Patents by Inventor Ken Kosaka

Ken Kosaka 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: 10289149
    Abstract: A first virtual rotational axis exists at a position separated from the position of a first virtual line which passes through a path through which the cancel lever is advanced and retracted (in the longitudinal direction of an elongated guide hole). A first engaging portion of the cancel lever is line symmetric about a second virtual line which connects the first virtual rotational axis of a cancel cam member and a second virtual rotational axis of the cancel lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Kosaka, Hiroshi Hanzawa, Tomonori Miura
  • Publication number: 20170293317
    Abstract: A first virtual rotational axis exists at a position separated from the position of a first virtual line which passes through a path through which the cancel lever is advanced and retracted (in the longitudinal direction of an elongated guide hole). A first engaging portion of the cancel lever is line symmetric about a second virtual line which connects the first virtual rotational axis of a cancel cam member and a second virtual rotational axis of the cancel lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Ken Kosaka, Hiroshi Hanzawa, Tomonori Miura
  • Publication number: 20160071667
    Abstract: A click mechanism includes a first magnetic body having a first protrusion, a second magnetic body having a second protrusion, and a magnet configured to magnetize at least one of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body. The click mechanism is configured to, in accordance with input operation, move at least one of the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body relative to the other, and generate click sensation corresponding to the input operation using magnetic attractive force generated between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The second magnetic body further has a third protrusion configured to generate magnetic attractive force between itself and the first protrusion and differing in shape from the second protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Kazunari Takahashi, Rei Namiki, Ken Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8907240
    Abstract: A holder incorporated in and fixed to cylindrical lever body rotatably supports a rotating knob, and the rotating knob supports a pressing knob so as to be able to reciprocate in the axial direction. Any of these cylindrical lever body, the rotating knob and the pressing knob has a non-circular outline along an orthogonal plane which is orthogonal to the axial direction. The rotating knob is arranged in the vicinity of the distal end of the cylindrical lever body, and the rotating knob opposes a main surface of a circuit board mounted on the holder. The main surface of the circuit board includes a push switch having a contact pattern which can be connected to and disconnected from a slider attached to the rotating knob, and a driven part thrust by a drive rod of the pressing knob during a pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ken Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8895879
    Abstract: In a lever switch device, a holder is assembled in and fixed to a cylindrical lever body formed by combining halved lever bodies and the holder supports two rotating knobs so as to allow the rotating knobs to rotate. Further, a circuit board is mounted on the holder, and both main surfaces of the circuit board face the rotating knobs, respectively. The rotating knob is exposed to the outside at the end of the cylindrical lever body in the axial direction, and the rotating knob is exposed to the outside through window portions formed at the cylindrical lever body. Sliders are mounted on the rotating knobs, respectively, one slider can come into contact with and be separated from contact patterns formed on the main surface, and the other slider can come into contact with and be separated from contact patterns formed on the main surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ken Kosaka
  • Patent number: 8822856
    Abstract: A turn signal switch device includes an operation lever, a holding member configured to support a base portion of the operation lever and to be turnable together with the operation lever, a housing configured to support the holding member such that the holding member is turnable, a cancel lever provided in the housing and configured to be advanceable, retractable, and turnable along with the turning of the holding member, and a cam member provided in the housing and facing the base portion of the operation lever. The housing holds a third elastic member configured to elastically urge the cancel lever toward a turning locus of a cancel projection. The third elastic member is a coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20120217142
    Abstract: A turn signal switch device includes an operation lever, a holding member configured to support a base portion of the operation lever and to be turnable together with the operation lever, a housing configured to support the holding member such that the holding member is turnable, a cancel lever provided in the housing and configured to be advanceable, retractable, and turnable along with the turning of the holding member, and a cam member provided in the housing and facing the base portion of the operation lever. The housing holds a third elastic member configured to elastically urge the cancel lever toward a turning locus of a cancel projection. The third elastic member is a coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Ken Kosaka
  • Patent number: 7541550
    Abstract: A turn signal switch device comprises a control lever that has a lever portion that projects from a base portion that has a shaft hole, and a shaft that has a head disposed at one end. The head has a larger diameter than that of the other portion of the shaft, and is inserted into the shaft hole so as to serve as a rotating shaft of the control lever. The device also comprises a holder that is formed of synthetic resin, has an opening into which the base portion is inserted, and supports the shaft such that the control lever can be tilted along one plane. The device further comprises a case that supports the holder such that the control lever and the holder can be integrally tilted along the other plane which substantially crosses the one plane at right angles. A ring-shaped concave groove that extends in a circumferential direction is provided at the other end of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20080185269
    Abstract: A turn signal switch device comprises a control lever that has a lever portion that projects from a base portion that has a shaft hole, and a shaft that has a head disposed at one end. The head has a larger diameter than that of the other portion of the shaft, and is inserted into the shaft hole so as to serve as a rotating shaft of the control lever. The device also comprises a holder that is formed of synthetic resin, has an opening into which the base portion is inserted, and supports the shaft such that the control lever can be tilted along one plane. The device further comprises a case that supports the holder such that the control lever and the holder can be integrally tilted along the other plane which substantially crosses the one plane at right angles. A ring-shaped concave groove that extends in a circumferential direction is provided at the other end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Ken Kosaka