Did You Know...
...that while attempting to develop a super strong glue, 3M employee Spencer Silver accidentally developed a glue that was so weak it would barely hold two pieces of paper together? However, his colleague Art Fry needed the glue. Fry sang with his church choir and marked the pages of his hymnal with small scraps of paper that often fell out. He used Silver's glue to hold the papers in place. Today we call this invention Post-it Notes.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8129639 | Emblem-unified trunk opening and closing device An emblem-unified trunk opening and closing device may include a housing including an outer case and an inner case, wherein the outer case is attached to a stationary member and includes a guide hole and the inner case includes a guide passage, a knob attached to th... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8058575 | Request-to-exit (REX) switch A request-to-exit (REX) switch comprises an injection-molded plastic body that can snap into the access hole of a mortise lock mechanism to provide a request-to-exit contact generation. A micro-switch mounts to a distal end of the injection-molded plastic body. Such... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8039769 | Joystick deactivation The invention concerns an armrest mounted joystick for communication of operator initiated control signals to a vehicle controller. A plurality of switches require that the operator be safely located in the operation position in order for the control signals to reac... | 10/18/2011 |
| 8014147 | Foldable electronic apparatus with an enhanced pivotal mechanism A portable electronic apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing, and an enhanced pivotal mechanism for folding/unfolding the second casing with respect to the first casing. The pivotal mechanism further includes a main pivot to pivot the first casing and th... | 09/06/2011 |
| 7663069 | Switch structure of automatic external defibrillator A switch structure of an automatic external defibrillator including a housing member and a flap member for covering the housing member, open and closed states of the flap member and ON and OFF of a switch of the automatic external defibrillator which are associated ... | 02/16/2010 |
| 7608791 | Fastener module controlled by magnetic force A fastener module suitable for a foldable electronic apparatus with a first body and a second body pivotally jointed with each other is provided. The module includes a first fastener, a second fastener, a control circuit, and a magnetic element. The first fastener i... | 10/27/2009 |
| 7518072 | Latch releasing device A latch releasing device includes a switch that is turned on upon pressing a pressing button towards a switch body and unlatches a door, a base member that holds the switch via the switch body such that the pressing button is arranged on a front surface thereof, a k... | 04/14/2009 |
| 7511238 | Switch actuation device, interlock mechanism, and image forming apparatus A switch actuation device includes a first actuation portion driven by a first moving member and a second actuation portion driven by a second moving member. The switch actuation device further includes a first lever, a second lever, and an actuator. The first actua... | 03/31/2009 |
| 7504601 | Sensor module for releasing vehicle windows and the like A release control sensor module for an openable member of a vehicle, such as a vehicle window, includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is a displacement sensor that controls the closure of an electric circuit, such as a changeover switch or a r... | 03/17/2009 |
| 7501595 | Self-compensating motion detector Apparatus and method for activating a passive entry system. The motion detector can include a latch input lever, a switch, and a damper. The damper can provide more resistance to the latch input lever in order to transfer motion to the switch in response to fast mov... | 03/10/2009 |
| 7446273 | Safety lockout system for interrupting unintentional flow of electrical current controlled by a safety switch A safety lockout system deactivates a safety switch to interrupt unintentional electrical current flow or signals controlled by a safety switch which is used on door-like closures. The switch generally comprises two components: one mounted on a moveable closure and ... | 11/04/2008 |
| 7417542 | Aircraft security alarm system An aircraft security alarm system uses proximity sensors mounted in adjacent pairs to any access area into an aircraft, The proximity sensors are connected electrically to a battery-powered control box with a miniature LED remote indicator light to identify that the... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7405374 | Door plunger switch A plunger switch comprises a switch body housing a first contact element, a second contact element and an elongate plunger. The first contact element is partially housed in the switch body and extends out for operative communication with a circuit. The second contac... | 07/29/2008 |
| 7375299 | Door handle 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 ... | 05/20/2008 |
| 7370739 | Shock absorber with a function of transmission of electric power between sprung and unsprung parts of a vehicle A shock absorber has a function of transmitting electric power between sprung and unsprung electrical components. The shock absorber includes a pair of conductive elements. The conductive elements are coupled electrically to each other. One of the conductive element... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7361855 | Device for establishing an electrical connection A device for establishing an electrical connection between two parts, in particular vehicle parts, which can move such that they can pivot with respect to one another about an axis, a first part (3) being provided with a current transmitter unit (1), a... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7347461 | Door handle actuated electronic egress system An electronic egress system includes at least one door, each door having a handle defining an interior area, an actuator and an exit control assembly including a switch assembly located substantially within the handle's interior. The handle is movable relative to th... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7348504 | Mountable lockout device A lockout device is provided for an operable instrument mounted to a structure with a first set of fasteners. The lockout device includes a base member having first and second side walls, an opening disposed between the side walls, a lock tab, and at least one mount... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7329820 | Open/closed state detecting system A detecting system capable of detecting an open/closed state of a cover equipped to a body of a device is provided. The detecting system comprises a body, a cover that moves in a range between an open position and a fully-closed position, a detecting unit that detec... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7299892 | Door trim speaker grille with electroluminescent lamp and injection molding method of making same A door trim speaker grille with an electroluminescent lamp for use with an audio speaker of a vehicle. The electroluminescent lamp is positioned for emitting visible light through sound passages in the speaker grille. In certain embodiments of the invention, the ele... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7291794 | Magnetic switch assembly An improved, low-cost magnetic switch assembly (16, 16a) is provided having an easily fabricated housing (24, 24a) and cover (29, 29a) formed of non-conducting synthetic resin material. A pair of electrically conductive swit... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7287885 | Automotive storage compartment having an electroluminescent lamp and method of making the same An automotive storage compartment includes a compartment body defining a cavity and having an opening for accessing the cavity. The compartment body includes a first connecting member integrally formed therein. The storage compartment further includes a cover having... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7273991 | Handle for doors or hinged flaps of vehicles The invention relates to a handle with an integrated switch (20) for doors or hinged flaps of vehicles. The push-button switch is essentially made up of two components which can be fitted together. The first component (21) is made of a single-pieced in... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7271358 | Switching hinge A switching hinge comprises a hinge housing (6) at which a hinge flap (4) is swivellably disposed, a switching element (2) coupled with the hinge flap (4) being provided, which switching element (2) triggers a switching operation a... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7267385 | Vehicle trim locating and attachment system A vehicle trim component locating and attachment system is provided for connecting a trim component to a vehicle base panel having an aperture. The system includes a locator projection integrally formed on the component and including first and second ends. The first... | 09/11/2007 |
| 7268306 | Temporary clamping structure for electronics A temporary clamping structure for electronics includes a bracket fastened to a ceiling surface of the interior of a room, an electronic device body connected to the ceiling surface by screwing down to the bracket, fitting holes formed on the bracket side, and a fit... | 09/11/2007 |
| 7265306 | Flip pack switch assembly with electroluminescent lamp and injection molding method of making same A switch flip pack for the interior of an automobile comprising a door trim panel with a switch panel carrying at least one electrical switch, a flip cover pivotally attached to the switch panel, and a electroluminescent lamp mounted to the flip cover. The flip cove... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7237933 | Door trim bolster with electroluminescent lamp and injection molding method of making same An automotive interior component including an electroluminescent lamp capable of emitting visible light. The electroluminescent lamp of the component may integrally molded with a polymer body to define a unitary assembly. The interior component may be, for example, ... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7238900 | Switching hinge A switching hinge having a hinge housing at which a hinge flap is swivellably disposed about an axis. A switching element is coupled to the hinge flap, which switching element triggers a switching operation at a built-in switch in a predetermined position of the hin... | 07/03/2007 |
| 7232967 | Door-opening sensor and refrigerator equipped therewith An open-door sensor for a refrigeration device contains a magnetically operated switch and a housing that surrounds the switch. Plug-in contacts for the switch are accessible from one side of the housing. The housing is equipped with detachable fixing elements for f... | 06/19/2007 |
| 7230196 | Lighted switch device A lighted switch device, comprising a substrate, a switch provided on a first surface of the substrate, a light source provided on a second surface of the substrate, a key top to press the switch, and a light guide mechanism to guide light emitted from the light sou... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7199317 | Vehicle door handle apparatus A vehicle door handle apparatus includes a door handle having an inner space therein, a first wall portion having an operation surface at an outer side thereof, and a first inner surface at an inner side thereof, the first inner surface being a part of a surface def... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7195095 | Floating PRNDL face plate assembly and method to accommodate floor build variations A shifter face plate assembly and method for an automatic transmission having a shifter rod in an opening of a floor console which includes an intermediary plate and top face plate. The intermediary plate supports the top plate and floats horizontally laterally to o... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7196434 | Modular contactor assembly having independently controllable contractors The present invention provides an electrical isolation apparatus having independently controllable contactors. The isolation apparatus includes a contactor for each phase or pole of an electrical device as well as each phase or pole of a load. Each contactor is cons... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7192285 | Door handle for vehicle A door handle for a vehicle includes a housing member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a recessed portion provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the housing member, a first electronic component accommodated in the r... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7190247 | System and method for reducing effect of magnetic fields on a magnetic transducer An electromagnetic driver transducer free of torque in the presence of an external magnetic field, of any direction and orientation (such as in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging environment). The transducer includes a housing. At least one coil is associated with the hou... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7176416 | Switching device for controlling an industrial cooking apparatus A switching device for controlling an industrial cooking apparatus having a cooking chamber that can be closed by means of a door having a movable door handle with a movable door latch attached to it, with a switch fixed to the housing and with a magnet for actuatin... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7154058 | Door switch assembly for washing machine and dryer A door switch assembly for a washing machine and a dryer having improved reliability is disclosed. The door switch assembly includes a plunger movably provided in a cabinet of the dryer and pushed by a door to operate an electrical switch, an elastic member provided... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7150480 | Appliance lid lock and method for using same An appliance lid lock includes a sensing circuit which senses the position of the lid lock relative to the appliance lid. When the appliance lid is in its closed position and the lid lock retentively engages the appliance lid, a controller causes activation of the a... | 12/19/2006 |
| 7141750 | Switch mechanism provided with switch plate and printer apparatus provided with switch mechanism A switch mechanism includes a switch body including a sensing button placed to protrude from a surface, a switch plate placed to face the sensing button and connected to the switch body, and a coil spring for biasing the switch body. The switch mechanism is formed s... | 11/28/2006 |
