Rocker Patents (Class 200/339)
  • Patent number: 7838789
    Abstract: A rocker switch (10) is provided with a mechanical switch unit consisting of a switch housing (11) made of plastic, a switching element (14) supported in spring-loaded manner on said switch housing so as to be capable of moving back and forth, and an actuating rocker (16) connected to the switching element (14), and also with limit-stop elements (48, 49, 51, 52) for limiting the actuating angle of the actuating rocker (16), and with an electrical switch unit. In order to obtain variable actuating angles and overcompression functions, the invention provides that the actuating rocker (16) is provided with an overcompression element (36) which in one or both of the actuating directions comes to be operationally connected to an overcompression stop (46, 47) on the switch housing (11) before the limit-stop elements (51, 52) come into operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stoffers, Rainer Maurer, Uwe Gillmann
  • Patent number: 7838788
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrical switching device, in particular a thermal relay having at least one contact point in which, in a first position, the contact point is open and, in a second position, the contact point is closed, having a swivelling contact carrier on which the at least one moving contact piece is held and having an actuator for driving the contact carrier. The actuator is a swivel element, which can rotate about a first axis of rotation, said swivel element being made up of two partial elements, which can be slid in mutually opposing directions and are pushed apart by spring force, of which the first partial element is rotatably mounted and the second partial element acts together with the contact carrier at its free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Kommert, Rüdiger Schweitzer, Anke Dietzel
  • Patent number: 7834286
    Abstract: An electrical switch device including a housing having an actuator cap movably mounted thereon and a plurality of contact switches disposed therein. The cap is operable to engage the contact switches within the housing to activate the switches in a selected sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: RAFI GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Michel, Axel Müller
  • Publication number: 20100264851
    Abstract: A switch for generating short-term supply-line interruptions during switching-on with contact elements (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23) and an actuating element (4) for opening and closing electrical contacts between the contact elements, wherein (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23). A first contact element (1, 5, 21) is mounted elastically and, when a contact is closed via the first contact element (1, 5, 21), can be deflected elastically in such a way that the contact, after initial closing, is opened again by the elastic deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Harald Dellian
  • Publication number: 20100258425
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a manipulating apparatus (mobile terminal) including a chassis provided with a manipulating portion (directional manipulating portion) with which an input manipulation is carried out. The manipulating portion includes: a key top exposed to an outside of the chassis through an opening portion, which the chassis has, and a key main body having a base portion on which the key top is formed within the chassis; a circuit board in which a detecting portion (switches) is disposed in a position corresponding to the key top,; and a flat plate-shaped elastic body (elastic body) interposed between the key main body and the detecting portion; in which the elastic body is provided integrally with the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Takahashi, Hiroaki Masuda
  • Patent number: 7812275
    Abstract: A control knob is supported on a switch base via a first pivotal shaft. A movable contact holder holds a movable contact and is supported on the switch base via a second pivotal shaft substantially parallel with the first pivotal shaft. The movable contact holder is formed with first and second arms between which a sliding surface is formed. A control plunger sliding on the sliding surface is slidably fitted to the control knob. A return spring urges the control plunger in a direction to abut on the sliding surface. The control plunger is arranged such that, when the control knob tilts to the first and second operating positions, the tip end of the control plunger moves on the sliding surface to left and right sides with respect to a plane extending between axes of the first and second pivotal shafts, and such that the repulsive force of the return spring constantly urges the control knob toward the first operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Hirokazu Nakata
  • Patent number: 7781692
    Abstract: A switch for controlling first and second components of an electric circuit is proposed. The switch is operable between first and second positions to control the operation of the first of said components and is operable between third and fourth positions to control operation of the second of said components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Heerlein, Wee Haw Koo
  • Publication number: 20100193340
    Abstract: A power seat control unit has a dial-type switch, a seesaw-type switch and button-type switches. The dial-type switch is ring-shaped, and allows a seat occupant to perform frontward and rearward inclining adjustments of a seat back of a power seat depending on a rotation direction thereof. The seesaw-type switch is inward of the dial-type switch and across a center of the dial-type switch and allows the seat occupant to perform a frontward and rearward displacement adjustments of the seat depending on a pushed position. The button-type switches are inward of the dial-type switch and on both sides of the seesaw-type switch, and allow the seat occupant to perform tilt-up and tilt-down adjustments of a front portion of a seat cushion and lift-up and lift-down adjustments of a rear portion of the seat cushion depending on which button-type manual switch is pushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takushi Ujimoto, Hiroshi Nakahira, Hiroshi Shimase, Tomohiro Kawasaki, Yuuki Kihara
  • Publication number: 20100180504
    Abstract: A window assembly (30) comprising a frame (36) in which are received sliding and security members. The security member has ventilating and non-ventilating parts (40, 32), with the sliding member (34) being slidably moveable over the security member between a first position in which air may pass through the ventilating part (40) so as to ventilate the room in which the window assembly (30) is located, and a second position in which no such ventilation can occur. The ventilating part 40 may comprise a grille, perforated sheet, lattice arrangement or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Ian Kernaghan, Kevin Gorman
  • Patent number: 7759593
    Abstract: A button module adapted for use in an electronic device includes a cover, a button pivotably engaged with the cover, and an elastic plate secured on the cover and attaching to the button. When the button moves relative to the cover from a first position to a second position, the plate generates elastic distortion and abuts against the button to reset the button to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Chin Wang
  • Publication number: 20100175973
    Abstract: An electrical device controller is provided for controlling power to a load. The controller includes a housing having an open face and a plate having a unitary aperture secured to the housing and disposed over the open face. The controller further includes an electrical power controller component positioned within the housing for coupling to a power source and a load, a first actuator coupled to the electrical component, and an adjacent second actuator coupled to the electrical component. The first actuator has a movable user operable portion that is user accessible via the unitary aperture for controlling power ON/OFF to the load. The second actuator has a movable user operable portion that is user accessible via the unitary aperture for adjusting magnitude of power delivered to the load. The movement and position of the respective user operable portions of the first and second actuators are mutually independent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Renjith Mathew, Walter Ancipiuk, Yun Wu, Alfred J. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 7754985
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly comprises a generally planar substrate. A functional switch and at least one identification switch are mounted to the substrate. A switch body supports a switch actuator which is movable between multiple positions. An arrangement of one or more projecting members extends from the switch body. The switch body is mounted on or to the substrate such that the switch actuator operatively engages the functional switch, and the arrangement of projecting members operatively engages at least one of the identification switches to create a unique electronic identifier for the electrical switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Scott Gordon, Michael Ray Schlichtmann, Jon Thomas Jacobson
  • Patent number: 7750262
    Abstract: A rocker switch, particularly a window lift switch in a motor vehicle, has a switch housing in which a rocker lever can be adjusted from an initial position, against a restoring force, into a switch-on position. The rocker lever is disposed in the switch housing on one side. In the initial position, its surface forming the free end of the rocker lever is approximately flush with the surrounding areas of the switch housing, and, in the switch-on position, this surface protrudes out from the surrounding areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Knoll, Ralf Nieschulz, Hermann Kuenzner, Jan Syring
  • Patent number: 7745750
    Abstract: A dimmer switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source provides a night light feature on a user interface adapted to be provided in an opening of a traditional-style faceplate. The user interface comprises a frame, a pushbutton actuator, and an intensity actuator. Actuations of the pushbutton actuator change an internal switch mechanism between an open position and a closed position. A source of illumination, mounted internally to the dimmer switch and offset longitudinally from the switch mechanism, illuminates the pushbutton actuator and an elongated slot of the intensity actuator when the lighting load is off to provide the night light feature. The dimmer switch further comprises a plurality of lenses operable to redirect the light from the source of illumination towards the pushbutton actuator and the elongated slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John Hewson, Matthew J. Ochs, Jennifer S. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7745717
    Abstract: In a wearable electronic device attachable to an arm, a display screen is disposed on a top face of a main body which is attached to the arm. First and second controls are arranged adjacent to opposite sides of the display screen, respectively, and project obliquely from the top face of the main body. The first control is configured to move toward a near side of the display screen by an operation of the user and to return spontaneously to a rest position away from the near side. The second control is configured to move toward a near side of the display screen by an operation of the user and to return spontaneously to a rest position away from the near side. An operation of one of the first and second controls or both of the first and second controls enables setting of the device using the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Michihiko Sasaki, Toru Nishinotsuji
  • Patent number: 7737377
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a cradle and a terminal. The cradle includes a body portion, a transition portion, and a connection portion. The body portion includes a transition portion that is bent from the body portion and extends between the body portion and the connection portion. The connection portion includes a plate extending away from the body portion. The terminal includes a main wall and a slip receiver connected to and angled away from the main wall. The slip receiver includes first and second walls connected by an integral receiver bridge. The slip receiver slidably receives the plate of the connection portion to establish an electrical connection between the cradle and the terminal. The plate of the connection portion of the cradle is at least partially disposed between the first and second walls of the slip receiver to complete the electrical connection between the cradle and the common terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Rohit Dodal, Gunter Gallas
  • Publication number: 20100126838
    Abstract: An actuator subassembly is provided for a rocker switch including a housing, a plunger and a number of contact elements. The actuator subassembly includes an operating member movably coupled to the rocker switch housing at or about an opening, and including at least one projection which extends into a cavity of the housing. A sub-actuator is removably coupled to such projection and includes a shaped portion, a number of contacting portions and a depth. The shaped portion cooperates with a plunger to provide a plurality of operating characteristics of the operating member, including a plurality of positions thereof. Each contacting portion contacts a corresponding one of the contact elements when the operating member is disposed in a corresponding one of the positions. When the actuator subassembly is coupled to the housing, the depth of the sub-actuator occupies less than one-third of the width of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: DAVIN R. LEE
  • Publication number: 20100126839
    Abstract: An electronic manually controllable adjustment device for adjusting electric power provided to an electric load connectable to the device is described. The device comprises first switching elements, a tilting control button which may interact with the first switching elements, and first hinge elements for defining a first hinge axis allowing rotation of the control button around the first axis between a first operating position and a second operating position. The control button can interact with the first switching elements when reaching the first and second operating position. The device further comprises second switching elements and second hinge elements. The second hinge elements can define a second hinge axis perpendicular to the first hinge axis and allow rotation of the control button around the second hinge axis for actuation of the second switching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Alberto BASILICO
  • Patent number: 7709761
    Abstract: An electrical device can include a cradle having a plurality of integral cradle support regions. A trough is formed through each cradle support region. Each cradle support region includes an aperture that is configured to receive an actuator assembly. Each actuator assembly is movable to open and close electrical connections in the electrical device when the cradle is installed in the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Rohit Dodal, Gunter Gallas
  • Publication number: 20100101924
    Abstract: A switching device includes a housing and a paddle actuator operably coupled to a front face of the housing and adapted to control a state of a load. The paddle actuator has a pair of opposing long sides and short sides and is configured to pivot about a hinge disposed proximate to one of the short sides of the paddle actuator. At least one component is disposed adjacent to the short side of the paddle actuator that is disposed proximate to the hinge and is configured to sense at least one condition. A control element is configured to control at least one of a sensing range and a sensitivity of the at least one component. The paddle actuator occupies at least 50% of the front face of the housing and the at least one component substantially occupies the remainder of the front face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Yun Wu, Alfred J. Lombardi, Cheng-Lung Chou, Azer Ilkhanov
  • Patent number: 7700888
    Abstract: There is disclosed structure which overcomes the deficiencies with respect to prior art devices by providing a wiring device such as a switch having a paddle that pivots about its upper end and is biased to assume the same at rest position when either in its on position or off position. Repeated pressing and releasing the lower portion of the face of the switch paddle alternately closes and opens a set of contacts within the switch to alternately connect and disconnect a load form a source of electricity each time the paddle is pressed. Thus, regardless of whether adjacent switches are on-off switches or 3-way switches, they will always be in alignment. An on-off indicator such as a small light is provided to indicate to a user when the contacts of the switch are opened or closed. The paddle of the switch has a length-width ratio dimension that is proportioned to provide a finger contact surface of increased area to allow a user to more easily and quickly identify and operate a particular switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, Paul Endres, Anthony Tufano, Dennis A. Oddsen
  • Patent number: 7701504
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to perform the starting or the changing of photographing, recording and reproducing modes easily and to eliminate walls between the modes, an image pickup apparatus includes a first mode for recording a photographed image on a record medium as an image file, a second mode for reproducing the image file, and an operation member which can switch to each mode by different operation methods, wherein the operation member returns to its original state after the performance of an operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chiyumi Niwa
  • Publication number: 20100025211
    Abstract: A miniature switch with a switch operating unit having a swinging motion about a fulcrum on the side opposing the pressed side, instead of a spindle in the switch operating unit. The miniature switch includes: a switch operating unit composed of a holder 9 and an operational button 2 fixed to the holder 9; and a switch mechanism unit composed of a printed circuit board 6, a connector 5, and switch elements 7 arranged in a case 4, and coil springs 8 which engage between the switch elements 7 and the holder 9, wherein the switch operating unit and the switch mechanism unit are coupled to each other by a first packing 10 made of a resilient material, and the switch mechanism unit and the switch operating unit are disposed in a housing 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: NIHON KAIHEIKI INDUSTRIAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Saito
  • Patent number: 7656268
    Abstract: A switch includes a body and a switch member pivotably engaged with the top opening of the body. A link has one end pivotably connected to a first end of the switch member and the other end of the link is movably received in a guide path is defined in the body. The second end of the link is located at an inner periphery of the guide path when the switch member is in “ON” position to let two contact points be in contact with each other, and a space is defined between the second end of the link and the outer periphery of the guide path so that the second end of the link is allowed to move toward the outer periphery when a contact portion is deformed upward when overloaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7642477
    Abstract: A button fixing mechanism for fixing a button (50) to a base (20) of an electronic device includes a top panel (30) of the base, a shelf (40) attached to the top panel, and a pair of resilient members (60). The button includes a pair of shafts (53) extending outwardly from sidewalls (51) thereof. The shelf includes an oblong slot (42) defined therein, and a pair of tabs (422) extending beside the oblong slot and each defining a pivoting hole (423) therein. The button is extended through the oblong slot, with the shafts received in the pivoting holes of tabs. The resilient members are separately attached to the top panel and engage two ends of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiong-Dong Peng, Zhi-Gang Chen, Jie Zhang, Zheng Shi, Ke-Cheng Lin, Chien-Li Tsai
  • Patent number: 7638723
    Abstract: Electrical devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Rohit Dodal, Gunter Gallas
  • Patent number: 7633028
    Abstract: An electric switch module has one or more electric switches arranged on a substrate (7) of which at least one is designed as a push-pull rocker switch (2, 3) having an actuator (4) formed by a projection (5) that is asymmetrical to its tilting axis (6). The module is characterized in that the top side of the substrate (7), together with the actuators (4) of its switches (2, 3), is covered by a flexible outer skin (10a) that also covers the projection (5) that forms the actuator (4) of the at least one rocker switch (2, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Recticel Automobilsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Böbel, Berthold Esders, Hugo De Winter, Martin Sabelus, Jan Willems, Sven De Vis, Bart Broeckaert
  • Publication number: 20090255795
    Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a seesaw switch that has a simple structure with improved opearatability. In order to achieve the purpose, a seesaw switch 1 includes pressing sections each located at corresponding locations of operated sections of a pair of switch elements a rotation operating member that is rotationally displaced; pressure transmitting members that are respectively provided between the pressing sections and operated sections and a guide member that guides the pressure transmitting members to contacting and separating directions with respect to the operated sections, when the pressing sections are rotationally displaced. The seesaw switch also includes viscous material that is provided between the pressing sections and the pressure transmitting members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masatomo Inoue, Yasushi Oonishi, Nagatoshi Takeda, Satoshi Nakagaki
  • Patent number: 7601927
    Abstract: A Rocker key with LED window and chromatic cover for actuating electrical mechanisms, characterized in that it comprises a lower perimeter rim with a rectangular section, on the upper and horizontal flat face of which the cover rests entirely, fitted through pressure on the key in such a way that the key is totally covered by said cover, while uncovered and visible from the outside is the vertical outer face of the lower perimeter rim of the key, which is elevated according to its normal rocking movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Simon, S.A.
    Inventor: Cristina Egea Soler
  • Patent number: 7595460
    Abstract: An electrical device can include a paddle actuatable from a first position to a second position. An actuator associated with the paddle can be configured to displace when the paddle is actuated from the first position to the second position. A cradle disposed adjacent the actuator includes a trough formed therein. A terminal is in electrical communication with the cradle. Integral cradle support regions are formed in the cradle, with the trough being formed through each cradle support region and each cradle support region comprising an aperture for receiving an actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Rohit Dodal, Gunter Gallas
  • Publication number: 20090229959
    Abstract: A switching apparatus has a normally-open switching device comprising first and second normally-open switches and a normally-closed switching device comprising first and second normally-closed switches. The switching apparatus also has an actuator operable in conjunction with the switching devices such that: (a) in a neutral actuator mode the first and second normally-open switches remain open, and the first and second normally-closed switches remain closed, (b) in a first operation mode the actuator operates on the first normally-closed switch and the first normally-open switch, and (c) in a second operation mode the actuator operates on the second normally-closed switch and the second normally-open switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Judco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen James
  • Patent number: 7576293
    Abstract: An interior illumination device includes a receiving housing of a design part having swinging shafts; a switching knob of a design part having swinging holes, said switching knob being swingably supported by the swinging shafts and the swinging holes; a switching unit of a functional part swingably supporting a switching lever; and a rotation regulating member interposed between the switching knob and the swinging shafts of the design part for regulating a swinging range of the switching knob. When the design part and the functional part are assembled with each other, the switching knob and the switching lever are connected to each other, and the switching lever is swung in conjunction with a swing of the switching knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Nagai, Masayuki Hirano
  • Patent number: 7572991
    Abstract: A knob assembly applicable for an electronic device for executing a plurality of default commands is provided, which at least includes a manipulator and a plurality of push switches disposed adjacent to the manipulator, wherein the manipulator performs back and forth swing and linear movement, and touches a corresponding push switch in the travel of the back and forth swing and the linear movement, so as to output a trigger signal for executing a corresponding default command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Jen Du, Yu-Jeng Yang
  • Patent number: 7572995
    Abstract: A switch member comprising a convex knob portion on which the finger of an operator catches, wherein the knob portion is retained such that it is pivotable around a pivot shaft, a base surface of the knob portion is configured as a curved convex surface, wherein the curved convex surface is configured as a surface whose radius of curvature gradually becomes larger in a pulling direction of the finger catching on the knob portion, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hideaki Hayakawa, Hidetaka Nomura
  • Patent number: 7569786
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator for an electric push-button switch (30) comprising a housing shell (10) in whose shell opening (13) a holding plate (20) is placed. A holding suspension, together with outer stops (21) and outer counterstops (11) between the holding plate (20) and the holding housing permit the non-actuated holding plate (10) to be pressed into a defined outer position of rest (20.1). A push-button switch (30), which is arranged in the housing shell (10), is, together with its switching element (31), located in an extended position (30.1) that is effected by a switch suspension (33). The aim of the invention is to provide an economical space-saving design. To this end, the switch suspension (33) of the push-button switch (30) is simultaneously provided with the function of providing the holding suspension of the holding plate (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Uwe Spies
  • Patent number: 7560656
    Abstract: A control knob is supported on a switch base via a first pivotal shaft. A movable contact holder holds a movable contact, faces an inner side face of the control knob, and is supported on the switch base via a second pivotal shaft. The movable contact holder is provided with a sliding surface which faces the control knob. A control plunger whose tip end slidably abuts on the sliding surface is fitted to the control knob so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the first pivotal shaft. A spring is provided between the control knob and the control plunger so as to urge the control plunger to a direction to but on the sliding surface. The movable contact is attached to the movable contact holder so as to come into contact with the stationary contact when the movable contact holder is turned to at least one of first and second actuation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Shoji Okatani, Hirokazu Nakata
  • Patent number: 7554049
    Abstract: A rocking switch unit includes a base section, a switch knob, a pair of tactile switches, a middle rocking section, and a pair of switch-pressing portions. The switch knob and the middle rocking section are coupled with the base section to be rockable. The switch-pressing portions are located between a pair of rocking end portions of the switch knob and the tactile switches, for transmitting a pressing force from one of the rocking end portions to a corresponding tactile switch when the one of the rocking end portions is pressed in a pressing direction. The switch-pressing portions are coupled with two end portions of the middle rocking section in such a manner that a coupling angle between a rocking surface of the middle rocking section and rocking surfaces of the switch-pressing portions is variable in a pressing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromune Wada, Koichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7554050
    Abstract: An electronic device (20) includes a housing (24) and a rocking key button assembly (200) rockingly assembled to the housing. The housing includes a shaft portion (264) and a blocking board (268). The key button assembly includes a key button (30) having two opposite key portions (312), two elastic retaining members (40), two elastic arms (50) and two triggers (60). The elastic retaining members are retained to the shaft portion. The elastic arms resist against the blocking board. The key portions can rock relative to each other and about the shaft portion, the corresponding one trigger swings relative to the other trigger and about the shaft portion. The corresponding elastic arm is compressed by the blocking board. The elastic retaining members, the elastic arms and the triggers are arranged at the same side of the key button opposite to the two keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Yue-Hui Lv
  • Publication number: 20090160354
    Abstract: A switch for controlling distribution of power to a light. The switch may include a frame, a controller connected to the frame, and a rocker connected to the frame to pivot with respect thereto through a range of motion having a first extreme and a second extreme, opposite the first extreme. The switch may also include a signal generator connected to the frame and comprising a first micro switch positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the first extreme and a second micro switch positioned to be actuated by the rocker pivoting toward the second extreme. The controller may be connected to the signal generator to receive input therefrom and comprise logic to control the distribution in accordance with the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas Burrell, David Clare
  • Publication number: 20090159415
    Abstract: A switch for controlling delivery of electrical current to a light. The switch may include a frame, a controller connected to the frame, and a toggle connected to the frame to pivot through a range of motion having a first extreme and a second extreme, opposite the first extreme. The toggle may toggle between a first position proximate the first extreme and a second position proximate the second extreme. The switch may further include a sensor connected to the frame and positioned to detect the toggle in the second position, and a tactile switch connected to the frame and positioned to be actuated by the toggle pivoting past the first position toward the first extreme. The switch may also include a controller connected to the sensor and tactile switch to receive inputs therefrom and to execute logic to control the delivery in accordance with the inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas Burrell, David Clare
  • Publication number: 20090152087
    Abstract: A button module adapted for use in an electronic device includes a cover, a button pivotably engaged with the cover, and an elastic plate secured on the cover and attaching to the button. When the button moves relative to the cover from a first position to a second position, the plate generates elastic distortion and abuts against the button to reset the button to the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsung-Chin Wang
  • Patent number: 7528335
    Abstract: A light assembly for interiors of motor vehicles and the like includes a three-way sliding switch having a switch member that is movable to at least three positions corresponding to operating states of the switch. The switch includes an electrically conductive movable contact member that selectively engages conductive members to provide the different electrical states of the switch. The movable contact member also engages a detent structure and forms a three-position detent tending to retain the switch member in the selected position. Thus, the electrically conductive material of the movable contact member provides an electrical function and a mechanical detent function to thereby reduce the complexity and associated cost of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Innotec Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Lanser, David J. Hooker, Paul T. Vander Kuyl, David L. Hiemstra
  • Publication number: 20090107820
    Abstract: An electrical switch device including a housing having an actuator cap movably mounted thereon and a plurality of contact switches disposed therein. The cap is operable to engage the contact switches within the housing to activate the switches in a selected sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Andreas Michel, Axel Muller
  • Patent number: 7525054
    Abstract: A switch for switching between two electrical circuits is disclosed. The switch has a first connector that is electrically couplable to a first electrical circuit and a second connector that is electrically couplable to a second electrical circuit. The switch also has a first contact point adapted for electrically coupling the first connector to the first electrical circuit and a second contact point for electrically coupling the second connector to the second electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Swann Industries Pte Ltd.
    Inventors: Say Hwee Ng, Tian Cheng Tang
  • Patent number: 7521642
    Abstract: A switch assembly for an automotive power window having a housing and an actuator with two spaced-apart ends pivotally mounted to the housing about a transverse axis extending across a central portion of the actuator. The actuator includes a first actuator surface extending between the axis on one end of the actuator and a second actuator surface extending between the axis and the other end of the actuator. The actuator is pivotal in a first direction from a rest position by depression of the first actuator surface and is pivotal in the opposite direction from the rest position and to a second position upon depression of the second actuator surface. The second actuator surface is recessed within the housing in an amount sufficient to prevent actuation of the actuator to its second position by a sphere having a radius greater than or equal to 19 millimeters which approximates the size of a child's knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James Lee Belanger
  • Patent number: 7521643
    Abstract: An operating button device of the present invention is adapted for use with an electronic apparatus, and includes first and second operating button sets and an elastic component. The first operating button set includes a mounting seat and a pair of press buttons disposed on the mounting seat. The second operating button set includes a toggle button rotatable relative to the mounting seat, and a pair of contact pieces disposed on a bottom part of the toggle button. The elastic component has a securing end disposed on the mounting seat, and a restoring end opposite to the securing end and in sleeving engagement with the toggle button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Yan Liu
  • Publication number: 20090071810
    Abstract: A switch for use in dairies with reduced cost, improved reliability, and minimal hysteresis. The switch includes a paddle having a first end and a second end. The second end is contacted by another device or animal, and the first end is thereby moved relative to an inductive sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Hanson, Larry G. Larson
  • Publication number: 20090057120
    Abstract: There is provided a switch device including a tubular portion which is provided in a casing and is opened at its upper and lower surfaces; a supporting shaft provided in the tubular portion; a manipulation knob which is mounted to the tubular portion such that it covers the opening in the upper surface and is operated to be rotated about the supporting shaft by being manipulated; a switch provided in the casing; a manipulation bar for transmitting the rotating operation on the manipulation knob for changing over the switch between an ON state and an OFF state; an elastic member which generates an elastic force for restoring, to a predetermined rest position, the manipulation knob which has been operated to be rotated; and a first impingement portion and a first to-be-impinged portion which are provided in the manipulation knob and in the tubular portion and are impinged on each other if the manipulation knob is operated to be rotated to reach a limit of this operation, wherein a second impingement portion and
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyo Kakuno, Katsuya Koyama, Takuya Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20090002198
    Abstract: A marine throttle mounted stereo control system consisting of a throttle mounting base having a control shaft pivotally mounted to the mounting base, which is mounted adjacent an operators seat within a boat cockpit. The throttle control has a stereo control which is remotely located from the boats stereo audio system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Darren A. Bach
  • Publication number: 20080302646
    Abstract: An interior illumination device includes a receiving housing of a design part having swinging shafts; a switching knob of a design part having swinging holes, said switching knob being swingably supported by the swinging shafts and the swinging holes; a switching unit of a functional part swingably supporting a switching lever; and a rotation regulating member interposed between the switching knob and the swinging shafts of the design part for regulating a swinging range of the switching knob. When the design part and the functional part are assembled with each other, the switching knob and the switching lever are connected to each other, and the switching lever is swung in conjunction with a swing of the switching knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kentarou Nagai, Masayuki Hirano