Patent ID: 8424768
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: G06K,H01H

Abstract:
1. A trigger mechanism mounted within a hand-supportable device having an electrical switch mounted in said hand-supportable housing, said trigger mechanism comprising: a trigger receptacle supported in said hand-supportable device, and having a trigger axis and a rear aperture; a trigger mounted for free axial movement and travel within said trigger receptacle constrained along a trigger axis, and having an actuated position and an un-actuated position along said trigger axis, wherein said trigger has a trigger stem with a free end projecting along said trigger axis, and wherein said trigger axis defines a line of action for said trigger mechanism when said trigger is depressed by the finger of a user to move said trigger from said un-actuated position to said actuated position; a soft stop mechanism employing a diaphragm mounted within the rear aperture of said trigger receptacle, and having an uncompressed configuration and a compressed configuration; wherein said diaphragm includes a portion projecting through said rear aperture and configured to engage the free end of said trigger stem; wherein said diaphragm is made from an elastomeric material having an elastic memory such that (i) when said trigger is depressed axially inward along said trigger axis by the user's finger, said diaphragm is configured in said compressed configuration, and said trigger is pushed toward said actuated position, towards said rear aperture, causing said free end of said trigger stem to contact and actuate said electrical switch, and (ii) when said trigger is not depressed axially inward along said trigger axis by the user's finger, said diaphragm is configured in said uncompressed configuration, and said diaphragm produces return forces that push said trigger toward said un-actuated position, away from said rear aperture, and said trigger stem does not sufficiently engage said electrical switch to activate said electrical switch; wherein, in response to said trigger being axially depressed inward along said trigger axis by the user's finger and then said triggered being released by the user's finger, the motion of said trigger is constrained along said trigger axis and within said trigger receptacle as (i) said trigger moves between said un-actuated position and said actuated position and (ii) said diaphragm transitions between said uncompressed configuration and said compressed configuration.