Push Button Operated Patents (Class 200/520)
  • Patent number: 11651912
    Abstract: A control device includes a display panel and a key structure. The key structure is located over the display panel. The key structure includes a circuit board, a keycap, an elastic element and a conducting element. The circuit board includes a circuit structure. The circuit structure includes a first circuit pattern and a second circuit pattern. The first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern are separated from each other by a gap. The conducting element is disposed on a support part of the elastic element. When the keycap is pressed down, the keycap is moved downwardly to push the support part. After the support part is moved downwardly for a specified travel distance, the conducting element is contacted with the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern. Consequently, the first circuit pattern and the second circuit pattern are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Tai Pan, Jui-Jen Cheng
  • Patent number: 11600457
    Abstract: The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of switches, and particularly relates to a button switch. The button switch comprises a base, an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate are arranged on the upper side and the lower side of the base respectively, a circuit board is arranged in the base, input wiring terminals and output insertion pieces are connected to the circuit board, a switch assembly for controlling the communication of the input wiring terminals and the output insertion pieces is arranged between the input wiring terminals and the output insertion pieces The button switch is stable in use process, stable in contact, long in service life, not prone to damage and convenient to maintain, and can be widely applied to various handheld electric tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Wenyi Fan, Shuhua Men
  • Patent number: 11330722
    Abstract: A control panel of an appliance includes a film comprising conductive ink embedded in the film. A header on the film is in electrical communication with the conductive ink embedded in the film. The control panel also includes a printed circuit board. The film is directly mounted to the printed circuit board via the header. With this direct mounting, the printed circuit board is in operative communication with the conductive ink embedded in the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Gary Woodham, Jr., Donald James Leisl, III
  • Patent number: 11211212
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a bottom plate, a circuit board disposed on the bottom plate, and a plurality of keys disposed on a side that is of the circuit board and that is away from the bottom plate. Each key includes a keycap, a rise-and-fall component connecting the keycap to the bottom plate, and an electronic ink screen fastened on a side that is of the keycap and that is away from the rise-and-fall component. A first electric conductor connected to the electronic ink screen is disposed on the keycap, a second electric conductor is disposed on the rise-and-fall component, and a third electric conductor is disposed on the bottom plate. A signal line used to supply power to the electronic ink screen is disposed on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weiyong Huang, Yaming Jiang, Lei Bai
  • Patent number: 10423239
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly includes a chassis formed with a plurality of cavities, a key unit including a plurality of key modules, and a scanning unit. Each key module is mounted in a respective one of the cavities, and has an individual resonant frequency. The scanning unit emits a detecting signal repeatedly, where a frequency of the detecting signal in each repetition being a different one of a plurality of scanning frequencies. The scanning unit and the key modules are configured such that, for each key module, when the frequency of the detecting signal is one of the scanning frequencies that matches the individual resonant frequency of the key module, the key module reaches electromagnetic resonance and the scanning unit acquires a response signal corresponding to the key module in response to the electromagnetic resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: SUNREX TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Shun-Pin Lin, Hsing-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 9941077
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a computer thin film switch keyboard, wherein the keyboard comprises keys/keycaps, a light guide film, a fixing film/air hole layer, metal domes, an air slot layer, a conductive film/PCB and a key plate, the key plate is disposed at the lowest layer, the conductive film/PCB is disposed above the key plate, the air slot layer is disposed above the conductive film/PCB, the metal domes are disposed on the conductive film/PCB, more than one metal dome is disposed corresponding to key configurations on the keyboard, the fixing film/air hole layer is disposed above the metal domes, and the keys/keycaps are disposed above the fixing film/air hole layer. The present invention has characteristics of being light, thin, and easy to carry, and having a Bluetooth function, a short stroke, and lower noises, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN HUI CHUANG DA TECH. CO. LTD.
    Inventors: JinXin Ding, Xiaopeng Cao, Ming Li, Guishun Hong, Xiaojun Hong
  • Patent number: 9880513
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus provided with a cover opening and closing mechanism, a cover opening and closing mechanism includes a button, an operating pin, and a belt-like elastic body that takes a first posture and a second posture, both of which have shape stability, by a snap-through buckling phenomenon. The belt-like elastic body takes the first posture in a state in which the cover has been closed and prevents the operating pin from being pressed to a side of the image forming apparatus body, and is pushed by a pushing operation of the button to take the second posture, operates the operating pin to be pressed to the side of the image forming apparatus body, and opens the cover by reaction force thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ishida, Shinji Furuta
  • Patent number: 9741505
    Abstract: A push switch of an outside handle of a door having a button installed inside a grip cover, wherein the button is attached to the inner surface of the grip cover through a support extending from a side of the button, and a tact switch pressed when the button is pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dong Wuk Choi, Jong Hae Lee
  • Patent number: 9711300
    Abstract: A button includes a housing, an operating portion, a mount, a first pushing rod, a bridge, an elastic member, and a second pushing rod. The mount is mounted in the housing. The first pushing rod is movably disposed in the mount. A bump is formed on the first pushing rod. The bridge and the operating portion are disposed on ends of the first pushing rod. The second pushing rod is movably disposed on the bridge and is effected by the elastic member. A step is formed in the housing and is located between the mount and the bridge. The elastic member is disposed on the first pushing rod and is located between the bump and the step. The first pushing rod is slidable relative to the mount under the effect of the operating portion or the elastic member, and drives the bridge and/or the second pushing rod to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Zhong Hui Chen, Zhi Cheng, Jian Ming Liu, Shi Bo Yin, Rudolf Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9522595
    Abstract: The present teachings relate generally to a small remote vehicle having rotatable flippers and a weight of less than about 10 pounds and that can climb a conventional-sized stairs. The present teachings also relate to a small remote vehicle can be thrown or dropped fifteen feet onto a hard/inelastic surface without incurring structural damage that may impede its mission. The present teachings further relate to a small remote vehicle having a weight of less than about 10 pounds and a power source supporting missions of at least 6 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Defense Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Garran M. Gossage, Christopher Lyunne Morey, Todd M. Meaney, Timothy R. Ohm, Adam Wozniak
  • Patent number: 9029723
    Abstract: Keypad apparatus and methods are described herein. An example keypad includes a keypad support having a first surface defining a cavity, and an electrical switch assembly coupled to the keypad support. The electrical switch includes a printed circuit board having at least a portion repositioned relative to a second surface of the printed circuit board. The repositioned portion is located in the cavity and the second surface is located on the first surface of the keypad support when the printed circuit board is coupled to the keypad support. The repositioned portion is attached to the second surface of the printed circuit board. A dome switch is aligned with the repositioned portion of the printed circuit board and is at least partially positioned in the cavity of the keypad support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Albert Murray Pegg
  • Patent number: 9012797
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicular lever switch including an operational lever, a tubular case forming part of the operational lever, and a switch device provided in the tubular case to be operable in an axis Y direction. In addition, the switch device comprises an operational knob provided to be inserted into an opening formed in an operational component in the case, a push switch operated by the operational knob, and a knob holder provided in the case to support the operational knob to be movable forward and backward in the axis Y direction as an operational direction of the push switch. In this structure, the knob holder is fixed and supported to a side of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiya Otani
  • Patent number: 9013880
    Abstract: A frame module is adapted to be disposed in a housing of a computer for fixing first and second electronic devices. The computer includes a motherboard unit with a socket connector. The frame module includes a frame body having top and bottom surfaces adapted to be connected respectively to the first and electronic devices. An adaptor board includes a board body connected transversely to a rear edge of the frame body and having an edge connector adapted to be inserted into the socket connector, and first and second electrical connectors for electrical connection with the first and second electronic devices, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lai
  • Patent number: 8976002
    Abstract: A universal remote control system is disclosed. The universal remote control includes a receiver that has a wireless signal receiver unit, an electric motor that drives a mechanical arm and a microprocessor. When the receiver receives a control signal from a wireless signal transmitter, the microprocessor will energize the motor which drives the mechanical arm toward a pushbutton switch of a controlled device, such as a garage door opener, and depresses the push button, therefore activating the garage door opener. A feedback signal, for example, from the mechanical arm or the motor, may be provided to the microprocessor to inform the microprocessor when the pushbutton switch is sufficiently depressed and is in an engaged state. When the switch is in the engaged state, the motor will reverse its direction, causing the mechanical arm to raise and move back to a standby position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Philip Yu Wing Tsui, Gallen Ka Leung Tsui
  • Patent number: 8969749
    Abstract: A push & lock unit includes cam sections mounted on an outer wall of a rotary body that is disposed on an underside of an operating body, and each one of the cam sections contacts a saw-tooth section disposed on a lower end of a rib on an inner wall of a cover and a projection disposed at a bottom center of a housing in response to an up and down movement of the operating body, whereby the rotary body is rotated. When the operating body is pushed, a push face thereof is locked at a position almost flush with an outer face of a panel. When the operating body is pushed once more, it is released from the lock, and restores to a state where the operating body projects from the outer face of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Nishikawa, Shinya Sato
  • Patent number: 8971156
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or a non-time related function including at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B) each provided with a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), said push-buttons (28A, 28B) being able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which they control the function, characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28b) extend side by side and parallel to each other. The invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with this control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventor: Hakim El Kadiri
  • Patent number: 8917514
    Abstract: A frame module is adapted to be disposed in a housing of a computer for fixing first and second electronic devices. The computer includes a motherboard unit with a socket connector. The frame module includes a frame body having top and bottom surfaces adapted to be connected respectively to the first and electronic devices. An adaptor board includes a board body connected transversely to a rear edge of the frame body and having an edge connector adapted to be inserted into the socket connector, and first and second electrical connectors for electrical connection with the first and second electronic devices, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lai
  • Patent number: 8884172
    Abstract: A keypad apparatus for a portable communication device in which a plurality of pressurizing protrusions are integrated with a plurality of dome switches is provided. To this end, the keypad apparatus includes a keypad comprising a plurality of key buttons, a front frame provided on a top surface of the keypad, a light path provided on a bottom surface of the keypad, and a plurality of dome switches provided on a bottom surface of the light path, such that a respective plurality of pressurizing protrusions are integrated with the plurality of dome switches on top surfaces of the plurality of dome switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Hyun Lee, Seok-Gyu Lee, Cheol-Hee Kim
  • Publication number: 20140311882
    Abstract: A switch includes an insulating case, a fixed electrode and a movable electrode. The insulating case is formed with an operating space therein. At least a part of the fixed electrode is disposed in the operating space. The movable electrode is disposed in the operating space, and is configured to be engaged with and disengaged from the part of the fixed electrode. A flat surface of the insulating case and a flat surface of the fixed electrode, which are located in outermost positions in a predetermined side of the insulating case, form a plane in corporation with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Terashita, Tomoaki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8848348
    Abstract: An electronic device has a design panel 12 made of a resin and an actuation button to be attached to the design panel 12. The actuation button includes a button portion for accepting user's operation and arms 22 connected to the button portion. The design panel 12 has an insert hole 40 into which a main body 24 of the button portion is to be inserted and projecting members 44. The projecting members are engaged with portions of the respective arms 22 on a back surface of the design panel 12 while the arms 22 are allowed to move in a plane direction of the design panel, thereby preventing drop of the arms 22 from the design panel 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Almedio Inc.
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8779314
    Abstract: A button mechanism includes a circuit structure and an actuating structure. The circuit structure includes a substrate, a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are disposed on the substrate, and the second electrode layer is separated from the first electrode layer. The first electrode layer includes a first section and a second section. The second electrode layer includes a third section and a fourth section. The second section stretches to the third section, and the fourth section stretches to the first section. A predetermined gap is formed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the predetermined gap includes a plurality of curved portions. The actuating structure includes a conductive portion for conducting the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Hsin-Chun Lee, Chin-Li Huang, Nien-An Lai, Yu-Ling Kuo
  • Patent number: 8742271
    Abstract: A plug including a shell and a mounting body disposed inside the shell. The mounting body is provided with a first movable contact spring and a second movable contact spring, a phase contact and a zero contact, and a button assembly. A transverse block disposed above the first movable contact spring and the second movable contact spring includes a phase terminal and a zero terminal. The button assembly includes an electric magnet disposed on the mounting body and a sliding part having a cavity. The cavity of the sliding part is provided with a reset spring. A hook is disposed in a lower part of the cavity. The transverse block is connected with a pull block. An upper part of the pull block is connected with the electric magnet. The center of the pull block includes a limiting hole for accommodating the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Zhongshan Kaper Electrical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bill Zou
  • Patent number: 8742276
    Abstract: A press key includes: a base unit having a metal plate; a position-limiting unit formed with a through hole, the metal plate and the position-limiting unit defining an accommodating space therebetween; a keycap movable between a raised position and a pressed position and including a cap body that corresponds in position to the through hole, and a flange member that extends outwardly from and around the cap body and that abuts against the position-limiting unit when the keycap is at the raised position; and an elastic restoring unit including a scissors-type lever that is connected pivotally to the keycap and the position-limiting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Changshu Sunrex Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8735747
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch comprises a plunger, which provokes, under the action of pressure by a user, the depression of an upper dome positioned above switching means, any depression of the upper dome necessarily provoking the depression of the switching means, the crest of the upper dome and the switching means having a down position, a first electric contact being produced between a primary contact and a secondary contact of the upper dome forming a first electric circuit when the crest of the upper dome is in the down position, and a second electric contact being produced between a primary contact and a secondary contact of the switching means forming a second electric circuit when the switching means are in the down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Bigand
  • Publication number: 20140131187
    Abstract: Heat-spot distant type push switch structure comprises: a supporting terminal, a compression spring, a switching spring, an electrical terminal, and a sliding lever assembly. Compression spring, switching spring and the switching member of the sliding lever assembly are stacked for connection and facilitate the occupied space of the heat-spot distant type push switch structure capable of being reduced; moreover, the supporting terminal, the compression spring, the switching spring, the electrical terminal, and the sliding lever assembly are designed to particular structures for forming a specific distant between the switching member and the touch point of two contact points of the heat-spot distant type push switch structure, such that the switching member is away from the heat-spot produced by the two contact points; therefore the switching member can still not be fused after the heat-spot distant type push switch structure is long-term used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: SOLTEAM ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying-Sung Ho, Chen-Hong Huang, Chang-Nan Chen, Cheng-Wei Lu, Chao-Yi Lee, Tao-Lung Hsueh
  • Publication number: 20140124350
    Abstract: The operating device (10), in particular for a vehicle component or generally for a human/machine interface, is provided with at least one pushbutton (28), which has a depressible pushbutton element (26). In addition, the operating device (10) has a guide element (18), which defines an accommodating area (24) in which the pushbutton element (26) is at least partially accommodated and in which the pushbutton element (26) is guided, and a capacitive proximity sensor (36) with an electrode (34) for detecting an object approaching the pushbutton element (26), in particular a hand or a finger of a hand. The electrode (34) is arranged outside the accommodating area (24) of the guide element (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Rainer Siebert, Bernd Stich, Holger Kleine-Hollenhorst
  • Publication number: 20130319838
    Abstract: A press key includes: a base unit; a circuit board disposed on the base unit; a keycap disposed on the circuit board and movable between a raised position and a pressed position; an elastic restoring unit disposed between the keycap and the circuit board, and capable of providing a restoring force to move the keycap to the raised position; and a guiding mechanism to guide the movement of the keycap. The guiding mechanism includes at least one guiding unit disposed on one of the keycap and the base unit, and at least one engaging unit disposed on the other one of the keycap and the base unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Qing ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20130313096
    Abstract: A press key includes: a base unit having a metal plate; a position-limiting unit formed with a through hole, the metal plate and the position-limiting unit defining an accommodating space therebetween; a keycap movable between a raised position and a pressed position and including a cap body that corresponds in position to the through hole, and a flange member that extends outwardly from and around the cap body and that abuts against the position-limiting unit when the keycap is at the raised position; and an elastic restoring unit including a scissors-type lever that is connected pivotally to the keycap and the position-limiting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Qing ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20130313097
    Abstract: An accessory may be provided with a button controller having a microphone and switches. Plastic structures for the accessory may be formed by injection molding. Plastic structures may be molded around switch terminals. Switches may be formed using dome switch members and the switch terminals. A printed circuit with components may be mounted in the plastic structures. Recesses in the structures may be configured to receive the dome switch members, components on the printed circuit board, and wires in a cable. A backplate may be used to cover the printed circuit. A layer of plastic may be molded over the backplate to seal an interface created by the backplate. Cable strain relief structures may be molded into the layer of plastic. A lip on the strain relief structures may prevent particles from entering the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Craig M. Stanley, Kurt R. Stiehl, Christopher D. Prest
  • Patent number: 8576042
    Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker has a housing formed of a housing base of insulating material and a pot-like housing cover, which is or can be positioned onto the housing base. Two elongate and flat contact arms are partially embedded in the housing base parallel with respect to one another in terms of their longitudinal direction. A fixed contact is arranged at an inner end of a first one of the contact arms. A bimetallic snap-action disk with a free end, forming or bearing a moving contact, is fitted at an inner end of the second contact arm at a fastening point. The fastening point, the moving contact and the fixed contact are in this case on an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the contact arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Ullermann
  • Patent number: 8558131
    Abstract: A switch has a base, a housing, a support terminal that is assembled in the base, a moving contact piece that is made of a band-shaped material having a section being formed into a substantial J-shape, a moving contact being provided in one end portion of the moving contact piece, an intermediate portion of the moving contact piece being turnably supported by a turning bracket of the support terminal, a plunger that is accommodated in an internal space while being vertically movable, wherein the internal space is formed by fitting the housing in the base, and a coil spring that is turnably supported by the plunger. The plunger is vertically moved such that one end portion of the coil spring is slid while brought into press-contact with an edge of the other end portion of the moving contact piece, whereby the moving contact piece is inverted to bring and separate the moving contact into contact with and from a fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kiyono, Toshihiro Naruo
  • Publication number: 20130231007
    Abstract: There is provided a connector including a connection terminal to be connected to another connection terminal of another connector; a fixed contact; a movable contact provided on one button end portion of a movable plate; a card made of an insulating material and being in contact with the movable plate; a button in contact with the card; a swing spring connected to the button; and a slide operating portion for controlling a contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact, wherein one of the fixed contact and the movable contact is connected to the connection terminal, the button is pushed down by moving the slide operating portion in one direction to thereby move the movable plate via the card, the connector is in a turn-on state when the fixed contact is in contact with the movable contact, the swing spring generates restoring force in a direction of separating a contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact, and the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact so as to be in a tu
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicants: NTT FACILITIES, INC., FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Daiei Iwamoto, SeungSeok Beak, Takashi Yuba, Koichi Kiryu, Keiichi Hirose, Masatoshi Noritake
  • Patent number: 8513557
    Abstract: An actuator device including a holder element provided to be fixed against a device operated on by the actuator device. An actuator body is displaceable in a longitudinal direction along the holder element. A guide member is provided so as to guide the actuator body along the holder element. The actuator body includes a first part that is operable from outside the actuator device, and a second part that is movable in the longitudinal direction in relation to the first part. The actuator body is displaceable to a first, non-actuated position, in which the first part and the second part of the body are movable in the longitudinal direction and a second, actuated position, in which the second part is rotationally displaced in relation to the first part and abuts an abutment surface on the holder element such that motion of the second part in the longitudinal direction towards the first position is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Joakim WÃ¥hrenberg
  • Patent number: 8507818
    Abstract: Disclosed is a push switch device. Since a push button is pressed to relatively rotate first and second pressing members in opposite directions and a push direction conversion unit converts the relative rotation of the first and second pressing members into a push movement in a switching direction, a pressing projection of the first pressing member can accurately vertically press an apex of a movable terminal. Therefore, a sense of click when the movable terminal is resiliently deformed and recovered can be maintained well, and a slide friction generated between the movable terminal and the pressing projection of the first pressing member can be minimized, preventing decrease in sense of operation and reduction in lifespan of parts due to the friction. In addition, an operation sense of the push button can be improved because straightness of the push button can be improved and there is no additional repulsion, except the repulsion by the resilient deformation of the movable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Magma Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Kap Kwak
  • Patent number: 8492668
    Abstract: The invention relates to an emergency switch that includes a body receiving a mobile member capable of translation and capable, under the effect of an axial pressure through a mushroom member, of moving from an extended position into a retracted position. Each of the positions are indexed by a blocking device capable of interaction with an extended position notch and with a retracted position notch, the position change being managed by a guide. The body fixedly includes, in the inside thereof, a concentric bushing in which the mobile member is capable of axially moving and which includes a portion of the guide while the mobile member includes the other portion. The blocking device is made in the shape of a piece of material flexibly and elastically attached to the rest of the bushing via a blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Fabien Broly
  • Publication number: 20130153389
    Abstract: A button apparatus includes a decorating plate, and a button device attached to the decorating plate. The button device includes a securing member, a button attached to the securing member, and at least two securing arms attached to the decorating plate. The button extends through the decorating plate and is located on a top surface of the decorating plate, and the securing plate is located on a bottom surface of the decorating plate. The at least two securing arms evenly extend from an outer edge of the securing member, and the button is resiliently moveable perpendicular to the decorating plate, to deform the at least two securing arms and operate an electrical switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HUA ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8445801
    Abstract: A switch comprises a room light case, a switch knob arranged inside an aperture portion of the room light case, guide grooves provided on an inner circumferential face of the aperture portion of the room light case, and guide ribs provided on an outer circumferential face of the switch knob. The switch knob moves for a switch stroke part in a depth direction of the aperture portion, from a waiting position to a pressed-down position by a pressing down operation. The guide grooves are provided in a range deeper than a depth size of the switch stroke from an opening edge located on the switch case surface side of the aperture portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kousuke Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20130118880
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicular lever switch including an operational lever, a tubular case forming part of the operational lever, and a switch device provided in the tubular case to be operable in an axis Y direction. In addition, the switch device comprises an operational knob provided to be inserted into an opening formed in an operational component in the case, a push switch operated by the operational knob, and a knob holder provided in the case to support the operational knob to be movable forward and backward in the axis Y direction as an operational direction of the push switch. In this structure, the knob holder is fixed and supported to a side of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: NILES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Niles Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8431850
    Abstract: A button structure includes an installation assembly, a slidable member, a pressable member, and a first resilient member and a second resilient member. The slidable member is slidably attached to the installation assembly. A pressable portion is formed on the slidable member. The pressable member is pivotably mounted to the installation assembly. A pressable cantilever extends from the pressable member. A guide portion protrudes from the pressable cantilever and abuts against the pressable portion. When the slidable member is pushed to deform the first resilient member, the pressable portion presses the guide portion to urge the pressable member to pivot. Thus the second resilient member is deformed, and the pressable cantilever pushes the button to power on or off the electronic device. When the slidable member is released, the first and second resilient members are restored to respectively force the slidable member and the pressable member to return.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ri-Dong Huang, Chang-Zheng Xu, Hsuan-Tsung Chen, Guang-Yao Lee
  • Publication number: 20130098745
    Abstract: Provided is a button device, including a button body and a circuit board. The button body includes a first surface provided for being pressed, and a bottom base being located on the left of the button body and extending downward from the first surface. The circuit board has an electronic switch for mechanically touching the bottom base of the button body. The button body forms two recesses on the middle and the right of the button body, respectively. Each of the recesses extends along a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and accommodates an elastic member therein. According to the button device of the present invention, a working force is applied onto any position of the button body, the counterforces may be produced to balance the working force, thereby improving the handle feeling of the user during the operation and solving the problem of the button body tilting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., LTD.
    Inventor: TSUNG-SHIH LEE
  • Publication number: 20130087443
    Abstract: A switch includes a case including a recess, a plurality of fixed electrodes provided in the recess, a movable electrode provided in the recess, a pressing member and a buffer member. The case is mounted on a circuit board. The movable electrode is displaced between a first position where the plurality of fixed electrodes are electrically connected each other and a second position where the plurality of fixed electrodes are not electrically connected each other. The pressing member covers at least a portion of the recess, and displaces the movable electrode from the second position to the first position by a pressing force applied from outside. The buffer member is interposed between the movable electrode and the pressing member, and is elastically deformed by the pressing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Hidetake Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8404988
    Abstract: A control assembly is assembled between a housing and a printed circuit board of an electronic device. The housing defines a mounting hole. The control assembly includes a force member assembled in the mounting hole, a switch electrically fixed on the printed circuit board under the force member, and a resilient member abutted between the force member and the printed circuit board. The resilient member is compressed to allow the force member to contact the switch when external force applied to the force member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Da-Qing Cheng
  • Patent number: 8404990
    Abstract: A switch system having a user-activatable button and button travel limit feature is disclosed. The switch system includes a housing comprising an opening, a circuit board assembly positioned in the housing, and an electrical switch assembly connected to the circuit board. The button travel limit feature is adapted to inhibit motion of an activation surface of the user-activatable button towards the electrical switch assembly when the electrical switch assembly is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David M. Lutgring, Michael J. Pescetto
  • Patent number: 8378246
    Abstract: An electrically conducting structure of a press switch includes a flexible flat cable connector provided in a base and connected to a circuit board supported on a movable seat. By pressing a housing of the electrically conducting structure, an electrically conducting element located in a bottom portion of the movable seat is brought into contact with electrically conducting terminals in the base to establish electrical conduction. As the flat cable of the flexible flat cable connector is flexible, it does not add to the load experienced by the user when pressing the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiung Chu
  • Publication number: 20130032462
    Abstract: A touch panel includes an upper substrate, an upper conductive layer, a lower substrate, a lower conductive layer, and dot spacers. The upper substrate includes a substrate layer and a hard coat layer disposed on the top surface of the substrate layer. The upper conductive layer is disposed on the bottom of the upper substrate. The lower conductive layer is disposed on the top surface of the lower substrate in such a manner as to confront the upper conductive layer with a predetermined space therebetween. The dot spacers are disposed on the lower conductive layer. The hard coat layer has an outer surface with a ten-point average roughness Rz in the range from 17.7 ?m to 40.0 ?m, inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: SHOJI FUJII, YASURO NIGUMA, KEISYU MURAOKA
  • Publication number: 20130026024
    Abstract: A switch with contacts includes a housing formed by snap-fit connection of an upper cover and a base, an operating lever and a movable contact holder, the operating lever and the moveable contact holder being movably-fit to one other. A stop device with a lock mechanism is provided in the housing, the lock mechanism being disposed between the stop device and the movable contact holder. An unlock mechanism is arranged between the stop device and the operating lever. The movable contact holder has positions at each of its two ends with the movable contact holder located in the positions of the two ends. The stop device and the movable contact holder are locked and stopped by the unlock mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: KEDU ELECTRIC CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chun Kai Zheng
  • Publication number: 20130020187
    Abstract: A key cap structure for disposing on a housing and corresponding to a circuit module is disclosed. The circuit module includes a circuit board and two contact portions disposed on the circuit board. The key cap structure comprises a top wall, a pair of side portions and a secure portion. The top wall has two press zones and a connect zone connects between the press zones. The press zones correspond to the contact portions respectively. The side portions connect to the press zones of the top wall respectively and extend downwardly and space apart from each other. The discontinuous structure between the side portions and the secure portion permits larger range of deformation formed in the top wall when the press zone is pressed downwardly. And the user only needs to apply less force to press on the top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Jhih-Ming Chen, Min-Hao Tang
  • Publication number: 20120325637
    Abstract: A switch through hole 22 is formed in a front cabinet 5a, and a press switch 21 is located in the front cabinet 5a to correspond to the switch through hole 22. With a pressing element 25 inserted in a plate through hole 28a of a reinforcing plate 28, an outer periphery of a middle portion of the pressing element 25 in an axial direction and the plate through hole 28a are connected by a silicone rubber 27. A key top 26 is coupled to one end of the pressing element 25 in the axial direction so as to be exposed from the switch through hole 22, and a switch assembly 24 is fitted in the switch through hole 22. This structure increases durability of a push-button switch, while increasing ease of assembly of a push-button switch structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Genkei Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20120325635
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant keypad is described. The keypad includes a keycap for actuation by a user. An actuator includes a first end that is coupled to the keycap. A frame having an aperture is adapted to receive the actuator such that the second end of the actuator is captured by the frame. The actuator is prevented from being removed from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward M. Voli, Frank Gong
  • Publication number: 20120285813
    Abstract: A keyswitch device includes a supporting seat, a key cap, a circuit board disposed on the supporting seat, and an elastic member located between the key cap and the circuit board. The supporting seat includes a base board and two first confining members that are formed on the base board and that are spaced apart from each other. The key cap includes a cap body and two first hooks that engage respectively the first confining members, thereby inhibiting the key cap to move in horizontal directions with respect to the supporting seat, and allowing the key cap to move vertically in a range equal to the height of the first blocking parts of the first confining members. When the key cap is moved downward, the elastic member deforms to press the circuit board so as to generate a corresponding signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Liang, Cheng-Hsiang Chuang, Chun-Chien Chen, Shun-De Bai, San-Pao Kao