Patents Examined by Michael A. Friedhofer
  • Patent number: 8389883
    Abstract: A key-press structure comprises a transparent substrate, a plurality of characters formed inside the transparent substrate thereby forming a plurality of keys, and a touch control member disposed on the surface of the transparent substrate such that each of the keys is operable to sense a touch event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: BYD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lihong Zhao, Wenhai Luo, Jiaxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8389880
    Abstract: Disclosed is a keylock device for a circuit breaker. The keylock device for a circuit breaker comprises a closing lever configured to generate a closing operation of a mechanism, a trip lever configured to generate a trip operation of the mechanism, and a locking unit configured to allow a locked state of the locking unit to be maintained when the mechanism is in an ‘ON’ state, but to allow the locked state of the locking unit to be converted into a released state when the mechanism is in an ‘OFF’ state. Under these configurations, it is impossible to convert the current state of the keylock device into a locked state unless the mechanism of the circuit breaker is converted into an ‘OFF’ state. This may prevent the occurrence of an accidence due to the operator's unintentional ‘OFF’ state of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 8383966
    Abstract: A key assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The key assembly includes a plurality of dome switches, a plurality of single-piece keycaps and plurality of actuators which activate the dome switches. Each single-piece keycap has a plurality of character-representing portions identifying a number of keyboard characters which are separated by deforming portions. Each character-representing portion is associated with a separate one of the plurality of dome switches. Each actuator has a first side which is engaged by one of the character-representing portions of the single-piece keycap and a second side which engages the dome switch associated with that character-representing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Steven Andrew Prsa, Joseph Michael Hofer, Michael Welker, Todd Andrew Wood
  • Patent number: 8383970
    Abstract: A switchgear system includes rail structure having a base coupled to an interior sidewall of a frame. A first member extends from the base and has an upwardly facing surface. The first member has a second surface extending generally transversely to the upwardly facing surface to oppose a surface of the base. A second member extends from the base and has a downwardly facing surface spaced from the upwardly facing surface so as to define a wheel receiving channel there-between. A circuit breaker tuck includes wheels on exterior sidewalls. The wheels are received in the wheel receiving channel to be slidable along the upwardly facing surface, with the upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces limiting movement of the circuit breaker truck about the horizontal axis and the surface of the base and the second surface of the first member limiting movement of the circuit breaker truck about the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Rahul Pawar, Harshavardhan M. Karandikar, Ronald Holmes
  • Patent number: 8378243
    Abstract: An arrangement including at least two separate switch pole housings and a joining facility for joining the switch pole housings. Each of the switch pole housings forms an insulating enclosure of a switching space for receiving a single switch pole of an electric switching device. A side wall of a first switch pole housing, facing a second one of the switch pole housings, includes at least one recess for receiving at least one joining device of the joining facility. The at least one recess forms a first undercut with respect to a side wall and a first locating surface in parallel with a front wall of the housing. The at least one joining device engages behind the first undercut and is braced against a first locating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Ahlert, Jörg-Uwe Dahl, Ludvik Godesa, Marc Liebetruth
  • Patent number: 8367947
    Abstract: A computer keyboard is disclosed to remediate the phantom key or ghosting problem. Diodes are added to the PCB or contact-receptive membrane to eliminate reverse current, which is responsible for phantom key strikes. These one-way diodes increase the number of possible concurrent combinations that a microcontroller with limited inputs can support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Min-Liang Tan, Chern Ann Ng
  • Patent number: 8367952
    Abstract: An acceleration sensor is provided. The acceleration sensor contains a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element. An electrically insulative element is connected to the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, where at least a portion of the first electrically conductive element and at least a portion of the second electrically conductive element make contact with the electrically insulative element. At least one electrically conductive spring is located within a cavity of the sensor, wherein the cavity is defined by at least one surface of the first electrically conductive element, at least one surface of the electrically insulative element, and at least one surface of the second electrically conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: SignalQuest, Inc.
    Inventor: Whitmore B. Kelley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8367953
    Abstract: An electrical contact device for controlling operation of an aluminum processing bath includes an electrically insulating body and a first bore having a first diameter. The first bore opens into a through second bore having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The second bore opens into a third bore having a third diameter greater than the first and second diameters. A fastener received in the body includes a shank having a male threaded portion and a male threaded head. A conductive biasing element has a connecting end engaged with the male threaded head. The connecting end and the male threaded head are slidably received in the first bore, and the shank is slidably received in the second bore. The male threaded portion extends into the third bore. A nut positioned in the third bore engages the male threaded portion coupling the fastener and tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilles Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 8367950
    Abstract: The key module for the mobile device includes a key top 6; a base plate 2 on which a fixed-side contact 7 is disposed; a dome 4 that is disposed on the fixed-side contact 7; a dome sheet 5 that covers the dome 4; an LED module 3 disposed on the base plate 2; and a light guide plate 1 that is disposed on the dome sheet 5. Such a configuration causes light emitted by the LED module 3 propagates within the light guide plate, and exits the light from an exit surface of the light guide plate on the key top 6 side. The light guide plate 1 is formed by inkjet printing a dot pattern in white ink onto a surface of a base material formed from a thermosetting polyurethane elastomer sheet, which surface is opposite to the exit surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Mektron, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ozaki, Takahisa Akatsuka, Toshihiro Yanagimori, Hiroaki Takada
  • Patent number: 8367948
    Abstract: A pair of side keys disposed on a lateral plate casing of a stationary-side rear case in a cellular phone is coupled with a film sheet that is fabricated in a substantially identical length to the length of the pair of side keys. The pair of side keys is coupled with the film sheet by applying double-faced adhesive tapes having adhesive faces on both sides only to both ends of the film sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugi, Shigeru Yamaguchi, Yoshiya Matsumoto, Satoshi Seino, Tsukasa Goro, Wataru Murata
  • Patent number: 8362375
    Abstract: A diaphragm-actuated pressure differential switch assembly includes a blade spring for switching an electrical circuit. The blade spring comprises a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal, a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion, a pressure contact region configured to accept transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms, a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including an electrical contact, and a compression spring integral with the distal end portion extending generally proximally from the distal end portion, the compression spring including a first leg and a second leg. Methods of constructing and using the diaphragm-actuated pressure differential switch assembly and the blade spring are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: UniControl, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig R. Wildman
  • Patent number: 8362371
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a keypad for an electronic device includes a plurality of switches and a plurality of keycaps. Each keycap has a plurality of external contact portions defining a full row of the keypad. Each external contact portion corresponds to one of the switches and includes at least one of a text-entry character and a functional character. Each of the external contact portions is movable to actuate the corresponding switch. The keypad further includes a plurality of keycap supports. Each keycap support is disposed between adjacent external contact portions. After one of the external contact portions has been moved to actuate the corresponding switch, at least one of the keycap supports engages the keycap having the one of the external contact portions to inhibit the keycap from actuating at least one of the other switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Chao Chen
  • Patent number: 8357866
    Abstract: A weatherproof toggle switch cover adapter assembly comprises a cover plate adapted for placement over a toggle switch and coupling with an electrical junction box. A lever rotationally pivotably coupled with the cover plate is in mechanical communication with the toggle switch through a yoke. When the lever is moved to an on position, the toggle switch also moves to an on position. The yoke comprises two opposing tines defining a yoke spanning gap having a perimeter edge, the yoke spanning gap sized to straddle the toggle switch. An adapter ring comprising an external perimeter edge and an internal perimeter edge is interposed between the yoke and the toggle switch. The external perimeter edge is in communication with the perimeter edge of the yoke. The internal perimeter edge is inside two opposing tines and is disposed about an adapter spanning gap sized to straddle the toggle switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas A. Miserendino, Jeffrey P. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8354603
    Abstract: A switching device includes a switching appliance, a cap, at least one connecting device for firm connection of the switching appliance to the cap, and a monitoring device. In at least one embodiment, the monitoring device includes a sensor and a tripping element, whose position is variable after connection and which, when the switching appliance is ready to operate, is located in a position in which the tripping element can be detected by the sensor, the monitoring device further including a signal unit which is connected to the sensor and is used to signal operational readiness once the sensor has detected this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ladislav Dostal, Lukas Jerabek, Libor Krivanek, Christian Rohrwild
  • Patent number: 8354604
    Abstract: A cover of an electrically-connected portion of an auto transfer switch, which is detachable and includes an arc guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Vitzrotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: No-Chun Park, Choong-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8354605
    Abstract: A technique of preventing permeation of liquid and dust to electronic parts within a housing of an input device for an in-vehicle device. An input device of an in-vehicle device comprises a housing and a substrate stored in the housing. The housing comprises a button, a rod hole for guiding vertically a rod positioned under the button, taking the top of the button as an upper side, and the rod inserted in the rod hole. The substrate comprises an input element positioned under the rod. The rod is fitted with a covering member that covers the rod hole from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shin—ichi Nogami
  • Patent number: 8348330
    Abstract: The present invention is a touch sensor assembly for a closing panel of a frame member that at least partially defines an opening and is oppositely disposed from the closing panel. The touch sensor assembly can have an elongated housing dimensioned to attach to a leading edge of the closing panel or a trailing edge of the frame member. The touch sensor assembly can also have a wire harness with a first portion encapsulated within the housing and a second portion that extends a predetermined length from the housing and passes through an aperture in the closing panel or an aperture in the frame member. A wire harness protector is also provided, the protector being attached to the wire harness proximate to the elongated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Higgins, Hideki Shimizu, Hironori Koeda, Yoshiteru Taniguichi
  • Patent number: 8338732
    Abstract: A spring operated actuator for an electrical switching apparatus. It has an opening spring and a closing spring, one of them including a torsion spring. The torsion spring is charged in the unwinding direction and discharged in the winding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Daniel Staffas, Johannes Tredoux, Mats Holman, Ulf Åkesson
  • Patent number: 8330061
    Abstract: Compact input devices formed on flexible substrates are disclosed. The input devices may be formed using three or more conducting layers. By including three or more conducting layers, the diameter of the input device may be minimized. In addition, to improve the flexibility of portions of the input device mounted, some portions of the input device may be made to have fewer layers than other portions of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher Rothkopf, Jan Moolsintong, Joseph Fisher, Wendell Sander, Erturk Kocalar
  • Patent number: 8330062
    Abstract: An apparatus including an electrical switching device to control current to a load and a second case arranged to substantially encapsulate the electrical switching device. The electrical switching device includes a first case; a plurality of contacts disposed in the first case; and an opening in the first case disposed to expose the contacts. The second case is arranged to duct a blast from the opening of the first case of the electrical switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Elliott, John B. Engel, Rhonda L. Wilson, Pieter Agnar Paulson