An apparatus and system for a side actuator arrangement as well as a substrate, and method of manufacturing, for a side actuator arrangement. The apparatus includes a first part and a second part. The first part is configured to mechanically interlock with an edge of a substrate so as to prevent movement of the apparatus with respect to the substrate in a direction parallel to the edge of the substrate. The second part is configured to receive an actuatable conductive member such that, when the conductive member is actuated, the conductive member is able to be brought into contact with at least a first region of the edge of the substrate.

A method for manufacturing a touch panel includes the following steps. A touch-sensing unit is provided. A decoration layer is formed on the touch-sensing unit. And, a cover lens is disposed on the decoration layer. A touch panel is also provided. A touch panel includes a cover lens, a touch-sensing unit, and a first decoration layer separating the cover lens from the touch-sensing unit, wherein the first decoration layer and the touch-sensing unit have a first adhesive force per unit area therebetween, the first decoration layer and the cover lens have a second adhesive force per unit area therebetween, and the first adhesive force per unit area is greater than the second adhesive force per unit area.

A simple kit of parts is provided that can be used to replace a few easily removed elements of a lockable push button actuator of a mechanical locking mechanism to convert the push button actuator to a lockable actuator for controlling a switch that can serve as a component of an electrical locking system. Other aspects of the invention relate to a method of making the mechanical to electrical conversion, and to a lockable actuator for operating an electrical switch connected to the actuator.

MEMS switches and methods of manufacturing MEMS switches is provided. The MEMS switch having at least two cantilevered electrodes having ends which overlap and which are structured and operable to contact one another upon an application of a voltage by at least one fixed electrode.

Methods of forming a control panel include providing an electrically conductive substrate having a front surface. A first dielectric layer is disposed on the front surface of the substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on a front surface of the first dielectric layer, wherein the first dielectric layer electrically isolates the first electrode layer from the substrate. The first electrode layer is in electrical communication with a switch circuit adapted to detect a change in a capacitance of the first electrode layer. A substantially transparent film can be provided to cover the electrode. The front surface of the substrate is a decorative surface substantially visible through the first dielectric layer, the first electrode layer, and the film.

A shape memory circuit breaker includes a shape memory substrate having first and second opposed substrate ends. The shape memory substrate is configured to transition from a strained conductive configuration to a fractured non-conductive configuration. An isolation housing is coupled with the shape memory substrate. The isolation housing includes first and second anchors coupled near the first and second substrate ends. A brace extends between the first and second anchors, and the brace statically positions the first and second anchors and the respective first and second substrate ends. The shape memory substrate is configured to transition from the strained conductive configuration to the fractured non-conductive configuration at or above a specified temperature range corresponding to a specified overload current range or voltage range, and the first substrate end fractures from the second substrate end at or above the specified temperature range resulting in an open circuit.

An actuator for controlling the operation of an apparatus comprises a panel (16) and an acoustic sensor (26). The panel provides a partition within a building structure, while the acoustic sensor is adapted to detect acoustic waves propagating through the panel. When a user exerts pressure against the panel, the sensor detects the acoustic waves that are formed and emits signals for controlling the operation of an apparatus, such as a doorbell, a light source, a television, a sound system, a ventilation system, a window blind, a radio or an alarm.

A pet or human battery operated grooming apparatus having a housing, a number of tines formed in the housing, each tine having a slot, and a number of disk shaped blades mounted to a shaft, the shaft mounted in the housing and the blades disposed in the tine slots. A protective cover encloses most of each blade leaving only a slit open to the blade. The tines direct knots or tangles in the hair or fur of the pet, or hair of a human, to the slits and the blades. The user may then rotate the blades to cut the knots. This process occurs without any undue pulling of the associated skin of the animal or human.

A touch-sensitive input device (2) is described. The device comprises an opaque substrate (11) having first and second opposite faces (12, 13), a first set of electrodes (14) disposed on the first face of the substrate, the electrodes generally extending in a first direction and spaced apart along a second, transverse direction, and a second set of electrodes (17) disposed on the first or second face of the substrate, the electrodes generally extending in the second direction and spaced apart along the first direction, wherein the first and second sets of electrodes overlap.

A voltage output circuit includes a first power supply terminal, a second power supply terminal, an output terminal, a switch circuit present in a supply path of a voltage from the second power supply terminal to the output terminal and configured to supply the voltage from the second power supply terminal to the output terminal when the switch circuit is in a closed state and interrupt the supply of the voltage from the second power supply terminal to the output terminal when the switch circuit is in an open state, a switch control circuit configured to fix the switch circuit in the open state on the basis of the voltage at the second power supply terminal, and a switch control circuit configured to release the fixing of the open state of the switch circuit on the basis of the voltage at the first power supply terminal.