Force switch
First Claim
1. A switch of a device, comprising:
- a hollow body defining an interior cavity;
a switching element having a switching axis and movably disposed within the interior cavity of the hollow body along the switching axis to define;
a first position along the switching axis; and
a second position along the switching axis, the second position being different from the first position;
a biasing element disposed about the switching element and imparting a longitudinal biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the first position and the second position until an external force imparted to the switching element along the switching axis exceeds the biasing force thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position;
a biasing force-adjusting element cooperatively engaged with the biasing element, wherein a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using the biasing force-adjusting element; and
an electrically-conductive contact coupled to the switching element and defining;
a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position; and
a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A switch comprising an interior cavity and a switching element movably disposed within the interior cavity to define a first position and a second position, the second position being different from the first position. A biasing element imparts a biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in either the first or the second position until an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the biasing force, thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the first or the second position. A biasing force-adjusting element is cooperatively engaged with the biasing element, wherein a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using the biasing force-adjusting element. An electrically-conductive contact, coupled to the switching element, defines a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position and a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position.
65 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A switch of a device, comprising:
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a hollow body defining an interior cavity; a switching element having a switching axis and movably disposed within the interior cavity of the hollow body along the switching axis to define; a first position along the switching axis; and a second position along the switching axis, the second position being different from the first position; a biasing element disposed about the switching element and imparting a longitudinal biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the first position and the second position until an external force imparted to the switching element along the switching axis exceeds the biasing force thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position; a biasing force-adjusting element cooperatively engaged with the biasing element, wherein a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using the biasing force-adjusting element; and an electrically-conductive contact coupled to the switching element and defining; a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position; and a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A switch of a device, comprising:
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a hollow body defining an interior cavity; a switching element having a switching axis and movably disposed within the interior cavity of the hollow body along the switching axis to define; a switch-making position along the switching axis; and a switch-breaking position along the switching axis; a biasing element disposed about the switching element and imparting a longitudinal biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the switch-making position and the switch-breaking position until an external force imparted to the switching element along the switching axis exceeds the biasing force thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the switch-making position and the switch-breaking position; a biasing force-adjusting element cooperatively engaged with the biasing element, wherein a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using the biasing force-adjusting element; and an electrically-conductive contact coupled to the switching element and defining; a switch-making state when the switching element is in the switch-making position; and a switch-breaking state when the switching element is in the switch-breaking position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification