Patent · US Expired

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

US5856646A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
10References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 9, 1997
Grant dateJan 5, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 9, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K2017/9602
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A soft touch switch comprises a switch housing, a first soft touch sensor, and a second soft touch sensor. The switch housing has an outer surface which is curved and an inner surface. The first sensor is disposed inside the switch housing adjacent a first portion of the inner surface, and the second sensor is disposed inside the switch housing adjacent a second portion of the inner surface. The first and second sensors are disposed in different planes inside the switch housing. The soft touch switch is especially suited for industrial applications such as punch presses and has enhanced safety, ergonomic, and freedom of installation features.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.