Abstract: A linking assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The linking assembly includes a hatchet having first and second edges and an arcuate portion extending therebetween. The hatchet moves between a latched position in which the first edge engages a D-shaft, and an unlatched position in which the hatchet pivots with respect to the D-shaft to unlatch the linking assembly. A cradle includes first and second opposing ends and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. A latch plate, which is pivotally coupled to the housing, includes a protrusion that cooperates with the hatchet. A latch link is disposed between and is pivotally coupled to the cradle and the latch plate. A toggle assembly includes first and second linking elements coupled between the circuit breaker poleshaft and the cradle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base.

Abstract: A communication terminal including a housing having elastic key buttons integrally coupled thereto is provided. The housing is configured to define an external appearance of the communication terminal. Each of the key buttons may have one end thereof integrally coupled to the housing and a free end at an opposite end thereof. A plurality of key-input switches may be respectively positioned beneath each key button. Each of the key-input switches may detect a corresponding key-input when the free end of the key button is brought into contact with the key-input switch.

Abstract: A keyboard includes a keyboard base, a membrane circuit substrate, and a press key set having a plurality of press keys. Each of the press keys includes: a keycap, a linkage assembly including intersecting first and second link levers, and a first pivot mechanism to interconnect pivotally the first and second link levers, and an elastic element. The first pivot mechanism includes: a female element having a first opening formed in one of upper and lower surfaces of the first link lever; and a flexible male element outwardly protruding from a lateral surface of the second link lever. The male and female elements are configured such that after the male element is elastically deformed to be pressed into the female element via the first opening, the male element is restored to its original form to be limited in the female element.

Abstract: A key structure including at least two protruding keys and a key frame is provided. The at least two protruding keys are arrayed adjacently. Each of the at least two protruding keys has a first side edge, a second side edge and a protrusion. The second side edge is opposite to the first side edge. The protrusion has a curved-convex surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The curved-convex surface is getting protruding inwardly from the first side edge and the second side edge. The top end of the curved-convex surface has a crest line. The first side surface passes through the end points of the first side edge, the second side edge and the crest line in the same side. The second side surface is opposite to the first side surface. The key frame is used for carrying the at least two protruding keys.

Abstract: The invention relates to control unit for a domestic appliance, especially for a washing machine with a fascia panel (10) to which is assigned at least one control button (16), indicator (18) or similar arranged within a panel opening (12, 14), with a board 22 for mounting at least one electrical or electronic component (24, 26, 28) arranged at a distance behind the fascia panel (10), and with a sealing element (34) arranged between the fascia panel (10) and the board (22) by means of which the at least one electrical or electronic component (24, 26, 28) is to be protected against water or similar, whereby the sealing element (34) is attached to the fascia panel (10) of the control unit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing forming an opening. A push switch is connected to a test circuit to enable testing of the test circuit in accordance with closing the push switch. A flexible membrane is formed in the opening and configured to form a seal between the housing and the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is located in an operative relationship with the push switch such that pushing the flexible membrane results in a displacement of the push switch.

Abstract: An isolating apparatus for an electric power line includes an elongate insulator having opposed insulator ends and a pair of electrically conductive end members each secured to a respective one of the insulator ends. At least one of the end members includes a mounting slot that receives its respective one of the insulator ends.

Abstract: A hybrid button according to the invention is provided. In one embodiment, the button can be implemented in an electronic device such as a media player. The button can include a metal or other non-plastic portion having a reverse flange and a plastic portion including anti-rotation legs. The legs can prevent rotation at least in part because they are retained by another structure. The plastic portion can be injection-molded onto the reverse flange of the metal or non-plastic portion. As such, the reverse flange fixes the position of the plastic portion with respect to the metal portion. Finally, the metal portion can include an actuator nub that actuates a switch when the button is depressed.

Abstract: A slide operation apparatus capable of ensuring the operability of a knob and improving the visibility of scales on a panel surface of an electronic instrument, without the need of increasing a widthwise space required for mounting the slide operation apparatus on the panel surface. Scales indicating positions in slide movement direction are marked on the panel surface of the electronic instrument on which slide operation apparatuses are mounted. Each slide operation apparatus has a knob adapted to be operated to make a reciprocating slide movement on the panel surface. The knob has its mounting portion whose width is smaller than that of a plate portion and whose left and right end surfaces are receded inwardly from those of the plate portion. The knob has a bottom-side narrow-width portion in which a facing surface is narrower in width in slide movement direction than a finger-operated surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns an armrest mounted joystick for communication of operator initiated control signals to a vehicle controller. A plurality of switches require that the operator be safely located in the operation position in order for the control signals to reach the vehicle controller. Only when all of the switches change state, at substantially the same time, does the joystick either activate or de-activate, in response.

Abstract: An electrical switching device comprises a contact point having two double-break contacts, a contact link having a width, a contact pressure spring exerting a pressure on the contact link, a striker pin configured to act on the contact link counter to the pressure of the contact pressure spring during a switch-off operation so as to move the contact link into an open position, and a thruster actuatable by a switching mechanism and configured to guide the striker pin, the thruster having two limbs projecting in the same direction towards a free end of the thruster so as to form a slot there between, wherein a distance between the two limbs tapers towards the free end such that the distance at the free end is smaller than the width of the contact link, so that the contact link is clamped between the two limbs during the switch-off operation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing in which an opening is made, a button fit inside the opening such as to be movable forward and backward, a printed wiring board housed inside the housing and provided with a switch which detects pushing operation of the button and a pair of supports. Each of the supports projects inside the housing such as to support both end portions of the printed wiring board and also serve as a stopper for the button.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a keypad structure having a transparent keycap and a keypad structure having a transparent keycap. A metal pattern layer is formed on a transparent resin layer of a keycap component. Two print layers are formed on a transparent resin layer of an overprint component. Two print layers and the metal pattern layer are overlapped and have a level difference in height of the total thickness of the two transparent layers. Accordingly, the figure of the keypad seems to be floated and is felt to be three-dimensional.

Abstract: A circuit breaker enables selective left, right or a combination of both side connection to a power conductor, such as a cable or wire. Side connection eliminates the need for large radius U-bends of the power conductor that is normally required when using top connection circuit breakers. An electrically non-conductive cavity commonly defined by left and right sides of the circuit breaker housing receives the power conductor in a connector such as a lug. The circuit breaker may have a visualization window oriented to observe whether excessive cable is projecting out of the lug, so as to confirm compliance with electrical code over surface spacing requirements. In some embodiments, the circuit breaker lugs are vertically oriented above its front cover surface in a receptacle portion of the housing. The receptacle may be constructed for selective lug orientation in horizontal or vertical positions by the installer.

Abstract: Provided is a key sheet allowing reliable sliding operation input through accurate coordinate position detection and depressing operation input of satisfactory depression operability through clear click feel. Fixation layers are formed at positions under depressing operation portions, and there are no fixation layers in portions around the depressing operation portions but gaps are formed. With this construction, it is possible to suppress a depression operation load to a low level at a time of depressing input operation, and, when contact switches with click feel are depressed, the click feel can be easily transmitted. Further, a surface sheet has movable contact portions which enter the gaps at a time of sliding input operation and which are displaced so as to be capable of coming into contact with a sensor sheet. With this construction, it is possible to sense, in a stable manner, capacitance at an in-plane position of a sliding operation surface of the sensor sheet.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing, and an enhanced pivotal mechanism for folding/unfolding the second casing with respect to the first casing. The pivotal mechanism further includes a main pivot to pivot the first casing and the second casing; a combination constructed on the first casing and further including a first driving element driven by the main pivot, a first cam driven by the first driving element, and a first cover pivotally rotated by the first cam; and, another combination constructed on the second casing and further including a second driving element driven by the main pivot, a second cam driven by the second driving element, and a second cover pivotally rotated by the second cam.

Abstract: A switch comprises a key top to be pushed down; an operation knob pushed down by the key top to rotate around a pivot point, having a working portion; and a contact rubber switch pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob. The rubber switch is provided with a push-button portion having an upper surface pushed down by the working portion of the operation knob and an under surface formed with a movable contact; and a skirt portion extending obliquely downward from an edge of the push-button portion. The skirt portion has a thinner portion on the side of the pivot point of the operation knob and a thicker portion on the opposite side of the pivot point. The push-button portion has an upper surface inclined upward toward the side of the pivot point. The switch has advantages such as simple structure, reliable conduction, and excellent click feeling.

Abstract: An improved electrical switching apparatus comprises a plurality of electrical switching assemblies in a ganged configuration. A bridging device mechanically connects together the actuator devices of the electrical switching assemblies to cause the simultaneous tripping of all of the electrical switching assemblies when an overload or an arc fault is detected on any electrical switching assembly of the gang.

Abstract: On a pivot bolt which rotatably and pivotally supports a side stand bar on a vehicle-body-side bracket, a switch unit which is constituted of a base and a rotary made of a resin and detects a rotational position of the side stand bar is mounted. A first engaging mechanism which is constituted of a groove and a projection is arranged between a cylindrical portion formed on the rotary and an engaging shaft and, at the same time, a second engaging mechanism which is constituted of a groove and a projection is arranged between the base and the cylindrical portion. The rotary on which a movable contact formed of a leaf spring is mounted allows a positioning pin which is formed on one end portion thereof to be engaged with a pin hole formed in a pivot portion and hence, the rotary is integrally rotated with the side stand bar.