Four-way key switch control mechanism

• US 4,520,240 A
• Filed: 12/01/1983
• Issued: 05/28/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Swindler, Dan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US06/556,872
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 200/1 R, 200/5 R, 200/5 A, 200/6 R, 200/6 A, 200/6 B, 200/6 BA, 200/6 BB, 200/6 C, 200/17 R, 200/18, 200/153 K, 200/315, 200/339, 340/706, 340/709, 340/711, 340/712
• US Class Current: 200/5.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/04 Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

A four-way integral switch mechanism allows activation of any one of four switches. This mechanism may be used to position a cursor on a display in both the vertical and horizontal directions where there is a need to control four separate switches to properly locate the cursor. The switch mechanism includes two switch toppers, one of which snaps into and pivots within the other along an axis in a first direction. These two switch toppers then snap into a base which provides a second pivot axis for the second topper which is 90 degrees from the first. The base may have guide pin holes for positioning it as well as the two switch toppers. A spring mechanism engages each of the four lower surfaces of the switch toppers. The switch toppers thereby form one integral whole providing control of four switches by sliding a finger in the direction that cursor movement is desired. Each key has only one degree of freedom, that of rotation, which gives the key a firm controlled feel.

Claims

1. A four-way switch comprising:

a switch key having;

a first switch topper having an upper and lower surface and an opening centrally located therein, said first switch topper also having a first and second pivot element positioned underneath said lower surface, said first and second pivot elements mounted at 90°

to one another;

a second switch topper having an upper and lower surface adapted to be positioned in the opening of said first switch topper so that the upper surfaces of said first and and second switch toppers are substantially flush with one another, said second switch topper having a pivot assembly on its lower surface adapted to engage said first pivot element in said first switch topper to thereby pivotably secure said second switch topper to said first switch topper to allow movement of said second switch topper along a first axis only, and

base means having a pivot assembly thereon adapted to engage said second pivot element on said first switch topper to thereby pivotably secure said first switch topper to said base to allow movement of said first switch topper along a second axis which is 90°

from said first axis;

protuberances located on the bottom surfaces of said first and second switch toppers at the terminal ends thereof; and

spring means engaging each of the protuberances of said first and second switch toppers;

a housing for accommodating said switch key, said housing having four apertures located therein around the periphery of said housing, said housing also comprising alignment means for positioning said switch key within said housing so that each of said protuberances is located directly above one of said apertures; and

electrical switch means located below each of said apertures so that when an operator selectively pushes on the upper surface of either of the first and second switch toppers at the location of one of the protuberances, the electrical switch means located beneath the selected protuberance is activated.

2. The four-way switch of claim 1 wherein said second switch topper pivot assembly and said base means pivot assembly are pivot snap assemblies.

3. The four-way switch of claim 1 wherein the alignment means of said housing comprises guide pins located on the top surface thereof and said spring means is a unitary structure having four arms for engaging the four ends of the bottom surfaces of said first and second switch toppers and means for engaging said guide pins and said base means has holes therein for fitting through said guide pins.

4. An apparatus for controlling a cursor in a digital system including:

a display having said cursor thereon the improvement comprising;

a keyboard housing having a plurality of keys thereon including a cursor switch housing;

a four-way cursor switch key for being disposed within said cursor switch housing, said cursor switch key comprising;

a first switch topper having an upper and lower surface and an opening centrally located therein, said first switch topper also having a first and second pivot element positioned underneath said lower surface, said first and second pivot elements mounted at 90°

to one another;

a second switch topper having an upper and lower surface adapted to be positioned in the opening of said first switch topper so that the upper surfaces of said first and second switch toppers are substantially flush with one another, said second switch topper having a pivot assembly on its lower surface adapted to engage said first pivot element in said first switch topper to thereby pivotably secure said second switch topper to said first switch topper to allow movement of said second switch topper along a first axis only, and

base means having a pivot assembly thereon adapted to engage said second pivot element on said first switch topper to thereby pivotably secure said first switch topper to said base to allow movement of said first switch topper along a second axis which is 90°

from said first axis;

protuberances located on the bottom surfaces of said first and second switch toppers at the terminal ends thereof; and

spring means engaging each of the protuberances of said first and second switch toppers;

said cursor switch housing having four apertures located therein around the periphery of said housing and also comprising alignment means for positioning said cursor switch key within said housing so that each of said protuberances is located directly above one of said apertures; and

a plurality of switches positioned beneath each of said apertures so that when an operator selectively pushes on the upper surface of either of said first and second switch toppers at one end thereof, the switch located beneath the selected end of the switch topper is activated to cause movement of the cursor on the display.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second switch topper pivot assembly and said base means pivot assembly are pivot snap assemblies.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said spring means is a unitary structure having four arms for engaging the four ends of the bottom surfaces of said first and second switch toppers.