Printed Circuit Patents (Class 200/292)
  • Patent number: 5597066
    Abstract: An acceleration limit switch is disclosed, which includes a ball-shaped inertia body made of ferromagnetic material. The ball-shaped inertia body is maintained in a resting position by a permanent magnet opposed on a printed circuit board by two contact elements symmetrically engaging each other. An elastic, conductive diaphragm is mounted between the inertia body and the printed circuit board; the diaphragm being deformed when impacted by the inertia body and thereby connecting the contact element. The interior space of the acceleration limit switch, which is symmetrical with respect to rotation, has a ring-shaped bearing surface for a thin, conductive plastic mat. The printed circuit board, as the cover of the housing, rests on a housing bridge extending fully around, with a sealing ring being disposed on the housing bridge. The printed circuit board is supported by elastic hooks with deformation of the sealing ring, with the hook preferably being shaped by molding on the side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Heino Burmester
  • Patent number: 5587886
    Abstract: A structure for contact points of a shift switch used in a computer. The structure includes an elastic contact plate disposed under the shift switch and having projecting contact points to contact the corresponding conductive contact portions of the circuit board. A sloped slot is formed between adjacent contact portions to separate the contact portions from each other and to avoid detachment and scattering of the conductive material of the contact portions. The contact points are designed with an elongated shape so as to provide a smooth sliding motion of the contact points through the sloped slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Kinpo Electronics
    Inventor: Si-Chi Lan
  • Patent number: 5579900
    Abstract: An automobile instrument cluster assembly includes a printed circuit board and a display unit coupled to the circuit board. The display unit includes a light source for displaying information. The instrument cluster further includes a switch having a depressible push-button moveable between an ON position and an OFF position for interacting with the displayed information. The instrument cluster further includes a switch actuator assembly having a plunger for moving the push-button between the ON and OFF positions. The switch actuator assembly further includes a plunger support member removably attached to the circuit board in a snap-fit arrangement for movably supporting the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Pryor, Bradley S. Chupp, Emily A. Graffeo
  • Patent number: 5577601
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an actuating device for a power switch of a monitor, in which an actuator member for activating the power switch is slidably coupled either internally or externally, to a supporting plate of a frame which holds a printed circuit board. The coupling of the actuating device to the supporting plate of the frame holds the actuating device in alignment independent of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-il Chung, Sung-gil Cha
  • Patent number: 5575177
    Abstract: A turn signal cancellation mechanism has an actuator and a pawl engagably interfacing therewith. In one aspect of the present invention, the pawl is disposed on an opposite side of a steering shaft from a handle interfacing segment of the actuator. In another aspect of the present invention, a unique pawl movably engages with a modified T-shaped slot within an actuator. A further aspect of the present invention provides a modularized system wherein a common housing interchangeably retains differing circuit boards, pivoting actuators coupled to handles, and various switches, depending on the specific options desired. In still another aspect of the present invention, a detent plunger has a shaft with a quadrilateral cross sectional shape along a portion thereof and an integrally formed semi-spherical cap. An improved fastening means is also employed to attach the present invention turn signal cancellation mechanism onto the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: LeRoy A. Poleschuk, James B. Wright, Dale R. Jesselson
  • Patent number: 5570777
    Abstract: A switch integrally formed with a printed circuit board includes pairs of conductors printed on the board, a switch lever and a conductive sphere. The sphere is located in a hole in the lever and is held down against the conductors by a leaf spring which is riveted to the lever. The lever pivots relative to the board about a stud staked to the board. Each pair of conductors terminate at a depression within which the sphere rests to close the circuit between the pair of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Paragon Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward L. Skarivoda
  • Patent number: 5552964
    Abstract: A switch is provided which is simple in constitution and can be efficiently mounted on a circuit board, and a method of efficiently mounting the switch on the board is also provided. In particular, a switch device comprises a circuit board including a conductor pattern; a fixed contact member provided on a land portion of the conductor pattern; a movable contact member movable to touch/detach with the fixed contact member; a casing for receiving the movable and fixed contact members; locking member for fitting the casing to the circuit board, the locking member being provided in the casing; a holding member for holding the movable contact member with respect to the fixed contact member in one of the touched and detached condition, the holding member being provided in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hayato Naito
  • Patent number: 5516991
    Abstract: A manual switch (2) has a switching plate (9), which can be tilted to several sides and is mounted on a mounting (10). This switching plate (9) can move with star-shaped actuating arms that correspond to the contact arms of a contact spring (7) in the direction of a printed circuit board (6), so that it can close a circuit by means releasably, lockingly engaging the selected actuating arm against a respective contact arm and an electric contact on the printed circuit board. At any switch position one can switch back directly into the zero position by pressing an adjusting arm (13) which moves the switching plate (9) back into its non-tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventor: Edgar Hommann
  • Patent number: 5506378
    Abstract: An impact resistant switch mechanism is disclosed which includes a switch disposed within a housing of a device, such as a communication device or the like. The housing has an opening formed therein through which the switch may be operated from outside the housing. An extension of material extends from the housing about the housing opening, and a shaft extending through the extension of material and the housing opening is coupled at one end to the switch for operation thereof. A knob is attached to an opposite end of the shaft and is disposed over the housing extension. The knob is rotatable about the extension and will come into contact with the extension if a force is applied to the knob before transmission of the force into the switch, which could result in possible damage to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 5493082
    Abstract: There is provided an elastomeric switching device for use with electrical circuits, such as those on a printed circuit board. The elastomeric switching device comprises an elastomeric pad constructed from a plurality of parallel strips of conductive material between layers of non-conductive or insulating material together with a moveable conductive contact which is aligned with the elastomeric pad. The elastomeric pad is predisposed in contact with the circuits on the printed circuit board. The moveable conductive contact establishes electrical connections between the affected circuits via the conductive strips of the elastomeric pad. The proper alignment and orientation of the elastomeric pad and moveable conductive contact relative to the circuits is maintained by the structural and mechanical features of a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Bloch, Donald J. Thomas, Steven E. Smart
  • Patent number: 5473128
    Abstract: A ceiling mounted wireless wall switch which has three main parts a base, a cover and a printed circuit assembly. The printed circuit assembly is mounted on the base and the base is mechanically engaged to the cover. The base portion of the base has a peripheral edge which has a series of upwardly extending spring fingers spaced around the peripheral edge and the spring fingers are spaced from each other and adapted to engage the cover. The cover has a base section, a, first wall and a second wall circumscribed by the first wall. The first wall has an inner surface with a series of pairs of spaced ribs positioned on the inner surface of the first wall, each of the pairs of spaced ribs defining a slide area, each of the slide areas having an impression formed there on and each of the slide areas has a top which is spaced from the base section. The top is open and each of the spring fingers engages one of the impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: C&K Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannu H. Pulli, Dan R. Test
  • Patent number: 5471023
    Abstract: A light illumination membrane switch having a configuration with a reduced size, capable of realizing an effective light illumination of the keys and a highly reliable operation even under the high humidity environment. The switch has a light source section using an LED bare chip element for emitting lights to illuminate the key section which is directly mounted on the electrode circuit member of the printed circuit board. The switch may include a translucent diffuser member having a cavity region for directly transmitting the lights emitted from the light source section to the key section. The switch may include a translucent diffuser member having a side wall portion defining an opening such that the translucent diffuser member and the printed circuit board are assembled together by inserting the printed circuit board into the opening defined by the side wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kaizu, Atsuhiro Horii
  • Patent number: 5418341
    Abstract: In an incremental encoder, a common terminal which is required always to be electrically connected to a rotary contact plate comprises a plurality of sliding contacts each having a contact point with the rotary contact plate. Respective sliding contacts are positioned so as to come into contact with the rotary contact plate with a positional shift angle. Due to this feature, even in the case where the common terminal is in contact with a signal pulse-generating region of the rotary contact plate having slits formed therein for generating the signal pulse, it is possible that a portion of at least one of the contact points provided on the plurality of sliding contacts is always in contact with the rotary contact plate. Accordingly, a common contact region which is required in a conventional incremental encoder is not necessary, whereby the miniaturization of the incremental encoder can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 5403980
    Abstract: A touch sensitive switch pad. The switch pad includes a flexible film with a two conductive ink patterns on one side and an adhesive on the other. The adhesive backing can be of the peel off type such that a user simply peels off a protective backing to reveal the adhesive. The conductive ink patterns are disposed sufficiently close to each other such that there is a high probability that when a user touches the pad, a closed circuit occurs between the two patterns. Each conductive ink pattern is connected to an electrical contact which in turn can be connected to switching circuitry which is sensitive enough to sense the high resistance closed circuit. An extra adhesive-backed flap connected to the film and disposed in close proximity to the electrical contacts can be used to help protect the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl M. Eckrich
  • Patent number: 5403420
    Abstract: Disclosed is a parallel processor packaging structure and a method for manufacturing the structure. The individual logic and memory elements are on printed circuit cards. These printed circuit boards and cards are, in turn, mounted on or connected to circuitized flexible substrates extending outwardly from a laminate of the circuitized, flexible substrates. Intercommunication is provided through a switch structure that is implemented in the laminate. The printed circuit cards are mounted on or connected to a plurality of circuitized flexible substrates, with one printed circuit card at each end of the circuitized flexible circuit. The circuitized flexible substrates connect the separate printed circuit boards and cards through the central laminate portion. This laminate portion provides XY plane and Z-axis interconnection for inter-processor, inter-memory, inter-processor/memory element, and processor to memory bussing interconnection, and communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Gall, James R. Loomis, David B. Stone, Cheryl L. Tytran, James Wilcox
  • Patent number: 5402095
    Abstract: The invention proposes a portable case for an electronic smart card (C), comprising, on one of its main faces, electrical contact bands connected to an integrated circuit containing the card memory, of the type in which provision is made for a compartment which receives the card (C) and connection means (72) for connecting the contact bands to an exploitation electronic circuit providing at least a function of reading the data contained in the card, characterized in that it comprises a casing (10, 12, 14) equipped with a window (22) permitting the insertion of the card (C), an electrical connector (72) whose electrical contact elements (73) interact with the said contact bands when the card is in the position of exploitation of the data, a device for emitting and receiving (112, 114) data towards and from an information-processing station, and a switch (120) for detecting the placing of the card (C) in an exploitation position in the casing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignees: ITT Composants et Instruments, Gemplus Electronics
    Inventor: Alain Janniere
  • Patent number: 5388922
    Abstract: A miniature keyboard assembly for generating code signals representative of selected characters and functions. The assembly including at least one but preferably, two glide keys, each coupled to a depressible keybutton for controlling the movement of its respective keybutton. In one embodiment, each keybutton base carries an electrically conductive layer and is slidable on a membrane panel having thereon a plurality of signal code generating switches. The keybutton being movable along orthogonal axes in response to movement of the glide key. Each keybutton extends upwardly through a longitudinal slot opening in a lateral slide support member and then through a fitted opening in an indicator panel. The indicator panel also includes an indicia marker which underlies a transparent keyboard panel and is visible therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Smith Corona Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory W. Smiley
  • Patent number: 5389754
    Abstract: A switch mechanism having a set of movable conductive contacts adapted to selectively conductively engage a set of conductive paths formed on a printed circuit board in order to open and close circuit paths created thereby. A contact carrier retains the movable contacts in a predefined spaced relationship and slidingly engages a guide member adapted to predeterminately guide the movement of the carrier with respect to the circuit board, the guide member being fixedly secured to a surface of the printed circuit board substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Muller, Robert D. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5373133
    Abstract: An equipment unit latch and an associated switch arrangement are advantageously employed to generate an action initiation signal upon initial movement of the latch toward physically removing the equipment from an equipment frame but prior to any movement of the equipment unit in an equipment frame in which it is inserted. The physical shape and dimensions of the latch and the spatial relationship of the associated switch arrangement to the latch are such that the latch is allowed to move a sufficient distance toward removing the equipment unit from the equipment frame, in order to activate the switch to generate the action initiation signal prior to any movement of the equipment unit in the equipment frame. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the switch includes a light emitter and a light detector. Light from the emitter is inhibited from reaching the detector by the latch when the equipment unit is fully inserted in the equipment frame and the latch is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Robert C. Brockway, Philip S. Dietz, Lo C. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5338910
    Abstract: A wall controller for controlling the speed of rotation of a ceiling fan and the intensity of light of a lighting fixture, which includes a junction box covered with a slotted mounting plate to hold a control circuit assembly, a cover plate connected to the mounting plate to hold a switch control slide assembly therebetween, the control circuit assembly is consisted of two switches moved by two control slides of the switch control slide assembly to control the operation of the lighting fixture and the ceiling fan respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Powell Tsai
  • Patent number: 5326948
    Abstract: An equipment unit protection switch from an in-service equipment unit to a standby equipment unit is realized prior to any movement of the active equipment unit about to be removed from an equipment frame in which it is inserted. This is achieved by advantageously incorporating apparatus for generating an equipment unit removal indication signal that enables a controller to anticipate the removal of the equipment unit from the equipment frame. To this end, the equipment units employ an equipment unit latch and an associated switch to generate the equipment removal indication signal. Initial movement of the latch causes the equipment unit removal indication signal to be generated prior to any movement of the equipment unit in the frame in which it is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Robert C. Brockway, Philip S. Dietz, Lo C. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5298698
    Abstract: An encoder for generating a position signal in accordance with a position of a conductive slider comprises a non-conductive substrate, a first conductive pattern formed on the substrate, and at least three second conductive patterns formed on the substrate. The second patterns are independent from the first pattern. Each of the second patterns has a lead wire extending to an edge of the substrate. The slider is slidable on the substrate, and produces a conductive state signal when it abuts against the first pattern and produces a non-conductive state signal when it abuts against the second pattern or the substrate. The position signal is generated in accordance with the conductive state signal and the non-conductive state signal. One of the second patterns is surrounded by the first pattern, and the lead wire extending therefrom passes between the other two second patterns and extends to the exterior of the first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Iida, Toru Kosaka, Hiroyuki Tsuru, Masashi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 5293017
    Abstract: A switch assembly comprises a substrate (10) having conductive traces providing contacts (23) on the substrate (10) and a connector (21) positioned over the substrate (10). The connector (10) includes an actuator area (33) and a selectively conductive area (22) located perpendicular to the actuator area (33). The selectively conductive area (22) is located over the contacts (23) and is made electrically conductive with the contacts (23), when the connector (21) is shorted with an actuator, the actuator area being at a fight angle to the conductive traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 5290983
    Abstract: A wall switch (12) includes a face plate body (14) containing an aperture (20) and wall projections (22, 23, 24) carrying an actuator rocker (30) with a board (40) carrying switch contacts (58) momentarily closed by the rocker to effect a closure of circuits carried on the board and interconnected to a cable (88) through terminals in a connector (44) carried on the board and a connector (80) carried by the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Lincoln E. Roberts, Dale E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5289347
    Abstract: A Faraday shield minimizes the leakage of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) of a maximum frequency and corresponding wavelength that emanates from electronic components contained within the shield. The top and bottom each contain apertures that are dimensioned to effectively block the escape of EMI and RFI from the shield and to permit the flow of air to dissipate heat without generating acoustic noise. The thickness of the top of the shield is at least one half of the diagonal length across the largest of the apertures located in the top. The length of the longest aperture side is less than one fourth of the wavelength of the maximum frequency of EMI and RFI contained by the shield. Corresponding relationships exist between the apertures located in the shield bottom and its thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: William F. McCarthy, Colin E. Brench, Daniel M. Snow
  • Patent number: 5262601
    Abstract: A section of a printed circuit board itself is used as an armature for an electrical switch. The armature section of the board is formed by a cutout, and is movable from an initial state to a final state, and is returnable by its inherent resilience to the initial state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Eagle Electric Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Howard S. Leopold
  • Patent number: 5260532
    Abstract: A housing assembly (14) for protection of an enclosed printed circuit board (12) with a surface mounted dome switch (18) is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which provide sealing under a variety of atmospheric conditions. In one embodiment, the housing assembly is comprised of an upper portion (22), a lower portion (26), and a one piece, continuous diaphragm (30). The upper portion has an aperture (24) for engagement of a button actuator (20) by an external force. The diaphragm, composed of an elastic material, provides a sealed cavity (32) for the housing and permits substantial equalization between the internal and external pressure of the sealed cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: David V. Tinder, Frank S. Loria
  • Patent number: 5250771
    Abstract: A device (301) having manually controlled keys (310), in particular for controlling actuator devices of a motor vehicle, particularly for electric window winders and/or electric door locks and/or electric rearview mirrors, comprising means (317, 305) operative to determine at least one electrical signal in dependence on the operation of at least one of these keys (310) and including a specific electronic unit (27) for processing this electric signal for the respective actuator device, in which the electronic unit (27) includes an integrated circuit (25) for treatment of the information signals relating to the operation of the actuator device, the integrated circuit (25) being connected to a printed circuit (305) which is common to means (317, 305) operable to determine at least one electric signal in dependence on the operation of at least one of the keys (310), and both the printed circuit (305) and the integrated circuit (25) are housed in integral portions (380, 320) of the frame (302) of the device (301).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Roltra-Morse S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enzo Brusasco, Giuseppe Boero
  • Patent number: 5214255
    Abstract: A switching device for a multi-filament electric lamp. The filaments of the electric lamp are electrically connected to arcuate contact surfaces arranged in a circle. The conductive bar is arranged to rotate about the axis of the circular arrangement of contact surfaces. The ends of the conductive bar contact the contact surfaces, and an electric power supply is electrically connected to the center portion of the conductive bar. Current flows into the center portion of the bar and out both ends and through the filaments of the electric lamp in the patterns determined by actuation of a pull-chain to operate the lamp in LOW, MEDIUM, and HIGH states. With the conductive bar in a further, pull-chain determined position, the lamp is OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: Eugene T. Fleischhauer
  • Patent number: 5211282
    Abstract: The present invention is a squeeze switch device (10) for use in plush toys wherein the device housing is comprised of upper (14) and lower (16) sections secured together by protrusions (44) and slots (24) and wherein springs (62) bias the device for activation by applying a squeezing pressure to the stuffed toy in any one of a plurality of directions. A device (36) for reducing battery drain during device manufacture, storage and shipping are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: American Fun & Toy Creators, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Ting
  • Patent number: 5201408
    Abstract: The housing for an electric snap action switch has a front section with a frame having a surface serving to abut the front side of a mounting plate, and a coaxial rear section with a surface facing away from the surface of the frame and serving to abut or to be placed adjacent one side of a circuit board. A nut mates with an externally threaded tubular portion of the front section to maintain the surface of the frame in abutment with the mounting plate. The two sections are separably coupled to each other by resilient male detent elements which are provided on the front section and extend into complementary female detent elements of the rear section. The housing acts as a distancing element between the mounting plate and the circuit board, and its rear section has a recess for a switching unit which is secured to the circuit board and can be actuated by movable parts which are installed in the front section. The rear section is secured to the circuit board by screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Elektro-Apparatebau Olten AG
    Inventors: Mikael Torma, Hansjorg Portmann
  • Patent number: 5193668
    Abstract: A touch-sensitive panel for outputting data corresponding to pressed positions on a touching plate included in the touch-sensitive panel and for sending the output data to a display device includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged on the touching plate, a plurality of second electrodes being opposed to the plurality of first electrodes and being capable of conducting to the plurality of first electrodes located at the pressed positions when the touching plate is pressed, a first connecting plate for connecting the plurality of first electrodes to the display device, a second connecting plate for connecting the plurality of second electrodes to the display device, an anisotropic electrically conductive bonding layer having a plurality of through holes and arranged on the first connecting plate, and a conductive layer including conductive particles, the conductive layer being laid between the plurality of first electrodes and the anisotropic electrically conductive bonding layer, the conductive particle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsei Fukuchi, Nobuhiro Kasai
  • Patent number: 5194703
    Abstract: Push-button device includes a plurality of movably disposed keys and an elastic switching pad having a plurality of domes. Each dome is disposed adjacent to and is engagable by one of the plurality of keys and a dome contact disposed on each dome. A conductor foil having a plurality of contacts is provided, each conductor foil contact being arranged for contacting one of the dome contacts when one of the keys is moved. A printed circuit board having upper and lower faces is arranged near the contact foil. A spacer member disposed between the upper face of the printed circuit board and the conductor foil defines an electrical component receiving space, and there is a plurality of electrical components located on the upper face in the electrical component receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Alcatel N.V.
    Inventor: Reinhard Deeg
  • Patent number: 5191970
    Abstract: An equipment unit protection switch from an in-service equipment unit to a standby equipment unit is realized prior to any movement of the active equipment unit about to be removed from an equipment frame in which it is inserted. This is achieved by advantageously incorporating apparatus for generating an equipment unit removal indication signal that enables a controller to anticipate the removal of the equipment unit from the equipment frame. To this end, the equipment units employ an equipment unit latch and an associated switch to generate the equipment removal indication signal. Initial movement of the latch causes the equipment unit removal indication signal to be generated prior to any movement of the equipment unit in the frame in which it is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Robert C. Brockway, Philip S. Dietz, Lo C. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5191971
    Abstract: A multiple position wall mountable linear slide switch has a wheel disposed between a linearly moveable actuator and a stationary bearing surface for rolling the actuator in a linear path over the bearing surface upon application of an external sliding force to the actuator. The wheel carries a conductive axle for establishing an electrical connection between switch contacts defining each switch setting. The bearing surface has a plurality of detents, one associated with each switch setting, so that, as the actuator is moved from one position to another, the wheel rolls out of one detent then into another. This motion of the wheel automatically raises the axle away from the contacts at one setting then lowers the axle onto the contacts at an immediately subsequent setting as the actuator is moved between corresponding positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Susan S. Hakkarainen, Robert S. Hanna, Elliot G. Jacoby, Robert F. Taylor, III
  • Patent number: 5180051
    Abstract: A remotely controllable circuit breaker device for interrupting power in a circuit path between a source and a load includes local and remote monitoring capabilities and a worm-gear mechanism for reliable control of the interruption mechanism. The device includes a first contact and a second contact cooperatively arranged in the circuit path so as to provide current from the source to the load. At least one of the contacts are movable for interrupting the power provided to the load. The worm gear mechanism includes a motor with a rotatable shaft which responds to open and closed control signals generated from a remote location, and a gear, rotatably responsive to the rotatable shaft, for controlling the movable contact so that the circuit path is interrupted and established, respectively. The worm gear mechansim controls the movable contact using a coupling arrangement, which has a first part coupled to the movable contact and a second part coupled to the gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Cook, Daniel J. Runyan, Willard J. Rezac, Thomas A. Edds, Ronald J. Bilas
  • Patent number: 5155306
    Abstract: A switch substrate for a switching device that includes an electrical contact brush, the substrate formed with alternating conductive and insulating portions on its surface and having a groove formed between the conductive and insulating portions to eliminate insulating abrasion powder from the surface of the contact brush. The top of the conducting portions is higher than the bottom of the groove but can be above or below the surface of the insulating portions. To form such a substrate, a conductive layer having projections is formed and is engaged with a mold so that the projections are compressed. After the substrate is removed from the mold, the compressed projections extend to their actual height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Iijima, Masanori Takemura
  • Patent number: 5145058
    Abstract: A push button of a notebook computer key has a plate portion, a hook projection extending downward from the plate portion and having a distal outward hook end, and a conductive member spaced vertically downward from the plate portion. The hook projection extends into an upright hollow confining wall of a socket member. The top end of the socket member is provided with an inwardly extending peripheral flange to hinder movement of the distal hook end out of the receiving space to prevent detachment of the push button from the socket member. A circuit board is provided on a lower end of the socket member. An upright hollow guide projection extends from the circuit board and into the hollow confining wall of the socket member. The conductive member is disposed inside the guide projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: Sam-San Lee
  • Patent number: 5144104
    Abstract: A miniature switch device with tactile effect is disclosed comprising a printed circuit board with two conducting areas cooperating with a cap in the form of a spherical skull cap made from an electrically conducting and resiliently deformable material, this cap being maintained in electric contact, by its periphery, with the first conducting area, and extending, at rest, above the second conducting area, the second conducting area having an annular shape bordering a central cavity formed in the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Sextant Avionique
    Inventor: Claude Bedoya
  • Patent number: 5107082
    Abstract: A dual lighted rocker switch having a printed circuit board. Bi-pin terminated bulbs and conductive terminals are connected to a printed circuit board to form a sub-assembly. The sub-assembly is placed upon a cover, which is then slid in to place in a housing. The housing has a rib that acts as a stop to inhibit movement of a rocker which would cause the switch to short directly across the terminals of an external battery. The printed circuit board and cover improve the durability of the rocker switch. The printed circuit board is provided to make the assembly of the rocker switch easier. Thus the design of the switch provides for a reduction of cost and time in production of the rocker switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Judco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Valenzona
  • Patent number: 5072077
    Abstract: A membrane has strips of membrane material attached at their first end to an upper surface of the lower membrane layer. The strips stay flush with the upper surface when the electrically conductive material is patterned thereon such that material is contiguous along the strips and the upper surface. Adjacent the first end of the strips is a hole cut through the lower membrane layer. After the material is patterned and the hole is cut, the second end of the strip is peeled from the upper and rounded through the hole with the strip being folded back over itself. The second end of the strip may then extend externally of the membrane switch for connection to a switchable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Harold Klein
  • Patent number: 5038251
    Abstract: A thin electronic calculator having a circuit board unit in which an IC pellet is directly mounted on a film board and allowing easy mass-production is provided. Metal foil leads each having one end and the other end radially extending from the one end and having a larger width than the one end are formed on the film board. The IC pellet is bonded to one end portions of the metal foil leads through bump electrodes. The circuit board unit is fixed to a wiring board by an anisotropically electrical conductive adhesive. The other end of each metal foil lead is electrically connected to a corresponding connecting terminal formed on the wiring board. An electronic component assembly constituted by the circuit board unit and the wiring board is received in upper and lower covers, and is adhered by adhesive islands deposited on the covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Sugiyama, Shohei Sawada, Takashi Hinooka, Kaoru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5032695
    Abstract: A membrane key switch includes a single resiliently deformable dielectric membrane with flaps cut therein which is formed in a housing such that the end of each flap covers a portion of the membrane. Conductive traces of the membrane are positioned so that downward flexing of the flap, caused by actuation of the switch, establishes electrical contact between a contact region on the flap end and a contact region on an uncut portion of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Alps Electric (USA), Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Mullins
  • Patent number: 5004876
    Abstract: A pressure responsive switch having upper and lower contact assemblies with a snap acting member and an electrically conductive member sandwiched therebetween. The assemblies each include an insulating body with a hollow center and an electrically conductive member having a contact in the center portion and extending externally of the body. The snap acting member is in constant engagement with the sandwiched conductive member and normally in engagement with the electrically conductive member of the upper assembly. When a pressure is applied which is sufficient to cause the snap acting member to snap into its second stable state, the connection thereof with the electrically conductive member in the upper contact assembly is broken and connection is made with the electrically conductive member in the lower assembly. The switch is normally closed by removing the portion of the electrically conductive member in the lower assembly which extends externally thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dale R. Sogge, Edward F. O'Brien, David A. Czarn
  • Patent number: 5001308
    Abstract: A membrane switch comprises a pair of flexible sheets connected together with the respective inner surfaces thereof provided with contacts and terminals respectively connected to the contacts facing each other and spaced apart by a spacer, and an output flat cable held between the pair of flexible sheets with the leader lines thereof in electrical contact respectively with the terminals. One of the contacts is formed on the inner surface of one of the pair of flexible sheets by evaporation and etching. The rest of the contacts are formed on the inner surface of the other flexible sheet by evaporation and etching. A connecting film is formed over the periphery of the inner surface of at least one of the pair of flexible sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichirou Mori
  • Patent number: 5001316
    Abstract: An electrical switch including a housing having a planar electrically insulating interior surface on which is seated a printed circuit terminal board that has at least a pair of electrolytically deposited electrical terminals, and a rotatable contact plate having contacts for electrically connecting and disconnecting said terminals in a predetermined sequence, and a push-button stepping means operatively connected to the contact plate for selective rotation of said contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kamada II, Inc.
    Inventor: Mauricio Salaman
  • Patent number: 4998183
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved construction of a computer switch box, and, in particular comprises a data switch box which controls the switching of input and output signals of the data in a main frame. The improved construction of the interior structural body includes a combination of a circuit board, an input terminal seat, multiple sockets, an assembly of a plurality of pins arranged in rows, and multiple output terminal seats. By separately inserting an assembly of multiple pins arranged in rows into multiple corresponding sockets, the electric current is conducted through each of the input and output points, which will have been previously determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventor: Peter Chiang
  • Patent number: 4939491
    Abstract: A multipurpose combination barrier and auxiliary current transformer board is provided for a circuit breaker. The board is located at the rear of the circuit breaker housing to close an open portion of the housing and act as a barrier to prevent contact with internal circuit breaker components. Vent holes, provided in the bottom portion of the board, allow heat generated within the circuit breaker to be exhausted to the atmosphere. The top portion of the board serves as a mounting plate for the auxiliary current transformers. The top portion of the board is formed from a printed circuit board having an electric circuit disposed thereon for the connections between the main current transformers, auxiliary transformers and the electronic trip unit. Connectors are provided on the printed circuit board adjacent each auxiliary current transformer to connect the main current transformers to the printed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Gregg J. Nissly, Alan B. Shimp, Lance Gula
  • Patent number: 4922063
    Abstract: An electric data switch, e.g., a rotary switch, that selects data by moving contact portion along tracks of electrodes, in which a contact portion touches two or more electrodes simultaneously, and in which leads between terminals of the electrodes are arranged to avoid touching with the contact portion. This simplifies the switch, allowing it to be smaller and more durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiji Shimizu, Tuyoshi Nagae
  • Patent number: 4920342
    Abstract: A decodable alphanumeric membrane switchcore (12, 12a, 12b,100) of at least 36 key cells (55,122) including spaced circuits (16,17;105,115) having row and column traces (20-34, 40-47,51;106,116) and key cell elements (37,38,49;80;107,117) printed with ink having a resisitivity of at least about 10 ohms per square per 0.001" of ink thickness and having at least one path defined by a row trace, column trace and a key cell that has a resistance greater than 10,000 ohms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: W. H. Brady Co.
    Inventor: Norman G. Gratke