Simplified actuating switch for electronic timepieces

• US 4,007,347 A
• Filed: 07/28/1975
• Issued: 02/08/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terry M. Haber
• Original Assignee: Terry M. Haber
• Inventors: Haber, Terry M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Application Number:
  US05/599,647
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 200/52 R, 200/159 R, 200/159 A, 200/329, 200/340, 200/302, 58/23, 58/50 R, 58/85.5, 58/90 R, 58/90 B, 58/63, 58/73
• US Class Current: 200/530
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/005 Multiple switches G04C3/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/12 Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/016 Application timepiece

Abstract

An improved command and/or set switch for digital type electronic watches which require operation of the command switch to view the display or operation of the set switch for setting the time, comprises a conducting pin extending through an opening in the side of the watch casing towards the interior module contact. A single O-ring provides a seal for the pin within the opening. A spring conductor in the form of a flat band is disposed internally of the casing and makes continuous electrical contact with the casing, this spring also biasing the pin outwardly or away from the internal module contact. With this arrangement, depression of the pin into the casing causes the inner end of the pin to electrically engage the module contact and complete a circuit from the contact through the pin and spring to the casing. The spring not only serves as the conducting medium but also as a shock absorber for the module of the casing.

Claims

1. A switch for electrically connecting a module contact interior of the casing of an electronic time-piece to the casing comprising:

a. a pin passing through an opening in the side of said casing in a direction towards said contact; and

b. a spring conductor in the form of a band in the interior of said casing engaging said pin and having a transversely extending curved portion engaging the inner surface of said casing in a manner to bias said pin away from said contact, said spring being continuously in electrical engagement with said inner surface, whereby movement of said pin against the bias of said spring through the opening in said casing towards said contact causes the inner end of said pin to engage said contact to thereby electrically connect said contact to said casing through said pin and spring conductor.

2. A switch according to claim 1, including an O-ring surrounding said pin within said opening to provide a seal.

3. In an electronic timepiece having a conductive casing, an internal module with at least one contact, and a module positioning spacing ring, an improved actuating switch for effecting an electrical connection between said contact and said casing, including, in combination:

a. an elongated conductive pin positioned within an opening in the side of said casing for longitudinal movement towards and away from said contact within the casing;

b. an O-ring surrounding said pin within said opening to provide a moisture seal; and

c. a spring conductor in the form of a curved band running transversely of the inner portion of said pin and including a center hole through which said pin passes, said module positioning spacing ring having a cut-out portion to accommodate said spring conductor and expose said contact, said pin having a collar against which the periphery of the hole in said spring bears to urge said pin away from said contact, the extending ends of said spring curling towards the inner surface of said casing on either side of said pin to make electrical contact therewith.

whereby said spring conductor functions as a shock absorber between said module and casing and as an electrical conductor to complete a circuit from said contact to said casing when said pin is urged from the exterior of the casing towards said contact into electrical engagement therewith against the bias of said spring.

4. The subject matter of claim 3, in which the extending ends of said spring are curled to present a surface contact with said casing such that the conducting surface is wiped when said spring is flexed by movement of said pin, whereby the contacting surfaces are maintained in a conductive condition.

5. The subject matter of claim 3, in which the outer end of said pin extends beyond the exterior of said casing so that it may be manually urged inwardly to close the switch by a user'"'"'s finger.

6. The subject matter of claim 3, in which the outer end of said pin does not extend beyond the exterior of said casing, said outer end having a depression for receiving a tool for urging the pin towards said contact to close the switch whereby said pin cannot be inadvertently moved into conductive engagement with said contact.