The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 1980
Filed:
Jul. 03, 1978
Jon L Edwards, Houston, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A switch assembly with reduced number of mechanical parts in conjunction with an improved Hall Effect generator provides a more reliable, longer life switch. In one embodiment, the rocking motion of a rocker member is translated into linear motion to move a magnet relative to the Hall Effect generator. As the rocker member is rotated by pressure applied to the higher of its actuation surfaces, rotation is set up about a pivot point, causing the rocker member to shift the magnet to the opposite side of the base of the rocker assembly. This shift of the magnet changes the magnetic field to which the Hall Effect generator is exposed from one magnetic polarity to an opposite magnetic polarity which causes a respective change in output voltage of the Hall Effect generator from a first predetermined voltage to a second predetermined voltage. An audible 'snap' is generated by the magnet when it contacts the side of the base.