Push-button Type Patents (Class 116/279)
  • Patent number: 10126228
    Abstract: A device to test the peeling resistance of coupons, each formed of a support and an adhesive, includes: (i) a frame including rollers with parallel axes designed to maintain the coupon supported while guiding movement of the latter, (ii) a traction device including a vertical jack linked to an attachment element including a loop configured in order to cause detachment of the adhesive from the surface of the support, (iii) a device for measuring the force exerted by the jack in order to pull the loop during peeling, and (iv) a coupon, complex in shape, such as one derived from a reinforced vane. At least one roller is translationally adjustable in relation to other rollers and the coupon is specially prepared in order to facilitate carrying out the tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Safran Aircraft Engines
    Inventors: Pascal Noël Brossier, Thibault Berranger, Emmanuel Chichery, Léa Gani, Alain Timon
  • Patent number: 9753434
    Abstract: Facilitate operations to release a bezel from a rotation prevented state and to rotate the bezel and avoid erroneously releasing the rotation prevented state. A timepiece includes a restrictor having engaging teeth and being movable between a restricted position and a release position by engaging/disengaging the engaging teeth with teeth of the bezel. The timepiece also has a holding mechanism holding the restrictor between a held state, i.e., restricted position and a non-held state. i.e., the release position. The holding mechanism includes two push-buttons and a release mechanism including a spring bar and engaging hole. The release mechanism switches the restrictor to the non-held state irrespective of a continuance of applying the pressing operation forces after the pressing operation forces are applied simultaneously to the two push-buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michiyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9395694
    Abstract: A timepiece with a rotary bezel includes a rotary bezel attached to a case body so as to be rotatable relative thereto and a spring member disposed between the case body and the rotary bezel. The rotary bezel includes clicking engagement sections and locking engagement sections provided along the direction in which the rotary bezel is rotated and is configured to be movable relative to the case body in a timepiece thickness direction, and the spring member includes an urging piece that urges the rotary bezel toward a timepiece front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Choi hung Wong
  • Patent number: 9317243
    Abstract: A handheld computing device includes a screen to receive input from and provide graphical output to a user, a housing engaging a peripheral portion of the screen, a light source, at least one light guide to receive incident light from the light source and direct the incident light to the screen to illuminate a portion of the screen, and a light guide bracket to engage the housing and the at least one light guide, the light guide bracket maintaining a position and orientation of the light guide relative to the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventor: Charles Becze
  • Publication number: 20140299045
    Abstract: A status indicator system for a vehicle door lock includes a housing defining a cavity therein. The system also includes a cable translatable along a horizontal axis between a first position wherein the lock has an unlocked status, and a second position wherein the lock has a locked status. Further, the system includes a clevis attached to the cable and translatable within the cavity along the horizontal axis as the cable translates between the first and second positions. The system includes an indicator button operatively connected to and translatable within the cavity along a vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis between an unlocked position wherein the indicator button protrudes from the housing when the cable is disposed in the first position, and a locked position wherein the indicator button is recessed into the cavity when the cable is disposed in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Richard K. Mette
  • Patent number: 8847897
    Abstract: The touch-operating input device is configured so that when the control circuit turns on the main light source corresponding to each of the translucent operation buttons that can be operated, the control circuit, on condition that the translucent operation button corresponding to the main light source that is turned on is operated, turns off the sub-light source corresponding to the translucent operation button that is turned on simultaneously with the main light source. Ease of operation is increased by enabling the operator to distinguish operated translucent operation buttons from translucent operation buttons that have not been operated according to whether or not the main light sources are lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Denso Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naohiro Sakai, Yoshitaka Noguchi, Shigeharu Nezu
  • Patent number: 8651042
    Abstract: An operation device comprises: a plurality of operation members attached to a common supporting member; and a plurality of inserting components having the same configurations with one another. The operation members include latching apertures for securing the inserting components to the operation members and include a plurality of kinds of structure to be attached to the common supporting member so that opening directions of the latching apertures are different from one another. The inserting components include a plurality of latching projections that protrude outward from a main body, and have configurations that can engage the latching apertures in any one of the operation members. The latching projections protrude from the main body in a plurality of directions corresponding to the opening directions of the latching apertures so that any one of the latching projections can engage the latching aperture in any one of the operation members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kosemura, Yasushi Oonishi, Yuusuke Yoshida, Kenji Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8536991
    Abstract: A decorative doorbell device is provided that includes a base unit attachable to a door and an ornamental housing unit rotatably lockable to the base unit. A doorbell ringer may be attached to the ornamental housing unit with a wireless activator so that a sound-producing unit is remotely activated by the wireless activator. The ornamental housing unit may be formed in the shape of a football helmet and decorated with a particular team's logo and colors on in any other desired ornamentation and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Spencer O. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8499949
    Abstract: A locking device having at least one first segment, at least one second segment situated so as to be capable of being moved relative to the first segment, at least one first segment and at least one second segment being capable of assuming at least one first and at least one second position relative to one another, and at least one segment having at least one indicator area that can be substantially permanently modified in at least one physically perceivable property, wherein a movement that is required in order to open and/or close the locking device immediately moves the position of at least one first segment relative to at least one second segment at least temporarily from the first position into the second position, and effects the modification of the physically perceivable property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: PI Investment AG
    Inventor: Eric Paul Lahusen
  • Patent number: 7096776
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a display device or indicator device and a timer circuit. The display device can be placed in a first or a second state. In the first state the display device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within a beverage receptacle. In the second state the display device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the beverage pitcher. The timer circuit, automatically, after a certain period of time, may change the indicator device from the first or second state to a third state in which the indicator device does not provide a visual indication of the type of beverage within a beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Koncelik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7070290
    Abstract: An input device allowing the user to quickly differentiate between the input states is provided. The input device includes a cap, a first light source, a second light source and a control module. The first light source radiates a first light of a first color and the second light source radiates a second light of a second color. The cap includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion displays the light of the first light. The second portion displays the light of the second light. When the input device is in a first state, the control module controls the first light source to radiate the first light to illuminate the first portion. When the input device is in a second state, the control module controls the second light source to radiate the second light to illuminate the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Ta-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 6951353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medication management system that is simple, reliable and extremely easy to use. It comprises a label having a plurality of raised tabs that are depressed upon taking a medication to provide a tactile and a visual record of medication use. It can be secured to the medication container, and thus is not subject to being misplaced or forgotten. The system can be integrated with a pharmacy's computerized pharmaceutical record and prescription label printing system or it can be a stand-alone paste-on label. Alternatively, it can be used in combination with blister packs to dispense medication while maintaining a record of use. The label can be in the form of an overlay, which is placed over a preprinted container or a container having a prescription label. The use of a pressure sensitive releasable adhesive permits the removal of the overlay label in the event that is it necessary to read information on the underlying label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventors: Nancy Kozlowski, Nicholas Webb
  • Patent number: 6847783
    Abstract: A camera body of an instant camera is provided with four light sources LED1 to LED4 for a display. The four light sources LED1 to LED4 flash on and off in mutually different display modes in accordance with the state of progress of a series of processing of an exposure operation, a developing operation and a delivery operation which is carried out in accordance with one time photographic operation. This feature makes it possible to exactly inform a user of the state of progress of a series of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Sasaki, Seimei Ushiro
  • Patent number: 6789206
    Abstract: A compute element which functions at a plurality of different power and operational states comprises a chassis which is shaped to include an interior cavity. A motherboard responsible for regulating the operational state of the compute element is disposed within the interior cavity of the chassis. An element controller responsible for regulating the power state of the compute element is similarly disposed within the interior cavity of the chassis and in connection with the motherboard. A power button is disposed in the chassis in connection with the element controller. The power button is a push-button having a built-in liquid crystal display capable of providing graphics and/or text displays and a backlight capable of providing variable color and frequency backlighting. In use, the power button enables a user to change the power state of the compute element through actuation thereof. In addition, the power button acts as an indicator for identifying the power and operational state of the compute element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Wierzbicki, Maurice Edward Valois, Paul O. Malenfant, Gregory William Lazar
  • Patent number: 6628192
    Abstract: A push-pull circuit breaker is provided primarily for use in aircraft; wherein, the activation of the circuit breaker is made significantly more noticeable by the addition of a “flower” device. Specifically, as the center post of the circuit breaker deploys, “petals” at the periphery of the post expand outward. The petal expansion greatly enhances the visibility and thereby recognition of said circuit breaker deployment by flight crew or maintenance personnel. This design capitalizes on the safety and reliability of existent circuit breaker designs. Finally, the flower design incorporates only one part interlocked with the circuit breaker post to achieve the stated purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Werner Steinbicker
  • Patent number: 6570480
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a shell with a hollow button at the top. The button has an indicator light received therein and a central tab extending downward. A first blade, a second blade and a grounding prong extend out of the shell through the bottom of the shell. A curved metal piece is housed in the shell and electrically and pivotally connected to an inner end of the second blade. A helical spring is mounted around the tab and compressed between the hollow button and the curved metal piece, and additionally a resistor is held in the shell and electrically connected to the grounding prong. The indicator light has a first terminal electrically connected with the helical spring and a second terminal selectively engaged with the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Huang
  • Patent number: 6564696
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a display device. The apparatus may also be comprised of a beverage pitcher onto which the display device can be placed. The display device can be placed in a first or a second state. In the first state the display device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within the beverage pitcher. In the second state the display device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the beverage pitcher. The display device may be comprised of a sliding member for allowing or preventing a first or a second designation for a first or a second type of beverage to be displayed. The beverage pitcher in one embodiment is a coffee pot. The first type of beverage may be decaffeinated coffee and the second type of beverage may be caffeinated or regular coffee. In other embodiments, a coffee machine includes an indicator device which indicates whether coffee is decaffeinated or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Koncelik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6558013
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light-emitting key with multiple independently-illuminated messages for fitting to an equipment front panel, in particular for aviation equipment, the key comprising a bearing rim and a hollow key body terminated by a front, drive face covered by a mask etched with messages to be illuminated, said key body being connected to said bearing rim by means of a peripheral ligament, said body, said ligament, and said rim being made as a single piece of flexible material. According to the invention, a slab of translucent material subdivided into blocks by at least one opaque partition extending substantially perpendicularly to the front face is received inside the key body so as to extend as far as the front, drive face of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: TEAM
    Inventors: Francis Tholin, Antoinette Gomez
  • Patent number: 6523688
    Abstract: A vessel is constructed dispensing and displaying a measured quantity of water by a graduated scale along the side wall of the vessel. The consumption of each measured quantity of water is tallied by actuation of one of a plurality of tactile buttons. In one embodiment, the buttons are distributed about a side wall of the vessel and in a second embodiment, the buttons are distributed about an end wall in a cap attached to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Herman D. Palmieri
  • Patent number: 5883570
    Abstract: The invention is a decorative cover/actuator which can be used as a stand alone device or in combination with a door bell. The cover is pivotally mounted on a surface with an adjustable lever extending out the back of the cover. When the cover is pressed toward the wall, the push lever rings the door bell and actuates an electronic circuit inside the cover that can display lights, emit sounds, including music and voice, and cause movable objects on the cover to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: ED Ventions, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Lusareta, Muffet S. Frische, Eric A. Frische
  • Patent number: 5357080
    Abstract: A cooktop includes a cooking surface preferably having a plurality of cooking locations. A cooktop frame to be inserted into a kitchen work counter surrounds the cooking surface and has a frame leg protruding above the cooking surface. The frame leg has an outer leg surface extending downward in the inserted position of the cooktop. Control devices for the cooking locations are disposed at least on the frame leg. The control devices include at least one operating device disposed on the outer leg surface of the frame leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Bosch-Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Vetter, Georg Brandl, Jorg Ramonat, Gunter Varnhorn
  • Patent number: 5289929
    Abstract: This relates to the provision of a vacuum actuated button type closure with a tamper indicating arrangement which will visually indicate when a container has been opened or more particularly when the vacuum within a vacuum packed container has been lost. The deflectable button of the closure is utilized to squeeze a dye from a sponge like member into a layer of absorbent material so as to color the absorbent material. The absorbent material, in turn, is provided with non-absorbent areas which define indicia to indicate that an associated container has been opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Continental White Cap, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Heilman, Daniel M. Carson, Robert E. Sparks, Norbert S. Mason
  • Patent number: 5265744
    Abstract: A tamper-proof cap for containers, bottles and the like comprising a first driven member and a second drive member concentrically mounted on the first member and having a window through which a visible signal may be observed by a viewer. A rupturable capsule containing signal media is supported on the first driven member and displays a signal of first characteristic through the window. Upon opening the cap by causing the drive member to engage the driven member, the capsule ruptures causing the signal media to display a signal of a second characteristic through the window indicative of the fact that an attempt had been made to open the cap. In an alternative embodiment, a lens mounted on the window portion of the drive member enables viewing of the signal characteristic when the containers bearing the caps of the invention are stored on a relatively high shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventors: Billy Duty, Ellen McClanahan, Randy Newberry
  • Patent number: 5040479
    Abstract: A multiple color illuminated button to control a device or functions of a device. The button has a first color for the letters and a second color for the graphics when the button is not illuminated and a third color for the letters and a fourth color for the graphics when the button is illuminated. In one embodiment of this invention, the button includes a transparent light pipe and a cap. The upper surface of the light pipe is painted or decorated with a paint or other material. The upper exterior surface of the cap is painted or decorated with a paint or other material. The exterior of the cap is then painted with a second layer of paint. After the second layer has cured, the letters and graphics are laser etched onto the upper surface of the cap. The laser removes preselected portions of the paint layer to expose the surface below the second layer. In another embodiment, the button includes a chassis and a cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Apollo Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Penelope L. Thrash
  • Patent number: 4771725
    Abstract: In a push button indicating device including a first slide member having an operational portion formed with an indicating portion on a front surface thereof, a second slide member slidably supported to the first slide member and having a substantially sectional L-shaped rotational member rotatably mounted on the side of the indicating portion, the rotational member having a light transmitting plate and a light shielding plate, a frame for slidably supporting the first slide member, and a lock for restricting a sliding position of the first slide member, wherein at least two positions of the first slide member are selected between a depressed position where the light transmitting plate faces the indicating portion and an undepressed position where the light shielding plate faces the indicating portion; the improvement comprises a light guiding member provided in the second slide member for guiding light to the rotational member, and a light transmitting hole formed through at least both of the first slide memb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyaguchi, Soetsu Kamada
  • Patent number: 4688512
    Abstract: A back lighted trip indicator for a circuit breaker comprising an opaque tubular shield and a light translucent prism telescopically received in the shield and movable from a position totally within said shield when the manual operator is in the "ON" position to an exposed condition when the manual operator moves to the "OFF" position thereby to reflect ambient light through a frontal face on the prism to back light indicia on the frontal face of the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Mechanical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Alper, Kenneth C. Bakhaus, Michael H. Estkowski
  • Patent number: 4681061
    Abstract: A flush mounted indicating button assembly and operating button assembly each connected to a cover having a pair of holes which receive identical buttons of the assemblies. Each button includes a circular head portion having a flat top surface and a circular base portion having a lesser diameter than the head portion which has a flat bottom surface and defines a collar portion at the bottom of the head portion. The base portion of each bottom is provided with a circumferential channel adjacent the bottom surface which carries a retaining ring. The indicator button is positioned within the hole by a leaf spring member which is connected to the bottom surface of the cover and includes an opening shaped and dimensioned to permit passage of the base portion while preventing passage of the head portion of the button. The opening is in registration with the hole in the cover and a helical coil encircles the base portion intermediate the leaf spring member and the retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Dvorak, Charles E. Netolicky, Neil R. Palmer
  • Patent number: 4674433
    Abstract: A correct answer displaying device for an arithmetic practicing device or the like. Plural chambers are arranged in matrix form with partition boards, and a colored transparent plate is placed over the chambers on which numerical problems to be solved are indicated and through which the configurations of the correct answer numbers cannot ordinarily be observed. Answer levers are operated to cause white plates to come near the lower surface of the colored transparent plate to display the correct answers. The white plates are pivotally mounted about one side thereof in which an engaging step is formed. Each answer lever, which has an engaging protrusion engaged with a respective engaging step, is accommodated in a guide frame in such a manner that the answer lever can pass in and out of the corresponding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Gakushu Kenkyusha
    Inventor: Mitate Inada
  • Patent number: 4420264
    Abstract: A diver's watch having a watch case and a register ring which is rotatably mounted on the watch case to set a diving time. The register ring has a plurality of notches on the underside thereof and is urged by clicks made of spring plate and held by a holding ring secured to the watch case. A plurality of lock notches are formed on the outer periphery of the watch case. A lock pin is projected from the inside of the register ring and engaged with one of the lock notches, so that the register ring is locked to the watch case. When the register ring is depressed against the clicks, the lock pin disengages from the lock notch, so that the register ring can be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Murata
  • Patent number: 4302650
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter with an optical indicator characterized by a housing, a stationary contact structure within the housing, a movable contact carrier structure within the housing and movable between open and closed positions relative to the stationary contact carrier, said carrier structure also being movable between remote and proximate positions of the lens, indicator means for observing the position of said carrier structure and including a lens in the housing and directed to said carrier structure, indicia on the surface of said carrier structure facing the lens and having two indicia portions, and the lens showing different indicia portions when the carrier structure is in remote and proximate positions, thereby indicating to an observer whether the circuit interrupter is in the open or closed circuit condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Kurt A. Grunert, John J. Henwood, Birch L. DeVault
  • Patent number: 4287401
    Abstract: An indicating button 10 for a push-push actuated device 11 (e.g., a switch) is mountable on the device's plunger 20 which controls the "on" and "off" states of the device. Button 20 comprises a hollow casing 25 in which is rotatably mounted a quasi-spherical indicator 50 having two surface portions 101, 102 of different appearance which are selectively viewable through a plano-convex lens 90 in the top of the casing at different angular positions of the indicator. The indicator is driven to these different positions at "in" and "out" positions of plunger 20 by a resilient crank arm 70 coupling indicator 50 and device 11 and adapted by resilient bending to convert linear "in" and "out" movements of button 10 and plunger 20 into rotary movements of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 4248172
    Abstract: An indicating arrangement for indicating the absence or presence of film in the interior of an X-ray film cassette includes an indicating member movably mounted on one portion of the cassette. Another portion of the cassette which is juxtaposed with the one portion has a recess therein, in which the inner end of the indicating element is received when film is absent from the internal space of the cassette, but which is covered by the film when the same is properly introduced into the internal space of the cassette so that the inner end of the indicating element is prevented from entering this recess. The position of the indicating element can be perceived at the exterior of the one portion of the cassette in a tactile or visual manner. The indicating element may be a discrete element mounted on the cassette, or a one-piece part of a flexible portion of the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: _AGFA-Gevaert, A.G.
    Inventors: Heinz Krobel, Walter Bauer, Manfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4234773
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a display device for a push button assembly having, within a push button provided in the front surface thereof with a window, shutters and a display plate of which display surface is faced to said window.Inserted into said push button is a support axially movable in a manner relative with the push button. The shutters are not pivoted to the push button, but pivoted to the support. The push button is provided with guide grooves for guiding the pivotal movement of the shutters. While being guided by the guide grooves and responsive to the axial relative movement of the support with the push button, the shutters are rotated between two positions, namely a first position where the display surface is screened from the window and a second position where the display surface is exposed to the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Hosiden Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Nakatani, Kunikazu Konno
  • Patent number: 4234869
    Abstract: An indicator system for a merchandise display rack indicates a related article as a signal is energized indicating the position of the merchandise on the rack. The signal is timed. Other signals give different indications in the same way and cancel prior indications not appropriate to the current signals indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Inventor: Robert M. Sandelman
  • Patent number: 4191874
    Abstract: A manually operable switch wherein at least the externally accessible portion of a pivotally mounted actuator member has a spheroidal configuration. An indentation in the spheroidal configuration enables the actuator member to be operated between predetermined angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Denis E. Bedel
  • Patent number: RE43771
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a display device or indicator device and a timer circuit. The display device can be placed in a first or a second state. In the first state the display device provides a first visual indication of a first type of beverage which is within a beverage receptacle. In the second state the display device provides a second visual indication of a second type of beverage which is within the beverage pitcher. The timer circuit, automatically, after a certain period of time, may change the indicator device from the first or second state to a third state in which the indicator device does not provide a visual indication of the type of beverage within a beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Koncelik, Jr.