Including Raised Flexible Snap Element (e.g., Dome) Patents (Class 200/406)
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Patent number: 7560655Abstract: A movable contact includes a dome portion having substantially a dome shape and a periphery, and four projections provided on a concave surface of the dome portion. The periphery of the dome portion has substantially an oval shape having a longitudinal direction. The periphery having two linear peripheries in parallel with the longitudinal direction and two arcuate peripheries connected to the two linear peripheries at four corners. The four corners are arcuate. Two diagonal lines connecting the four corners intersect at a center of the dome portion. The four projections are located on the two diagonal lines at identical distances from the center. The movable contact contacts a fixed contact stably with an excellent click feeling on a pushing operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Minoru Karaki, Akira Kamie, Nobumasa Nakao
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Patent number: 7557320Abstract: This invention is directed to a surface-mounted dome switch for use in an electronic device. The switch may include a dome having a conductive inner surface operative to create an electrical path between adjacent conductive pads of a circuit board. The dome may include a tab extending away from the periphery of the dome such that the tab is parallel to the circuit board when the dome is mounted to the circuit board. The tab may be mounted a pad on the circuit board using SMT, in the same manner that any other electronic device component would be mounted. In some embodiments, a raised edge may be inserted underneath the dome to increase the travel required to actuate the dome. The increased travel may provide a more pleasing user experience.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Christopher D. Prest
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Patent number: 7547856Abstract: A sealed pushbutton switch (1) includes an insulative housing (2) defining a cavity (25), an actuator (3) movably retained in the insulative housing, a base (8) conglutinated to the insulative housing by glue, a number of fixed contacts (7) assembled to the base, a spring (5) mounted below the actuator, and a movable contact (6) mounted on the actuator and provided with a number of contact portions (621) in contact with corresponding fixed contacts. The movable contact is movable 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 has four slots (811) defined near four sides thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun-Ming Tan
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Patent number: 7547858Abstract: A push button switch has a housing formed by a base in which a fixed contact is disposed on a bottom face of the base and a cover assembled to the base, an operating member slidably inserted in the housing parallel to the bottom face of the base, a guiding part formed on the cover, extending obliquely inwards from a ceiling face of the cover, wherein a tip of an operating piece of the operating member is operable to slide along the guiding part, and a movable contact disposed in the housing and operable to be pressed against the fixed contact, thereby opening a circuit. The guiding part and a reinforcing part extending from the ceiling face of the cover at least on one side of the guiding part are formed at an edge of a through hole formed in the ceiling face of the cover. The movable contact has a thin dome shape.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventor: Kenshi Nagata
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Patent number: 7536880Abstract: A magnetic lid switch assembly includes a first magnetically actuated electrical switch that has a lever arm movable between a first position wherein the first switch is open and a second position wherein the first switch is closed. A second magnetically actuated electrical switch electrically is connected in series with the first switch. The second switch has a lever arm movable between a first position wherein the second switch is open and a second position wherein the second switch is closed. A first actuator is magnetically coupled to the first switch. The first actuator moves the lever arm of the first switch closing the first switch to enable the first switch to pass an electric current when the first actuator is positioned proximate the first switch. A second actuator is magnetically coupled to the second switch.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Errin Whitney Gnadinger, Kristian Michael Magnuson, Thomas William McConihay, John Jacob Lapina, Jr., Derek Lee Watkins
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Patent number: 7525059Abstract: A push switch is arranged to be mounted on a board. The push switch includes a case, a plurality of contacts provided in the case, an operation body for activating the plurality of contacts upon being pushed in an operation direction parallel to the surface of the board, first and second terminals protruding from the case. The case has first and second side surfaces opposite to each other. The first terminal includes a first base portion protruding from the first side surface of the case, and a first end portion extending from the first base portion in a direction non-parallel to perpendicular to the operation direction. The second terminal includes a second base portion protruding from the second side surface of the case and a second end portion extending from the second base portion in a direction non-parallel to perpendicular to the operation direction. The push switch has a small size and is mounted securely onto a board.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masahiro Masuda, Yasunori Yanai, Yoshikazu Yagi
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Patent number: 7525060Abstract: A movable contact point according to the present invention includes a dome-shaped portion protruded upwardly at its center portion and at least three protrusions formed, on the dome-shaped portion, to protrude downwardly at positions which are evenly spaced apart from the center position of the dome-shaped portion, wherein the protrusions are formed to have a quadrangular-pyramid shape protruding downwardly and having a spherical-shaped apex portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Yoshiro Sano
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Publication number: 20090065342Abstract: Provided is a dome switch including soldering pads formed at an upper surface of a circuit board and spaced a certain distance from one another, and a dome switch fixed to the soldering pads at two ends of the dome switch. Since the dome switch is directly fixed to the circuit board, even if a degree of fatigue of the dome switch increases due to long term use thereof, it is possible to prevent deformation of the dome switch, thereby increasing the reliability of products.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.Inventors: Hak-Young Yoon, Shin-Woo Ok
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Publication number: 20090038925Abstract: A movable contact includes a dome portion having substantially a dome shape and a periphery, and four projections provided on a concave surface of the dome portion. The periphery of the dome portion has substantially an oval shape having a longitudinal direction. The periphery having two linear peripheries in parallel with the longitudinal direction and two arcuate peripheries connected to the two linear peripheries at four corners. The four corners are arcuate. Two diagonal lines connecting the four corners intersect at a center of the dome portion. The four projections are located on the two diagonal lines at identical distances from the center. The movable contact contacts a fixed contact stably with an excellent click feeling on a pushing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Karaki, Akira Kamie, Nobumasa Nakao
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Patent number: 7485824Abstract: An electrical switch, in the form of a short-stroke key is provided, including a housing having a base and a cover fixed to the base. A contact system is located in the housing, and an actuating member acts on the contact system in a switching manner. The base has a cutout in the underside that is positioned remote from the cover. The cover at least partially covers the base on the upper side and on the side face of the base, and an attachment on the cover engages the cutout in a flange manner such that the attachment is accommodated in the base and is at the most flush with the underside of the base.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignees: Marquardt GmbH, DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Axel Rastemborski, Bernd Hellbeck
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Patent number: 7449654Abstract: A small and thin lateral pushing type push switch of the one- or two-step operation type in which excellent operation properties of a dome-like metal plate serving as a movable contact can be obtained is provided. The push switch has a presser having: an inclined portion 9a which converts an operating force in the moving direction of a push button, to a force in the operation direction of a dome-like metal plate; a flexible hinge portion which allows the inclined portion to be moved in the operation direction of the dome-like metal plate; and a pressing portion which presses down the dome-like metal plate. The dome-like metal plate is disposed in two stages in the operation direction of the metal plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Hosiden CorporationInventor: Shiro Tsuduki
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Patent number: 7442894Abstract: An electrical switch system may include a contact-bearing support configured to delimit a recess in a substantially horizontal bottom, wherein at least two fixed electrical contacts are positioned in the recess. Additionally, the electrical switch system may include at least one dome-shaped first triggering device configured to be elastically deformable from a top rest position to form an electrical link between the at least two fixed electrical contacts. The electrical switch system may also include an actuating push-button mounted to be displaced substantially vertically downward relative to the support. Further, the electrical switch system may include a mechanism configured to return the push-button to the rest position and an elastic element configured to exert an elastic force on the push-button, wherein the elastic force is directed upward when the push-button is displaced downward beyond a contact position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: CoActive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Christophe Villain, Michel Cour
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Patent number: 7429707Abstract: A push switch which includes a switch case, a first movable contact, and a second movable contact. The switch case has a central fixed contact on an inner bottom face of its recess that has an open top, and a peripheral fixed contact. The first movable contact is curved protruding upward, and has a hole at its center. The first movable contact is disposed over the peripheral fixed contact with a space in between. The second movable contact is curved protruding upward, and is placed on the first movable contact. A pressing force for resiliently inverting the second movable contact is set greater than a pressing force for resiliently inverting the first movable contact; and two tactile feedbacks are produced by pressing from a side of the second movable contact.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Yanai, Takashi Tomago
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Patent number: 7427724Abstract: An invention proposes a switch comprising a lower casing in the bottom of which are placed two contact elements. A trip member is elastically deformable through the action of an actuating member. At least one light source is supported by a support plate which straddles the actuating member and has terminals for electrical connection of the light source. The lower face of the support plate rests on the lower casing. The electrical connection terminals of the light source extend outwards from the casing along the vertical lateral faces of the casing.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: CoActive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Sylvain Rochon, Jeremy Hebras, Lourent Bouvier, Aurelien Carvalho
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Publication number: 20080210534Abstract: The invention relates to a movable contact used for a sheet having a movable contact for example used for an electronic device such as a mobile phone and provides a movable contact that realizes, even when having a smaller size, a required pressing force and a favorable click touch response. To realize this, a part surrounded by a conical circumferential edge in which a circular outer circumference edge when seen from the upper side has an inclined surface forms a spherical surface-like section that swells in an upward direction. Both ends of the circle having an identical distance to center line of the circle are straightly cut off. Then, parts at which these straight cut edges intersect with the circular edges are chamfered to have a circular arc to provide a movable contact having a substantially oval shape having circular arc corners.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Minoru Karaki, Akira Kamie, Nobumasa Nakao
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Publication number: 20080210535Abstract: An operating body being made of a metal plate and being overlaid with polyamide resin layer, a side of the operating body having an operating part protruding from a front side of a switch case, and an other side having a driving part in an arm shape and a sliding guide in a frame shape surrounding the driving part, in which the driving part in the arm shape being compression pressed to be a thin plate, and the sliding guide being formed with an upper sliding contact in a hemisphere shape coming into contact with an undersurface of cover above the contact and a lower sliding contact formed long in back and forth direction coming into contact with a protective sheet under the contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Masuda, Yasunori Yanai, Yoshikazu Yagi
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Patent number: 7417565Abstract: A hand-held electronic device has a keyboard with a plurality of keys, each key having a substantially flat contact surface extending to the sides of each key. One of the sides of the key is beveled.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventor: Jason T. Griffin
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Patent number: 7378609Abstract: A metal dome switch assembly with a good snap ratio and having a desired click characteristic near to that of an isolated metal dome includes a carrier base layer and adhesive layer which have a plurality of holes bounded by annular sections which engage the lower outer surfaces of the domes and are larger than the keypad actuation posts, at positions corresponding to fixed contact points on a circuit board. The switch array is especially important in cell phone designs where the snap ratio, tactile feel, is desirable. The switch array can also incorporate an electroluminescent (EL) lamp while still improving the snap ratio.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventor: John Fedorjaka
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Publication number: 20080093208Abstract: A button apparatus and a mobile appliance having the same are provided. A button cover plate having button areas forms an external portion of a case of the appliance. The button areas may be flat on the surface of the button cover plate 36, and include compression bosses on a rear side thereof that contact and manipulate corresponding switches mounted on a substrate. The button cover plate may be seated in a button recess formed on the case 10. When so arranged, the button apparatus does not project from an outer surface of the mobile appliance, and an external design of the mobile appliance may be varied.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2007Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Dong Min SEO, Dong Han Kim
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Patent number: 7350285Abstract: A method of manufacturing a movable contact unit includes manufacturing a movable contact, sticking the movable contact to a base sheet made of insulating resin, and applying demagnetization to the movable contact so that the residual magnetic flux density is smaller than the operation magnetic flux density of the magnetic sensor. In manufacturing the movable contact, elastic metal plate material is processed into a downwardly opening dome shape to form the movable contact. In a method of manufacturing a switch panel, the movable contact unit is overlaid on a wiring board having a contact, including pair an outer fixed contact and a central fixed contact, that corresponds to the movable contact so that the lower end of the outer periphery of the movable contact is mounted on the outer fixed contact.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Mitsuoka, Hiromichi Koyama
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Publication number: 20080035462Abstract: A push switch which includes a switch case, a first movable contact, and a second movable contact. The switch case has a central fixed contact on an inner bottom face of its recess that has an open top, and a peripheral fixed contact. The first movable contact is curved protruding upward, and has a hole at its center. The first movable contact is disposed over the peripheral fixed contact with a space in between. The second movable contact is curved protruding upward, and is placed on the first movable contact. A pressing force for resiliently inverting the second movable contact is set greater than a pressing force for resiliently inverting the first movable contact; and two tactile feedbacks are produced by pressing from a side of the second movable contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasunori YANAI, Takashi TOMAGO
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Patent number: 7329823Abstract: A movable contact element includes a base sheet provided on its bottom surface with adhesive portions which are dotted around; an adhesive portion with a predetermined width which surrounds the entire edges of the base sheet; adhesive portions with a predetermined width which surround rectangular holes formed in the base sheet; and adhesive portions with a predetermined width which surround the circumferences of the circular movable contact points.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Sadamori, Hiromichi Koyama
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Patent number: 7301113Abstract: A dome-shaped diaphragm includes a convex portion; a base portion provided on an outer periphery of the convex portion; and a pressing force reducing portion provided in at least one of the convex portion and the base portion. Examples of the pressing force reducing portion may be a hole portion, a reduced thickness portion or any other feature that reduces the pressing force.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Nishimura, Toshiaki Kasai, Yuuitsu Sakuraba, Nobumasa Misaki
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Patent number: 7288735Abstract: The conductors are shaped into a flat shape and a part of the conductors is exposed from the recess portion formed in a part of the insulator respectively to constitute fixed contacts. Therefore, there is no necessity to bend the conductors and thus a bending error is not caused. As a result, no level difference can be generated between the fixed contacts and the problem of defective contact due to such level difference can be never caused.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventor: Toshihiro Naijo
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Patent number: 7279652Abstract: A switch assembly includes a unitary push button housing including an actuable button, a retainer having a first surface and a second surface, in which the retainer is secured within the push button housing, a snap dome secured on the first surface of the retainer, and at least one terminal passing through the second surface of the retainer to the first surface. The button is configured to be actuated into the snap dome, so that the snap dome is urged into contact with the terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Earl Genz, Julie Rutkowski, Brian Truesdale
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Patent number: 7253368Abstract: A pin anchoring structure for button switches has a wiring space in an insulation seat to hold a first pin and a second pin that are separated. Through a pressing action, the first pin and the second pin form an electric connection via a conductive connection member. The second pin has a pressed coupling section which is formed in a bulged curve. The seat has a bottom which also is formed in another bulged curve corresponding to the pressed coupling section. Thereby the second pin can be anchored securely on the bottom of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
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Patent number: 7235754Abstract: A casing (3), in which a plurality of conductive tracks are fixed, an operation element (5) which is arranged so as to be able to move in translation in the casing (3), a conductive dome-like member (51) which is arranged in the casing (3) and which is resiliently deformable under the action of the displacement of the operation element (5) between a first state and a second state of commutation, a light source (13) and at least two power supply tracks for the light source (13). The light source (13) is fixedly joined to the operation element (5), the operation element being provided with at least two contact elements (87) which connect, over the entire axial travel of the operation element (5) in the casing (3), the light source (13) to the respective power supply tracks.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Sylvain Rochon, Laurent Bouvier
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Patent number: 7230197Abstract: A movable contact is made of a resilient and electrically conductive thin metal plate so that a depressing operation onto the top thereof allows turning over of the central section thereof. The movable contact is shaped like a dome bowing upward and open downward, and includes at least three projections radially placed at the center where the turn-over occurs. A top view of the projection shows a long and narrow shape extending in the radial direction. The downward protruding amount of the respective projections increases along the radial direction from the center to the outer side, and the respective projections each have a flat face having a given width along the circumferential direction. When the movable contact is in operation, the movable contact touches the object at an outer section of the flat face and along the circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiro Sano, Tetsuya Fukuda
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Patent number: 7217893Abstract: A two-stage button structure includes: a silver paste PCB, a metal dome, a film, a flexible contact body, and a button body. When the button body is pressed to a first stage, the pair of conductive blocks of the flexible contact body respectively passes through the pair of through holes of the film to respectively electrically contact the first and the second conductive areas in order to generate a first stage signal. When the button body is pressed to a second stage, the metal dome is pressed via the contact pin to touch the third conductive area and the pair of conductive blocks respectively electrically contact the first and the second conductive areas at the same time so that the second and the third conductive areas electrically connect with each other to generate a second stage signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Altek CorporationInventors: Yu-Cheng Huang, Tzu-Chih Lin
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Patent number: 7199321Abstract: A metal dome switch includes a touch element protruding from a center of the metal dome switch, a connecting element integrally extended from a periphery of the touch element and a mountable surface integrally formed on the touch element. Since the touch element, the connecting element and the mountable surface are integrally formed; the manufacture cost of the metal dome switch can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2006Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Altek CorporationInventor: Yu-Cheng Huang
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Patent number: 7196280Abstract: A switch (10) comprising a bottom contact-holder (12) supporting two fixed electric contacts (30, 30B), an actuation member (54) and an intermediate conductive contact strip (14) that can be deformed elastically in order to modify the electric connection between the two fixed contacts (3030B) and that comprises two opposite longitudinal branches (40) connected to the front transverse contact arm (38B), characterized in that each branch (40) is curved and the switch comprises an actuation plate (16) which is interposed between the actuation member (54) and the contact strip (14) and which interacts with the tops (64) of the longitudinal branches (40) to deform the contact strip (14).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Sylvain Rochon
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Patent number: 7186939Abstract: A small movable contact unit and a panel switch which prevent peeling from an edge even though the width between the edge of a base sheet and a movable contact is narrowed. The movable contact unit includes the movable contact and base sheet. The movable contact has a round dome shape and is made of a resilient metal sheet. The base sheet is an insulating film which adheres a dome tip of the movable contact with an adhesive applied to its undersurface for holding the movable contact at a predetermined position. A supplementary adhesive is applied to a ring non-adhesive area of the movable contact disposed near the edge of the base sheet at a portion toward the edge of the base sheet. Accordingly, the movable contact disposed near the edge is adhered to and held by the base sheet using the adhesive including the supplementary adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Sera, Hiromichi Koyama
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Patent number: 7178223Abstract: A method of manufacturing a movable contact unit includes manufacturing a movable contact, sticking the movable contact to a base sheet made of insulating resin, and applying demagnetization to the movable contact so that the residual magnetic flux density is smaller than the operation magnetic flux density of the magnetic sensor. In manufacturing the movable contact, elastic metal plate material is processed into a downwardly opening dome shape to form the movable contact. In a method of manufacturing a switch panel, the movable contact unit is overlaid on a wiring board having a contact, including pair an outer fixed contact and a central fixed contact, that corresponds to the movable contact so that the lower end of the outer periphery of the movable contact is mounted on the outer fixed contact.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Mitsuoka, Hiromichi Koyama
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Patent number: 7173206Abstract: A switch assembly is provided which includes a holder defining at least a pair of eyelets extending completely therethrough; an electrically conductive lead-frame supported on the holder, the lead-frame defining at least a pair of openings therein; and at least a pair of electrically conductive rivets each configured and adapted for at least partial positioning in a respective eyelet. The first opening of the lead-frame is larger than a head portion of a first rivet such that the head portion does not contact the lead-frame. The second opening of the lead-frame is smaller than a head portion of another rivet such that the head portion contacts the lead-frame. The switch assembly further includes at least one electrically conductive snap dome in electrical contact with the lead-frame and overlying the first rivet.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada Ltd.Inventor: Ronal Charles Du Pont
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Patent number: 7157657Abstract: A mobile electronic device is disclosed. The device includes a printed circuit board, a first button module, a second button module and an actuator module. The printed circuit board has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first button module includes a plurality of first dome-like switches disposed on the first surface. The second button module includes a plurality of second dome-like switches disposed on the second surface. The actuator module actuates the plurality of first and second dome-like switches.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Benq CorporationInventor: Hsin-Ping Lin
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Patent number: 7157650Abstract: A casing (1); a first conductive track (31) and a second conductive track (27); a first conductive dome (3) which is resiliently deformable so as to be able to pass to a configuration, in which it forms an electrical contact between the first track (31) and second track (27); and an activation device comprising an operation element (9) which is mounted in the casing so as to slide in an orthogonal manner (X) relative to the axis of deformation (Z).Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Sylvain Rochon
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Patent number: 7151236Abstract: A switching device intended for assembly on an electric printed circuit mounting plate includes contacts to be electrically connected when a switching operation is performed. The switching device includes a switch component associated with an actuator, which allows for an electrical connection to be established between said contacts when it is deflected under pressure transmitted by the actuator. The switching device also includes a base plate equipped with holding means for holding the switch component prior to the assembly of the switching device on the mounting plate, the switch component being disengaged from the holding means when the device is assembled on the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Dav Societe AnonymeInventors: René Ducruet, Laurent Mounier
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Patent number: 7135646Abstract: An electrical switch includes an insulative housing (10), a set of fixed contacts fastened in the housing, a movable contacts (30) received in the housing, a load plate (40) mounted above the movable contact, a spring (50) mounted in the load plate, a driver (60) defined on the load plate, a shell (70) surrounding the housing, a knob (80) assembled with the load plate, and a push button (90) assembled on the load plate. While rotating the knob, the load plate is accordingly rotated, and the movable contacts are driven to contact with some of the fixed contacts, which enables rotary operation. While pressing the push button, the driver is pressed to move downwardly to press the movable contacts for contacting with the fixed contacts, which enables pushing operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shi-Jie Tan
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Patent number: 7105761Abstract: A push switch includes a case having a bottom face, first and second fixed contacts provided on the bottom face of the case, a movable contact made of metal thin plate, an elastic body, and an operating body. The elastic body includes a cylindrical portion having a hole formed therein, a conical portion provided below the cylindrical portion, a projection located above the movable contact, and a junction portion coupling the projection to the cylindrical portion. This push switch can provide a long over-stroke after being turned on.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Masuda, Yasunori Yanai, Yoshikazu Yagi
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Patent number: 7102086Abstract: A switch arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a number of switches arranged on a substrate, each switch having a resiliently deformable conductive dome for making an electrical connection with a corresponding contact on the substrate; and a number of signal lines for connection to a microprocessor for signalling an operation of a switch. The switches are arranged such that operation of any given switch creates a unique electrical connection between two of the signal lines and each of the signal lines is electrically connected to a conductive surface of a respective dome. Also disclosed is a cover for a portable electronic apparatus, having a number of user operable keys. The keys are connectable to a microprocessor in the apparatus via electrical connections made using the conductive domes.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2001Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Andrew Raymond Bick, Barrowclough Philip, Gary Wingett, Helen Louise Haws
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Patent number: 7094985Abstract: A switch integrated type housing includes a housing body, a switch button sheet, a conductor and a cover sheet. The housing body is provided with a plurality of concave sections on an outer surface of the housing body. The switch button sheet is provided on the outer surface to cover the plurality of concave sections. The conductor has a dome shape downwardly projecting and is provided in each of the plurality of concave sections to contact the switch button sheet. The cover sheet is provided between the switch button sheet and the outer surface of the housing body in a portion of the outer surface of the housing body other than the plurality of concave sections and to cover a lower surface of the conductor in each of the plurality of concave sections.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Kobayashi, Takaaki Yoshihiro, Nobuhiro Mikami
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Patent number: 7088336Abstract: An improved pushbutton has a pair of elastic sections sandwiching a protrusive button. The elastic section includes a pair of elastic and flexible strips formed in an undulate manner to become a buffer member abutting a lateral side of the button to position the button in a vertical fashion. When the button is subject to a force the elastic sections may be compressed. When the force is released, the elastic sections are extended. The button may be embedded in a LCD panel at a smaller space, thus the overall size of the panel may be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Inventec Multimedia & Telecom CorporationInventor: Wei-Wen Hsu
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Patent number: 7075020Abstract: A two-step push-on switch sequentially operates first and second switches via a movable contact plate configured by a metal plate spring and fixed by an adhesive tape onto a circuit board. A spacer is placed around the movable contact plate. A continuous or discontinuous tape-sticking face is lower than the top of a center plate portion and higher than a peripheral plate portion due to the spacer around the movable contact plate, thereby preventing the tape from sticking to the peripheral plate portion. In the tape, non-adhesive portions are formed in places opposing to parts of the peripheral plate portion of the movable contact plate excluding at least the connecting portions with the connecting plate portions respectively. When the adhesive tap makes contact with the peripheral plate portion during operation of the first switch, the adhesive tape is prevented from sticking to the peripheral plate portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Hosiden CorporationInventor: Makoto Asada
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Patent number: 7064288Abstract: A keypad for a mobile communication terminal is provided. The keypad includes a sheet having contacts which deflect so as to switch contact point pairs on a printed circuit board on and off. The contacts may be formed as hemispherical domes to facilitate use. The sheet may also include band parts covering the contacts and an insulting sheet having at least one pair of semicircular openings which expose portions of the contacts. The insulating sheet is preferably made of a light-reflecting material/color which disperses light to illuminate keys of the keypad.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sang Eun Nam
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Patent number: 7060924Abstract: A keypad assembly comprising a substrate, a membrane, and a logic component. The substrate has at least one set of electrical contact points that comprise a first, second, and a third conductive electric-contact area. The membrane comprises domed elements having a conductive elements fixedly attached thereto. Each conductive element is configured to interface with one or more of the electrical contact points with a soft press and a hard press. The logic component is in operative communication with the substrate and the membrane. The logic component is configured to distinguish between the soft press and the hard press.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.Inventors: David Beene, John Philip Taylor
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Patent number: 7057128Abstract: A first stationary contact (i.e., center stationary contact) has a center contact point exposed at the center on the bottom of a recess in a square-shaped switch base as viewed from the above. The first stationary contact is disposed to the bottom of the recess with its lead paths extended along one of diagonal lines of the square-shaped switch base from the center contact point toward both side edges of the switch base. Second stationary contacts (i.e., outer stationary contacts) are arranged at positions along an outer brim of the recess in a line-symmetrical manner about the one of the diagonal lines in areas opposite each other along the other diagonal line. The first stationary contact and the second stationary contacts are arranged in this manner and secured into embedment by means of insertion molding in the bottom of the recess in the switch base of an insulation resin.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shingo Oyagi, Yasunori Yanai, Yoshikazu Yagi, Hisashi Watanabe
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Patent number: 7022928Abstract: A push-on switch is pushed horizontally to the surface of a printed wiring board used in various electronic apparatuses. The push-on switch is of a surface mounted type, in which only front terminals lead from case can be extended vertically downwardly and soldered to the inside of through holes in land parts having the through hole of printed wiring board. Front terminals work as a maintaining means for maintaining a stable mounted state to improve proof strength against an operating force horizontal to the printed wiring board surface. Therefore, the stable mounted state to the printed wiring board is kept also when horizontal pushing is repeated.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Watanabe, Koji Tamano
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Patent number: 7012208Abstract: An improved thin switch aims at reducing overall height of switches without shortening existing compression displacement. It has a trigger assembly which includes an upper button with a bracing section housed in a compartment, a coupling trough, and a lower button with compression section held in the coupling trough without exceeding the anchor portion of the coupling trough. The lower button further has a ram section located between the compression section and the elastic element. The upper button and lower buttons may be deformed as desired to reduce the overall height of the thin switch without affecting existing compression displacement.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.Inventor: Yung-Hui Wang
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Patent number: 6995324Abstract: A two-step push-on switch in which the operating stroke of an upper movable contact is ensured, and particularly the width of the switch is reduced while the durability of the upper movable contact is improved, the number of parts is reduced, an the operation is improved. Dome-like movable contacts are placed in two or upper and lower stages in an invertible manner in a recess of an insulative body having a plurality of stationary contacts, and the upper movable contact is formed into an oval shape.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Hosiden CorporationInventor: Makoto Asada
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Patent number: 6982394Abstract: The keysheet module has a flexible printed circuit board formed with dome-shaped depression switches on the upper surface thereof. Each of the depression switches comprises a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact surrounding the first fixed contact, a movable contact arranged over these fixed contacts to electrically connect and disconnect the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact, and a switch holding sheet arranged on the flexible printed circuit board to cover and hold the movable contact. An insulating film of an insulating paste is formed on the flexible printed circuit board in such a way that it has air holes formed therein to release air trapped in the movable contact. The switch holding sheet is arranged over the insulating film.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidehiko Ide, Isao Miyashita