Patents by Inventor Masaki Kontani

Masaki Kontani 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: 7501722
    Abstract: A switch device includes a substantially disk-shaped operator; a substantially ring-shaped indicator provided between the operator and the light emitting elements disposed below the operator; and a visible portion formed in the center of an inner periphery of the operator. Since the indicator carrying indications of equipment functions in characters, symbols, figures or the like is formed separately from the operator, the indications will never turn sideways or upside down owing to the rotation of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Masaki Kontani
  • Publication number: 20070188024
    Abstract: The switch device disclosed includes: a substantially disk-shaped operator; a substantially ring-shaped indicator provided between the operator and the light emitting elements disposed below the operator; and a visible portion formed in the center of an inner periphery of the operator. Since the indicator carrying indications of equipment functions in characters, symbols, figures or the like is formed separately from the operator, the indications will never turn sideways or upside down owing to the rotation of the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Hitokazu Shitanaka, Masaki Kontani
  • Publication number: 20070077058
    Abstract: A multi-directional operation switch includes an operation body and plural switches. The operation body has a surface having a recess sinking in a predetermined direction. The operation body is operable to swing in a plurality of directions perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The switches are activated in response to swinging of the operation body in the plurality of directions, respectively. An operator activates this switch without operation error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventor: Masaki Kontani
  • Patent number: 7166811
    Abstract: A lever switch for vehicle, which can be produced thin and which operation is easy and ensured is provided. A lever is formed in substantially a linear shape, having at an end thereof an operating part sticking out of a case and at an other end thereof a driving part of which a middle part is movably held in the case, and a resilient push force mechanism composed of a coil spring, a pin and a saving cam is disposed between an end of a driving part of lever and an inside wall of the case, constituting the vehicle lever switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kontani, Takeshi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20050236259
    Abstract: A lever switch for vehicle, which can be produced thin and which operation is easy and ensured is provided. A lever is formed in substantially a linear shape, having at an end thereof an operating part sticking out of a case and at an other end thereof a driving part of which a middle part is movably held in the case, and a resilient push force mechanism composed of a coil spring, a pin and a saving cam is disposed between an end of a driving part of lever and an inside wall of the case, constituting the vehicle lever switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Kontani, Takeshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 6949714
    Abstract: A switch apparatus has a case that includes a hollow projecting support section, a switch contact provided inside the case, and a button having a depressing section that comes into contact with the switch contact and mounted on the support section in a manner vertically movable. Furthermore, an inwardly projecting catch section is provided on the inner periphery of the support section, and an engaging hole is provided on the depressing section of the button into which the catch section is to be inserted. In this configuration, an opening on the top surface of the case is not required when manufacturing the case and the button by resin molding. As a result, a switch apparatus is obtained which is superior in resistance to water and dust and stable in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kontani, Takeshi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20050150755
    Abstract: A switch apparatus has a case that includes a hollow projecting support section, a switch contact provided inside the case, and a button having a depressing section that comes into contact with the switch contact and mounted on the support section in a manner vertically movable. Furthermore, an inwardly projecting catch section is provided on the inner periphery of the support section, and an engaging hole is provided on the depressing section of the button into which the catch section is to be inserted. In this configuration, an opening on the top surface of the case is not required when manufacturing the case and the button by resin molding. As a result, a switch apparatus is obtained which is superior in resistance to water and dust and stable in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Masaki Kontani, Takeshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 6333475
    Abstract: The operation is silent when manipulating the lever switch. Further, a lever switch having a favorable sensation of manipulation is obtained. The lever switch includes a sliding element, an operation lever, a moderator pin, a moderator plate, and a switch contact point. The moderator plate is disposed at a position where the leading end of the moderator pin elastically contacts with the moderator plate. The moderator plate has a moderation ditch in a concave shape, moderation protrusions positioned at both ends of the moderation ditch, and a sliding surface linking the moderation ditch and moderation protrusions. The sliding surface has a thin portion so as to be deflected by pressure of the moderator pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Kontani