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Ergonomic palm operated soft touch control with multi-plane sensing pads

  • US 5,856,646 A
  • Filed: 01/09/1997
  • Issued: 01/05/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A punch press comprising a soft touch switch, the actuation of said soft touch switch being necessary for said punch press to actuate, said soft touch switch further includinga switch housing, said switch housing having an outer surface and an inner surface;

  • a first soft touch sensor, said first sensor being disposed inside said switch housing, and said first sensor having a first surface which is adjacent a first portion of said inner surface of said switch housing; and

    a second soft touch sensor, said second sensor being disposed inside said switch housing, said second soft touch sensor being capable of being triggered independently of said first soft touch sensor, and said second sensor having a second surface which is adjacent a second portion of said inner surface of said switch housing, said second surface having a normal which is non-parallel with a normal of said first surface;

    a timer which establishes a predetermined time limit, wherein, once a first one of said first and second sensors is triggered, the second one of said first and second sensors must be triggered within said predetermined time limit in order to actuate said switch; and

    a monitor circuit which ensures that said switch does not actuate unless said second one of said first and second sensors is triggered within said predetermined time limit after said first one of said first and second sensors is triggered; and

    and wherein said switch housing is engageable by a single human hand such that said human hand substantially simultaneously triggers both said first and second sensors, and wherein both said first and second sensors must trigger in order for said switch to actuate.

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