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:
Sep. 12, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 14, 2003
Jason O. Adams, Emmaus, PA (US);
Gregory S. Altonen, Easton, PA (US);
Glenn R. Bowers, Germansville, PA (US);
Scott Alan Kleppinger, Macungie, PA (US);
Nicole R. Vigue, Allentown, PA (US);
Jason O. Adams, Emmaus, PA (US);
Gregory S. Altonen, Easton, PA (US);
Glenn R. Bowers, Germansville, PA (US);
Scott Alan Kleppinger, Macungie, PA (US);
Nicole R. Vigue, Allentown, PA (US);
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., Coopersburg, PA (US);
Abstract
A switch assembly includes an actuator assembly having a slidably supported pushbutton and a switch mechanism switchable between alternate positions. The pushbutton is biased by a return spring between the pushbutton and a retainer. A pin is received within the return spring coils and engages a pivot member through an elongated opening in the retainer that allows lateral pin movement. A switch plate moves between alternate positions by contact with the pivot member and is maintained in one of the positions by a contact spring between the pivot member and plate. A spring damper in the contact spring coils limits resonating vibration. The switch assembly provides a multiple segment force input profile having first and second segments leading to the switching force with slopes according to a preferred ratio. Third and fourth segments of the input profile following the switching force define a V-shape.