto, Junzo Kida
  • Patent number: 7335846
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device (30) for manually controlling the position of switching means which have two extreme positions A and C and an intermediate position B. Said device comprises a crank (5) and a crankpin (6). The invention is characterized by the fact that the device comprises a translationally movable sliding member (1) that has a neutral position and is provided with guideways (20, 21), within which the crankpin (6) is displaced. Said guideways allow the crankpin to be guided towards three areas of the sliding member, in which the position thereof is stable and which correspond to the three positions of the switching means, when the sliding member is moved towards the neutral position. The inventive device has the advantage of being simple while allowing a change in the state of the motor which operates the closing element, darkening element, or sun-shading element, or sun-shading element to be controlled by means of a single movement of a rod (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Jérôme Couvreur, Dominique Dumaz
  • Patent number: 7335840
    Abstract: This invention is an installation of a safety apparatus to prevent safety problems of machine tools caused in work-loading process. The safety apparatus comprises an actuator, used for connecting circuits of the machine tool to control its power on-off status, and a storing unit to ensure the chuck wrench resting at a designated safe position. This safety system will activate the actuator when the chuck wrench is returned to the designated position and, therefore, it will keep the circuits of the machine tool stay active during the machining operation. On the other hand, this safety apparatus will remain in power-off status if the chuck wrench is not placed at the designated position and, therefore, it will make the power circuits open and paralyze the machine tool operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Hong-Tsu Young, Ching-Chang Liao, Ming-Shiue Jiang