Reciprocating Actuator Patents (Class 200/537)
  • Patent number: 11562866
    Abstract: A multi-directional switch is provided to include a spring electrode supported by a base housing and having a plate shape divided in multiple directions. A fastening bolt is fastened to the base housing through penetrating the spring electrode and has an upper surface on which a curved surface is formed. A P-type switch is supported by the curved surface of the fastening bolt and includes a push part configured to press the spring electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Min-Gun Jeong
  • Patent number: 11101084
    Abstract: A switching assembly intended to be joined onto a control assembly provided with an actuation member, the switching assembly comprising a body, an electrical circuit comprising two fixed contacts, the electrical circuit being able to be controlled both by a control switch of a normally-closed type and by a monitoring switch of a normally-open type, linked in series with the control switch. The monitoring switch makes it possible to monitor the correct secure attachment of the switching assembly onto the control assembly by keeping the electrical circuit open as long as the control assembly is mechanically disconnected from the switching assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Patrice Thizon, Eric Perard
  • Patent number: 10453631
    Abstract: A stroke adjustment cover for clip-type micro switch, the stroke adjustment cover comprises a cover body connected to a clip-type micro switch, a stroke adjustment member disposed in the cover body, and an elastic member used to provide the stroke adjustment member with a reciprocating stroke perpendicular to the direction of an actuation stroke of the clip-type micro switch. Through an adjustment section of the stroke adjustment member includes at least one brake portion used for braking the clip-type micro switch to generate the actuation stroke in the reciprocating stroke provided by the elastic member. The present invention not requires modification of the actuation stroke and structure of the clip-type micro switch, while an actuation time of a switching command signal of the clip-type micro switch is extended by the stroke adjustment cover provided with the different reciprocating strokes and being easy to install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZIPPY TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Che-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 8971156
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for controlling a time function or a non-time related function including at least two push-buttons (28A, 28B) each provided with a stem (30A, 30B) and a head (32A, 32B), said push-buttons (28A, 28B) being able to move axially between a first inactive rest position and a second position in which they control the function, characterized in that the stems (30A, 30B) of the two push-buttons (28A, 28b) extend side by side and parallel to each other. The invention also concerns a timepiece fitted with this control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Meco S.A.
    Inventor: Hakim El Kadiri
  • Patent number: 8785798
    Abstract: A sliding key module includes a main body, two opposite hooks projecting from the main body and a sliding key. Each hook includes a latch and a guiding portion connecting the latch and the main body. The latches, the guiding portions and the main body cooperatively define a sliding channel. The sliding key includes a first sliding track slidably mounted in the sliding channel. The first sliding track is pressed to mount in the sliding channel through the gap between the latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Yan-Ling Gao
  • Patent number: 8207466
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to pushbutton actuators. More particularly, the invention encompasses a pushbutton 2 position twist release switch with integral LED and actuator. The invention also includes a pushbutton 3 position momentary switch with an integral LED and actuator. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a pushbutton 3 position maintained switch with an integral LED and actuator. The invention also includes various embodiments of the inventive pushbutton actuator of this invention. The inventive pushbutton also comprises a pushbutton knob that has ridges for the transmission and scattering of light for the LED in the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Neeraj Singh, Tinghao Wang, Li-Chih Ree, Xinhua Chen
  • Patent number: 8093525
    Abstract: A redundant switch includes a housing, an actuator, and a slide movable in the housing in two opposing directions. The slide is coupled to the actuator by two antagonistic springs. The switch includes a latching track with latching notches. At least two switch units are arranged one beside the other for simultaneous actuation by the slide. A latching cam is movably guided on the slide and is urged towards the latching track by a compression spring. The antagonistic springs force the slide to move into respective positions when the latching cam slides over an apex between the latching notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Patent number: 7538290
    Abstract: A groove-like recess, substantially V-shaped, extending vertically is formed on the outer circumference of an operation shaft, and a projection engaging the recess is provided on a guide hole, namely the inner circumference of a hollow pipe. Such makeup provides an automotive push switch that reduces an impactive force caused when the recess hits the projection within the movable range of the operation shaft, by decomposing or dispersing the force according to the inclination angle of the slope, and so does the hitting sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nakade, Hiroyuki Kosaka
  • Patent number: 7323646
    Abstract: A hand operable switch includes an operating knob that is movable longitudinally or rotationally about a longitudinal axis of the hand operable switch. The operating knob is accessible from any circumferential location of the hand operable switch. A housing includes switching elements wherein movement of the operating knob moves an activation rod relevant to the switching elements for activating a switching element that corresponds to movement of a controlled device. A converter converts the hand operable switch into a foot operable switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Conntrol International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Braaten
  • Patent number: 7232965
    Abstract: An linear motion compensator for translating a particular amount of linear movement produced by an input device into a particular amount of linear movement required to properly operate an output device, without causing damage to either the input device or the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Donald G. Gibbons, Jon H. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7186940
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes two fixed contacts and a moving contact supported for movement between an ON position in contact with the fixed contacts and an OFF position out of contact with the fixed contacts, and an operating mechanism for moving the moving contact. The operating mechanism has an operating member, a contact mover supported for moving the moving contact upon movement by the operating member, and a spring-loaded device located between the operating member and the contact mover for movement by the operating member past a transitional condition of maximum strain to flick the contact mover between the operating positions of the contact mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Defond Components Limited
    Inventor: Kin Yu Wong
  • Patent number: 7141750
    Abstract: A switch mechanism includes a switch body including a sensing button placed to protrude from a surface, a switch plate placed to face the sensing button and connected to the switch body, and a coil spring for biasing the switch body. The switch mechanism is formed such that when a protruding portion presses the switch plate, the switch plate presses the sensing button. The switch body is formed to be turnable in accordance with a direction along which the switch plate presses the sensing button. The coil spring is formed to bias the switch body in a direction opposite to the direction along which the sensing button is pressed, out of turning directions of the switch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 7135651
    Abstract: A detect switch (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a first and second fixed terminals (51, 52) retained in the insulative housing, a moveable contact (3), an operator assembly (2) and a cover (4) mounted on the insulative housing. The operator assembly (2) comprises a rotator (22) lying over the moveable contact, and an actuator (21) cooperating with the rotator (22) to drive the moveable contact. The moveable contact is formed with a pair of contacting portions (311, 321), a width of which is smaller than that of the fixed terminals. The contacting portions come to contact with and thereby electrically connect the fixed terminals when the operator assembly is manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ssu-Min Lung
  • Patent number: 7057129
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-way synchronous switcher. The multi-way synchronous switcher comprises a contacting tongue unit and a cam, the contacting tongue unit comprises an upper contacting tongue unit, an intermediate contacting tongue unit and a lower contacting tongue unit which are mounted in sequence; the lower end of the cam has a shape of step provided with several step stages; the first slider being able to move up and down is provided between the cam and the intermediate contacting tongue unit; the lower end of the first slider is connected to an elastic mechanism which can actuate the intermediate contacting tongue unit to move up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Shanghai Guangwei Electric & Tools Factory
    Inventors: Yeping Fan, Wenxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 6989504
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a case comprising a structure for fastening a sliding button having a fixing member and a manipulating member together forming an L-shaped member, two spaced ribs provided on an inner surface of the manipulating member above the fixing member, and a projection provided on an outer surface of the manipulating member and adapted to insert through an opening of the case and project therefrom to outside of the case while placing the sliding button in the case; and a circuit board threadedly secured to a bottom of the case for clamping the fixing member and thus fastening the sliding button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Alpha Networks Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Ching Wu
  • Patent number: 6737598
    Abstract: An electrical switch is provided that includes a housing having at least one contact retention chamber formed therein. The housing includes an opening in one wall of the contact retention chamber through which an actuator is extended. A contact assembly is movably mounted within the contact retention chamber of the housing. The contact assembly has at least one contact that is movable along an arcuate path aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator includes an insulated over-molded portion that retains a conductive member therein. The conductive member is configured to engage the contact. The housing slidably retains the actuator to permit movement of the actuator and the conductive member along the longitudinal axis of the housing. The actuator drives the contacts along the arcuate path between engaged and disengaged positions with the conductive member as the actuator moves along the longitudinal axis of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada, Ltd.
    Inventors: David G. Allen, Mehmet U. Sayman, Liviu N. Dan
  • Patent number: 6630636
    Abstract: To enable to provide an inhibitor switch capable of maintaining an accurate ON/OFF state for a long period of time regardless of wear of a moving contact and having high durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6536299
    Abstract: A shift switch-actuating mechanism for a dual mode shift lever unit is provided, including a shift lever pivotally connected to a pivot shaft supported by a lever housing and a cable block pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft outside the lever housing, the lever housing having an opening on its wall facing the cable block such that the shift lever and the cable block interact with each other, wherein the shift switch-actuating mechanism is mounted on an upper wall of the shift lever housing below an indicator panel so as to be operated in a manual mode and includes a base plate having an indented portion for receiving the shift lever, an up shift switch mounted on the base plate for detecting up shift manipulations of the shift lever, a down shift switch oppositely mounted on the base plate for detecting down shift manipulations of the shift lever, a manual mode switch mounted inside the indented portion of the base plate for detecting manual mode conversion of the shift lever, and a switch actuator for mount
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 6494615
    Abstract: A control device with a snap function includes a support (10), a push-button (12) mounted so as to move in translation along an axis on the support, and a spring element (14) which is not secured to the support or to the push-button. The spring element (14) is formed of an elongated sheet made of resilient material, inserted between the push-button (12) and the support (10), and includes a pair of support zones (36) located at its ends and at least a median support zone arranged in its central portion. These support zones cooperate respectively with the head (28) of the push-button and with a raised surface (24c) of the support. In the rest position, the sheet has a bent or V-shaped cross section, which can deform to create a snap action during the travel of the push-button which tends to bend the spring element longitudinally. Such a device can be applied to control a mechanical or electrical function of a watch or another apparatus of small size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: ETA SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventor: Baptist Wyssbrod
  • Patent number: 6483058
    Abstract: A double pole, manual reset switch that is sealed from its application environment. The switch comprises a shell and a base assembly including an actuator, terminals and blade/contacts. After the switch actuator is depressed to a “make” position, it must be manually lifted back to a “break” position. The switch has an epoxy seal along the bottom between the shell and base, heat shrink material around an opening where wires pass through, and an O-ring on the actuator for sealing the top of the switch. The components of the switch are easily assembled in the base prior to insertion of the base assembly into the shell. The wires extend from the switch adjacent to each other at an end, and in an alternate embodiment of the switch, the wires extend in pairs from a rear side of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Ehrensberger
  • Patent number: 6407353
    Abstract: A breakaway switch assembly for detecting the unintended separation of a pair of connected vehicles or the like, of the type having a housing enclosure which slidably receives a pin-type actuator that operates an internal switch when pulled from the housing upon separation of the connected vehicles etc., incorporates a fully assembled, self-contained switch unit of a commercially known type, rather than a special switch assembly having long, resilient contact-carrying spring arms that must be carefully and tediously mounted in specially designed housings, as was the most prevalent practice heretofore. The self-contained switch unit so utilized preferably has an enclosing outer housing or body which protects the interior switch mechanism, contacts, etc., from the elements and also provides protruding flanges or the like which facilitate easy and fast mounting of the entire unit within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel D. Fritzinger, David J. Rowland
  • Publication number: 20020056632
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a illuminated switching device comprising a small number of components and capable of giving stabilized illumination to a translucent portion of a knob. For this purpose, the illuminated switching device of the present invention has a switch section including a case and a switch terminal protruding out of the case, a printed-circuit board to which the switch terminal is connected, and a lamp having a pair of lamp terminals connected with the printed-circuit board. The lamp terminals are retained and supported on the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Makoto Sasaki, Masakatsu Atumi, Nobuyuki Kowata, Kenichi Saiso
  • Patent number: 6388220
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a illuminated switching device comprising a small number of components and capable of giving stabilized illumination to a translucent portion of a knob. For this purpose, the illuminated switching device of the present invention has a switch section including a case and a switch terminal protruding out of the case, a printed-circuit board to which the switch terminal is connected, and a lamp having a pair of lamp terminals connected with the printed-circuit board. The lamp terminals are retained and supported on the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Sasaki, Masakatsu Atumi, Nobuyuki Kowata, Kenichi Saiso
  • Patent number: 6329621
    Abstract: An electric switch apparatus includes a stationary base plate (2) and an actuating part (6) carrying an electrical conductor member (8) displaceable between at least two positions relative to the base plate. The base plate carries a plurality of elongate resilient contact members (14) adapted to engage the electrical conductor member (8). The conductor member includes a flat metallic electrically conductive material which is selectively brought into contact with the fixed resilient contact members held on the base member when the actuating part is displaced between said first and second positions. A first predetermined electrical connection between the fixed contact members is established when the actuating part is held in the first position. A second predetermined electrical connection between the fixed contact members is established when the actuating part is moved to the second relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Priesemuth
  • Patent number: 6329622
    Abstract: A small-sized oscillating-operation type switch apparatus where plural switch devices are selectively on-operated by oscillating operation of an operating body. The apparatus has an operating body oscillate-operated by a user, a support member oscillate-movably supporting the operating body, a flexible substrate with tact switches on-operated by oscillating operation of the operating body, and a fixed plate supporting the operating body, the support member and the flexible substrate. A support shaft as the center of oscillation is perpendicularly provided at the center of a lower surface of the operating body, and four press projections and four connection projections are provided alternately, outside the support shaft, in a circumferential direction at equal 45° intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ando
  • Patent number: 6242706
    Abstract: A microswitch is provided with a push lever having a ball at a lower end so as to roll freely. A seesaw contact piece has one side piece to which a movable contact is attached and an opposite side piece to which the ball of the push lever is in constant contact when external force is not applied to the push lever. A fixed contact switches ON by coming into contact with the movable contact and switches OFF by separating from the movable contact. A fixed contact piece is configured to support a comer part of the seesaw contact piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Mic Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Munechika Miyata
  • Patent number: 6222144
    Abstract: A pushbutton switch is formed by: an insulating body molded of an insulating material and into a box-like shape having an opening at on end, a pair of fixed contact pieces to be electrically connected to and disconnected from each other being embedded in the inner bottom surface of the box-shaped insulating body; a rotary actuator rotatably supported at one end in the insulating body and formed at the other end as a unitary structure with a push button which projects out of the insulating body; and a plate spring formed by a retaining contact piece engaged at one end with the free end of the rotary actuator and a movable contact piece sliding at one end on the inner bottom surface and coupled at the other end with the retaining contact piece in such a manner as to define a V-letter shape between them, the plate spring resiliently biasing by the reaction force from the inner bottom surface of the insulating body the push button in the direction in which it projects out through the opening of the insulating bod
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sagami Electric Company
    Inventor: Kikuyoshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 5969309
    Abstract: A boxlike casing has an opening partly formed on a front wall and a plurality of stationary contacts provided on an inner bottom surface. A slider is installed in the casing and slidable in a predetermined slide direction. The slider has a rod guide portion provided at a predetermined portion and spring receive portions provided at left and right ends. A rod is installed in the rod guide portion and slidable in a push direction normal to the slide direction. The rod has an operating lever protruding forward from the opening of the casing and a push portion extending rearward. At least one elastic contact piece is fixed to at least one of lower surfaces of the slider and the rod for electrically connecting or disconnecting the stationary contacts. Two L-shaped springs have proximal portions held by spring holders. The first arms have distal ends supported by spring receive portions and mesial portions received by arm receive portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nishimura, Kouji Sakai
  • Patent number: 5749458
    Abstract: A low profile, push-pull, jumper switch that relies on movement of an electrically-insulating switch housing to make and break the connection between two contact members mounted on the surface of a PCB or other substrate. The only metal used are the two contact members and a fixed wire in the housing. The wire is forced into contact with the contact members to electrically interconnect them by movement of the housing when placed in its closed-switch position. In a preferred embodiment, the two contact members are identical and are each constituted of a one-piece U-shaped metal member, with the U-bight depending from the housing and configured to be solderable to the PCB pads or through-holes and thus being fixed. The contact members are configured to latch the housing in its open-switch position or closed-switch position. The switch lends itself to SMT applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Auto Splice Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Bianca, Robert M. Bogursky
  • Patent number: 5725088
    Abstract: A stationary terminal 12 and a common terminal 13 are provided on a bottom of an insulating case 11. A pivot 14a is provided on an upper end of common terminal 13. A change-over plate 14 is rotatable about and brought into contact with the pivot 14a. A projection 16a, provided under slider 16, is brought into contact with and slidable along a sliding surface 14g of change-over plate 14 at a position lower than the pivot 14a. Change-over plate 14 causes a seesaw movement about the pivot 14a, and quickly accomplishes the switching movement regardless of the shifting speed of slider 16. Thus, it becomes possible to provide a switch which is highly reliable and free from burnout and welding of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Aimi
  • Patent number: 5667060
    Abstract: A diaphragm for the contact insulating housing of a mechanically operated high voltage switch. The diaphragm has a central portion through which the shaft from the mechanical operating mechanism to the movable contact passes. The walls of the diaphragm about the central portion are mechanically joined or chemically bonded to the shaft. The diaphragm is made of such materials, is dimensioned and configured so that the diaphragm moves with the shaft and prevents relative motion therebetween. The outer rim of the diaphragm is mechanically joined or chemically bonded to the switch housing. The quality of the diaphragm and the seals permits them to withstand the application of the full operating voltage of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Amerace Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn J. Luzzi
  • Patent number: 5620086
    Abstract: A low profile, push-pull, jumper switch that relies on movement of the switch housing to make and break the connection between two contact members mounted on the housing. The only metal used are the two contact members, which are cammed into contact by movement of the housing when placed in its closed-switch position. In a preferred embodiment, the two contact members are identical and are each constituted of a one-piece U-shaped metal member, with the U-bight depending from the housing and configured to be solderable to the PCB pads or through-holes and thus being fixed. Protrusions on the contacts latch the housing in its open-switch position or closed-switch position. The switch in one embodiment lends itself to SMT applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Autosplice Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Bianca, Robert M. Bogursky
  • Patent number: 5434378
    Abstract: A switch inhibitor assembly provided with a multi-position switch is operable for inhibiting movement of an actuator of the switch to a predetermined one of the multiple positions, such as an ON position of a succession of OFF, AUTO and ON positions, of the switch. The actuator is movable between the multiple positions along an elongated channel. The switch inhibitor assembly includes a slide actuator movable along an elongated slot which extends in a generally transverse relationship to the elongated channel. The slide actuator is movable between blocking and unblocking positions relative to and toward and away from the elongated channel. At the blocking position, a portion of the slide actuator extends across a portion of the elongated channel and thereby prevents movement of the switch actuator from the other positions of the switch along the portion of the elongated channel to the predetermined one position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas M. McLean
  • Patent number: 5408061
    Abstract: In the subject emergency stop switch the closing ring penetrates through a face plate, surrounds a pushbutton, and on its rear side is in communication with a control element that is provided for the guidance of a cam, preloaded via a first spring. A first plunger element, in connection with the pushbutton, includes elements for the reception of the cam and the first spring and an adaptor, superimposed on a contact block, surrounds the control element, with the first plunger element actuating, upon a force input via the pushing of the pushbutton, a contact carrier, guided by a contact block, against the resilient force provided by springs. In this manner the contact sets are opened and arched contact arms are utilized which are accessible via connecting terminals with the contact arms being pretensioned in such a manner that they close the contact upon the pushing of the pushbutton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Adolf H. Martin
  • Patent number: 5306884
    Abstract: The present invention is a knob which attaches to the switch post of a push/pull switch. The knob selectively disengages from the switch post as the knob is inadvertently impacted, thereby isolating the push/pull switch from the impacting force. The knob moves independently of the switch post and contacts the housing supporting the switch. Consequently, the force of impact is directed to the housing through the body of the knob and very little force is directed to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph N. Caserta, Gary M. Vance
  • Patent number: 5248863
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism which is located at the front of an electronic unit and converts the push-on, push-off action of a switch to a sliding action. By converting the actuating action from an in-and-out pushing motion to a transverse sliding motion, inadvertent actuation of this switch is all but eliminated. This conversion is provided in a simple, cost effective mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Floyd G. Speraw, Robert W. Paterson, Ralph E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5228560
    Abstract: An electrical contact device has a first connector (1) having a surrounded base portion (3). Radially disposed within the base portion is a plurality of contact members (5) with at least a surface portion of the contact members being in electrical contact with the base portion through, at least in part, flexible, electrical conducting connections (6). Each contact member is in the form of a double-armed lever with a first arm (15) and a second arm (16) carrying the surface portion, and each contact member is pivotable about an intermediate portion (19) between the first arm and the second arm. A second connector (2) has an electrical conductive contact surface (26) and is receivable and movable in the first connector. The second connector is pressable against the first arm, such as to pivot the double-armed lever from an open position where the surface portion does not contact the conductive contact surface to a closed position where the surface portion does contact the conductive contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Leif Naslund
  • Patent number: 5198793
    Abstract: A trigger operated speed control wherein the insulating housing is a two-shot molding having metal conductors plated on one of the molding materials on various external and interior surfaces. Stationary contact elements are secured to respective plated conductors within a housing cavity, as are terminals of the FET on an external surface of the housing. A printed circuit board is secured to the housing over an open side thereof to close the housing cavity, retaining all movable parts of the control within the cavity, the board having plated through holes which receive and are soldered to plated pin projections of the housing to secure the board to the housing and complete selected conducting paths between plated conductors and printed circuit traces. A plated molded pin projection also receives a pin receptacle terminal of a separate reversing switch unit when positioned in a pocket formed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Denis J. Leveque
  • Patent number: 5124515
    Abstract: A switching mechanism is provided including a control member and a switching element which is coupled to the control member and by means of a coupling element can be moved between a first and a second position. The switching mechanism includes two coupling elements which are arranged in series in the switching direction, each coupling element being constituted by a hinging V-shaped member, a point of intersection of a V-shaped member being alternately located within range for action thereon by the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventor: Frans Mous
  • Patent number: 5075604
    Abstract: A variable resistance switch includes first and second flexible contact arms engageable by a pair of cam followers operable sequentially by an actuator movable in a first and an opposite direction. The actuator also carries a wiper movable therewith over a variable resistance coupled to a terminal. The first contact arm is operable upon initial movement of the actuator in a first direction to complete a first circuit through the switch, and the second switch arm is operable upon further movement of the actuator in the first direction to complete a second circuit through the switch and to place the variable resistance in circuit between one of the switch arms and the terminal. Further movement of the actuator in the first direction is operable to move a wiper over the resistance to vary the resistance in circuit with the terminal. A pivotal trigger is coupled to the actuator for moving the same in the first direction, and a spring biases the cam in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Fred L. Crook, Gary D. Meyer, Greg J. Topel
  • Patent number: 4871885
    Abstract: The on-off operation of the switch as the slide switch is effected by moving the operating knob in the first horizontal direction, namely, the X-direction to move the slider A together with the slider B in the same direction and thereby sliding the first contactor in the X-direction on an associated pattern formed on a switch board. On the other hand, the on-off operation of the switch as the push switch is effected by pushing the operating knob in the second horizontal direction, namely, the Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction to engage the cam M of the slider A with the engageable portion of the slider C and move the slider C in the Z-direction perpendicular to the Y-direction against the biasing force of the second spring, and thereby sliding the second contactor in the Z-direction on an associated pattern on the switch board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soetsu Kamada
  • Patent number: 4855543
    Abstract: An electromechanical switch includes a lever movable between neutral and activate positions, a first cam comprising a cylinder having oppositely disposed flat sides, a pair of elongated leaf springs, and a housing supporting the first cam sandwiched between the leaf springs, with the leaf springs bent a first non-zero amount when the lever is in neutral position and a second amount larger than the first amount when the lever is in the activate position, the leaf spring thereby acting to return the lever to neutral position whenever it is moved to activate position. There is also a detent which includes a second cam and a stop integrally formed with the second cam which is located between the lever and the first cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1938
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg V. Speer, Donald L. Ray