OILCAN PUSHBUTTON SWITCH

• US 3,590,195 A
• Filed: 10/31/1968
• Issued: 06/29/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: STC PLC (f/k/a Standard Telephones and Cables)
• Original Assignee: Driver Douglas Louis Ashton
• Inventors: DRIVER DOUGLAS LOUIS ASHTON
• Application Number:
  US04/772,166
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• US Class Current: 200/513
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7013 in which the movable contacts of each switch site or of a row of switch sites are formed in a single plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/80 characterised by the manner of cooperation of the contacts, e.g. with both contacts movable or with bounceless contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/004 Wiping action
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/03 Composite
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/016 Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/036 Metallic disc
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/024 Profile on actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2225/014 normally closed combined with normally open
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/026 Riveting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/028 Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/022 Telephone handset
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/006 Guided plunger or ball
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

An array of pushbuttons is formed as domes in a plate of springy material. The domes behave in the manner of the base of an oilcan-snapping in when pressure is applied to close pushbutton contacts and snapping out to open the contacts when pressure is released.

Claims

1. An array of pushbutton switches including a plate of springy material having integral dome-shaped projections thereon which provide the pushbutton, each of the projections being such that, when the plate is held substantially rigid, pressure on the dome causes a snap-action deformation thereof and the deformed material resumes its original shape with a snap action on release of the pressure, a plate of insulating material carrying a set of fixed contacts in positions corresponding to the pushbuttons, a further plate carrying a set of movable contacts, at least one for each pushbutton and each resiliently biased against displacement, a mechanical coupling member for each pushbutton coupling it to its movable contact or contacts, means for locating the movable contacts with respect to their corresponding pushbuttons and means for clamping the assembly of plates and locating means together, the arrangement being such that when a dome is snapped into is deformed condition its associated movable contact, or each of them, is carried from its normal to its operated condition with respect to one or more of the fixed contacts.

2. An array as claimed in claim 1 including a faceplate through which the pushbutton domes project and means for rigidly supporting the plate of springy material agaiNst the faceplate.

3. An array as claimed in claim 2 including flexible insulating material covering the domes and such further parts of the plate of springy material as may be exposed through the faceplate, the flexible insulating material carrying indicia for the respective pushbuttons.