Cam Actuated Contact Patents (Class 200/533)
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Patent number: 10707031Abstract: A switch comprising having an actuation member in the form of a pushbutton with an actuating portion being arranged, when an external force is applied to the pushbutton, to be moved vertically relative to the housing between a pushbutton upper position and a pushbutton lower position, the pushbutton and a tilting driving member forming a movable mechanical assembly. An electrical switching portion generates signals representative of changes of position of the one and/or of the other of the two components of the movable assembly, the electrical switching portion including a sensing switch for sensing the changes of position of the pushbutton between its upper position and its lower position, and a detecting switch for detecting the changes of position of the tilting driving member between its upper position and its lower position.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: C&K Components S.A.S.Inventors: Mario Da Mota Pais, Laurent Kubat
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Patent number: 10013076Abstract: An input device includes at least one key structure and a film circuit board disposed below the key structure. The key structure includes a top cover, a plunger, a sleeve, a rod, a first elastic element, a second elastic element and a bottom cover. The plunger is assembled on the top cover and has a protruding portion protruding from a first opening of the top cover and a guiding portion. The sleeve is assembled inside the plunger. The rod is movably disposed in the sleeve. The first elastic element is disposed in the rod, wherein the guiding portion passes through the first elastic element so that a first end of the first elastic element leans against the plunger. The bottom cover having a second opening locks the top cover. A second end and a third end of the second elastic element respectively lean against the sleeve and the bottom cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignees: LITE-ON ELECTRONICS (GUANGZHOU) LIMITED, Lite-On Technology CorporationInventors: Chih-Wen Su, Rong-Shu Li
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Patent number: 9659723Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Osamu Yabe, Craig M. Stanley, Kurt R. Stiehl, Christopher D. Prest
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Patent number: 9224554Abstract: The key assembly comprises a keycap having a touchsurface for receiving a press force that moves the keycap from an unpressed position toward a pressed position. The keycap has first and second ramp contacting features comprising first and second angular protrusions. The first and second angular protrusions have first and second protrusion angles relative to first and second side portions of the keycap (respectively). The key assembly also has a base having first and second ramps that contact the first and second ramp contacting features and guide the keycap in the press direction and the second direction as the keycap moves from the unpressed position toward the pressed position. The base has first and second angular features configured to contact the first and second angular protrusions of the first and second ramp contacting features (respectively) to resist rotation of the keycap as the keycap moves toward the pressed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Synaptics IncorporatedInventor: Doug Krumpelman
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Patent number: 9024222Abstract: A push switch according to the present invention includes a case with a substantially-box shape, a cover, a manipulation member, a movable contact point, and a spring with a substantially-U-shape. The case with the substantially-box shape is provided with a common contact point and a fixed contact point in its inner bottom surface. The movable contact point is swayably placed on the common contact point and is extended in a leftward and rightward direction. The spring with the substantially-U-shape has one end hitched on a lower surface of the cover, the other end slidably placed on an upper surface of the movable contact point, and a center portion being in elastic contact with a lower surface of the manipulation member. This enables to make the entire push switch have a reduced height and to certainly connect and separate relatively-larger electric currents of about several amperes therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Ishikawa, Yasuchika Kudo
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Publication number: 20140251778Abstract: A space where a member is disposed is ensured in a central portion without changing dimensions of an appearance. In a push-button switch, a movable contact portion is disposed while bent in an outer peripheral space between an insertion pipe and sidewalls constituting a quadratic-prism lower case, and the sidewall closest to a position where a projected terminal portion is disposed differs from the sidewall closest to a position where an abutment portion is disposed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: OMRON CORPORATIONInventor: Kazuhira IZAWA
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Patent number: 8803013Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-tamper cam system 2 used to selectively operate a safety interlock switch 6. The cam system 2 comprising a cam 12 selectively rotatable between two positions in order to activate the switch 6. The cam 12 has a locking system 20, 22; 32a, 32b to lock the cam 12 in one of its positions. The locking system 20, 22; 32a, 32b comprises a separate mechanical locks 20, 22; 32a, 32b on each side of the cam 12, each of which must be unlocked using a dedicated key actuator 8 before the cam 12 can be rotated to its other position.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Idem Safety Switches LimitedInventors: Medi Mohtasham, Hamed Faridfar
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Patent number: 8766123Abstract: A key device and electronic apparatus containing the key device. The key device comprises a housing and key structure, a hollow accommodating space in the housing. The key structure comprising: a key body, at least part of the key body being accommodated in the hollow accommodating space; a lateral contacting structure within the hollow accommodating space and comprising a contacting portion provided at the outer side of the key body, and when being pressed, the lateral contacting structure being squeezed by the key body, so that the contacting portion is in contact with a flexible printed circuit board; and a flexible printed circuit board within the hollow accommodating space at the outer side of the contacting portion for inducting the lateral contact of the contacting portion. Since lateral contact is made with the flexible printed circuit board, the key may be transparent when the key body is transparent.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications ABInventors: Yangjian Hu, Yikai Zhang, Xiyong Tian
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Publication number: 20130199914Abstract: A push switch according to the present invention includes a case with a substantially-box shape, a cover, a manipulation member, a movable contact point, and a spring with a substantially-U-shape. The case with the substantially-box shape is provided with a common contact point and a fixed contact point in its inner bottom surface. The movable contact point is swayably placed on the common contact point and is extended in a leftward and rightward direction. The spring with the substantially-U-shape has one end hitched on a lower surface of the cover, the other end slidably placed on an upper surface of the movable contact point, and a center potion being in elastic contact with a lower surface of the manipulation member. This enables to make the entire push switch have a reduced height and to certainly connect and separate relatively-larger electric currents of about several amperes therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventor: PANASONIC CORPORATION
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Publication number: 20090014307Abstract: A spring member is provided in a switch having a lever to receive a pushing force from outside, by bringing an arch-part formed at the left end of the spring member into resilient contact with the bottom surface of the lever, in addition to the movable contact, the spring member also can return the lever. In the case of developing a compact and low-profile switch, the returning force of the lever can be increased to perform electrical connection or disconnection reliably.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Nishimura, Kenji Yasufuku, Yasuchika Kudo
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Publication number: 20080029377Abstract: A small and thin lateral pushing type push switch of the one- or two-step operation type in which excellent operation properties of a dome-like metal plate serving as a movable contact can be obtained is provided. The push switch has a presser having: an inclined portion 9a which converts an operating force in the moving direction of a push button, to a force in the operation direction of a dome-like metal plate; a flexible hinge portion which allows the inclined portion to be moved in the operation direction of the dome-like metal plate; and a pressing portion which presses down the dome-like metal plate. The dome-like metal plate is disposed in two stages in the operation direction of the metal plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: Hosiden CorporationInventor: Shiro Tsuduki
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Patent number: 6965087Abstract: An electric switch, in particular for a high load, such as a power switch. The switch has a contact system comprising a movable switching contact and at least one stationary contact. A movable actuation member, when moved, interacts with the switching contact for the purpose of switching the contact system. If appropriate, the switch may also have a movable locking means, which interacts with the actuation member in an interlocking manner. The actuation member is in operative connection with a lever in such a way that, when there is movement of the actuation member, the lever carries out a pivoting movement. The pivoting movement of the lever moves the switching contact for the purpose of switching and/or the locking means for the purpose of interlocking, in particular with increasing transformation of the displacement covered by the actuation member.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Marquardt GmbHInventors: Ralph Wolber, Rainer Kizele, Heinrich Müller, Thomas Mejerl
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Patent number: 6953905Abstract: An electrical switch for low to medium wattage applications such as in vehicles, appliances, and the like, includes a flexible, resilient spring member which is operable mechanically to latch the switch in one of two positions while also carrying electrical current to complete an electrical circuit when the switch is closed in one of the two latched positions. The switch may operate in either single pole, single throw or single pole, double throw configuration, and provides at least one audible sound or click in each of its latched positions to indicate its status, and also may include a visual indication of status. Preferably, a conductive, metallic, coil spring is carried by a non-conductive switch actuator, the spring having a contact member that is moved between latched positions by finger pressure of an operator on the actuator to open and close one or more electrical circuits connected to the switch contacts.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Maxera LLCInventor: Edward Roger Adams
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Patent number: 6900399Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Pat A. Bolen
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Patent number: 6878894Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: TRW Automobile Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Klaus Schwarz
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Patent number: 6831242Abstract: A push switch device of the invention comprises a body including a set of terminals and closed via a 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 further formed through the body, the push unit being provided with a stop controller pad made of an abrasion-resistant material that is vis-à-vis the stopper portion. A first resilient unit is further placed below the push unit. With the above disposition, when a pressure is exerted on the push unit, the stop controller pad pushes on the stopper portion that moves outwardly. Thereby damage due to wear of the push unit is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Shin Jiuh Corp.Inventor: Yu-Ting Ni
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Patent number: 6756554Abstract: A tact switch includes an insulative housing, a plurality of fixed contacts retained in the insulative housing, a movable contact, an actuator and a top cover. Each fixed contact portion exposed on the bottom wall of the insulative housing. The top cover is mounted on the housing and has an engaging plate projecting downwardly therefrom. The movable contact is positioned between the fixed contacts and the top cover and has a plurality of projections projecting therefrom. The actuator has an operating portion and a press portion slidably mounted between the top cover and the movable contact. In operation, when the operating portion is pressed inwardly, the movable contact elastically deforms such that the plurality of projections move downwardly to electrically contact with the plurality of contact portions.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yong-Hui Hu
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Patent number: 6743031Abstract: A plug connector has a U-shaped snap-on clip with a web, which incorporates a contact lug. The web is seated in a slot of the casing. A contact is situated at the end of the U-shaped snap-on clip, between its arms. An opening for inserting a contact pin is situated in the top side of the housing. This contact pin spreads the arms of the U-shaped snap-on clip, so that they detach from the contact. This plug connector, which is especially suited for use in a cordless radiotelephone, is distinguished by a small structural size, low production costs, a small number of components, high contact reliability, and an especially low juncture resistance.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: IMS Connector Systems GmbHInventors: Roland Baumgaertner, Volker Rombach, Frank Roese
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Publication number: 20040011635Abstract: An electrical switch for low to medium wattage applications such as in vehicles, appliances, and the like, includes a flexible, resilient spring member which is operable mechanically to latch the switch in one of two positions while also carrying electrical current to complete an electrical circuit when the switch is closed in one of the two latched positions. The switch may operate in either single pole, single throw or single pole, double throw configuration, and provides at least one audible sound or click in each of its latched positions to indicate its status, and also may include a visual indication of status. Preferably, a conductive, metallic, coil spring is carried by a non-conductive switch actuator, the spring having a contact member that is moved between latched positions by finger pressure of an operator on the actuator to open and close one or more electrical circuits connected to the switch contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventor: Edward Roger Adams
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Patent number: 6495783Abstract: A miniature electrical switch is closed when a pusher (44) is pushed forwardly (F) to snap down a snap dome tripping member(36) and push a contact blade (50) against a contact part (28). Forward sliding of the actuator is converted into downward movement of the snap dome, by a rigid lever (48) of generally T shape, with a rear branch (51) having laterally spaced trunnions (60) for pivoting and a center section (52) with a cam follower upper surface (76). A ramp (94) at the front of the push member depresses the cam follower as the actuator slides forward. The trunnions are of largely rectangular cross section and pivot on an edge (130).Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Sylvain Rochon, Laurent Bouvier, Thierry Burnel
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Patent number: 6441332Abstract: A switch assembly includes both a separating wedge member, which functions to maintain two electrical contacts out of electrical communication, and a second, camming element, which can be used to squeeze the contacts together when the switch assembly is actuated. In a first embodiment, the second element is of a generally conical shape. In a second embodiment, the second element is actually constituted by two side members having ramped surfaces. The interaction of the specially shaped contacts and camming element ensures proper mating of the contact members when the switch is actuated. In one preferred form of the invention, an undulating channel is formed in a housing of the switch to pinch connecting wires and assure a positive, reliable connection with the contacts.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: James F. Crawford, Jeffrey L. Sears, Harold T. Wilson
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Patent number: 6433291Abstract: In a switch device, a support arm is retained by a conductor plate at one of its ends and by a center terminal at its other end The spring member, which made of an elastic round wire, is placed in a bent form between the conductor plate and the center terminal so as to movably support the conductor plate on the center terminal. The support arm and the spring member are retained by the conductor plate and the center terminal on arc-shaped surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiharu Mori, Yoshio Tanabe
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Patent number: 6384358Abstract: Disclosed is a direct current switch which comprises, in a housing, a slidable actuator, one stationary contact and one pseudo stationary contact both fixed to the housing, a seesaw-like plate having one movable contact and one pseudo movable contact fixed to its opposite ends, and a swingable pusher operatively connected to the actuator to apply a pushing force to the seesaw-like plate all the time. The seesaw-like plate is supported by a fulcrum support to be balanced in the middle. The seesaw-like plate has an engagement piece fixed thereto in the vicinity of the movable contact, and the actuator has a resilient catch-and-hold piece fixed thereto on the movable contact's side.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Satori Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Hirose
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Patent number: 6326572Abstract: A push-button switch assembly mainly comprises a push button, a switch casing, a positioning lever, and a resilient contact piece, wherein the push button is depressed for positioning a protruding portion of the positioning lever to interact with a, polygonal volute stairway mechanism disposed laterally in the push button, and the bottom end of the push button will prop or release the resilient contact piece directly to conductively actuate a power supply or not.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
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Patent number: 6291784Abstract: A compact snap switch that can be assembled mechanically and is equipped as a microswitch. The switch includes a housing for the microswitch and consists of two asymmetrically divided halves whose cut site runs along the edge of one of the large side surfaces. Thus a comparatively large assembly window and a favorable assembly direction are obtained due to the few undercuts of the components. In addition, due to the minor modifications of the machine-instrumented components, the switch can be easily modified for the different application formats. A movable contact lever with a moving contact is mounted so as to pivot in a knife-edge bearing. The free end of the contact lever has a wedge profile which with one of its two sides is exposed to a switching roller reloaded by a switching spring. Switching roller and switching spring are seated in a switching member which is movable along a straight path and abutted by a restoring towards an idle position.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: ITT Automotive Europe, GmbHInventors: Walter Neubauer, Reiner Mozer, Rudolf Klein
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Publication number: 20010019047Abstract: A control device with several stable positions, has a cam and a finger, the finger traveling along a cam track around the cam, when the finger and the cam are moved with respect to one another in translation. The cam track has curvature about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the translation to move the finger and the cam in rotation with respect to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2000Publication date: September 6, 2001Inventor: Philippe Rostan
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Patent number: 6281482Abstract: An electrical switch including a body, fixed and movable contacts in the body, a principal switching member supported by the body for movement between ON and OFF positions, and a subsidiary switching member supported by the principal switching member for movement in directions different from directions of movement of the principal switching member. The principal switching member has an inner part providing a switching profile to operate the movable contacts with respect to the fixed contacts for switching. The subsidiary switching member has an inner part positioned at the switching profile for changing the switching profile while the principal switching member is in the ON position. The switch may be used to control the operation of a hair dryer to provide, in particular, a COOL shot by operation of the subsidiary switching member.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Defond Manufacturing LimitedInventor: Raymond Wai Hang Chu
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Patent number: 6262383Abstract: In a tact switch in which pressing operation on an operating portion of an actuator member will cause the forward end portion of the actuator member to be pushed toward the bottom surface of a housing while being guided by an inclined surface so that the forward end portion (flexible portion) of the actuator member is flexed to press down on the marginal regions of a movable contact piece whereby the curved section of the movable contact piece is flipped over, a cam defining the inclined surface is provided separately from the housing. The movable contact piece, the actuator member, the cam and a top lid may be assembled together simply by stacking them sequentially from above onto the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Sagami Electric Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kikuyoshi Nishikawa
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Patent number: 6163282Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle equipment control device capable of effecting discrimination between a plurality of switch functions without involving any change in the circuit configuration.A plurality of detection switches 2 each of which has three driving pins 4a through 4c are mounted on a printed circuit board 1, and a plurality of key tops 6a through 6g are slidably supported by a housing 3 in correspondence with the detection switches 2. Provided on the lower surfaces of the key tops 6a through 6g are driving sections 9a through 9g each capable of simultaneously depressing arbitrary one or a plurality of driving pins 4a through 4c of the corresponding detection switch 2.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuya Mitsuzuka, Ken Mizuta
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Patent number: 6124556Abstract: An electrical switch has a switch housing, a plurality of pin-like contact parts arranged in the switch housing substantially parallel to one another and extending in a substantially same direction, different potentials to which the contact points are connectable in groups, a contact disk provided for each potential and carrying a corresponding one of the contact parts, the contact disks having substantial identical dimensions and being stacked over one another, a plurality of intermediate layers composed of insulating material and separating the contact disks from one another, the contact parts being bent from the contact disks all in a same direction, and at a location at which one of the contact disks has one contact part, the contact part of the other contact disks are separated.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1997Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Merit-Malta Ltd.Inventor: Robert Thalhammer
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Patent number: 6114644Abstract: In a tact switch in which a dish-shaped movable contact piece (30) formed of a resilient material is operated to be inverted and returned to the original position within a housing to thereby make and break bridging contact between a plurality of fixed contacts plates (52) arranged on the bottom surface of the housing, the dish-shaped movable contact piece (30) is placed with the dish bottom projecting downwardly convexly toward the fixed contacts plates.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Sagami Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kikuyoshi Nishikawa
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Patent number: 6046419Abstract: A device for turning an electric motor on and off implements an expedient instantaneous turn-on or turn-off switching operation in which contact bridges are released for closing or pushed open by means of a spring-operated over-center device. Pivoting elements are rotated by means of the switching slide via their articulated legs such that, when the dead-center position, which is located between the axes of the pivoting elements, is overcome, one pivoting element axis is shifted in a quick-action motion. As a result of the contact bridge control levers, which are provided in different angular positions on the respective pivoting elements, a sequential switching of two contact bridges can be implemented such that initially the first contact bridge and then the second contact bridge are released for closing under the action of the contact closing spring while for opening initially the second and then the first contact bridge may be pushed open in opposition to the contact closing spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Heinrich Kopp AGInventor: Peter Krebs
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Patent number: 6028279Abstract: A push-button switch (20) having a housing (26) is disclosed. The push-button switch includes a cap assembly (22) reciprocably mounted within the housing. The push-button switch also includes at least a first subminiature switch (64) that is actuatable between an open circuit position and a closed circuit position by a plunger (72) operatively connected thereto. The subminiature switch is disposed within the housing such that actuation of the plunger is substantially normal to the motion of the cap assembly. The push-button switch also includes an actuator (44) disposed within the housing and extending between the cap assembly and the plunger. The actuator sequentially pivots about first and second pivot points in response to a linear force to actuate the subminiature switch between the open and closed circuit position.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Korry Electronics Co.Inventors: Mark J. Suryan, Gary Gunell
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Patent number: 6018132Abstract: A horizontal tact switch comprises an insulative base having contacts partially retained therein and partially exposing to exterior. A metal cover is fixed to the insulative base and has a plan plate from an edge of which a lever curvedly extends. The lever has an upper contacting portion and a lower pressing portion and the upper contacting portion is proximate to a bottom surface of the plan plate. A pusher is movably received between the insulative base and the metal cover and has a ramp for driving the lever downward when the pusher is depress horizontally. An elastic device is positioned under the pusher and aligned with the lower pressing portion of the lever. A conductor plate comprises a plurality of spring arms each respectively aligned with corresponding one of the partially exposed contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1999Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chu-Mei Chen
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Patent number: 5981885Abstract: An operation-staggered dual switch is provided having a casing, first and second switching mechanisms installed in the casing, the switching mechanisms being operatively connected such that operation of the first switching mechanism may follow operation of the second switching mechanism after a predetermined delay, wherein the operation-staggered dual switch includes delay means comprising a connection rod having indentations formed on one side, a train of toothed wheels having a leading toothed wheel and a trailing toothed wheel, the leading toothed wheel of the train of toothed wheels being engaged with selected indentations of the connection rod, and a rotary damper connected to the trailing toothed wheel of the train of toothed wheels, the connection rod being responsive to initiation of operation of the first switching mechanism for moving in a given direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Satori Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuichi Katoh, Hiroyuki Yahagi
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Patent number: 5952903Abstract: A push button residual current device employs a single push button to perform setting and testing operations. Over a first part of the down stroke of the push button a test trip is initiated which causes the device to trip if it is properly functioning. When the push button is pushed further, and then released, the device goes into a state allowing current to pass provided no trip condition is detected. Once the device is operative for allowing current to pass, any fault condition results in a trip for disconnecting the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Power Breaker PLCInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 5746309Abstract: An alternate action mechanism includes a ratchet cam moving a resilient contact between first and second positions. A push button, including an interface member, rotates the ratchet cam by applying force to ratchet teeth. The alternate action mechanism includes a frame supporting the ratchet cam and aligning the ratchet portion with the interface member. In one embodiment, the ratchet portion is between two cam portions. When the ratchet cam is rotated, the cam portions moves the resilient member to one of two alternating positions. In another embodiment, the cam portion is positioned between two ratchet portions. The frame includes cam support arms receiving the ratchet cam. The frame also includes detents which prevent improper movement of the ratchet cam and provide audible indication of actuation of the mechanism. The interface member can comprise a finger to contact a ratchet tooth and rotate the ratchet cam. The finger can be U-shaped, with the edges on the open side contacting the ratchet teeth.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventor: James U. Neyer
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Patent number: 5667061Abstract: A linear cam-assisted plunger switch including a cam member having a body portion and at least three outwardly extending wedge-shaped arms. The wedge-shaped arms having a flat surface and a sloped surface formed at an angle with respect to the flat surface and converging in a direction of the flat surface. A housing base is constructed and arranged to slidably receive the cam member. A support member is connected to the base and has spaced apart electrical contacts and an electrical circuit associated therewith. A non-metallic, flexible dome is carried by said support member, and an electrically conductive element is positioned on the underside of the dome for engagement with the spaced apart contacts and closing said circuit when said dome is collapsed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Packard Hughes Interconnect CompanyInventor: James Sungioun Lee
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Patent number: 5660272Abstract: A miniature electrical switch, of the type that includes a snap dome or tripping member (36) lying over a pair of contacts (30, 34), includes a small and effective actuator arrangement (41). The actuator arrangement includes a sheet metal force transfer member (43) with a horizontal plate (46) and with a deflectable strip or lever (48), and an actuator device or pusher (44) with a ramp (96) that can engage the lever to deflect it. Horizontal forward (F) movement of the pusher deflects the front of the lever downwardly, to depress the middle portion (40) of the tripping member.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: ITT Compasants Et InstrumentsInventors: Alain Janniere, Laurent Bouvier
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Patent number: 5651452Abstract: An electrical switch includes a stationary contact supported in a housing; a movable contact displaceable between first and second states toward or away from the stationary contact; a blade stationarily supported in the housing; a contact link carrying the movable contact and being rockably supported on the blade to assume first and second pivotal positions thereon to place the movable contact into the first or second state; an operating device movably supported in the housing and being movable in opposite directions of displacement into an operated state and an unoperated state; a first resetting arrangement means for urging the operating device into the unoperated state; a pivotal arm extending from the operating device; a pivot bearing pivotally securing the pivotal arm to the operating device; an operating stud attached to the pivotal arm and cooperating with the contact link for placing the contact link into the first or second pivotal position as the operating device moves into the unoperated or operateType: GrantFiled: October 17, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Marquardt GmbHInventors: Alois Schaeffeler, Axel Riess
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Patent number: 5626223Abstract: The present invention includes a cam-assisted switch. A keycap or button is provided with three or more cam contact points. A cam member is provided with an associated number of outwardly extending fingers corresponding to each cam contact point on the keycap. Each finger has a flat top surface, side surfaces and a slope surface extending from the top surface to a side surface. A base is provided with cam finger stops and a dome support point. A dome is carried on the dome support to bias the cam in one direction. As the keycap is depressed, the contact points each engage a sloped surface on one of the respective cam fingers. As the keycap is further depressed, the displacement of each keycap contact point is the same thus eliminating any wobble. When the operator releases the keycap, the dome biases the cam in the opposite direction returning the keycap to its original position.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Packard Hughes Interconnect CompanyInventor: James S. Lee
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Patent number: 5488213Abstract: A key switch which is particularly suitable for low profile keyboards includes a plunger whose contacting movement is converted by means of trigger cams into a movement perpendicularly to the plunger movement for switching a contactor which is movable relative to a stationary contact element, the contactor being formed as annular sheet metal part which is elongate in a direction normal to the switching movement and due to its length can accommodate relatively high stress without material fatigue.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1994Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Cherry Mikroschalter GmbHInventor: Jorg Dittrich
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Patent number: 5420385Abstract: A key operable safety switch includes a housing and a switch operator that is operated by an actuator. A slot in the housing receives the actuator. A plurality of discs independently rotatably mounted on an axle, the discs each having a radial recess aligned with the slot and cam-like control grooves, form a roller. The actuator has a coded pattern or actuation portions corresponding to each disc radial recess. Insertion of the actuator engages the actuation portions with the radial recesses causing the discs to be rotated as a whole. A pin mounted to the switch operator and transversely disposed in the control grooves is axially displaced by rotation of the discs. The switch operator is displaced a predetermined stroke to actuate the switch.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1994Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: K.A. Schmersal GmbHInventor: Alan R. Cooper
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Patent number: 5178265Abstract: An electrical switch which has a body, a contact base at one end of the body, a cam member positioned for rotation within the body, and a plunger positioned within the body for nonrotating movement. The cam member has a conductive bridge contact portion and has cam followers which engage the cam surface in the base to move the cam member between a make position in which the bridge is in contact with contacts on the base and a break position in which the bridge is spaced from the contacts on the base. The plunger has an actuatable pushbutton portion extending from the body and has driving portions which engage driven portions on the cam member to rotate the cam member upon nonrotating movement of the plunger. The plunger engages the cam member to provide a rotating first camming action, while the cam member engages the base to provide a nonrotating second camming action.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1991Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventor: Arnold L. Sepke
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Patent number: 5124514Abstract: A key switch comprising a bottom shell connected with an upper shell for holding a spring plate, a switching mechanism which is comprised of two conducting plates respectively connected to the two opposite terminals of a circuit, and a spring supported key cap, wherein said upper shell has two retaining grooves separated by a projecting strip for holding said two conducting plates respectively in place. The first conducting plate comprises a trigger frame obliquely disposed toward the spring plate and a contact end extending backward from said trigger frame. Pressing on the key cap causes the spring plate to move the trigger frame to carry its contact end to electrically contact the second conducting plate forming into a closed circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1991Date of Patent: June 23, 1992Inventor: Win-Join Chen
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Patent number: 4989292Abstract: A small dust catcher includes a main tube and an inlet section. The inlet section is releasably connected to the main tube. The dust catcher further includes a filter assembly which is removably supported with an upper opening of the inlet section, with an upright positioning piece being located within a central opening of a partition wall. This uncomplicated arrangement makes it particularly easy to remove the filter assembly for cleaning or maintenance, while ensuring that the filter assembly is held securely in place during use. The dust catcher further includes a fan, a motor and a battery case, and a cover which covers the battery case. The fan, motor and battery case form a one piece assembly which can be disconnected from the main tube. This makes it easy to get at the fan, motor and battery case for maintenance. Preferably, the dust catcher simulates the appearance of a pen.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1989Date of Patent: February 5, 1991Inventor: Chin-Lin Hwang
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Patent number: 4963706Abstract: A safety switch assembly comprises a safety switch for securement to an enclosure having an openable closure, and an actuator for operating the safety switch for securement to the closure. The safety switch comprises a housing, containing electrical contacts, and a cam arrangement for operating the electrical contacts and formed with peripheral inwardly directed radial pockets. An axially-movable rod connects the electrical contacts and the cam arrangement. The housing has openings adjacent the cam arrangement for insertion of the actuator. The cam arrangement comprises a shaft bridging lateral walls of the housing, and an actuating cam rotatably supported on the shaft and connected to the rod by a cam follower pin connected to the rod and engaged in cam grooves in the actuating cam.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1989Date of Patent: October 16, 1990Assignee: EJA Engineering Company LimitedInventor: Mehdi Mohtasham
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Patent number: 4920245Abstract: A push-button switch which eliminates a dispersion in on and off timings thereof is disclosed. The push-button switch has a pressing spring, and a switch element which includes a pressing piece, a fixed contact element and a movable contact element. The movable contact element is contacted with the fixed contact element when an acting projection of the pressing spring press against a movable contact element pressing portion at an end of a leg portion of the pressing piece. The movable contact element pressing portion of the pressing piece gradually narrows towards its end, and is of substantially the same thickness of material as the leg portion thereof. The gradually narrowing movable contact element pressing portion of the pressing piece is in a contiguous relationship to the leg portion has a projection provided on a surface thereof for contacting with the acting projection of the pressing spring and has a rib provided on the opposite face thereof for pressing against the movable contact element.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1988Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunari Takano, Mitsuhiro Okada
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Patent number: 4891013Abstract: A connector for a thin electronic appliance, for example, an IC card reader for electrically connecting the thin electronic appliance with its receiving member, for example, an IC card reader/writer, which comprises a detector switch key body of insulation rubber having a connector base rigidly secured to the receiving member, a plurality of contact electrodes of electrically conductive rubber securely held by the connector base, and a push button portion having a plurality of openings through which the contact electrodes extend. The key body is further provided with a plurality of resilient leg portions extending from the connector base and a key top portion carrying the push button portion and supported by the leg portions. The connector is combined with a detector switch having a plurality of stationary contacts rigidly secured to the receiving member and a movable contact rigidly secured to the lower surface of the key top portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1989Date of Patent: January 2, 1990Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeki Komaki
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Patent number: 4866228Abstract: A key switch is disclosed wherein a key stem is slidably movable within a switch case. Upward movement of the key stem under spring bias causes electrical disconnection between a stationary contact and a movable leaf-spring terminal type contact both mounted within the switch case. The stationary contact is a wire engaging a sheet metal type leaf-spring terminal contact having notches to provide plural contact points therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1987Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: SMK Co., Ltd.Inventor: Osamu Kamishima