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US 8,461,468 B2Granted
Multidirectional switch and toy including a multidirectional switch
AssigneeMattel, Inc.
InventorBruce Cannon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multidirectional switch includes a base, a weight coupled to the base via resilient member, and at least first and second contacts coupled to the base. The weight is biased toward a neutral position spaced from the first and second contacts. The weight is movable toward and contacts the first contact when a first force is applied to the base, which deforms the resilient member in a first direction. The weight is movable toward and contacts the second contact when a second force is applied to the base, which deforms the resilient member in a second direction different than the first direction.
Claims18
A multidirectional switch comprising:
- a base having an upper surface;
- a support member coupled to the base and extending outwardly from the upper surface;
- a resilient member having a first end coupled to the support member and a distal second end spaced from the upper surface;
- a weight coupled to the distal second end of the resilient member and spaced from the upper surface;
- a first contact coupled to the base and extending outwardly from the upper surface;
- a second contact coupled to the base and extending outwardly from the upper surface, the weight biased toward a neutral position spaced from the first contact and the second contact, wherein the weight is movable toward and contacts the first contact when a first force is applied to the base, the first force extending the resilient member in a first direction, and the weight is movable toward and contacts the second contact when a second force is applied to the base, the second force extending the resilient member in a second direction different than the first direction;
- and
- a non-conductive brace adjacent a portion of the resilient member, the brace limiting lateral movement of the portion of the resilient member to a predetermined range of motion upon application of the second force.
5 more elements
A multidirectional switch comprising:
- a housing including a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, and a sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the housing defining a cavity;
- a weight disposed within the cavity and coupled to the first end wall via a resilient member;
- a first contact coupled to the second end wall, the weight movable toward and contacting the first contact when a first force is applied to the housing, the first force deforming the resilient member in a first direction;
- a second contact coupled to the sidewall, the weight movable toward and contacting the second contact when a second force is applied to the housing, the second force deforming the resilient member in a second direction different than the first direction;
- and
- a non-conductive brace intermediate the sidewall and a portion of the resilient member, the brace limiting lateral movement of the portion of the resilient member toward the sidewall to a predetermined range of motion upon application of the second force.
3 more elements
A movement detecting toy device comprising:
- a support body configured to be attached to or held by a user;
- a housing including a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, and a sidewall extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the housing defining a cavity;
- a weight disposed within the cavity and coupled to the first end wall via a resilient member;
- a first contact coupled to the second end wall, the weight movable toward and contacting the first contact when a first force is applied to the housing, the first force deforming the resilient member in a first direction;
- a second contact coupled to the sidewall, the weight movable toward and contacting the second contact when a second force is applied to the housing, the second force deforming the resilient member in a second direction different than the first direction;
- and
- a non-conductive ramp intermediate the sidewall and a portion of the resilient member, the ramp limiting lateral movement of the portion of the resilient member toward the sidewall to a predetermined range of motion upon application of the second force.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.