1. A blade spring for switching an electrical circuit, comprising:
a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal;
a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion;
a pressure contact region configured to accept transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms;
a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including an electrical contact; and
a compression spring integral with the distal end portion extending generally proximally from the distal end portion, the compression spring including a first leg and a second leg.
2. The blade spring of claim 1, wherein the second leg is configured for pivotal connection to a retainer.
3. The blade spring of claim 2, wherein the second leg includes a locating tab.
4. The blade spring of claim 3, wherein the first leg and the second leg form an obtuse angle when not under load.
5. The blade spring of claim 4, wherein the first leg and the second leg define an opening for changing a spring constant of the compression spring.
6. The blade spring of claim 5, wherein the proximal end portion, the plurality of tension arms, and the distal end portion are formed from beryllium copper alloy.
7. The blade spring of claim 6, wherein thickness of the beryllium copper alloy ranges from about two one-thousandths of one inch to about eight one-thousandths of one inch.
8. The blade spring of claim 7, wherein hardness of the beryllium copper alloy ranges from about TM00 to about TM08.
9. A switch assembly for sensing differences in fluid pressure, comprising:
a blade spring including a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal, a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion, a pressure contact region configured to accept transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms, a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including an electrical contact, and a compression spring integral with, and extending proximally from, the distal end portion, the compression spring including a first leg and a second leg;
a common electrical terminal electrically connected to the proximal end portion of the blade spring; and
a normally open electrical terminal including a contact configured to electrically connect to the contact of the distal end portion of the blade spring.
10. The switch assembly of claim 9, further comprising a housing including a plurality of pressure chambers.
11. The switch assembly of claim 10, further comprising a diaphragm assembly configured to at least partially define each of the plurality of pressure chambers.
12. The switch assembly of claim 11, wherein the diaphragm assembly includes a substantially rigid disk and a flexible member extending radially from the disk.
13. The switch assembly of claim 12, wherein the disk of the diaphragm assembly includes a plunger configured to engage the pressure contact region of the blade spring.
14. The switch assembly of claim 13, further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to supply a preload through the diaphragm assembly to the blade spring.
15. The switch assembly of claim 14, wherein the biasing mechanism includes a set screw and a resilient member.
16. The switch assembly of claim 15, wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.
17. The switch assembly of claim 9, further comprising a normally closed electrical terminal including a contact configured to electrically connect to the contact of the distal end portion of the blade spring.
18. The switch assembly of claim 17, further comprising a housing including a plurality of pressure chambers.
19. The switch assembly of claim 18, further comprising a diaphragm assembly configured to at least partially define each of the plurality of pressure chambers.
20. The switch assembly of claim 19, wherein the diaphragm assembly includes a substantially rigid disk and a flexible member extending radially from the disk.
21. The switch assembly of claim 20, wherein the disk of the diaphragm assembly includes a plunger configured to engage the pressure contact region of the blade spring.
22. The switch assembly of claim 21, further comprising a biasing mechanism configured to supply a preload through the diaphragm assembly to the blade spring.
23. The switch assembly of claim 22, wherein the biasing mechanism includes a set screw and a resilient member.
24. The switch assembly of claim 23, wherein the resilient member is a coil spring.
25. A method for constructing a blade spring, comprising the steps of:
forming an elongated piece of flexible electrically conductive spring material;
forming a plurality of tension arms from the elongated piece; and
integrally forming a compression portion from the elongated piece.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein integrally forming a compression portion comprises the step of bending the compression portion to form a compression spring.
27. A blade spring for switching an electrical circuit, comprising:
a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal;
a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion;
means for accepting transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms;
a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including an electrical contact; and
means for applying tension to the flexible tension arms integral with the distal end portion.
28. The blade spring of claim 27, wherein the means for applying tension is configured for pivotal connection to a retainer.
29. The blade spring of claim 28, wherein the means for applying tension includes a locating tab.
30. The blade spring of claim 29, wherein the means for applying tension includes a portion that defines an opening for changing a spring constant of the means for applying tension.
31. The blade spring of claim 30, wherein the proximal end portion, the plurality of flexible tension arms, and the distal end portion are formed from beryllium copper alloy.
32. The blade spring of claim 31, wherein thickness of the beryllium copper alloy ranges from about two one-thousandths of one inch to about five one-thousandths of one inch.
33. The blade spring of claim 32, wherein hardness of the beryllium copper alloy ranges from about TM00 to about TM08.
34. A method for signaling differences in fluid pressure, comprising the steps of:
moving a diaphragm assembly at least partially in response to a fluid pressure differential across the diaphragm assembly; and
moving into an electrically conductive position with a normally open terminal an electrical contact carried by a blade spring, the blade spring including a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal, a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion, a pressure contact region configured to accept transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms, a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including the electrical contact, and a compression spring extending proximally from, and integral with, the distal end portion, the compression spring including a first leg and a second leg.
35. A method for signaling differences in fluid pressure, comprising the steps of:
moving a diaphragm assembly at least partially in response to a fluid pressure differential across the diaphragm assembly; and
moving away from an electrically conductive position with a normally open terminal an electrical contact carried by a blade spring, the blade spring including a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal, a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion, a pressure contact region configured to accept transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms, a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including the electrical contact, and a compression spring extending generally proximally from, and integral with, the distal end portion, the compression spring including a first leg and a second leg.
36. A method for signaling differences in fluid pressure, comprising the steps of:
moving a diaphragm assembly at least partially in response to a fluid pressure differential across the diaphragm assembly; and
moving into an electrically conductive position with a normally closed terminal an electrical contact carried by a blade spring, the blade spring including a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal, a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion, a pressure contact region configured to accept transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms, a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including the electrical contact, and a compression spring extending generally proximally from, and integral with, the distal end portion, the compression spring including a first leg and a second leg.
37. A method for signaling differences in fluid pressure, comprising the steps of:
moving a diaphragm assembly at least partially in response to a fluid pressure differential across the diaphragm assembly; and
moving between an electrically conductive position with a normally open terminal and an electrically conductive position with a normally closed terminal an electrical contact carried by a blade spring, the blade spring including a proximal end portion configured for electrically conductive attachment to an electrical terminal, a plurality of flexible tension arms extending from the proximal end portion, a pressure contact region configured to accept transmission of a physical force to bend at least one of the plurality of flexible tension arms, a distal end portion integral with the flexible tension arms, the distal end portion including the electrical contact, and a compression spring extending generally proximally from, and integral with, the distal end portion, the compression spring including a first leg and a second leg.
38. A method for signaling a difference in fluid pressures, comprising the steps of:
placing a diaphragm assembly within a housing, wherein the housing and the diaphragm assembly cooperate to define a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber separated by the diaphragm assembly;
mounting a blade spring within the housing, wherein the blade spring includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion having an electrical contact and wherein mounting comprises fixing the proximal end portion of the blade spring to a first terminal;
electrically connecting the blade spring to a second terminal when a difference in fluid pressure between the high pressure chamber and the low pressure chamber is at least equal to a predetermined value.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A pocket case for a mobile communications device, the case comprising;
a protective cover for holding the mobile communications device;
a pocket for holding one or more credit card sized items, the pocket affixed to the protective cover;
wherein the protective cover comprises injection-molded plastic, rubber, or silicone;
wherein the protective cover is substantially form-fitting to the mobile communications device; and
wherein at least a portion of the pocket is comprised of a flexible fabric or leather.
2. The pocket case of claim 1, wherein the one or more credit card sized items have a width no greater than 2.5 inches and a width no greater than 4 inches;
3. The pocket case of claim 1, wherein the one or more credit card sized items is selected from a group comprising: a credit card, an identification card, a driver’s license, a debit card, an automated teller machine card, a membership card, a gift card, a key card, an employee badge, and paper currency.
4. The pocket case of claim 1, wherein the controls of the mobile communications device can be operated with the pocket case disposed on the mobile communications device.
5. The pocket case of claim 1, wherein the case substantially does not cover a touchscreen of the mobile communications device;
6. The pocket case of claim 1, wherein the pocket is affixed to the protective cover by an SL Series 286 adhesive.
7. A handheld mobile communications system comprising:
a mobile communications device;
a protective cover substantially form-fit to the mobile communications device;
a pocket affixed to the protective cover;
wherein the protective cover comprises injection-molded plastic, rubber, or silicone;
wherein the protective cover is substantially form-fitting to the mobile communications device; and
wherein at least a portion of the pocket is comprised of a flexible fabric or leather.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the one or more credit card sized items have a width no greater than 2.5 inches and a width no greater than 4 inches;
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the one or more credit card sized items is selected from a group comprising: a credit card, an identification card, a driver’s license, a debit card, an automated teller machine card, a membership card, a gift card, a key card, an employee badge, and paper currency.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the controls of the mobile communications device can be operated with the protective cover and pocket disposed on the mobile communications device.
11. The system of claim 7, wherein the case substantially does not cover a touchscreen of the mobile communications device;
12. The system of claim 7, wherein the pocket is affixed to the protective cover by an SL Series 286 adhesive.
13. A method of manufacturing a pocket case for a mobile communications device, the method comprising:
forming an injection-molded case having a recessed portion and an open portion, the injection-molded case substantially form-fitting a mobile communications device;
cutting and sewing a pocket for holding one or more credit card sized items, at least a portion of the pocket comprising a flexible fabric or leather;
affixing the pocket to a surface within the recessed portion of the injection-molded case;
wherein the protective cover comprises injection-molded plastic, rubber, or silicone.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more credit card sized items have a width no greater than 2.5 inches and a width no greater than 4 inches;
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more credit card sized items is selected from a group comprising: a credit card, an identification card, a driver’s license, a debit card, an automated teller machine card, a membership card, a gift card, a key card, an employee badge, and paper currency.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the controls of the mobile communications device can be operated with the pocket case disposed on the mobile communications device.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the case substantially does not cover a touchscreen of the mobile communications device;
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the pocket is affixed to the protective cover by an SL Series 286 adhesive.