Cam Actuated Contact Patents (Class 200/558)
  • Patent number: 11715610
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for operating at least one contact is provided. The operating mechanism includes a base frame and an operating rod that is linearly guided in the base frame for connection with at least one contact. The operating mechanism further includes a contact spring for urging the operating rod to the open position and a rod mechanism having two links, and each link has a first end and a second end. The operating mechanism also includes a cam follower arranged at the middle hinge of the rod mechanism, a cam arranged on a cam shaft, a cam shaft lock for lacking the shaft, and a closing spring. The opening section of the cam is configured such that the cam follower follows the profile of the opening section when the operating rod moves from the closed position towards the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Albert Postmus
  • Patent number: 11631553
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for opening and closing at least two contacts simultaneously is provided. The operating mechanism includes a base frame and a bridge body having an elongate contact surface with a length and a width. The elongate contact surface is configured to extend in a length direction over and be in contact with operating rods of the at least two contacts. The operating mechanism further includes a first reaction arm extending substantially parallel to the length of the elongate contact surface and a second reaction arm extending parallel to the first reaction arm and at a distance of the first reaction arm in the direction perpendicular to the elongate contact surface. The operating mechanism also includes a rod mechanism of two links and a cam arranged on a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Albert Postmus
  • Patent number: 11551892
    Abstract: A switch assembly according to an example of this disclosure includes a disk rotatable about a disk axis in a first circumferential direction and a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction. A U-shaped spring is fixed to the disk. Rotation of the disk in the first circumferential direction moves the disk in a first axial direction, and rotation of the disk in the second circumferential direction moves the disk in the first axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Pasquate Tollis, Michael Eugene Carrel, Jason Todd Renaud
  • Patent number: 10508800
    Abstract: Compact light devices are described herein that are advantageously configured to be secured to a surface in order to provide inexpensive lighting forwardly therefrom. The compact light devices can include on and off configurations in order to preserve battery life and allow a user to selectively energize the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Waters Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 10493920
    Abstract: A retractable vehicle step is attachable to a vehicle or truck, such as at the rear portion. The vehicle step facilitates access to a cargo hold of the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle step provides clearance space relative to a tailgate of the vehicle by displacing a stepping member of the vehicle step in a generally lateral direction. The vehicle step desirably has a covered and protected biasing mechanism for transitioning between retracted and extended positions of the stepping member. Another advantage is that the vehicle step is readily attachable to the vehicle using already existing connection members, thereby generally eliminating or mitigating the need for customized retrofitting and avoiding undesirable installation cost and time. Further, the vehicle step may be pulled out from under the vehicle by the foot of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Horst Leitner, Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 9679724
    Abstract: A contact assembly for an electrical component includes: a bus member; and a switching assembly structured to move between first and second positions. The switching assembly includes: a stationary contact extending from the bus member, a movable contact engaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly is in the first position and disengaging the stationary contact when the switching assembly moves toward the second position, and a switching device coupled to the bus member. When the switching assembly is in the first position, the switching device and the stationary contact are electrically connected in parallel with the bus member and the movable contact. When the switching assembly moves from the first position toward the second position, the switching device disconnects power after the movable contact disengages the stationary contact in order that electrical disconnection between the bus member and the movable contact occurs within the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Howard Abrahamsen, Daniel Garett Sims, Matthew Stephen Weidemeier, Robert Kirkland Smith, Hongbin Wang
  • Patent number: 9673002
    Abstract: A double seesaw switch has two seesaw switches arranged side-by-side inside a case. Each of the two seesaw switches has a central terminal arranged on a bottom surface inside the case, a pair of fixed contacts separately arranged, a moving contact supported pivotably with respect to the central terminal and has a contact portion for contacting one of the fixed contacts, an operation body supported rotatably with respect to the case, and pivots the moving contact by moving on the moving contact in correspondence with a rotation movement of the operation body, and a biasing part biasing the operation body towards a neutral position. The biasing part is a leaf spring piece formed in a U shape from a portion of a ceiling surface of the case, and to press against the operation body in a power storing state of a leading end portion compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Mik Denshi Kohgyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Muneyoshi Miyata, Nobuji Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9409553
    Abstract: A control device for work vehicle includes: a hydraulic brake device that generates a braking force according to operation of a brake pedal upon traveling; a brake lock device that hydraulically locks the hydraulic brake device and unlocks hydraulic lock of the hydraulic brake device; a brake pedal operation detection unit that detects the operation of the brake pedal; a hydraulic lock directing switch that is provided on a manual operating lever for operating a work device of the work vehicle; and a control unit that controls the brake lock device such that when the hydraulic lock directing switch is operated, the hydraulic brake device is hydraulically locked and when a predetermined depression operation of the brake pedal is detected by the brake pedal operation detection unit, the hydraulic lock of the hydraulic brake device is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Nakamura, Katsuaki Kodaka, Masahiro Kayane
  • Publication number: 20150107981
    Abstract: A circuit breaker according to the present disclosure may include a movable contact configured to be brought into contact with or separated from the stationary contact; and a switching mechanism configured to switch the movable contact, wherein the switching mechanism includes a shaft rotatably installed therein; a transfer link configured to transfer a driving force from the shaft to the movable contact; and a pin configured to hinge-couple the shaft to the transfer link and insulate them from each other, and the pin is installed with a wear resistant member at a portion brought into contact with the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seong Yeol CHO
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140138235
    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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: PASS & SEYMOUR, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald R. Savicki, JR., Richard M. Rohmer
  • Patent number: 8242401
    Abstract: An electrical switch having a housing with a support member, a rocker arm pivotally coupled to the support member for movement about an axis A, a first terminal coupled to the housing, and a lever pivotally coupled to the housing for pivotal movement about an axis B. The rocker arm includes a first member located on a first side of the pivot axis A, a second member on a second side of the pivot axis A, and a first movable contact coupled to the first member. The lever is pivoted in a first direction to engage the first member on the rocker arm to move the first movable contact away from the first terminal contact to scrape debris from the first movable contact and the first terminal contact. The lever is pivoted in a second direction to engage the second member on the rocker arm to move the first movable contact into a sliding engagement with the first terminal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Feng Jin, Edward J. McGuinness
  • Patent number: 8178809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a railroad toggle switch for a plurality of switching positions, the toggle switch comprising a housing, an operating lever supported on the housing and having a pivot axis, a switching cylinder supported on the housing and having a rotational axis, a plurality of microswitches and an engaging mechanism for engagement of the operating lever in the switching positions. The switching cylinder is here provided with a plurality of cam disks for operating the microswitches. According to the invention the pivot axis of the operating lever is located in the area of the housing top side and is different from the rotational axis of the switching cylinder, the operating lever being in engagement with the switching cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Schaltbau GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Andreas Bauer
  • 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: 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, RĂ¼diger Schweitzer, Anke Dietzel
  • Publication number: 20100006414
    Abstract: An electrical switch including a first section; a second section; and a contact arm rotatably connected to the first section. An end of the contact arm is movable between an open position spaced from the second section and a closed position contacting the second section. The second section includes a cam assembly configured to assist in moving the end of the contact arm between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Robert V. De France
  • Patent number: 7557322
    Abstract: In a switch unit, abutting portions are provided on a movable contact in such a manner as to be brought into contact with stepped portion of a switching control element, respectively, so that when the switching control element is operated to rock, the abutting portion elastically ride on the stepped portions, so as to impart a click to the rocking operation of the switching control element, whereby the click can be imparted to the rocking operation of the switching control element without requiring a clicking piece and a spring which are required in a conventional switch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yukio Adachi
  • Publication number: 20080087535
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having at least one parting line and an exterior side, a stationary contact assembly disposed on one side of the parting line, a movable contact assembly, and an operating mechanism with a pole shaft for moving the movable contact assembly into and out of electrical contact with the stationary contact assembly. The bearing assembly includes a number of primary bearings pivotably supporting the pole shaft on the same side of the parting line as the stationary contact assembly. An integral bearing section including secondary bearings pivotably couples the pole shaft to the housing at least one bearing cover member having a fastening portion. The pole shaft is pivotably disposed at or about the integral bearing section on the exterior side of the housing. A housing and an electrical switching apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: PAUL R. RAKUS, DAVID M. OLSZEWSKI, NATHAN J. WEISTER
  • Patent number: 7164093
    Abstract: An electrical switch is disclosed having improved operational characteristics wherein when a operating handle is rotated from an OFF position to an ON position the switch provides slow motion which accelerates as the operating handle is rotated to a full open position and then provides rapid establishment of electrical contact. The operating handle having a cam that when rotated from the ON position to the OFF position forces a cam follower downwards. As a result, a bridge having coil springs connected to the cam follower is forced downwards to separate at least one electrical contact placed in proximity to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Kurek
  • Patent number: 6841750
    Abstract: A switch device that includes a case having a bottom wall and sidewalls; a fixed contact member; a movable contact member; a driving member mounted on the sidewalls; and restoring means for restoring the driving member to the original position. The driving member includes an actuating portion for moving the movable contact member and an operating portion for rotating the actuating portion, wherein the actuating portion moves the movable contact member and brings the movable contact member into contact with the fixed contact member when the operating portion is driven. The driving member is restored to the original state in which the movable contact member and the fixed contact member are brought out of contact by restoring means when the driven state of the operating portion is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6600122
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a housing within which a pair of spaced apart stationary contacts are located. A center contact is positioned between the pair of spaced apart stationary contacts. A movable contact member has a fulcrum section engaged with the center contact, and a pair of arms extending outwardly therefrom. Each arm carries a movable contact, and the movable contact is adapted for movement so as to selectively establish an electrical path between the center contact and one of the stationary contacts, by movement of the movable contact member about the fulcrum section. An actuator includes a spring biased plunger engaged with the movable contact member, for providing rocking movement of the movable contact member in response to movement of the actuator. The plunger includes a head portion which moves on the surfaces of the movable contact member for moving the movable contact member between ON and OFF positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Neil A. Czarnecki, Francis W. Camps
  • Patent number: 6596956
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a housing within which a stationary center contact arrangement is located. Spaced apart stationary first and second contacts are located on opposite sides of the center contact arrangement. A movable contact member is maintained in engagement with the center contact arrangement, and is selectively engageable with either the first stationary contacts or the second stationary contacts, in response to operation of an actuator mechanism associated with the housing. The movable contact member includes a unitary center contact area, in combination with a series of spaced apart first contact arms extending outwardly from the center contact area, and a series of spaced apart second contact arms extending outwardly from the center contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Neil A. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 6570114
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a stationary center contact located between spaced apart stationary first and second contacts. The contacts are mounted-within the interior of a housing, and a movable-contact member selectively establishes contact between the stationary center contact and the stationary first contact, and between the stationary center contact and the stationary second contact. The center contact includes a planar upwardly facing contact surface, and the movable contact member includes a central contact area which remains in engagement with the planar contact surface of the center contact and acts as a fulcrum during movement of the movable-contact member between first and second operative positions. The spaced apart stationary first and second contacts define coplanar upwardly facing first and second contact surfaces, respectively, which are at an elevation below the elevation of the contact surface of the stationary center contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Neil A. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 6559393
    Abstract: A support plate having a top end edge defining a central convex portion which is the highest in the center thereof is vertically secured in the case to the bottom panel of the case, and a movable contact blade is supported on the top end edge of the support plate for rotating movement. Attached to the movable contact blade at one end thereof are two movable contacts spaced apart in the direction of the pivot axis of the blade. Two fixed contact blades are disposed on the bottom panel and each has a fixed contact attached thereto in opposition to a corresponding one of the movable contacts with the end portion of each fixed contact blade extending out through the bottom panel to define a terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sagami Electric Company
    Inventor: Kikuyoshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 6504116
    Abstract: A switch having a long contact life is provided. A neutral contact blade is provided with a first neutral contact and a second neutral contact. A primary movable contact blade and a secondary movable contact blade are supported by these first and second neutral contacts, respectively, for seesaw motion. The operation of a lever causes the primary movable contact blade and the secondary movable contact blade through a pushrod to move in a seesaw motion in such a manner that a secondary movable contact provided on one end of the secondary movable contact blade contacts with an associated secondary fixed contact before a primary movable contact provided on one end of the primary movable contact blade contacts with an associated primary fixed contact, whereas after the primary movable contact of the primary movable contact blade is separated from the primary fixed contact, the secondary movable contact of the secondary movable contact blade is separated from the secondary fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Sagami Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kikuyoshi Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20020104748
    Abstract: A switch, especially for heavy duty vehicle applications, utilizes solid state circuitry and a low voltage, low current touch pad switch, where the switching occurs directly on a printed circuit board and bulky wire terminations are eliminated. The switch can be directly coupled to one or more microprocessors without the need to step down the voltage or current. The switch includes a rocker, which when one end of the rocker is pressed, the rocker pivots at its center point fulcrum causing the switch lever, which is housed inside the switch and attached to the rocker, to move in a particular direction. The configuration of the lever is such that the extending ears on opposite sides press against the elastomer seal and move a carbon contact against the integrated circuit traces on a printed circuit board, completing an electrical circuit. This condition occurs for either directional movement of the rocker. Housed within the lever is a spring-loaded plunger fitted with a roller (wheel) at its end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Marina Levendis, Dana Paul Scribner, Steven David Mayer, Henry Garratt Grilk
  • Publication number: 20020060611
    Abstract: An oscillating switch includes: a lower casing; a contact circuit member provided on the lower casing and including a through hole; a rubber switch member provided on the contact circuit member and including a pair of rubber contact portions and a through hole; an upper casing for covering the rubber switch member; an operating knob pivotally supported by the upper casing; pressing portions formed on the operating knob SO as to depress the corresponding rubber contact portions, respectively; and a click feeling-producing mechanism, for producing a suitable click feeling when the operating knob is operated, which passing through the through holes of the contact circuit member and the rubber switch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minoru Kubota, Yasuyoshi Serizawa
  • 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: 6175090
    Abstract: An electrical switch (10) includes first and second spaced contacts (52, 56), and a rocking contact (80) having first and second arms (90, 92) in electrical contact with each other. A support (60) supports the rocking contact (80) for rocking movement in opposite first and second directions. The first arm (90) moves into engagement with the first contact (52) when the rocking contact (80) rocks in the first direction, and the second arm (92) moves into engagement with the second contact (56) when the rocking contact (80) rocks in the second direction. The switch (10) includes a member (20, 36) which pivots to effect rocking movement of the rocking contact (80) in the first and second directions. The member (20, 36) pivots in one direction a first distance to cause the first arm (90) to engage the first contact (52) and pivots in the one direction a second distance beyond the first distance to cause the first arm to slide on the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Blossfeld
  • Patent number: 6111327
    Abstract: An automatic power cut-off device for emergency situations which is capable of immediately sensing occurrence of an emergency situation such as an accident of a vehicle striking against an obstacle during its running at a high speed, and automatically cutting off electric power flowing through the vehicle, thereby protecting a driver or other passengers in the vehicle from fire or explosion. The automatic power cut-off device includes an impact sensing device having an impact sensor adapted to sense an impact, thereby generating an impact sensing signal, and a solenoid driving circuit for activating a solenoid in response to the impact sensing signal. A return knob is also provided which rotates between a first position, in which connecting terminals respectively coupled to an electric power source and a load are electrically connected to each other, and a second position, in which the connecting terminals are disconnected from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Myung soon Bae
  • Patent number: 6100483
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved switch structure having forcedly opening-and-locking mechanism installed therein. It is responsive to the sticking of the movable and stationary contact elements for forcedly breaking an associated heavy-current carrying circuit which otherwise, would remain closed through the stuck contact elements. The forcedly opening-and-locking mechanism comprises an auxiliary contact section spring-biased to retain the stationary contact element in conductive condition to the associated circuit. It is responsive to the sticking-and-rising of the movable and stationary contact elements for allowing the stationary contact element to be apart from the conductive position to the associated circuit by yielding the rising force of the stuck contact elements until the locking position is reached, in which position the stationary contact element is kept in non-conductive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Satori Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Horie, Hiroyuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 6072139
    Abstract: A lever switch comprises a box-shaped case 11 with the top open having fixed contact points 12, 13, 14 on the inner bottom surface. A movable contact element 15 made of an elastic metal, formed into an approximately reverse isosceles triangle having an elastic contact point 15E, 15F provided at the tip end of two respective elastic feet 15C, 15D extended from the equilateral sides to be crossing downward is placed in the case. An actuating body 16 of approximately isosceles triangle shape is disposed on the top of the movable contact element 15 so as protrusions 16C, 16D provided at the bottom corners press the upper surface of the flexed portions 15A, 15B, respectively, locating at the upper corners of the movable contact element 15. The operation lever 16E of actuating body 16 operates smoothly responding to the forces exerted from the three directions, both the right and the left, as well as from the up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakase, Yasuchika Kudo, Yusho Nakase
  • Patent number: 5860516
    Abstract: An electric restoring switch is provided with a button (13) that allows actuation about an eccentric axle (14) and has attached to it at least one link (16) transferring the actuation, and is provided with a contact spring (17) that is arranged in a housing (1) supporting connectors (10) and featuring a notched contact tongue (18). To arrive at a switch that manages without complex parts, allows easy assembly, offers a reliable switching feel and, besides, is small in its structure, the link (16) of the button (13) acts on a switching member (20) which is aligned approximately parallel to the direction of actuation (19) of the button (13), is assembled elastically and is pivotable, the pivot (21) of the switching member (20) being situated away from the axle (14) of the button (13), and the switching member (20) carrying a cam (22) that acts on the contact tongue (18) of the contact (17) fitted parallel to the direction of actuation (19) of the button (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Controls GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Michael Geppert
  • Patent number: 5735392
    Abstract: A switching device which can be changed into a lock type switching device, or a non-lock type switching device with the least number of replacement components is disclosed. The switching device includes: first and second fixed contacts mounted in parallel on the bottom of a base; first and second contact pieces which are pivotally arranged on the first and second fixed contacts, and which can be in contact with the first and second fixed contacts, respectively; a lever pivotally supported by the base; two driving rods which are elastically held in the lever in a removable manner, and whose tips slide on the first and second movable contact pieces, respectively, while being in contact therewith; and a locking member which is replaceable with the first movable contact piece (or the second movable contact piece 21), and having a convex cam surface formed on the upper surface thereof with which one of the driving rods slidably comes into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Shirasaka
  • Patent number: 5669487
    Abstract: A key top mounting structure for connecting a key top to an operating lever of, for example, a power window control switch of a vehicle. The key top mounting structure provides a precise switch operating mechanism which can be used in both a push-push type and a push-pull type switch, thereby reducing production costs by providing component parts common to a variety of key top shapes. The key top mounting structure according to the present invention is provided with an operating lever having an opening surrounded by an upper wall and a pivot shaft for attaching the operating member to a switch body, and a key top having an engaging protrusion and a frame member surrounding the engaging protrusion and spaced therefrom by a gap having a predetermined width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Sakata
  • Patent number: 5660270
    Abstract: An electrical switch having an internal lighting circuit which does not interfere with the movements of the internal components of the switch. The lighting circuit of the electrical switch employs a circuit board for connecting one or more lamps to electrical contacts disposed on a wall of the switch housing thereby avoiding the manufacturing problems and expenses associated with employing the extended lead wires found in prior art switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: McGill Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Elmer W. Martin, Peter J. Banks, David R. Ganser, John A. Stuhlmacher
  • Patent number: 5630502
    Abstract: A rocker-type electrical switch of the kind known as a "quiet switch" includes a manually depressible rocker having two opposed contact surfaces at a small angle to each other from which rocker depends a rocker arm terminating in a rocker cam. A slider positioned intermediately of the rocker and the rocker cam is moved back and forth by side-to-side movements of the rocker arm and opens and closes one or more pairs of contacts. Rocker movement is controlled by a rocker cam leaf spring engaging the rocker cam which spring has a cammed profile traversed by the rocker cam to slow the switch, lock the rocker and provide other desirable effects. The rocker cam spring is housed in a spring chamber longer than itself, allowing the rocker cam spring to float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, David Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5601183
    Abstract: A two-pole make-before-break switch includes a base housing, a cover member secured to the base housing, an actuating member disposed above the cover member, and first and second contact assemblies mounted on an interior portion of the base housing. The first contact assembly includes a normally-open common contact blade member that is closed prior to the closing of another set of normally-open contacts with a snap action in a second contact assembly so as to complete an electrical connection. The switch is operable by depressing the actuator member either in a first direction to effect a manual-up mode of operation or in a second direction to effect down modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: M. Douglas Boyd, Tom J. Oshgan, Robert Krawczyk
  • Patent number: 5598918
    Abstract: An apparatus (20) for controlling movement of a vehicle power window (22) between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The apparatus (20) comprises an energizable electric motor (66) for, when energized, moving the window (22). A switch assembly (62) for energizing the electric motor (66) to move the vehicle window (22) to one of the positions. The switch assembly (62) includes a first electrical contact (282) and a second electrical contact (284) electrically insulated from the first electrical contact. An electrically conductive disk (286) has a periphery (288) domed portion (290) and is in electrical communication with one of the first and second electrical contacts (282, 284) at a portion of a periphery of the disk. The other of the first and second electrical contacts (282, 284) is located adjacent the disk (286) and initially spaced from the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Malecke, Dennis D. Kaufman, Rodney A. Dale
  • Patent number: 5595289
    Abstract: A rocker-type electrical switch of the kind known as a "quiet switch" includes a manually depressible rocker having two opposed contact surfaces at a small angle to each other from which rocker depends a rocker arm terminating in a rocker cam. A slider positioned intermediately of the rocker and the rocker cam is moved back and forth by side-to-side movements of the rocker arm and opens and closes one or more pairs of contacts. Rocker movement is controlled by a rocker cam leaf spring engaging the rocker cam which spring has a cammed profile traversed by the rocker cam to slow the switch, lock the rocker and provide other desirable effects. The rocker cam spring is housed in a spring chamber longer than itself, allowing the rocker cam spring to float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, David Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5558211
    Abstract: A protective switch having an actuation side. The protective switch includes a base having walls, a pivot shaft connected to the walls of the base, and a switching rocker pivotal on the pivot shaft to be pivotally seated on the base. The switching rocker includes two lever arms for switching the protective switch on and off. A housing is placed on the base and protectively surrounds the switching rocker. A housing cover is located on the actuation side of the protective switch and protectively covers the switching rocker. The housing cover includes an opening therethrough. A plurality of hinges are each disposed on a respective lever arm of the switching rocker. An actuation attachment extends through the opening of the housing cover and is modularly connected to the switching rocker by the hinges for pivoting the switching rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Heydner, Oswald Onderka
  • Patent number: 5543596
    Abstract: A rotary switch operated by a cam having a lobe is disclosed. The cam is attached to a mechanism for rotation about the axis of the cam. A first switch contact member is positioned adjacent said cam and selectively makes electrical contact with a second switch contact member. The bracket attached to the first switch contact member contains a roller positioned adjacent to the cam for rotatably engaging the cam as the cam rotates. The roller is positioned with the bracket portion of the first contact such that the axis of the roller is movable from a first position to a second position as the switch changes from an open to closed or from a closed to open position. The bracket may contain an elongated slot which permits the axle of the roller to move within the slot as the switch changes modes. The slot preferably extends linearly and at an angle less than 45 degrees from a tangent line to the surface of said lobe adjacent the slope between said cam and said lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Union Switch & Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Jones, William H. Hodges, Jr., Paul M. Evans
  • Patent number: 5506379
    Abstract: A switching assembly is disclosed which includes a base structure, spaced apart electrical contacts secured thereto, an electrical contact strip for selective electrical contact with the contacts, and spring biased switching means normally forcing the contact strip into selective engagement with one of the electrical contacts, the improvement resides in an electrical yoke terminal having one portion supporting the contact strip intermediate the ends thereof and another integral portion extending through the base structure for securing the yoke terminal to the base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. McLean, Jr., Roberto A. Tomassi
  • Patent number: 5500498
    Abstract: A rocker-type electrical switch of the kind known as a "quiet switch" includes a manually depressible rocker having two opposed contact surfaces at a small angle to each other from rocker depends a rocker arm terminating in a rocker cam. A slider positioned intermediately of the rocker and the rocker cam is moved back and forth by side-to-side movements of the rocker arm and opens and closes one or more pairs of contacts. Rocker is controlled by a rocker cam leaf spring engaging the rocker cam which spring has a cammed profile traversed by the rocker cam to slow the switch, lock the rocker and provide other desirable effects. The rocker cam spring is housed in a spring chamber longer than itself, allowing the rocker cam spring to float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Liviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, David Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5468926
    Abstract: A switch device includes a conductive plate which is embedded in a housing of a synthetic resin and has one end projecting from the housing. A substantially V-shaped movable contact is supported at the one end of the conductive plate. An urging pin is carried on an operating member swingable about an axis parallel to an axis of swinging movement of the movable contact and is resiliently brought into abutment against the movable contact. In such switch device, support sections are integrally provided on one of inclined portions of the movable contact for receiving one end of the conductive plate which is formed into a non-bent flat plate-like configuration. Thus, it is unnecessary to conduct the bending of the conductive plate, and the movable contact can be swingably supported at the one end of the conductive plate, leading to an enhanced assembling efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 5436421
    Abstract: A two pole electrical switch has side-by-side movable contacts operated by a single rocker/actuator of the type having side-by-side pin recesses. Two pins in these recesses are spring biased toward the movable contacts to achieve contact closing, but one pin has its end offset from the other pin end so the closing is sequential rather than simultaneous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Carlingswitch, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter A. Sadowski
  • Patent number: 5391847
    Abstract: In an electric switch, a movable contact element (6, 106) is linked to a first fixed contact (3, 103) by an end portion (14, 114) having a sharp-edge outline and housed in a seating having a rounded outline. The movable contact element (6, 106) has an interconnecting portion (9, 109) provided with a frusto-conical projection to be engaged in a coupling opening (18, 118) having rounded edges and formed in a second fixed contact (4, 114), so as to establish an electric continuity between the first and second fixed contacts when the movable contact element (6, 106) is brought to a closed condition. A first silver insert (16, 116) is joined on the interconnecting portion (9, 109), which insert has a larger volume than a second silver insert possibly joined on the edges of the coupling opening (18, 118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Cesare Gallone
  • Patent number: 5382768
    Abstract: A rocker-type electrical switch of the kind known as a "quiet switch" includes a manually depressible rocker having two opposed contact surfaces at a small angle to each other from which rocker depends a rocker arm terminating in a rocker cam. A slider positioned intermediately of the rocker and the rocker cam is moved back and forth by side-to-side movements of the rocker arm and opens and closes one or more pairs of contacts. Rocker movement is controlled by a rocker cam leaf spring engaging the rocker cam which spring has a cammed profile traversed by the rocker cam to slow the switch, lock the rocker and provide other desirable effects. The rocker cam spring is housed in a spring chamber longer than itself, allowing the rocker cam spring to float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Kurek, David Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5336861
    Abstract: A switch is provided with a button frame which has two openings and two associated cam surfaces. A pivot pin can be assembled with a support structure and the button frame can be assembled onto the pivot pin by distorting the button frame. One end of the pivot pin is first inserted into a first opening of the button frame. Then the button frame is pushed downward to cause a second end of the pivot pin to move along a cam surface associated with a second opening. Further downward force causes the second end of the pivot pin to snap into the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Brad L. Cummins, William A. Pick, Ronald R. Sorn, Karl F. Stocker
  • Patent number: 5329163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto-switch which is used for a control circuit of a power window for moving automobile window glass up and down using an electric window motor, and has a manual/automatic contact, wherein the auto-switch is operably by a single operating knob. In the auto-state, the auto-switch can mechanically retain the manual/automatic contact at a closed state, and can always reset the operating knob to the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Satoh, Noboru Kamiya, Toru Tanaka, Sadayoshi Oshima, Minoru Mohri