Did You Know...
...that to encourage use of his new invention, the shopping cart, market owner Sylvan Goldman hired fake shoppers to push the carts around his store in Oklahoma City? Seems his customers were reluctant to give up their hand-carried baskets.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7919719 | Dome contact used in pushbutton switch A dome contact (32) for pushbutton switches (300) includes a diaphragm (33) having a reversible dome portion (331), and a bump (34) projecting from a central portion of a convex surface of the dome portion. A method for fabricating... | 04/05/2011 |
| 7310088 | Input operation device An object of the present invention is to provide a novel input operation device in which multi-functionality corresponding to higher functionality of electrical equipment can be achieved along with tactile functionality suitable as a man-machine interface. An input ... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7301114 | Movable contact unit A movable contact unit includes a first movable contact stuck on an adhesive layer beneath a lower face of an insulating film, and a second movable contact placed on the insulating film such that it is overlaid on the first movable contact via the insulating film in... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7285741 | Push-button switch It is intended to provide a push-button switch capable of providing a comfortable and natural click touch. To achieve the purpose, the button turns downward about the point which joins the buckling wall to the base on the back face side. Accordingly, the pulling for... | 10/23/2007 |
| 7187264 | Foil-type switching element with improved spacer design A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer 10. The spacer 10 comprises at least one recess 12 defining an active area of the switchin... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7146701 | Control housing and method of manufacturing same A control housing is provided which encases a control board. The housing has a cover and a backing which are fixed together to secure the control board within the housing. The control board includes a plurality of switches, and the housing includes a plurality of co... | 12/12/2006 |
| 7129435 | Movable contact element and panel switch using the same Provided are a movable contact element used in a panel switch on the operation panel of various electronic devices and a panel switch using the movable contact element, which provide excellent operation feeling and simplify the production and integration processes. ... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7126069 | Electronic apparatus with operation button The present invention provides an electronic apparatus with an operation button that can be easily mounted and prevents from being pushed into the electronic apparatus excessively. A front panel is provided with a button mounting portion. The front panel is further ... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7102542 | Apparatus and method for determining output signals according to pressure and depressing time An apparatus and a method for determining output signals according to pressure and depressing time mainly includes a timer, a scanner and a keyboard connecting electronically to the timer and the scanner. The keyboard has a plurality of button keys. When in use, the... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7091952 | Liquid proof switch array Switch arrays such as keyboards are described. The switch arrays may include an array of dome spring elements. Each dome spring element may define a chamber, and a plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that each chamber... | 08/15/2006 |
| 7084787 | System and method for detecting key actuation in a keyboard A system and method for detecting key actuation in a keyboard assembly, which, in one embodiment, is used as a conductor to electrically communicate with an information appliance. The rows in the keyboard assembly are electrically isolated from one another, and each... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7060923 | Key A key has a varying response depending on the manner of depression. The key comprises at least a base and a switching element arranged curved relative to one another. Between the switching element and the base is a contact area where the switching element touches th... | 06/13/2006 |
| 7060924 | Dual tactility keypad switch A keypad assembly comprising a substrate, a membrane, and a logic component. The substrate has at least one set of electrical contact points that comprise a first, second, and a third conductive electric-contact area. The membrane comprises domed elements having a c... | 06/13/2006 |
| 7056042 | Cover structure for a keypad A top structure for a keypad, comprising a number of key caps. The structure comprises a solid flexible layer, which is placed above the key caps or directly on them, and arranged to yield when the key is felt. The material, properties and thickness of the flexible ... | 06/06/2006 |
| 7030329 | Switch contact A conducting contact pair for a switch has a first conducting contact formed by a plurality of outward extending radial fingers arranged on a substrate, and a second conducting contact formed by a plurality of inward extending radial fingers. The first conducting co... | 04/18/2006 |
| 7022929 | Detectable push-pull-though details for switch pad A control assembly comprising a switch pad and a circuit board. The switch pad has a connection member, a first contact adjacent the connection member, and a flexible dome having a second contact. The circuit board is engaged with the switch pad and includes an enga... | 04/04/2006 |
| 7019242 | Electroluminescent metal dome keypad The present invention relates to an EL metal dome keypad which comprises a plurality of domes which are disposed at positions corresponding to fixed contact terminals of a printed circuit board and are brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contact te... | 03/28/2006 |
| 6995324 | Push-on switch A two-step push-on switch in which the operating stroke of an upper movable contact is ensured, and particularly the width of the switch is reduced while the durability of the upper movable contact is improved, the number of parts is reduced, an the operation is imp... | 02/07/2006 |
| 6971523 | Delicate goods holder, its manufacturing and use Packaging elements are formed by holders suitable for transport and storage of delicate goods such as fruit, sweets such as chocolate, flowers, glass objects, Christmas decorations, electronic components and the like. The holders are separated from each other by a s... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6967056 | Key sheet A key sheet comprising a key top, a translucent resin film, and a symbol layer. The key top is made of resin and has a top surface and a rear surface. The key top includes a gate corresponding section in a position corresponded to a gate of a mold for injecting resi... | 11/22/2005 |
| 6958183 | Key top plate and a method for manufacturing the same A first film plate 20 and a second film plate 40, each made of flexible resin film, are attached to a top surface and a bottom surface of a key top 30 made of mold-resin, respectively, so as to cover the key top 30. The first film plate | 10/25/2005 |
| 6953204 | Switch assembly for an airbag module attachment A vehicle steering wheel assembly having a molded armature with outwardly extending spokes for mounting on a steering column. Airbag module engagement members extend from an airbag module housing to engage corresponding armature engagement members. The airbag module... | 10/11/2005 |
| 6943311 | Switch A switch that dampens noise that is produced when the switch is operated. The switch includes a wiring board. A resiliently deformable rubber contact is arranged on the wiring board. The rubber contact includes a contact portion for electrically contacting the wirin... | 09/13/2005 |
| 6927352 | Lateral displacement multiposition microswitch A multiposition microswitch that includes a cavity, a mobile portion made of a deformable material extending above the cavity, at least three conductive tracks extending on the cavity bottom, and a contact pad on the lower surface of the mobile part. The mobile part... | 08/09/2005 |
| 6911608 | Keypads and key switches A keypad with both elevated and non-elevated key regions, and key switches disposed beneath both types of key regions. The non-elevated key regions each provide corresponding character output based on an operation algorithm that considers activation of at least one ... | 06/28/2005 |
| 6906700 | 3D controller with vibration A hand operated controller or converter structured for allowing hand inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, the controller structured with a plate or platform moveable relative to a base or housing about two mutually perpendicular axes general... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6880995 | Elastic-cup support for computer keyboard An elastic-cup support for keyboard is in the form of a flat locating sheet located on a membrane-type switch circuit board of the keyboard, and provided at positions corresponding to membrane-type switches on the circuit board with receiving holes for separately re... | 04/19/2005 |
| 6809660 | Keypad and electronic device The present invention discloses a keypad (25) for an electronic device including a plurality of fingers (26,27,28) having a splayed open configuration and a plurality of keys (31) on each finger (26,27,28). The fingers (26,27,28) a... | 10/26/2004 |
| 6803534 | Membrane for micro-electro-mechanical switch, and methods of making and using it A micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) switch (10, 110) has an electrode (22, 122) covered by a dielectric layer (23, 123), and has a flexible conductive membrane (31, 131) which moves between positions spaced from and engaging the dielectric ... | 10/12/2004 |
| 6694605 | Method of manufacturing a selectively insulated dome switch The present invention includes a new dome contact construction having an integral insulative layer that is precisely cut and aligned with the dome contact mechanism during fabrication. Prior to feeding the metal sheets or strips into the equipment for sta... | 02/24/2004 |
| 6690360 | Liquid proof switch array Switch arrays such as keyboards are described. The switch arrays may include an array of dome spring elements. Each dome spring element may define a chamber, and a plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that e... | 02/10/2004 |
| 6670750 | Luminous EL sheet having a domed diaphragm and a switch employing the EL sheet An EL sheet is used as a back light of an operating section of various electronic apparatuses. The EL sheet generates a stable click feel and is easily processed. A switch employing the EL sheet is also provided. An EL element layer is not formed at a ben... | 12/30/2003 |
| 6617536 | Dome switch A dome switch includes a front sheet (22) which protrudes outside and can be reversed inside and has dome-shaped protuberances (27), each protuberance having an electrode provided therein; an FPC (24) serving as a circuit member having contact points (32)... | 09/09/2003 |
| 6603086 | Dome switch A compact, thinned and water-tightened combined switch, is structured by a single switch comprising a front sheet having a domed projection which can be reversed to the back side and is provided at the back side with an electrode, an electric circuit body... | 08/05/2003 |
| 6595653 | Light illuminating type switch A light illuminating type switch with a good click rate and having a desired click characteristic near to that of a single member of a metal dome. Fixed contacts 7a are provided on a base sheet 7. On an upper side of the base sheet 7, a dome shaped movabl... | 07/22/2003 |
| 6593537 | Membrane switch A membrane switch fixes click springs at fixed positions and largely reduces the damage caused by dust and moisture affecting contact points. The membrane switch includes fixed contact points on a circuit board made from a film of resin material such as p... | 07/15/2003 |
| 6572950 | Laminate key sheet The present invention relates to a laminate key sheet wherein a key sheet of a resin film having a display section is bent into a same form as the top and side faces of each resin button in order to be integrated with the resin button and where a cut-out ... | 06/03/2003 |
| 6489580 | Push-on switch, electronic apparatus using the same and method for mounting the switch A push-on switch includes an insulating resin case 21 which contains a main body 24, a central fixed contact point 22 and an outer fixed contact point 23 fixed on the back wall of a front-open recess 21A; a domed movable contact 27; and an operating body ... | 12/03/2002 |
| 6369801 | Contact detection device, apparatus using such a device and radiotelephone comprising such an apparatus A contact device includes a first insulating film having a dome and a planar surface surrounding the dome. A contact electrode is formed on an inner surface of the dome. A detection circuit is located over a second insulating film. The detection circuit d... | 04/09/2002 |
| 6333477 | Switch having improved contact performance A switch that provides a stable contact and a superior feeling of operation despite the small profile. Its movable contact point 15 comprises a round dome section 15A, a flat section 15C formed by cutting a side alley 17B for a certain specific length and... | 12/25/2001 |
