Cases And Bases Patents (Class 200/293)
  • Patent number: 7786831
    Abstract: A modular terminal for a molded case circuit breaker by which various types of terminals can be joined together and configuration and assembly are simplified, the modular terminal comprising a plurality of terminal bases each of which is provided for each phase, a terminal which is detachably supported at each terminal base, and a joint piece which connects a pair of the terminal bases adjacent to each other to form a terminal module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20100213042
    Abstract: An electric hand control, especially for electrically adjustable hospital and care beds and comprising a housing (1) constructed as a single trough shaped shell with a bottom and side walls, and wherein a printed circuit (2) with switches is mounted and above the switches there is a plate with tongue like shaped keys, and finally there is a cover foil (6) with indication of the keys and secured to the upper edge of the sides of the shell. As the housing is a single shell for one thing manufacturing of two difficult parts is avoided, for another assembling of these are avoided in the assembling process, and finally an assembling with a risk of leak is avoided. By further equipping the printed circuit and the cable with a plug (12a) the assembly is made easier. In this connection it is expedient that the spout (10) is equipped with an oval through going hole, so that the plug at the end of the cable can be led through the spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Verner Smidt, Bjarne Carstensen
  • Publication number: 20100200379
    Abstract: Switching device assembly for providing a switching function in a medium voltage switchgear system. A switching device (10) is positioned in a switching device housing (11). Terminals (14, 15) are connected to the switching device (10) and receiving ends (24, 25) thereof are provided for receiving an interface surface (26, 27) of respective conductor terminals (20, 21) of the medium voltage switchgear. Mounting assemblies are arranged to releasably fasten the terminals (14, 15) to the respective conductor terminals (20, 21) in operation. A switching device drive unit (30), to which the switching device housing (11) is mounted, is provided with sealable access points (31, 32), through which the mounting assemblies are reachable when opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Frederik Paul Schoten, Arend Jan Willem Lammers
  • Publication number: 20100200380
    Abstract: A switch assembly for a power tool comprises a switch member and a fixing part. The switch member comprises a finger grip part, a retaining part for retaining the switch member on a power tool, and an opening extending at least partially through the switch member, the retaining part arranged to project laterally with respect to an axis of the opening. The fixing part is arranged to be located in the opening. The switch assembly is arranged such that when the fixing part is at a first location in the opening, the retaining part adopts a retention configuration in which it projects laterally to a predetermined extent. When the fixing part is removed or at a second location in the opening, the retaining part adopts an insertion configuration in which it does not project laterally or projects less than the predetermined extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Ernst Staas, Ralf Bernhart, Michael Stirm, Achim Buchholz
  • Patent number: 7767920
    Abstract: A switch comprises a switch housing including a cover and a terminal block coupled with the cover. The cover is formed of a colored, laser transmissive material and the terminal block is formed of a laser non-transmissive material. A thin part is circularly formed in the cover formed of the colored laser transmissive material on the periphery side of the switch housing and is thinner than another part of the cover and a thermal welding part is circularly formed along the thin part by means of a laser beam for coupling the terminal block with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignees: Niles America Wintech, Inc., Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Matsuhashi, Atsuko Hildebrand, Anthony C. Bormes, Kenji Amimoto
  • Patent number: 7741572
    Abstract: A switching device module comprising a frame (2), the switching device module being adapted to be connected to another switching device module for providing a modular switching device. The frame (2) of the switching device module is provided with one or more wire troughs (8), each of which is adapted to receive at least one wire of an auxiliary circuit of said modular switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: ABB OY
    Inventors: Harri Mattlar, Rainer Kolmonen, Juho Salo, Osmo Pikkala, Aki Suutarinen, Jarkko Alanen, Martti Tuononen
  • Publication number: 20100147658
    Abstract: A control switch for a cooking range includes a mounting plate configured to be mounted in a control panel of the cooking range and a snap lock defined in the mounting plate. The snap lock includes a catch that orients the control switch in the control panel. The mounting plate also includes a keyed tab shaped to match the profile of the catch of the snap lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: ROBERT CHRIS STEFFENS
  • Publication number: 20100133078
    Abstract: An installation switching device having an insulating material housing with a front face and an attachment face connected by two broad faces and an input and an output narrow face; an input terminal; an output terminal, wherein a current path runs from the input terminal to the output terminal; a switching mechanism configured to open or close a main contact point so as to switch the current path off and on, respectively, the switching mechanism having a switching handle configured to operate the switching mechanism; and at least one phase connecting rail disposed in an interior of the housing close to and parallel to the attachment face and electrically and mechanically isolated from other components and assemblies in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Joachim Majewski, Erwin Muders
  • Publication number: 20100072045
    Abstract: A switch pole for interrupting an alternating electrical current has a supporting frame formed of insulating material. An interrupter extends in a longitudinal direction within the supporting frame between an input connection and an output connection and is configured to interrupt the alternating current between the input connection and the output connection. The input connection, the output connection, and the interrupter are held by the supporting frame. The insulating capacity of the supporting frame of the novel switch pole can be matched in a simple manner to the requirements placed respectively on the switch pole. For that purpose, the supporting frame has latching means for accommodating additional insulating parts, with which the insulating capacity of the supporting frame is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Karsten Freundt, Ralph Löser
  • Patent number: 7683277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector element for two installation breakers, adjacently attached with the broad faces thereof in contact, in particular, power breakers or residual current breakers, the housings of which are each formed from two dished housing pieces. The connector element comprises an approximately cylindrical base body with a first external diameter on the front side of which two radially-sprung, axially projecting first and second expanding arms are moulded. The external contours of the spreader arms lie on a cylindrical outer surface, the external diameter of which is smaller than the first external diameter of the base body. The free ends thereof comprise radially projecting lugs on opposed external lines, which, in the assembly state, clip behind recesses on the housings, for connection by means of the connector element, of adjacent installation breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Sellner, Matthias Bitz
  • Publication number: 20100061038
    Abstract: An electrical switching device which enables an electrical system, particularly a power distribution system, is structured rationally and simply. The switching device, in particular embodied in the form of a rail-mounted device, contains a housing and, included therein, a switching unit for interrupting an electrical circuit, and a supply connection for feeding a current to the switching unit. The supply connection has a first coupling contact for connecting to a current busbar, a load connection for connecting a feed conductor of a load circuit to the switching unit, and a return connection which has a connecting terminal for connecting to the return conductor of the load circuit and a second coupling contact connected to the connecting terminal inside the housing for connecting to a second current busbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: ELLENBERGER & POENSGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert Roth
  • Patent number: 7667151
    Abstract: Described is a device including a housing and a display arrangement. The housing is integrally formed (i.e., a single-piece housing) and has a predefined substantially transparent area. The housing has also at least one opening. The display arrangement is situated inside of the housing and is inserted into the housing through the opening and aligned with the predefined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Bellows, Eric M. Johnson, Thomas Wulff
  • Publication number: 20100038221
    Abstract: A transformer switch, such as a dual voltage switch or a tap changer. The switch includes a cover, a housing, and a rotor sandwiched between the cover and the housing. The cover and housing are molded from a non-conductive plastic. An interior space of the cover includes at least one pocket within which stationary contacts are disposed. Each stationary contact is electrically coupled to one or more windings of a transformer. The rotor extends within a channel of the housings from a top of the transformer switch to an interior surface of the cover. The interior surface includes a protrusion about which the rotor and at least one movable contact coupled thereto can rotate. The movable contact is configured to be selectively electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts. For example, different stationary contact-movable contact pairs can correspond to different voltages of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kurt Lawrence Lindsey, Randal Vernon Mallict, Rick Alan Rachwal, Patrick Harold Pride
  • Patent number: 7645953
    Abstract: An electrical conductor mount is provided for an accessory including a number of electrical conductors and an actuator. The electrical conductor mount includes an accessory enclosure from which or to which the electrical conductors extend. A mounting element is disposed on the enclosure proximate the electrical conductors external to the accessory enclosure. The mounting element includes a receiving portion structured to receive the electrical conductors, and a retaining portion retains the electrical conductors within the receiving portion. The mounting element mounts the electrical conductors in a position in which they do not obstruct operation of the actuator. The mounting element may be a resilient hook including a first end disposed on the enclosure of an accessory module. The retaining portion may be a hook disposed on the second end of the resilient hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Erik R. Bogdon, Thomas A. Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20100000845
    Abstract: A keypad lifting mechanism includes a first board, a second board and a third board. The second board is positioned between the first board and the third board. The first board has a plurality of wedges. The third board has a plurality of protrusions. The second board has a plurality of resisting members. When the second board is pushed away the first board and the third board, the second board is raised relative to the first board by engagement of the wedges and the resisting member, and the third board is raised relative to the second board by engagement of the resisting members and the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: ZHI-GANG ZOU, ZHI-GANG PENG, ZHI-LAN CHEN, TAO YIN, ZHI-QIANG SHI
  • Publication number: 20100000844
    Abstract: A keypad lifting mechanism includes a fixing board, a first board, a guiding frame and a second board. Two stopping members are fixed on the fixing board. The first board is slidable relative to the fixing board. A plurality of wedges are formed on the guiding frame. The second board includes a plurality of protrusions. The second board slides up or down relative to the first board by engagement of the protrusions of the second board and the wedges of the first board. When the first board is moved relative to the fixing board, the guiding frame is stopped by the stopping members and the second board moving relative to the guiding frame so as to move up or down the second board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: ZHI-GANG ZOU, ZHI-GANG PENG, ZHI-LAN CHEN, TAO YIN, ZHI-QIANG SHI
  • Patent number: 7638722
    Abstract: A switch element is enclosed in the enclosure. The switch element includes a movable piece designed to move along a straight line between a switch-on position and a switch-off position. An operating piece is located along the outer surface of the enclosure. A connecting piece is located along the inner surface of the enclosure. The connecting piece is connected to the movable piece of the switch element. A sliding piece extends around the edge of the enclosure to connect one end of the operating piece to one end of the connecting piece. The sliding piece is designed to slide on the edge of the enclosure. The movable piece of the switch element moves between the switch-on position and the switch-off position in response to the movement of the operating piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Iijima
  • Patent number: 7635821
    Abstract: The invention provides a remote controller which can prevent a discordant rattle noise and an operation sound of a button from being generated without deteriorating operability of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shingo Hamada
  • Publication number: 20090301849
    Abstract: A switch structure integrated with a display and playback device is provided. Therein, a lower housing has a rectangular through-hole, a conductor through-hole, a terminal through-hole and a guide post formed peripherally with semi-cylindrical ribs. The display and playback device is equipped with a bus line and display and playback device terminals, and covered with a display and playback device housing, which in turn is covered by a transparent cover. A conductor and a terminal are inserted in the conductor through-hole and the terminal through-hole, respectively. Resilient elements are provided between the lower housing and an actuation element having a guide post through-hole for cooperating with the guide post. Upon movement of the actuation element relative to the lower housing, the ribs on the guide post make contact with an inner wall of the guide post through-hole, allowing the actuation element to move smoothly, vertically relative to the lower housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Gear Chu
  • Patent number: 7626833
    Abstract: A switch assembling structure is provided. The switch assembling structure includes a body and a side plate. The assembling structure can be conveniently and fast assembled by buckling and plugging operations. The assembling structure is adapted for substituting the conventional assembling methods such as riveting and screwing, so as to save the production cost and improve the overall yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7619172
    Abstract: A micro switch is mounted onto a mounting base attached to a controller of an automatic icemaker. The micro switch generates a signal for controlling the amount of water to be filled in an ice tray. The micro switch is fixed to the mounting base by the first fixing member and the second fixing member. The first fixing member is inserted through a mounting hole formed in a case of the micro switch. The second fixing member is arranged on a surface of the mounting base on an opposite side of a surface mounted with the micro switch, and is fixed to the first fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Nidec Servo Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Maehara, Eiji Kuroda, Yoshitaka Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20090266689
    Abstract: An electronic device adapted to be mounted on a circuit board is disclosed. A housing is made of an insulative material. The housing includes a first face adapted to oppose the circuit board, a second face and a third face which respectively intersect with the first face. A cover covers a part of the housing and is made of a conductive material. An earth contact member is made of a conductive material and integrally molded with the housing. The earth contact member has a first terminal extending from the first face to the second face and a second terminal disposed on the third face and being in contact with the cover. The first terminal is adapted to be soldered on an earth circuit on the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Hidetake Kikuchi, Takashi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7609137
    Abstract: An electrical switching device having at least one pole includes a housing of an insulating material, and an incoming terminal contact and an outgoing terminal contact associated with a first pole. Each of the terminal contacts includes a first connection device for connection of a first external electrical conductor. At least one of the terminal contacts includes a second connection device for pluggable connection of a second electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Roesner, Karsten Gerving, Guenter Baujan, Klaus Dauer
  • Publication number: 20090260963
    Abstract: A vehicle switch includes a switch unit formed of a wiring board and an operating unit placed over the wiring board, a housing accommodating the wiring board, and a supporting member elastically deformable and placed in the housing for supporting the wiring board. This structure allows preventing switch contacts and the wiring board from being damaged although a great load or shock is applied to the operating unit, so that the vehicle switch can be reliably operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Hideaki ETO
  • Patent number: 7601925
    Abstract: A fixing device for mounting a button having a switch includes a base defining a though hole for receiving the switch, two first mounting walls adjacent to the through hole configured for clipping the button, a second mounting wall adjacent to the through hole and including a first blocking portion, an elastic piece adjacent to the through hole, and a third mounting wall extending from the elastic piece and including a second blocking portion. The first mounting walls are spaced by the through hole and located at two opposite sides of the through hole. Each first mounting wall includes a hook. The hooks are opposite to each other configured for clipping the button. The second mounting wall and the elastic piece are located at another two opposite sides of the through hole. The first blocking portion and the second blocking portion are configured for blocking the button therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lian-Chen Li, Guang-Yao Lee, Pin-Shian Wu, Hsuan-Tsung Chen
  • Publication number: 20090242366
    Abstract: A circuit breaker enables selective left, right or a combination of both side connection to a power conductor, such as a cable or wire. Side connection eliminates the need for large radius U-bends of the power conductor that is normally required when using top connection circuit breakers. An electrically non-conductive cavity commonly defined by left and right sides of the circuit breaker housing receives the power conductor in a connector such as a lug. The circuit breaker may have a visualization window oriented to observe whether excessive cable is projecting out of the lug, so as to confirm compliance with electrical code over surface spacing requirements. In some embodiments, the circuit breaker lugs are vertically oriented above its front cover surface in a receptacle portion of the housing. The receptacle may be constructed for selective lug orientation in horizontal or vertical positions by the installer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Simmons
  • Patent number: 7589291
    Abstract: A mounting accessory for installation behind the cover plate of a handle to mount a switch device behind the cover plate includes a body having mounting formations using which the switch device can be fastened to the mounting accessory and a cable clamp for a wire attached to the switch device. The mounting accessory is formed with an installation hole for fastening the mounting accessory to the cover plate using a screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Abloy OY
    Inventors: Jarmo Saarinen, Pauli Hernesniemi
  • Patent number: 7586057
    Abstract: A vented case is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including an arc chute structured to attract and dissipate an arc. The arc produces an ionized gas. The vented case includes at least one housing member comprising an interior, an exterior, a first end, a second end disposed generally opposite and distal from the first end, and an intermediate portion extending between the first end and the second end. The vented case also includes at least one vent structured to discharge the ionized gas from the interior of such housing member to the exterior of such housing member. Such vent includes a plurality of venting passages, each extending from proximate the arc chute within the interior to the exterior. An electrical switching apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Glen C. Sisson, Mark O. Zindler, Craig A. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7586052
    Abstract: An electromechanical switching device, a switching device arrangement and an electric connection module are disclosed. In order to make it easier to connect an electromechanical switching device, a switching device is provided with a base body, and with a connection module that can be connected to the base body and has at least one connection terminal for a main current path of the switching device. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a modular construction is used instead of the integrated design used in previous switching devices. For that purpose, a number of connection terminals are combined into one or more connection modules for each switching device, and the connection modules can be mounted individually and independently from the base body of the switching device. This makes it possible to pre-wire the connection terminals without the actual switching device. Only afterwards does the base body of the switching device need to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Adunka, Berthold Heldmann
  • Patent number: 7586054
    Abstract: A switch assembly comprises first and second tact switches located on a printed circuit board (PCB) at a predetermined interval, a shuttle body having a pair of tension ribs, including a first tension rib and a second tension rib located in parallel with each other, to turn on/off the first and the second tact switches, and a knob holding shaft provided between the first and the second tension ribs, a manipulation knob connected to the knob holding shaft of the shuttle body, rotating between a position where the manipulation knob presses one of the first and the second tension ribs to operate the corresponding tact switch and a position where the manipulation knob releases the tension rib, and a spring member connected with the knob holding shaft of the shuttle body elastically pressing the manipulation knob to the releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-ki Jin
  • Publication number: 20090200145
    Abstract: A control unit including a monitoring apparatus is disclosed, with the monitoring apparatus having an operating element and an attachment element. In at least one embodiment, the control unit is in two parts and includes an operating unit and switching elements. The required spatial association between the operating unit and the switching element is intended to be monitored in a cost-effective and reliable manner. For this purpose, when the monitoring apparatus is installed correctly, at least one second switching element can be operated by way of an operating member, and a first switching element is operated at the same time by way of the operating element of the monitoring apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Josef Scherl, Rudolf Zimmermann
  • 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: 7564001
    Abstract: A switch includes a case having an upper surface with a hole provided therein, an operating unit inserted in the hole so as to be movable up and down, plural switch contacts arranged to be activated upon the operating unit moving up and down, and a guide wall protruding downward from an inner edge of the hole. The operating unit has a side surface facing the guide wall. The guide wall has a cutout provided therein. This switch operates reliably with a good operational feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7564000
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing, a pillar and a fixing unit. The housing comprises a side-wall, an opening and a first positioning portion, wherein the opening is formed on the side-wall, and the first positioning portion is disposed in the housing corresponding to the side-wall. The fixing unit comprises an arm, and a second positioning portion, wherein the pillar is disposed on the arm, the second positioning portion is disposed on an end of the arm, the pillar is inserted into the opening to prevent the fixing unit from moving in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction perpendicular to the second direction, and when the fixing unit is in a fixing orientation, the second positioning portion contacts the first positioning portion, the first positioning portion prevents the fixing unit from moving in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: I-Tai Chen, Jui-Ting Tsai
  • Patent number: 7563999
    Abstract: A test switch is provided having front and rear sides. The test switch includes a base to which a plurality of switch units are mounted. A row of upper terminals are removably mounted to the base, above the switch units, and a row of lower terminals are removably mounted to the base below the switch units. The upper and lower terminals are adapted for connection to wiring from the front side of the test switch. Upper and lower covers are releasably attached to the base and extend across the rows of upper and lower terminals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ag
    Inventors: Roy Ball, Todd Alan Gentile, Timothy Frankland Masters
  • Patent number: 7550690
    Abstract: In an electric-circuit-containing box including an upper case having a side provided with a hole and a lower case having a side provided with a projection to be fitted in the hole, moisture is prevented from entering the box from the hole of the upper case by a capillary phenomenon. A recess separate from an inside surface of an upper case is provided around a projection of a side of a lower case. Thus, a specified interval is ensured between the periphery of the projection of the side of the lower case and the hole of the upper case. Accordingly, even if moisture attached to an upper part of the upper case flows to the vicinity of the hole 1b along an outside surface of the upper case, there does not occur a state that the moisture passes through between both the cases from the hole by the capillary phenomenon and enters inner spaces of both the cases and in which a board and electronic parts are contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Shimizu, Hideyo Kakuno
  • Patent number: 7545247
    Abstract: A terminal shield is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a case having a first housing member, a second housing member coupled to and disposed opposite from the first housing member, a first end, a second end, a number of terminals, and a number of terminal openings. Each of the first and second housing members has a first side and a second side. The terminal shield includes at least one pair of protrusions extending outwardly from the case on opposing sides of a corresponding one of the terminal openings. Each protrusion has an interior surface facing a corresponding one of the terminals, and an exterior surface disposed opposite the interior surface. The exterior surface of each protrusion aligns with the first side of a corresponding one of the first and second housing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark O. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20090133997
    Abstract: To obtain a member for a push button switch having a natural metallic impression and an upscale impression; enabling a precise arrangement of the push buttons; being capable of being made thinner; and being difficult to get stained, there is provided a member for a push button switch having a configuration in which a gap between adjacent metal push buttons is filled with a transparent organic polymer material, the transparent organic polymer material including a transparent resin sheet extending from an interior surface of the gap to a ceiling surface side of the push button, and a transparent rubber-like elastic material disposed inside the transparent resin sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kato, Hitoshi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7514642
    Abstract: A remote function actuator with pressure equalization. A base or enclosure of the actuator (key fob) has one or more openings covered by a breathable waterproof membrane. The opening allows pressure equalization between the inside of the actuator and the outside environment, and the membrane material maintains the enclosure watertight for the electronic system positioned inside the actuator. Positioning the membrane in a recess and/or under a cover member helps protect the membrane from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation GmbH
    Inventors: John Burca, Frank Goemmel
  • Publication number: 20090065334
    Abstract: A plurality of vertical bends are provided in a terminal projecting from a switch contact outwardly of a case. With this structure, when the terminal is soldered to a land on a wiring board, a plurality of solder layers are formed between the plurality of bends and the land. The plurality of solder layers can enhance the terminal strength, thereby preventing the switch from coming or floating off from the wiring board. Thus, a switch capable of ensuring reliable operation can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Yasufuku, Kenji Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20090050452
    Abstract: A switching device includes a housing having an exterior surface with at least one opening in the surface. An inner edge of the opening is for receiving and securing solid bodies. At least a portion of the inner edge of the opening includes an integral weld tab which is raised above a level of the exterior surface. A sensing body includes a sensing structure operable to sense at least one condition. The sensing body has an outer surface that is disposed partially within the housing and secured to the edge of the opening by the weld tab, wherein the weld tab provides weld material physically bonding the outer surface of the sensing body to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Brose, Michael Skarlupka, Gregory Laue
  • Publication number: 20090045040
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Maninder S. Bharaj, Richard C. Tsou
  • Publication number: 20090038920
    Abstract: In a switching device (1), in particular a line circuit breaker and/or a residual current circuit breaker, having a housing (2) and having switching contacts for closing and/or opening at least one circuit, wherein a tripping apparatus for automatically disconnecting the switching contacts is provided, wherein the housing (2) has at least one front side (3), the invention proposes, for the purpose of meeting changing requirements from the market or the customers quickly, flexibly and at favourable cost, clipping a cover cap (4) onto the front side (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: MOELLER GEBĂ„UDEAUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Ernst Hammermayer
  • Patent number: 7482546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector element for two installation breakers, adjacently attached with the broad faces thereof in contact, the housings of which are each formed from two dished housing pieces. The connector element comprises an approximately cylindrical base body with a first external diameter, on the front side of which two radially-sprung, axially projecting first and second expanding arms are moulded. The external contours of the spreader arms lie on a cylindrical outer surface, the external diameter of which is smaller than the first external diameter of the base body. The free ends thereof comprise radially projecting lugs on opposed external lines, which, in the assembled state clip behind recesses on the housings, for connection by means of the connector element, of adjacent installation breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Sellner, Matthias Bitz
  • Patent number: 7479610
    Abstract: An insulating part (20) is provided for a high voltage switch of a metal-enclosed circuit-breaker system and is executed as a pressure-gelated casting on the base of a polymeric composite material. It comprises a base-plate (21) with a centrally arranged large through-hole (23) for receiving a current terminal lead of the high voltage switch and with small through-holes (24, 25) for receiving fastening screws. The insulating part further comprises two bearing blocks (22) for receiving a shaft of a movable contact of a contact arrangement of the switch and at least a first collar (26) which surrounds the large through-hole (23). For reason of the execution as a pressure-gelated casting the insulating part (20) can be manufactured easily with low costs but with high precision. In general a finish-maching of the casting is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Abb Research Ltd
    Inventors: Guido Meier, Jean-Claude Mauroux, Leopold Ritzer
  • Publication number: 20080308398
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus, an imaging apparatus, and a printer are provided. The electronic apparatus includes a main body case; a cover that is provided on the main body case so as to be openable and closable; a button, which is provided on the cover, for making a pressing operation; and a switch that is provided on the main body case, the switch being pressed by receiving a pressing force from the button in a state where the cover is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ito
  • Publication number: 20080271980
    Abstract: The one body style keypad according to the present invention has the advantages that a keypad of ultra-thin dimensions is obtained, a visually high-quality presentation is realized due to the inherent luster of synthetic resin, and the manufacturing costs can be reduced because of low-cost synthetic resin unlike conventional keypads, since a key top, a base, and a front housing are formed into a self-contained single unit by the thin strip made of a synthetic resin member with respect to an one body style keypad according to the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: SAMYOUNG TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae-Sik Seo
  • Patent number: 7446667
    Abstract: A switch apparatus for activating an alarm function of an alarm circuit on a motherboard of a portable computer, the switch apparatus includes a switch mounted on the motherboard and a pressing device mounted on a base. The pressing device includes a pressing member deformable via an outside force to depress the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiong-Dong Peng, Ke-Cheng Lin, Chien-Li Tsai, Wen-Kang Lo, Jie Zhang, Mao-Chang Huang
  • Publication number: 20080245643
    Abstract: A button device for an electronic device includes a transparent active button (10); a switch module (20) located behind the active button, and a holder (30) for holding the switch module therein fixed in the electronic device. The switch module includes a switch base (22), and an actuatable switch head (21) incorporated with the switch base, the switch head includes a luminous component with electric connection to a power supply of the electronic device, the luminous component is configured to be pressed by the active button for urging the switch module to switch on or off the power supply and indicate an on or off state of the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUN-LUNG CHEN, QING-HAO WU
  • Publication number: 20080237006
    Abstract: An accessory assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing. The accessory assembly includes at least one accessory and a mounting member structured to mount such accessory within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member includes at least one mounting portion. Such mounting portion receives and secures a corresponding one of the at least one accessory, without a number of separate fasteners. The corresponding accessory is removable from such mounting portion, without a number of separate tools. The at least one mounting portion may be a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, and the at least one accessory may be a plurality of primary accessories coupled to the first mounting portion, and a number of secondary accessories coupled to the second mounting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Erik R. Bogdon, Thomas A. Whitaker, James M. Smeltzer, Robert S. Estok