Patents Examined by Michael Friedhofer
  • Patent number: 8519291
    Abstract: A control device for an electrical appliance has a control panel wherein a plurality of capacitive sensor elements for a capacitive proximity switch are arranged under the control panel and are arranged in a continuous row, in order to form an elongated slider for operation by application of a finger and drawing the finger over them. The sensor elements are all identical and have a rectangular shape, wherein they are each arranged with one of their first sides facing one another and with all of their sides parallel to one another. They are aligned in the same way with respect to the continuous row, wherein the first sides are rotated through an angle of between 46° and 75° to form the row along which the sensor elements are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Randolf Kraus, Andreas Kleinhans
  • Patent number: 8513557
    Abstract: An actuator device including a holder element provided to be fixed against a device operated on by the actuator device. An actuator body is displaceable in a longitudinal direction along the holder element. A guide member is provided so as to guide the actuator body along the holder element. The actuator body includes a first part that is operable from outside the actuator device, and a second part that is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the first part. The actuator body is displaceable to a first, non-actuated position, in which the first part and the second part of the body are movable in the longitudinal direction and a second, actuated position, in which the second part is rotationally displaced in relation to the first part and abuts an abutment surface on the holder element such that motion of the second part in the longitudinal direction towards the first position is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Joakim Wåhrenberg
  • Patent number: 8513553
    Abstract: A combination light and switch assembly for a panel of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a circuit board having an LED contact and a latch contact. The latch contact is configured to electrically couple to a latch of the panel. A LED is joined to the LED contact. The LED is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the panel. An actuator assembly is moveable toward the circuit board so that the actuator assembly engages the latch contact to operate the latch of the panel when the latch contact is engaged by the actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada ULC
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Goto, Salvatore Alesio
  • Patent number: 8507816
    Abstract: A keypad for an electronic device having metallic texture has rigidity and elasticity equivalent to those of stainless steel. The keypad is manufactured and includes a metal alloy board, a keypad body manufactured by primarily thermal-treating the metal alloy board to a rigidity enough to be molded and molding the primarily thermal-treated metal alloy board with a press, a button portion formed by secondarily thermal-treating the keypad body to cure the keypad body and etching the secondarily thermal-treated keypad body by means of etching processing, and urethane rubber and a silicon pad attached to a back surface of the keypad body which has undergone anodizing processing and various colorations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Hee Lee, Seung-Chang Baek, Young-Ki Kim, Yong-Wook Hwang, Jun-Young Lee, Sung-Wook Kang
  • Patent number: 8507818
    Abstract: Disclosed is a push switch device. Since a push button is pressed to relatively rotate first and second pressing members in opposite directions and a push direction conversion unit converts the relative rotation of the first and second pressing members into a push movement in a switching direction, a pressing projection of the first pressing member can accurately vertically press an apex of a movable terminal. Therefore, a sense of click when the movable terminal is resiliently deformed and recovered can be maintained well, and a slide friction generated between the movable terminal and the pressing projection of the first pressing member can be minimized, preventing decrease in sense of operation and reduction in lifespan of parts due to the friction. In addition, an operation sense of the push button can be improved because straightness of the push button can be improved and there is no additional repulsion, except the repulsion by the resilient deformation of the movable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Magma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Kap Kwak
  • Patent number: 8502092
    Abstract: A rotary switch mechanism includes a hollow cylinder, a base, a push button, a first rotatable member, a second rotatable member, a first switch, a second switch and a third switch. The base is disposed under the hollow cylinder. The first rotatable member is sheathed around the hollow cylinder. The second rotatable member is sheathed around the first rotatable member. The first switch is disposed beside the first rotatable member. The second switch is disposed beside the second rotatable member. The third switch is mounted on a first circuit board, which is disposed under the base. The first rotatable member and the first switch interact with each other to generate a first rotating signal. The second rotatable member and the second switch interact with each other to generate a second rotating signal. The third switch is triggered by the pressing rod to generate a pressing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Primax Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuan-Nan Chou
  • Patent number: 8497439
    Abstract: A secondary disconnect apparatus for a circuit breaker, for making a slidable electrical connection with a mating enclosure-side secondary disconnect apparatus, is disclosed, having a pair of stop plate surfaces coupled to the circuit breaker defining a first linear distance D1, and a lateral adjustment portion in slidable communication with a pair of a guide members configured to guide movement of the lateral adjustment portion along an axis in one of a first and a second direction. The apparatus includes and a pair of adjustment member surfaces coupled to the lateral adjustment portion defining a second linear distance D2, wherein the adjustment member surfaces are configured to cooperate with the stop plate surfaces to limit the travel of lateral adjustment portion, and wherein a total predetermined lateral distance of travel of lateral adjustment portion 250 is defined based on at least the difference between first distance D1 and second distance D2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arvind Pai, Sapuram Sudhakar, Kapil Vinodrao Bavikar, Glen Charles Sisson
  • Patent number: 8497438
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device comprising:—a first assembly (1) comprising an actuation member (10) that can take a rest position and an actuation position;—a second assembly (2) mounted on the first assembly (1) and comprising a mobile bridge (22) bearing mobile contacts (221) actuated with respect to fixed contacts (201) between an opening position and a closing position so as to respectively open or close an electrical circuit according to the position of the actuation member (10), in which:—the mobile bridge (22) is actuatable in rotation about an axis of rotation (A) and can take a third position so as to open the electrical circuit when the first assembly (1) is mechanically disconnected from the second assembly (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Francis Chauvet, Dominique Benni, Bertrand Fruchard
  • Patent number: 8492668
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency switch that includes a body receiving a mobile member capable of translation and capable, under the effect of an axial pressure through a mushroom member, of moving from an extended position into a retracted position. Each of the positions are indexed by a blocking device capable of interaction with an extended position notch and with a retracted position notch, the position change being managed by a guide. The body fixedly includes, in the inside thereof, a concentric bushing in which the mobile member is capable of axially moving and which includes a portion of the guide while the mobile member includes the other portion. The blocking device is made in the shape of a piece of material flexibly and elastically attached to the rest of the bushing via a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Fabien Broly
  • Patent number: 8492667
    Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker, in particular a high-voltage circuit breaker filled with insulating gas, is described. The circuit breaker is furnished with a first contact, in particular, a contact pin and a second contact, in particular, a tulip contact that are movable in opposite directions. The circuit breaker is furnished with a drive mechanism that is coupled to the second contact. The circuit breaker is furnished with a reversing gear that produces a coupling between the second and the first contact. A first indicator element is provided that is associated with the reversing gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Areva Energietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Stelter
  • Patent number: 8481880
    Abstract: A modular cost-effective drive system for electrical switching devices of medium-voltage installations is specified. The drive system, by the addition or omission of individual components, can be used both as a three-position disconnector with a snap-action or storage drive function and as a two-position circuit breaker which can also be expanded by a brief interruption function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Böttcher, Marcus Kampf
  • Patent number: 8481874
    Abstract: Provided is a key switch structure wherein a membrane sheet (7) having a movable contact point (7e) and a stationary contact point (7d) is provided between a housing (5), which supports a key top (1) so as to allow the key top to be pushed downward and a base plate (8). The movable contact point (7e) is brought into contact with the stationary contact point (7d) by a downward push to the key top (1), so that a switch is closed. In the key switch structure, the inside of a device's main body is completely shielded from outside air, and water is completely prevented from entering the inside of the device's main body. A plate (6) provided with a plurality of attachment holes (6g) corresponding to fixing pins (5f) of the housing (5) is provided on the membrane sheet (7), so that the fixing pins (5f) are secured in the attachment holes (6g) of the plate (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Takagi
  • Patent number: 8471163
    Abstract: Provided is a cover for protecting an upper end of a normal power terminal and an upper end of an emergency power terminal of an auto transfer switch. In this case, terminal covers are formed on the upper ends of the terminals to protect the terminals, thereby preventing operators from being hurt by electric shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Vitzrotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: No-Chun Park, Choong-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8461468
    Abstract: A multidirectional switch includes a base, a weight coupled to the base via resilient member, and at least first and second contacts coupled to the base. The weight is biased toward a neutral position spaced from the first and second contacts. The weight is movable toward and contacts the first contact when a first force is applied to the base, which deforms the resilient member in a first direction. The weight is movable toward and contacts the second contact when a second force is applied to the base, which deforms the resilient member in a second direction different than the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Cannon
  • Patent number: 8450627
    Abstract: This is directed to a dome switch that includes a capacitive sensor. A dome switch can include a dome operative to deform to provide tactile feedback to a user. To provide an electrical instruction to the device, the region underneath the dome can define a free space separating conductive regions forming a capacitor. For example, a tip of the dome, a button placed between the dome and a circuit board, or a user's finger can form a first conductor of a capacitor, and a support structure for the dome can include a terminal forming a second conductor completing the capacitor. When the dome deflects, the distance between the conductors can change and provide a measurable capacitance variation, which the device can detect. To protect the dome switch from damage due to contaminants, the terminal can be integrated within a volume of the circuit board such that it is not exposed to the environment of the dome switch. In one implementation, the terminal may not be exposed to air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Mittleman, Nicholas Merz
  • Patent number: 8445795
    Abstract: An assembly includes an electronic device having depressible controls and a navigation button which is positioned over the electronic device. The navigation button has a central portion, and directional lobes extending from the central portion. The navigation button initially resides in a non-pivoting orientation in which none of the depressible controls are actuated. The navigation button (i) pivots about a first axis in response to depression of a first directional lobe to actuate a first depressible control of the electronic device without actuating a second depressible control of the electronic device, and (ii) pivots about a second axis in response to depression of a second directional lobe to actuate the second depressible control of the electronic device without actuating the first depressible control of the electronic device. Each of the first axis and the second axis is offset from a midpoint of the navigation button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seyamak Vaziri, Nguyen Nguyen, Anthony Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8440928
    Abstract: In a rotary electronic component, the rotor includes a flange with the first face on which grooves are formed radially and the second face. The plate spring with a ring shape in the top view, includes resilient arms and flat parts. The upper member has the bottom face covering the plate spring and the first face, and retains the flat part such that the flat part can be attached to or detached from the bottom face of the upper member while preventing the plate spring from rotating responsive to rotation of the rotor. A spring constant of the resilient arms and the shape of the flat part are set to achieve the state such that the resilient, arms bend and the flat part is partially released from the bottom face of the upper member when the resilient arms go over a position between adjacent grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hisamune, Akira Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8440926
    Abstract: Electronic devices may include electronic device structures such substrates, structures with cavities, and housing structures. Tape may be used to seal components to the surface of a substrate or within a cavity. The tape may have a nonstick polymer layer such as a layer of parylene and one or two layers of adhesive. The nonstick layer may be formed in a pattern so that some of the layer of adhesive is uncovered by the nonstick layer. The nonstick layer may be oriented so that the adhesive is interposed between the nonstick layer and a sealed component or may be oriented so that the nonstick layer is interposed between the adhesive layer and the sealed component. The component that is sealed by the tape may be an electrical component such as a dome switch or other mechanical or electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Stiehl, Albert J. Golko, Scott A. Myers
  • Patent number: 8440923
    Abstract: Devices and components that can interact with or modify propagation of electromagnetic waves are provided. The design, fabrication and structures of the devices exploit the properties of reactive composite materials (RCM) and reaction products thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE44405
    Abstract: A switch integrated type housing includes a housing body, a switch button sheet, a conductor and a cover sheet. The housing body is provided with a plurality of concave sections on an outer surface of the housing body. The switch button sheet is provided on the outer surface to cover the plurality of concave sections. The conductor has a dome shape downwardly projecting and is provided in each of the plurality of concave sections to contact the switch button sheet. The cover sheet is provided between the switch button sheet and the outer surface of the housing body in a portion of the outer surface of the housing body other than the plurality of concave sections and to cover a lower surface of the conductor in each of the plurality of concave sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Takaaki Yoshihiro, Nobuhiro Mikami