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Pivotable pushbutton operated multiple switch assembly

  • US 5,164,554 A
  • Filed: 03/14/1991
  • Issued: 11/17/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A pushbutton operated multiple switch assembly comprising:

  • a print circuit board;

    a stay secured to the printed circuit board;

    a plurality of switches arranged on the printed circuit board at predetermined intervals and at a predetermined distance from the stay;

    a plurality of U-shaped pushbutton operation receiver portions each having a central portion and two depending leg portions, each leg portion being positionable above the printed circuit board with a space being defined therebetween, a switch activating portion being formed at the central portion and being placed over a corresponding switch, the switch activating portion being movable to depress the corresponding switch and the leg portions then engaging the printed circuit board, said pushbutton operation receiver portions being formed integral with, and suspended by, the stay through resilient arms that extend from the stay;

    a pushbutton supported by the stay, the stay preventing a central portion of the pushbutton from being depressed, the pushbutton having a plurality of first and second areas, each of the first areas overlying a switch and the second areas overlying a position between adjacent switches; and

    a plurality of pushbutton operation transmission portions placed between the pushbutton and the pushbutton operation receiver portions, each of said pushbutton operation transmission portions being engaged with ends of two adjacent pushbutton operation receiver portions above one of the depending leg portions of the two adjacent pushbutton operation receiver portions, each of the pushbutton operation transmission portions being beneath one of the second areas of the pushbutton, and depression of one of the second ares of the pushbutton moving said pushbutton operation transmission portion to twist the two adjacent pushbutton operation receiver portions such that only one leg portion of each operation receiver portion adjacent the operation transmission portion is depressed while the other leg portion of each of the adjacent operation receiver portions remains above and out of engagement with the printed circuit board,whereby a switch is activated by the switch activating portion of one of the pushbutton operation receiver portions when the pushbutton is depressed in the first area overlying the switch and whereby a switch fails to be activated when the pushbutton is depressed in a second area due to one of the pushbutton operation transmission portions engaging the two adjacent pushbutton operation receiver portions to prevent depression of the switch activating portion of either adjacent pushbutton operation receiver portion with the corresponding switches.

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