Operating panel

• US 4,613,736 A
• Filed: 12/06/1984
• Issued: 09/23/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kato, Takeshi, Shichijo, Hajime, Tsukatani, Masamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Luebke, Rence S.
• Application Number:
  US06/677,904
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 200/159 B, 200/314, 200/5 A, 200/317
• US Class Current: 200/317
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/466 using a living hinge to connect the levers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/07 metallic
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/028 Printed information
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/056 Diffuser; Uneven surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/03 Stoppers for on or off position
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/044 Elastic part on actuator or casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/05 Force concentrator; Actuating dimple
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/08 composed of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/0345 with keys positioned directly next to each other without an intermediate bezel or frame
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/016 Selective etching
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/002 joined to form button rows
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/00 Details of adjusting, driving, indicating, or mechanical control arrangements for resonant circuits in general
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/08 Constructional details, e.g. cabinet

Abstract

An operating switch panel, such as for an audio equipment tuner, utilizes a metal plate which is divided into a plurality of operating parts by simultaneous etching from both sides. Connecting parts remain between individual operating parts. Thin hinges are formed on the operating parts by etching from the back surface of the metal plate, dividing each operating part into two stationary and movable parts. The stationary parts are connected to each other through the connecting parts. Display parts in the form of recesses are formed on the surface of the metal plate respectively at each operating part. Projections are formed on the back surfaces of the movable parts for engaging associated switches. A number of operating parts can be arranged close to each other in a simplified and economical manufacturing process.

Claims

1. A switch operating panel for electronic equipment comprising:

a unitary metal plate adapted for mounting on a frame and divided into a plurality of juxtaposed switch operating parts by simultaneous etching from front and back surfaces thereof, said operating parts being separated from one another only by slits formed therebetween except for connecting parts remaining extending between said operating parts, said connecting parts formed as relatively reduced thickness on said metal plate by etching from the front surface of said metal plate,

thin wall portion hinges respectively formed on said operating parts by etching from the back surface of said metal plate, each said hinge dividing said corresponding operating part into stationary and movable parts, said stationary parts being connected to each other by said connecting parts,

display parts respectively formed only on said stationary parts by etching from the front surface of said metal plate, and

projections respectively connected to back surfaces of said movable parts for engaging associated switch means interiorly mounted on said frame, and engaging parts respectively connected to the back surfaces of said movable parts at the free ends thereof for abutting against associated stop surfaces formed on said frame to maintain said movable parts normally flush with one another.

2. The switch operating panel of claim 1, wherein said operating parts are normally flush with one another.

3. The switch operating panel of claim 2, wherein said engaging parts are each of a L-shaped side profile.

4. The switch operating panel of claim 1, wherein said hinges each have a longitudinal axis parallel with a longitudinal axis of said metal plate.

5. The switch operating panel of claim 1, wherein said frame is mounted in an opening formed in an equipment front panel, said front panel being made of metal.

6. The switch operating panel of claim 1, wherein said metal plate is made of stainless steel.

7. The switch operating panel of claim 1, further comprising a through hole formed in at least one of said stationary parts by simultaneous etching from the front and back surfaces of said metal plate and a light-emitting element mounted in said frame in associated correspondence with said at least one through hole for displaying light therethrough, said light-emitting element being triggered by said associated switch means.