Including Raised Flexible Snap Element (e.g., Dome) Patents (Class 200/406)
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Patent number: 12071071Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle steering wheel, including: a steering wheel body with a hub region for attachment to a steering shaft, with a steering wheel rim and with at least one spoke for attaching the steering wheel rim to the hub region; an airbag initiation device; wherein an electromechanical triggering device has at least one force transducer, which is disposed between a projection and the steering wheel body and via which the impact absorber cover is supported on the steering wheel body, for measuring a force value that can be associated with an actuating force acting on the actuating surface of the impact absorber cover; wherein the electromechanical triggering device has at least one electronic evaluation unit connected in an electrically conductive manner to the force transducer to determine an actuating force value by a force value measured by the at least one force transducer.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: PREH GMBHInventors: Oliver Katzenberger, Stefan Wahl, Dirk Ruetzel, Martin Schäfer, Sebastian Schrenk
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Patent number: 11990291Abstract: A multiple function button for an information handling system includes an outer shell and an inner button. The outer shell includes multiple channels having first, second, third and fourth channels. The inner button is inserted within the outer shell. The inner button includes a tab and a contact component. The tab moves within the multiple channels. When the tab is within the first channel, the inner button is in a first position and contact component is positioned over a first contact of the information handling system. When the tab is within the third channel, the inner button is in a second position and the contact component is positioned over a second contact of the information handling system.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2022Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Jer-Yo Lee, Chun-Ting Lu, Cheng-Hsiang Chuang
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Patent number: 11984277Abstract: A push switch contains a case including a housing space having an upper-opening and including fixed-contacts disposed on a bottom of the housing space, a movable contact member disposed in the housing space configured to deform in response to receiving pressure applied from above, and contacting the fixed-contacts upon defoming in response to the received pressure, and a pushing member disposed on the movable contact member and configured to transmit the received pressure to the movable contact member. The movable contact member includes a pair of first-linear edges, wherein the pushing member includes a plurality of projecting-pressing portions disposed on a bottom surface of the pushing member facing the movable contact member, and wherein the plurality of pressing portions is disposed on the bottom surface at positions not overlapping a straight-line that passes through a center of the movable contact member and intersecting each of the pair of first-linear edges.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuya Suzuki, Izuru Sadamatsu, Katsutoshi Usui, Shinya Makino
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Patent number: 11908640Abstract: A push switch contains a case including a containing portion and a sealing groove; a pair of contacts disposed in the containing portion so as to be spaced apart from each other; a movable contact which is disposed above the pair of contacts in the containing portion; a cap including a base portion disposed on the case and a sealing protrusion protruding from a peripheral edge portion of the base portion toward a lower side for liquid-tightly sealing the sealing groove of the case; and a cover attached to the case from an upper side so as to hold the cap on the case. The sealing protrusion of the cap is compressively deformed in the sealing groove of the case, and thereby the sealing groove of the case is liquid-tightly sealed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoichi Yasunaga, Takashi Kawamura
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Patent number: 11852548Abstract: A switch according to the present invention includes a base including a recessed portion on one surface of the base; a click spring having a dome shape, the click spring being provided at the recessed portion such that the bottom of the recessed portion is contacted at a dome-shaped opening side of the click spring; a cover provided to cover the recessed portion and to house the click spring at the recessed portion; and a strain detecting element attached to another surface of the base. The strain detecting element is configured to detect strain of the base, the strain occurring in accordance with a depression amount of the click spring that is depressed.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kawamura, Yoichi Yasunaga, Takeshi Higaki, Toshihiko Terashita, Shintaro Ogura, Shigenori Inamoto, Yuki Takahashi, Kotaro Eguchi, Kui Li, Satoshi Sato
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Patent number: 11532446Abstract: A button structure of an input device, including a circuit board, a dome element, and a trigger, is provided. The dome element is disposed on the circuit board, and is electrically conductive and elastic. The trigger is disposed at a center of the dome element, and is electrically insulative and flexible. The trigger has a conductive layer facing the circuit board. The dome element is configured to be pressed to drive the conductive layer of the trigger to abut against a trigger circuit of the circuit board to generate a trigger signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Acer IncorporatedInventors: Yu-Shih Wang, Chih-Chun Liu, Cheng-Nan Ling, Wen-Chieh Tai
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Patent number: 11508537Abstract: An operating device for a steering wheel comprises an operating element, which can be selectively rotated about a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis for controlling a control system by means of an actuation, wherein the operating element can be rotated to an actuation stage from a starting position, wherein the first rotation axis is coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the operating element, and the second rotation axis is substantially transverse to the first rotation axis, wherein a force application point has a mechanical advantage with respect to the second rotation axis when actuated about the second rotation axis, and wherein the force application point has no substantial mechanical advantage in relation to the second rotation axis when the operating element is actuated about the first rotation axis, in order to prevent a simultaneous actuation of the operating element about the first and second rotation axes.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Lutz Eckstein, Jan Bavendiek
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Patent number: 11355294Abstract: A push switch includes: a case including a fixed contact; a movable member, a pushing element, and a support. The movable member includes a movable contact. The movable member is disposed at a location to face the fixed contact and is movable between an ON-position and an OFF-position. The pushing element is disposed at a location to face the movable member and is configured to receive external force to push the movable member. The support has such a property that until a travel distance of the pushing element reaches a first threshold, a load applied from the support to the pushing element increases, and when the travel distance of the pushing element reaches the first threshold, the load applied from the support 6 to the pushing element decreases.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuki Kobayashi
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Electrical tactile switch with axial positioning of the actuating section of the deformable actuator
Patent number: 11295908Abstract: The invention provides an axially actuating tactile electrical switch comprising a casing; a plurality of independent fixed electrical contacts arranged in a base of the casing, and a movable electrical contact comprising a peripheral portion resting on a portion of a fixed peripheral electrical contact and a central portion movable vertically downwards; a single piece actuating body made of elastic material comprising a peripheral portion, an actuating central part comprising a lower portion for actuating the movable electrical contact, and an upper portion for receiving an actuating force, forming a casing comprising an upper cover having a hole whereby a free upper end section of the upper portion extends axially; the cover has an internal retaining surface; and the actuating body has an abutment surface cooperating with the internal retaining surface of the cover to determine an upper rest position of the actuating body with respect to the casing.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: C&K COMPONENTS S.A.S.Inventors: Philippe Gauthier, David Ferraton, Laurent Kubat -
Patent number: 10964999Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a mounting structure, an antenna device and a method for assembling the antenna device. The mounting structure is used for mounting a connector to a first fixing part and a second fixing part, and comprises: a main body portion which defines a hollow cavity for receiving the connector, a first flange arranged on an upper surface of the main body portion around the hollow cavity and a second flange arranged on the upper surface of the main body portion around the first flange and spaced apart from the first flange; a protective pad received in a protective pad receiving portion defined between the first flange and the second flange; a supporting component to be fixed to the second fixing part, the main body portion being fitted within the supporting component; and at least one fastener used for fastening the mounting structure to the first fixing part, so that the first flange comes into direct contact with the lower surface of the first fixing part.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Ruixin Su, ZhaoHui Liu
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Patent number: 10894311Abstract: A tool includes a switch and a handle. The switch is configured to cause an electric component to operate. The handle is held by a hand to manipulate the switch. The switch includes a switch manipulation part to be manipulated, a load sensor, a sealing cover and a preventing member. The load sensor is configured to receive a pressing force through the switch manipulation part. The sealing cover includes an elastic material which is deformable when receiving the pressing force through the switch manipulation part, and is configured to press the load sensor. The preventing member is configured to seal an internal space between the sealing cover and the load sensor, around the load sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: MAX CO., LTD.Inventor: Michio Yamashita
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Patent number: 10861658Abstract: A member has a first recess, a second recess, and a depression. The depression accommodates a movable member and a contact member. Positioned on a bottom surface of the first recess is a first fixture contact, whereas positioned on a bottom surface of the second recess is a second fixture contact. When a pressure receiving section of the movable member is pressed toward a bottom surface of the depression, the movable member is elastically deformed to separate a movable joint from the contact member. When the pressure receiving section is further pressed toward the bottom surface of the depression, the movable member is elastically deformed to separate the first movable contact from the first fixture contact and to separate the second movable contact from the second fixture contact.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunio Doro, Yoshito Takeuchi
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Patent number: 10788360Abstract: An infrared scene generator can generate a second infrared scene representative of a first infrared scene by emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a plurality of prism-coupled electrically conductive elements that modulate a portion of the beam incident thereon with surface plasmon polaritons based on parameters of the first infrared scene to yield a modulated beam that produces the second infrared scene.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Truventic, LLCInventor: Pedro N. Figueiredo
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Patent number: 10770242Abstract: A push-to-talk assembly includes a metal ring defining an interior aperture and including at least one exterior protrusion configured to couple the metal ring to a surface of the portable communication device. The push-to-talk assembly further includes a button coupled to the metal ring and including a flexible polymer material disposed within the interior aperture and co-molded to the metal ring. The button includes a first side configured to be contacted and pressed, and a second, opposite side configured to face an interior of the portable communication device. The push-to-talk assembly further includes a metal backing plate coupled to the second side of the button.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2016Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Chor Cheow Ng, Chee Kit Chan, Cheah Chan Kee, Sih Hau Tan
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Patent number: 10755876Abstract: A push switch having the contact piece including a support part supported on a base member, a movable contact part, and an interconnection part interconnecting the support part and the movable contact part. The movable contact part is movable between a position contacting a first fixed contact part and a position separate from the first fixed contact part. The contact piece is configured so that, when a pressure reception member is pushed to be moved closer to a specific surface of the base member to cause change in shape of the movable member, the interconnection part is pushed by the movable member and the movable contact part is moved along operation directions. The movable contact part located at a position facing a through hole in the operation directions. The movable contact part has a size and shape to be allowed to pass through the through hole in the operation directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kunio Doro, Yumi Nakai
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Patent number: 10483056Abstract: In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a push switch includes a resilient member that is made of metal, and the resilient member including a concave shape and an opening that is positioned at a center of the concave shape and at least two protrusions each protruding outward and downward with an oblique angle around the concave shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventor: Ryo Wakuda
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Patent number: 10460890Abstract: Implementations of a multi-pole dome switch configured to simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, close or open two separate circuits are provided. In some implementations, a multi-pole dome switch may comprise a tactile metal dome and a conductive insert that are separated by an insulator. In some implementations, when the dome is depressed, the dome and the conductive insert are configured to simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, make conductive contact with two traces of a first circuit and two traces of a second circuit, respectively, positioned thereunder on a PCB. In this way, the multi-pole dome switch is able to simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, close two separate circuits. Succinctly put, in some implementations, the multi-pole dome switch may be configured to act as a double-pole, double-throw switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Inventor: Trent Zimmer
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Patent number: 10373775Abstract: A pushbutton switch includes: a dome-shaped movable contact; and an operation key on a side of the movable contact. Pushing the operation key causes the movable contact to electrically connect at least two contacts. The operation key includes: a key body; a dome connected with an exterior of the key body and deformable by pushing the key body; a foot connected with an exterior of the dome; and a protrusion on top of the key body, protruding from the top, and deformable by compression. The movable contact includes: an upper contact in contact with a site below the key body and contacting the at least two contacts when the key body is pushed; and an outer fixing part at the upper contact in a radial direction and fixed outside of the key body of the operation key in the radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Ito, Satoru Kitazawa, Kenichi Miyajima, Kazunobu Yokoyama, Tadashi Hayashi
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Patent number: 10373778Abstract: In an example, a light blocker may comprise a bellow to extend from an outer edge of a key to an inner edge of a key window to span a key gap in between the key and the key window. The bellow may extend along a periphery of the key, and the bellow may block light originating from under the key from passing through the key gap.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: David I Blatt, Alan D Peterson, David C Vinson
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Patent number: 10276325Abstract: A keyboard device includes a light guide plate, a base plate, plural keys and plural surround-type soundproof elements. The base plate is located over the light guide plate. The plural keys are connected with the base plate. The membrane circuit board is arranged between the plural keys and the base plate. The plural surround-type soundproof elements are aligned with the corresponding keys. Each surround-type soundproof element is disposed on the light guide plate, the base plate or the membrane circuit board. While one of the plural keycaps is depressed and moved downwardly relative to the base plate, a sealed space is defined by the corresponding keycap and the corresponding surround-type soundproof element.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.Inventors: Yi-Chen Chung, Chin-Sung Pan
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Patent number: 10180739Abstract: An input device having sufficient countermeasure against static electricity is disclosed. The input device includes a touch pad as an operation-input part that is movably supported above a metal base plate. The operation-input part includes a pad plate to receive an input operation, a board plate stacked below the pad plate to detect an input operation to the pad plate, and a resin housing plate stacked below the board plate. The base plate has an upper face, on which a protruding piece is disposed so as to be inserted between the board plate and the housing plate and come into contact with a ground line as a conductive part provided at the board plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTDInventors: Masahiro Kitamura, Mitsuo Horiuchi
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Patent number: 10115541Abstract: A switch component includes a spring plate and a cover of rubber. The cover of rubber covers at least one part of an upper surface of the spring plate. The cover of rubber includes at least one pair of supporting portions that support the spring plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventor: Ryo Wakuda
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Patent number: 9991068Abstract: A side-push push-button switch is provided in which the strength of a rear surface side of a housing to which a load is particularly applied by outside force caused by the switching operation of a push-button member is increased to stably mount the housing on a circuit board and ensure reliable and secure switching operation. The push-button switch includes a housing, a push-button member, and a holding frame. The housing accommodates a switch contact. The push-button member is disposed on a front-surface center portion of the housing and configured to press the switch contact. The holding frame of a channel shape covers outer surfaces of the housing. Both ends of the holding frame are secured to front-surface side portions of the housing on both sides of the push-button member.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventors: Toyohiko Amano, Mitsunori Miura
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Patent number: 9991061Abstract: An assembly including: a disk spring; a plurality of normally closed contacts disposed in a plane below the disk spring; a plurality of normally open contacts disposed in a plane above the disk spring; a pivot ring supporting a lower surface of the disk spring; and an actuating pin having a shoulder in contact with an upper surface of the disk spring; where a movement of the actuating pin away from a header assembly snap deflects the disk spring to a first position to contact the plurality of normally open contacts, and a movement of the actuating pin towards the header assembly snap deflects the disk spring to a second position to contact the plurality of normally closed contacts.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: HYDRA-ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: John Chick Hong Tang
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Patent number: 9937839Abstract: A system for modifying a stiffness of at least a portion of a vehicle component includes one or more devices coupled to the vehicle component and a processor coupled to the one or more devices. The processor is configured to determine that a software application has switched from a first mode to a second mode and cause the one or more devices to modify the stiffness of the at least a portion of the vehicle component from a first stiffness associated with the first mode to a second stiffness associated with the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATEDInventors: Jaime Elliot Nahman, Stefan Marti, Davide Di Censo, Mirjana Spasojevic
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Patent number: 9903490Abstract: The present invention provides a swaging structure having a high pressure resistance strength suitable for a high pressure switch that solves the conventional disadvantages that the swaging for providing an increased thickness causes a manufacturing facility having a larger size or the swaged part having winkles or that a pressure switch finds a difficulty in the adjustment of the swaging margin when the number of diaphragms is changed for example. A swaging structure comprises at least a to-be-swaged member required to have airtightness to a surrounding environment and a swaging member configured to retain the to-be-swaged member by a swaging processing, the swaging member has an annular side wall surrounding the to-be-swaged member to retain the to-be-swaged member after the swaging processing and the swaging structure further includes an annular spacer including therein a penetration hole to be sandwiched between the to-be-swaged member and the annular side wall after the swaging processing.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SAGINOMIYA SEISAKUSHOInventors: Kenichi Matsuyama, Satoshi Miyakawa
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Patent number: 9881751Abstract: A key structure includes a key, a key sheet and a supporting portion. The key displaces in a direction. The key sheet is disposed at a side of the key toward which the key displaces and comprises a sheet base portion and a contacting portion that displaces in the displacing direction of the key in accordance with a displacement of the key. The supporting portion is disposed between the key and the sheet base portion and supports one end portion of the key by contacting a member disposed opposite to the supporting portion while the other end portion of the key displaces in the displacing direction of the key.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Motome Osawa
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Patent number: 9880588Abstract: There is provided a variable display device including: a variable display displaying an image and variably changed by external force; and at least one click button module provided separately from the variable display and attached onto the bottom of the variable display to correspond to a predetermined touch button region of the variable display.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chang Min Park
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Patent number: 9812792Abstract: A pressing element is configured for an electrical component which needs to be pressed against another element for contact. The electrical component includes at least one electrically conductive touch contact. The pressing element has an annular pressing surface for the electrical component. An outer contour of the pressing surface is greater than an outer contour of the electrical component which needs to be pressed. The pressing surface has an annular elevation which forms a bearing surface for the electrical component.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Alexander Herrmann, Conrad Haeussermann, Wolfgang Woernle, Benjamin Bertsch
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Patent number: 9805884Abstract: An electrical switch (120) includes an insulative housing (121), the operation part (150) disposed in the housing (121), and the metallic cover (160) enclosing the housing (121). The metallic cover (160) includes a front plate (161), a pair of side plates (164) extending rearwardly from two opposite lateral sides of the front plate (161). The side plate (164) include a main body (165) to cover the corresponding side wall (125) of the housing and an extension (167) extending beyond a rear face of the housing (121) and adapted to be soldered upon a printed circuit board (110) on which the housing (121) is seated.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: Yusho Nakase, Liang Sun
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Patent number: 9780827Abstract: This application relates to various button related embodiments for use with a portable electronic device. In some embodiments, a snap clip can be integrated with a button bracket to save space where two separate brackets would take up too much space in the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, a tactile switch can be waterproofed by welding a polymeric layer atop a tactile switch assembly. In this way water can be prevented from contacting moisture sensitive components of the tactile switch assembly. The weld joining the polymeric layer to the tactile switch can include at least one gap to trapped gas surrounding the tactile switch assembly to enter and exit during heat excursions caused by various operating and/or assembly operations.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ashutosh Y. Shukla, Tyler B. Cater, Sawyer I. Cohen, Edward S. Huo, David A. Pakula, Benjamin Shane Bustle, Dhaval N. Shah, Yaocheng Zhang, Vivek Katiyar
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Patent number: 9720436Abstract: In an operation input device, a supporting part supports an operation part to be displaceable with respect to the base part, and a reaction force generating part generates reaction force in an axial direction coaxial with the displacement direction in response to the displacement. The supporting part includes: a support member having: one end connected to the base part and another end protruded from the base part; and a plurality of plate springs respectively having a plate surface perpendicular to a center axis of the support member, arranged radially around the center axis, and a tip in a radial direction connected to the operation part. The reaction force generating part includes: an electromagnet generating magnetic force in an axial direction parallel to the center axis of the support member; and a magnetic member arranged opposite to the electromagnet to receive magnetic force to apply reaction force to the operation part.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Shinsuke Hisatsugu
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Patent number: 9715974Abstract: An electrical multiple stage switch assembly includes an assembly casing, a first component carrier, and at least one multiple stage switch including a first disc contact, at least one second disc contact, and an actuator. The first and second disc contacts are positioned with their centers substantially aligned, and the first and second disc contact are adapted to flex into an electrical connection when the actuator is pressed and to flex back into a non-electrical connection when the actuator is released. A controlling member includes a controlling part for each switch, and the controlling part includes a spacing member adapted to limit the smallest possible distance between adjacent component carriers.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: SCANRECO ABInventors: Vedran Sikiric, Jonas Lorander, Axel Svensson, Carl Moberg, Kaj Johansson, Daniel Bodin, Zoltan Palankai
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Patent number: 9715978Abstract: A key of a keyboard and a low travel dome switch utilized in the key. The key may comprise a key cap, and a low travel dome positioned beneath the key cap, and operative to collapse when a force is exerted on the low travel dome by the key cap. The low travel dome may comprise a top portion, and a group of arms extending from the top portion to a perimeter of the low travel dome and at least partially defining a tuning member located between two of the group of arms. The low travel dome may also comprise a group of elongated protrusions. Each of the group of elongated protrusions may extend from one of the top portion, or one of the group of arms. At least one of the group of elongated protrusions may extend into the tuning member.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventor: Keith J. Hendren
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Patent number: 9685284Abstract: A push-type switch with sound feedback, includes a casing having a plurality of positioning slots, a movable seat, a cap lid, a conducting unit, and an audio module. The movable seat includes a wall body, an interference element, and multiple engaging portions movably connected to the positioning slots. The conducting unit includes a conducting module which forms a conducting space and includes a base board, a connecting element, and at least an audio element built in with at least an audio message. When the cap lid is depressed to enable the movable seat to move, the interference element moves in conjunction with the movable seat into the conducting space, whereby allowing the conducting unit to generate and transmit an electrical signal to actuate an electronic product and the audio element concurrently playing the audio message so that users are able to recognize a controlling state of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Inventor: Ching-Hsiung Chu
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Patent number: 9664576Abstract: A load detector and an electronic unit using load detectors include a load sensor having a projective pressure receiving part, a case in which the load sensor is placed with the pressure receiving part facing toward the upper surface of the case, and an elastic body placed on the same side as the upper surface of the load sensor, the elastic body configured to receive a load and press the load sensor in its height direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Sato, Eiji Umetsu
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Patent number: 9406460Abstract: A push switch of the present invention includes a case in which a concave portion is formed. The push switch of the present invention includes a movable member formed so as to be convex upward and arranged in the concave portion. The push switch of the present invention includes a protecting sheet provided above the movable member so as to cover the concave portion, the protecting sheet having an adhesive formed on a lower surface thereof. The push switch of the present invention is provided with an intermediate sheet between a lower surface of the adhesive and an upper surface of the movable member.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yusuke Nakaoka, Kojiro Yano
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Patent number: 9368298Abstract: A switch includes a case, fixed electrodes, a movable electrode and a pressing member. The fixed electrodes and the movable electrode are arranged inside the recess. The pressing member is arranged so as to cover at least a part of the recess, and displaces the movable electrode from the second position to the first position by a pressing force from the outside. The pressing member includes a first bent part and a second bent part, and a deforming part disposed therebetween. The deforming part is opposed to the movable electrode with a gap in a state where the movable electrode is in the second position. The deforming part is configured to be flexibly deformed toward the outside of the case in a state where the movable electrode is in the first position in which the fixed electrodes are in a conductive state.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hidetake Kikuchi
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Patent number: 9142368Abstract: Provided is a push switch that can be made thin without requiring that a notch be made into a mounting board. The push switch includes a substrate having a L-shaped cross section and wherein the substrate has a front surface, a back surface and a side face, an accommodating recess provided on the front surface, a center contact provided so as to be substantially centralized in the accommodating recess, a pair of peripheral contacts each provided at a circumferential edge of the accommodating recess, a movable contact spring constructed so as to extend across the pair of peripheral contacts and designed to be brought into contact with the center contact when pressed, a connection pad provided on the back surface and electrically connected to the mounting substrate, and an electrode provided on the side face and electrically connected to the connection pad.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignees: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.Inventor: Shinsuke Watanabe
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Patent number: 9129762Abstract: There is provided a push switch including an insulating case, a conductive member, a movable electrode and an operating member. The insulating case has a wall portion defining a recess. The conductive member has a first portion embedded into the wall portion and a second portion disposed in the recess as a fixed electrode. The movable electrode is disposed in the recess and is displaced between a first position and a second position. The operating member is moved to displace the movable electrode from the second position to the first position. An anchor member protrudes from the conductive member in a direction not parallel to the direction in which the operating member is moved, and embedded into the wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seigo Ohtaka, Shigemi Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 9123483Abstract: A sealed pushbutton for a wristwatch includes a pushbutton head that is movable between a resting position and an active position, a first fixed conductive element, a second movable conductive element, and an elastically deformable capsule. The elastically deformable capsule hermetically covers the first fixed conductor, and an upper surface of the capsule is in physical contact with a lower surface of the pushbutton head and the capsule is locatable in a non-deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in a deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its active position. The first and second conductive elements form a capacitive or resistive switch device, and the switch is in open state when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in closed state when the pushbutton head is in its active position.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.Inventors: Yvan Ferri, Sergio Rota, Jean-Claude Martin
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Patent number: 9064653Abstract: Accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A headset may be provided with a button controller assembly that has user-actuated buttons and a microphone. The microphone may be formed by mounting a microphone transducer on a printed circuit board. A housing may be mounted over the transducer to form a sealed cavity for the transducer. Circuitry may be mounted on portions of the printed circuit board that extend beyond the edges of the microphone housing. The button controller assembly may have dome switches. The dome switches may have a housing that encloses dome switch components and that forms a structural internal part for the button controller. The dome switch housing structure may have tabs or other engagement features that mate with corresponding engagement features in a button member. The button member may be pressed by a user to actuate a desired dome switch.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Claudio V. Di Leo, Jahan C. Minoo
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Patent number: 9029722Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a terminal body, and a manipulating portion disposed on one side surface of the terminal body, wherein the manipulating portion includes: a substrate having a first contact point and a second contact point; and a conductive dome configured to conduct the first and second contact points when being pressed, wherein the first and second contact points are spaced from each other on the substrate in a first direction, and wherein the second contact point portion is not disposed in a second direction crossing the first direction. Under these configurations, the mobile terminal can have more various designs.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Jaejun Jung
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Patent number: 9012796Abstract: An electrical switch which includes a top metal support plate, a triggering member bearing on a bottom of a recess, a bottom metal contact plate having a fixed central contact region, and an adhesive fixing insulating sheet. The adhesive insulating sheet is arranged between a peripheral portion of the bottom face of the top support plate and a peripheral portion of the top face of the bottom contact plate and the adhesive insulating sheet adheres, by its two opposite faces, to each of said two annular portions to form a means for fixing the top support plate to the bottom contact plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: CoActive Technologies, LLCInventors: Michel Cour, Jean-Christophe Villain
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Patent number: 9006597Abstract: A push switch is configured to be mounted on an upper surface of a circuit board the circuit board having a land provided on the upper surface thereof and a side edge. The push switch includes a front section and a rear section. The front section includes a switch contact unit activated by being pushed in a predetermined direction, and is configured to be located outward from the side edge of the circuit board. The rear section includes a terminal connected with the switch contact unit the rear section extending from the front section, and is configured to be disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board. The rear section is connected with the front section, and configures substantially an L-shape in combination with the front section. The terminal is configured to be connected with the land of the circuit board. The predetermined direction is parallel to the upper surface of the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuki Hirata
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Patent number: 8853581Abstract: Accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A headset may be provided with a button controller assembly that has user-actuated buttons and a microphone. The microphone may be formed by mounting a microphone transducer on a printed circuit board. A housing may be mounted over the transducer to form a sealed cavity for the transducer. Circuitry may be mounted on portions of the printed circuit board that extend beyond the edges of the microphone housing. The button controller assembly may have dome switches. The dome switches may have a housing that encloses dome switch components and that forms a structural internal part for the button controller. The dome switch housing structure may have tabs or other engagement features that mate with corresponding engagement features in a button member. The button member may be pressed by a user to actuate a desired dome switch.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Claudio V. Di Leo, Jahan C. Minoo
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Patent number: 8847092Abstract: Hybrid keypad apparatus are disclosed herein. An example hybrid keypad apparatus includes a dome-switch assembly having a first plurality of domes composed of a first material and a second plurality of domes composed of a second material different from the first material. A carrier couples the first and second plurality of domes.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: John Paul Kudrna, Dietmar Frank Wennemer
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Patent number: 8809709Abstract: Provided is a pushbutton switch that can be made thin without requiring that a notch be made into a mounting board. The pushbutton switch is provided with a first substrate having a housing recess part located on a surface of the first substrate, a center contact provided at roughly the center of the interior of the housing recess part, a pair of peripheral contacts provided on peripheral edge parts of the housing recess part, a movable contact spring that is installed on the pair of peripheral contacts and that touches the center contact upon being pressed, and a second substrate, which is provided with a pair of connection pads electrically connected to the first substrate. A cross section of the first and second substrates is formed as a whole into an “L”-like shape.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignees: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd., Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinsuke Watanabe
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Patent number: 8803016Abstract: A dome sheet structure of a mobile communication terminal may include: a metal dome covering a contact point printed on a printed circuit board; and a light guide film disposed on the metal dome. The light guide film may be bonded with the metal dome in a bonding area, and the bonding area may be an area between two concentric circles having different diameters and centered at a center of the metal dome.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Pantech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Choon Kwon Kang
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Patent number: 8759704Abstract: A switch includes a click spring, stationary contacts, a spring holding sheet, a switch base, and a nub disposed on the sheet and having a non-linear acting load to displacement characteristic. Spring constant k11 (tangent gradient of the characteristic curve of the a nub at an origin point), spring constant k3 (gradient of a line connecting a point corresponding to a peak acting load and an origin point of a characteristic curve of the click spring and the sheet), spring constant k12 (tangent gradient at an arbitrary point of a non-linear portion of the characteristic curve of the nub), and displacement s11 (displacement corresponding to an intersection point of the line having the gradient k11 and the line having the gradient k12) satisfy k11<k3, k12>k3, and 0<s11<S1.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigenori Inamoto, Yukihiro Takimoto, Chikara Sekiguchi