Bridging Contacts Patents (Class 200/243)
  • Publication number: 20120024679
    Abstract: A switching device includes a housing and an actuator disposed in the housing. The actuator includes a fixed contact element and a movable contact element, the movable contact element being a bridge forming contact in a bridge contact working area and being movable between a closed ON position and an open OFF position. A geometric component is disposed above the movable contact element with respect to an opening direction of the movable contact element and includes a geometric element configured to impact dynamics of a closing movement of the movable contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: EATON INDUSTRIES GMBH
    Inventors: Karsten Gerving, Norbert Roesner
  • Patent number: 8058574
    Abstract: An auxiliary contact block is disclosed for expanding a switching device and to a switching device having at least one auxiliary contact block. A compact auxiliary contact block, i.e. a block requiring little wiring and space, for a switching device is disclosed, and a switching device having at least one auxiliary contact block. In at least one embodiment of the auxiliary contact block, the auxiliary contact block includes auxiliary contacts disposed in a plane, the contacts having contact bridges and associated fixed contact pieces, and at least one contact slider, which can be equipped with at least one auxiliary contact pair. The configuration of the auxiliary contacts in a plane as described herein allows a very small installation size and very little wiring complexity of the auxiliary contacts in a simple manner. The actuating unit can, for example, be configured as a slider that couples the contact slider and the switching device with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Ludwig Niebler, Johannes Voit
  • Patent number: 8035044
    Abstract: An electrical switching device comprises a contact point having two double-break contacts, a contact link having a width, a contact pressure spring exerting a pressure on the contact link, a striker pin configured to act on the contact link counter to the pressure of the contact pressure spring during a switch-off operation so as to move the contact link into an open position, and a thruster actuatable by a switching mechanism and configured to guide the striker pin, the thruster having two limbs projecting in the same direction towards a free end of the thruster so as to form a slot there between, wherein a distance between the two limbs tapers towards the free end such that the distance at the free end is smaller than the width of the contact link, so that the contact link is clamped between the two limbs during the switch-off operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Frank Hustert, Ralph Burkhardt
  • 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: 7973625
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an auxiliary contact block. The auxiliary contact block comprises a housing and a tool free latching mechanism. The tool free latching mechanism further comprising a stationary member integral to the housing and a latching bar. The latching bar comprising a button in communication with a moveable member by a central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Namitha Chandrappa, Subramanyan Ananthakrishnan, G. Kalyana Sundaram, Pedro Jose Riera
  • Publication number: 20100300853
    Abstract: An ultra-thin, electrically conductive slice for button use, which includes a non-metallic matrix and a metal mesh. The metal mesh is provided in the non-metallic matrix. A plurality of metal touch points are provided on the metal mesh and exposed out of a surface of the non-metallic matrix so as to enable the surface of the non-metallic matrix to form a dense, electrically conductive mesh. The non-metallic matrix is rubber or silica. The metal mesh is electrically conductive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Yi-Zen Yeh
  • Patent number: 7800004
    Abstract: A safety switch plunger includes a moveable conductor which extends transversely through the plunger and protrudes from opposite sides of the plunger. The plunger is provided with a structure that is positionally fixed on the plunger. The structure is positioned such that it is arranged to come into physical contact with and affect the movement of the moveable conductor when the moveable conductor and plunger are moved relative to one another thereby providing a fail-to-safe safety switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventor: David Howard Kerr
  • Publication number: 20100213040
    Abstract: A switch structure on the sidewall of a circuit board for an electronic device and manufacturing methods of the circuit board are provided. The switch structure includes a circuit board, a plurality of conductive portions, and a movable unit. The conductive portions are formed on a sidewall of the circuit board and electrically insulated from each other. The movable unit is disposed corresponding to the conductive portions to electrically connect or disconnect the plurality of conductive portions to achieve the switch function. The switch structure utilizes the structural design of the circuit board to reduce the space on the circuit board preserved for a circuit board switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Chih-Feng Yeh, Wen-Nan Hsia, Cheng-Ju Lee
  • Publication number: 20100187084
    Abstract: An electrical contact comprising a silver-coated stainless steel strip, which has an underlying layer comprising any one of nickel, cobalt, nickel alloys, and cobalt alloys, on at least a part of the surface of a stainless steel substrate, and has a silver or silver alloy layer formed as an upper layer, in which a copper or copper alloy layer with a thickness of 0.05 to 2.0 ?m is provided between the silver or silver alloy layer and the underlying layer; and a producing method of the above-described electrical contact, in which the silver-coated stainless steel strip is subjected to a heat-treating in a non-oxidative atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi SUZUKI, Kuniteru MIHARA, Naofumi TOKUHARA
  • Patent number: 7723632
    Abstract: An electrical switch has two fixed contacts and a moving contact, a spring urging the moving contact towards contacting the fixed contacts, and an actuating mechanism for moving the moving contact away from the fixed contacts against urging by the spring and, alternatively, allowing the moving contact to contact the fixed contacts under the action of the spring. The actuating mechanism has an engaging member for engaging and retaining the moving contact and includes a spring acting on the engaging member for separating the moving contact from the fixed contacts through an instant spring-release action. One of the engaging member and the contacts is configured such that the moving contact will be engaged and moved by the engaging member out of contact with one of the fixed contacts earlier than with the other fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Defond Components Limited
    Inventor: Kin Yu Wong
  • Patent number: 7569783
    Abstract: A low profile limit switch utilizes a bowed spring actuator for advancing a bridge contact into and out of contact with a pair of terminal contacts to close and open the switch. The bridge contact is mounted on a glide on an end of the spring and formed from an insulating material. The terminal contacts are spring loaded and maintained in spaced apart and staggered relationship so that only one of the terminal contacts remains in contact with the bridge contact when it is retracted by the bowed spring. A mounting clip including a mounting flange and spaced apart spring loaded arms extending generally perpendicular to the mounting flange is used to mount the switch to a surface proximate an edge without having to obtain any significant amount of vertical clearance above the switch for bolting it to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Burger & Brown Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Burger, Paul Horner
  • Patent number: 7515024
    Abstract: A magnetic movement mechanism usable in a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: (i) a first permanent magnet, (ii) a second permanent magnet positioned apart from the first permanent magnet, (iii) a soft magnet positioned between the two permanent magnets, (iv) a balance frame positioned between the two ends of the soft magnet, (v) a first coil and (vi) a second coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil are arranged such that when a current passes through the first coil, a first magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the first permanent magnet in a first direction, and when a current passes through the second coil, a second magnetic force is generated to cause the soft magnet and the balance frame to move towards the second permanent magnet in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: General Protecht Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Wusheng Chen, Fu Wang, Huaiyin Song
  • Publication number: 20080257696
    Abstract: The present invention includes a contact block for a safety switch that has a support structure and a pair of electrical contacts that are fixed in position on the support structure. The contact block includes a contact block plunger provided with a bridging contact. The bridging contact extends through the contact block plunger, from one side to another, and protrudes from the sides of the contact block plunger. The contact block plunger is moveable in-between the fixed pair of electrical contacts to move the bridging contacts into and out of contact with the fixed pair of electrical contacts. A contact block guide extends along the support structure and between the pair of fixed electrical contacts and cooperates with the contact block plunger such that the contact block plunger is restricted to movement along the contact block guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: David Howard Kerr
  • Publication number: 20080230358
    Abstract: A command switch or and emergency stop switch is disclosed, which includes an actuator and a contact sensor which is separated therefrom. The actuator includes housing and a tappet, which is guided therein and which has a rest position and an actuation position. The contact sensor includes an open switch element which can be placed in the actuation position by way of the tappet in a tensed position. In at least one embodiment, the command switch also includes an additional switch element which is provided with a first switch piece and a second switch piece, which are applied to the actuator in a separated manner and in/on the contact sensor. The additional switch element only closes when the contact sensor is secured to the actuator. The switch pieces of the additional switch element are separated from each other in a compulsory and advantageous manner by the separated embodiment of the command switch enabling them to be secured to different components of the command switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Werner Olbrich, Michael Schiffmann, Bernhard Wiesgicki
  • Patent number: 7061350
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic relay with an electromagnetic coil for exciting a magnetic field and an iron circuit for guiding the magnetic field, wherein the electromagnetic coil surrounds at least part of the iron circuit and the iron circuit comprises a core, a movable armature and a yoke. The electromagnetic relay further comprises a contact system with a movable contact bridge which can be actuated dependent on the magnetic field. In order to provide an electromagnetic relay that is able to disconnect or connect a plurality of electric contacts simultaneously in a particularly secure and loss reduced manner, according to the present invention there are provided at least three electric contacts on the contact bridge. According to an advantageous embodiment, the contact system comprises three fixed contacts which are corresponding each to one of three phases and the contact bridge forms a star point of the three phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Schneider, Titus Ziegler
  • Patent number: 6965292
    Abstract: An electrically isolated rotor assembly for a cassette assembly of a circuit breaker includes a rotor having a first side and an opposing second side, a first isolation cap disposed on the first side, a second isolation cap disposed on the second side. Each isolation cap preferably includes a centrally located knob with a bushing surrounding each knob, wherein the bushings are sized for securement within apertures within first and second cassette half pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Ciarcia, Ananthram Subramanian, Macha Narender, Luis Brignoni, Samuel Kim, Paul Lafferty
  • Patent number: 6953204
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module rests on a multiple of switch assemblies while the engagement members are separated by a clearance. The engagement members are only in contact if the airbag is fired. A clearance between each armature engagement member and each corresponding airbag module engagement member assures that there is no interference that may result in undesirable noise or vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoping Xu, Jason Luo, Adolfo Ridolfi, Federico Girardi, Giuseppe Testa
  • Patent number: 6924449
    Abstract: A contact pole interrupting device in an electrical switching apparatus composed of a moving contact holder including a cylindrical contact pressure spring, a slide that moves along a longitudinal axis, and a mobile bridge supporting two mobile contacts. The mobile bridge has a central opening in which are inserted two protuberances belonging to the slide and equipped with an outer pin enabling the slide to be clamp-mounted on the mobile bridge. An end of the spring, which rests on the mobile bridge, is kept in a place by a flange on side ends of the slide and is centered by the protuberances of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Duchemin, Bruno Jacquet, Gilles Baurand
  • Patent number: 6880226
    Abstract: A method for restricting travel of a moving contact in a lighting contactor is provided. The lighting contactor includes the moving contact and a contact carrier. The method includes the steps of providing a spacer, and a biasing member and positioning the biasing member though the spacer. The method also includes installing the biasing member and the spacer in the contact carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick McGill, Dennis Zuffelato, Thuong Phung, Javier Larranaga, Mani Natarajan, Agali Ramadevi, AnilKumar D. Pandit
  • Patent number: 6837729
    Abstract: An electrical contactor assembly is provided that includes a base and power terminals mounted thereto. The power terminals are configured to convey signals. The assembly includes an actuator mounted to the base that moves between initial and final positions along a first direction of motion. The assembly includes a bridge contact supported by the actuator and moved in the first direction of motion. The bridge contact includes contact surfaces on opposite ends thereof aligned with corresponding power terminals. The contact surfaces engage and interconnect the power terminals when the actuator and bridge contact are moved to the final position. The bridge contact moves in a second direction of motion with respect to the actuator. The second direction of motion differs from the first direction of motion during engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Lee Hogue, Hasmukh M. Thekdi, Michael Gunderson, Joseph Borrelli
  • 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: 6812424
    Abstract: In an elastic sheet member of the present invention, a silicon rubber sheet is supported by a fixed member. A wire group functioning as contacts is disposed at either one of the silicon rubber sheet or the fixed member. In other words, electrical continuity paths, which were conventionally provided at a printed circuit board, are basically provided at the elastic sheet member which is formed of a non-conductive material. In accordance with the present invention, there is no need for the printed circuit board to cover a range at which all rubber contacts are disposed, as in conventional art. Accordingly, the printed circuit board can be made compact, space required for placement thereof can be reduced, and degrees of freedom in design are increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Mamoru Miyako
  • Patent number: 6784390
    Abstract: An electrical switch having a casing, at least two fixed contacts and a corresponding moving contact. The moving contact has two parts contactable with the fixed contacts respectively thereby closing the switch. An operating member is supported for movement for moving the moving contact to close the switch. A spring acts upon the moving contact such that its two parts are inclined at an acute angle relative to the fixed contacts, with at least one of the parts being spaced apart from the corresponding fixed contact while the switch is open. The moving contact is movable such that said at least one or both of its parts comes or come into contact with the corresponding fixed contact or contacts against the action of the spring. In particular, the moving contact is movable against the action of the spring to have its two parts turning through said acute angle until both parts are in contact with the corresponding fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Defond Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Raymond Wai Hang Chu
  • Patent number: 6759612
    Abstract: A pusher assembly for use in a contact block assembly is disclosed. The pusher assembly comprises a pusher (105); a window (214) extending through the pusher; a first movable contact (106) positioned within the window; and a second movable contact (107) positioned adjacent to said first movable contact within the window. A method of assembling a pusher assembly having a movable contact is also disclosed. The method comprises steps of inserting a first movable contact within a pusher; inserting a second movable contact with the pusher; and retaining the first movable contact and the second movable contact within the pusher by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventor: Christian H. Passow
  • Patent number: 6740821
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide thermally actuatable switches and selectively configurable circuit boards which may employ such switches. A circuit board of one embodiment includes a substrate having board leads and a plurality of electrical connectors arranged adjacent a component site. Selectively configurable circuitry may be carried by the substrate and adapted to selectively couple selected ones of the electrical connectors to selected ones of the board leads. One or more trace may be associated with each of the electrical connectors and one or more of these traces may include a thermally actuatable switch that can be selectively closed. The thermally actuatable switch may comprise a gap between two conductive lengths of the conductive trace, an exposed switch surface, and a thermally responsive member that may wet the exposed switch surface when selectively heated above an activation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tongbi Jiang, David Kao
  • Patent number: 6720510
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a pusher assembly (105) for use with an operator. According to one aspect of the present invention, a pusher assembly generally comprises a body portion (208); first window (216) formed in the body portion; second window (218) formed in the body portion adjacent to the first window, the second window being wider than the first window. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling a pusher assembly comprises the steps of inserting (602) a movable contact into a first position in a first window; moving (608) the movable contact to a second window; and rotating (610) the movable contact to a second position within the second window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventor: Christian H. Passow
  • Publication number: 20040050676
    Abstract: A contact block assembly comprising a pusher having a body portion; a window formed in the body portion; a movable contact positioned within the window; a recess formed in the body portion; a first spring positioned within the recess and abutting the movable contact; and second spring positioned outside the pusher and abutting the movable contact is disclosed. A method of assembling a contact block assembly, the method comprising the steps of inserting a first spring into a recess in a pusher; inserting a movable contact within a window of the pusher and in contact with the first spring; and positioning a second spring outside the pusher and in contact with the movable contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Christian H. Passow
  • Patent number: 6667448
    Abstract: A contact element for an electrical switching apparatus includes two electrical contacts for electrical conductors. A contact bridge is disposed in an actuating tappet for connecting and interrupting an electrical connection between the two electrical contacts. The actuating tappet is movable in an axial direction in a casing. The actuating tappet may be disposed in the casing in two positions so that in one position the actuating tappet is rotated 180 degrees about a transverse axis of the actuating tappet relative to the other position so as to be operable in opposite axial directions and enable the switching apparatus to be useable for both front side and rear side mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6653582
    Abstract: A stop lamp switch of the present invention includes; an operating shaft having one end face being outwardly projected from a switch case body, the end face abutting on a brake pedal of a vehicle; an actuator moving within the switch case body to separate a movable contact from a fixed contact; an engaging spring attached to the other end of the actuator so as to be engaged with a concave-convex locking portion provided on the operating shaft, and a spring regulating member for engaging both free ends of the engaging spring with engaging step portions provided to the spring regulating member in a freely engageable/disengageable manner while the engaging spring is being in a spread state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kasakawa, Masahiro Hirobe, Koji Jahara, Kenji Nakatani, Takayoshi Nishijima, Hiroshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 6642823
    Abstract: A contact block assembly comprising a pusher having a body portion; a window formed in the body portion; a movable contact positioned within the window; a recess formed in the body portion; a first spring positioned within the recess and abutting the movable contact; and second spring positioned outside the pusher and abutting the movable contact is disclosed. A method of assembling a contact block assembly, the method comprising the steps of inserting a first spring into a recess in a pusher; inserting a movable contact within a window of the pusher and in contact with the first spring; and positioning a second spring outside the pusher and in contact with the movable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventor: Christian H. Passow
  • Patent number: 6545237
    Abstract: A contact assembly for use in an electrical apparatus includes an armature comprising a base and a post having first and second ends. The first end is connected to the base and the second end comprises intersecting cross members defining four quadrants and a body extending between the cross members in one of the four quadrants. A moveable contact is received on the post. The moveable contact comprises an elongate bar having contact pads at opposite ends of one face and a central opening. The central opening comprises intersecting slots defining four quadrants and a void extending between the slots in one of the four quadrants. The central opening is slightly larger than the post second end so that the moveable contact is mounted to the post with the contact pads facing in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventors: Christian H. Passow, Kevin B. Tews
  • Publication number: 20030057072
    Abstract: A contact assembly for use in an electrical apparatus includes an armature comprising a base and a post having first and second ends. The first end is connected to the base and the second end comprises intersecting cross members defining four quadrants and a body extending between the cross members in one of the four quadrants. A moveable contact is received on the post. The moveable contact comprises an elongate bar having contact pads at opposite ends of one face and a central opening. The central opening comprises intersecting slots defining four quadrants and a void extending between the slots in one of the four quadrants. The central opening is slightly larger than the post second end so that the moveable contact is mounted to the post with the contact pads facing in a desired direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Christian H. Passow, Kevin B. Tews
  • Patent number: 6483049
    Abstract: A contact assembly comprising a plurality of pairs of spaced apart fixed contacts supported in an electrically insulating body, an actuator displaceable relative to the body between first and second positions, and a plurality of movable contacts mounted on the actuator. Each movable contact is positioned on the actuator so as to interconnect the contacts of one of the pairs of fixed contacts only when the actuator is in one of the first and second positions. Each fixed contact has two limbs defining an L-shape, one limb defining a single leg which extends through an aperture formed in a partition defined by the body and the other limb extending to one side of the leg to define a head supporting a terminal for gripping a wire. Each movable contact is displaceable into contact with the leg of each of the respective pairs of fixed contacts on the side of the leg from which the head extends and on the side of the partition remote from the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: EJA Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Mehdi Mohtasham
  • Patent number: 6459354
    Abstract: The breaker apparatus is disclosed which comprises a projecting wall standing upright from the base of a breaker body; a pair of plate-shaped fixed electrodes laid on the front and back surfaces of the projecting wall; a recessed plug to be fitted on the projecting wall; a U-shaped movable electrode to be stored in the plug for bringing the both fixed electrodes into conduction by clamping the projecting wall on the front and back surfaces thereof; a fuse storage section for storing a fuse connected to one of the fixed electrodes in the surrounding wall standing upright from the base in parallel with the projecting wall; a cover for covering the opening of the fuse storage section and being fittable to the surrounding wall; an engaging surface formed on the plug and facing in the fitting direction of the plug; and a cover motion stopper provided on the cover for engaging with the engaging surface of the plug with the plug fitted to the projecting wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumoto Konda, Junji Muta, Tatsuya Sumida, Yoshito Oka, Ichiaki Sano
  • Patent number: 6399907
    Abstract: An electrical contact assembly is disclosed comprising a bracket having at least first and second cavities located on opposite ends of the bracket and an opening extending through the bracket between the first and second cavities. A retention member is arranged to be mounted within the bracket opening with a first portion of the retention member extending outward from the first cavity and a second portion of the retention member extending outward from the second cavity. Each first and second portion terminates in a head end. First and second helix-shaped electrical contacts are positioned about a respective retention member first and second portion and are compressively retained between a respective and associated head end and bracket cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International INC.
    Inventors: Gary W. Eisenhower, Jr., David E. Olsen, Jeffrey S. Hall
  • Patent number: 6362710
    Abstract: For increasing the reliability of contact closure in safety relays, a contact spring (10) is provided with two contact pieces (15, 16) which are disposed at the free end of the contact spring (10), spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperate with contact pieces (17, 18) disposed on a common fixed contact. The contact spring (10) has a zone (19) in which it is not only flexible but also sufficiently torsional about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure the closure of both contact couples. Disposing the free end of the contact spring (10) carrying the contact pieces (15, 16) at an angle with respect to the fixed contact (12) achieves smooth and low-bounce contact closure and at the same time provides the function of a pre-contact and a main contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works (Europe) AG
    Inventor: Johannes Oberndorfer
  • Patent number: 6329621
    Abstract: An electric switch apparatus includes a stationary base plate (2) and an actuating part (6) carrying an electrical conductor member (8) displaceable between at least two positions relative to the base plate. The base plate carries a plurality of elongate resilient contact members (14) adapted to engage the electrical conductor member (8). The conductor member includes a flat metallic electrically conductive material which is selectively brought into contact with the fixed resilient contact members held on the base member when the actuating part is displaced between said first and second positions. A first predetermined electrical connection between the fixed contact members is established when the actuating part is held in the first position. A second predetermined electrical connection between the fixed contact members is established when the actuating part is moved to the second relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Priesemuth
  • Patent number: 6300854
    Abstract: For increasing the reliability of contact closure in safety relays, a contact spring (10) is provided with two contact pieces (15, 16) which are disposed at the free end of the contact spring (10), spaced transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof and cooperate with contact pieces (17, 18) disposed on a common fixed contact. The contact spring (10) has a zone (19) in which it is not only flexible but also sufficiently torsional about its longitudinal axis in order to ensure the closure of both contact couples. Disposing the free end of the contact spring (10) carrying the contact pieces (15, 16) at an angle with respect to the fixed contact (12) achieves smooth and low-bounce contact closure and at the same time provides the function of a pre-contact and a main contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd
    Inventor: Johannes Oberndorfer
  • Patent number: 6259434
    Abstract: An elastic and tactually-activated structure is applicable to keyboard and comprises a dome-shaped elastic member having a plurality of vent holes arranged on the bottom side thereof and separated with a predetermined distance. The inventive structure further comprises a hard film having an opening corresponding to the location of key of the keyboard, and the bottom end of the elastic member which has a larger diameter being attached upon the opening. The elastic and tactually-activated structure is placed upon the conductive film of the key and the cap of the key is placed upon the top end of the elastic member which has a smaller diameter. When the cap is suppressed, the elastic member is compressed accordingly such that the bump of the elastic member will pass through the opening of the hard film and touch the contact and circuit on the conductive film. The key is therefore formed a closed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 6248965
    Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes an elongate body including three unitary portions. A first portion and a third portion are substantially co-planar and a second portion is unitarily offset from the first and third portions. A contactor tip is mounted to a top surface of both the first portion and the third portion. During closure of the bus bar assembly, the offset second portion causes the contactor tips to roll which helps expel contaminants that may have accumulated on the contactor tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sherrill G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6180899
    Abstract: A double break switch construction for use in an electrical apparatus and suitable for both high power and low voltage-low current applications includes a base (10), first and second electrical contacts (36,38), mounted on the base (10) in spaced relation to one another, and an elongated, resilient, electrically conductive bar (48,100) having opposed ends (50,52). Two pairs of spaced electrical contacts (80,82); (90,92) are located on one side of the bar (48,100) with one pair of each of the ends (50,52) thereof. The bar (48,100) is aligned with the contacts (36,38) to bridge the same and the mounting post (54,60) engages the bar (48,100) generally centrally thereof and is movably mounted on the base (10) for moving the bar (48,100) toward and away from the contacts (36,38). A slot (94) is located in the bar (48,100) and extends in the direction of elongation thereof and between the contacts (90,92). The contact bar (48,100) is imperforate (84) between the contacts (80,82).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian H. Passow
  • Patent number: 6072128
    Abstract: Rotary-controlled multipole electric switch fitted with a handle (4) and a housing (1) in which a cam device transforms the rotation of the handle into a translational movement of contact bridges (21). In order to ensure coordination between a cylindrical control core (13) and a slider 16 bearing contact bridges, the cam device is fitted with at least two notches (19, 20) offset around the axis of rotation X of the knob (4c), and with a control projection (14) applied respectively to the bottom of one notch in the OFF position and to the bottom of the other notch in the ON position by the force supplied by springs (24) acting on the slider and contact pressure springs (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Rainer Ansorge, Andreas Cramer
  • Patent number: 6028274
    Abstract: A safety switch with a contactor structure including first and second contactor contacts electrically connected to each other. The switch has an "on" state in which first and second terminal contacts are contacted with the first and second contactor contacts, respectively, to thereby electrically connect the terminal contacts therebetween, and an "off" state in which the terminal contacts are not electrically connected to each other by the contactor structure, whereby current cannot flow between the terminal contacts. The switch also has a cycle control mechanism with a normal-state in which the switch is free to cycle between the "on" and "off" states, and a welded-state in which one of the terminal contacts is welded to one of the contactor contacts and the other of the contactor contacts is separated from the other of the terminal contacts. When the cycle control mechanism is in the welded state, the switch is prevented from moving from the "off" state to the "on" state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Timothy S. Harris
  • Patent number: 5924557
    Abstract: A switch (10) includes a pair of fixed contacts (20,22) spaced apart from each other. The switch (10) also includes a contact member (40) including a resilient base (42) and a pair of contact arms (80,82) connected to and extending from the base in a direction toward the fixed contacts (20,22). The switch (10) also includes a manually engageable member (110) connected with the contact member (40) for, upon the application of a predetermined force to the manually engageable member, moving the contact arms (80,82) into electrical contact with the fixed contacts (20,22) to complete an electric circuit between the fixed contacts. The resilient base (42) of the contact member (40) yields upon the application of the predetermined force to the manually engageable member (110). The resilient base (42) moves the contact arms (50,52) out of electrical contact with the fixed contacts (20,22) upon removal of the predetermined force from the manually engageable member (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Scott J. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5886602
    Abstract: A contact-unit slide for contractors which includes an insulating body in which windows are drilled wherein in each of these windows a contact bridge and a compression spring associated with the contacts are housed, the slide being moved by the mobile parts of the contactor's electromagnet, the spring bearing on the opposite side of the support surface adjacent to the contact bridge. The body has slots extending between a window and a visible surface to allow it to be supported on the upper end of the associated spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Michel Burel, Jean-Pierre Duchemin, Bruno Jacquet
  • Patent number: 5844457
    Abstract: A pair of pivoted links positioned at opposite sides of a movable armature and reversely oriented with respect to each other, have a pivotal connection at their opposite ends to a movable contact carrier and intermediate their ends to the armature whereby movement of the armature is amplified in movement of the contact carrier to permit reduction in the air gap between the armature and electromagnet core without incurring a corresponding reduction in contact carrier movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt V. Eckroth, David S. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5841085
    Abstract: A press-button switching device includes a housing, stationary and movable contacts mounted in the housing, an actuating member constructed as a press-button which is guided during its switching movement in the interior of the housing and which moves the movable contacts into the respective switching positions thereof. A compression spring is arranged between the actuating member and the housing, wherein the actuating member is movable into the housing against the force of the spring. The movable contacts are each constructed as a bridge-forming contact which bridges two strip conductors in the switched-on position. During the inwardly and outwardly directed movements of the actuating member, the bridge-forming contact is moved along the strip conductors. At its end contacting the actuating member, the compression spring continues as a spring arm whose free end resiliently presses the bridge contact against the strip conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Bar Elektrowerke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alfred Rittinghaus, Bernhard Jaworek
  • Patent number: 5744766
    Abstract: A device and method establishing an electrically conductive path between a pair of contacts in low voltage, low current applications, such as in electronic circuits. The device and method feature a flexible spanner that contacts a pair of fixed contacts with a sweeping movement. The spanner includes a bent portion that flexes when a force is exerted on the spanner such that a contact portion of the spanner sweeps across the surface of the pair of fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Homer S. Sambar, Frank J. Graninger, Roger E. Karweik
  • Patent number: 5614701
    Abstract: A control switch for an electric winch includes a handle, a set of forward and reverse push button switches and a switch box. The switch box includes a top cover and a bottom cover. The top cover is provided with a set of polarize conducting plates for DC voltage and another set of polarized conducting plates for motor wiring. The bottom cover is provided with two grooves for holding two sliding blocks, respectively. Each of the two sliding blocks is provided with conducting wipers and springs. The movement of the sliding blocks corresponds to the pushing of the forward button or the reverse button. Thus when one of the buttons is pushed, a circuit connection inside of the switch box is changed, providing control of the coiling, uncoiling and braking of a winch cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: Michael Hung
  • 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