Patents Examined by Michael Friedhofer
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Patent number: 7863530Abstract: A modular switching device is disclosed which includes a plurality of interconnected modules, the modules having a control device module and a pole cell module, the modules of the switching device being interconnected with a shaft adapted to transfer a torque required for operating the switching device from one module to another module. The modular switching device is configured such that each module has a shaft element, and the shaft transferring the torque is composed of directly interconnected shaft elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: ABB OyInventors: Harri Mattlar, Rainer Kolmonen, Juho Salo, Osmo Pikkala, Aki Suutarinen, Jarkko Alanen, Martti Tuononen
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Patent number: 7858892Abstract: A latching and electrical switch mechanism includes an insulated housing having a cavity therein with an opening thereto along with an electrically conductive ball disposed therein. The ball includes a stem with a smaller diameter than the ball and extends therefrom with a ball being sized for rotational and translational movement within the housing cavity. At least one groove is provided in the housing cavity and a coil spring is disposed in a groove for making electrical contact with the ball and retaining the ball for rotation within the cavity with the stem at selected conical angles with respect to the housing centerline. At least one electrical contact is disposed in the cavity at a spaced apart relationship with the coil spring for providing electrical connection with the ball upon translational movement of the ball within the cavity, which also produces an audible sound.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Majid Ghasiri
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Patent number: 7858890Abstract: A waterproof rotary switch includes a holder base that has hooks extending from the periphery, a switching component set that is mounted on the holder base and has a fixed metal terminal with a fixed contact, a movable metal terminal with a movable contact, and two conductors respectively connected to the fixed metal terminal and the movable metal terminal, an actuator that is mounted in the holder base and has an actuating portion rotatable with the actuator to move the movable contact of the movable metal terminal into contact the fixed contact of the fixed metal terminal to close the circuit or away from the fixed contact of the fixed metal terminal to open the circuit, and a top cover that covers the holder base to hold the switching component set and the actuator on the holder base and has a plurality of hook holes that receive the hooks of the holder base respectively and a plurality of wire slots for the passing of the conductors and a top wall sloping downwardly outwards to the periphery of the top coType: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: SOLTEAM Electronics Co. Ltd.Inventors: Chen-Hong Huang, Chia-Yi Cheng, Chia-Wei Lin
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Patent number: 7855344Abstract: A reversing switch for use in a multi-phase electrical system, and in particular a three phase electrical system has a conductor for linking the input and output of one of the three phases. The reversing switch has two phase switches for reversing polarity. Each phase switch has a pair of stationary contacts and a moveable contact for reversing phase by switching between the stationary contacts. The moveable contacts of each phase switch are moveable in unison by a motor and associated transmission during switching of the reversing switch between first and second modes of operation of opposite polarity.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Andritz Technology and Asset Management GmbHInventor: Sebastien Arcand
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Patent number: 7855347Abstract: To obtain a member for a push button switch having a natural metallic impression and an upscale impression; enabling a precise arrangement of the push buttons; being capable of being made thinner; and being difficult to get stained, there is provided a member for a push button switch having a configuration in which a gap between adjacent metal push buttons is filled with a transparent organic polymer material, the transparent organic polymer material including a transparent resin sheet extending from an interior surface of the gap to a ceiling surface side of the push button, and a transparent rubber-like elastic material disposed inside the transparent resin sheet.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhiko Kato, Hitoshi Uchiyama
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Patent number: 7851720Abstract: A capacitive touch switch which is used, for example, in a control device for an electronic domestic appliance, includes a sensor area as part of a capacitive sensor element having a capacitance which changes when touched. A measuring electrode, which is coupled to the sensor area, is disposed on a printed circuit board and is at a first potential. An additional electrode, which is disposed near the measuring electrode, likewise on the printed circuit board, is electrically insulated from the measuring electrode and is at a second potential, which is different from the first potential. The additional electrode brings about a shielding of the measuring electrode and thus an output signal of an associated sensor circuit that is less sensitive to interference. A circuit configuration for a capacitive touch switch and a control device for an electronic domestic appliance, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. KGInventor: Bernd Raunig
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Patent number: 7851715Abstract: A fireman switch assembly for activating by a mechanical timer having captive trippers. The assembly includes a mounting plate, a micro-switch, and a lever arm. The mounting plate attaches to the mechanical timer. The micro-switch is attached to the mounting plate. The lever arm is operatively connected to the micro-switch and cooperates with the captive trippers of the mechanical timer to selectively turn the micro-switch ON and OFF.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Inventors: Robert M. Tuniewicz, Gilbert D. Talamo
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Patent number: 7847204Abstract: A multicolor transparent computer keyboard for operating a computer in a dark environment includes transparent keypads each on a top including spaced transparent color layers occupying four corners and being different in color from each other, an opaque layer on the color layers and having portions overlapped with the color layers being removed, and characters printed on the opaque layer; bridges pivotably interconnecting the key caps and an underlying transparent frame plate; a PCB under the frame plate; and a luminescence panel under the PCB and including cells each below the key cap, each cell including regions of different colors and adapted to electrically activate to upward emit light which is adapted to show multi-color when passing a gap between the color layers and show a backlit color when passing one of the color layers. The backlit color of each color layer is different from that of another color layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Sunrex Technology Corp.Inventor: Huo-Lu Tsai
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Patent number: 7838787Abstract: A latching and electrical switch mechanism includes an insulated housing having a cavity therein with an opening thereto along with an electrically conductive ball disposed therein. The ball includes a stem with a smaller diameter than the ball and extends therefrom with a ball being sized for rotational and translational movement within the housing cavity. At least one groove is provided in the housing cavity and a coil spring is disposed in a groove for making electrical contact with the ball and retaining the ball for rotation within the cavity with the stem at selected conical angles with respect to the housing centerline. At least one electrical contact is disposed in the cavity at a spaced apart relationship with the coil spring for providing electrical connection with the ball upon translational movement of the ball within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Co., Inc.Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Majid Ghasiri
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Patent number: 7838785Abstract: A keypad assembly for radiating light to a key button using a light conductive plate is provided. The keypad assembly having a key pad with key buttons includes: a light conductive plate for advancing light emitted through a side surface thereof into the inside thereof and for radiating light to the key buttons by a reflection pattern; a light emitting element for emitting light through the said side surface of the light conductive plate into the inside of the light conductive plate; and a reflecting plate formed in a side surface of the light conductive plate to which light emitted from the light emitting element is directed to reflect light into the inside of the light conductive plate. Therefore, by reflecting light that would otherwise be discharged outside the keypad assembly to the inside of the light conductive plate using the reflecting plate, the light can be used.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Joohun Sung
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Patent number: 7838788Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrical switching device, in particular a thermal relay having at least one contact point in which, in a first position, the contact point is open and, in a second position, the contact point is closed, having a swivelling contact carrier on which the at least one moving contact piece is held and having an actuator for driving the contact carrier. The actuator is a swivel element, which can rotate about a first axis of rotation, said swivel element being made up of two partial elements, which can be slid in mutually opposing directions and are pushed apart by spring force, of which the first partial element is rotatably mounted and the second partial element acts together with the contact carrier at its free end.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: ABB Patent GmbHInventors: Richard Kommert, RĂ¼diger Schweitzer, Anke Dietzel
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Patent number: 7834287Abstract: A capacitive touch switch, for a control panel of a domestic electrical appliance, includes a touch panel having an upper side and an underside. A printed circuit board is disposed at a distance below the underside of the touch panel. A sensor element is disposed between the underside of the touch panel and the printed circuit board and is in electrically conductive contact with the printed circuit board. The capacitive sensor element has a compression spring formed of an electrically conductive material and a contact element formed of an electrically conductive material, which is disposed on that side of the compression spring which faces the touch panel and which is in electrically conductive contact with the compression spring.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Uwe Heiman, Michael Prinz
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Patent number: 7829807Abstract: Key actuators and other switching devices are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The ratio of the weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers to the weight of the base resin host is between about 0.20 and 0.40. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or the like, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders. The micron conductor fibers preferably are of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, copper fiber, silver fiber, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Integral Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Aisenbrey
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Patent number: 7829805Abstract: A shifting device for a motor vehicle is provided with a bracket (3), with a selector lever (7) mounted at the bracket (3) pivotably via a joint (12) and with an angle-measuring device having a signal transmitter (13) and two sensors (14, 15). The angle-measuring device is arranged in the joint (12) and is electrically connected to a control means (19) connected to a motor vehicle transmission (21).Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Metin Ersoy, Andreas Gaertner, Peter Reitz
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Patent number: 7829810Abstract: The present invention provides a pushbutton switch cover sheet formed by using a thin metal plate, in which damage or deformation, such as bending or denting, of the thin metal plate is prevented, thereby making it possible to continuously maintain a satisfactory design. The pushbutton switch cover sheet comprising: a plurality of display portions; a plurality of depressing-operation portions for effecting key input on the display portions, respectively; a base sheet formed of a rubber-like elastic material; and a thin metal plate provided on the base sheet, wherein a reinforcing member formed of a polymeric material is provided for each depressing-operation portion so as to be adjacent to the thin metal plate in a direction of a thickness of the thin metal plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Daisuke Nakajima
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Patent number: 7825347Abstract: The invention relates to an electric rotary switch comprising a switching rotary unit (5) arranged in a housing provided with at least one switching contact (13) acting on switching contact paths (2) associated to socket (1). The rotary switching unit (5) is coupled with an actuating element (8) and interacts with a locking sleeve (9), bevel (10), or indentation (11) for determining switching positions. The locking sleeve (9), bevel (10), or indentation (11) are associated, in part with a face oriented towards the socket (1) of the rotary switching unit, and in part with the rotary switching unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sebastian Schwarz, Gerd Rudolph
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Patent number: 7825346Abstract: A low powered activation electronic device includes a power source, an electronic circuit, having two spaced apart electrodes, electrically connected to the power source to form an opened circuit, and two fabric contacts made of textile material provided at the two electrodes of the electronic circuit, wherein the electronic circuit is formed a closed circuit to activate the electronic device in responsive to a physical touch by a human operator at the two fabric contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Inventor: Jack Chu
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Patent number: 7820925Abstract: A multi-directional switch includes a switch module, including a generally rectangular base, and an actuator vertically installed into a central receiving chamber defined in the base, the actuator can tilt away from a vertical axis to close one of four corners of the base, and a manual handle mated with the switch module, defining a central hollow being open toward the actuator for fittingly receiving the actuator therein, so as to permit synchronously swinging movement of the manual handle and the actuator. For preventing the manual handle, together with the actuator, synchronously swinging toward one of four corners, after the actuator is fittingly received in the central hollow of the manual handle, at least a rib is formed at a top surface of the base for abutting against a bottom surface of the manual handle, or formed at a bottom surface of the manual handle for abutting against a top surface of the base.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., LtdInventors: Peter Kuo, Hao-Mai Yin, Jiang-Hua Zhu, Bing Du
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Patent number: 7820924Abstract: A directional controller for a device is provided. The directional controller consists of keypad contacts, a keyboard, and a button. The keypad contacts are on a printed circuit board. The keyboard has more than four keys and each key is disposed adjacent to one of the keypad contacts. The button is operable for pivoting engagement with the more than four keys to promote contact between the more than four keys and the adjacent one of the keypad contacts.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Russell Lynn Stilley, Darrell Lee Johnson, Jose Antonio Fernandez, Russell Melvin Rosenquist, Thomas Brian Olson, Veronica Bailey Howard
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Patent number: 7820931Abstract: A device includes a trigger arrangement activating a function of the device. The trigger arrangement includes a trigger mechanism movable between a first position and a second position. The device also includes a feedback mechanism exerting a force biasing the trigger mechanism to the first position. The feedback mechanism produces a tactile feedback response when the trigger mechanism is moved from the first position.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roland Lee, Robert Spano