Water-resistant rocker switch

• US 4,287,400 A
• Filed: 11/01/1979
• Issued: 09/01/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Timex Corporation (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Corporation (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: Kitik, Walter, Kurpiewski, Stanley, Reder, Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Little, Willis
• Application Number:
  US06/090,203
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 200/302, 200/339, 200/304, 200/44, 200/321, 368/289, 368/291, 368/320, 368/321, 368/288, 368/290
• US Class Current: 200/302.3
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/085 Casings hermetically closed by a diaphragm through which passes an actuating member vacuum switches H01H33/66

Abstract

A rocker switch for actuation from outside the bezel or case of a watertight wristwatch employs a rocker arm making contact with the bezel through its pivot pin and having a stem for contacting internal terminals. The handle of the rocker arm is imbedded in adhesive elastomer which is also adhered to the bezel to provide spring action and a water-resistant seal.

Claims

1. An improved water resistant rocker switch comprising:

a water-resistant conductive case member defining a bore therethrough, said bore comprising a larger diameter section toward the outside of the case member and a small diameter section toward the inside of the case member,

a rocker arm disposed in said bore having an actuating handle extending on the outside of the case and a contact stem portion extending toward the inside of the case,

electrically conductive support means electrically connected with the case member and pivotably supporting the rocker arm in the bore, said support means comprising a pivot pin on the rocker arm having its ends supported in grooves in said smaller diameter section of the bore,

an adhesive elastomer filling a portion of the bore between and adhered to the rocker arm and the case member and adapted to provide spring action while sealing and to allow pivoting movement of the arm, and

at least one contact terminal insulated from the case member and spaced from the contact stem portion in its normal position and positioned to be contacted by said stem portion when the rocker arm is pivoted by actuation of the actuating handle.

2. An improved water-resistant switch for a timepiece comprising:

a water-resistant conductive watchcase defining a bore therethrough having a first larger diameter section toward the outside of the case and a second smaller diameter section toward the inside of the case,

a rocker arm disposed in said bore having an actuating handle extending from the outside of the case, and a contact stem portion extending through the smaller diameter section of the bore,

a pivot pin attached to said rocker arm and pivotably supporting the rocker arm coaxially within said bore, said pivot pin resting in grooves defined in the smaller diameter bore section,

washer means disposed in the larger bore section covering the pivot pin,

an adhesive elastomer filling the larger diameter section around the actuator handle and adhered to the case and actuating handle,

insulating plug means disposed in the smaller diameter bore section around the contact stem portion, and

at least one contact terminal means held on the insulating plug member and spaced from the stem portion and adapted to be contacted by the stem portion when the actuating handle is moved, whereby electrical contact is made from the case member to the contact terminal.

3. An improved water resistant rocker switch comprising:

a water-resistant conductive case member defining a bore therethrough, said bore including a larger diameter section toward the outside of the case,

a rocker arm disposed in said bore having an actuating handle extending on the outside of the case and a contact stem portion extending toward the inside of the case,

a washer member disposed around the rocker arm in said larger diameter section,

electrically conductive support means electrically connected with the case member and pivotably supporting the rocker arm in the bore,

an adhesive elastomer filling said larger diameter section of the bore between and adhered to the actuating handle of the rocker arm and the case member and adapted to provide spring action while sealing and to allow pivoting movement of the arm, and

at least one contact terminal insulated from the case member and spaced from the contact stem portion in its normal position and positioned to be contacted by said stem portion when the rocker arm is pivoted by actuation of the actuating handle.

4. An improved water resistant rocker switch comprising:

a water-resistant conductive case member defining a bore therethrough,

a rocker arm disposed in said bore having an actuating handle extending on the outside of the case and a contact stem portion extending toward the inside of the case,

electrically conductive support means electrically connected with the case member and pivotably supporting the rocker arm in the bore,

an adhesive elastomer filling a portion of the bore between and adhered to the rocker arm and the case member and adapted to provide spring action while sealing and to allow pivoting movement of the arm,

at least one contact terminal insulated from the case member and spaced from the contact stem portion in its normal position and positioned to be contacted by said stem portion when the rocker arm is pivoted by actuation of the actuating handle, and

a guard member spring mounted to said case and having a pair of tabs preventing rocking movement of the actuating handle until said tabs are displaced.