Patents by Inventor Jean-Christophe Villain

Jean-Christophe Villain has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10892117
    Abstract: A method for control device adjustment comprising applying a preload simultaneously to a plurality of shafts of a control device so as to take up initial assembly play, wherein the control device comprises an upper actuating element that is movable relative to a lower supporting mounting, a lower supporting mounting, a switch that is actuated by the upper actuating element, and an articulated structure that is interposed vertically between the upper actuating element and the lower mounting to keep the upper actuating element parallel to a horizontal plane during its vertical downward movement relative to a frame, and the at least one shaft. The method also comprises providing an adjustment stop fixed relative to the lower mounting and forming a stop surface that interacts with a facing portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20200379015
    Abstract: An apparatus for the automated assembly of a probe head for testing electronic devices integrated on a semiconductor wafer, includes a support adapted to support at least two parallel guides, which are provided with a plurality of respective guides holes, and at least one holding means adapted to hold a contact probe to be housed in the guides holes, of the guides. Suitably, the support is a movable support adapted to be moved according to a preset trajectory between a first position, wherein the contact probe is held by the holding means at a predetermined position outside the guides holes, and a second position wherein the contact probe, which is held at the predetermined position, is housed in a set of guides holes that are substantially concentric to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Roberto SUBRANNI, David HERIBAN, Jean-Christophe VILLAIN, Jocelyn PERREAU, Florent PERROCHEAU, Anne DELETTRE
  • Patent number: 9837225
    Abstract: An electrical snap on switch includes a pair of associated contact elements, the contact elements include a fixed contact element and a movable contact element arranged facing the fixed contact element and that may come into contact with the fixed contact element for establishing a first conductive path. The snap on switch may also include a snap-action switching device that includes a tilting driving member pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis between an upper position and a lower position. The movable contact element is a movable portion of an elastically deformable conductive blade. The driving member includes a cam, which cooperates with a cam follower portion of the blade to deform or relax the blade, to cause the movable contact to come into contact, or out of contact, with the fixed contact element, therefore to realize switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventors: Eric Grange, Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20170229259
    Abstract: A method for control device adjustment comprising applying a preload simultaneously to a plurality of shafts of a control device so as to take up initial assembly play, wherein the control device comprises an upper actuating element that is movable relative to a lower supporting mounting, a lower supporting mounting, a switch that is actuated by the upper actuating element, and an articulated structure that is interposed vertically between the upper actuating element and the lower mounting to keep the upper actuating element parallel to a horizontal plane during its vertical downward movement relative to a frame, and the at least one shaft. The method also comprises providing an adjustment stop fixed relative to the lower mounting and forming a stop surface that interacts with a facing portion of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 9672997
    Abstract: A method for control device adjustment comprising applying a preload simultaneously to a plurality of shafts of a control device so as to take up initial assembly play, wherein the control device comprises an upper actuating element that is movable relative to a lower supporting mounting, a lower supporting mounting, a switch that is actuated by the upper actuating element, and an articulated structure that is interposed vertically between the upper actuating element and the lower mounting to keep the upper actuating element parallel to a horizontal plane during its vertical downward movement relative to a frame, and the at least one shaft. The method also comprises providing an adjustment stop fixed relative to the lower mounting and forming a stop surface that interacts with a facing portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20160163478
    Abstract: An electrical snap on switch includes a pair of associated contact elements, the contact elements include a fixed contact element and a movable contact element arranged facing the fixed contact element and that may come into contact with the fixed contact element for establishing a first conductive path. The snap on switch may also include a snap-action switching device that includes a tilting driving member pivotally mounted around a horizontal axis between an upper position and a lower position. The movable contact element is a movable portion of an elastically deformable conductive blade. The driving member includes a cam, which cooperates with a cam follower portion of the blade to deform or relax the blade, to cause the movable contact to come into contact, or out of contact, with the fixed contact element, therefore to realize switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Grange, Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 9099254
    Abstract: A control device for generating electrical signals. The control device includes a bottom support, a first, a second, and a third fixed contacts, a first, a second, and a third moving contacts, each of which is elastically deformable. The control device also includes an intermediate control cradle thank includes first, second and third actuating pawls. The control device is suitable for occupying an inactive position in which at least one first, one second and one third bearing points of the intermediate cradle are in abutment, vertically upwards, each against an associated surface portion facing the bottom support, and a single top control member in the form of a drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 9058946
    Abstract: An electrical switch arrangement for controlling an electronic apparatus. The arrangement includes a reinforcement member, an electrical switch with tactile effect, a force transmission member which cooperates with the electrical switch with tactile effect, a permanent magnet which acts on a magnetic disc linked to the force transmission member to slow down the displacements of the force transmission member, and an electromagnet with controlled electrical power supply. When powered, the electromagnet produces a magnetic field which cancels the magnetic field of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: C&K COMPONENTS S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 9024218
    Abstract: A device for the control of an electronic apparatus. The device includes an upper panel upon which a user may exert at least one control action, a lower support armature upon which the upper panel is vertically and movably mounted, a switching breaker configured to be triggered by the upper panel, and an articulated structure configured to hold the upper panel. An axis of actuation of the switching breaker may be arranged at the periphery of a contour of the upper panel, and the articulated structure may include several consecutive shafts, each of which is arranged along an associated edge of the contour of the upper actuation face of the upper panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 9012796
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes a top metal support plate, a triggering member bearing on a bottom of a recess, a bottom metal contact plate having a fixed central contact region, and an adhesive fixing insulating sheet. The adhesive insulating sheet is arranged between a peripheral portion of the bottom face of the top support plate and a peripheral portion of the top face of the bottom contact plate and the adhesive insulating sheet adheres, by its two opposite faces, to each of said two annular portions to form a means for fixing the top support plate to the bottom contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Cour, Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20150101184
    Abstract: A method for control device adjustment comprising applying a preload simultaneously to a plurality of shafts of a control device so as to take up initial assembly play, wherein the control device comprises an upper actuating element that is movable relative to a lower supporting mounting, a lower supporting mounting, a switch that is actuated by the upper actuating element, and an articulated structure that is interposed vertically between the upper actuating element and the lower mounting to keep the upper actuating element parallel to a horizontal plane during its vertical downward movement relative to a frame, and the at least one shaft. The method also comprises providing an adjustment stop fixed relative to the lower mounting and forming a stop surface that interacts with a facing portion of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 8829378
    Abstract: A device for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprising: a generally flat upper panel; a lower armature of a support with respect to which armature the upper panel can move in a generally vertically downward movement; a switch; and at least two arms for actuating the switch, each arm comprising a first end which bears on the upper panel, a second end which bears on the switch, and an intermediate portion which bears on the armature, in which the arms cooperate with the upper panel and the armature in order to keep the upper panel parallel to a horizontal plane during its vertical movement with respect to the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20140167890
    Abstract: An electrical switch arrangement for controlling an electronic apparatus. The arrangement includes a reinforcement member, an electrical switch with tactile effect, a force transmission member which cooperates with the electrical switch with tactile effect, a permanent magnet which acts on a magnetic disc linked to the force transmission member to slow down the displacements of the force transmission member, and an electromagnet with controlled electrical power supply. When powered, the electromagnet produces a magnetic field which cancels the magnetic field of the permanent magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20140138220
    Abstract: A control device for generating electrical signals. The control device includes a bottom support, a first, a second, and a third fixed contacts, a first, a second, and a third moving contacts, each of which is elastically deformable. The control device also includes an intermediate control cradle thank includes first, second and third actuating pawls. The control device is suitable for occupying an inactive position in which at least one first, one second and one third bearing points of the intermediate cradle are in abutment, vertically upwards, each against an associated surface portion facing the bottom support, and a single top control member in the form of a drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: C&K Components S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20130264181
    Abstract: A device for the control of an electronic apparatus. The device includes an upper panel upon which a user may exert at least one control action, a lower support armature upon which the upper panel is vertically and movably mounted, a switching breaker configured to be triggered by the upper panel, and an articulated structure configured to hold the upper panel. An axis of actuation of the switching breaker may be arranged at the periphery of a contour of the upper panel, and the articulated structure may include several consecutive shafts, each of which is arranged along an associated edge of the contour of the upper actuation face of the upper panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 8466384
    Abstract: A sliding electrical switch comprising a first slider which is able to establish a first electrical switching channel, a first actuator for the first slider, a second slider which is able to establish a second electrical switching channel, a second actuator for the second slider, and a common return spring which is a compression spring which is mounted axially compressed between the first and second sliders and which simultaneously stresses each of the two sliders towards its idle axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20120111712
    Abstract: An electrical switch which includes a top metal support plate, a triggering member bearing on a bottom of a recess, a bottom metal contact plate having a fixed central contact region, and an adhesive fixing insulating sheet. The adhesive insulating sheet is arranged between a peripheral portion of the bottom face of the top support plate and a peripheral portion of the top face of the bottom contact plate and the adhesive insulating sheet adheres, by its two opposite faces, to each of said two annular portions to form a means for fixing the top support plate to the bottom contact plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michel Cour, Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Publication number: 20120103773
    Abstract: A device for controlling an electronic apparatus, comprising: a generally flat upper panel; a lower armature of a support with respect to which armature the upper panel can move in a generally vertically downward movement; a switch; and at least two arms for actuating the switch, each arm comprising a first end which bears on the upper panel, a second end which bears on the switch, and an intermediate portion which bears on the armature, in which the arms cooperate with the upper panel and the armature in order to keep the upper panel parallel to a horizontal plane during its vertical movement with respect to the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: COACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Jean-Christophe Villain
  • Patent number: 8115120
    Abstract: An electrical switch with multiple switching channels may include a frame, a panel with which a pointing element comes into contact. The electrical switch may have a location element which locates the point of contact of the pointing element on the panel which may include a plurality of switching elements. The electrical switch may have a detection element which detects at least one control action independent of the position of the point of contact with the panel. The electrical switch may have an intermediate plate on which the panel acts in order to cause the change in state of the switching elements. The intermediate plate may be configured to cause the change in state of switching elements and detection element. The plate can be at least in part deformed in order to actuate the detection element after changing the state of the switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Villain, Michel Cour
  • Patent number: 8030586
    Abstract: An electronic switch may include a horizontal bottom plate, a top side of the plate may support at least two electrical contacts. A contactor may be positioned on the top side of the plate and may be elastically deformable to electrically link the at least two electrical contacts. A pushbutton may be positioned vertically above the contactor such that manual displacement of the pushbutton downward may provoke the elastic deformation of the contactor. A first elastic sheet may include a top film protecting the contactor. The top film may be fixed to the top side of the plate to secure the contactor vertically on the plate to form an opening so that the pushbutton may act directly on the contactor. A second elastic sheet may position the pushbutton horizontally relative to the contactor on a top side of which the top film may be fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Villain, Michel Cour