Seal For Push Button Actuator Patents (Class 200/302.2)
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Publication number: 20120085631Abstract: A waterproof structure for a press switch of a flashlight is disclosed. The flashlight to be used in water or high-moisture environments has a flashlight body formed as a whole by using a rigid plastic material and the press switch integratedly formed, by using a non-rigid plastic material, about a border between a lighting segment and a handle segment of the flashlight body, so that the press switch combined with the flashlight body as an integrated member is able to form a circuit between conductive contacts inside the flashlight body and batteries assembled between the conductive contacts or break the circuit, so as to turn on or off a light bulb of the flashlight, without the concern that external rainwater or moisture may intrude into the flashlight.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Wang
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Patent number: 8138434Abstract: A waterproof press key includes a key body, a rigid support component, and a waterproofing ring. The key body is made of a resilient material, and includes a top wall and a surrounding wall extending downwardly from the top wall. The rigid support component includes a supporting portion that is disposed at the surrounding wall. The waterproofing ring projects from the outer wall surface of the surrounding wall. The supporting portion overlaps with at least a part of a height section of the surrounding wall from which the waterproofing ring projects to thereby enhance the waterproofing effect of the waterproof press key.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Wen-Lang Tang, Wen-Hsin Wang
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Publication number: 20120061216Abstract: A seal structure for a switch mechanism includes a switch disposed in a housing, an operating member protruding forward from the housing through an opening formed in the housing and configured to turn on or off the switch, a rubber cover attached to the operating member from a front-side of the operating member and having a rear end engageable with the opening, and a fixing cover fixed to the operating member from outside the rubber cover so as to integrate the rubber cover with the operating member. In this seal structure, the rubber cover seals gap between the opening and the operating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventor: Takahiro KAWAKAMI
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Patent number: 8129639Abstract: An emblem-unified trunk opening and closing device may include a housing including an outer case and an inner case, wherein the outer case is attached to a stationary member and includes a guide hole and the inner case includes a guide passage, a knob attached to the outer case of the housing, wherein the knob includes an emblem configured to be movable through the guide hole of the outer case, a connector provided in the guide passage of the inner case and to which a terminal electrically contacting an outer electric source is set, a printed circuit board (“PCB”) disposed inside the guide passage of the inner case and configured to electrically contact the terminal, and a contact unit configured to selectively contact the PCB by actuation force of the emblem so as to apply an electric current to the terminal of the connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Sun Kyoung Youn, Phil Jung Jeong, Sang Won Lee, Jae Young Kang
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Patent number: 8115126Abstract: A control arrangement for use in a medical or surgical instrument, which arrangement includes a keypad for providing manual control functions to a user of the instrument, a retainer clip and a sealing member. The keypad and retainer clip are located within an opening formed in the instrument housing, whereby when the retainer clip is assembled to the housing, the retainer clip automatically causes the sealing member to sealingly engage with a corresponding sealing surface defined adjacent the housing opening, without the need for the use of additional sealing agents.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Wenjie Deng, William H. L. Chang
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Patent number: 8110760Abstract: An electrical switch comprises first and second switch elements each including a respective electrically conductive flexible dome for selectively making an electrical connection. The second switch element is adjacent the first switch element. An actuator is movable for exerting force on the first and second switch elements, wherein the flexible dome of the first switch element makes connection to a first electrical conductor when the actuator moves a first distance and the flexible dome of the second switch element makes the electrical connection to a second electrical conductor when the actuator moves a second distance in addition to the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Peter J. Ziegenfuss, Mark W. Snyder
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Publication number: 20120000756Abstract: A push button of a medical manipulating part comprising: a first, pot-shaped, shell-shaped or box-shaped housing piece, at least some sections of which contain conductive material, with an integrally molded switching spring and a continuous wall, a second housing piece, the shape of which mates with the wall of the first housing piece and is inserted therein in a hermetically sealed manner such that a hollow space is formed between the first and second housing pieces underneath the switching spring and at least one mating contact for the switching spring, said mating contact being hermetically sealed and electrically isolated relative to the first housing piece, being led through the second housing piece and extending into the hollow space underneath the switching spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Uwe Schnitzler, Martin Hagg, Jürgen Beller
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Patent number: 8089014Abstract: A waterproof push button switch does not need to be covered with a resin to a height at which a divided connected portion of a case for the switch is hidden by the resin in a height direction and the divided connected portion may be waterproofed. A gap (55, 57) is formed between a peripheral wall portion 7b of a base case 7 and a second cylindrical wall portion 9b of a cover case 9, and between an opposite surface 41 of the cover case 9 and a waterproofing seal member 11. The gap (55, 57) extends from an opening portion of the base case fitting chamber 37 to an annular watertight seal portion 51 to completely surround a periphery of the watertight seal portion 51. The thickness of the gap portion 55 is determined so that the resin entered into the gap portion 55 from an opening portion 37a of the base case fitting chamber 37 reaches the watertight seal portion 51 by surface tension.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Maeda, Morio Tada
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Patent number: 8089017Abstract: A mobile electronic device has a dome switch assembly secured to the housing of the device, over a recess formed in the housing of device. The dome switch assembly has a substrate with a vent hole communicating between the recess of the housing and the space comprised between the substrate and a dome actuation portion of the dome switch assembly. Upon actuation of the dome switch assembly, air present between the dome actuation portion and the substrate flows into the recess of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Chao Chen, Vijai Rajagopal
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Publication number: 20110308925Abstract: A side wall and a top wall are integrally formed at the interior of a tubular case, which houses a switch. A cap member is fitted on the top of this case, and a flexible seal member is mounted on the top wall by way of a seal cover having a corner portion which is formed as a curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventor: Takahisa Kitahara
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Patent number: 8067708Abstract: An electrical appliance housing including a hard plastic housing body defining a switch-actuating aperture. The aperture is sealed with a soft plastic membrane. An actuating button is fastened to a hard plastic base that is bonded to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Karl Herzog, Thomas Fritsch
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Publication number: 20110278144Abstract: The invention relates to an actuation unit of a moving part (1) of a motor vehicle, in particular a rear hood (1), comprising an actuation part (10) that is fastened to a housing part (20), at least two conductor elements (21) disposed on the housing part (20), an elastically deformable contact element (22) that cooperates with the conductor elements (21), a plunger (11), which is disposed at the actuation part (10), for deforming the contact element (22). According to the invention, the actuation part (10) and the housing part (20) delimit an internal space (2) that is totally closed off from the environment (3), and the actuation part (10) is mounted pivotably about an axis (4) that runs axisymetrically with respect to the internal space (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2009Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Peter Ulomek
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Patent number: 8049121Abstract: The invention relates to control unit for a domestic appliance, especially for a washing machine with a fascia panel (10) to which is assigned at least one control button (16), indicator (18) or similar arranged within a panel opening (12, 14), with a board 22 for mounting at least one electrical or electronic component (24, 26, 28) arranged at a distance behind the fascia panel (10), and with a sealing element (34) arranged between the fascia panel (10) and the board (22) by means of which the at least one electrical or electronic component (24, 26, 28) is to be protected against water or similar, whereby the sealing element (34) is attached to the fascia panel (10) of the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Herbert Kleinlein, Lothar Knopp, Thomas Ludenia
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Patent number: 8049122Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing forming an opening. A push switch is connected to a test circuit to enable testing of the test circuit in accordance with closing the push switch. A flexible membrane is formed in the opening and configured to form a seal between the housing and the flexible membrane. The flexible membrane is located in an operative relationship with the push switch such that pushing the flexible membrane results in a displacement of the push switch.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventor: Russell T. Watford
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Patent number: 8050019Abstract: A keypad suitable for use with a mobile communication or a handheld device. The keypad includes an actuator component formed from multiple materials and comprises a plurality of actuators, a sealing bead and/or a light guide. The sealing bead is formed from a flexible or compressible material such as silicone rubber. When the keypad is installed the sealing bead is compressed against the mounting surface in the device and provides a seal for the keypad against environmental agents such as moisture, dust and/or electrostatic discharges.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Dietmar Frank Wennemer, Chao Chen, Timothy Herbert Kyowski
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Patent number: 8049123Abstract: A waterproof button mechanism of a computer input device has a bottom case having a coding module and at least two micro switches mounted therein and connected with the inner case. Two mounting holes are formed on a front end of the inner case to respectively correspond to the two micro switches on the bottom case. Two waterproof assemblies are respectively mounted on the two mounting holes. A top cover is mounted on the inner case. Two slots are formed through a front end of the top cover. A button is movably mounted in the slot and a front end of the button corresponds to the waterproof assembly. When the button is pressed down, the input device is operated by triggering the micro switches through the waterproof assembly. The waterproof mechanism is waterproof function to be added without sacrificing easy customization of appearance.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Kye Systems Corp.Inventors: Ding-Teng Hou, Zai-Fu Yang
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Patent number: 8030586Abstract: An electronic switch may include a horizontal bottom plate, a top side of the plate may support at least two electrical contacts. A contactor may be positioned on the top side of the plate and may be elastically deformable to electrically link the at least two electrical contacts. A pushbutton may be positioned vertically above the contactor such that manual displacement of the pushbutton downward may provoke the elastic deformation of the contactor. A first elastic sheet may include a top film protecting the contactor. The top film may be fixed to the top side of the plate to secure the contactor vertically on the plate to form an opening so that the pushbutton may act directly on the contactor. A second elastic sheet may position the pushbutton horizontally relative to the contactor on a top side of which the top film may be fixed.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLCInventors: Jean-Christophe Villain, Michel Cour
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Patent number: 8022322Abstract: A key switch arrangement is able to prevent liquid such as water from entering a membrane sheet and staying therein. The key switch arrangement includes a waterproof sheet arranged above the membrane sheet, a first fixing member arranged in above the waterproof sheet and having a first projection protruding on the side of the waterproof sheet, and a second fixing member arranged below the membrane sheet and having a second projection protruding on the side of the membrane sheet. In the waterproof sheet and the second projection, holes are formed to which the first projection enters, while in the membrane sheet, a hole is formed to which the second projection enters so as to adhere the waterproof sheet closely to the second projection.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Yamada, Yasushi Takagi
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Patent number: 8022323Abstract: The present invention aims at achieving the object of keeping a contact housing portion liquid tight sealed and to improve the durability of a switch apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Watada, Masanori Endo
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Publication number: 20110214976Abstract: A waterproof operating device has a pressure resistant housing including a support surface with one or more openings therethrough; a cover plate having corresponding openings therethrough; an elastic member having opposing major surfaces facing the support and cover plates with a protrusion extending from one major surface through an opening in the support surface. A button shaft extends through each pair of aligned openings into the protrusion. Each opposing major surface of the elastic member is maintained in direct continuous contact with the cover and support plates from the openings in the support and cover plates outward to beyond an area covered by the head portion of the button. The protrusion is dimensional for the selected elastic material and button dimensions to resist elongation from water pressure at greater than sixty meter depths, sufficient to actuate a switch element proximal to the distal end of the protrusion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: PIONEER & CO., INC.Inventor: Nathan D. BLOCH
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Patent number: 8008591Abstract: A key button structure (10) for using in a portable electronic device (100) is provided. The key button structure (10) include a housing (14) having a joining portion (1428) formed on the outer wall (1422) of the housing (14) and a key body (124) have a mating portion (1245) formed thereon corresponding with the joining portion (1428).Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventors: Zheng Shi, Chih-Chiang Chang
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Patent number: 7990731Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing defining a through hole, a circuit board fixed in the housing, including a switch and a grounding portion connecting with the ground, a fastening member received in the through hole fixed on the housing and contacting the grounding portion, passing static electricity therethrough and defining a mounting hole, and an actuating member received in the mounting hole and contacting the fastening member, and pressing the switch when actuated; wherein the fastening member and the actuating member are conductive.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shi-Kun Guo, Ke-Hui Peng, Guo-Ping Yao
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Patent number: 7964811Abstract: A moisture-proof push-button switch module includes a first casing unit, a second casing unit, a first movable structure, and a push structure. The first casing unit has a first outer moisture-proof structure disposed around its outer side. The first casing unit has a first receiving room, a second receiving room, and an opening communicating between the second receiving room and the external environment. The second casing unit is mated with the first casing unit. The second casing unit has a second outer moisture-proof structure and a first moisture block, and the first outer moisture-proof structure and the second outer moisture-proof structure are mated with each other. The first movable structure has a first movable element mated with the first moisture block. The push structure passes through the opening in order to selectably push the first movable element.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chia-Wei Lin, Chi-Meng Phang, Chen-Hong Huang
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Patent number: 7938460Abstract: A latch release operating apparatus release a latch state of a door, for example, a vehicle door. The apparatus includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes a case having a hollow portion; a base plate arranged in the hollow portion, the base plate having an electrically conducting portion; a member made of electrically non-conducting material arranged at the electrically conducting portion of the base plate; and a cover for closing the hollow portion. At least one of the case and the cover is provided with a breathing hole so that an interior of the enclosure communicates with an exterior of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsuyuki Ishiguro
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Patent number: 7910848Abstract: Keypad devices have become commonplace in everyday life. They are part of our everyday life, in the form of pocket calculators, telephones, remote control devices, and cellular phones. Cleaning these keypad devices is problematic, since they have a large number of actuatable keys, due to the functions to be performed. As a mechanical interface in the keypad device, each key is a critical weak point in terms of maintaining a tight seal. An easy-to-clean keypad device, in particular an emergency call device, has a main body, an electronic assembly—which includes circuit elements and is installed in main body—a closing shell and keys, which are installed in closing shell and are designed to mechanically actuate the circuit elements. Closing shell with installed keys is a first preinstalled assembly, and main body with installed electronic assembly is a second preinstalled assembly. The first and second preinstalled assemblies are interconnected such that they may be separated.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Markus Thuersam, Wilhelm Weissgerber, Joachim Kwasny, Falk Herrmann, Sonja Tiedemann, Peter Theunissen
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Patent number: 7897888Abstract: A device and method for a key fob. The key fob device can include a housing, a lid defining one or more apertures, a circuit board including one or more switches, and a flexible film coupled to the housing and/or the lid. The flexible film can include one or more contact surfaces and stylized graphics.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Strattec Security CorporationInventor: Steven J. Dimig
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Publication number: 20110042192Abstract: A waterproof button mechanism of a computer input device has a bottom case having a coding module and at least two micro switches mounted therein and connected with the inner case. Two mounting holes are formed on a front end of the inner case to respectively correspond to the two micro switches on the bottom case. Two waterproof assemblies are respectively mounted on the two mounting holes. A top cover is mounted on the inner case. Two slots are formed through a front end of the top cover. A button is movably mounted in the slot and a front end of the button corresponds to the waterproof assembly. When the button is pressed down, the input device is operated by triggering the micro switches through the waterproof assembly. The waterproof mechanism is waterproof function to be added without sacrificing easy customization of appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: KYE SYSTEMS CORP.Inventors: Ding-Teng Hou, Zai-Fu Yang
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Patent number: 7872204Abstract: A watertight switch comprises a cover and a base assembled together to form an accommodating space for mounting a switching module therein. The cover and the base, at the combination interface therebetween, respectively have a first junction interface and a second junction interface, which are inwardly shrunk to form a binding gap, the binding gap is gummed by an adhesive for fixedly combining and positioning the first and the second junction interfaces, and the adhesive will fill the binding gap without flowing over the first and the second junction interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.Inventor: Wen-Lung Lin
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Patent number: 7871214Abstract: According to one embodiment, a keyboard unit that includes a keyboard body having a key top and a detecting unit detecting water. The detecting unit is positioned on the keyboard body so as to facing to an under side of the key top.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hironori Motoe, Ken Hatano
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Publication number: 20110005908Abstract: A key mechanism for actuating a circuit board includes a housing whereon an opening is formed, a key button installed inside the opening of the housing, and a waterproof structure installed between the key button and the circuit board for preventing fluid from leaking into the circuit board via an interface of the housing and the key button. A space is formed between the waterproof structure and the key button for containing the fluid leaking from the interface of the housing and the key button. The space is lower than the interface of the housing and the key button.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: Yung-Feng Lin, Mei-Hui Chen
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Publication number: 20100294636Abstract: A sealed pushbutton switch includes an insulative housing defining a cavity, an actuator moveably retained in the insulative housing, a base conglutinated to the insulative housing by glue, a number of fixed contacts assembled to the base, a spring mounted below the actuator, and a moveable contact mounted on the actuator and provided with a number of contact portions in contact with corresponding fixed contacts. The moveable contact is moveable with the actuator from a first position to a second position relative to the insulative housing along a top-to-bottom direction to disengage the fixed contacts. The base defines a first slot formed along an edge of a inner face of said base and a second slot formed on a position of the inner face except the edge, the second slot have a connection with the first slot so as to retain glue therein when said base and said housing are fastened together by said glue.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Xin-Yun Peng
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Patent number: 7838784Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus has a housing. The housing has a first chamber to house circuit components, a second chamber parted from the first chamber, and a keyboard mounting portion to mount a keyboard. The keyboard mounting portion and second chamber are communicatively connected through a liquid inlet. A liquid outlet opening from the second chamber to the housing is formed below the liquid inlet. The liquid outlet has an opening area larger than the liquid inlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takayuki Arisaka, Yuji Nakajima
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Publication number: 20100254124Abstract: An electronic lighting instrument features separate optical assemblies for flood lighting and spot lighting. The optical assemblies include primary, secondary, and tertiary optical elements. The housing of the instrument features a trilobal cross section and includes dust-and-moisture-sealed push buttons and lenses as part of the housing construction. Self-aligning assemblies to ensure correct electrical and mechanical assembly are provided. The housing also self-aligns with a mating docking station for recharging the instrument batteries in situ. The lighting instrument may be controlled by a microprocessor circuit to provide floodlight and spotlight beams and several operational states thereof depending on the need for illumination or signaling.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Bayco Products, Ltd.Inventors: Bijan Bayat, Mark W. Kempter, James L. Newton
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Patent number: 7804034Abstract: An electrical appliance housing including a hard plastic housing body defining a switch-actuating aperture. The aperture is sealed with a soft plastic membrane. An actuating button is fastened to a hard plastic base that is bonded to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Karl Herzog, Thomas Fritsch
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Publication number: 20100230262Abstract: A fully sealed, low cost pushbutton switch for mounting in a panel without use of a tool comprising a single pole double throw switch enclosed within a boot/gasket housing. Two wire leads are attached to terminals on the push button switch in a cavity area which is filled with an epoxy, and a base cover forms and seals a lower surface of the terminal cavity areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventor: PATRICK J. DEVINE
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Patent number: 7791505Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a key matrix unit having a plurality of switches, a plurality of operation keys which are provided in association with a part of the plurality of switches, and a first detection unit which executes a scan process for the key matrix unit, thereby detecting on/off states of the plurality of switches, the first detection unit executes a predetermined process in a case where the first detection unit detects that the switches, which are not associated with the operation keys, are in an ON state.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Shigeru Satake
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Publication number: 20100206704Abstract: An electronic key includes a case having therein an internal space; a circuit board including a transmit portion for transmitting a radio wave, a control portion for outputting a control signal for instructing the transmit portion to send the radio wave and an internal switch for instructing the control portion to output the control signal; a waterproof cover for protecting the circuit board; an external switch configured to be bent when being pressed by a user; and a flexible sheet arranged between the waterproof cover and a surface of the circuit board on which the internal switch is arranged. The circuit board, the flexible sheet, the waterproof cover and the external switch are arranged in series in the internal space. The internal switch receives a press-force by the user from the external switch via the waterproof cover and the flexible sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Tokio Shimura, Mitsuru Nakagawa
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Patent number: 7777141Abstract: A latch-release actuating apparatus includes a switch element, a base member, and a cover member. The switch element is depressed via the cover member. In the latch-release actuating apparatus, a key top member and the cover member are formed to be long to extend horizontally from an upper region of the push button. The key top member is arranged on a back surface of the cover member so that a longitudinal direction of the key top member coincides with a longitudinal direction of the cover member. Furthermore, claws and retaining portions to which the claws are retained are arranged between the base member and both longitudinal ends of the key top member, thereby constituting a regulating unit for restricting separation of the key top member from the push button when the claw abuts on the retaining portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsuyuki Ishiguro
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Patent number: 7764936Abstract: An electronic device having a configuration which has an operation body formed in substantially a flat shape and in which a side wall of a lower case is brought into elastic contact with an upper case, and a switch provided on a circuit board is sealed in space formed by the circuit board, the side wall and the operation body. A flange that increases the size of the outer shape of the operation body is not required to be formed, it is possible to obtain an electronic device having dustproof and waterproof performances and having a small size.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Kenji Nakasono, Masami Segawa
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Patent number: 7759592Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an electrical assembly. The apparatus comprises a base member comprising a recessed portion and a circumferential flange, the recessed portion adapted to receive an electrical device and the flange having a channel on a first side and a sealing member comprising a retention portion and a protruding portion disposed on the retention portion, the retention portion adapted to at least partially enclose the circumferential flange with at least part of the sealing member disposed at least partially across the channel, and the protruding portion extending away from the channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Allyn R. Mackay
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Patent number: 7750261Abstract: A waterproof keyboard comprises: keys, an elastic rubber layer, a circuit board layer, a bottom board, and a sealing layer. The keys are mounted on the bottom board on which a plurality of apertures are disposed, and the sealing layer is disposed under the bottom surface of the bottom board. Corresponding to the apertures on the bottom board, respective adhesives are formed on the sealing layer so as to firmly adhere the sealing layer to the bottom surface of the bottom board.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ching Cheng Tsai, Chia Hsin Chen
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Publication number: 20100163375Abstract: A switch comprising a first contact on a support surface, a switch housing sealingly secured to the support surface around the first contact to form a hermetically sealed chamber about the first contact, and a second contact movable in the chamber towards and away from the first contact, wherein the support surface is provided on a support having two or more protrusions protruding from the support surface and received in apertures formed in the switch housing to locate the switch housing relative to the first contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventor: Michael P. Swift
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Patent number: 7744272Abstract: A portable apparatus has a push button mounted on a casing for operating a contact inside the casing. The push button is axially slidable in a pipe fixed in a through-hole extending through the casing. A coil spring encircles the pipe and is interposed between a flange of the pipe and a head of the push button to urge the push button outwardly. A packing ring for sealing the space between the pipe and push button is attached to either the pipe or the push button in the region where the coil spring encircles the pipe. Since the coil spring overlaps the packing ring, the axial length of the pipe and push button can be shortened to reduce the size of the casing.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Yoshio Hozumi, Kazutaka Imai
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Patent number: 7735214Abstract: A metallic thin plate is etched to form a plurality of keypads having hollowed portions and cut to form a metallic keypad panel having a predetermined shape. Then, an electroplated layer is coated on the surface of the metallic keypad panel. A layer of protective film is adhered on the non-electroplated surface of the metallic keypad panel, which is disposed in a mold. A plastic material is then injected into the mold, so that the plastic material is formed into a pattern layer. In addition, a plastic thin plate is prepared with one side surface printed with a displaying layer, is adhered on elastic bodies having a plurality of protrusions and is cut to form an elastic layer. Finally, after the protective film is peeled off, an adhesive layer is applied thereon. The elastic layer is adhered on the surface of the adhesive layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Ichia Technoligies, Inc.Inventors: Che-Tung Wu, Chih-Ho Hsu, Kai-Jie Tsao
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Patent number: 7705255Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing including an opening, a button disposed in the opening, a switch contained in the housing and operated by using the button, a wall extending in the housing from that part of the housing which surrounds the opening, a sealing member interposed between the button and the switch, covering the opening, and including an edge part extending along a peripheral surface of the wall, and a holder which presses the edge part of the sealing member against the peripheral surface of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Satoshi Yokote
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Publication number: 20100072046Abstract: A waterproof push button switch does not need to be covered with a resin to a height at which a divided connected portion of a case for the switch is hidden by the resin in a height direction and the divided connected portion may be waterproofed. A gap (55, 57) is formed between a peripheral wall portion 7b of a base case 7 and a second cylindrical wall portion 9b of a cover case 9, and between an opposite surface 41 of the cover case 9 and a waterproofing seal member 11. The gap (55, 57) extends from an opening portion of the base case fitting chamber 37 to an annular watertight seal portion 51 to completely surround a periphery of the watertight seal portion 51. The thickness of the gap portion 55 is determined so that the resin entered into the gap portion 55 from an opening portion 37a of the base case fitting chamber 37 reaches the watertight seal portion 51 by surface tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2007Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: HOKURIKU ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Seiji Maeda, Morio Tada
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Patent number: 7683278Abstract: A pushbutton switch is provided with: a switch case; a switch body fixed to the switch case; an elastic sealing body that is formed of an elastic material and covers and seals the switch body; a cap member that is formed of a hard material and is detachably mounted at a top portion of the elastic sealing body; a pushbutton portion provided on the cap member and exposing from a switch exposure aperture on a switch mounting apparatus; and a stopper portion provided on the cap member and configured to interfere with a rear surface of the switch mounting apparatus at a peripheral area of the switch exposure aperture and to restrain the cap member from being detached from the switch mounting apparatus, in a state in which the switch case is fixed to the switch mounting apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignees: Alpha Corporation, Tokyo Parts Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kousuke Kakita, Takahisa Kitahara
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Publication number: 20100044198Abstract: A waterproof press key includes a key body, a rigid support component, and a waterproofing ring. The key body is made of a resilient material, and includes a top wall and a surrounding wall extending downwardly from the top wall. The rigid support component includes a supporting portion that is disposed at the surrounding wall. The waterproofing ring projects from the outer wall surface of the surrounding wall. The supporting portion overlaps with at least a part of a height section of the surrounding wall from which the waterproofing ring projects to thereby enhance the waterproofing effect of the waterproof press key.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Wen-Lang Tang, Wen-Hsin Wang
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Patent number: 7660104Abstract: A user interface component for use in an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first part and a second part. The user interface component may include a structural part configured to provide structural stiffness for the user interface component. The structural part may include an aperture. The aperture may allow a fastener to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The aperture may also allow the fastener to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The user interface component may also include a cover detachably coupled with the structural part. The cover may cover the aperture and may receive user input.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Chris Ligtenberg
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Patent number: 7642476Abstract: A push-button arrangement and a push-button. The push-button comprises a fastening sleeve portion having a press portion at a first end thereof and a fastening member at a second end thereof for connecting the push-button to a fastening hole in a fastening plate. The outer surface of the fastening sleeve portion is provided with at least one conical sealing surface and the fastening hole, correspondingly, with a conical counter surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction OyInventors: Isto Virtanen, Toni Karvonen, Eero Kumanto, Martti Muranen