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:
Oct. 15, 2002
Filed:
Jan. 03, 2001
James Patrick Meagher, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Vaughn Clark Arens, Greenwood, IN (US);
Emerson Electric Company, St. Louis, MO (US);
Abstract
A switching apparatus and electromechanical latching system includes an elastomeric button with independently movable electrically conducting spring plates mounted to the button. The button includes a button cap including a relatively high durometer material and button walls including a relatively low durometer button material, such that the button walls collapse and the button cap generally maintains its shape when pressure is applied to the button cap. Each spring plate includes a plurality of cantilever springs. When the button is depressed, the cantilever springs of the spring plates come in contact with electrical tracks to complete a circuit. The completion of the circuit causes a signal to be sent to a vehicle computer, which signals a motor to release the automotive vehicle door latch.