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Push buttons

  • US 4,540,865 A
  • Filed: 02/29/1984
  • Issued: 09/10/1985
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A push button device, comprising:

  • a moulded resilient body;

    a substantially flat base member having electrical contacts, said moulded resilient body and base member forming a sealed hollow enclosure; and

    a guide plate having at least one opening therein, said moulded resilient body partially protruding through the opening in said guide plate;

    said moulded resilient body comprising an inner flat base portion attached and parallel to said base member, a side wall portion which includes an arcuate deformable portion of essentially quarter-circle configuration in cross-section, and a substantially rigid guide portion which partially protrudes through the opening in said guide plate;

    said moulded resilient body further comprising a substantially flat outer cover portion extending parallel to the base portion, and a tapered projection having a resilient deformable tip;

    said flat base portion of said moulded resilient body being integral with an inner end of said arcuate deformable wall portion in a substantially perpendicular relationship, said substantially rigid guide wall portion being substantially perpendicular to said base member and to an outer end of said arcuate deformable wall portion and having an inner end integral with the outer end of said arcuate deformable wall portion, said cover portion being substantially parallel to the base portion and integral with an outer end of said rigid guide wall portion, said tapered projection being integral with said cover portion and projecting from substantially an entire internal surface area of said cover portion to present a reduced inner tip surface area extending parallel to said base member, with said reduced inner surface area being located over said base member electrical contacts,said guide plate being shaped and mounted to restrict movement of the base portion of said moulded resilient body relative to said base member; and

    said moulded resilient body arcuate deformable wall portion deforming when a load is applied to said cover portion, causing substantially perpendicular movement of said tapered projection toward said base member and a two-stage deformation of tactile response by said arcuate deforming wall portion, said tapered projection after the second stage of deformation causing electrical connection between said base member contacts but having sufficient deformability in its tip to prevent excessive load being applied to said base member and causing damage thereto.

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