Dual function pusher and rotate switch for solid state digital watches having detent spring
First Claim
1. A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly for an electronic watch having a case with an opening for access to the interior thereof which comprises:
- a shaft mountable in said opening for axial and rotational movement and having an eccentric tab at the interior end thereof, and a detent retainer section, and an actuating end portion;
a plurality of switch blade means mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab; and
biasing means engaging the detent retainer section and the shaft for providing longitudinal and detented rotational movement of the shaft to enable engagement with a selected switch blade by the eccentric tab with longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the shaft.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual function pusher and rotate switch assembly for actuating, for example, a display light and/or time correction which includes a crown portion on the outside of the watch case and a shaft portion extending through the wall of the case. The shaft portion includes an intermediate section on the inside of the case which cooperates with a spring to provide a two position rotary detent action.
In addition to permitting detent holding of the stem in the proper contact position, the spring arrangement also enables biased axial movement of the stem. The internal end of the shaft includes an eccentric tab which contacts a precisely positioned first switch blade when the stem being in a first detent position is pushed-in or contacts a second switch blade if the crown is rotated to a second detent position. If the crown is pushed-in while in the second detent position, both switch blades are engaged causing actuation of two functions such as causing simultaneous illumination and updating of the display.
98 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A dual function rotate and pusher device and switch assembly for an electronic watch having a case with an opening for access to the interior thereof which comprises:
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a shaft mountable in said opening for axial and rotational movement and having an eccentric tab at the interior end thereof, and a detent retainer section, and an actuating end portion; a plurality of switch blade means mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab; and biasing means engaging the detent retainer section and the shaft for providing longitudinal and detented rotational movement of the shaft to enable engagement with a selected switch blade by the eccentric tab with longitudinal and/or rotational movement of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A dual function rotate and pusher stem device and switch assembly for a digital watch having a case with an opening for access to the interior thereof which comprises:
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a shaft mountable in said opening for axial and rotational movement and having an eccentric tab at the interior end thereof, and an intermediate section having a detent retainer section, and an end portion projecting outwardly from the case; a first switch blade mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab with the shaft being in a first detent position and pushed-in longitudinally; a second switch blade mounted for selective engagement with the eccentric tab with the shaft being rotated to a second detent position; biasing means engaging the detent retainer section to provide a detent action and for engaging the shaft to urge the shaft into a longitudinal position to disengage the eccentric tab from the first switch blade, said shaft being pushed-in longitudinally against the bias of the biasing means to a longitudinal position to engage the eccentric tab with the first switch blade, said biasing means returning said shaft to the disengaged longitudinal position upon release of the shaft.
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Specification