Compression Spring (e.g., Push Force) Patents (Class 200/453)
  • Patent number: 10559435
    Abstract: A highly durable, quiet switch includes a housing, a stationary contact terminal including a fixed portion, a moving contact terminal, a moving contact unit including a body, a moving portion, and an urging member and connected to the moving contact terminal, an operating unit, a first elastic unit that comes in contact with the moving contact unit and elastically deforms when the moving portion moves away from the fixed portion, and a second elastic unit including a contact point between the moving portion and the fixed portion facing the moving portion to come in contact with the moving portion. The second elastic unit elastically deforms and electrically connects the stationary and moving contact terminals when the moving portion moves toward the fixed portion and comes in contact with the contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Shigenobu Kishi, Yoshinori Ijiri, Mamiko Naka
  • Patent number: 9850974
    Abstract: A nonlinear mechanical element including a buckling column and hard stops. In one embodiment when the nonlinear mechanical element is subjected to an increasing compressive load, the buckling column buckles at a critical load, resulting in reduced stiffness past the critical load. One or more lateral hard stops may be provided adjacent to the buckling column to prevent the buckling deformation from exceeding a certain extent, and axial hard stops may be provided to shift the load path away from the buckling column when a certain amount of compressive displacement has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henry, Jie Jiang, Sloan P. Smith, Jacob Mikulsky
  • Patent number: 9721740
    Abstract: A magnetically-triggered proximity switch includes an actuator assembly disposed within a switch body, and the actuator assembly includes an actuator body extending along an actuator axis. A primary contact and a secondary contact is each coupled to the actuator body and may be separated from a center contact along the actuator axis. The actuator assembly is pivotable between a first switch position and a second switch position about a pivot axis. In the first switch position, the center contact is in contact with a common contact and the first contact is in contact with a primary contact, thereby completing a circuit between a common arm and a primary arm. In the second switch position, the center contact is in contact with the common contact and the second contact is in contact with a secondary contact, thereby completing a circuit between the common arm and a secondary arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20120090972
    Abstract: A power transfer switch in which a cross bar including a movable contact is rotated to come into contact with one of fixed contacts disposed on left and right sides of the cross bar. The cross bar has a non-circular cross-section including a protruded piece on left and right, and a rotating angle thereof is greater than a rotating allowable angle of the movable contact between the fixed contacts. A through hole into which the cross bar is inserted with play is formed on a base portion of the movable contact, and a step portion for receiving the protruded piece of the cross bar and a spring housing portion extended in a direction of a central axis of the movable contact are formed in the through hole. A compression spring is accommodated in the spring housing portion to cause the cross bar to elastically hold the movable contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Aichi Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Yoshida, Kazutoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 7209336
    Abstract: A circuit protector is connected in a circuit to protect the circuit from overloading. The circuit protector includes a casing inside which first and second terminals electrically connected to the circuit are fixed. A first cantilever member is fixed to the first terminal and has a cantilever arm that assumes a first shape in a normal condition and is convertible into a second shape in an overloading condition. A second member is supported in the casing by a pivot and has one end fixed to the second terminal by a fastener and an opposite end forming a contact engageable with the cantilever arm in the first shape and separable from the cantilever arm in the second shape. The fastener has a low melting point whereby an overloading causes the fastener to melt and break and thus allowing the second member to rotate and separating the contact from the cantilever arm. The second member is biased by a spring to facilitate separation of the contact from the second member when the fastener is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 7105763
    Abstract: A switch assembly includes an actuator assembly having a slidably supported pushbutton and a switch mechanism switchable between alternate positions. The pushbutton is biased by a return spring between the pushbutton and a retainer. A pin is received within the return spring coils and engages a pivot member through an elongated opening in the retainer that allows lateral pin movement. A switch plate moves between alternate positions by contact with the pivot member and is maintained in one of the positions by a contact spring between the pivot member and plate. A spring damper in the contact spring coils limits resonating vibration. The switch assembly provides a multiple segment force input profile having first and second segments leading to the switching force with slopes according to a preferred ratio. Third and fourth segments of the input profile following the switching force define a V-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Gregory S. Altonen, Glenn R. Bowers, Scott Alan Kleppinger, Nicole R. Vigue
  • Patent number: 6661341
    Abstract: A seat-occupant sensing device for a car seat is provided, such that a heater can be installed in the seat without deterioration of sitting comfort. A load sensor is mounted to a cushion frame of a car seat. The end of a flexible cushion support is linked with the load sensor. Because the flexible cushion support flexes when a person sits on the seat, the load sensor detects the moment when the person sits on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ko Masuda, Katsutoshi Sasaki, Ken Obata, Hiroyuki Yamazaki, Takuya Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 6486428
    Abstract: To improve the possibilities of using a fast-action switch with positive opening, of the end-of-travel type, the switch is equipped with a set of compression springs which cause its moving equipment to rock and with a set of compensating springs which allow its operating plunger to move through an additional travel after switching, without damaging interference with a positive opening paddle. The additional travel is increased by placing the compensating springs between a front conducting element and the moving equipment which rocks at the time of switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Crouzet Automatismes
    Inventors: Christian Roux, Jacques Bojoly, Christian Minodier, Alain Pigat
  • Patent number: 5486667
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The operating springs controlling the CLOSED state of the circuit breaker contacts are contained within a module unit which can be installed both in the field as well as in the factory. A separate module provides the spring bias forces required for each of the circuit breaker ampere ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Patent number: 5471024
    Abstract: A flexible movable contact having fulcrums for pivoting the contact within notches of a terminal has a tab between the fulcrums offset downwardly and projecting outwardly that extends through an aperture in a flat U-shaped insulating contact carrier to attach one end of the contact to the carrier. A right-angle flat transition surface between the offset tab and primary plane of the contact abuts a convex surface forming an edge of the aperture to permit the contact to pivot relative to the carrier for self-alignment of the fulcrums in the notches. A beam of the contact extends obliquely away from the carrier and has lateral arms terminating in hook portions engaging an opposite side of the carrier. Ears bent over on the free end of the contact beam arrest overtravel movement of the carrier, which movement can be closely controlled by tolerances between the ears and hook portions during manufacture of the movable contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Ross, Robert A. Borsos, Lawrence G. Corey
  • Patent number: 5239151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a leaf switch having a scroll spring (6) which can be hooked between a switching are elongate windows which extend in the transverse direction and into which centrally projecting tongues (3a, 2a) of the switching tongue (3) and of the spring lever (2) engage. In order to avoid an unintentional unhooking of the scroll spring (6), there is a deformation projecting beyond the tongue surface at the front section of at least one of the two tongues (3a, 2a). The said deformation can be constructed as an embossed hollow projection or as laterally bent-over tongue legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Marquardt GmbH
    Inventors: Albert King, Guenther Marquardt
  • Patent number: 5082997
    Abstract: Switch of the tilting blade type wherein the spring blade (35) provides for the tension of the moving blade (38) and the return of the pusher (39); under the action of the pusher(39) the spring blade (35) separates progressively from the inclined terminal (34); the inclination value is given for products in compliance with standard (DIN 41635, shape A); the closure system of the case comprises flanges which retain the cover; the shaft of the accessories is cast in a single operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventor: Roger Vialy
  • Patent number: 5017747
    Abstract: A microswitch in which a good snap action feeling is obtained and an operating stroke is large is provided. Included in the microswitch is a swingable lever which is pushed by a pressing projection of a push button swingably pivotally supported. One end of the lever is pivotally supported and the other end is coupled with one end of a movable member having a movable contact. The movable member is biased by a spring in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Toyohiro Nagahara, Takashi Niwa, Takezo Sano, Isao Kato
  • Patent number: 4910368
    Abstract: The push-button switch according to the present invention comprises a switch base, a plunger movable along a sliding portion thereof, an alternate cam pivotally provided with said plunger and guides for said alternate cam integrally formed with said sliding portion of said plunger. Therefore, the guides for the alternate cam are positioned with high accuracy with respect to the sliding portion achieving secured movement of the alternate cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Sueaki Honda, Mitsuji Hayashi, Takashi Niwa, Akihiko Hayakawa, Hideyuki Bingo
  • Patent number: 4904832
    Abstract: A microswitch in which a good snap action feeling is obtained and an operating stroke is enhanced is provided. A compession spring is interposed between a movable member and a swingable lever which are respectively pivotaly supported at close positions. The swingable lever is operated by a push button which is vertically slidable. Further, restricting plates to restrict the motion in the width direction of the movable member are attached to the push button. A positioning member to hold the swingably lever to the position which faces the push button when the microswitch is assembled is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Toyohiro Nagahara, Takashi Niwa, Takezo Sano, Isao Kato