Patents Examined by Michael Friedhofer
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Patent number: 7928335Abstract: An operating key part (60) includes hinge keys (11), protrusions (12), stoppers (13), a frame (20), and hinges (21), which are molded integrally out of thermoplastic resin. The frame (20) takes the form of a grid or lattice. Each of the hinge keys (11) is positioned in one box of the frame (20) and supported as floating through hinges (21) by the frame (20). The frame (20) has four protrusions (22) protruding from the corners of its front side. When the operating key part (60) is fitted to a main apparatus, the front ends of the frame protrusions (22) are positioned at a predetermined distance in a direction Y2 from the position to which the front sides of the hinge keys (11) have moved farthest in this direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhito Fujiwara
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Patent number: 7928334Abstract: A rotary actuator is provided for a motor vehicle, having a control knob, a housing, an actuating shaft that is rotationally fixed to the control knob, and electromagnetic means that act on the control knob so as to permit a detent or locking of the rotation of the control knob, wherein a coil is arranged in the housing in a rotationally fixed manner, and a disk-shaped flux guide is attached to the actuating shaft so as to be rotationally fixed and movable along the actuating shaft, and the flux guide can be pressed against the coil and/or the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Preh GmbHInventor: Andreas Kramlich
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Patent number: 7928333Abstract: A device, such as a switch structure, is provided, the device including a contact and a conductive element. The conductive element can be configured to be selectively moveable between a non-contacting position, in which the conductive element is separated from the contact (in some cases by a distance less than or equal to about 4 ?m, and in others by less than or equal to about 1 ?m), and a contacting position, in which the conductive element contacts and establishes electrical communication with the contact. When the conductive element is disposed in the non-contacting position, the contact and the conductive element can be configured to support an electric field therebetween with a magnitude of greater than 320 V ?m?1 and/or a potential difference of about 330 V or more.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xuefeng Wang, Marco Francesco Aimi, Shubhra Bansal, Christopher Fred Keimel, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7923649Abstract: A printed circuit board is provided for use in a keyboard assembly of a mobile device having a plurality of keys in a key layout. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contacts, such as dome switches, arranged in a contact layout. The contact layout is such that it can be used with a plurality of different key layouts, each actuating different combinations of contacts. Some keys in a particular key layout are overlying at least two of the plurality of contacts, and such keys actuate only one of the underlying contacts. As such, a common printed circuit board can be used for a plurality of complementary mobile device designs having different key layouts, thereby allowing a manufacturer to realize cost efficiencies.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Research in Motion LimitedInventors: Paul Robert Chyc, Roman Peter Rak, Jason Griffin, Steven Fyke
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Patent number: 7923652Abstract: An activation device useful for drag racers comprising a body, a trigger, a cocking pressure spring plunger set screw, a trigger tension spring plunger set screw, a trigger tension jam nut, a body cover, cocking safety button, screws, a microswitch, a wave washer, and a trigger set screw. The body comprises a trigger pivot post, a wiring channel, a wiring aperture, and a recess surface. The trigger comprises a trigger pivot post aperture, a trigger released position notch, a trigger cocked position notch, and a cocking channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Inventor: William Harold Beck
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Patent number: 7915546Abstract: A multi-function light switch unit mountable to an interior panel of an automotive vehicle has a rotatable outer ring controlling a main headlamp, two pushbutton panels within the outer ring controlling additional lights, and an extendable module within the outer ring having at two rotary controllers for controlling other lights. The extendable module is movable with between an extended position wherein it projects from the front surface of the light switch unit such that the rotary controllers are exposed in a manually operative position in front of the push button panels, and a retracted position wherein the rotary controllers are behind the front surface of the light switch unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Joerg Stephan
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Patent number: 7915550Abstract: An electrical circuit operating system for controlling operating of an aluminum processing bath includes an electrical contact device. The electrical contact device includes a tubular body of an electrically insulating material, the body including at least one circumferential slot receiving a seal member. A fastener is disposed in the tubular body. A conductive biasing element has a compressed connecting end engaged with the fastener, and an extending portion axially protracting from the compressed connecting end. A piston forms a portion of an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit is closed when the conductive biasing element is contacted by the piston. A piston rod is connected to the piston and is displaceable with the piston, the piston rod operable to break a crust of the aluminum processing bath.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventor: Gilles Beaulieu
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Patent number: 7915552Abstract: A control panel assembly is disclosed for making it easy to manipulate buttons of home appliances, the control panel including at least one LED connected to a circuit board for selectively emitting light, a switch connected to the circuit board and provided adjacent to the LED for controlling a home appliance, a control panel provided in front of the LED and having at least one first hole, and at least one elastic button coupled with an edge of the first hole for selectively coming into contact with the switch in response to a user pressing the button, the elastic button having a pushing member including a first light-transmitting part for transmitting therethrough light emitted from the LED.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Jae Mun Kim
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Patent number: 7915547Abstract: A key switch comprises: a plurality of conductive portions which are respectively positioned in dispersed directions from a center of a key top; and contact patterns provided on a print substrate, which respectively face the conductive portions. The contact patterns each have, in a conductive portion facing area thereof, at least four separate lands, and the at least four lands include: a first land and a second land which are separated by a first gap provided on a first reference line which extends from a position facing the center of the key top in the direction of the center of the conductive portion facing area; a third land which is separated from the first land by a second gap provided at a position which is distant from the first reference line in one direction; and a fourth land which is separated from the second land by a third gap provided at a position which is distant from the first reference line in another direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazumi Otani, Yoshihide Sakano, Kazuo Yoneyama
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Patent number: 7910851Abstract: Disclosed is a printed circuit board configured for a dome-utilizing keypad configuration including at least one padstack having a plurality of dome switch targets and a plurality of target rings capable of accommodating different key dome locations of a dome keypad. Also disclosed is a padstack capable of accommodating different key dome locations. The disclosed padstack has a single dome switch targets input/output line for the plurality of dome switch targets of the padstack. The padstack also includes a single target rings input/output line for the plurality of target rings of the pad stack. In this way the disclosed printed circuit board includes a single circuit arrangement available for a plurality of different key pad designs.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.Inventors: Mark D Janninck, Alden R Alviar, Kenneth W Carlson
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Patent number: 7910843Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fletcher Rothkopf, Jan Moolsintong, Joseph Fisher, Wendell Sander, Erturk Kocalar
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Patent number: 7902469Abstract: Pressure-actuated electrical switches are provided that comprise a housing having a slidable piston therein. The slidable piston slides from a first position to a second position and in so doing switches an electrical path from a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact to an electrical path between the first electrical contact and a third electrical contact. Suitable applications of such switches include any application in which a pressure wave is used to actuate an electrical switch. The pressure-actuated electrical switches of the present invention are especially adapted for use in controlling successive detonations in a downhole perforation gun, as explosive gases and pressure waves are used to actuate the slidable piston so as to trigger a subsequent detonation charge. Perforation guns utilizing these pressure-actuated electrical switches and corresponding methods of use are also provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Inventor: Brian Wayne Hurst
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Patent number: 7893373Abstract: An electroluminescent apparatus includes a protection layer characterized by two or more non-overlapping regions and a back electrode layer which includes two or more back electrode regions. Each of the back electrode regions overlies a corresponding one of the non-overlapping regions in the protection layer. A bottom insulation layer includes two or more bottom insulation regions, each of which overlying a corresponding one of the back electrode regions. The apparatus includes two or more electroluminescent segments, each of which overlying a corresponding one of the back electrode layers. A transparent electrode layer includes two or more transparent electrode regions, each overlying a corresponding one of electroluminescent segments.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshisada Takeda, Wataru Kudo
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Patent number: 7893372Abstract: Remote control for a mobile machine, in particular a heavy construction machine, agricultural or handling machine comprising a remote control body, a lever fixedly attached to a handle designed to be held by a user, means for connecting the lever to the body allowing a movement of the lever relative to the body on at least one axis, and means for detecting the relative movement of the lever relative to the body of the remote control, the signals originating from the detection means being designed for the control of a member of the mobile machine. The detection means are of the contactless type, and the remote control body comprises a sealed wall separating on the one hand the detection means that are situated on a first side of the sealed wall, and on the other hand, the lever and the means for connecting the lever to the body that are situated on a second side of the sealed wall.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Bosch Rexroth D.S.I.Inventors: Frédéric Malfois, Mathieu Marron
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Patent number: 7893370Abstract: The invention relates to a module front for a switchgear module, particularly a slide-in module, comprising a control device, the control device being integrated in the module front, and the module front forms an integral component of the switchgear module. The invention relates to a switchgear module, particularly a slide-in module provided with an inventive module front, and to a switchgear equipped with at least one switchgear module of this type.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: ABB Patent GmbHInventors: Hans-Jürgen Schmitt, Klaus Kraft, Hans-Peter Merkel, Klaus-Georg Müller
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Patent number: 7884296Abstract: The present invention is a side-surface light-emitting unit to illuminate one or more illuminated objects disposed on a flat surface to extend in one direction, from a side surface of the illuminated object and includes a light guiding body which is disposed along the side surface of the illuminated object and emits light toward the side surface of the illuminated object, and an LED disposed at at least one end of light guiding body, an upper surface and a lower surface of the light guiding body except the side surface facing the object being optically shielded. It is possible to brightly illuminate objects such as key switches or the like from one end of the arrangement along a direction of the arrangement by uninterrupted continuous emission light.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Watanabe, Kazuya Ishihara, Kosuke Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 7884297Abstract: An electronic apparatus simplifies the structure of and facilitates the manufacture of the electronic apparatus having a seesaw-type operation button which is tiltable in a plurality of directions. The electronic apparatus has: an operation button; an operation panel provided with a holding portion for holding the operation button; and a plurality of switches to be pushed down by the operation button. The operation button comprises: a plurality of operating portions; a plurality of pressing portions respectively provided on the plurality of operating portions toward the plurality of switches; and a flat-shaped flexible board portion protruded between the plurality of pressing portions. The board portion is held by the holding portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Tomoya Okuzumi
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Patent number: 7880175Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultraviolet (UV) light-blocking composition comprising a metal nanoparticle that absorbs and blocks a UV light wavelength using a surface plasmon-absorbing wavelength, and a dielectric. The UV light-blocking composition is capable of absorbing and blocking a UV light wavelength or, a specific wavelength, using the surface plasmon-absorbing wavelength of the metal nanoparticle or, the plasmon-absorbing wavelength transited by the dielectric, thereby demonstrating increased visibility when applied to an image display apparatus such as a mobile phone, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Samsung Advanced Institute of TechnologyInventors: Hyeon Jin Shin, Jae Young Choi, In Yong Song, Dong Kee Yi, Seong Jae Choi, Seon Mi Yoon
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Patent number: 7863533Abstract: A cantilevered push button adapted for accepting an input on an electrical or electronic device is disclosed. The button can include an elongated button top component disposed about an exterior surface of an electrical or electronic device such that it is accessible to a user, and having two opposing distal ends associated with separate user inputs. A first fulcrum is located between the first distal end and the midpoint of the elongated button top component, while a second fulcrum is located between the second distal end and the midpoint. A first electrical contact is associated with the first distal end, such that when a user presses on the first distal end, the elongated button top component pivots about the second fulcrum and the first electrical contact is actuated. A second electrical contact is similarly associated with the second distal end and first fulcrum.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bradley J. Hamel, Tang Yew Tan, Erik Wang
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Patent number: RE42199Abstract: A touch sensor is physically integrated with a light emitting device to provide a switching device with built-in backlighting. In some embodiments, the touch sensor and the light emitting device share electrical components.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: TouchSensor Technologies, LLCInventor: David W. Caldwell