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:
Apr. 20, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 30, 1997
Ronald W Grant, Caledonia, CA (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
A switch of simple and compact design has a current capability sufficient to enable use in a flash control circuit of a camera. In a preferred embodiment, a camera is provided that includes a camera body, a circuit board attached to the camera body, and a switch attached to the circuit board. The switch includes a leaf spring switch element having a first end coupled to the circuit board and a second end shaped to form a first electrical contact point and a second electrical contact point. A bridge contact is also provided that includes first and second ends attached to the circuit board, wherein the bridge contact extends over the second end of the switch such that the second end is located between the bridge contact and an electrical contact pad located on a surface of the main circuit board. The leaf spring switch element is biased so that the first electrical contact point comes into contact with the bridge contact. A movable lens cover assembly contacts a mechanical contact point of the leaf spring switch when moved from a closed position to an open position, such that the leaf spring switch is forced downward and the second electrical contact comes into contact with the electrical contact pad. The switch has a current capability of six amps, and forms an open circuit in a flash control circuit of the camera when the first electrical contact is in contact with the bridge contact. The open circuit is closed when the second electrical contact is in contact with the electrical contact pad.