Rocking Actuator (e.g., Rocker, Lever) Patents (Class 200/553)
  • Patent number: 11587755
    Abstract: A power switch with an independent light-emitting chamber includes a housing, a press-key, a power assembly, at least one light-emitting unit, and a circuit board. The housing is provided therein with a partition wall that divides the interior of the housing into a first receiving space and a second receiving space. The press-key and the power assembly can be disposed in the first receiving space. The press-key can bring the power assembly into a power-off state or a power-on state. The light-emitting unit can be disposed in the second receiving space and thereby turn the second receiving space into an independent light-emitting chamber. The circuit board can be disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the power assembly and the light-emitting unit. The power switch is enhanced in safety as the partition wall keeps the light-emitting unit and the power assembly from each other and hence from short-circuiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: GOLDWEAL FAR EAST LTD.
    Inventor: Tsan-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 11124092
    Abstract: An operating control for a transfer seat includes at least one rotation control switch disposed on a first portion of a user control interface box body. The rotation control switch is configured to be actuated to control rotational movement of the transfer seat about an axis. A directional control switch is disposed on a second portion of the user control interface box body. The directional control switch is configured to be actuated to control forward and rearward movement of the transfer seat base and upward and downward movement of the transfer seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Stanton D. Saucier, Jr., Lluno Cervera
  • Patent number: 11090108
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom and a rotatable member disposed on the housing and operably connected to the elongated shaft. The elongated shaft defines a longitudinal axis extending therealong. The rotatable member is configured to rotate the elongated shaft about the longitudinal axis upon actuation thereof. The rotatable member includes an inner surface defining an interior space therein configured to house at least one printed circuit board about the elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: William E. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10612428
    Abstract: A collapsible valve bridge actuation system that is configured to alter the lift of poppet valves in a reciprocating piston machine cylinder. The system has a rocker arm configured to be actuated by a cam lobe, and a collapsible valve bridge device that is functionally attached to the rocker arm. The device has a deactivation assembly that contains lock pins within a housing and springs. Also, the device is configured to remain rigid, partially collapse, or fully collapse. The extent of collapse is a function of the strength of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Electro-Mechanical Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald James Patterson, George Schwartz, Kevin Morrison, Richard Belaire
  • Patent number: 10381178
    Abstract: A switching device includes an operational knob including a first supporting portion including a first coupling portion, the operational knob being enabled to be swung around the first coupling portion as a rotational center, and a switch main body including a second supporting portion including a second coupling portion that rotatably supports the operational knob by being coupled with the first coupling portion. The first supporting portion or the second supporting portion is resiliently deformable when mounting the operational knob on switch main body. The first supporting portion or the second supporting portion further includes an interference lessening portion at a corner of an assembly terminating end side of the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yusuke Kumakiri, Wataru Aoki
  • Patent number: 10083803
    Abstract: A click mechanism for a switch includes a button that is operable by a user, a click generation surface formed on the button or a body to which the button is coupled, an urging mechanism, and a pusher pushed against the click generation surface by the urging force of the urging mechanism and slidable on the click generation surface in response to operation of the button. The pusher is configured to apply tactile force to the button when sliding on the click generation surface. The click generation surface includes at least one groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Motoya Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9945459
    Abstract: A switch structure includes a lever operable by a user, a body coupled to the lever, a support formed in the lever, a pusher supported by the support, a detent surface formed in the body to produce a click when the lever is operated, and a spring that pushes the pusher against the detent surface. The pusher includes two slide surfaces, which slide on the lever and the body, and a groove, which draws grease from one of the two slide surfaces where the grease is applied to another one of the two slide surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Motoya Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9781317
    Abstract: A camera includes a camera-unit rotatably held which can change its photographing direction by rotation, and a rotation detecting device for detecting the rotation. The rotation detecting device includes: a detection part having a lever which self-returns to a reference position; a cam part, with which the lever part is contact, including a cut-out part in a part thereof; and a rotary body rotatable together with the camera-unit. In one-directional rotation about a shaft, the rotary body transitions at least among a first state of the lever not facing the cut-out part, a second state of the lever facing the cut-out part at the reference position, and a third state of the lever not facing the cut-out part. The detection part detects which one of the first, second, and third states the rotary body is in, and determines the photographing direction of the camera-unit based on the detected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuo Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9748049
    Abstract: A contact has a flat surface and a side surface that is parallel to the flat surface. At least a part of the side surface is curved so as to swell. At least a part of the contact is able to be elastically deformed in parallel to the flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takuro Okazumi, Kazumasa Seki
  • Patent number: 9487130
    Abstract: The dual vehicular brake switch with flasher unit is a brake switch with a dual stage design. When a brake pedal is pressed normally, the brake lights turn on normally. However, when the brake is pressed hard, a second switch activates which puts the brake lights (or an alternate lighting system) into a flashing or strobe mode. The dual vehicular brake switch with flasher unit comprises a housing, an acceleration sensor, a brake switch, a flasher switch, and a plurality of electrical connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Steven Pearce
  • Patent number: 9383518
    Abstract: An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housing with a second light guide. The first and second light guides have distal ends coupled to the activation, and a part of the activator housing or movable member is a glowable diffuse reflector. The switch moveable member moves in a path in the switch body between an optical path present state and an optical path absent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cox, Raleigh L. Cox
  • Patent number: 9230756
    Abstract: A circuit breaker handle actuation device used in conjunction with a circuit breaker having a circuit breaker handle and an external handle located on an electrical enclosure. The device includes a stationary frame having first and second horizontal supports. The device also includes a rotatable frame having first and second horizontal elements which extend from first and second vertical elements, respectively. The first and second vertical elements are rotatably attached to the first and second horizontal supports. In addition, an opening for receiving the circuit breaker handle is located between the first and second vertical elements. Further, the device includes a rotatable bracket having first and second vertical arms which are rotatably attached to the first and second horizontal elements, respectively, wherein the rotatable bracket is connected to the external handle. Movement of the external handle between ON, OFF and RESET/PARK positions causes corresponding movement of the circuit breaker handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Ajit Pharne
  • Patent number: 9129758
    Abstract: Disclosed is a switch device including a housing, a plurality of components (including a conductive member, a conducting member, a switch member and an actuating member) accommodated in the housing, and a lid body disposed on the housing. Two vertical boards are disposed on a bottom portion of the housing, and a receiving space is formed in a middle part of the bottom portion. The conductive member has an electrode that is disposed on an upper side in the receiving space adjacent to the two vertical boards. A plurality of grooves are disposed on the bottom portion outside the two vertical boards. The switch member is disposed in the receiving space. A contact pad corresponding to the electrode is disposed between a bottom portion of the switch member and the actuating member at a top portion of the switch member, and is linearly aligned with the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: BOARD-TECH ELECTRONIC CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chien Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 9082570
    Abstract: Electrode sets each composed parallel electrode plates and a slider are arranged in a contact point accommodating chamber formed with wall portions of an upper case and a lower case. A lever of a knob penetrates through a slit hole in a ceiling wall. A tip end of the lever engages blocks in a box portion in the slider. The slider slides while an opening end surface of the box portion makes contact with a lower surface of the ceiling wall surrounding the slit hole. The slider presses a ball urged by a coil spring retained in the box portion press on a swing contact piece supported by a second of the electrode plates to roll thereon, thus switching a conducting state between the second electrode plate, and a first electrode plate and a third electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taito Kokubu, Hideji Onodera
  • Patent number: 8946576
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a switch device that includes a first switch portion that is configured to rotate a first angular amount in a first direction about a first fixed axis of rotation and has a first pivot arm length. The first and second switch are coupled to the interface portion. The second switch portion rotates a second angular amount in a second direction and has a second pivot arm length. The second angular amount is greater than the first angular amount and a function of the first pivot arm length and the second pivot arm length. A set of switch contacts includes at least one fixed contact and a movable contact separated by a predetermined minimum distance that is a function of the first pivot arm length and the second pivot arm length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr., Richard M. Rohmer
  • Patent number: 8933353
    Abstract: A switch (1), in particular a foot-operated switch, with a housing (2), in which a switching device (4) is arranged, wherein a leadthrough with a bearing (6) is provided on opposite sides of the housing (2), and a pivotable pedal (3) can be fixed to the bearings (6). The pedal (3) can be positioned removably on the bearings (6) and, in the state in which it is positioned on the bearings (6), can be secured on the bearings (6) in each case via at least one connecting element (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Bernstein AG
    Inventors: Markus Finger, Michael Schnitker, Klaus Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 8901444
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a current switching device and a method for manufacturing the same. The current switching device comprises a cover, a base, a plurality of metal terminals, a switching element, and at least two contact pieces; the base and the cover are combined with each other to form an accommodating space; the plurality of metal terminals are arranged in an asymmetrical shape and buried in the base; the switching element is disposed in the accommodating space; the two contact pieces are disposed on the switching element and comprises at least two contact points respectively, wherein all the contact points contact different metal terminals, and then each contact piece can conduct electricity between two metal terminals; the contact positions between the two contact pieces and the plurality of metal terminals can be changed by the rotary swing of the switching element, so as to switch the current direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Solteam Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Sung Ho, Ta-Feng Yeh, Yao-Chung Tsai
  • Patent number: 8836457
    Abstract: A contactless switch structure is provided that may turn on and off an electrical signal in a contactless manner, allow a worn operating portion in the structure to be easily replaced, and prevent decrease of the sensitivity caused by foreign material such as dust. A contactless switch structure according to the invention includes a replaceable member to be detachably set to a target portion to which the contactless switch structure is to be set, the replaceable member having an aperture at an end section thereof and a virtual boundary defined by the aperture at the end section; and a detection element and a detector closely opposed across the virtual boundary in the normal state, the detection element and the detector being placed on the replaceable member side and the target portion side of the virtual boundary, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Anywire Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitane Saitou, Kenji Nishikido
  • Patent number: 8816229
    Abstract: An electric switch, in particular a rocker or toggle switch, includes a manually operable actuating part (12) that is mounted for rotary or swiveling motion and is deflectable from a neutral position to an actuating position. The electric switch further includes an electric switching member (16) that is adapted to be actuated mechanically, and an actuating member (22) that acts upon the switching member (16). The actuating member (22) is coupled to the actuating part (12) and to the switching member (16) such that a rotary or swiveling motion of the actuating part (12) from the neutral position to the actuating position is transformed into a substantially linear motion of the actuating member (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Seeh
  • Patent number: 8729415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power switch, which includes a housing, a key pivotally connected to the housing, a first conductive plate having one end in the housing, a thermally actuated metal plate having one end fixed to the first conductive plate and a free end extending within the housing, a C-shaped spring having two ends engaged with the thermally actuated metal plate, a second conductive plate having one end in the housing, an insulating seat accommodated in the housing, a light-emitting unit located in the key and having two electrodes connected to the insulating seat, and a third conductive plate having one end in the housing. Thus, the light-emitting unit can be easily installed in the housing along with the insulating seat, and the electrodes can directly connect with the second and third conductive plates respectively, so as to make the power switch suitable for automated production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Tsan-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 8552324
    Abstract: A lever button in which at least one side thereof is elastically supported and an electronic device therewith is provided. The lever button includes a manipulation part and an elastic part having one end supported by the manipulation part and another end supported by a support frame. The elastic part comprises at least one cantilever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-hyun Kim, Jong-sub Lee
  • Patent number: 8552320
    Abstract: A switch for generating short-term supply-line interruptions during switching-on with contact elements (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23) and an actuating element (4) for opening and closing electrical contacts between the contact elements, wherein (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23). A first contact element (1, 5, 21) is mounted elastically and, when a contact is closed via the first contact element (1, 5, 21), can be deflected elastically in such a way that the contact, after initial closing, is opened again by the elastic deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventor: Harald Dellian
  • Publication number: 20130240340
    Abstract: A doorbell bypass switch that includes a base switch coupled to a doorbell, the base switch is activated and deactivated to temporarily disable and reactivate the doorbell and a pair of wires coupled to the base switch, the pair of wires includes a first wire and a second wire. The doorbell bypass switch also includes a plurality of wire clips that includes a first wire clip, a second wire clip and a third wire clip and a wire nut coupled to a second end of the first wire and to a first end of a white power wire, the white power wire to provide electrical power to the doorbell bypass switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Barry Wilson, SR.
  • Publication number: 20130134029
    Abstract: Electrode sets each composed parallel electrode plates and a slider are arranged in a contact point accommodating chamber formed with wall portions of an upper case and a lower case. A lever of a knob penetrates through a slit hole in a ceiling wall. A tip end of the lever engages blocks in a box portion in the slider. The slider slides while an opening end surface of the box portion makes contact with a lower surface of the ceiling wall surrounding the slit hole. The slider presses a ball urged by a coil spring retained in the box portion press on a swing contact piece supported by a second of the electrode plates to roll thereon, thus switching a conducting state between the second electrode plate, and a first electrode plate and a third electrode plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: NILES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Niles Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130112540
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power switch, which includes a housing, a key pivotally connected to the housing, a first conductive plate having one end in the housing, a thermally actuated metal plate having one end fixed to the first conductive plate and a free end extending within the housing, a C-shaped spring having two ends engaged with the thermally actuated metal plate, a second conductive plate having one end in the housing, an insulating seat accommodated in the housing, a light-emitting unit located in the key and having two electrodes connected to the insulating seat, and a third conductive plate having one end in the housing. Thus, the light-emitting unit can be easily installed in the housing along with the insulating seat, and the electrodes can directly connect with the second and third conductive plates respectively, so as to make the power switch suitable for automated production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: Tsan-Chi CHEN
  • Patent number: 8399783
    Abstract: A multi-directional switch device includes: an operation member; an actuator which is applied with an operation force from the operation member; a plurality of rubber contacts which is pressed down by the actuator; and a plurality of fixed contacts to or from which the rubber contacts are respectively movable close or away, wherein the multi-directional switch device performs a switching operation in such a manner that a combination of a pair of two rubber contacts is selected from the plurality of rubber contacts in response to an operation direction, and both of the two rubber contacts are pressed down so as to respectively come into contact with the corresponding fixed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Konno, Mikio Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8344278
    Abstract: An exemplary control key assembly for an electronic device includes a housing and a control key. The housing forms a receiving portion. The receiving portion includes a resisting portion and a hole. The control key is positioned in the receiving portion. The control key includes an operating element and an elastic element. The operating element is received in the hole, and the elastic element includes a bent arm engaging with the resisting portion to limit the movement of the control key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Zhi-Qiang Xiao
  • Patent number: 8299381
    Abstract: A cantilevered push button adapted for accepting an input on an electrical or electronic device is disclosed. The button can include an elongated button top component disposed about an exterior surface of an electrical or electronic device such that it is accessible to a user, and having two opposing distal ends associated with separate user inputs. A first fulcrum is located between the first distal end and the midpoint of the elongated button top component, while a second fulcrum is located between the second distal end and the midpoint. A first electrical contact is associated with the first distal end, such that when a user presses on the first distal end, the elongated button top component pivots about the second fulcrum and the first electrical contact is actuated. A second electrical contact is similarly associated with the second distal end and first fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hamel, Tang Yew Tan, Erik Wang
  • Patent number: 8213165
    Abstract: A key assembly comprises a base plate, a connecting member, a first key and a second key. The base plate has an opening defined therein. The connecting member is rotatably accommodated in the opening. The first key is rotatably hinged one side of the connecting member. The second key is rotatably hinged another side of the connecting member opposite to the first key. When the first key or the second key is pressed, the pressed key is rotated toward the base plate and rotates the connecting member, and the connecting member rotates the non-pressed key away from the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8169282
    Abstract: A switch and an electronic device maintain a power supply ON state until data processing is completed, and automatically turn OFF the power supply after the data processing is completed. The switch includes a rotation operating body that does not receive an operation force from an operating element when OFF operated is arranged inside the operating element. The rotation operating body includes a switch operating portion for turning ON a power supply switch mechanism and a return spring regulating piece for biasing a return spring in an anti-biasing direction. A regulating state of the return spring regulated by the return spring regulating piece is held, where the ON state of the power supply switch mechanism is held with a permanent magnet, and the ON state of the power supply switch mechanism is released by applying a release force on the permanent magnet when the power supply is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kiyono, Toshihiro Naruo
  • Patent number: 8151928
    Abstract: An operator input assembly includes an operator input device. The operator input device includes a paddle and a leaf spring interfacing with the paddle so as to bias the paddle to a predetermined position. The paddle includes a region which interfaces with the leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Douglas S. States, Wolfgang Grabner, David J. Klas
  • Publication number: 20110220481
    Abstract: A lever button in which at least one side thereof is elastically supported and an electronic device therewith is provided. The lever button includes a manipulation part and an elastic part having one end supported by the manipulation part and another end supported by a support frame. The elastic part comprises at least one cantilever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-hyun Kim, Jong-sub Lee
  • Patent number: 7973256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Nishimura, Kenji Yasufuku, Yasuchika Kudo
  • Patent number: 7939992
    Abstract: An electrical switch element, particularly a relay, is provided with an actuator with a switch contact and a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism translates a driving movement of the actuator into a switching movement of the switch contact so that the switch contact is brought into and out of contact with a mating contact. In order to create a switching movement with a large lift in the case of an actuator which can only execute a driving movement with small lift, the switch mechanism has two swivelling levers connected to each other via the actuator and at least one contact retainer. The contact retainer connects the two swivelling levers in its longitudinal direction with a lever arm larger than the actuator and is configured so it can be deflected transverse to its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Michael Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 7910849
    Abstract: A mounting system for a button includes first and second spring elements located adjacent opposite ends of the button. Each of the spring elements includes a serpentine portion capable of multiple degrees of freedom of movement providing varying actuating motions for the button. The spring elements may be defined by a plate also having a center portion secured to the button and opposite end portions secured to a base. According to one embodiment, the button is made from a thermoplastic material and the plate is metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hibshman, Adam M. Mack
  • Patent number: 7863533
    Abstract: A cantilevered push button adapted for accepting an input on an electrical or electronic device is disclosed. The button can include an elongated button top component disposed about an exterior surface of an electrical or electronic device such that it is accessible to a user, and having two opposing distal ends associated with separate user inputs. A first fulcrum is located between the first distal end and the midpoint of the elongated button top component, while a second fulcrum is located between the second distal end and the midpoint. A first electrical contact is associated with the first distal end, such that when a user presses on the first distal end, the elongated button top component pivots about the second fulcrum and the first electrical contact is actuated. A second electrical contact is similarly associated with the second distal end and first fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Hamel, Tang Yew Tan, Erik Wang
  • Patent number: 7838788
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrical switching device, in particular a thermal relay having at least one contact point in which, in a first position, the contact point is open and, in a second position, the contact point is closed, having a swivelling contact carrier on which the at least one moving contact piece is held and having an actuator for driving the contact carrier. The actuator is a swivel element, which can rotate about a first axis of rotation, said swivel element being made up of two partial elements, which can be slid in mutually opposing directions and are pushed apart by spring force, of which the first partial element is rotatably mounted and the second partial element acts together with the contact carrier at its free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Kommert, Rüdiger Schweitzer, Anke Dietzel
  • Patent number: 7838789
    Abstract: A rocker switch (10) is provided with a mechanical switch unit consisting of a switch housing (11) made of plastic, a switching element (14) supported in spring-loaded manner on said switch housing so as to be capable of moving back and forth, and an actuating rocker (16) connected to the switching element (14), and also with limit-stop elements (48, 49, 51, 52) for limiting the actuating angle of the actuating rocker (16), and with an electrical switch unit. In order to obtain variable actuating angles and overcompression functions, the invention provides that the actuating rocker (16) is provided with an overcompression element (36) which in one or both of the actuating directions comes to be operationally connected to an overcompression stop (46, 47) on the switch housing (11) before the limit-stop elements (51, 52) come into operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stoffers, Rainer Maurer, Uwe Gillmann
  • Patent number: 7812275
    Abstract: A control knob is supported on a switch base via a first pivotal shaft. A movable contact holder holds a movable contact and is supported on the switch base via a second pivotal shaft substantially parallel with the first pivotal shaft. The movable contact holder is formed with first and second arms between which a sliding surface is formed. A control plunger sliding on the sliding surface is slidably fitted to the control knob. A return spring urges the control plunger in a direction to abut on the sliding surface. The control plunger is arranged such that, when the control knob tilts to the first and second operating positions, the tip end of the control plunger moves on the sliding surface to left and right sides with respect to a plane extending between axes of the first and second pivotal shafts, and such that the repulsive force of the return spring constantly urges the control knob toward the first operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Hirokazu Nakata
  • Patent number: 7772508
    Abstract: A thin switch having a small floor area easy to be manufactured is provided. A switch includes a base including at least one switching fixed contact point exposed from a bottom surface and a concave part having at least one pair of opposing side walls; an operation lever pivotally supported by the side walls of the base; a slider slidably arranged on the bottom surface of the base for sliding while being guided by the opposing side walls of the base when pushed by a cam part of the operation lever; and a conductive coil spring arranged on the bottom surface of the base so as to extend and contract with push and release by the slider, including an arm part on a first end side arranged to be slidable on the bottom surface of the base and arranged so as to contact and separate with respect to the switching fixed contact point. A shaft center of the coil spring is arranged parallel to a moving direction of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kiyono, Toshihiro Naruo
  • Patent number: 7759593
    Abstract: A button module adapted for use in an electronic device includes a cover, a button pivotably engaged with the cover, and an elastic plate secured on the cover and attaching to the button. When the button moves relative to the cover from a first position to a second position, the plate generates elastic distortion and abuts against the button to reset the button to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Chin Wang
  • Patent number: 7754985
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly comprises a generally planar substrate. A functional switch and at least one identification switch are mounted to the substrate. A switch body supports a switch actuator which is movable between multiple positions. An arrangement of one or more projecting members extends from the switch body. The switch body is mounted on or to the substrate such that the switch actuator operatively engages the functional switch, and the arrangement of projecting members operatively engages at least one of the identification switches to create a unique electronic identifier for the electrical switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Scott Gordon, Michael Ray Schlichtmann, Jon Thomas Jacobson
  • Patent number: 7737377
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a cradle and a terminal. The cradle includes a body portion, a transition portion, and a connection portion. The body portion includes a transition portion that is bent from the body portion and extends between the body portion and the connection portion. The connection portion includes a plate extending away from the body portion. The terminal includes a main wall and a slip receiver connected to and angled away from the main wall. The slip receiver includes first and second walls connected by an integral receiver bridge. The slip receiver slidably receives the plate of the connection portion to establish an electrical connection between the cradle and the terminal. The plate of the connection portion of the cradle is at least partially disposed between the first and second walls of the slip receiver to complete the electrical connection between the cradle and the common terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Rohit Dodal, Gunter Gallas
  • Patent number: 7671284
    Abstract: The invention proposes a multidirectional actuator (18) comprising: a bottom support (22) with a main vertical axis “A”, a top actuation member (24) that is mounted so as to tilt relative to the bottom support (22) between a central rest position and several actuation positions that are distributed angularly about the vertical axis “A” of the support (22); and means (48, 60) of returning the actuation member (24) to its central rest position which exert on the actuation member (24) a return force, whose vertical component is not zero and is oriented upwards, at at least one bearing point “P” situated radially at a distance from the vertical axis “A” of the support (22), characterized in that the value of the vertical component of the return force varies according to the angular position of the actuation member (24) about the vertical axis “A” of the support (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: CoActive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Nourry, Gilles Salvaterra
  • Patent number: 7667155
    Abstract: An electrical rocker paddle switch assembly having a switch housing; a manually movable rocker paddle coupled to the housing; an actuator having a first end and a second end, the actuator being attached to the rocker paddle at the first end and the second end configured to activate a switch in response to a corresponding movement of the rocker paddle; a bored member having a first end that is attached to an underside of the rocker paddle near a pivot axis of the rocker paddle, and a second end that has an opening configured to retain a roller member and allow a portion of the roller member to extend beyond an end of the bored member, the bored member extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the rocker paddle. A spring and a ball are configured to be retained in the bored member, the spring configured in the bored member to urge the ball towards the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Zhejiang Yuelong Mechanical and Electrical Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Lidong Ni, He Mian Xiao
  • Patent number: 7572995
    Abstract: A switch member comprising a convex knob portion on which the finger of an operator catches, wherein the knob portion is retained such that it is pivotable around a pivot shaft, a base surface of the knob portion is configured as a curved convex surface, wherein the curved convex surface is configured as a surface whose radius of curvature gradually becomes larger in a pulling direction of the finger catching on the knob portion, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hideaki Hayakawa, Hidetaka Nomura
  • Patent number: 7554049
    Abstract: A rocking switch unit includes a base section, a switch knob, a pair of tactile switches, a middle rocking section, and a pair of switch-pressing portions. The switch knob and the middle rocking section are coupled with the base section to be rockable. The switch-pressing portions are located between a pair of rocking end portions of the switch knob and the tactile switches, for transmitting a pressing force from one of the rocking end portions to a corresponding tactile switch when the one of the rocking end portions is pressed in a pressing direction. The switch-pressing portions are coupled with two end portions of the middle rocking section in such a manner that a coupling angle between a rocking surface of the middle rocking section and rocking surfaces of the switch-pressing portions is variable in a pressing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromune Wada, Koichi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7554050
    Abstract: An electronic device (20) includes a housing (24) and a rocking key button assembly (200) rockingly assembled to the housing. The housing includes a shaft portion (264) and a blocking board (268). The key button assembly includes a key button (30) having two opposite key portions (312), two elastic retaining members (40), two elastic arms (50) and two triggers (60). The elastic retaining members are retained to the shaft portion. The elastic arms resist against the blocking board. The key portions can rock relative to each other and about the shaft portion, the corresponding one trigger swings relative to the other trigger and about the shaft portion. The corresponding elastic arm is compressed by the blocking board. The elastic retaining members, the elastic arms and the triggers are arranged at the same side of the key button opposite to the two keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Yue-Hui Lv
  • Patent number: 7540210
    Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is provided for an electronically controlled transmission that allows user selection between a plurality of shift schedules for the transmission. The switch assembly provides a signal for selecting among the plurality of shift schedules and has a housing. A first set of electrical contacts are positioned within the housing, and selectively closable to cause the input signal to be indicative of a selection of a first shift schedule. A second set of electrical contacts are positioned within the housing and are selectively closable to cause input signal to be indicative of a selection of a second shift schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Michael Mashkevich, Jeffrey C Hendry, Laura Porrone
  • Publication number: 20090127087
    Abstract: A switch includes a body with a switch member on a top thereof, an extension extends from an underside of the switch member, and a substantially inverted L-shaped slot is defined through the extension. Two terminals extend through a bottom of the body, in which one of the terminals is fixed with a contact plate. The contact plate has a tongue with a free end, which contacts the other terminal when the circuit is ON, and is separated from the other terminal when the circuit is OFF. An operation member has a first end movably engaged with the slot and a second end connected with the contact plate. A positioning member having a first end pivotally connected to an inside of the body and a second end biasing the first end of the operation member. Under the current overload condition, the switch member is pivoted by a torsion spring to the OFF position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu