Button assembly with status indicator and programmable backlighting

• US 20070209912A1
• Filed: 04/11/2007
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Legrand Home Systems Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Vantage Controls, Inc. (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Allen, Douglas, Clegg, Paul, Day, Wallace
• Granted Patent: US 7,361,853 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/5.A
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2207/048 Inductive or infrared coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/056 Modular conception
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/066 replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/058 flush mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/022 Modular assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/004 Cantilever
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/016 combined with start switch, discrete keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

A configurable switch matrix assembly with button assembly is disclosed for keypads used in devices such as primary control points for automation systems in homes vehicles, or commercial environments. The configurable switch matrix assembly preferably includes a frame for supporting a plurality of positionable cross members and optionally a baffle. The cross members and frame each preferably include cantilevers which can be deflected by pressing the button assemblies to activate switches associated with the keypad. Dynamic status lights and back lights may provide illumination of varying colors and intensities. Button labels may be easily replaced in the button assemblies. Button assemblies of different sizes and shapes may be easily attached to the configurable switch matrix assembly in various configurations without the need for different attaching devices for each situation and/or environment.

Claims

1-93. -93. (canceled)

94. A switch matrix for use in a keypad, said switch matrix comprising:

a support frame; and

at least one key positioning member disposed on said support frame, said at least one key positioning member comprising a first cantilever and key attaching means for removably attaching a key to said key positioning member;

wherein keys of different sizes and shapes may be attached to said switch matrix.

95. The switch matrix of claim 94 further comprising a switch activating protrusion disposed on said first cantilever.

96. The switch matrix of claim 95 wherein said switch activating protrusion is disposed on an opposite side of said first cantilever from said key attaching means.

97. The switch matrix of claim 94 further comprising a second cantilever having a fixed end and a free end.

98. The switch matrix of claim 97 wherein said first cantilever is disposed on said free end of said second cantilever.

99. The switch matrix of claim 98 wherein a free end of said first cantilever extends in a direction toward said fixed end of said second cantilever.

100. The switch matrix of claim 97 wherein said first cantilever extends parallel to said second cantilever.

101. The switch matrix of claim 97 wherein said second cantilever comprises a pair of arms, and wherein said first cantilever resides between the pair of arms of the second cantilever.

102. The switch matrix of claim 94 wherein said support frame comprises at least one longitudinal member and at least one lateral member substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal member.

103. The switch matrix of claim 102 wherein said support frame comprises two longitudinal members and four lateral members.

104. The switch matrix of claim 94 wherein said support frame comprises at least one groove for attaching said switch matrix to said keypad.

105. The switch matrix of claim 94 wherein said at least one key positioning member comprises a plurality of key positioning members disposed in a series of rows and columns.

106. The switch matrix of claim 105 wherein said series of rows and columns comprises four rows and three columns to include twelve key positioning members.

107. The switch matrix of claim 94 wherein said key attaching member comprises a knob.

108. The switch matrix of claim 107 wherein said knob is substantially diamond shaped.

109. The switch matrix of claim 94 further comprising at least one stud disposed thereon for aligning the switch matrix so that the keys register with switches.

110. The switch matrix of claim 94 further comprising at least one leg for supporting said switch matrix in said keypad.

111. The switch matrix of claim 94 further comprising at least one resilient clip for attaching said switch matrix to other components within said keypad.

112. A switch matrix for use in a keypad, said switch matrix comprising:

a plurality of key positioning members, each key positioning member comprising a first cantilever having an attached end, and a second cantilever having a fixed end and a free end, said attached end of said first cantilever disposed on said free end of said second cantilever;

wherein said key positioning members are configured to receive a key such that when said key is depressed, said first cantilever in adapted to deflect to activate a switch.

113. The switch matrix of claim 112 further comprising a switch activating protrusion disposed on said first cantilever.

114. The switch matrix of claim 112 further comprising key attaching means for removably attaching said key to said plurality of key positioning members.

115. The switch matrix of claim 112 wherein a free end of said first cantilever extends in a direction toward said fixed end of said second cantilever.

116. The switch matrix of claim 112 wherein said first cantilever extends parallel to said second cantilever.

117. The switch matrix of claim 112 wherein said second cantilever comprises a pair of arms, and said first cantilever resides between said pair of arms of said second cantilever.

118. The switch matrix of claim 112 further comprising a support frame for supporting said plurality of key positioning members.

119. The switch matrix of claim 118 wherein said support frame comprises at least one longitudinal member and at least one lateral member substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal member.

120. The switch matrix of claim 119 wherein said support frame comprises two longitudinal members and four lateral members.

121. The switch matrix of claim 118 wherein said support frame comprises at least one groove for attaching said switch matrix to said keypad.

122. The switch matrix of claim 112 wherein said plurality of key positioning members are disposed in a series of rows and columns.

123. The switch matrix of claim 114 wherein said key attaching means comprises a knob.

124. The switch matrix of claim 123 wherein said knob is substantially diamond shaped.

125. The switch matrix of claim 112 further comprising at least one stud disposed thereon for aligning the switch matrix so that the keys register with switches.

126. The switch matrix of claim 112 further comprising at least one leg for supporting said switch matrix in said keypad.

127. The switch matrix of claim 112 further comprising at least one resilient clip for attaching said switch matrix to other components within said keypad.

128. A switch matrix for use in a keypad, said switch matrix comprising:

a plurality of key positioning members, each of said plurality of key positioning members comprising a knob; and

at least one key having an opening defined by a sidewall, said opening configured to receive said knob to removably attach said at least one key to said knob with a friction fit;

wherein said at least one key may be attached to any of said plurality of key positioning members such that a configuration of said at least one key on said keypad may be varied.

129. The switch matrix of claim 128 wherein said at least one key further comprises a light pipe to direct light from a lower surface of said at least one key to an upper surface of said at least one key.

130. The switch matrix of claim 129 wherein said light pipe is attached to said key by interfitting parts such that no adhesive or fasteners are required.

131. The switch matrix of claim 128 wherein said plurality of key positioning members each comprise a first cantilever adapted to deflect to contact a switch.

132. The switch matrix of claim 131 wherein said first cantilever comprises an attached end, said attached end of said first cantilever being attached to a free end of a second cantilever.

133. The switch matrix of claim 132 wherein said second cantilever comprises a pair of arms, and said first cantilever resides between said pair of arms of said second cantilever.

134. The switch matrix of claim 128 further comprising a support frame for supporting said plurality of key positioning members.

135. The switch matrix of claim 134 wherein said support frame comprises at least one longitudinal member and at least one lateral member substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal member.

136. The switch matrix of claim 134 wherein said support frame comprises at least one groove for receiving a tab to attach said switch matrix to said keypad.

137. The switch matrix of claim 128 wherein said plurality of key positioning members are disposed in a series of rows and columns.

138. The switch matrix of claim 128 wherein said knob is substantially diamond shaped.

139. A method of attaching one or more keys to a keypad comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a switch matrix having a plurality locations where said one or more keys may be attached;

(b) attaching said switch matrix to said keypad;

(c) providing said one or more keys of a first size and shape;

(d) selecting one or more of said plurality of locations on said switch matrix to attach said one or more keys; and

(e) pressing said one or more keys on said one or more of said selected plurality of locations to attach said one or more keys to said keypad.

140. The method of claim 139 further comprising covering said switch matrix with a face plate.

141. The method of claim 139 wherein step (e) further comprises joining a knob on said one or more of said selected plurality of locations with an opening on said one or more keys to fasten said one or more keys to said keypad with a friction fit.

142. The method of claim 139 further comprising removing said one or more keys from said keypad by pulling on said one or more keys.

143. The method of claim 142 further comprising providing one or more keys of a second size and shape different from said first size and shape, and pressing said one or more keys of said second size and shape on said one or more of said selected plurality of locations to attach said one or more keys of said second size and shape to said keypad.

144. The method of claim 142 further comprising selecting another one or more of said plurality of locations and pressing said one or more keys on said another one or more of said plurality of locations to attach said one or more keys to said keypad.

145. A method for attaching keys of different sizes and shapes to a keypad, said method comprising:

(a) providing a switch matrix having a plurality of attaching means for removably attaching said keys;

(b) providing said keys having corresponding attaching means independent of the size and shape of said keys;

(c) selecting a configuration of said keys to be attached on said keypad;

(d) selecting said attaching means corresponding to the configuration of said keys to be attached on said keypad; and

(e) joining said corresponding attaching means to said selected attaching means to thereby attach said keys to said keypad.

146. A switch matrix for use in a keypad, said switch matrix comprising:

a grid of key attaching means for removably attaching keys of different sizes to said switch matrix;

wherein said keys may be selectively attached to said key attaching means to form different key configurations.