Abutting Type Patents (Class 200/239)
  • Patent number: 11004641
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly includes a contact element to be moved towards a further contact element for generating an electrical connection; and a drive for moving the contact element; wherein the drive includes a plunger with a connection member interconnected with the contact element; wherein the plunger includes a mechanical structure with a top side to which the connection member is connection, and a bottom side opposite to the top side; wherein the drive includes a Thomas coil for moving the plunger via an electrically conducting top face, which is provided on the top side and an electrically conducting bottom face, which is provided on the bottom side. The mechanical structure includes at least one channel between the top side and the bottom side, the at least one channel extending transverse to a movement direction of the plunger. Furthermore, the mechanical structure fills less than 50% of a volume between the top side and the bottom side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Francisco Garcia-Ferre, Thomas Schmoelzer, Jacim Jacimovic, Lorenz Herrmann, Jakub Korbel, Tobias Erford, David Saxl
  • Patent number: 10910184
    Abstract: In case of using multi-contacts or flat braided wires for constituting a current carrying structure of a movable part in a vacuum relay, problems tend to appear, which are enlargement of a control mechanism, complication, increased operation force and the like. The vacuum relay 1 includes an insulating cylinder 2, a first relay connecting portion 4 that is connected to one open end of the insulating cylinder 2 and has on its inner surface a first contact 3, a second relay connecting portion 5 that is arranged in the insulating cylinder 2 to face the first relay connecting portion 4, a movable member 7 that is movably arranged between the first and second relay connecting portions 4 and 5 and has a second contact that is brought into contact with the first contact when the movable member is moved toward the first relay connecting portion, and a control mechanism 8 that moves the movable member 7 in both directions to establish and break the contact between the two contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daizo Takahashi, Toshimasa Fukai, Masahiko Ieda
  • Patent number: 9941071
    Abstract: A key structure includes a circuit board, a housing, a first metallic element, a second metallic element, a keycap and a conductive strip. The conductive strip is disposed within the housing. The first metallic element and the second metallic element are electrically connected with the circuit board. The housing is disposed on the circuit board. The keycap is fixed on the housing. While the keycap is depressed, a first end of the conductive strip is pressed by the triggering part and the conductive strip is swung relative to the housing. Moreover, a second end of the conductive strip collides with the second metallic element. Consequently, the key structure is triggered. When the second end of the conductive strip collides with the second metallic element, a click sound is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Primax Elcetronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-An Chen, Chien-Hung Liu
  • Patent number: 9595407
    Abstract: In an initial state where a push rod is pressed down, a base of a movable contact point board supporting a movable contact point makes contact with inclined protruding portions of a moving block by a second spring to be inclined. When the movable contact point makes contact with a fixed contact point following the projecting of the push rod, the base makes contact with stoppers. Thereafter, since the moving block alone rises, the movable contact point board rotates following the end edges of the stoppers according to release of the pressing by the protruding portion. Thereby the movable contact point largely slides and is displaced to the fixed contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20140374230
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes pressure sensitive keys with a single-sided direct conduction sensor that includes a sensor substrate, a conductive layer formed on an underside of a contact layer, and a force sensing layer formed on the underside of the contact layer substantially surrounding the conductive layer. The contact layer, the conductive layer, and the force sensing layer are configured to cooperatively flex in response to an application of pressure to contact the sensor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy C. Shaw, Paul H. Dietz, Flavio Protasio Ribeiro, Christian C. Gadke
  • Patent number: 8907236
    Abstract: A floating contact assembly for use in a circuit breaker includes a contact, a floating member, a bearing element, a jaw member, and a flexible conductor. The floating member includes a joint surface and the contact is electrically connected to a surface of the floating member opposite the joint surface. The bearing element is configured to abut the joint surface of the floating member such that the floating member is configured to rotate about a first axis that passes through the bearing element. The jaw member is configured to electrically connect the floating contact assembly to an external electrical component and the flexible conductor electrically couples the jaw member to the floating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad R. Mittelstadt, Jeff Kaufman, Frank T. Ehrenberger
  • Patent number: 8878084
    Abstract: A movable contact includes a contact base and a contact body upstanding from an end of the contact base. The holder includes a first holding portion constructed to hold the contact base such that the first holding portion is in contact with one surface of the contact base, the surface being opposite an other surface of the contact base from which the movable contact upstands, a second holding portion constructed to hold the contact base such that the second holding portion is in contact with the other surface of the contact base at a distal end of the contact base with reference to the contact body, and a disengagement-prevention portion provided at a proximal end of the contact base with reference to the contact body, on the one side of the contact base, and spaced away from the contact base, and constructed to prevent the movable contact from being detached from the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Urakami
  • Patent number: 8797128
    Abstract: An exemplary medium or high voltage switch has a first set of contact elements and a second set of contact elements. Each contact element includes an insulating carrier carrying conducting elements. In the closed current-carrying state of the switch, the conducting elements align to form one or more current paths between terminals of the switch along an axial direction. For opening the switch, the contact elements are mutually displaced by through two drives along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The switching arrangement is arranged in a fluid-tight housing in a gas of elevated pressure or in a liquid. The switch has a high voltage withstand capability and fast switching times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Lars Liljestrand, Lars E. Jonsson, Per Skarby, Ryan Chladny
  • Patent number: 8791779
    Abstract: A medium or high voltage switch has a switching assembly actuated by two drives. Each drive includes a plunger arranged between two Thomson coils. The coils as well as the plunger are rectangular for reducing the weight and therefore inertia of the drive and thus to increase drive speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Lars E. Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8624137
    Abstract: A device has a micro electromechanical structure (10) with a first arm (102), at least one second arm (104a, b) connected to each other via a connection (100). Both arms (102, 104a, b) and the connection (100) are preferably made of a single crystalline body. The first and second arm (102, 104a, b) have end portions attached to a substrate, but otherwise the arms and their connection are free to move relative to the substrate. The first and second arm (102, 104a, b) extending from the end portions to the connection (100) along different directions, preferably perpendicularly to each other. An electrode (12) is provided on the substrate, adjacent to the micro electromechanical structure (10) to excite vibration of the structure. The two arms in different directions make it possible to reduce the nonlinearity of the stiffness during vibrations of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventor: Kim Phan Le
  • Publication number: 20130248335
    Abstract: A floating contact assembly for use in a circuit breaker includes a contact, a floating member, a bearing element, a jaw member, and a flexible conductor. The floating member includes a joint surface and the contact is electrically connected to a surface of the floating member opposite the joint surface. The bearing element is configured to abut the joint surface of the floating member such that the floating member is configured to rotate about a first axis that passes through the bearing element. The jaw member is configured to electrically connect the floating contact assembly to an external electrical component and the flexible conductor electrically couples the jaw member to the floating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad R. Mittelstadt, Jeff Kaufman, Frank T. Ehrenberger
  • Patent number: 8395464
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wedge shaped actuator device configured to provide separation of spring supported electrical contacts in an electrical switch. The wedge is configured with dual contour sides to maximize transfer of energy from a drive solenoid to the contact carrying springs. Portions of the wedge are relieved to allow for uninhibited movement of the wedge over side surfaces of the contact carrying springs to avoid digging in of any rough materials from the side edges of the spring as may be occasioned due to stamping techniques used to form the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Pontin, David N. Makinson, Larry O'Dell
  • Patent number: 8178804
    Abstract: A movable contactor for an air circuit breaker with a contact spring protecting mechanism is provided, the movable contactor comprising a shielding plate configured to shield exposed surfaces of the contact springs for protection so as to prevent a deterioration or performance degradation in the contact springs due to arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo-Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20110220474
    Abstract: An electronic communications device such as a key fob is provided, and in some embodiments comprises a flexible film and a spacer layer defining at least one aperture. The flexible film can cover at least a portion of the spacer layer, and defines an exterior surface of the key fob. The flexible film includes at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface. The at least one contact surface flexes when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Steven J. Dimig
  • Patent number: 7990239
    Abstract: At least one electrical contactor is provided that includes a fixed contact and a movable contact. The fixed contact includes a center leg and first and second arms that extend in opposite directions from the center leg. The movable contact associated with each fixed contact includes first and second blades positioned on opposite sides of the center leg. The first and second blades extend parallel to the center leg of the fixed contact such that when current flows through the electrical contactor, the current flow creates a force to push the first and second blades into the first and second arms of the fixed contact. The electrical contactor includes an actuating arrangement having a pair of cam members. The movement of the cam members causes pegs on each of the first and second blades to travel within the cam channel, thus opening and closing the contactor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Brown, William R. Mazza, Jr., Oliver Burstall, Alan Syrop
  • Patent number: 7939992
    Abstract: An electrical switch element, particularly a relay, is provided with an actuator with a switch contact and a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism translates a driving movement of the actuator into a switching movement of the switch contact so that the switch contact is brought into and out of contact with a mating contact. In order to create a switching movement with a large lift in the case of an actuator which can only execute a driving movement with small lift, the switch mechanism has two swivelling levers connected to each other via the actuator and at least one contact retainer. The contact retainer connects the two swivelling levers in its longitudinal direction with a lever arm larger than the actuator and is configured so it can be deflected transverse to its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Michael Ehrlich
  • Publication number: 20090120773
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for quenching a fault arc in a medium-voltage and high-voltage switchgear assembly, in which at least one shorting element is connected between the phases of a three-phase distribution board. In order to allow more reliable fault arc quenching in this case, the disclosure proposes that the fault arc is detected by means of sensors and an explosive charge which acts directly on the shorting switching element fires the shorting switching element at a conical contact structure which is connected to the three-phase conductors and is configured in a complementary manner to the shorting switching element, in such a manner that the complementary contours of the shorting switching element and of the three-phase conductors result in self-locking retention in the shorting position, without any holding force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Dietmar GENTSCH, Harald Fink
  • Patent number: 7238902
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slider which is less likely to cause a drastic change in a contact state such as instantaneous disconnection. The slider according to the present invention has teeth 13 of a comb shaped like a narrow sheet being rectangular in cross section and making a contact at a tip of the teeth with a surface to be slid on. The slider has a slider body extending to a proximal end side of the teeth 13 of a comb, and the teeth 13 of a comb has at the tip thereof a projection 13a, which is narrower than the width dimension of a proximal end portion of the teeth of a comb. A slider having such teeth 13 of a comb will prevent a drastic change in a contact state such as instantaneous disconnection between the tip of the teeth 13 of a comb of the slider and a surface to be slid on from occurring, so that generation of noise in signals (or electric current) flowing through the slider and deterioration in resistance properties of the slider are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Sayama, Hirohito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7235751
    Abstract: An electric device including an electric switch having a plurality of contact members arranged in series to form a plurality of breaking points arranged in series. One of the contact members at each breaking point is movable. A drive is arranged to actuate each movable contact member. The drive is arranged to effect simultaneous movement of the movable contact members. A commutation circuit is connected in parallel with the electric switch. Each contact member constitutes a part of a contact element, which contact elements are arranged in series. The contact elements have conducting and insulating parts. Every second contact element is movable in relation the others so that movement effects a breaking or closing position of the electric switch. The invention also includes a current limiter such as an electric device and also an electric power network provided with such a current limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Lars Liljestrand, Stefan Valdemarsson
  • Patent number: 7012204
    Abstract: A silver contact fixing structure for conductive blades aims at providing a retaining force on a silver contact so that the silver contact is more secure and does not break loose when subject to striking. The silver contact is built in a fastening section formed on a conductive blade. The fastening section has at least two fixing zones connecting to each other and a bucking end adjacent to the fixing zones to increase the retaining force between the silver contact and the conductive blade so that the silver contact does not break loose easily thereby increasing the service life thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 6822173
    Abstract: A contact element for an electrical switching apparatus is disclosed having a casing (2) with a basis part (8) and a cover part (10). Two electrical fixed contacts (4) have connections for electrical conductors and disposed inside of the casing (2). An actuating tappet (20) is supported over a first spring means (28) in the casing (2) and movable in an axial direction for receiving of a contact bridge (24), wherein the contact bridge (24) serves for connecting or, respectively, interrupting the electrical connection between the two fixed contacts (4), wherein the actuating tappet (20) is constructed such that the contact bridge (24) can be disposed in two different positions (A, B) having a distance from each other at the actuating tappet (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventor: Jorg Schafer
  • Patent number: 6791044
    Abstract: Set of movable contacts for a switch with a set of fixed that comprises at least one pair of a fixed contacts arranged a distance apart, comprising at least one contact element (1), a holder (2) therefor and a resilient element (6). When the switch is in the closed position the contact element (1) is in contact, under mechanical prestress, with the surface of the pair of fixed contacts and bridges the distance between the free end edges thereof facing one another. The holder body (2) has a front and rear face running perpendicularly to the direction of movement thereof and side faces (3) running perpendicularly to said front and rear faces and parallel to the direction of movement. A side face (3) is provided with a longitudinal recess (4) continuing to the end faces (5) of the holder body for accommodating the contact element (1) in such a way that the ends thereof protrude beyond the two end faces (5) of the hodler body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Holec Holland N.V.
    Inventors: Wouter Franciscus Van Den Akker, Hilbert Gezienus Knol
  • Publication number: 20030159909
    Abstract: Set of movable contacts for a switch with a set of fixed that comprises at least one pair of a fixed contacts arranged a distance apart, comprising at least one contact element (1), a holder (2) therefor and a resilient element (6). When the switch is in the closed position the contact element (1) is in contact, under mechanical prestress, with the surface of the pair of fixed contacts and bridges the distance between the free end edges thereof facing one another. The holder body (2) has a front and rear face running perpendicularly to the direction of movement thereof and side faces (3) running perpendicularly to said front and rear faces and parallel to the direction of movement. A side face (3) is provided with a longitudinal recess (4) continuing to the end faces (5) of the holder body for accommodating the contact element (1) in such a way that the ends thereof protrude beyond the two end faces (5) of the hodler body (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Wouter Franciscus Van Den Akker, Hilbert Gezienus Knol
  • Patent number: 6605792
    Abstract: The desired low-priced and small-sized switch is configured so that a moving contact is provided with first and second contacts, the first contact is made of noble metal, a pair of fixed terminals are respectively provided with a fixed contact, the first and second contacts are touched to each of the fixed contacts by pressure on the moving contact by a first coil spring and the first contact of the moving contact is separated from the fixed contact earlier than the second contact by moving an operating shaft downward in an axial direction against the pressure of the first coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiko Sato
  • Patent number: 6600115
    Abstract: A rod (40) is pivotally provided in a lever (28). The rod (40) is divided into a small-diameter lower rod (37) and a large-diameter upper rod (38). When a knob (45) is pivotally moved, the lower rod (37) and the upper rod (38) are moved in an integrated fashion. A movable contact (31) is slid by means of movement of a pusher (57) of the lower rod (37). In this case, the rigidity of the upper rod (38) is improved, and hence the upper rod (38) becomes less susceptible to deflection induced by the load of the spring (53). Accordingly, inclination of the knob (45) toward the lever (28) is prevented, and hence a clearance between the lever (28) and the knob (45) can be maintained constant by means of a single set consisting of a spring (53) and a moderation ball (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hirofumi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6479773
    Abstract: Electrical contact having an impervious connection, adapted to be housed in a guiding shaft open at its two ends, the contact comprising a terminal, a member and a deformable conductor. A movable contact head is connected to the terminal for connecting the member by way of the deformable conductor. A retaining element is fixed to the deformable conductor, a helical spring surrounding the deformable conductor and being supported at a first end on the contact head and at a second end on the retaining element. The contact head is biased by the helical spring working in compression. At least one stationary tubular gasket surrounds the terminal, at least partially, so as to encircle the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Societe d'Exploitation des Procedes Marechal (SEPM), Societe Anonyme
    Inventor: Didier Bienvenu
  • Publication number: 20010032779
    Abstract: A method of forming a key comprising the steps of: depositing an electroless metallic layer on an upper surface of a substrate; removing the metallic layer from selected portions to expose the substrate, said exposed portions of the substrate defining the image of an indicia; depositing a second metallic layer on the remaining portions of the first metallic layer by electrolysis; and coupling a lower surface of the substrate to an element for actuating a switch. A device for tactile actuation by a user, having an element, for activating a switch, coupled to a body supporting a metallic layer for tactile actuation by a user, wherein the metallic layer extends over an upper surface of the body and wherein at least one aperture extends through the metallic layer to said upper surface thereby defining at least one visible indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Brian Davidson, Jeff Mabbot
  • Patent number: 6143998
    Abstract: An electric switch having a contact system includes a contact with a contact body (7) and a contact surface (10). The contact is arranged in a recess (25) on a contact carrier (8) in such a way that the contact surface is exposed on the contact carrier (8) and the contact body (7) projects at least on one side (23) of the contact carrier (8). The contact is fastened on the contact carrier (8) by a region (27, 27') of the contact body that is adjacent an edge (28) of the recess (25). The region (27, 27') of the contact body is embossed with the side (23) of the contact carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Mattes
  • Patent number: 5743386
    Abstract: A membrane switch including a rubber dome, an insulation layer, a membrane and an electric-conductive support plate is provided. The membrane switch is ON as the pair of non-contacting circuit leads is forced to contact with the support plate due to the force applied on the rubber dome. As the rubber dome is free of an external force, the pair of non-contacting circuit leads is spaced from the support plate, resulting in an OFF state of the membrane switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals, Inc.
    Inventor: Pin-Chien Liao
  • Patent number: 5660269
    Abstract: A switch having two planes opposing and substantially in parallel to each other and switching between a first electrode and another electrode by pressing down one of the planes. Contact point patterns each made of a conductive material having a specified shape are provided on one of the planes. Stripe electrode patterns in which the first electrode and the other electrode are alternately positioned are provided on the other plane in a region where the contact pattern on the one plane is superimposed when that plane is pressed down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Uniden Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 5605223
    Abstract: In order to produce keyboards, two pairs of diagonally connected squares with rounded corners are used as fixed contacts. A direct diagonal connection electrically connects two non-adjacent squares. The squares are conductive lacquer (carbon lacquer) and cover copper pads on a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG
    Inventors: Klaus Gutmann, Hans-Werner Luckehe
  • Patent number: 5595288
    Abstract: A thin switch includes, (a) a rectangular insulating substrate, (b) a unitary fixed contact member comprising a T-shaped conductive thin-metal including a fixed contact, a first terminal, and a first conductive part therebetween, and (c) a movable contact member including a unitary elastic and T-shaped conductive thin-metal including a domed contact, a second terminal, and a second conductive part therebetween. The fixed contact member is placed so that the fixed contact is located roughly at the center of a surface of the insulating substrate and the first terminal is located at one edge of the insulating substrate. The first terminal is attached to the insulating substrate. The movable contact member is placed so that the domed contact is located over the fixed contact and the second terminal is located at the opposite edge of the insulating substrate. The second terminal is attached to the insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsui, Tamotsu Yamamoto, Yukihiro Ishihara
  • Patent number: 5530417
    Abstract: A thermal cutoff having a mushroom-shaped floating contact member with an enlarged head and an elongated shank. The outwardly facing end of the enlarged head has a centrally located depression for reducing the area of the head end surface that engages a sliding contact for the purpose of increasing contact pressure and thereby reducing electrical resistance. The shank has a necked-in terminal end portion to facilitate assembly by minimizing the possibility that the shank end will hang up on a bushing that receives the shank. The head is enlarged sufficiently to accept a straight coil spring as well as a tapered coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Hohider
  • Patent number: 5495080
    Abstract: This electrical switch (1) consists of a flat spring, profiled in order to provide both a contact function and a spring function; the flat spring (1) includes a first leg (2) which can be deformed by bearing on a fixed pivot pin (3) of a support (4), and a second leg (5), which can move at the same time as the first leg deforms and whose end (5a) can assume either of two positions for contacting pins (14,15) of an electrical circuit. The switch according to the invention is less bulky than the usual switches by virtue of its flat shape, less expensive to manufacture, because it only consists of a single component, and easy to install on its support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Rockwell Body and Chassis Systems
    Inventors: Pierre Periou, Enrico Fin
  • Patent number: 5380966
    Abstract: A housing to accommodate an alarm conducting clip is made of electrically insulating material having a small aperture at one end for an electric cord passing therethrough, a large aperture at opposite end having a passage formed in-between the apertures adapted to receive a pair of copper plates at inner top and bottom portions, respectively, and a pair of slanting slots at respective walls adapted to receive an actuated rod which is adapted to press a clip to close or to open at its free ends. The clip is formed in a V-shaped profile having the closed end inserted into the housing through the large aperture with the opposite free ends protruding therefrom. The constantly open free ends engage the two copper plates, respectively, that forms a closed circuit of the alarm. The free ends will be forced to close by the activating rod and thus disengage from the two copper plates and forming an open circuit of the alarm, thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Inventor: Hung-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 5326951
    Abstract: A push button switch comprises a housing having an opening at the top and provided with a fixed contact member at the inner bottom, a stem supported to be vertically movable in and with respect to the housing, and an elastic member being capable of buckling and having one end attached to near a lower end of the stem and the other end attached to near the inner bottom of the housing, the elastic member being positioned in the housing to extend diagonally and urging the stem upward by its own resilient force. A high degree of reliability is ensured with the simple structure and a good click feeling is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Murakami
  • Patent number: 5274204
    Abstract: A pressure actuated electrical contact switch composed of two planar electrodes having substantially thinner contact members extending therefrom and disposed at an obtuse angle. The electrodes are bound together by electrically insulating epoxy and the contact members are arranged in proximate spaced apart relationship such that pressure on one causes mechanical and electrical contact with the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Inventor: George Mauro
  • Patent number: 4314123
    Abstract: In a current feed for a superconducting magnet coil that can be short circuited, with a disconnecting device for separating a movable from a stationary cooled contact element, the mass ratio of the cooled contact element to the movable contact element is at least 5:1 and the cooled contact element is of elongated shape in the direction of the current flow, has a thermal resistance of at least 0.2 K/W for each 1000 amperes of current to be transmitted, has its end facing away from the contact region provided with cooling fins and is connected to the end of the coil, thereby keeping the amount of heat transmitted from the warm to the cold contact element relatively small and preventing undue warming of the coil end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Hieronymus
  • Patent number: 4152564
    Abstract: An actuating device for a battery operated electronic module accommodated in a metallic or plastic case and comprising one push-button associated with a return-spring, said push-button including one resilient section with a collar which, cooperating with an opening in an element acting as a support for the return-spring limits the travel of the push-button in one direction, the travel length being determined by a face of the push-button abuting against a terminal of said electronic module.The actuating device will ensure a sufficient sealing (water-tight protection) of the case and will be very simple, of low cost and with machining tolerances as large as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Inventor: Carl A. Wirz
  • Patent number: 4081632
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing with at least one fixed contact thereon and at least one resilient movable contact which has a fixed end secured on said housing and an opposite movable end with a contact portion which is held by the fixed end in a position spaced from the fixed contact. The housing includes a supporting member located between the movable and fixed ends of the movable contact and on the same side as the fixed contact. The movable contact is engageable by actuating means which includes a rotatable cam which first contacts an intermediate wave-shaped portion to cause an inwardly directed portion of the movable contact to move first into engagement with the support member and to subsequently cause the contact portion to move into engagement with the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Firma J. & J. Marquardt
    Inventor: Alois Schaffeler
  • Patent number: 4074112
    Abstract: A pneumatic cylinder-piston door operator is connected to an air supply by a solenoid actuated valve. A control circuit selectively energizes the solenoid valve in response to momentary actuation of switches including control and safety switches. For refrigeration unit installation, the switch contacts are formed with one contact having a pimpled surface and the other contact having a serrated surface to provide a reliably electrical connection. For the manual control switches, a micro-switch is mounted in a suitable enclosure with appropriate gaskets to minimize the effect of adverse environmental conditions. A spring-loaded plunger is mounted within the housing and provided with an external push-button or pull cord actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Kelley Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur J. Runft
  • Patent number: 4027129
    Abstract: The push button switch according to the invention comprises a push button, a press member operated by the push button, a stationary contact member secured to a substrate and a movable contact member operated by the press member. One end of the movable contact member is shaped to engage the stationary contact member with a line contact whereby positive and low resistance contact is ensured. Further, a cushion member in the form of a resilient pad or spring is interposed between the press member and the push button for alleviating the shock created when the push button is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Assignee: Giko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Zenkei Sato
  • Patent number: 4018999
    Abstract: A keyswitch assembly including a circuit board having a plurality of circuits, each circuit terminating with a pair of first and second contacts, and a curved, resilient contact plate associated with each pair of contacts having at least a portion of its periphery in communication with one of the pair of contacts, the plate being selectively deflectable so that it communicates with the other contact to close the respective circuit. The contact plates are fixed in position by a retaining element comprising a film formed by a layer of thermoplastic material bonded to a flexible sheet of insulative material, the thermoplastic material being bonded to the resilient plates and circuit board thereby maintaining the former in correct position relative to the latter. The method of manufacturing the assembly includes precisely locating the plates over the pairs of contacts, placing the retaining element over the circuit board and applying pressure to the assembly at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Mohawk Data Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Max S. Robinson, Thomas J. Studebaker
  • Patent number: 4000389
    Abstract: A keyboard is disclosed comprising a printed circuit board having conductors on only one side. Resilient switching elements are supported by selected ones of the conductors and may be deflected into contact with other selected ones of the conductors by keys supported above the switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: William W. Misson, Clarence K. Studley, William J. West, Edward T. Liljenwall
  • Patent number: 3974347
    Abstract: A manually actuated switch includes a pair of terminals forming switch poles and a knob which is manually actuated to complete or interrupt an electrical circuit across the poles. A pair of spaced contacts are embedded in the knob and resiliently grip therebetween a diode which controls current direction of the completed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph Larue Lockard