EP0390084B1 - Endschalter - Google Patents

Endschalter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0390084B1
EP0390084B1 EP90105837A EP90105837A EP0390084B1 EP 0390084 B1 EP0390084 B1 EP 0390084B1 EP 90105837 A EP90105837 A EP 90105837A EP 90105837 A EP90105837 A EP 90105837A EP 0390084 B1 EP0390084 B1 EP 0390084B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lever
manipulation
rotary shaft
free position
cam
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP90105837A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0390084A3 (de
EP0390084A2 (de
Inventor
Kunio C/O Omron Corporation Sakamoto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Omron Corp
Original Assignee
Omron Corp
Omron Tateisi Electronics Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP3535889U external-priority patent/JPH02126328U/ja
Priority claimed from JP1269478A external-priority patent/JP2824920B2/ja
Application filed by Omron Corp, Omron Tateisi Electronics Co filed Critical Omron Corp
Publication of EP0390084A2 publication Critical patent/EP0390084A2/de
Publication of EP0390084A3 publication Critical patent/EP0390084A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0390084B1 publication Critical patent/EP0390084B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H21/00—Switches operated by an operating part in the form of a pivotable member acted upon directly by a solid body, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H21/02—Details
    • H01H21/18—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H21/22—Operating parts, e.g. handle
    • H01H21/24—Operating parts, e.g. handle biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force
    • H01H21/28—Operating parts, e.g. handle biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift
    • H01H21/285—Operating parts, e.g. handle biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift having an operating arm actuated by the movement of the body and mounted on an axis converting its rotating movement into a rectilinear switch activating movement
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/26—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members
    • H01H13/36—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using flexing of blade springs
    • H01H13/365—Snap-action arrangements depending upon deformation of elastic members using flexing of blade springs having a symmetrical configuration

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a limit switch for various kinds of production equipment, industrial robots and so forth, and particularly relates to a limit switch which detects an object by means of a manipulation lever rotatably supported by the head of the switch.
  • Limit switches in general comprise a case housing, a basic switching mechanism having a manipulation rod of the pushed-in type, a head housing a cam for converting a rotating motion into a straight motion, and a manipulation lever pivotally coupled to the head.
  • the cam acts to convert the rotation of a rotary shaft associated with the manipulation lever, into straight motion of a plunger supported by the case or the head, so that the manipulation rod of the basic switching mechanism is pushed in by the plunger. Since the manipulation lever receives the force of the return spring when the lever is rotated back to the free position thereof, the lever is likely to be rotated back beyond the free position.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 shown a limit switch which is relavent to the present invention.
  • the limit switch includes a case 1, a basic switching mechanism 2 housed in the case, and a head 3 secured to the upper end of the case.
  • a rotary shaft 4 is rotatably supported by bearings 5 and 6 is the head 3, and projects out of the cylindrical portion 3a of the head at one end of the shaft.
  • the butt 7a of a manipulation lever 7 for detecting an object is secured to the rotary shaft 4 at the above-mentioned end thereof.
  • a roller 8 is rotatably supported by a shaft 9 at the tip 7b of the manipulation lever 7.
  • the opening of the cylindrical portion 3a of the head 3 is closed with a seal plate 10.
  • An oil seal 11 is interposed between the rotary shaft 4 and the cylindrical portion 3a of the head 3.
  • An annular groove 12 is provided in the outside circumferential surface of the rotary shaft 4.
  • An O-ring 13 is fitted in the annular groove 12.
  • the rotary shaft 4 has a flat portion 14, on the top of which a return plunger 15 shaped as a bottomed cylinder is provided.
  • a return coil spring 16 is engaged between the return plunger 15 and the inside surface of the upper portion of the head 3 so that a returning force is applied to the flat portion 14 of the rotary shaft 4 through the return plunger by the spring.
  • a fixed plate 17 is fitted in the lower portion of the head 3.
  • a lever 21 is supported by a shaft 22 in the case 1 so that the lever is rotatable and the tip of the lever is in contact with the manipulation rod 23 of the basic switching mechanism 2.
  • the central portion of the lever 21 has a projection 21b, which is pushed in by the manipulation plunger 20.
  • An O-ring 24 is provided between the mutually fitted portions of the case 1 and the head 3.
  • a name plate 25 is attached to the outside of the case 1.
  • a terminal box 26 housing terminals 27 is attached to the case 1.
  • a screw 28 for attaching the basic switching mechanism 2 is tightened thereon.
  • An E-shaped washer 29 for securing the disk cam 19 is provided.
  • a limit switch according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-3 829 637.
  • DE-A-1 920 237 discloses a limit switch having a drive lever between the cam means and the manipulation rod. The force counteracting a rotation of the manipulation lever back beyond its neutral position tends to zero as the manipulation lever approaches this position.
  • the present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.
  • the limit switch according to the invention is as defined in claim 1.
  • the drive lever provided between the cam and the manipulation rod of the basic switching mechanism counteracts the driving force of the cam to the manipulation rod because of the leverage of the drive lever (which is the ratio of the length from the fulcrum for the drive lever to the point of application of over the length from the fulcrum to the point of action of the lever) so that the manipulation rod is prevented from being pushed in. For that reason, the inversion signal is prevented from being generated.
  • FIG. 1 is a cutaway front view of a limit switch provided in accordance with a related art.
  • FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of the limit switch.
  • FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of a limit switch which is an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a cutaway front view of the head of the limit switching shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the basic switching mechanism of the limit switch shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 6 is a view showing the direction of the motion of the manipulation lever of the limit switch shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 7a is a view showing the state of the basic switching mechanism, which corresponds to the neutral free position of a manipulation lever.
  • FIG. 7b is a view showing the state of the basic switching mechanism, which corresponds to the clockwise rotated position of the manipulation lever.
  • FIG. 7c is a view showing the state of the basic switching mechanism, which corresponds to the counterclockwise rotated position of the manipulation lever.
  • FIG. 3 shows a limit switch which is yet another embodiment.
  • the limit switch includes a case 301 housing a basic switching mechanism 302, a head 303 secured to the upper end of the case, and a rotary shaft 304 supported by bearings 305 and 306 in the head.
  • the butt 307a of the manipulation lever 307 of the limit switch is secured to the rotary shaft 304 at the outer end 304a thereof.
  • the outside circumferential surface of the rotary shaft 304 has an annular groove 308.
  • a roller 309, with which a detected object such as a workpiece comes into contact, is rotatably supported with a shaft 310 at the tip 307b of the manipulation lever 307.
  • An O-ring 311 is fitted in the annular groove 308.
  • An oil seal 312 is provided between the head 303 and the rotary shaft 304.
  • a first cam 313A and a second cam 313B are secured side by side to the rotary shaft 304.
  • the surface 313a of the first cam 313A is set for clockwise rotation shown by arrows a in FIGS. 18 and 20.
  • the surface 313b of the second cam 313B is set for counterclockwise rotation shown by arrows b in FIGS. 18 and 20.
  • the surface 313b of the second cam 313B is set for counterclockwise rotation shown by arrows b in FIGS 18 and 20.
  • a spring 314 is engaged around the first and the second cams 313A and 313B so as to apply a returning force to the manipulation lever 307 through the cams. As shown in FIG.
  • a first plunger 316A and a second plunger 316B which correspond to the first and the second cams 313A and 313B, are movably supported in the axial directions of the plungers by a plunger holder 315 provided at the bottom of the head 303.
  • a first lever 317A and a second lever 317B are supported with shafts 318A and 318B by the holder 315.
  • the first plunger 316A is driven by the first lever 317A and the first cam 313A.
  • the second plunger 316B is driven by the second lever 317B and the second cam 313B.
  • a first drive lever 320A and a second drive lever 320B are supported by a shaft 319 in the case 301 between the basic switching mechanism 302 and the first and the second plungers 316A and 316B.
  • the leverages of the drive levers 320A and 320B are set so that the basic switching mechanism 302 is turned on or off through the motions of the plungers 316A and 316B in the axial directions thereof.
  • the drive levers counteract the driving actions of the plungers when the manipulation lever 307 is on the verge of being rotated back beyond the free position thereof, which is shown by a reference symbol FP in FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 5 shows the basic switching mechanism 302 of the limit switch shown in FIG. 3.
  • the mechanism 302 includes an upper switching unit SW 1 and a lower switching unit SW2 provided in the casing 331 of the mechanism, and a first manipulation rod 332A and a second manipulation rod 332B supported concentrically to each other with return springs 333A and 333B in the casing so that the rods are movable up an down.
  • the manipulation lever 307 is rotated clockwise with regard to FIG. 6, the first manipulation rod 332A is pushed in by the first drive lever 320A.
  • the manipulation lever 307 is rotated counterclockwise with regard to FIG. 6, the first manipulation rod 332A is pushed in by the first drive lever 320A.
  • a First movable spring 334A and a second movable spring 334B are engaged with the first and the second manipulation rods 332 A and 332B, respectively.
  • a first movable member 335A and a second movable member 335B are driven by the first and the second manipulation rods 332A and 332B through the actions of both the ends of the first and the second movable springs 334A and 334B, respectively.
  • Movable contacts 336A and 337A are secured to the first movable member 335A at both the ends thereof.
  • Movable contacts 336B and 337B are secured to the second movable member 335B at both the ends thereof.
  • a part of fixed terminals 338A and 339A and another pair of fixed terminals 340A and 341A are secured to the upper portion of the casing 331.
  • Normally-open fixed contacts 342A and 343A are secured to the fixed terminals 338A and 339A and face the movable contacts 336A and 337A, respectively.
  • Normally-closed fixed contacts 344A and 345A are secured to the other fixed terminals 340A and 341A and face the movable contacts 336A and 337A, respectively.
  • a pair of fixed terminals 338B and 339B and another pair of fixed terminals 340B and 341B are secured to the lower portion of the casing 331.
  • Normally-open fixed contacts 342B and 343B are secured to the fixed terminals 338B and 339B and face the movable contacts 336B and 337B, respectively.
  • Normally-closed fixed contacts 344B and 345B are secured to the other fixed terminals 340B and 341B and face the movable contacts 336B and 337B, respectively.
  • the first lever 317A is rotated by the surface 313a of the first cam 313A so that the first plunger 316A is moved down in the axial direction thereof. Because of the downward movement of the plunger 316A, the first manipulation rod 332A of the basic switching mechanism 2 is pushed in through the action of the drive lever 320A.
  • the manipulation lever 307 is rotated further clockwise to an operative position OP 1 shown in FIG.. 6, the first movable spring 334A is inverted due to the displacement of the first manipulation rod 332A so that the first movable member 335A is moved up.
  • the movable contacts 336A and 337A come into contact with the normally-open fixed contacts 342A and 343A, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7b.
  • the manipulation lever 307 is rotated back to the neutral free position FP by the force of the return spring 314.
  • the first manipulation rod 332A of the basic switching mechanism 302 is returned to the original position thereof by the force of the return spring 333A, the movable member 335A is moved back to the original position thereof through the action of the movable spring 334A, and the movable contacts 336A and 337A come into contact with the normally-closed fixed contacts 344A and 345A, respectively.
  • the movable contacts 336B and 337B come into contact with the normally-open fixed contacts 342B and 343B, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7c.
  • the manipulation lever 307 is rotated back to the neutral free position FP.
  • the second manipulation rod 332B is returned to the original position thereof by the force of the return spring 333B, the movable member 335B is moved back to the original position thereof through the action of the movable spring 334B, and the movable contacts 336B and 337B come into contact with the normally-closed fixed contacts 344B and 345B, respectively.
  • the leverage of the first drive lever 320A which is the ratio of the length from shaft 319 to the point of application of force (where the first plunger 316A comes into contact with the first drive lever) over the length from shaft 319 to the point of action (where the tip of the first drive lever comes into contact with the first manipulation rod 332A) is selectively preset so that the first drive lever counteracts the driving force of the first cam 313A when the manipulation lever 307 is on the verge of being rotated back beyond the neutral free position FP thereof. For that reason, the manipulation lever 307 is prevented from being rotated back beyond the neutral free position FP thereof.
  • the first manipulation rod 332A is thus prevented from being pushed in to unnecessarily turn on the first switching unit SW1 of the basic switching mechanism 302.

Landscapes

  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Control Of Eletrric Generators (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)

Claims (3)

  1. Endschalter mit
    einem Schaltmittel (302) aufnehmenden Gehäuse (301),
    einem an einem Ende des Gehäuses angebrachten Kopf (303),
    einer von dem Kopf drehbar gehalterten Drehwelle (304),
    einem an seinem Fußende an der Drehwelle befestigten Betätigungshebel (307),
    auf der Drehwelle (304) vorgesehenen Nockenmitteln (313A, 313B) zur Umwandlung einer Drehbewegung in eine geradlinige Bewegung,
    einer Rückholfeder (314) zum Aufbringen einer Rückführungskraft auf den Hebel über die Nockenmittel und die Drehwelle zur Rückführung des Betätigungshebels in eine freie Stellung,
    Kolbenmitteln (316A, 316B) zum Schalten der in dem Endschalter angeordneten Schaltmittel und ansprechend auf die Nockenmittel axial angetrieben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    die Schaltmittel zwei Schaltgrundmechanismen aufweisen, von denen jeder einen Eindrück-Betätigungsstab (332A, 332B) aufweist, und
    Antriebshebelmittel vorgesehen sind, welche zwei Antriebshebel (320A, 320B) aufweisen, von denen einer (320A) auf den einen Betätigungsstab (332A) drückt, wenn der Betätigungshebel (307) mit dem Nocken aus seiner freien Stellung im Uhrzeigersinn dreht, und der andere der Antriebshebel (320B) auf den anderen Betätigungsstab (332B) drückt, wenn der Betätigungshebel (307) mit dem Nocken aus seiner freien Stellung im Gegenuhrzeigersinn dreht,
    wobei jeder der Antriebshebel (320A, 320B) ein Hebelverhältnis, definiert als das Verhältnis des Abstandes zwischen dem Drehpunkt des Antriebshebels und dem Einwirkpunkt auf den entsprechenden Betätigungsstab (332A, 332B) zum Abstand zwischen dem Drehpunkt und dem Punkt, wo auf den Antriebshebel (320A, 320B) über die Nockenmittel (313A, 313B) eingewirkt wird, derart hat, daß der Antriebshebel (320A, 320B) der Bewegungskraft entgegenwirkt, die auf die Nockenmittel durch die Rückholfeder (314) ausgeübt wird, wenn der Betätigungshebel (307) im Begriff ist, über seine freie Neutralstellung hinaus zurückbewegt zu werden, um so eine Drehung des Betätigungshebels (307) zurück über seine freie Stellung hinaus zu verhindern.
  2. Endschalter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß Hebelmittel (317A, 317B), die zwischen den Nockenmitteln (313A, 313B) und den Kolbenmitteln (316A, 316B) wirken, vorgesehen sind.
  3. Endschalter nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Nockenmittel zwei Nocken (313A, 313B) aufweisen, von denen jeder einem der beiden Betätigungsstäbe (332A, 332B) zugeordnet ist.
EP90105837A 1989-03-28 1990-03-27 Endschalter Expired - Lifetime EP0390084B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP35358/89U 1989-03-28
JP3535889U JPH02126328U (de) 1989-03-28 1989-03-28
JP269478/89 1989-10-17
JP1269478A JP2824920B2 (ja) 1989-10-17 1989-10-17 リミツトスイッチ

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0390084A2 EP0390084A2 (de) 1990-10-03
EP0390084A3 EP0390084A3 (de) 1992-03-04
EP0390084B1 true EP0390084B1 (de) 1996-07-10

Family

ID=26374336

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90105837A Expired - Lifetime EP0390084B1 (de) 1989-03-28 1990-03-27 Endschalter

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0390084B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE140338T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69027696T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR930006769A (ko) * 1991-09-14 1993-04-21 다테이시 요시오 리미트 스위치
CN103192382B (zh) * 2012-01-06 2015-06-03 沈阳新松机器人自动化股份有限公司 基于磁力的行程限位机构
CN103197726A (zh) * 2012-01-06 2013-07-10 沈阳新松机器人自动化股份有限公司 基于微动开关的行程限位机构
JP6866864B2 (ja) * 2018-03-14 2021-04-28 オムロン株式会社 リミットスイッチ
DE102020104577B3 (de) * 2020-02-21 2021-01-21 Alpha Deuren International Bv Elektrisches Schaltelement

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3749860A (en) * 1971-12-30 1973-07-31 Allen Bradley Co Sealed limit switch
US3829637A (en) * 1973-01-02 1974-08-13 Gen Electric Limit switch having mechanism to eliminate unwanted reactivation thereof
US3959614A (en) * 1974-10-07 1976-05-25 Allen-Bradley Company Limit switch rotary return mechanism
JPS57162219A (en) * 1981-03-30 1982-10-06 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Holding type sealed switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69027696D1 (de) 1996-08-14
ATE140338T1 (de) 1996-07-15
EP0390084A3 (de) 1992-03-04
DE69027696T2 (de) 1997-03-06
EP0390084A2 (de) 1990-10-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5028748A (en) Limit switch
EP0390084B1 (de) Endschalter
US3252345A (en) Actuating mechanism and parts therefor or the like
US4718343A (en) Resilient sheet gripper for a sheet-fed rotary printing press
US4847453A (en) Limit switch with actuator
US5521347A (en) Switch device
US4716828A (en) Resilient sheet gripper for a sheet-fed rotary printing press
US3100824A (en) Limit switch
JP3666916B2 (ja) ギヤ切換え装置
US3983349A (en) Electrical switch
US3588401A (en) Inverted pendulum oscillating controller impact switch with decreasing returning forces acting upon the pendulum as it pivots from its normal position
JPH11283466A (ja) リミットスイッチ
JPS6222983Y2 (de)
JPS6222984Y2 (de)
SU582531A1 (ru) Привод дл выключател
US3723683A (en) Snap action switch assembly
JPS6331314Y2 (de)
JP2824920B2 (ja) リミツトスイッチ
JPH02195622A (ja) サーモスタット
SU1357192A1 (ru) Устройство дл автоматического позиционировани на упоре рабочего органа станка
US3272950A (en) Constant-load spring-loaded electrical switch
SU1523802A1 (ru) Винтовой привод
JPH04108446U (ja) ターンシグナルスイツチのキヤンセル機構
SU843006A1 (ru) Переключатель
RU1820421C (ru) Привод выключател

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19900327

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI NL SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19940322

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI NL SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Effective date: 19960710

Ref country code: DK

Effective date: 19960710

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY

Effective date: 19960710

Ref country code: LI

Effective date: 19960710

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19960710

Ref country code: AT

Effective date: 19960710

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 19960710

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19960710

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 140338

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19960715

Kind code of ref document: T

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: STUDIO TORTA SOCIETA' SEMPLICE

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69027696

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19960814

ET Fr: translation filed
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19961010

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20050316

Year of fee payment: 16

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050327

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20060310

Year of fee payment: 17

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20060331

Year of fee payment: 17

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20070327

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20071130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20071002

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070327

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070402

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060331