Force switch
First Claim
1. A method of creating a switch to be disposed along a longitudinal axis of a device, comprising:
- providing a hollow body defining an interior cavity;
disposing a switching element movably within the interior cavity to define;
a first position along a switching axis of the switching element; and
a second position along the switching axis of the switching element, the second position being different from the first position;
disposing a biasing element about the switching element to impart 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 exceeds the biasing force to thereby cause the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position;
disposing a biasing force-adjusting element in cooperative engagement with the biasing element such that a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using the biasing force-adjusting element; and
coupling an electrically-conductive contact to the switching element to define;
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 method of creating a switch, comprising disposing a switching element movably within an interior cavity of the switch to define first and second positions along a switching axis of the switching element, disposing a biasing element about the switching element to impart a biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the first and second positions until an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the biasing force to cause the switching element to move to the other position, disposing a biasing force-adjusting element in cooperative engagement with the biasing element such that a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable, and coupling a conductive contact to the switching element to define 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.
71 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of creating a switch to be disposed along a longitudinal axis of a device, comprising:
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providing a hollow body defining an interior cavity; disposing a switching element movably within the interior cavity to define; a first position along a switching axis of the switching element; and a second position along the switching axis of the switching element, the second position being different from the first position; disposing a biasing element about the switching element to impart 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 exceeds the biasing force to thereby cause the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position; disposing a biasing force-adjusting element in cooperative engagement with the biasing element such that a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using the biasing force-adjusting element; and coupling an electrically-conductive contact to the switching element to define; 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 method of operating a switch of a device, comprising:
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using a biasing element that is disposed about a switching element of the switch, imparting a longitudinal biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of a first position and a second position, wherein; the switching element is movably disposed within an interior cavity of a hollow body of the switch to define; the first position along a switching axis of the switching element; and the second position along the switching axis of the switching element, the second position being different from the first position; an electrically-conductive contact is coupled to the switching element to define; 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; and a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using a biasing force-adjusting element that is in cooperative engagement with the biasing element; and imparting an external force to the switching element, wherein a magnitude of the external force exceeds the biasing force to thereby cause the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification