Helical Drive Mechanism Patents (Class 200/500)
  • Patent number: 11846120
    Abstract: A vertical door latch assembly includes a housing and a bolt movably attached to the housing having a catch portion. A drive motor is located within the housing and is configured to selectively move a lock assembly between a locked position preventing movement of the bolt and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt. A battery assembly is removable from the housing when the lock assembly is in first position and fixed to the housing when the lock assembly is in a second position. A controller is in electrical communication with the drive motor and is configured to direct the actuator lock assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Hill, Anthony Pettigrew, Eric Chang, Christopher Marks, Patrick Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10629390
    Abstract: A modular electrical switching device (1A) obtained by juxtaposing a control module (10) and a switching module (20), each comprising a mechanism that rotates about a rotation axis (A), coupled together by complementary coupling end pieces (11, 12; 21, 22). The control module (10) is designed to be controlled by a control rod (3) as well by a front control through a front entry opening (30) provided on the front side of the control module (10) as by left or right side control through two side entry openings (34, 35) provided on the sides of the control module (10), respecting a same direction of operation. The coupling end pieces (11, 12) of the control module (10) are provided on separated male (110) and female (120) coupling parts inserted between the modules (10, 20), when they are juxtaposed to form the switching device (1A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: SOCOMEC
    Inventor: Denis Kuhn
  • Patent number: 9991077
    Abstract: In present disclosure, a movable bar guide portion is formed to protrude toward a movable bar in a shaft having a movable bar, and when a fault current is applied and the movable bar is rotated due to electromagnetic repulsion force, the movable bar and the movable bar guide portion contact each other, and thus, when the movable bar is rotated through the movable guide portion, movement of a rotation center of the movable bar is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jongmahn Sohn
  • Patent number: 9697975
    Abstract: Circuit breakers with moving contacts having a rocking movement, e.g., heel-toe action, are configured to direct arcing across one of two (first and second) spaced apart contacts on a moving arm to an adjacent arc chute to thereby alleviate deterioration due to arcing and improve conductivity of the first moving contact over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James Gerard Maloney, Luis Enrique Betances Sansur
  • Patent number: 9685287
    Abstract: Circuit breakers with moving contacts having heel-toe action are configured to direct arcing across a small portion of a stationary contact surface to an adjacent arc chute to thereby alleviate deterioration due to arcing and improve conductivity of a major portion of the stationary contact and moving contact surface over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: James Gerard Maloney
  • Patent number: 9287025
    Abstract: A protection assembly with an operating knob (1) for an electrical potentiometer comprises a substantially tubular housing (2) defining a longitudinal axis (L), an electrical adjustment device (3) held within the housing (2) and having an adjustment shaft (4) rotating about the longitudinal axis (L) and an internal variable resistor interacting with a longitudinal end (5) of the shaft (4), an operating knob (6) attached to the other end (7) of the shaft (4), limit stop means (8) for restricting the rotation of the shaft (4) within a predetermined maximum angle of rotation (a). The knob (6) comprises an annular anchoring member (9), which is designed to be removably coupled to the housing (2) and an operating member (10) coupled to the shaft (4) and rotating relative to the anchoring member (9). The anchoring member (9) and the operating member (10) have mutually facing cylindrical surfaces (11, 12), with said limit stop means (8) interposed therebetween to limit the infiltration of external impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: PIZZATO ELETTRICA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Pizzato, Simone Zonta
  • Publication number: 20140353136
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-current switch comprising a first fixed contact, a second fixed contact spaced apart from the first fixed contact, and at least one contact bridge that is movable relative to the two fixed contacts and an advancing device for transferring the contact bridge from an open position, in which the two fixed contacts are not connected to one another, to a closed position, in which the contact bridge electrically connects the two fixed contacts to one another. The advancing device is configured such that it is non-resilient, the stiffness of the contact bridge and of the advancing device corresponding to a value of at least 50,000 kNmm2 in the direction of the pressing force, and the lowest natural frequency of the system, which consists of the contact bridge and the advancing device, being higher than 2,000 Hz in the direction of the pressing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Schaltbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Von Prondzinski, Jens Knebel
  • Patent number: 8552993
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus with touch input function includes a display unit coupling to a first scanning line, a touch transistor, a touch-sensing device, and a touch-detecting circuit coupling to a sensing line. The touch transistor includes a gate coupling to a second scanning line, a first terminal, and a second terminal coupling to the sensing line. The touch-sensing device includes a first conductor coupling to the first terminal of the touch transistor, a second conductor coupling to the first scanning line, and a touch conductor configured to electrically connect the first conductor and the second conductor when a sensing region of the liquid crystal display apparatus is touched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chao Chen Wang, Yao Jen Hsieh, Heng Sheng Chou, Pang Chiang Chia, Yuet Ping Lee, Kuang Yu Fu, Chun Pi Wang
  • Patent number: 8420959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manual drive for step-by-step operation, without any power, of a tap changer (1) on a tap-changing transformer. The manual drive has a position indication wheel (4) which is used not only, in conjunction with a pointer (15), for actual position indication, but at the same time as a component of mechanical final-position limiting (10, 11, 12). It can also furthermore be used (18) in a particularly advantageous manner as a component of electrical switching monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Burghauser, Silke Wrede
  • Patent number: 8404986
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manual drive for a tap changer for a tap-changing transformer having a locking unit. The locking unit has a catch which can pivot and has different locking means; the catch can be operated from the outside before an intended switching operation. The locking unit offers high a degree as possible of safety against inadvertent or else deliberate incorrect operations of the manual drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Burghauser, Silke Wrede
  • Patent number: 7705253
    Abstract: An electrical linear actuator employs a reversible motor driving a helical wire spring. The coils of the spring engage a follower that moves along the axis of the spring with rotation of the motor to provide linear motion. This actuator may be used as a linear drive in an appliance lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Krieger, Joel C. Bragg, James D. Spors, Michael K. Hintz, Michael S. Osvatic, Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Patent number: 7679018
    Abstract: A switching device is disclosed which includes a working shaft and a control shaft installed in a frame part, the control shaft being rotatable and adapted to turn the working shaft, and the working shaft being adapted to change the position of poles of the switching device. One of the two shafts passes through the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Rainer Kolmonen, Aki Suutarinen, Jarkko Alanen, Harri Mattlar
  • Patent number: 7536302
    Abstract: A method and a device for audio coding are disclosed. An audio coding device includes an audio coder for receiving audio signals and generating base data and enhancement data; and a rearranging device coupled to the audio coder. The rearranging device rearranges the enhancement data according to sectional factors of spectral sections to allow output data to be generated from rearranged enhancement data. The base data contain data capable of being decoded to generate a portion of the audio signals, and the enhancement data cover at least two spectral sections of data representative of a residual portion of the audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Fang-Chu Chen, Te-Ming Chiu
  • Patent number: 7521643
    Abstract: An operating button device of the present invention is adapted for use with an electronic apparatus, and includes first and second operating button sets and an elastic component. The first operating button set includes a mounting seat and a pair of press buttons disposed on the mounting seat. The second operating button set includes a toggle button rotatable relative to the mounting seat, and a pair of contact pieces disposed on a bottom part of the toggle button. The elastic component has a securing end disposed on the mounting seat, and a restoring end opposite to the securing end and in sleeving engagement with the toggle button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 7319203
    Abstract: An operating mechanism is provided for a circuit interrupter, such as a battery disconnect apparatus, including a housing and a number of stationary electrical contacts enclosed by the housing. The operating mechanism includes a cam member having a profile with first and second portions. A movable contact assembly includes at least one movable electrical contact, and is cooperable with the cam member to move the movable electrical contact into and out of electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts. An actuating assembly pivots the cam member between a first position corresponding to the first portion of the profile maintaining the movable electrical contact in electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts, and a second position corresponding to the second portion of the profile releasing the movable contact assembly in order that the movable electrical contact is movable out of electrical contact with the stationary electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Roger J. Briggs, Paul J. Rollmann
  • Patent number: 7294805
    Abstract: A key structure applicable in an electronic device for pressing an electrical button of the electronic device is disclosed. The key structure includes an annulus section for fixing the key structure in the electronic device, and a pair of key sections, each of which extends from the annulus section and has a protruding section and a retention section, wherein the protruding section protrudes out of an inner wall of the key section to prevent the key section from sinking, and the retention section extends from at least one side of the key section to prevent the key section from protruding upwards. With each key section being additionally provided with the protruding section and the retention section, the key structure efficiently prevents the key sections from protruding upwards and sinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: You-Fa Luo, Yung-Chi Yang
  • Patent number: 7183513
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an information input system for a terminal and a multifunctional button assembly for use in the information input system and methods for operating the same. The multifunctional button assembly can include a lever control button, a rotary button and a switch that can be mounted on a substrate. The multifunctional button assembly of the invention can provide advantages in that since the number of functions provided by the multifunctional button assembly is relatively increased, more functions can be concurrently employed, and a terminal employing the multifunctional button assembly can be manufactured to be light, thin, short and compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chan Hoon Park, Min Young Song
  • Patent number: 7106306
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a mobile device is provided that reduces the separation between keys by reducing the number of required dome switches. A reduction in the number of dome switches can alternatively reduce the amount of real estate taken up by dome switches on a printed circuit board (PCB). Fewer dome switches than keys are provided on a PCB to activate a desired functionality when a key is depressed. The dome switches are each actuatable by and disposed between more than one key, such keys preferably being adjacent keys. Each key has an actuator with at least one arm for actuating a dome switch in an actuated dome switch pattern when the key is depressed. Such a keyboard assembly can be used for any electronic device having a standard QWERTY or Dvorak keyboard layout, a standard telephone or numeric keypad layout, or any other layout of keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Norman M. Ladouceur, Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7034238
    Abstract: A key fob assembly comprises an electronic circuit comprising a substrate carrying a plurality of switching elements and a display element. A rear casing member having a first outer rim and receives the electronic circuit. A front casing member has a second outer rim, a plurality of button apertures, and a display window. The button apertures are substantially aligned with the plurality of switching elements and the display window is substantially aligned with the display element. A lens is contained within the display window providing a protective layer over the display element. An elastomeric seal member is provided having an outer periphery captured between the first and second outer rims and having a display aperture defined by an edge wherein the edge is captured between the display element and at least one of the front casing member and the lens. The elastomeric seal member includes a plurality of pedestals aligned with respective ones of the button apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Uleski, Yi Luo
  • Patent number: 6864439
    Abstract: A switch for limiting and controlling a linear range of movement by rotational means. Two limiting positions of the switch are independently adjusted using worm gears. The switch includes a plate and a rotatable block having a rotatable shaft rotatably disposed relative to the plate. The plate has first and second electrolinking points spaced apart from each other. One end of a spring plate is fixed to the first electrolinking point, a middle portion of the spring plate is abutted against a circumferential edge of the rotatable block and the other end of the spring plate adopts two working positions with respect to the second electrolinking point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shaodong Chen
  • Patent number: 6515245
    Abstract: A drive mechanism of a circuit breaker comprises a master mechanism and a slave mechanism. The master mechanism is composed of an energy storage sub-assembly comprising an energy storage spring driven by a loading shaft, and an opening and closing sub-assembly driving a switching shaft. The master mechanism is controlled by a closing latch and an opening latch. The slave mechanism comprises a closing assistance spring connected to the loading shaft by means of a loading cam and a multifunctional lever. Rotation of the loading shaft loads the assistance spring and commands relaxation thereof. The assistance spring drives the switching shaft by means of an arm operating in conjunction with a crank in the form of a hook. At the end of closing travel, the arm uncouples from the crank and withdraws so as not to hamper opening of the mechanism. The assistance mechanism enables the energy delivered globally by the drive mechanism to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries S.A.
    Inventors: Reynald Marin-Pache, Alain Bechard, Denis Perrin
  • Patent number: 6361746
    Abstract: A medical specimen tote assembly containing a coolant. The assembly is configured with wells sized to individually receive and safely support one or more specimen tubes. At least one of the components of the assembly or a portion thereof is formed to contain a temperature-sensitive material that causes the component or portion to change color when a preselected temperature is exceeded. More preferably, the material causes a color change to occur at or near freezing, so as to indicate if the temperature of the component, and therefore specimens contained by the assembly, is near 0° C. or slightly higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Julie Ann Wlodarski
  • Patent number: 5804784
    Abstract: A lever switch apparatus having a lever, a switch body, and a plurality of rotatively operated knobs, wherein a connection between the lever and the switch body is made with no wire involved. The lever 2 has a first knob 21 and a second knob 24 that are rotatively operated. The lever 2 holds a first shaft 22 and a second shaft 25 that are loosely fitted axially thereinto. The first shaft 22 is coupled at its one end 22A to the first knob 21 through a transmission 23, and at its other end 22B to the movable contact 11 in the switch body 1. The transmission 23 includes the first and second gears 211 and 221. The first shaft 22 has its axis 0 offset from a rotational axis P of the first knob 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Uchiyama, Yoshio Hattori
  • Patent number: 5769207
    Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft device is disclosed. The anti-theft device provides a key operated switch that makes or breaks the electrical continuity of four electrical circuits. These electrical circuits are essential to the operation of the vehicle; therefore their discontinuity prevents vehicle operation. A lock housing carries a lock having a rotating spindle. The spindle carries a perpendicular drive pin which engages a bushing having a helix shaped groove in its interior surface. A tab-like raised key sliding in a keyway slot in the housing prevents the bushing from rotating. Therefore, rotation of the spindle creates an axial movement of the bushing. A male contact block, carrying four U-shaped solid contact pins may be extended by the axial movement of the bushing to engage a female contact block carrying eight female socket contacts which are connected to eight in-coming wires. When extended, each U-shaped pin creates electrical continuity between a pair of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Robin P. Whitfield
    Inventor: Gary Christian
  • Patent number: 5504289
    Abstract: A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit breaker is disclosed. The disclosed mechanism comprises a charging system (12); trip latch mechanism (14); an opening spring (16); a closing spring (18) positioned coaxially with the opening spring; a support structure (22) supporting the open and closing springs; and a first rod member (24) operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, the first rod member being operatively coupled to the open and closing springs such that discharging of the opening spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a first direction and discharging of the closing spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Smith, Jeffry R. Meyer, Tomas B. Otterberg
  • Patent number: 5165533
    Abstract: A screw operated electrical contact device having at least one pair of electrical conductors disposed on and projecting evenly above a dielectric surface, an insulation gap separating said conductors from each other, a nut attached to or part of the dielectric surface, having a center axis perpendicular to the surface aligned with the gap, a screw in threaded engagement with the nut, the screw being adapted to be moved along the length of the axis as it is rotated about the axis in the nut, and a contact dimensioned to bridge the gap, mounted fixedly and insulatingly in the screw, adapted to connect the conductors electrically together by exerting simultaneous pressure on both of them as a result of advancement of the contact toward the surface caused by the screw being rotated about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Consolidated Resource Corp. of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerzy J. Wilentchik, deceased, by Rose Waldorf, executrix, by Murray Sender, executor
  • Patent number: 5063316
    Abstract: An automatic door protective device for returning an overhead door to the open position when it encounters an obstacle as it is closing. The protective device of this invention includes a motor having an output shaft and a driving gear mounted on the shaft. A driven gear is in mesh with the driving gear mounted on a gear shaft which also mounts a worm. A worm wheel is in mesh with the worm which is mounted on a worm wheel shaft, which also mounts a pulley that raises and lowers the door in response to rotation of the output shaft to the motor. The end of the gear shaft is spaced away from a copper leaf spring, and an electrical contact is also provided spaced away from the leaf spring. The spring and the contact are part of an electrical circuit with a signal controller coupled to the motor. When the door encounters an obstacle and the pulley ceases rotation, the torque of the motor causes the gear shaft to displace axially as the worm moves along the worm wheel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Inventor: C. E-Ming
  • Patent number: 5015930
    Abstract: In the electric actuator of the present invention, the power converting mechanism is provided for converting the rotary power of the motor into linear power of the driven member, which needs no special component part. Therefore, in comparison with the prior art power converting mechanism, it is advantage in that the scale of speed reduction and the stroke can be freely determined, with remarkably reduced number of parts and in low cost. The electric actuator according to the present invention is also provided with the improved clutch device employing the engagement of the weight and the recesses portion for secure transmission of the rotary power of the motor, resulting in full utilization of the capacity of the motor in simplified structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kikuta, Chikara Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 4933521
    Abstract: A switch actuator provides a floating release point switch assembly, including a base. An electrical contact on the base establishes an electrical connection. A movable bidrectional cam, in the form of a helix, is operatively associated with the electrical contact to alter the state of the electrical connection in response to movement of the cam in a given direction. An actuator is mounted for movement on the base and is operatively associated with the bidirectional cam for moving the cam in a given direction. A lost motion mechanism is independent of the bidirectional cam and is operatively associated between the cam and the actuator to allow the actuator to overtravel the cam after the state of the electrical connection is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Saint Switch, Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis L. Steward, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4866222
    Abstract: A switching device having an open-ended hollow cylindrical housing with a number of slots in the sidewall. An insulative piston is slidably movable along the housing longitudinal axis and has a threaded central opening receiving a similarly threaded axle. A receptacle switch part fits onto a housing end and includes a central opening through which an unthreaded portion of the axle extends. Openings in the receptacle switch part each have a sleeve contact with outwardly extending tabs for electrical connection to cable wires, or the like. The piston has a plurality of pin contacts fixedly mounted thereto with portions extending from both sides of the piston for electrical connection to cable wires, for example, and which respectively align with a sleeve contact in the switch part. A further receptacle switch part is affixed to the housing other end. Rotative power drives the piston along the housing to effect connection between the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: G&H Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Clark, James E. Brockway