Push Button Operated Patents (Class 200/520)
  • Patent number: 7112755
    Abstract: The pressure sensitive sensor includes a sheet base, an application-side and a receiving-side electrode provided on the sheet base and conducting coatings provided on the electrodes. The conductive electrodes have pressure-sensitive conductive ink containing conductive carbon black. Resistance between the application-side electrode and the receiving-side electrode changes by a contact area between the conductive coatings on the electrodes. The pressure-sensitive conductive ink has an enhanced strength as a resin and an enhanced effect of dispersion of the conductive carbon black by adding 30 to 70 parts by weight of silicon dioxide to 100 parts by weight of silicone elastomer component as a binder. The pressure-sensitive sensor has output stability and linearity at temperatures in a wide range from ?40° C. to 85° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Nitta Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Kitano, Tsutomu Ueda
  • Patent number: 7101603
    Abstract: A first film plate 20 and a second film plate 40, each made of flexible resin film, are attached to a top surface and a bottom surface of a key top 30 made of mold-resin, respectively, so as to cover the key top 30. The first film plate 20 is pressed upward to form a recessed portion 23, the key top 30 is molded within this recessed portion 23. The second film plate 40 is arranged on the bottom surface of the key top 30. All of the first film plate 20, the key top 30, and the second film plate 40 are transparent. Decorative layers 21 and 41 are formed on the first film plate 20 and the second film plate 40, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Okamura, Kimitane Kimura, Yasuo Kojima, Atsushi Hari, Shinji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7102093
    Abstract: A key with binding structure includes an elastic key body and a membrane board bound to each other by an adhesive. The elastic key body has an operation portion extending upward there-from for being accessible and a supporting portion protruding downward there-from. A loop groove is defined in a bottom surface of the supporting portion. The membrane board has a top surface from which a projecting wall is projected. The projecting wall is wedged into the loop groove. In assembling, the loop groove absorbs the superfluous adhesive, thereby preventing the adhesive from overflowing. The engagement between the projecting wall and the loop groove performs positioning of the elastic key body and a membrane board, so a fixture for location is not needed in assembling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-Te Chiu
  • Patent number: 7071435
    Abstract: A toggle switch has a switching rocker having at least one arm and one guide plate that has at least one receptacle, in which at least one activation push rod is movably guided in a linear fashion. The arm of the switching rocker can exert a force on the activation push rod. A switching unit is provided, on which the activation push rod can act so as to close an electrical contact. The guide plate and the activation push rod each have a break line, along which, before the assembly of the toggle switch, they were joined to each other in an integral fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Patent number: 7060917
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plunger switch for electric appliances, which is mounted to an electric appliance to control a lamp, a motor, a heater, etc. and has enhanced safety and electrical and mechanical properties, thus maintaining the original condition of the switch without reduction of elasticity or deformation of the switch, even if the switch is repeatedly used. Thereby, the operational reliability is increased and malfunctions caused by arc discharge are prevented. Unlike the sliding structure which does not use another separate contact point, this invention can be adapted to a high-current or high-temperature switch. Further, this invention has a hook, thus allowing easy assembly and replacement of the plunger switch to a proper position on an electric appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Park Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chul Hee Park
  • Patent number: 7057124
    Abstract: A push switch apparatus includes a switch case adapted to be a base member, a switch mounted on the switch case, a switch cap made of an elastic material and supported on the switch case for covering the switch, a switch button supported by the base member and having an actuating portion for pushing the switch and an switch plate mounted on the switch case and arranged between the switch cap and the switch button. The switch plate having a contact surface contacts the switch button when the actuating portion of the switch button pushes the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ieda, Eiji Mushiake, Takeshi Ito, Kazuyoshi Mori, Yuichi Murakami, Noriyasu Onishi, Teruya Tomiyasu
  • Patent number: 7046136
    Abstract: An ID code is wirelessly sent to a device, such as a keyless-entry system or a keyless-starter system mounted on an automobile, from a portable transmitter. Electronic components including tact switches for transmitting signals are all contained in a resin case composed of a front case and a rear case connected to each other. Front openings are formed on the font case, and the tact switches are disposed in the resin case so that they face the respective front openings. The front openings are covered with a front film formed integrally with the front case. Function displays corresponding to the respective tact switches are printed on the rear surface of the front film. The tact switches are pushed from the front surface of the front film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Sugimoto, Mitsuru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7034239
    Abstract: A contact structure for a switch that ensures stable electrical connection. The contact structure includes a substrate. A first fixed contact and a second fixed contact are arranged on the substrate and spaced from each other. An elastically deformable movable contact engages and disengages the first and second fixed contacts. The movable contact includes a recess. A conductive member is arranged on the movable contact for electrically connecting the first and second fixed contacts when the movable contact engages the first and second fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Mamoru Miyako
  • Patent number: 7019225
    Abstract: A pusher formed of a rubber material, a click plate, a membrane switch which serves as a second step switch, a reinforcing plate, a membrane sheet on which a plurality of first step switches are formed, a key operation base and a knob are sequentially assembled into a case. The knob includes a plurality of depressing pieces having on its internal surface a projection which moves into contact with each membrane switch and also includes a marginal portion which is supported by the top surface of the case. The knob is thin-walled except for the depressing piece, and the thin-walled portion comprises a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone rubber. The knob, the key operation base and the reinforcing plate are secured together. As the depressing piece is depressed, the thin-walled portion which is located therearound becomes flexed, whereby the membrane switch is depressed by the projection to turn the switch on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Limited
    Inventors: Tadanao Matsumoto, Naoki Iwao
  • Patent number: 7002091
    Abstract: A shaving head cleaner includes a housing defining a receptacle adapted to receive a shaving head of the dry shaving apparatus. A contact member extends from the housing, and is adapted to accommodate an end of the dry shaving apparatus remote from the shaving head. A pushbutton is positioned near an end of the contact member, and the pushbutton has electrical connectors configured to be moved by the pushbutton for establishing an electrical connection between the dry shaving apparatus and the shaving head cleaner. A tolerance compensating device is arranged between the electrical connectors and the pushbutton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Hoser, Diana Kappes, Andreas Larscheid, Uwe Ludascher, Svatopluk Krumnikl
  • Patent number: 6987235
    Abstract: A switch is provided that is of the type that may be installed in a contact block engaging a pushbutton operator via a latch assembly. The switch includes a spanner that engages a pair of terminals, each having a pair of contacts. The outer ends of the spanner are wider than the central portion so as to render the spanner torsionally compliant. The wide outer ends provide a sufficient thermal mass to absorb an arc that may be created when the switch is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Homer S. Sambar, Jeffrey R. Annis, Roy A. Rice
  • Patent number: 6969815
    Abstract: A keyboard key capable of lowering its overall height, which comprises a key cap body and a key cap base being coupled to the keyboard and disposed at the areas of four corners correspondingly having a displacing pillar and elevating groove, and an accommodating section of an electrically conductive cap body disposed at the corresponding central position of the key cap base and the key cap body, and a fixing section and a positioning section coupled to the key cap body and the key cap base respectively, and the displacing pillar and elevating groove are disposed separately at the four corners to reduce the moment of any point of the key cap body pressing the electrically conductive cap body in order to achieve the purposes of effectively lowering the overall height of the key and making the keyboard thin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Tien-Min Lu
  • Patent number: 6958183
    Abstract: A first film plate 20 and a second film plate 40, each made of flexible resin film, are attached to a top surface and a bottom surface of a key top 30 made of mold-resin, respectively, so as to cover the key top 30. The first film plate 20 is pressed upward to form a recessed portion 23, the key top 30 is molded within this recessed portion 23. The second film plate 40 is arranged on the bottom surface of the key top 30. All of the first film plate 20, the key top 30, and the second film plate 40 are transparent. Decorative layers 21 and 41 are formed on the first film plate 20 and the second film plate 40, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Teikoku Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Okamura, Kimitane Kimura, Yasuo Kojima, Atsushi Hari, Shinji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6949714
    Abstract: A switch apparatus has a case that includes a hollow projecting support section, a switch contact provided inside the case, and a button having a depressing section that comes into contact with the switch contact and mounted on the support section in a manner vertically movable. Furthermore, an inwardly projecting catch section is provided on the inner periphery of the support section, and an engaging hole is provided on the depressing section of the button into which the catch section is to be inserted. In this configuration, an opening on the top surface of the case is not required when manufacturing the case and the button by resin molding. As a result, a switch apparatus is obtained which is superior in resistance to water and dust and stable in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kontani, Takeshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 6933454
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are a switching apparatus and a vehicle-mounted electronic apparatus having the switching apparatus assembled therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Ishibashi, Shinichi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6930267
    Abstract: An emergency switch comprises a base on which an electrical circuit switch, and an indicator pin are mounted. An activation body is provided with an activation projection and a torsion spring and is movably mounted on the indicator pin. A trigger button is provided with a through hole and is fastened with a top end of the activation body. When the trigger button is triggered, the activation body is forced to move downwards along the indicator pin, so as to cause the activation projection to turn off the electrical circuit switch. A top end of the indicator pin is jutted out of the through hole of the trigger button to indicate that the emergency switch is in the state of activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Tsung-Kui Chou
  • Patent number: 6919520
    Abstract: With the stoplight switch and method for its mounting in accordance with the present invention, by configuring the stoplight switch in a manner such that a contact section of a spacer projecting out from a through-hole on the side surface of a case is made to come into contact with an end portion of a U-shaped engagement spring that is supported by a sliding body thereby to press the pressing section so as to move the spacer and secure the action rod and the sliding body, mounting work and adjustment of the action rod are made easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kasakawa, Masahiro Hirobe, Toshio Osawa
  • Patent number: 6910439
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular meter, which can suppress the complication of structures of peripheral parts, when an operation shaft and an elastic member are to be supported, thereby to realize the cost reduction. The vehicular meter comprises: an indication element D3; a circuit board 5 arranged on the back of the indication element D3; and a manipulation mechanism S for switching pieces of information to be indicated by the indication element D3. The manipulation mechanism S includes: a switch element 11; an operation shaft 12 for activating the switch element 11; and an elastic member 13 for returning the operation shaft 12. This operation shaft 12 includes a push portion 161 for actuating the switch element 11; hook portions 171 and 172 inserted into a through hole 52 of the circuit board 5 to come into engagement with the back face of the circuit board 5; a flange portion 16 opposed to the circuit board 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Baba, Atsushi Fujita, Norihiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6900404
    Abstract: A push button switch including a housing and a push button body disposed at least partially within the housing. The push button body may include a base portion and at least one guide portion extending from the base portion. The housing may include at least one mating guide portion for receiving the least one guide portion of the button body and guiding the translation of the button body in the housing. A rocker may be positioned between the push button body and a contact closure, and the push button body may pivot the rocker about a pivot point upon depression of the head thereby changing a state of the contact closure. A light source may be positioned beneath the rocker and for illuminating a bottom of the button head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Searle, Christopher Blake
  • Patent number: 6900399
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly for actuating an electrical circuit by closing at least one pair of conducting contacts in a sliding manner is disclosed. The assembly includes a contact carrier within a switch housing, a spring attached to the carrier that biases the carrier in an electrical circuit open position, a slot connected to the carrier that receives a force transfer member, and a force transfer member that is insertable into the slot and transfers a force applied by a switch operator to an angled wall portion of the slot. The angle of the wall portion is preferably 45-degrees relative to the axis of travel of the force transfer member. In operation, when the force transfer member is inserted into the slot and pushes against the angled wall, the carrier is displaced approximately orthogonal to the insertion direction of the force transfer member to move the contacts in the carrier from an electrical circuit open position to an electrical circuit closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Pat A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 6900403
    Abstract: An operating device having a rotatable crank drive which can be actuated by repeatedly pressing and releasing a knob or push-button. The push-button is thus alternately fixed in an operating position, i.e. the out position, and a locking position, i.e. the pressed-in position. A rotatable locking ring which can be axially displaced in an elastic manner and the body of the operating device include crank or link elements which are alternately distributed around the circumference, and in which the knob or push-button can be securely locked in a precise position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Roland Ruegenberg
  • Patent number: 6878893
    Abstract: A first stationary contact is provided on the base body. A second stationary contact is provided on the base body. A conductive click spring is disposed over the first stationary contact and the second stationary contact, so as to be always electrically connected to the first stationary contact and so as to be away from the second stationary contact in a neutral position thereof. A push button includes a head portion which is depressed by an operator, and an actuator which pushes the click spring so as to be abutted against the second stationary contact when the head portion is depressed. The head portion and the actuator is integrally formed from rubber having elastic restorability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tanaka, Kazunori Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 6878894
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch having a housing (10), a push button (12) mounted in said housing for axial movement between a normal position and a depressed position, the push button being spring-loaded into the normal position and carrying an elastically mounted cam element (24), at least one micro-switch (14) arranged in the housing, and a switch actuating rocker mounted within the housing for pivotal movement, the switch actuating rocker having an actuating arm (20) for actuating the micro-switch and a transmission arm (18) engaged by the cam element to hold the actuating rocker in the normal position when the push button is in the normal position, move the actuating arm away from the micro-switch when the push button is initially depressed, move the actuating arm to a position actuating the micro-switch on movement of the push button to its depressed position, and force the actuating rocker to its normal position on return of the push button from the depressed position to the normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automobile Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6870116
    Abstract: In a push-button switch member provided with a movable contact composed of a metal member constituting a contact surface to contact an opposing electrode, a number of holes are formed in the contact surface in a height direction of the metal member, and the holes are filled with a filler formed of a flexible resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Kiyosawa, Takashi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6864453
    Abstract: A protection mechanism for a switch device includes a disk rotatably connected to an inside of the case and two ends of a pull member are pivotably connected between the disk and the switch member pivotably connected to an open top of the case. One of the two ends of the pull member lifts the bimetallic plate to set the “OFF” status when pivoting the switch member. A push member has one end movably engagged with an upward groove in an inside of the case so as to push the bimetallic plate to contact one of two terminals, and the other end of the push member is pivotably connected to the disk. The push member is pivoted an angle to produce a space between the push member and the bimetallic plate when the switch member is pivoted to “ON” position and the space allows the bimetallic plate to be completely deformed when overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6863951
    Abstract: Disclosed is a film key sheet with a key top protruding from a resin film which allows a further reduction in thickness and provides a sufficient degree of clarity in visually recognizing a display portion thereof, and a method for manufacturing such a film key sheet. The film key sheet has a film removal hole piercing through the resin film, with a hole edge portion raised from the surface of the resin film being secured to the side surface of the key top. Thus, no resin film exists on the upper and bottom surfaces of the key top, so that it is possible to achieve a further reduction in thickness independently of the foldability of the resin film and drawing accuracy and to provide clarity in visual recognition of a display portion at the bottom of the key top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Sakai
  • Patent number: 6861604
    Abstract: A push button switch is provided having a switch housing having at least two contacts wherein at least one of the contacts has an engagement surface. The switch includes a switch actuator having an actuation surface. The actuator is in communication with the housing and is adapted to be movable with respect to the housing when depressed. The actuation surface is adapted to engage the engagement surface of the at least one contact when the switch actuator is depressed. The two contacts are adapted to contact each other at an actuation point defined by the actuation surface of the switch actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: John P. McSwiggen
  • Patent number: 6846996
    Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Medconx, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Aaron T. Fine, Joseph R. Layton
  • Publication number: 20040262142
    Abstract: A multidirectional control switch which comprises at least a control means (1) arranged to be movable, a base (2), and first and second contact means in connection with the control means (1) and/or the base (2), one of the contact means being a coupling means (4). One of said contact means is a contact surface (2) comprising several contact areas (3), and the first contact means (2, 4) is arranged in connection with the control means (1), and the second contact means is arranged in connection with the base (2), and at least one of said contact means (2, 4) is flexible, and the coupling means (4) is arranged to touch the contact surface (2) in one or more contact areas (3) to generate a control signal, wherein a contact area is arranged to be formed at the point of contact between the base and the coupling means. The invention also relates to a method for forming a control signal by a multidirectional control switch, as well as to a program implementing the method, and a software product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Petri Ihalainen
  • Publication number: 20040245083
    Abstract: A switch is provided that is of the type that may be installed in a contact block engaging a pushbutton operator via a latch assembly. The switch includes a spanner that engages a pair of terminals, each having a pair of contacts. The outer ends of the spanner are wider than the central portion so as to render the spanner torsionally compliant. The wide outer ends provide a sufficient thermal mass to absorb an arc that may be created when the switch is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Homer S. Sambar, Jeffrey R. Annis, Roy A. Rice
  • Publication number: 20040245082
    Abstract: A push switch device comprises a body including a set of terminals and closed cover. An inner side of the cover is provided with a second resilient unit on which is formed a stopper portion. A push unit is positioned in the body, the push unit being provided with a stop controller pad made of an abrasion-resistant material that faces the stopper portion. A first resilient unit is further placed below the push unit. With the above disposition, when pressure is exerted on the push unit, the stop controller pad pushes the stopper portion outwardly. Thereby, damage due to wearing contact of the stopper portion with the push unit is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Yu-Ting Ni
  • Patent number: 6800826
    Abstract: A switch includes a casing and a push member movably connected to atop of the casing. A path is defined in the casing and a guide pin is pivotably connected to the push member wherein the guide pin includes an insertion that is movably engaged with the path. A driving plate is pivotably connected to the casing and includes an aperture through which the insertion extends. A free end of a bimetallic plate is held by a hook portion of the driving plate. The bimetallic plate includes a contact point which contacts the other contact point on a terminal by pushing the push member and the insertion rotate the driving plate in the aperture. When the current is overload, the deformation of the bimetallic plate rotates the driving plate at the hook portion of the bimetallic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6791038
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a casing, first and second fixed contacts, and a moving contact lever having first and second parts for contact with the first and second fixed contacts, respectively. A spring resiliently biasses the lever into contact with both of the first and second fixed contacts. There is also a pushbutton movable between first and second positions to cause the lever to move into contact with and out of contact from the fixed contacts, respectively. The pushbutton and spring act upon the lever at respective positions that are offset from each other. The lever is pivotable by the pushbutton in one direction to separate the first part from the first fixed contact and, subsequently, in an opposite direction to separate the second part from the second fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Defond Components Limited
    Inventor: Chi Leung Lai
  • Patent number: 6791046
    Abstract: A switch assembly is described having one or more switches and a holder. The switches are preferably of a pushbutton type having an outwardly extending flange. The holder includes a cover and base with a pair of upright arms. The cover includes a three-sided opening. As assembled, the upright arms receive a switch and the combination is received in the three-sided opening of the cover. A switch subassembly is further described having a circuit board and quick-disconnect unit. Such improved switch and switch subassembly allow a technician to quickly change out a defunct alarm system switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Corey T. King
  • Publication number: 20040168899
    Abstract: A push button switch is provided having a switch housing having at least two contacts wherein at least one of the contacts has an engagement surface. The switch includes a switch actuator having an actuation surface. The actuator is in communication with the housing and is adapted to be movable with respect to the housing when depressed. The actuation surface is adapted to engage the engagement surface of the at least one contact when the switch actuator is depressed. The two contacts are adapted to contact each other at an actuation point defined by the actuation surface of the switch actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: John P. McSwiggen
  • Patent number: 6776547
    Abstract: A keyboard housing for a key array of a depressible-key keyboard. A parallel guide for multi-wide keys is configured in such a way in the keyboard housing that a swiveling crank arm is limited against longitudinal displacement at both ends and, by two support ribs, is positioned in a vertical direction that its position corresponds precisely to that of the depressed multi-wide key. If the complete set of keys is inserted into the housing and pressed as far as the end stop, the swiveling crank arm latches into snap-in apertures of the multi-wide key, thus becoming functional. The keyboard housing can be used for keyboards produced by automation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Siemans Computers GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Dubois, Bernhard Gut
  • Publication number: 20040149560
    Abstract: In a push switch device, a first latchet tooth is formed to an actuation body composed of an elastomer, a second latchet tooth is formed to a cam follower composed of a synthetic resin material, and the first latchet tooth is meshed with the second latchet tooth by elastically urging the cam follower upward by a second coil spring as well as a first coil spring having a spring load smaller than that of the second coil spring is interposed between the actuation body and the cam follower. Then, the first latchet tooth is engaged with the second latchet tooth at an unstable position by regulating the rotation of the cam follower by the guide portion of a case when the actuation body is not actuated, and the phase of the first and second latchet teeth is changed to a stable position as the actuation body is pushed, thereby an actuating member, which actuates a contact element switching mechanism, is rotated integrally with the cam follower by rotating the cam follower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasunori Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20040149561
    Abstract: A switch device that prevents a contact failure from occurring between electrode contact points by having a self-cleaning function is provided. When a key top 4 is pushed downward, a portion between a winding start end 7b and a winding terminal end 7c of a spiral contactor 7 is extended by an operation part 3B provided in an actuator 3. At this time, the winding start end 7c slides along the surface of a stationary electrode 5. As a result, dusts or stains attached to the winding terminal end 7c and/or the stationary electrode 5, oxide films formed on the surfaces of the electrodes, etc., is self-cleaned. Therefore, it is possible to solve a contact failure problem between the movable electrode 6 and the stationary electrode 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Tsuchiya, Koji Dono
  • Publication number: 20040149559
    Abstract: A keyboard which may be utilized in either an expanded or contracted state. A keyboard is comprised of an expandable and compressible housing which supports a plurality of elastic belts. Keyswitch assemblies are fastened to the elastic belt. When the keyboard housing is expanded, the elastic belts are stretched, and the distance between the keys is increased. The keytops can be of variable size so that upon expansion, they increase in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Roy J. Lahr
  • Publication number: 20040129551
    Abstract: A mechanical limiter switch for use in a medical or surgical device has a substantially cylindrically shaped housing with a perimeter and an opening in an axial direction. The housing has a pattern along the perimeter. A spring is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, and is pre-stressed for movement in a radial direction and pre-stressed for movement in the axial direction. The spring has a radial member protruding through the pattern of the housing. A plunger is mounted in the opening along the axial direction, abutting the spring for urging the spring in the axial direction and for moving the member in the pattern along the perimeter. After a pre-determined number of activations of the plunger in the axial direction, the member will come to a terminating position and will either contact a pin to establish electrical continuity or at the terminating position break electrical continuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Harold B. Kent, James J. Levante, Aaron T. Fine, Joseph R. Layton
  • Publication number: 20040129542
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a push-button switch member (1), by utilizing light energy with out any loss for back-lightening on a display section, capable of realizing the back-lightening to the display section with even luminance while suppressing power consumption and having high visibility and thin thickness, the push-button switch member comprising a key-top portion (3) and a cover base member provided with the key top portion at a predetermined portion; thereof and adapted to be mounted to the circuit board (5), the key-top portion (3) being provided with a display section (2) displaying a switching function and an area emitter (4) integrally formed with the display section, wherein the area emitter member (4) is provided with a light emitting layer (13) disposed between a base electrode (14), and a transparent electrode (10) disposed so as to oppose to the base electrode (14) and the transparent electrode (10) arranged to be contacted to the display section (2) is formed of a transparent conductive polym
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kawaguchi, Shinji Hotta, Masayuki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040129550
    Abstract: A pressure-tight contact device, especially for use in a pressure-tight encapsulated motor of a compressor. The contact device includes a connector shell, which can be pressed onto an insulator and is fastened to the pressure-tight housing enclosing the motor. The motor is connected by means of electrical connecting leads to at least one contact pin. The pin passes through the insulator and a punched opening of a contact tab for connection to a connecting cable. The individual parts of the contact device are sealed relative to one another by means of O-rings. The connector shell has a shroud member which can be formed in various configurations desired by the user for connection to various types of connecting cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Marc Bodet, Klaus Egeter, Hartmut Geiger, Nico Herzberg, Siegfried Hofler
  • Patent number: 6747579
    Abstract: New techniques are presented for providing proportional activation of model railroad functions with control keys. This permits for example a compact throttle device connected to a digital layout control system to provide for a “playable” or variable-pitch whistle sound effect where prior art was severely limited in providing this effect realistically. This invention allows multiple proportional keys in a cost-effective manner that is compatible with existing keyboard designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Digitrax Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Ireland
  • Patent number: 6747225
    Abstract: A safety switch includes a base having two terminals connected thereto and each terminal has a first contact point and a bimetallic plate is movably received in the base and has two second contact points which are located above the two first contact points. The two ends of the bimetallic plate can be bent when overflow. A first spring is biased between an inside of the base and the bimetallic plate. A button assembly is connected to the base and a second spring is biased between the button assembly and the bimetallic plate. The two ends of the bimetallic plate bend upward to cut off the circuit when current overflows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6747226
    Abstract: There is provided an illuminated switch construction, which make it possible to ensure excellent visibility and operability of the illuminated switch, while the illuminated switch can be compact in size, cost-reduced and simple in structure. A substrate is formed therein with a plurality of guide holes. A switch unit and an LED are arranged on the substrate at locations adjacent to each other. The switch unit has a driven part driven for reciprocating motion. A pushbutton unit is formed by a diffuser sheet and a button body which are stacked one upon the other on a lamp house. A plurality of guide pins extend from the lamp house and are fitted through the respective guide holes. The lamp house has a fitting part formed therein with a fitting hole in which a head part of the driven part of the switch unit is fitted and held. When a depressing part of the button body is depressed, the pushbutton unit performs reciprocating motion in a manner interlocked with the driven part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040089530
    Abstract: A multifunctional pushbutton switch for a vehicle steering wheel has a plurality of pushbutton switching units that have pushbutton surfaces located close to each other in a shared a crating surface. The switch has a shared switch housing in which actuation tappets of the pushbutton switching units are movably guided, and a cap mounted over the actuation tappets and onto the switch housing. The cap is made by means of a two-component injection-molding technique and consists of a relatively rigid plastic frame with recessed windows each of a shape and size that corresponds to the circumference of one of the pushbutton surfaces and of a silicone membrane extending over the recessed windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Schmon, Markus Altmann, Peter Schulte
  • Patent number: 6717085
    Abstract: A press-button switch is provided which includes a control unit between a press button and a conductive switching element within a housing of the press-button switch. The control unit utilizes a push element and a hook member beneath the press button to push and pull, respectively, against a first and a second actuating element both of which are situated at different planes. Thus, the rotary body of the control unit can continuously rotate at an angle of 180 degrees in a single direction, and the eccentric hole will change its position between an upper point (H) and a lower point (L) in order to move the push-pull rod for displacing the switching element for the on-off control. Moreover, the press-button switch can be smoothly disconnected in off state for ensuring the electric safety in case of overload current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Ming-Shan Wang
  • Patent number: 6713703
    Abstract: A door opening circuit comprises pipe-shaped housing and a button which can be moved axially in a housing in order to actuate a circuit component connected to the housing. The button is held in a rest position by a force and can be pushed in a direction opposing said force. Perpendicular to the push path of the bottom and pivotable about a pivot mount. A lever is provided perpendicular to the push path of the button and pivotable about a pivot mount. The lever acts upon a circuit component from a position at a distance to the pivotal mount, whereby the button impinges upon the lever between the pivotable mount and the aforementioned position. Another button is located concentrically to the first button on the reverse side of the housing. The pivotal mount is provided with a lever element. The lever can be moved in the direction of the housing longitudinal axis towards the first button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: EAO AG
    Inventor: Ivan Roza
  • Patent number: 6713702
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises an assembly of a base and an upper cover. A conductor resilient plate is mounted in the switch with a resilient tongue that extends and bends toward the upper cover and is placed parallel with a push button on a same side of the conductor resilient plate. Thereby, the thickness of the upper cover and the base can be reduced, so the switch could be accommodated dimensionally electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.
    Inventor: King-Long Lee
  • Patent number: 6713704
    Abstract: A pushbutton assembly includes a housing and a button slidable with respect to the housing. A positioning disk is pivotally connected to the housing and has a positioning hole to receive therein a bent of a positioning rod which is pivotally connected to the button. After a resilient plate is connected to two first contacts of a first terminal, the resilient plate is deformed. The resilient plate further has a contact selectively connected to a second contact which is received in the housing such that movement of the button drives the bent to reciprocally move from a first position to a second position so that a reaction plate of the resilient plate is reciprocally deformed to selectively connect the contact to the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu