Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing or preventing access to a traffic controller cabinet are described. A first input may be received at a traffic controller cabinet. The first input may be indicative of an identity of an individual attempting to access the traffic controller cabinet. If the individual is determined not to be authorized to access the traffic controller cabinet, a blocking mechanism may be activated to prevent the individual from making any modification to one or more components of the traffic controller cabinet such as a software component.

Abstract: An electric switch of the normally closed type has a housing including a lower part that supports a fixed contact track, an internal contact blade that is resiliently deformable in order to assume a bottom rest position in order to establish an electric switching way, a first high non-stable position, in which the switching track is interrupted, and a second high stable position, in which the electric switching track is interrupted and in which the internal contact blade is locked such as by retractable locking structure, and an actuator to control the deformations of the internal contact blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a physiological monitoring device. Some embodiments of the invention allow for long-term monitoring of physiological signals. Further embodiments may also allow for the monitoring of secondary signals such as motion.

Abstract: The key switch includes, a base, a button attached to the base so as to be capable of coming into contact with the base and separating from the base, and a coil spring disposed between the base and the button for urging the button in a direction separating from the base. The coil spring has at least an end turn portion formed at one end, a densely wound portion that is continuous with the end turn portion and compressed in an initial state in which the button is attached to the base so that adjacent windings come into contact with each other, and a coarsely wound portion which is continuous with the densely wound portion and in which a winding pitch is larger than that of the densely wound portion, and in the initial state, adjacent windings are separated from each other.

Abstract: A mouse device includes a casing, a switch, a button, a travel distance adjustment and a knob structure. The button is exposed to a top side of the casing. A first end of the travel distance adjustment assembly is contacted with the button. A second end of the travel distance adjustment assembly includes an internal thread structure. The internal thread structure of the travel distance adjustment assembly is engaged with an external thread structure of the knob structure. While an operating part of the knob structure is rotated, the knob structure is not moved and the travel distance adjustment assembly is moved upwardly relative to the knob structure to push the force-exerted part upwardly. Consequently, a triggering speed of the switch is increased.

Abstract: A shift by wire parking system includes a park gear including a gear body and a plurality of teeth. The teeth are circumferentially spaced from one another. The park gear defines a plurality of void spaces between each pair of the plurality of teeth. The shift by wire parking system includes a circumferential body sized to fit inside each of the plurality of void spaces to lock a position of the park gear. The circumferential body is movable towards and away from the park gear between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, the circumferential body is disposed outside each of the plurality of void spaces, thereby allowing the park gear to rotate. In the engaged position, the circumferential body is disposed inside one of the void spaces to lock the position of the park gear.

Abstract: A thin photoelectric mechanical keyboard switch includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a base, and a keycap. A first accommodation slot, a second accommodation slot, and a surrounding slot are provided at the base. A balancing frame is disposed in the surrounding slot. A torsion spring is arranged in the first accommodation slot. An upper through hole is provided at a bottom portion of the second accommodation slot, and a blocking piece, a hanging piece, a tension spring, and a guiding core are disposed in the second accommodation slot. One end of the tension spring is fastened in the guiding core and connected to the hanging piece, and the other end of the tension spring is connected to the balancing frame. The thin photoelectric mechanical keyboard switch utilizes light to implement turning on and off functions, realizing a thinned design, and enhancing pressing balance performance and stability.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer system (DES) variable stiffness actuator (VSA) is provided. In an embodiment, the DES VSA includes a variable stiffness module (VSM). The VSM includes a DES that softens when energized and stiffens when unpowered, an outer frame, and an inner frame member. The stiffness of the DES is variable. The outer frame supports the DES and the inner frame member, which is disposed within the DES. The inner frame member is configured to be displaceable with respect to the outer frame. The DES VSA also includes an actuation motor mechanically coupled to the inner frame member that is configured to cause a force to be applied to the inner frame member and the actuation motor is configured to control an equilibrium position of the DES VSA.

Abstract: A keyswitch with adjustable tactile feedback is adjusted by an adjusting method. The keyswitch includes a baseplate, an upper housing, an upper bushing component, a lower bushing component, a keycap and a recovering component. The baseplate has an electrode module, the upper housing is disposed on the baseplate, the upper bushing component is movably disposed on the upper housing, the lower bushing component is movably located between the baseplate and the upper housing, and the keycap is connected to a connecting portion of the upper bushing component. The lower bushing component can rotate relative to the baseplate to switch between a first position and a second position. The lower bushing component has a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface with different shapes. The recovering component is disposed between the baseplate and the lower bushing component to upwardly push the lower bushing component.

Abstract: A mouse including a main body, a switch module and a pressing component is provided. The switch module includes a switch member. The pressing component is disposed on the main body. The pressing component includes a pivot member, a key portion and an abutting member. The key portion is rotatable with respect to the main body through the pivot member. The abutting member is configured to provide a force for pushing the key portion to abut against the switch member.

Abstract: According to some aspects a safety lock may be provided for locking a lighter switch, rendering it necessary to push a safety push button forward to separate the locking projection of the locking lever from the engaging groove of the lighter switch, and then press the lighter switch to touch the circuit board switch to operate the lighter (e.g., ignite the lighter's flame). Normally, the arc emission end is disposed in the protective cover which may protect the arc emission end and avoid dangerous situations. When the safety push button is pushed forward, the arc emission end may be pushed out from the protective cover, ready to ignite. Aspects of this disclosure may provide advantages such as simple overall structure, high levels of safety, and safe and reliable use of lighters.

Abstract: A keyswitch with adjustable tactile feedback is adjusted by an adjusting method. The keyswitch includes a baseplate, an upper housing, an upper bushing component, a lower bushing component, a keycap and a recovering component. The baseplate has an electrode module, the upper housing is disposed on the baseplate, the upper bushing component is movably disposed on the upper housing, the lower bushing component is movably located between the baseplate and the upper housing, and the keycap is connected to a connecting portion of the upper bushing component. The lower bushing component can rotate relative to the baseplate to switch between a first position and a second position. The lower bushing component has a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface with different shapes. The recovering component is disposed between the baseplate and the lower bushing component to upwardly push the lower bushing component.

Abstract: An input device including a housing and a depressible key plate disposed thereon. The key plate includes a front user-accessible portion, a pivot support portion, and a rear portion. A shaft is disposed in the pivot support portion, where the key plate rotates with respect to the shaft. A force sensor is disposed in the housing and in contact with a bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate, and activates in response to receiving a predetermined force by the bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate. The depressible key plate depresses in response to receiving a predetermined depression force on the top surface. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and in contact with the bottom surface of the rear portion of the key plate to provide an upward force tuned to be substantially equal to the predetermined depression force.

Abstract: A key and a switch housing for a keyboard assembly is disclosed. A switch housing for the keyboard assembly may include a body having a switch opening and a light source recess formed adjacent the switch opening. The switch opening may house or receive a dome switch for the keyboard assembly and the light source recess may house or receive a light source assembly configured to illuminate a keycap of the keyboard assembly. The switch housing also can include a top panel integrally formed and molded to a portion of the body. The top panel covers the switch opening formed in the body and the top panel is a light guide.

Abstract: A key structure includes a pedestal with a sliding groove, an upper cover, a triggering element, and a spring strip. The spring strip is movable within the sliding groove. The triggering element is arranged between the pedestal and the upper cover, and located beside the spring strip. When a keycap of the key structure is depressed, the triggering element is moved relative to the pedestal to push the spring strip. In response to the elasticity of the pushed spring strip, the spring strip is slid within the sliding groove to collide with the upper cover. Consequently, the key structure generates sound surely.

Abstract: An input device including a housing and a depressible key plate disposed thereon. The key plate includes a front user-accessible portion, a pivot support portion, and a rear portion. A shaft is disposed in the pivot support portion, where the key plate rotates with respect to the shaft. A force sensor is disposed in the housing and in contact with a bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate, and activates in response to receiving a predetermined force by the bottom surface of the front portion of the key plate. The depressible key plate depresses in response to receiving a predetermined depression force on the top surface. A biasing mechanism is disposed in the housing and in contact with the bottom surface of the rear portion of the key plate to provide an upward force tuned to be substantially equal to the predetermined depression force.

Abstract: A switch has an actuating arm including an actuating portion and a driving portion, a base including a support that supports the actuating arm, and a recess having a first fixed electrode and a second fixed electrode arranged on the inner side face, and an electrically conductive elastic member that is housed within the recess of the base. The electrically conductive elastic member includes at least one driven part that is driven by the driving portion of the driving body and at least one stretching part that is extendable and compressible through input to the at least one driven part, at least one movable contacting member having a movable contact capable of being connected to the first fixed electrode, and at least one fixed contacting part having a fixed contact capable of being connected to the second fixed electrode.

Abstract: A switch has a base having a frame portion disposed integrally with an outer peripheral portion of an upper surface of the base, a common fixed contact disposed at a corner of inside surfaces of the frame portion, and a fixed contact disposed on an inside surface of the base opposite to the common fixed contact, a spring member having elastic arm portions extending respectively from both ends of a bellows-like spring portion, wherein a free end portion of one of the elastic arm portions serves as a sliding movable contact, wherein a free end portion of another of the elastic arm portions serves as a rotationally movable contact, and wherein the rotationally movable contact is positioned so as to be in contact with the common fixed contact of the base, and an operation lever including an operation rib.

Abstract: A switch has a base having a recess, and a plurality of fixed contacts mounted in an inner side face of the recess, an electrically conductive actuator disposed within the recess of the base, the electrically conductive actuator having a pair of movable contact portions and an elastically deformable elastic portion, the movable contact portions having movable contacts capable of being connected to respective fixed contacts, at least one engagement convex portion disposed on one of the base and the electrically conductive actuator, and at least one engagement concave portion disposed on the other of the base and the electrically conductive actuator and engageable with the at least one engagement convex portion. The elastic portion of the electrically conductive actuator is elastically deformed to break an engagement between the engagement convex and concave portions when the actuator moves between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A switch has a base having a frame integrally formed on a periphery of an upper face of the base, a fixed contact formed on an inner side face of the frame, and a support protrusion that protrudes from the upper face of the base that is integrally formed so as to expose a common fixed contact, an electrically conductive spring member whose connecting part arranged at a center of a spiral spring is nonrotatably supported by the support protrusion and that extends a driving piece from the free end of the spiral spring, and an actuating lever whose one end is rotatably supported by the upper face of the base and that integrally forms an actuating trigger that presses the driving piece of the electrically conductive spring member.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising a physically configurable button panel and at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel. The gaming machine also comprises an input panel disposed adjacent to the button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button and a controller for initiating a function in response to the output signal.

Abstract: An appliance button for use in an appliance having a housing, a button opening in the housing and a control structure within the housing includes a button that has a longitudinal axis. A distal end of the button extends outwardly through the button opening in the housing. A button stem is located within the housing and is generally co-axially aligned with the button. A first end of the button stem is operably connected to the control structure and a second end is operably connected to the button. A deflector is mounted on the button between the control structure and the housing and extends radially outwardly from the button to direct liquid away from the button stem.

Abstract: A microswitch with push-in wire connectors is provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the microswitch may include a plunger for activating the switch, a first stationary contact, a second stationary contact, a movable contact, and a snap-spring assembly reactive to the plunger for switching the movable contact between making electrical contact with the first stationary contact and making electrical contact with the second stationary contact. The microswitch may include a first push-in wire connector for electrically connecting an end of a first wire to the first stationary contact, a second push-in wire connector for electrically connecting an end of a second wire to the second stationary contact, and a third push-in wire connector for electrically connecting an end of a third wire to the movable contact.

Abstract: A push-switch for vehicle, and a method of manufacturing the same, including fixed contacts and movable contact brought into and out of contact in accordance with upward and downward movements of operating member, in which at least one of the contacts is provided on surfaces thereof with a plurality of fine projections and depressions produced by arcing discharges between the contacts or machining work. Contacts at a large number of points are attained by the provision of the plurality of fine projections and depressions, hence a switch capable of stable contact can be provided.

Abstract: A switch is provided, which is stable in operating characteristics and can be operated with a small operating force, and which is long in life and easy to manufacture. The switch includes a base, a moving contact piece having one end thereof supported pivotally on the base, an operating lever supported pivotally on the base and having a drive part pushing a coil portion of the moving contact piece, and a cover having a planar shape capable of covering the base and fixed to the base to compress the coil portion. The operating lever pushes the coil portion of the moving contact piece whereby the moving contact piece turns about an end thereof, the coil portion slides on a stationary contact exposed from a bottom surface of the base, and the other end of the moving contact piece slides on a common stationary contact exposed from an inner surface of the base.

Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.

Abstract: A transfer switch configured particularly for use with traffic signal controllers, to enable a traffic signal controller to be powered by a portable electrical generator, when utility line power is unavailable. A housing, configured to be mounted either on the surface of a traffic signal controller cabinet, or recessed into an opening of the cabinet, so as to be flush to the surface thereof, is provided. The housing is configured to be substantially weatherproof without requiring the use of gaskets.

Abstract: A switch is provided, which is stable in operating characteristics and can be operated with a small operating force, and which is long in life and easy to manufacture. The switch comprises a base, a moving contact piece having one end thereof, which is supported pivotally on the base, coming into pressure contact with a common stationary contact, an operating lever having one end thereof supported pivotally on the base and having a drive part, which extends from the one end, pushing a coil portion of the moving contact piece, and a cover fixed to the base to compress the coil portion. The operating lever pushes the coil portion of the moving contact piece whereby the moving contact piece turns about an end thereof, the coil portion slides on a bottom surface of the base, and the other end of the moving contact piece slides on a stationary contact exposed from an inner surface of the base.

Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.

Abstract: A mechanical limiter device, having: a housing with a slot passing at least partially therearound, the slot forming a plurality of teeth in a side of the housing; a plunger movable within the housing; a biasing mechanism configured to urge the plunger in a proximal direction within the housing; a contact member extending through the slot in the side of the housing, the contact member being configured to advance past at least one of each of the plurality of teeth in the slot each time the plunger is moved back and forth within the housing.

Abstract: A micro switch is disclosed in the invention, which can be assembled and manufactured easily. Through a conjoining portion formed between a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion of resilient element that are used for switching on/off the electrical contact, and through a positioning portion that is for conjoining to the resilient element and is provided in the concave slot of the pushbutton corresponding to the conjoining portion, the first conductive portion of resilient element can then often keep in a contact manner with the first contact portion of first conductive terminal extending to the acceptance room. In addition, a pressing portion corresponding to the pushbutton will apply downward force on the second conductive portion so that the second conductive portion will move downwards to touch the second contact portion of second conductive terminal extending to the acceptance room. Thus, a micro switch that is easy to be assembled is then formed.

Abstract: A micro switch is disclosed in the invention, which provides a micro switch that can increase the activation interval of pushbutton as well as can be assembled and manufactured easily. Besides, a round hole is provided at two sides of the main body corresponding to the pivot point of pushbutton, and a place-in slot is provided extending from the round hole to the opening end of acceptance room. In addition, a gap is provided on the sidewall of the main body adjacent to the round hole, extending to the opening end of acceptance room. Moreover, a guiding slanting face is formed at the lower edge of pivot point of pushbutton; therefore, through flexible force formed by the gap and through the guiding slanting face that makes it easy for the pivot point to be conjoined to the round hole, a micro switch having a longer activation interval is then formed.

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.

Abstract: A user-friendly controller provides a special dynamic interconnect which reliably connects terminals of electronic device, such as solenoids, to a circuit board to enhance vehicle performance and help obtain a smoother more comfortable ride. The special interconnect comprises a coil spring contact. The coiled spring contact can have an enlarged head which can be soldered to a contact on the circuit board. The central portion of the spring contact provides a terminal-receiving opening to slidably receive the terminal of the electronic device. The smaller end portion of the spring contact can compressively engage and dynamically contact the terminal of the electronic device. A cover can be provided to environmentally protect and cover the circuitry and circuit board. The cover can have chambers for receiving and engaging the spring contacts.