Patents Examined by Renne S Luebke
  • Patent number: 9653228
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed to a switch for use in an electronic device. The switching assembly may include an elastically deformable actuator having a conductive inner surface and a cosmetic outer surface. The actuator may be disposed on an exterior surface of an enclosure that houses an electric circuit board of the electronic device. The enclosure may have one or more openings for providing an electrical connection between the actuator and the enclosed circuit of the electronic device. When the actuator is pressed, an electrical circuit may be closed and electric current may flow through the conductive inner surface of the actuator. The actuator may be combined with a perimeter element for snapping on and off the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Emery Sanford, Douglas Joseph Weber, Stephen Zadesky
  • Patent number: 7956301
    Abstract: A tamper protection device for an electrical switching device including a housing and a panel for at least one control element. The tamper protection device a protection cap configured to prevent unwanted operation or tampering of the control element when in position on the housing and a seal retainer configured to block the protection cap from being removed from the covering position when the seal retainer and protection cap are connected by a secured seal wire thereby forming a sealed unit. Each of the protection cap and the seal retainer are releasably connectable to the housing. When the protection cap and seal retainer are secured as the sealed unit it is non-releasably connectable to the housing by an interlocking connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Industries GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Lankuttis, Claudia Pleikies
  • Patent number: 7481679
    Abstract: Described is an electrical connector assembly with an electrical connector having a connector body that includes a receptacle connector portion at a first end and a plug connector portion at a second end opposite the first end. The receptacle connector portion has electrical contacts within an opening for mating with a plug electrical connector at the first end of the connector body. The plug connector portion has electrical contacts within an opening for mating with a receptacle electrical connector at the second end. The connector body has an electrical conductor that is in electrical communication with at least one of the electrical contacts and extends from one side of the connector body. A circuit card is disposed adjacent to that one side of the connector body and is in electrical communication with the at least one electrical contact through the electrical conductor extending from the side of the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Stotz, Joseph P. King, Jr., Albert F. Beinor, Jr., Phillip J. Roux, Mickey S. Felton
  • Patent number: 6149458
    Abstract: A network interface device is attachable to an intermediate field of a building entrance protector unit. The network interface device includes a jack section having a jack which is designed to receive the plug of a standard telephone. The jack includes wire leads which may be connected to any of the terminals on the intermediate field. The jack section is mountable into a base module which is in turn attachable to the intermediate field by wedging a portion of the base module between adjacent terminals on the intermediate field. A plug section is pivotally connected to the jack section by a living hinge. The plug section includes a plug having a pair of conductive blades therein. The network interface device performs a connecting function when the plug is pivoted to a position within the jack, and the conductive blades establish an electrical connection between the wire leads connected to the telephone company network and the wire leads connected to the customer equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 5550342
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electrical switch assembly generally comprising a snap-action electrical switch disposed in a module frame assembly and connected to electrical contact pins for mating with a contact pin connector. A switch module assembly is connected to the module frame assembly and includes a switch actuator assembly for actuating the snap-action electrical switch. The switch actuator includes a latch spring guide that may be configured for either "alternate" or "momentary" actuation of the snap-action electrical switch and emits audio and tactile switch status indicators perceptible to an operator. The module frame assembly and switch module assembly are releasably connectable to and form an integral unit with a cap base assembly having a cap module with a low power LED illuminatable display visible under extreme ambient lighting conditions for indicating switch status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Danek, Harry N. Etters, Jr., Earl J. Genz, Brigg A. Johnston, Iran R. Littman, John N. Long, Anthony W. Meadors, Nicholas J. Mercadante, Mario M. Orrico, Stephan H. Schramme, Charles J. Shedore
  • Patent number: 5177989
    Abstract: Key holder includes, in its most preferred embodiment, front and back covers with interlocking hinge appendages defining a transverse passageway inside which is located a swivel cartridge functioning both as a hinge pin and as a swivelling key attachment device. Swivel cartridge includes a casing, a swivel member located at least partially within the casing so as to be capable of rotation with respect to the casing and extending out through a first end of the casing to define a ring passageway through which a key ring is attachable, a hook member contacting the swivel member within the casing and extending out through a second end of the casing, and a spring located within the casing for urging the hook member toward the first end of the casing, thereby maintaining continuous contact between the hook member and the swivel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Stillwagon Applied Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Woodrow C. Stillwagon