Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Electric switch details – Actuators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-08-14
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Electric switch details
Actuators
C335S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06274832
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to actuating devices having a switch to actuate electric circuits for triggering sounds, lights, and/or motion for amusement devices incorporated in stuffed dolls and other types of toys.
Many types of devices have been developed for toys to generate sounds, light and/or motion by actuating a switch. In these devices, the switch is an indispensable component part.
With stuffed dolls with which such actuating electric circuits are often used, however, most switches must be of the contact type, and not of the non-contact type, because of design-budget limits. When any device containing a contact switch comes in contact with some external article during storage or transportation, the contact switch might be pressed and closes to energize an electric circuit resulting in a waste of electricity from the dry cells.
To eliminate this problem, an invention according to Japanese Patent No. 2643748 (hereinafter referred to as the prior art), for example, puts said electric circuit and switch in a housing having two partitioned segments. The two segments are normally at a given distance from each other by means of a spring or other similar type device interposed therebetween. The design is such that the switch closes to energize the electric circuit when any external force acts to bring the two segments closer. The two segments are supported by means of multiple slots cut in one of the two segments and a corresponding number of projections formed on the other segment and adapted to be movable in said slots. A combination of the slots and projections permits relative motion between the two segments within the limits of the original and second smaller distance.
The prior art is excellent in that it eliminates an unwanted motion of the switch. However, the multiple slots and projections are vulnerable to becoming disengaged and make the whole structure complex.
The object of this invention is to provide switch actuators for toys free from the problems and shortcomings in the conventional technologies and prior art described earlier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention achieves the above object by providing:
(1) A switch actuator for toys comprising a first plate and a second plate joined together at one end thereof with a hinge;
the first plate comprising an actuatable electric circuit to generate electric signals to produce at least one of sound, light and/or motion;
The second plate comprising a switch closer to actuate the electric circuit;
either one of the first or second plates comprise a key-shaped projection for engaging the other plate to limit the angle that the plates move apart from each other, thereby defining the largest angle through which the plates rotate;
either one of the first and second plates comprise a second projection to prevent the two plates from approaching each other beyond a minimum distance, thereby defining the smallest angle through which the plates rotate;
an elastic device or a pair of magnets interposed between the plates to urge the plates away from each other; whereby,
the hinged plates remain apart from each other at maximum angular distance defined by said key-shaped projection when no external force acts on the plates and approach each other until an angular distance corresponding to the smallest angle defined by said second projection, or at a certain intermediate point between said two angular distances, when an external force is applied to bring the plates closer, whereupon said contact switch is closed to actuate said electric circuit.
(2) A switch actuator for toys comprising a first plate and a second plate joined together at one end thereof with a hinge;
the first plate comprising an actuatable electric circuit to generate electric signals to produce at least one of sound, light and motion;
the second plate comprising a switch closer to actuate the electric circuit;
either the first or second plate comprises a pair of catches wherein a first catch defines the largest angle of rotation of the plates about the hinge and a second catch defines the smallest angle of rotation of the plates about the hinge, the plate which does not comprise the pair of catches comprise a key-shaped projection adapted to move between and engage with the pair of catches;
an elastic device or a pair of magnets interposed between the plates to urge the plates away from each other; whereby,
the hinged plates remain apart from each other at a maximum angular distance defined by the key-shaped projection and said first catch when no external force acts on the plates and approach each other until an angular distance corresponding to the smallest angle defined by the second catch, or at a certain intermediate point between the two angular distances, when an external force is applied to bring the plates closer whereupon the contact switch is closed to actuate the electric circuit.
The switch closer can be a push or pull means which applies pressure to close the switch or a contact of the switch itself as shown in FIG.
4
.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3644856 (1972-02-01), Scott
patent: 3681723 (1972-08-01), Goll
patent: 4172217 (1979-10-01), Miller
patent: 4845319 (1989-07-01), Watkins et al.
patent: 6-44866 (1994-02-01), None
Alfa Co., Ltd.
Goldberg Richard M.
Luebke Renee
LandOfFree
Switch actuators for toys does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Switch actuators for toys, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Switch actuators for toys will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2492288