Plural Switch Patents (Class 200/18)
  • Publication number: 20090038918
    Abstract: This current invention is about a switching implement (1) enabled to perform the remote-controlled switching of electric consumers, consisting of multiple electro-mechanical bistable 25versa, plus at least one actuating element (3) allocated to the bistable switches (2) such that it can selectively change the state of any of the bistable switches (2) from one of its two states to the other and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Hella KGaA
    Inventor: Andre Korner
  • Publication number: 20080302639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tap changer having a switching monitoring device, which is arranged above the upper transmission stage in a housing. For monitoring purposes, two cam switches are provided which are actuated by a cam disk which is connected to the contact-bearing switch column of the tap changer. The cam disk has a horizontally split contour at its end face, wherein one of the two cam switches runs on each partial contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Reinhold Baertl, Dieter Dohnal, Albert Schmidbauer
  • Patent number: 7450108
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operating unit, especially for operating a multimedia system in a motor vehicle, comprising an operating element that can be rotated about an axis (z), that can be moved along said axis of rotation (z) and that can be locked in a position (0, 1) on said axis (z). The operating element can also be moved on an plane (x, y) that is orthogonal relative to said axis (z) in order to control the movement of a cursor that can be shown on a display in any given direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Clabunde, Helmut Dörre, Hans Kinzler, Nhu Nguyen Thien, Oliver Pichl
  • Patent number: 7441918
    Abstract: A switch device for an electrical appliance securable to a rail structure, a preferred embodiment of the switch device including a remote switch including a resilient or flexible housing having resilient members adapted to grasp a longitudinal rail of the rail structure for retaining the housing to the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 7439460
    Abstract: A vehicle window opening/closing switch apparatus for opening/closing a plurality of windows provided on a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus has a first switch and a second switch. An arbitrary window can be electrically selected from among the windows by manually displacing the first switch to at least the left and right. The second switch is incorporated in the first switch and is capable of electrically opening/closing the window selected by the first switch by a manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen Watson
  • Patent number: 7438430
    Abstract: A light beam generator including a remote dual switch device preferably including a remote momentary tape switch including a resilient housing and a remote pushbutton actuable CONSTANT ON/OFF switch carried by the resilient housing, the resilient housing configured with resilient members removably securable to a rail of a rail structure which may be secured to a firearm or other gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: SureFire, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 7436391
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a navigational button including an actuating element which is displaceable at least in two directions and controls the navigation button. The present actuating element is arranged in a casing and performs an action on a communication element. A limitation element is disposed between the actuating element and the casing in such a way that it limits actuation efforts performed on the navigational button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Bilger, Jürgen Götz, Thomas Riester, Michael Steiert
  • Patent number: 7426338
    Abstract: The present invention provides a switch mechanism usable underwater including a rear cover serving as an exterior member, two shaft members being displaceable in a shaft direction and fitting into two shaft holes having the same cross-sectional area provided in the rear cover, an O-ring watertightly maintaining the shaft member and the shaft hole, and a lever member being engaged with the two shaft members in a manner to be capable of pressing-down or pulling-up the shaft member, and being configured to balance water pressure applied to one shaft member with that applied to the other shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumoto, Ikko Mori, Tsuyoshi Hirabayashi
  • Publication number: 20080202898
    Abstract: An input device is provided. The input device includes a first input unit configured to provide at least two directional signals, a second input unit located in the first input unit, the second input unit being configured to provide at least two directional signals different from the at least two directional signals of the first input unit, and a circuitry supporting substrate configured to receive a signal that is input through the first input unit and the second input unit. In addition, a mobile communication device having an input device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jee Young CHEON, Kyung Ik Lee
  • Patent number: 7415846
    Abstract: A button assembly and a washing machine having the same, by which a simplified structure enabling to perform assembly and disassembly of the button assembly are disclosed. The button assembly includes a panel having at least one button hole, at least one push button inserted in the at least one button hole in part, and an elastic part coupled to the panel to prevent the at least one push button from being separated from the panel and to elastically support a rear side of the at least one push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: LG. Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong A Park
  • Patent number: 7361854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotating actuator/pressure actuator (13) comprising a ring-shaped rotary transducer (5) consisting of an inner ring and a rotary ring with a handle (1) and which can rotate around the inner ring about an axis (z) and which is displaceably arranged in a linear manner along the axis (Z) in relation to a housing (11), in addition to an inner part (touchpad 2) which is arranged in an inner area (12) of the ring-shaped rotary transducer (5) and which is displaceable in a linear manner along the axis (z) together with the ring-shaped rotary transducer (5) in relation to the housing (11). Linear displacement of the handle (1) and/or inner part (touchpad 2) triggers a push-button function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Boris Basche, Volker Erben, Roland Falkner, Klaus Hasemann, Reinhard Haubner, Daniel Hostmann, Gerhard Lex, Nhu Nguyen Thien, Oliver Pichl, Richard Scherl, Elmar Weber
  • Patent number: 7332682
    Abstract: A tail cap assembly for a light beam generator includes a jack, while a remote dual switch connected by a cable to a plug is removably connectable to the tail cap jack. The remote dual switch preferably includes a momentary tape switch and a pushbutton actuable CONSTANT ON/OFF switch in a resilient housing that is removably securable to a rail of a rail mount structure secured to a firearm or other gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Surefire, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 7323646
    Abstract: A hand operable switch includes an operating knob that is movable longitudinally or rotationally about a longitudinal axis of the hand operable switch. The operating knob is accessible from any circumferential location of the hand operable switch. A housing includes switching elements wherein movement of the operating knob moves an activation rod relevant to the switching elements for activating a switching element that corresponds to movement of a controlled device. A converter converts the hand operable switch into a foot operable switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Conntrol International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Braaten
  • Patent number: 7304253
    Abstract: A switching device of an image recording and replaying apparatus, having: a frame with a button sheet having a guide boss opening positioned in a center of the button sheet and operation boss openings positioned around the guide boss opening, pairs of the operation boss openings being oppositely disposed with respect to the guide boss opening; a switchboard placed on a first side of the frame and having tact switches facing respective operation boss openings; an integrated button disposed to be elastically biased toward a second side of the frame opposite the first side, and having a guide boss inserted into the guide boss opening and operation bosses inserted into respective operation boss openings; and a fixation holder disposed on the guide boss to fix the integrated button to the frame, such that the operation bosses continuously contact with corresponding tact switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-in Lee
  • Patent number: 7294797
    Abstract: An electronic controller for a vehicle leveling system comprises an extend-enable switch, a retract-enable switch, an all-activate switch, and at least one group-activate switch. It is configured to generate an all-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and the all-activate switch, an all-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch and the all-activate switch, a group-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and the group-activate switch, and a group-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch and the group-activate switch. Vehicle leveling systems having the electronic controller further include a plurality of jacks operably controlled by the electronic controller and a power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Scott Erickson
  • Patent number: 7285738
    Abstract: A control knob for a control panel assembly having a panel to which a push-and-turn switch assembly is mounted, with the switch assembly having a stem axially movable and rotatable to effect actuation of the switch assembly. The control knob has a cap and a skirt. The cap is axially immobile relative to the stem, and the skirt is coupled with the stem for axial movement therewith. The skirt is axially moveable relative to the cap. An axial force acting on the cap is not transferred to the stem and an axial force acting on the skirt will cause axial movement of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kim Cyril Lavigne, Phillip Henry DeRuiter
  • Patent number: 7268307
    Abstract: Signal Actuator device, having a support structure; a bottom drive shaft, tunable in a seat of the support structure; a first torsional coupling, integral with and surrounding the bottom drive shaft; at least a first cam torsionally coupled to the first torsional coupling in a selective manner for adjusting the angular position thereof relative to the bottom drive shaft; the at least one first cam actuating an electrical device supported by the support structure; a top drive shaft, torsionally coupled to bottom drive shaft in a selectively removable member; a second torsional coupling, integral with and surrounding the top drive shaft; at least a second cam torsionally coupled to the second torsional coupling in a selective manner for adjusting the angular position thereof relative to the removable top drive shaft; and the at least one second cam actuating an electrical device supported by the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Soldo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Soldo
  • Patent number: 7259645
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control switch system for a vehicle, using a jog shuttle, by which a driver can rapidly and correctly select and control operation of a sound system in the vehicle even during driving of the vehicle. Since the control switch system uses simple members such as springs and metal balls, the cost of the vehicle decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Ji Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 7235748
    Abstract: The game apparatus is provided with the cylindrical portion rotating with the axis on the side face of the base portion of the master control lever. Two projecting parts are sticking out from the columnar surface of the cylindrical portion. In addition, two leaf switches are provided corresponding to the master control lever. The leaf switch is turned on when the projecting part contacts with the contact member of the leaf switch while the master control lever is rotating. In this way, operation of the master control lever is detected by using the leaf switches rather than rotary switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: SSD Company Limited
    Inventors: Hiromu Ueshima, Koichi Makioka
  • Patent number: 7211750
    Abstract: A switching mechanism provides sequential switching of first and second circuit breakers to enable switching between a primary power supply and a backup power supply. The switching mechanism comprises an actuating mechanism to sequentially actuate a pair of circuit breakers. The actuator mechanism including a shock absorber to absorb energy due to switching of one of the first and second circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Alexander S. Fillppenko, Gary Pollard
  • Patent number: 7208693
    Abstract: A switch includes a body with a switch member and two springs are connected to an underside of the switch member. Two identical circuit assemblies are isolated from each other and received in the body. Each circuit assembly has two terminals and a bimetallic plate has a first end connected to the first terminal and the bi-metallic plate can be deformed when the switch is overloaded to separate two contact points to cut off the circuit. A carry member is connected to the two respective bi-metallic plates of the two circuit assemblies so that when either one of the two bi-metallic plates is deformed, the carry member is moved to separate the two contact points of the other circuit assembly and cut off the two circuit assemblies simultaneously when the switch is overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7193165
    Abstract: A hand-held game machine (10) includes a horizontally-long rectangular housing (12), and the housing is covered with a cover (14) almost entirely. Each of top main surfaces of the housing and the cover has a plane shape of pincushion, and thus, the top main surface of the housing forms a lower inclined surface (26) connecting a lower side surface (22) and the top main surface of the housing. On the top main surface of the housing, a cross key (16) and an A button (18a), and a B button (18b) are provided, and on the lower inclined surface (26), a start switch (28) and a select switch (30) are arranged. On left and right edges of an upper side surface (20) of the housing, a left switch (32L) and a right switch (32R) are arranged. As to each of the left switch and the right switch, a switch portion is formed at one end nearer to a center of the housing in the horizontal direction, and a pin is provided at the other end opposite thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Kawanobe, Tomoyuki Sakiyama
  • Patent number: 7175390
    Abstract: A switching apparatus having an actuating shaft, an actuator, at least one switch and a housing. A switching apparatus is in the form of at least one actuating guide which is connected with a first actuating guide portion to the actuating shaft and which with a second actuating guide portion at least partially embraces the actuating shaft at a predetermined spacing, wherein provided on the convex side of the second actuating guide portion is an actuating track for the switch or switches, insofar as at least one predetermined position the spacing between the outer peripheral edge and the actuating shaft is greater for a predetermined arcuate dimension than at other positions of the second actuating guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 7170018
    Abstract: A switch for adjusting a plurality of states of a load is provided having a large paddle actuator for adjusting a first state of a lightning load and incorporating an integrated rocker switch for adjusting a second state of a lighting load. The switch also comprises a concealed air-gap switch for disconnecting the switch from line phase when the paddle actuator is placed in a disconnect position and connecting the switch to line phase when the paddle actuator is placed in a connect position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Azer Ilkhanov
  • Patent number: 7094980
    Abstract: Disclosed is a scroll key integrally formed with a function selecting switch that selects one of at least two functions. The scroll key comprises a circuit board having a circuit provided for a predetermined function, a vertical rotation switch mounted on the circuit board with a rotation axis thereof being substantially parallel with the circuit board, first and second tact switches mounted on the circuit board in alignment with the rotation axis of the vertical rotation switch, a rotation knob rotating between the vertical rotation switch and the first tact switch in substantially perpendicular relation to the circuit board to rotate the vertical rotation switch and press the first tact switch, and a button mounted on the circuit board to press the second tact switch. Accordingly, a small-sized scroll key can be implemented and assembling of the scroll key is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyoung-Jin Ahn
  • Patent number: 7091886
    Abstract: A flexible touch-sense switch includes a force sensitive composite and an at least one proximity sensor. The force sensitive composite includes a plurality of force sensors disposed between a first layer and a second layer of polymide film defining a displacement region. The at least one proximity sensor generates an electromagnetic field that defines a detection region. The force sensitive composite and the at least one proximity sensor are mounted to the first layer of the polymide film for forming a flexible printed circuit board. A control circuit is electrically connected to the force sensitive composite and the at least one proximity sensor for selectively controlling the touch-sense switch activation in response to coincident actuation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Todd L. DePue, David A. Hein
  • Patent number: 7087848
    Abstract: A multi operating electronic component includes a case, a rotary member, a cover member, an operating knob and a rotationally actuated component. In the central hole of the rotary member rotatably supported by the case, a center leg of the operating knob and an engaging portion provided around the leg are inserted in such a manner as to be movable vertically and tiltable. A pressing central switch or pressing peripheral switches provided in the case are operated by the operating knob. The rotationally actuated component is at least partly formed in the case and is rotated together with the rotary member by the operating knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yamasaki, Takumi Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 7067744
    Abstract: A knob for an instrument panel is provided having a body portion, a first end portion adjacent to the body portion, and a second end portion adjacent to the body portion and defining a generally wave-shaped surface. The wave-shaped surface includes a plurality of peaks and a plurality of troughs, the peaks extending away from the body portion in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body portion. An adjustment assembly may also be provided having a first contact member with a contact portion, a second contact member with a contact portion, and an adjustment member with a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are configured to selectively engage the contact portion of the first contact member and induce an electrical connection, and to selectively engage the contact portion of the second contact member and induce a second electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shadi Mere, Douglas Allen Pfau
  • Patent number: 6967293
    Abstract: The present invention is a roller construction module having an error prevention structure, comprising a base; a roller disposed in said base; two terminals at two opposite ends of the base to be electrically connected with a metal ring in the roller; a first and a second plungers on the bottom surface of the base; a post between the first and the second plungers; a third plunger on the position at the opposite side to the post on the bottom surface; and a first and a second protecting rods at two opposite ends near the third plunger. Based on the above-said structure, the switch at the left or the right side of the roller construction module can be respectively activated, and another switch, at the middle area of the mobile device, can be prevented from being activated simultaneously so that error prevention is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Speed Tech Corp.
    Inventors: Li-Sen Chen, Chien-Yu Hsu, Chang-Yi Li
  • Patent number: 6946606
    Abstract: A depression switch 700 in a multidirectional input device A comprises a key top 710 which is provided below an operating member 400 so as to penetrate a bottom plate portion 211 of a lower case 220 and to be movable in a vertical direction, an elastically deformable dome-shaped movable contact piece 720 abutting the key top 710 moved downward, one fixed electrode 731 provided below an end portion 721 of the movable contact piece 720 on a substrate 100, the other fixed electrode 732 provided at the position of contacting a central portion 722 of the elastically deformed movable contact piece 720 on the substrate 100 and a spacer 740 for electrically connecting the end portion 721 of the movable contact piece 720 to the one fixed electrode 731.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 6927351
    Abstract: A control panel having a momentary push-button switch matrix in combination with a rotary switch, which is coupled to the switch matrix by a pulser that generates a signal similar to that of a selected momentary push-button such that the selection of a rotary switch position will generate a signal similar to that of a momentary push-button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Ashton
  • Patent number: 6921870
    Abstract: A shifting mechanism for electric vehicles includes an operation bar coupled with a universal joint mounting on an electric vehicle body. The operation bar may be turned and swiveled in multiple directions and has a free end movable according to preset paths of a guiding means. The operation bar may be swiveled in different directions or through the guiding means to switch circuits that control motor positive rotation and reverse rotation at high speed or low speed. Thereby a definite direction is provided to switch the direction and speed. The switches are located on different positions and arranged in low—high speed and forward (positive rotation)—backward (reverse rotation) fashion so that the backward movement can only be exercised at the low speed to avoid the risk of backward high speed condition to secure safety for children's ride-on electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Link Treasure Limited
    Inventors: Yih-Yuan Lan, Ming-Chia Wu
  • Patent number: 6872905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular selection button for actuating contact elements. Said button comprises a housing (6), spring-loaded switching lugs (81) and according to requirements a control switch (10), a rotary knob (11) or a key-operated switch (2) as a rotating actuator, in addition to one of several transmission members (4; 4?; 5; 5?), which transmits the movement from the actuator (10; 11; 2) to the switching lugs (81) via switching cam elements (42; 52). Stops and counter-stops which are fixed and displaceable respectively with respect to the housing (6) form various stop elements that can be used to select the number of switching positions and actuation modes. The various stops are configured on the housing (6), on the key-operated actuator (2) and on the second stop slides (92) that are to be inserted into the housing (6). The various counter-stops are configured in the control switch (10), in the rotary knob (11) and on the transmission members (4; 4?; 5; 5?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Kuepper, Angela Hilgers
  • Patent number: 6861594
    Abstract: A switch having independently operable toggle and rocker functions. The switch having a housing, a toggle member pivotally mounted in the housing, the toggle member having upper and lower portions. The upper portion being movable for providing a toggle function of the switch, the lower portion being attached to the upper portion and having at least one first contact element coupled thereto. The switch having a rocker member coupled to the housing for providing a rocker function, the rocker member defining a central opening for receiving the upper portion of the toggle member, and having a second contact element coupled thereto. The switch including a circuit board inside the housing having a first conductive portion adjacent the first contact element, and a second conductive portion adjacent the second contact element. The toggle and rocker members being independently operable for providing toggle and rocker functions of the switch respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Sadowski, Rick Olson, Shakib Saria
  • Patent number: 6852938
    Abstract: In a multidirectional operation switch, a lower case covers the bottom of a substantially cylindrical upper case. A rocking body is held between the upper case and the lower case to be capable of rocking. The rocking body has a plurality of depressing parts radially projecting from the center thereof, and an operating shaft projecting upwardly therefrom. A plurality of switches are depressed by the plurality of corresponding depressing parts according to rocking of the rocking body to establish or break electrical contact. A resilient member and a tactile feedback member are housed in the lower portion of the rocking body. The tactile feedback member is urged by the resilient member and brought into contact with a recess provided in the lower case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nakade
  • Patent number: 6849813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tap selector switch with a preselector for uninterrupted switching-over between different winding taps of a tapped transformer. The entire selector is in that case accommodated as a separate assembly in an own insulating material housing, and the fixed preselector contacts are constructed in circular form and arranged around a switch rod in different planes in the interior of this insulating material cylinder. Connection to them is made by preselector contact bridges, which are fastened to the switch rod, with radially resilient contact members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Albrecht
  • Patent number: 6849811
    Abstract: A transfer switch for switching between power sources for a load includes a plurality of symmetrical phase plates, a plurality of stationary contact pads associated with each said phase plate, each stationary contact pad associated with a power source, a movable contact assembly associated with each phase plate, and a shaft connecting the phase plates and upon which each movable contact assembly is mounted for movement between stationary contact pads associated with each phase plate. The above transfer switch allows for two, three and four-pole modular configuration with minimal additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chris Heflin, Mark A. Serrano, Ariel M. Gamazon
  • Patent number: 6838630
    Abstract: Drivers which are resiliently biased to leaf members bring portions to be pushed and slide operating portions thereof into resilient contact with pressing projections of a manipulating knob and conductive plates respectively and hence, when the portions to be pushed are pushed by the manipulating knob, the slide operating portions slide on the conductive plates. Further, contact positions between the slide operating portions and the conductive plates in a non-loaded state in which the manipulating knob is not present is set by preliminarily considering that the drivers are slightly rotated when the manipulating knob is mounted in a preloaded state. Accordingly, the portions to be pushed are slightly elevated when they are pushed by the manipulating knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6836403
    Abstract: The present invention provides a button apparatus for an electrical device having a circuit board with M switch devices wherein M is a positive integer number. The button apparatus includes a body and a pillar. The body has M protrusions respectively corresponding to the M switch devices for selectively actuating the M switch devices. The pillar has a first end and a second end. The second end has a projection used as a pivot. The first end presses against a central part of the body. When the body is pushed downward, the body presses upon the first end and the projection touches against the circuit board for controlling one of the M protrusions to selectively actuate one corresponding switch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 6833517
    Abstract: A low cost automotive power window switch having few window operating switches uses a single switch to select which of the four windows to operate, and to control the window locks. The power window switch has a window operating switch 3 for raising and lowering each of the car windows, and a mode selector switch 2 for switching between the windows. The mode selector switch 2 also has a window lock switch function for locking and unlocking the windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Sotome, Osamu Furukawa, Hiroshi Seki, Hideo Hirai
  • Patent number: 6812435
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention an operating device for a glass ceramic hob (25) can be provided and has an operating unit (11). The operating unit (11) has a rotary toggle (12), which is magnetically mounted on a glass ceramic hob (25). A bearing device (13) below the glass ceramic hob has guide magnets (15), which form a magnetically acting guide link, which permits both a rotary movement (R) and a linear movement (L) of the rotary toggle (12). The rotary toggle (12) has signalling magnets (19) along its outer circumference and with them are associated beneath the hob (25) Hall sensors (21). Further Hall sensors (22) are positioned between the guide magnets (15). A random movement (R, L) of the rotary toggle (12) can be detected with the Hall sensors (21, 22). The operating unit (11) can be removed. The glass ceramic hob (25) requires no openings or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventor: Wilfried Schilling
  • Patent number: 6809275
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a button wheel. The button wheel comprises a support frame including a pair of parallel opposed inner surfaces. A platform is nestably mounted in the support frame. The platform includes a pair of parallel opposed outer surfaces forming a pair of linear bearings with the parallel opposed inner surfaces of the support frame to allow the platform to translate from a biased rest position in a direction parallel to the opposed inner surfaces and the opposed outer surfaces. The button wheel also includes first and second spaced apart mounts fixed to one of the support frame and said platform. The button wheel includes a shaft disposed along an axis and including a first end rotatably engaged in the first mount and a second end rotatably engaged in the second mount. A wheel is mounted on the shaft and a rotation sensor is in operative communication with the wheel. The button wheel also includes a translation sensor coupled between the support frame and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Synaptics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy H. W. Cheng, Don Rupert S. Desabilla, David W. Gillespie
  • Patent number: 6794770
    Abstract: A switch assembly includes a shaft, a first switch and a second switch, a potentiometer including a first and a second terminal, and an electric controller. The first switch is coupled to a first device, whereas the second switch is coupled to a second device. The shaft is coupled to the first switch and the second switch, and is moved to a first position to selectively connect power, through the first switch, to the first device, and to a second position to selectively connect power, through the second switch, to the second device. The potentiometer is coupled to the shaft, and provides a variable resistance between the first and the second terminal in relation to the movement of the shaft. The electric controller is coupled to the potentiometer, and electrically controls the power to the first device and/or the second device in relation to the variable resistance between the first and the second terminal of the potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Kirby
  • Patent number: 6787717
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical switch includes multiple switch modules carried within a housing with preselected switch modules slidably mounted within pockets and positioned for activation by a shaft key during rotation of the shaft for causing the switch module to be displaced within the pocket for biasing an activation button against a housing surface. A push-pull operation of the switch causes a disk carried by the shaft to activate buttons of fixed switch modules. The disk includes apertures aligned for activating preselected buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Entech Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Alan D. Jorczak
  • Patent number: 6762372
    Abstract: A multidirectional input device includes a top substrate holding an electronic component having an operating shaft at its center; a frame surrounding this top substrate; and a bottom substrate on which plural push switches are disposed. Both substrates are rockably configured along two rocking axes intersecting at right angles which are perpendicular to a rotation axis of the operating shaft. This configuration allows to output a signal different for each pressing, rotating, or rocking operation of the operating shaft. The multidirectional input device with a comfortable tactile feedback during use can be assembled in advance as an independent device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Nishimoto, Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 6753491
    Abstract: A circuit breaker for a dual-circuit includes a body with two chambers. Two pairs of terminals are respectively provided in the two chambers and extend out from the body. The first terminal has a first immovable node, and the second terminal has a bimetallic strip and a first movable node on the bimetallic strip and electrically connected with the first immovable node. The third terminal has a second immovable node, and the fourth terminal has a metal strip and a second movable node on the metal strip and electrically connected with the second immovable node. A linkage transversally extends between the metal strip and the bimetallic strip. A reset button is pivotally mounted in the body and has a tab formed at a bottom side thereof and located in the first chamber and near the first terminal. A hook installed on the tab is attached to the bimetallic strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Albert Huang
  • Patent number: 6720504
    Abstract: In a multi-operational electronic device of the present invention, a first switch, which operates when an operating lever is tilted, is so configured that a circular domelike resilient movable contact large enough to cover a plurality of first fixed contacts is partially turned inside out. A connecting part connects an outer cylinder holding a rotary resilient contact, which effects generation of a rotary signal, with an inner cylinder fixed to an operating shaft so that the outer and inner cylinders move with each other in a rotating direction to generate the electric signal and contract vertically to press a central switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Nishimoto, Jun Sugahara, Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 6713693
    Abstract: A switch having independently operable toggle and rocker functions. The switch having a housing, a toggle member pivotally mounted in the housing, the toggle member having upper and lower portions. The upper portion being movable for providing a toggle function of the switch, the lower portion being attached to the upper portion and having at least one first contact element coupled thereto. The switch having a rocker member coupled to the housing for providing a rocker function, the rocker member defining a central opening for receiving the upper portion of the toggle member, and having a second contact element coupled thereto. The switch including a circuit board inside the housing having a first conductive portion adjacent the first contact element, and a second conductive portion adjacent the second contact element. The toggle and rocker members being independently operable for providing toggle and rocker functions of the switch respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Carling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Sadowski, Rick Olson, Shakib Saria
  • Patent number: 6713692
    Abstract: A switch mechanism, and a multidirectional operation switch and multidirectional operation unit employing this switch mechanism. The switch mechanism has a flexible contact, multiple fixed contacts, and multiple common contacts. Multiple fixed contacts are disposed facing the flexible contact, and include multiple first common contacts and multiple second common contacts for common electrical coupling, and multiple independent contacts which are electrically independent. These fixed contacts are aligned in a group of the first common contact, independent contact, second common contact, and independent contact. This group is disposed repeatedly in the clockwise or counterclockwise sequence. The flexible contact touches the first or second common contacts and one independent contact adjacent to the common contact for electrically coupling the common contact and independent contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masato Yamasaki
  • Patent number: RE40161
    Abstract: An inverter by pass safety switch for rerouting electrical power either through or around AC variable frequency inverter drives during electrical disturbances, thus allowing a motor to continue operation. The switch works in a mechanical fashion, and comprises a contact block containing electrical contacts and cams operably connected to the contacts and mounted on a shaft that can be turned by an operator. The cams are shaped and mounted on the shaft in such a way to provide a desired switching pattern when the shaft is manually rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Advance Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Panuce