Toggle Patents (Class 337/59)
  • Publication number: 20030016115
    Abstract: A safety press-button switch includes a linkage formed of a lever and a switching rod pivoted together, and a press-button cap having a push rod and a hook arm respectively aimed at the switching rod and a positioning rod of the lever and adapted to force the lever to shift a bimetal plate from OFF position to ON position and to hold the lever in position after the bimetal plate switched on, the positioning rod of the lever being forced away from the hook arm by the deformation force of the bimetal plate for enabling the bimetal plate to trip off automatically upon an overload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6496095
    Abstract: A push button switch includes a box with a button movably inserted in the box and an oscillation member is pivotally connected to a terminal plate. A bimetal plate is connected to the other terminal plate. A curved spring is connected to the oscillation member and a tongue of the button contacts the curved spring so that the bimetal plate contacts the oscillation member when pushing the button. A movable member has a U-shaped member which has an end engaged with an enclosed recessed area in the button. The inner periphery of the recessed area positions the end of the U-shaped member at open and close position. The movable member is pushed by the deformation of the bimetal plate and the U-shaped member is moved from the position in the recessed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6483416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an overload protection device of a press type switch in which the switch main body has slide grooves within the bouncing range of the free end of the conductive strip. The shape of the slide grooves is formed by a plurality of slide rails. A push-pull element is pivotably connected to the inside of the press button. A cross bar is fitted to the bottom of the push-pull element while both ends of the cross bar are disposed in the slide grooves. Accordingly, the push-pull element is able to change path and locating position in the slide grooves. Moreover, the conductive strip can be controlled in on/off-state by means of the force in different directions. Beside, the free end of the conductive strip is kept in an independent state so that the conductive strip is transformed into the off-state in case of overload. Consequently, the safety of the user can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6480090
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal device for safety switches which is used to control a conductive strip and serves as On/Off switching agent. The attachment is slopingly mounted in the switch housing. And the push-pull body used to move the conductive strip includes a pull body and an inclined spring element above the pull body. The pull body is in a free state when the conductive strip bounces upward into a deforming position. As a result, the attachment is not connected with the conductive strip; however, they are in a pull-push switching relationship such that the conductive strip is collapsible in a manner of reverse deformation for an electric disconnection in case of overload without restraint of the push-pull body of the attachment. During the ordinary state, the conductive strip maintains the usual (On/Off) switching function. Accordingly, the present invention is applicable to all kinds of safety switches for reaching a multipurpose effect of one object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Tsung-Mou Yu
    Inventor: Ming-Shan Wang
  • Patent number: 6472971
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes main circuit contact shoes disposed in a circuit breaker case and urged by a contact spring, a contact opening and closing mechanism located above the contact shoes and including an opening and closing lever, a toggle link, an opening and closing handle and a latch, and an overcurrent tripping device located above the contact shoes. The toggle link includes a first link extending between the opening and closing lever and a toggle shaft located above, and a second link extending between the toggle shaft and the latch to overlap the first link in the V-form, and an opening and closing spring extends between the toggle shaft and a tip of a handle lever coupled to the opening and closing handle to extend downward. As a result, a space occupied by the contact opening and closing mechanism section in the height direction can be reduced to make the circuit breaker more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Toyama, Naoshi Uchida, Koji Asakawa, Isamu Ohshima
  • Patent number: 6445273
    Abstract: An overload-protection push-button switch with automatic resetting mechanism is disclosed. The switch is characterized in that a pressing stem actuates a conducting leaf via an enabled rocking lever, and that a wrecking bar is provided to dislocate the position of a positioning unit so that the pressing stem will automatically return back to its reset position in case the rocking lever is disabled due to overload. By means of the above structure, a push-button switch which is capable of exactly functioning and has a simple structure to easily assemble is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6377159
    Abstract: A circuit breaker switch essentially comprising a push button switch, an alloy metal having one end connected to a contact of a circuit of the switch and the other end being mounted to the circuit of the switch. If the current to the switch does not exceed a predetermined current value, the switch functions as a normal switch. That is, the original position of the switch is in the “OFF” position and a depression to the push button changes its position to the “ON” state. A further depression of the push button restores the push button to the “OFF” state. When the current passed to the switch exceeds the predetermined current valve, the alloy metal is thermally deformed and curved upward, which forms a gap to allow an insulating plate to be inserted to cut off the current supply and open the circuit. The switch restores to its function by resetting the push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6377158
    Abstract: A push button current cut-off safety switch comprising a housing having an opening; a push button mounted within the housing and being fitted to said opening; a push rod being mounted below said push button and including a triangular passage and an insulating element; a spring being inserted into and compressed by the push rod; an interlinking rod having one end pivotally connected to the housing and the other end being connected to the triangular passage of the push rod; a first conductive plate; a second conductive plate being connected to the first conductive plate by a resilient plate such that the downward movement of the push rod electrically connects to the first and the second conductive plates and the upward movement of the push button disconnects the first and the second conductive plates; an alloy metal made of a shape memory alloy which is thermally deformable, said alloy metal being linked to the second conductive plate and connected to the interlinking rod; a third conductive plate being connect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6353380
    Abstract: A power switch device includes a switch body with a switch contact device pivotally connected to a switch cover body. An alloy piece is connected to one of two contact terminals and a second contact joint to which the other contact terminal disengagably contacts when the circuit is closed. The switch contact device has a movable member retractably received therein and the alloy piece contacts one end of the movable member. The end of the movable member is normally supported on a plate in the switch body so that when the current is overloaded, the alloy piece is thermally deformed to push the end of the movable member away from the plate and the switch contact device is therefore pivoted to release a conductive plate pressed by the switch contact device so as to shut the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6335674
    Abstract: A circuit breaker with a push button includes an electrical breaker having a casing having an opening defined therein with a hole defined in each side near the opening. A first prong and a second prong each attached to and extending through the casing. An alloy plate is attached to the first prong and has a free end aligning with the second prong. A seesaw switch is pivotally mounted in the opening of the casing with a shaft extending from the center of each side. Each of the shafts is received in the corresponding hole in the casing. A push block is pivotally attached to the bottom portion of the seesaw switch and has a recess defined therein to receive the free end of the alloy plate. An activation block extends from a top portion of the seesaw switch. A push button is attached to the electrical breaker and has an activation rod movable back and forth therein. The activation rod presses on the activation block of the seesaw switch and has an axis at a right angle with the axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: Chao-Tai Huang
  • Patent number: 6307459
    Abstract: A switch structure comprises a control element, which comprises an alloy piece and a swing contact device. The alloy piece includes an actuating piece with a convex part, which has a upper side normally pushing the lower surface of the end part in the swing contact device so that the actuating piece ejects outwards and escapes from the end part when the alloy piece is overheated because of the current flowing through therein overloaded. Therefore, the end part falls down due to no support force and the head part of the swing contact device deforms upwards and does not press on the elastic contact piece. The elastic contact piece is released from the pressing of the swing contact device to eject upwards. Two joints connected in an electric loop are tripped. The object of rapid response, cutting power source, and safety is therefore achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6307460
    Abstract: A power switch device includes a switch box with a button pivotally connected thereto which is pivotally connected to an actuating member. An engaging member is movably connected to the actuating member and removably engaged with a block. A head connected to the actuating member movably compresses a conduct plate so that when the conduct plate contacts a terminal plate, the circuit is closed. A bimetal plate connected to the terminal plate has a pushing end contacting the engaging member so that when the current is overloaded, the pushing end is thermally deformed to push the engaging member away from the block and the engaging member drops due to gravity. The head is then lifted to release the conduct plate from the terminal plate to open the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6275133
    Abstract: A switch structure comprises a control element, which comprises an alloy piece and a swinging device. The swinging device has an actuating element used to actuate the swinging device when the actuating element is pushed. When the alloy piece is overheated due to overloading of current, it will deform toward the actuating element so as to eject the actuating element, which causes the swing device to swing outwards and is released from the supporting of the stopper in the switch body. Then, the swing device moves towards the original closing position, and the elastic contacting piece is released from the pressing of the swing device to eject upwards. Two joints connected in an electric loop are tripped. The object of rapid response, cutting power source, and safety is therefore achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Tsung-Mou Yu
    Inventor: Chun-Hsu Chen
  • Patent number: 6252489
    Abstract: A switch structure which includes an alloy piece, a contact control device, and a push device is disclosed. The contact control device includes an elastic part and connects to an end part so that the end part may reciprocally move with respect to the contact control device in a horizontal direction. The end part normally contacts with the upper side of the stopper placed in the switch body and is used to push the push device towards the end part when the alloy piece is overheated and strain is generated due to the current flowing through the alloy piece. The end part then elastically contracts and escapes from the stopper to fall down so that another end of the contact control device projects upwards and does not press the elastic contact plate. Therefore, the elastic contact plate may escape from the two contact points to cut off the power source rapidly by the elastic force to achieve the purpose of safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Tsung-Mou Yu
    Inventor: Chun-Hsu Chen
  • Patent number: 6249209
    Abstract: A switch structure comprises a switch case, a switch, a contact reed, a control element, a swinging device, and an alloy piece. The swinging device is assembled with the control element. The switch is coupled with the contact reed. When the alloy piece is overheated due to current overloading, it is deformed towards the control element so as to push the swinging device that is then swung away and released from the support of the switch case. As a result, the control element moves towards to an original off position. An elastic contacting piece is released from the pressing of the control element so as to be ejected upwards and break the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6160470
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an upper rail mounting device defined by a line terminal having a pair of spaced-apart jaws. A bimetal is adjusted by means of a calibration screw. An aperture is provided in an upper sidewall portion of a base of the circuit breaker for access to the calibration screw by a calibration device. The aperture is positioned so that the calibration device must pass through the jaws of the upper rail mounting device. This ensures that the calibration screw can only be operated when the circuit breaker is disconnected from an electrical supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Thomas O'Carroll, Desmond Regan, Dermot Hurst
  • Patent number: 6154116
    Abstract: The thermal circuit breaker and switch has fixed and movable contacts, and non-conductive contact and trip actuators. The movable contact is provided on the free end of a lever arm that normally biases the movable contact toward its open position. The contact actuator transfers movement from a rocker or operator to the movable contact arm when no overload condition exists. The trip actuator is L shaped and rotates in a socket when engaged by a thermally sensitive bi-metallic element so as to allow one end of the contact actuator to float freely, allowing the movable contact arm's bias to open the circuit. The bi-metallic element is so positioned as to engage and rotate the trip actuator only when the bi-metallic element is deformed due to an overheat condition that occurs with an overcurrent. A compression spring acts between the upstanding legs of the trip actuator and the underside of the rocker thus biasing the rocker to the `off` position and biasing the trip actuator to the `reset` position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Richard W. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 6104273
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a calibration arrangement and process for use in a circuit protective device are presented. An exemplary calibration assembly for use in the calibration process of the present invention includes a split clamp arm having a first opening for receiving and holding a calibration pin and a second opening for receiving an actuator key. A portion of the split clamp arm is divided into a first arm and a second arm by a channel which extends from a first end of the split clamp arm through the first opening and communicates with the second opening. The split clamp arm is opened by inserting the actuator key through the second opening and because of the preferred oblong or rectangular shape of the second opening of the split clamp arm, rotation of the actuator key therein forces the members forming the first opening of the split clamp arm apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Javier Larranaga, Joe Criniti
  • Patent number: 6094126
    Abstract: The thermal circuit breaker and switch has fixed and movable contacts, and non-conductive contact and trip actuators. The movable contact is provided on the free end of a lever arm that normally biases the movable contact toward its open position. The contact actuator transfers movement from a rocker or operator to the movable contact arm when no overload condition exists. The trip actuator is L shaped and rotates in a socket when engaged by a thermally sensitive bi-metallic element so as to allow one end of the contact actuator to float freely, allowing the movable contact arm's bias to open the circuit. The bi-metallic element is so positioned as to engage and rotate the trip actuator only when the bi-metallic element is deformed due to an overheat condition that occurs with an overcurrent. A compression spring acts between the upstanding legs of the trip actuator and the underside of the rocker thus biasing the rocker to the `off` position and biasing the trip actuator to the `reset` position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Richard W. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 6072381
    Abstract: A small-sized simple switch for circuit protection of the present invention is simple in structure and easy to operate, and can be readily switched for safety protection of circuits. An alloy plate of the present invention is highly resilient. When in overload, the alloy plate expands and becomes deformed due to the different thermal expansion coefficient and is deformed upward to become disengaged from a wire connecting pad with which it is originally in contact, causing the switch to be switched from the "ON" condition to the "OFF" condition. The alloy plate pushes a lever pivoted to the moving end of the alloy plate to move up such that the lever pushes one end of a pivoted reset button to move up. A user only has to depress the reset button and the switch will be again in the "ON" condition such that repeated ON/OFF conditions of the protection circuit can be effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Patent number: 6057751
    Abstract: An overheat and overload sensing device includes a thermal sensor (such as a thermal regulator) and a breaker connected in parallel and used to cut off a power supply in case of current overload. The thermal sensor usually disposed near a heat source can respond automatically to cut off a local circuit in time in the case of overheat that will make the breaker become overloaded to break off power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventors: Kuang-Tsan Hung, Chun-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 5936505
    Abstract: A circuit breaker has a body providing a lever pivotally mounted on the upper end thereof. Two terminals are disposed within the body, wherein the first terminal forms a bimetal thereon. The terminals are electrically connected with each other in a normal state. A linkage is mounted on an end of the lever, which forms an isolated member on the lower end of the linkage. Pressing the lever, the isolated member of the linkage will moved upwards to separate the two terminals. When the lever is held by some heavy substances, the bimetal can be deformed to disconnect with the second terminal in over-current for cutting out the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Hwa Won Electric Industrial, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung-Shou Yu
  • Patent number: 5933069
    Abstract: An electrical breaker includes a casing with a pushbutton pivotally connected to the top thereof, an alloy plate extending from one of two inside walls of the casing and connected to a first prong extending from the casing, a push member and an L-shaped member pivotally connected to the first end of the pushbutton, a biasing member biasing the push member to let the protrusion of the push member press against the other inside wall which has a recess defined therein. The distal end of the alloy plate is pushed by the push member to contact the second prong when the first end of the pushbutton is pushed, and the distal end of the alloy plate is disengaged from the second prong by the horizontal portion of the L-shaped member when an overload current passes through the alloy plate which curves to push the first end of the pushbutton upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Albert Huang
  • Patent number: 5892426
    Abstract: A titterboard type switch with security structure, wherein a relay unit is disposed between two terminal legs connected with power wires and an electrothermal conductor is connected between the relay unit and one of the terminal legs, whereby when powered on, the electrothermal conductor is slightly heated and in the case of overload, the electrothermal conductor creates high temperature. The relay unit is disposed with a resilient movable contact pushable by a sliding member for controlling whether the movable contact contacts with the other terminal leg or not. The sliding plate is pushed by a swinging plate which is shifted by a push button via a linking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Tse-Chuan Huang
  • Patent number: 5889457
    Abstract: An overload protective circuit breaker switch including: a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact adapted to connect an electric appliance to power supply; a movable contact adapted to form with the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact a normal open contact; an actuator controlled by the user to turn about an axis; a lever coupled to and turned with the actuator, the lever being turned about a first bearing point, when the overload protective circuit breaker switch is not at an overload status, to move the movable contact between a normal open contact position in which the movable contact form with the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact a normal open contact, and a normal close contact position in which the movable contact form with the first fixed contact and the second fixed contact a normal close contact; and a release mechanism adapted to move the lever, the release mechanism releasing the lever from the first bearing point to a second bearing point upon an overload, caus
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventors: Cheng-Chao Hsu, Hsien-Wen Hung, Kuang-Tsan Hung, Hui-Fang Hung
  • Patent number: 5847638
    Abstract: The circuit protector and switch has fixed and movable contacts. The movable contact is provided on the free end of a lever that is made in part from a bi-metallic element. Normally, this lever serves to open or close the contacts as a rocker is moved between "ON" and "OFF" positions. The rocker is biased toward its "OFF" position and has a fixed post that engages the contact lever at least in the "ON" position. The bi-metallic element changes shape to open the contacts in response to an overcurrent/overheat condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Richard W. Sorenson
  • Patent number: 5828284
    Abstract: A circuit overload protective device includes a body having a button pivotally disposed thereto and a bimetallic strip disposed thereto which has a first contact point disengagably contacting a second contact point on the body. A first member and a second member are respectively connected to an underside of the button, wherein the first member has a leg extending therefrom so as to be shifted into a curved recess defined in a first inner side of the body when the bimetallic strip is deformed, and the second member has a distal end thereof connected to the first contact point. A third member is disposed to a second inner side of the body and a spring is biasedly connected between the first member and the third member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Albert Huang
  • Patent number: 5694106
    Abstract: An improved safety switch with overload protection circuit includes a housing having a lamp cover and three connecting plates disposed in a receptacle. One connecting plate is provided with a bi-metal plate having a platinum contact, and one is provided with a platinum contact corresponding to the bi-metal plate. When power is overload, the bi-metal plate will trip off so that an electrically insulating baffling plate may slip in between the platinum contacts to cut off power supply. The lamp cover is provided with a control hook which may control the bi-metal plate. The lamp cover further has a leg extending into an elongated notch of the baffling plate. By pressing the lamp cover, displacement of the bi-metal plate and the baffling plate may be controlled to achieve electrical connection or disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Inventor: Ming Shan Wang
  • Patent number: 5541569
    Abstract: A switch having a circuit breaker comprising a housing into which an electric current is permitted to enter via a first wire connecting piece before arriving at a neon lamp via a movable piece, a fixation piece, a press tip and a spring. The press tip and a conductive piece are caused by the press key to swing so as to make contact with the fire wire connecting piece and a second wire connecting piece for turning on the neon lamp. When the electric current becomes excessive, a position limiting connection point is caused by a curve piece of a dual metal piece to withdraw from a slot of an insulated board. The insulated board is provided with a neck capable of being restrained by a projection of a housing cover of the housing so as to cause the insulated board to move up to bring about an automatic interruption of the flow of the electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Huey J. Jang
  • Patent number: 5453725
    Abstract: An overcurrent breaker switch includes an upper housing including a lever block with a push rod and a lower housing engaged with the upper housing. First and second blades are mounted to the lower housing, the second blade having a dual metal plate mounted thereon. A lever plate base is mounted in the lower housing and has a first end for releasable electrical connection with the dual metal plate and a second end. A conductive lever plate is pivotally mounted to the second end of the lever plate base and actuatable by the push rod under operation of the lever block. The conductive lever plate has a first end for releasable electrical connection with the first blade and a second end on which a pressing piece is formed. An insulating plate is mounted between the lever plate base and the dual metal plate and has an insulating piece below the pressing piece of the conductive lever plate. A spring is mounted under the insulating piece to provide an upward force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventors: Long-Cheng You, Shou-Chi Kuo
  • Patent number: 4808961
    Abstract: In an overcurrent protective relay thermally operable by a bimetal, a movable contact mechanism is employed by utilizing a snap inversion mechanism. A normally-closed contact is employed with having an overtravel to achieve the reliable contacting. A manually resettable lever is also employed to open the normally-closed contact after the overcurrent protective relay has been actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Sako, Kiyohide Tsutsumi, Shigeharu Ootsuka
  • Patent number: 4258349
    Abstract: A double-pole rocker switch with thermal overload protection is constructed as a fully functional sub-assembly which may be tested and adjusted prior to insertion in a tubular housing. The sub-assembly is held in the housing by releasable locks for subsequent servicing. All component elements of the switch are carried on the sub-assembly, including all electrical contacts. In particular, the sub-assembly has a base in which two pairs of electrical contacts are fixedly disposed, each pair being contacted by a spring-loaded contact bridge in one position of the rocker. This position can be attained, however, only if a movable contact block is held at one end by a fulcrum provided by a latch. The latch pivots in a V-shaped groove and may be removed from engagement with the contact block by a bimetallic strip under conditions of overload. In that condition, even deliberate actuation of the rocker cannot result in a closure of the switch because of the absence of the fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Weber A.G. Fabrik Elektrotechnischer Artikel und Apparate
    Inventor: Josef Flory