2487results about "Contact operating parts" patented technology

A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing including a plurality of steps. The plurality of mounting steps are formed by at least removing a preselected amount of housing material at predetermined locations on the interior surface. At least some of the mounting steps are used to mount at least some of the plurality of internal operating components to the housing.

An electronic device includes a housing and a button assembly. The housing defines a through hole. The button assembly includes a button, a first sealing frame, a second sealing frame, and a sticking layer. The button includes a button body and a plate. The button body is attached to the plate, extending through the through hole and external to the housing. The plate provides a rebounding force to return the button body. The first sealing frame, the second sealing frame and the sticking layer are made of waterproof material. The first sealing frame seals the housing defining the through hole and the plate, the second sealing frame seals the plate and the sticking layer, the sticking layer covers the through hole and prevents water from entering the housing through the through hole.

An motorized electric toothbrush (10) includes a removable brush head (16) and a switch (12) that allows the toothbrush (10) to be used in an “automatic” mode. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, such that when the brush head (16) contacts the operator's teeth, a second switch (20) is automatically actuated and the motor (14) engaged. The brush head (16) is easily removed for replacement when the bristles become worn or allow use of the toothbrush (10) by multiple users.

A system for tracking balls in sports in which players kick, pass, bounce, strike or carry a ball. The ball is equipped with two beacons pulsing in the 5-10 Hz range at a frequency which is not attenuated by the body of the players. one beacon has a very short range of 40-120 cm and the other has a range of 1-5 metres. A data logger worn by the players includes a clock, location and speed sensors, a receiver for the beacon signals and a micro controller to record the data from all the sensors. The micro controller is able to record whether the player is in possession of the ball or is contesting the ball. The path of the ball from player to player is tracked relative to the playing field. An impact or pressure sensor may be fitted to the players footwear, glove or a bat stick, club or racquet to register a kick or ball strike

A joystick having a movable member that includes a shaft portion and a spherical portion wherein the shaft portion has a diameter less than the spherical portion. An actuating member is secured to the shaft portion of the movable member to provide actuation of the movable member. A magnet is disposed within the spherical portion of the movable member and positioned adjacent a three axis sensor such that the magnet moves in a hemispherical pattern along the three axis sensor to operate a device.

A blender includes a motor base, a container, and a top cover. The motor base includes a motor unit having a blade driving section, and a contact switch unit connected electrically to the motor unit. The contact switch unit includes a press button that is depressible so as to permit activation of the motor unit. The container has a container bottom provided with a cutting blade unit that is coupled to the blade driving section so as to be driven rotatably by the motor unit. The container has a spring-loaded push rod unit mounted movably thereon. The push rod unit has a bottom rod section associated with the press button of the contact switch unit, and a top rod section depressible by a switch actuating block of the top cover so as to move the push rod unit against biasing action from a deactivating position to an activating position.

A microsurgical system, and a foot controller for the improved operation of a microsurgical system, are disclosed. A surgeon may use the foot controller to simultaneously control multiple surgical parameters based upon movement of a foot pedal of the foot controller in a single plane of motion.

An information processing apparatus includes a body having a display panel pivotally attached to the body, the panel having a plural, selectable data display orientations. A detector detects a size of an angle between the display panel and the body and a selector selects a corresponding one of the data display orientations in accordance with the size of the detected angle, affording automatic change of the data display orientations in accordance with respective, different desired configurations of the apparatus.

An interchangeable hearing aid control panel with at least one activation zone arranged in connection with a layered structure. The layered structure has an electrically non-conducting substrate, an electrically conducting path arranged in connection with the substrate, and an electrically conducting member, such as a conducting foil, arranged at a predetermined distance from the activation zone. The activation zone can be either in a deactuated or in an actuated state. In the actuated state the conducting member and the conducting path are electrically connected while disconnected in the deactuated state. Electrical connection to an associated hearing aid is by means of a connector, such as a plug, enabling the control panel to be easily changed. Preferably, the connector is formed by a piece of flexprint. The layered structure may comprise a second conducting path. In preferred embodiments activation zones are indicated by “poppel domes” formed by a surface layer covering the layered structure. The activation zones may form an MTO control or a volume control. To fit BTE hearing aids, the layered structure preferably has an elongated structure with a length of 1-4 cm. Other shapes can be formed to fit ITE, ITC and CIC hearing aids. In preferred embodiments, the control panel comprises one or more Silicon-based microphones protected behind a surface layer of the control panel.

A handle 16 for exterior use in a vehicle to authorize a mechanism (18) to unlatch an access door has a structural part (34); a cover (36); and a pair of sensors or switches (28, 29) between the structural part (34) and the cover (36). A first sensor or switch (28) to interact with one or more fingers of a user's (26) hand (2) and a second sensor or switch (29) spaced from said first sensor (28) to be activated by a user's (26) different finger or the user's (26) thumb. The combination of the two switches or sensors (28, 29) signal the mechanism (18) to unlatch the access door and wherein the activation of only the second sensor or switch (29) in the absence of touching the first sensor or switch (28) authorizes a mechanism (18) to lock the access door. Preferably, the first and second sensors or switches (28, 29) are electrically coupled such that activation of both authorizes an unlatching of the access door while the activation of only the second sensor or switch (29) authorizes a lock only feature. Accordingly, the second sensor or switch (29) changes authorization from unlatch to lock dependent on the use or non-use of the first sensor or switch (28).

A touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds is provided. When the button is depressed to a first depression threshold, the touch sensor can be switched from a low-power, non-sensing state to a sensing state. When the button is depressed to a second depression threshold, the touch sensor can sense the touch context and input can be generated based on the depression and the touch context. In this way, the touch-sensitive depressible button with multiple depression thresholds can facilitate timely switching of the touch sensor to a sensing state.

A Hall effect safety switch assembly for de-activating a motor vehicle if a user is not positioned on a vehicle seat. The assembly includes a switch frame for mounting the assembly, a magnet and a hall effect sensor mounted to the switch frame in a spaced apart relationship, and a vane that moves in response to the presence of a vehicle operator on the seat that causes the Hall effect sensor to provide an inhibit signal that prevents an engine from running.

According to one embodiment, a casing of a hazard detector includes a body portion and a button portion. The button portion is coupled with the body portion via a plurality of arms. The arms allow the button portion to be axially movable relative to the body portion and also couple the button portion with the body portion so that tabs that extend radially outward from the button portion are positioned under and contact an inwardly facing surface of the body portion. The arms bias the button portion axially outward relative to the body portion so as maintain contact between the tabs and the inwardly facing surface. In this configuration, when the button portion is pressed at a position off-axis from a central axis of the button portion, the button portion pivots about one or more contact points between one or more tabs and the inwardly facing surface.

A thermal treatment system for thermally treating a sterile medium is controlled via a controller selectively manipulable by a user during system operation. The system facilitates entry of a desired temperature range for thermally treating the sterile medium and includes an alarm to notify the user of a status of the measured temperature relative to the desired temperature range.

A rain sensor for use with an irrigation control system includes a position sensing element. A moisture absorptive element is supported for receiving rainfall. An actuating element is mechanically connected to the moisture absorptive element for movement adjacent the position sensing element as the moisture absorptive element expands and contracts to thereby induce a change in the position sensing element that can be used to generate an interrupt signal without any mechanical connection between the moisture absorptive element and the position sensing element.

The present invention relates to a hearing aid multifunctional switch comprising a base part, an externally activable switch arm, and a first and a second set of contact surfaces disposed at a surface of said base part. The first set of contact surfaces is adjacently positioned so as to form a substantially continuous surface, whereas the second set of electrically isolated contact surfaces is adjacently positioned so as to form a substantially continuous surface. The second set of contact surfaces is oppositely arranged to said first set so that the two sets have pairs of corresponding contact surfaces. A contact member is movable between said pairs of contact surfaces for providing electrical contact between a pair of corresponding contact surfaces. A pressure pad, wherein at least part of said pressure pad is positioned between a resilient member and the contact member, is biased by the resilient member against the contact member so as to ensure continuous contact between the contact surfaces and the contact member.

A control-key device is provided for use as a controller for a video game including a direction specifying key mounted on a housing which an operator manipulates to control the play of a video game, where the surface of said direction specifying key comprises a combination of concave portions to facilitate use of the direction specifying key. The unit preferably comprises a push button and a housing including a hole through which the push button protrudes. The housing extends along a plane wherein said plane intersects a plane perpendicular to an axis of said push button at a predetermined angle, and said plane of said housing also extending parallel to a plane defined by the surface of said push button. In a preferred embodiment, the push button is mounted in a manner such that the push button has a rotation axis and a plurality of operating surfaces, where each of said plurality of operating surfaces includes a projection that forms a surface perpendicular to the rotational direction defined by said rotation axis.

An electric circuit breaker apparatus is used in a vehicle including an electric circuit having a converter and a storage battery. The electric circuit breaker apparatus interrupts power supply from the storage battery to the converter when a collision of the vehicle is detected. The electric circuit breaker apparatus includes a power supply circuit breaker driven by a low explosive type actuator, which is actuated when a collision of the vehicle is detected. Actuation of the power supply circuit breaker interrupts a power supply path connecting a positive terminal of the storage battery to the converter and grounds a portion of the power supply path closer to the converter than the interrupted portion.

Disclosed is a system including a tactile feedback device with which a user can sense the tactile force that is applied by the user on actuating a button or the like. The system includes a main body part (10), an operating unit (20) on which the user acts for inputting for interfacing with the main body part, and a display part (30) for demonstrating an image consistent with the current state of an interface program and an application program. The operating unit includes an interfacing element (22) for accepting an inputting operation from the user and a piezo actuator (21) for presenting a tactile feedback to the user performing the inputting operation on the operating unit. The piezo actuator is mounted on the interfacing element.

The disclosed invention is a patient monitoring system that employs a pressure sensitive pad. The pad is placed beneath a patient who is lying in bed or sitting in a chair. When weight is removed from the pad, an alarm is given. The pad comprises an upper layer of circuitry and a lower layer of circuitry. When the respective layers of circuitry are in contact, the alarm remains off, but when the layers of circuitry become separated, the alarm is given. This invention is generally for use in hospitals and nursing homes to alert caregivers when a patient falls out of a bed or a wheelchair; or if a patient otherwise leaves a bed or chair against the wishes of the caregiver. This situation is of special concern with elderly patients, post operational patients, and/or at night when nursing staffs are reduced.

Apparatus for detecting the opening and closing angle which is easy to switch, is reliable, is capable of positively preventing howling from occurring, can be reduced in size and weight, and uses no special components. The apparatus comprises a first and second hinge portions belonging to a first and second housings, respectively, for pivotal linking said first housing to said second housing. The first hinge portion has on the lateral side a curved surface in a rotational direction of said first housing and comprises a given number of parallel electrodes extending in a rotational direction of said first housing on said convex curved surface. The curved surface portion is disposed in the second housing; the second housing includes therein terminals in pressure contact with said electrodes or the curved surface; the terminals are in contact or non-contact with corresponding electrodes at different predetermined angles depending on the rotation of the first housing.

Disclosed is a washing machine, a control panel assembly of which has an improved structure to minimize problems caused by a shaking of a rotary knob and the interference of the rotary knob with other surrounding parts. The control panel assembly of the washing machine includes a control panel; a knob guide installed on the control panel; and a rotary knob rotatably mounted on the knob guide and including a boss passing through the knob guide. The knob guide includes a boss insertion part restricting the boss to prevent the rotary knob from shaking. The boss insertion part includes an extension extended from the bottom surface of the knob guide and forming a boss insertion hole, into which the boss is inserted, therein.

A control switch is equipped with a detent mechanism that generates a click feeling in a dial knob as a result of a detent piece of a plunger member gets over detent crests of a detent crest member. A stopper is provided in the plunger member, and the position of vertical motion of the stopper is switched by means of a rectilinear actuator, thereby switching rotational operation of the dial knob between an enabled state and a disabled state.

The invention relates to a lifting support device for a key, the key and a keyboard. The lifting support device comprises a first connection rod and a second connection rod. The first connection rod is provided with a first arm portion and a second arm portion, the first arm portion is provided with a first opening groove, and the second arm portion is provided with a first protrusion portion. The second connection rod is provided with a third arm portion and a fourth arm portion, the third arm portion is provided with a second protrusion portion, and the fourth arm portion is provided with a second opening groove. The second protrusion portion extends along a first direction and abuts against the first opening groove, and the first protrusion portion extends along a second direction and abuts against the second opening groove, so that the first connection rod is connected with the second connection rod and the first direction is opposite to the second direction. When the second protrusion portion abuts against the first opening groove and the first protrusion portion abuts against the second opening groove, the first connection rod and the second connection rod can pivot along a virtual axis, and the first direction and the second direction are vertical to the virtual axis respectively. By means of the design, the structure is simple, the assembly is convenient, machining and assembly complexities are reduced, and the material manufacture cost is decreased.

A direct mount rotary handle operating mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having electrical contacts. The handle mechanism includes a driver coupled to the circuit breaker and a handle having a socket for receiving the driver. The socket is configured to allow the handle to rotate relative to the driver. The handle further includes a movable locking pin. A lock latch is associated with the driver, wherein the lock latch includes a flange portion. When the electrical contacts of the circuit breaker are welded closed and a torque is applied to the handle, the handle rotates to a position in which the pin is blocked from being inserted into the locking hole by the flange portion thereby preventing the handle from being locked in an OFF position when the contacts are welded together.

A system and method for connecting supply power to motor control components includes use of a motor control center subunit with moveable supply power contacts. After a motor control center subunit is secured into a motor control center compartment, the supply power contacts may be advanced to engage supply power buses. For disconnection, the supply power contacts may be retracted and isolated from the buses before physical removal of the subunit.

An motorized electric toothbrush includes a removable brush head and a switch that allows the toothbrush to be used in an “automatic” mode. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, such that when the brush head contacts the operator's teeth, a switch is actuated and the motor is engaged. The brush head is easily removed for replacement when the bristles become worn or to allow use of the toothbrush by multiple users.

An electric toothbrush comprises a body portion and a head including a motor, a moving portion, a handle, and a gear arrangement between the moving portion and the motor. The moving portion rotates, oscillates and/or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips. The body portion houses the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary or continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the gear arrangement includes a shaft, a worm gear and a pair of step gears. In another embodiment the gear arrangement includes a plurality of gears and at least one swivel arm for drive the moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.

An improved footswitch is disclosed. The footswitch may have an adjustable length treadle to accommodate different size feet. The footswitch may also have a treadle having a slidable plate that facilitates the actuation of a side switch.

An interlock system is for a bypass transfer switch including first, second, third and fourth circuit breakers. First, second, third and fourth interlock assemblies each include a mounting bracket coupled on or proximate to a corresponding one of the circuit breakers, a transmitting member disposed on the mounting bracket and coupled to the poleshaft of the operating mechanism of the corresponding one of the circuit breakers, and a receiving mechanism disposed on the mounting bracket and structured to engage and actuate the circuit breaker trip lever in response to a trip condition. The transmitting member and receiving mechanism each include primary and secondary connections. A plurality of linkages are adapted to interconnect the connections among the circuit breakers in order to provide a predetermined automatic bypass interlock mechanism, without requiring a separate manual locking device.