Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (4?) comprises a frame (2) and a beverage preparation module (9) supported by the frame, the module (9) having a part (10) that is movable relative to the frame between: a transfer position for introducing a beverage ingredient into the module (9) and/or removing the ingredient therefrom; and a processing position for forming the beverage from the ingredient in the module. The beverage preparation module further has a beverage outlet (11) for dispensing the formed beverage (4?) to a beverage dispensing area (4) for receiving a user-recipient for collecting the beverage (4?). The frame (2) further supports a guide (20) configured to drain and deliver liquid residues (3?) from the beverage outlet (11) to a service area (3) separate from the dispensing area (4) so that the residues (3?) are inhibited from being drained from the beverage outlet (11) to the beverage dispensing area (4).

Abstract: Electrical device with axial control, such as switch, double-pole switch, toggle switch, inverter or the like, including a box-like containment structure (20) in insulating material, in which are housed: at least two connection terminals (31, 32), at least one fixed electrical contact (35) connected to one (31) of the connection terminals, at least one rocker arm element (36) carrying at least one mobile electrical contact (37) and connected electrically to another (32) of the connection terminals, and an axial actuation member (70) kinematically connected via a first oscillating support (50) to the rocker arm element (36), so as to make it oscillate between two predetermined stable positions, wherein on the first oscillating support (50) acts a second oscillating support (60) which is made to oscillate in one direction or in the other at each actuation of the axial actuation member (70).

Abstract: A compound operation input device of the invention includes: a body; a switch being disposed in the body and including a contact in an arcuate cross-sectional shape; and a lever. The lever includes: a basal portion disposed on a vertex of the contact; and an operating portion being swingable in swing directions and being depressible toward the switch from a predetermined position on a swing path. The body includes an arcuate abutting portion. The lever has a protrusion being disposed above the abutting portion. The abutting portion has a recess at a position thereof corresponding to the predetermined position. When the lever makes a depressing movement from a position other than the predetermined position, the protrusion abuts against the abutting portion. When the lever makes a depressing movement from the predetermined position, the protrusion is received in the recess such that the basal portion presses the vertex of the contact.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes an actuator assembly having a slidably supported pushbutton and a switch mechanism switchable between alternate positions. The pushbutton is biased by a return spring between the pushbutton and a retainer. A pin is received within the return spring coils and engages a pivot member through an elongated opening in the retainer that allows lateral pin movement. A switch plate moves between alternate positions by contact with the pivot member and is maintained in one of the positions by a contact spring between the pivot member and plate. A spring damper in the contact spring coils limits resonating vibration. The switch assembly provides a multiple segment force input profile having first and second segments leading to the switching force with slopes according to a preferred ratio. Third and fourth segments of the input profile following the switching force define a V-shape.

Abstract: A four function electrical rocker switch has two single pole, single throw on/off sections having their movable contact arms coupled to a single electrical line and their screw terminal fixed contacts connected to individual circuits. The two switch sections are independently operated. A third rocker switch is a single pole, double throw switch with a center-off position. The third switch can be operated to either of two positions to operate either one of two independent circuits or can be left in the center-off position not engaging either circuit. A five function electrical rocker switch can be made up of one section having a single pole, single throw on/off switch and two sections with single pole, double throw switches which each have a center-off position.

Abstract: A push switch including a rotatably supported movable contact member with a movable contact portion which comes into contact with and separates from a stationary contact; and a cam shaft rotatably disposed between the lower surface of a plunger and the movable contact member. The switching driver portion of the cam shaft slides on the movable contact member. The force used to push down the plunger is exerted on the movable contact member through the switching driver portion to tilt the movable contact member.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for alternate action switching devices having at least two states includes a housing structure and an actuator member slidably engaged therewith. In order to move the switching device between states, the actuator member has a contoured surface that moves along and remains in constant sliding engagement with a correspondingly contoured surface on the housing. A biasing member urges the actuator surface into the housing surface throughout operation. This provides noiseless operation of the switching device.

Abstract: A switch in one embodiment includes a knob slidable through an aperture in a bezel. The knob is guided within a post mounted on a carrier and is biased to an outward position with respect to a carrier. A latch movably mounted on the carrier is rotated between two positions by a member carried on the knob on each successive depression of the knob. In one position, a projection on the latch extends through aligned bores in the post and a stem carried on the knob to lock the knob in a second position. Movement of the latch in an opposite direction, on the next depression of the knob, releases the projection from the aligned bores enabling the knob to biasingly move outward to the first position. Preferably, the carrier is rotatable relative to a support. The knob is keyed to the post on the carrier such that when the knob is in the second position, rotation of the knob causes rotation of the carrier. In another embodiment, two pushbuttons are disposed side-by-side for independent and/or simultaneous movement.

Abstract: A switch device includes an automatic return type operating piece depressed to move and automatically returned to an original position, a swinging member swingably mounted on a shaft, the swinging member being swung in opposite directions alternately whenever depressed by the operating piece, an articulation piece provided at the end portion of the swinging member in such a manner that the articulation piece is urged towards the front end thereof, and a V-shaped articulation member having a top and two slopes, functioning to hold the swinging member at one of two swing positions with the articulation piece abutted against one of the two slopes, and to hold the swinging member at the other swing position with the articulation piece abutted against the other slope so as to achieve, a switching operation, wherein two member selected from the group consisting of the push rod, the center of rotation of the swinging member, and the top of the V-shaped articulation member are arranged on one and the same straight li

Abstract: A pushbutton switch is provided comprising a pushbutton having its lower portion inserted in a pushbutton housing section and being formed in its lower end with a pin accommodating hole; a pin having its upper end portion resiliently held in the pin accommodating hole by a coil spring; and a movable contact support having a movable contact piece therein and held in a switch housing section for seesaw motions by the lower end of the pin, whereby electric connection of the common contact is switched between two fixed contacts. A spring retainer plate to which the lower end of the coil spring is fixed is housed in the switch housing section for vertically upward and downward sliding movements. The spring retainer plate is formed at its opposite ends with legs depending therefrom for always maintaining the posture of the spring retainer plate parallel to the bottom panel.

Abstract: An alternate action mechanism in which a rocker makes rolling contact with a surface on a frame, and a plunger is positioned to exert a force toward the surface at a location on the rocker separated from the rolling contact, the force at least initially being along an axis which intersects the surface between limiting positions of the rolling contact. Specially configured leaf springs bias the rocker toward positions corresponding with the limiting positions of the rolling contact.

Abstract: This is an electric switch utilizing a cam which has a pair of spaced springs bearing against the movable contact. The switch operates by applying pressure to a camming surface which compresses one of the springs and causes the movable contact to shift from one position to another.

Abstract: The switch device of the present invention includes an actuator member operated by linear movement in a first direction. An angularly movable member angularly moves in response to the linear movement of the actuator member. The direction of angular movement of the angularly movable member is reversed each time the actuator member is moved an additional distance. A first switch is switched between one state and the other each time the direction of angular movement of the angularly movable member is reversed. A cam member is angularly movable in response to the linear movement of the actuator member in the first direction. The cam members includes an operation portion for moving one of two opposed contacts of a second switch relative to the other to turn on the second switch. When the cam member is angularly moved, the operating portion is movable a distance smaller than a distance of linear movement of the actuator member.