Patents Examined by Michael Friedhofer
  • Patent number: 7759593
    Abstract: A button module adapted for use in an electronic device includes a cover, a button pivotably engaged with the cover, and an elastic plate secured on the cover and attaching to the button. When the button moves relative to the cover from a first position to a second position, the plate generates elastic distortion and abuts against the button to reset the button to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Chin Wang
  • Patent number: 7754992
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes an insulative housing having a wall defining an axial bore therein, a first electrical contact disposed in the housing bore and a second electrical contact movably disposed in the housing bore between an open position and a closed position. When the contacts are in their open position, the second electrical contact is spaced apart from the first electrical contact and when the contacts are in their closed position, the second electrical contact is in electrical contact with the first electrical contact. The switch includes features to enhance safety and operation by reducing the possibility of arcing or flashover before and during the switching operation and to provide of visual indication of the state of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stepniak, Larry Siebens, Charles Bindics, Anthony Reed
  • Patent number: 7754988
    Abstract: A keypad module including at least one key (30) is described. The key (30) includes a keycap (32), a base (34), a supporting member (36), a resisting member (40) and a dome (42). The base includes a pressed portion (341) and a carrier portion (342) connected to the pressed portion. The keycap is arranged on the pressed portion. The supporting member is located on the carrier portion to support the keycap. The resisting member is located between the pressed portion and the dome to press the dome into a position electrically connected to a circuit board (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mei-Tsu Tsao, Ching-Sen Tsai, Ching-Chin Pun
  • Patent number: 7754986
    Abstract: A switch structure substantially reduces the effect of contact resistance by placing two mechanical switches in parallel between a source and a load, and sequentially closing and opening the mechanical switches so that one switch closes before the other switch, and opens after the other switch. The switch structure with the two mechanical switches can be realized with standard micro machined switches or as a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor Niblock, Roozbeh Parsa, Peter J. Hopper
  • Patent number: 7750262
    Abstract: A rocker switch, particularly a window lift switch in a motor vehicle, has a switch housing in which a rocker lever can be adjusted from an initial position, against a restoring force, into a switch-on position. The rocker lever is disposed in the switch housing on one side. In the initial position, its surface forming the free end of the rocker lever is approximately flush with the surrounding areas of the switch housing, and, in the switch-on position, this surface protrudes out from the surrounding areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Knoll, Ralf Nieschulz, Hermann Kuenzner, Jan Syring
  • Patent number: 7750263
    Abstract: An arresting device is disclosed for a drive train which, in order to close a movable contact of an electric switch, can be moved from an OFF position into an ON position. In at least one embodiment, the arresting device includes an arresting including a pivot axis which extends outside its pivoting point. When the drive train is in its OFF position, the arresting element pivots from a position of rest into an arresting the position owing to a force which acts on its pivoting point, in the closing direction of the drive train, and in its arresting position, the arresting element is operatively connected to the drive train and blocks the movement of the drive train into it ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludvik Godesa
  • Patent number: 7750264
    Abstract: A high-voltage switch configuration having a subdivision housing, which is supported on a frame by an insulating supporting housing, and having a switch which is fitted to this subdivision housing and has an insulator, a switching chamber surrounded by the insulator, and disconnectible contacts which are accommodated in the switching chamber. The switch can be switched via a switching linkage that can be operated by a drive and is arranged within the supporting housing and the subdivision housing. At least three switches are attached to the subdivision housing, and each switch has a separate associated switching linkage with a separate drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Laskowski, Manfred Meinherz
  • Patent number: 7750261
    Abstract: A waterproof keyboard comprises: keys, an elastic rubber layer, a circuit board layer, a bottom board, and a sealing layer. The keys are mounted on the bottom board on which a plurality of apertures are disposed, and the sealing layer is disposed under the bottom surface of the bottom board. Corresponding to the apertures on the bottom board, respective adhesives are formed on the sealing layer so as to firmly adhere the sealing layer to the bottom surface of the bottom board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching Cheng Tsai, Chia Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 7750256
    Abstract: A rotary switch assembly (100; 200) is disclosed. The assembly may include a dial assembly (102; 202) having a main body (150; 250) disposed about a centre aperture (132; 232). The main body may be rotatable about a central axis (126; 226) in both a clockwise (106; 206) and counter clockwise direction (108; 208). The dial assembly includes a projecting member (138; 238) extending outward from the main body. The assembly includes a switch (114; 214) having an actuator (156; 256) moveable between a first position (158; 258) and a second position (160; 260). The actuator is positioned such that when the dial assembly is rotated clockwise, the projecting member moves the actuator to the first position, and when rotated counter clockwise, the projecting member moves the actuator to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd
    Inventor: Kok Eng Looi
  • Patent number: 7745749
    Abstract: A dial controller includes a dial, a displacement converter for converting a rotational displacement caused by a rotation operation of the dial to an axial displacement of the dial along a rotation axis of the dial, and a displacement detector for detecting and outputting information on a rotation angle of the dial based on a detection result of the axial displacement of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 7745753
    Abstract: An electric power switch suitable for use as a capacitor switch that includes a drive unit having a bi-directional toggle mechanism and linearly opposing opening and closing spring latches. The opening and closing spring latches are located on opposing sides of the toggle mechanism, which includes an open-cage spring mechanism with coaxial, nested opening and closing springs operated by a rotating, motor-driven charging cam. To open the circuit interrupter, the opening spring latch is tripped to release the opening spring and thereby remove the capacitor bank from the electric power circuit. To introduce the capacitor bank into the electric power circuit, the motor rotates the charging cam through one complete rotation, which charges the opening and closing springs and trips the closing spring latch to release the closing spring to close the circuit interrupter and thereby introduce the capacitor bank into the electric power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Southern States, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Schafer, Neil A. McCord, Joseph R. Rostrom, Joseph Lyu, Todd Douthit
  • Patent number: 7745747
    Abstract: A microswitch which is electrostatically actuated, which has a first open position and a second closed position in which said switch closes at least a contact line (30); the microswitch comprising a movable part (10) which has at least a first actuated portion (11) and a second contact portion (12), which are mechanically connected by means of at least a connection element (13); said contact line/s (30) being placed between said first and second portions; wherein in the rest position of the microswitch the actuated portion is at a first distance d1 from the contact line and the contact portion is at a second distance d2 from the contact line; wherein the operation of the microswitch is the following: the first actuated portion is actuated by at least an actuating electrode (20), and in response to said actuation and via the connection element (13) the second contact portion (12) is arranged to contact said contact line (30) reducing said second distance d2 to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel Carmona, Jofre Pallares
  • Patent number: 7741573
    Abstract: An operating body being made of a metal plate and being overlaid with polyamide resin layer, a side of the operating body having an operating part protruding from a front side of a switch case, and an other side having a driving part in an arm shape and a sliding guide in a frame shape surrounding the driving part, in which the driving part in the arm shape being compression pressed to be a thin plate, and the sliding guide being formed with an upper sliding contact in a hemisphere shape coming into contact with an undersurface of cover above the contact and a lower sliding contact formed long in back and forth direction coming into contact with a protective sheet under the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Masuda, Yasunori Yanai, Yoshikazu Yagi
  • Patent number: 7737374
    Abstract: An input device is provided. The input device includes a first input unit configured to provide at least two directional signals, a second input unit located in the first input unit, the second input unit being configured to provide at least two directional signals different from the at least two directional signals of the first input unit, and a circuitry supporting substrate configured to receive a signal that is input through the first input unit and the second input unit. In addition, a mobile communication device having an input device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jee Young Cheon, Kyung Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 7737375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a key sheet helping to solve problems caused by a rubber-like elastic material filling dividing grooves. A key sheet is provided with protrusions swelling from the back surface of an operation plate toward dividing grooves. The protrusions, which are formed by a film sheet formed of a thermoplastic resin, can prevent the problems when the rubber-like elastic material filling the dividing grooves are exposed, that is, separation or severance of the rubber-like elastic material. Further, nails or fingertips are not easily allowed to enter the dividing grooves of the operation plate. The protrusions in the grooves formed by the film sheet are not easily worn out through repeated depressing operation, thus realizing a thin and safe key sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Katori, Toshikazu Yoshioka, Tedi Kunthady
  • Patent number: 7737376
    Abstract: Apparatus including a substrate and a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch located over the substrate, the mechanical switch including: a first electrical contact over the substrate; a support over the substrate, the support including a region moveable relative to the first electrical contact, the moveable region having a second electrical contact, the second electrical contact located over the first electrical contact; and a self-assembled molecular layer between the substrate and the second electrical contact. Method including placing into operation an apparatus, and applying a coulomb force causing the second electrical contact to move relative to the first electrical contact such that the switch is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Oleksandr Sydorenko, Nikolai Zhitenev
  • Patent number: 7737373
    Abstract: A mobile terminal keypad is provided having a plurality of key switches on the keypad that provides a first signal or a second signal according to the pressure applied to the key switch. In each of the plurality of key switches, a plate is provided to sequentially contact with a first contact and a second contact according to the applied pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Sik In, Huhn Kim, Sang Yeon Lim, Hyun Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7732722
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed pressure switch apparatus and method includes a metal bellows directly installed at an inlet port for providing hermetic sealing thereof. A spring (e.g. a wave spring) can be connected in parallel or series combination with the metal bellows. The metal bellows is capable of being extended when an input pressure is applied which in turn compress the wave spring. The compression of the spring transfers a required motion to a plunger associated with an electrical switch in order to actuate the electrical switch when a certain pressure relative to a perfect vacuum is attained. The metal bellows and the spring can be pre-compressed utilizing the plunger in order to maintain switch set point accuracy and spring stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Aparajita Singh, Bharath Mahalingam, Vijayshekhar Araganji, Kevin Haf
  • Patent number: 7732724
    Abstract: A detent crest member is integrally rotatably mounted on a dial knob. On the other hand, on a peripheral surface of a plunger mounting member which is rotatably operated using a motor, a plurality of plunger members which generates clicks in a dial knob together with the detent crest member is mounted. In changing over click feeling, the motor is rotated thus selectively bringing one of the plunger members mounted on the plunger mounting member into resilient contact with concave/convex patterns of the detent crest member which form the pair with one plunger member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuya Otani, Seiji Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 7728241
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus, an imaging apparatus, and a printer are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a main body case; a cover that is provided on the main body case so as to be openable and closable; a button, which is provided on the cover, for making a pressing operation; and a switch that is provided on the main body case, the switch being pressed by receiving a pressing force from the button in a state where the cover is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ito