Switch device

• US 5,168,982 A
• Filed: 04/12/1991
• Issued: 12/08/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Hakanen, Pekka, Leman, Ari
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARRETT, GLENN
• Application Number:
  US07/687,595
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 200/329, 200/330, 200/332.1, 200/341, 200/345, 200/61.76, 200/61.81, 200/61.82, 200/517, 200/331, 200/290, 200/342, 200/61.41, 200/61.4, 379/422, 379/423, 379/424, 379/425, 379/426, 379/427
• US Class Current: 200/342
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/18 adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. door switch, limit switch, floor-levelling switch of a lift
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/20 Driving mechanisms

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch device which is suitable for use, for example, in a telephone to detect the presence of the handset (11) in the cradle (9). The switch device comprises a frame (3), a switch (4) movable in relation to the frame, and a separate plunger (2) acting on the switch, the plunger comprising a press knob (5) and a spring part (6). The plunger operates by bringing the switch (4) into the connecting position and by releasing it, after the pressure has ceased, to return to the initial position. It is essential in the invention that the spring part (6) of the plunger comprises a part which is against the switch (4) and is wider than the switch, is of a resilient material and hollow. This part (6) may be made up, for example, of a transverse sleeve or ring as an extension of the press knob (5). When the plunger has brought the switch (4) to the connecting position and the pressure continues, the spring part will receive the pressure by bearing on the frame of the device on the different sides of the switch and by yielding at the same time by flattening.

Claims

1. A switch device adapted for mounting on a wall comprising:

a switch with a frame and a switch actuator projecting from said frame, said actuator being movable from an initial position to a connecting position upon applying pressure thereto, and from the connecting position to the initial position upon release of the pressure; and

a plunger acting on said switch actuator and having a press knob and a hollow spring member formed of a resilient material, said hollow spring member having a base in contact with said switch actuator and having a width substantially greater than the width of said switch actuator, said hollow spring member acting on said switch actuator upon application of pressure to said press knob to move said switch actuator from its initial position to its connecting position, said hollow spring member moving said switch actuator to the connecting position without being substantially deformed, upon further application of pressure to said pressure knob, said spring member engaging said frame on opposite sides of said switch actuator and yielding to pressure by being deformed at a location where said switch actuator engages said hollow spring member.

2. A switch device according to claim 1, wherein the spring member of the plunger is ring-like in configuration.

3. A switch device according to claim 2, wherein the spring member comprises a flat ring part located on an end of the press knob and extending transverse to a direction of movement of the knob.

4. A switch device according to claim 3, wherein the plunger is formed of injection-molded plastic.

5. A switch device according to claim 1, wherein the spring member of the plunger is sleeve-like in configuration.

6. A switch device according to claim 1, wherein said switch device is mounted on a wall having inner and outer surfaces, and an opening therethrough, said frame is located behind the inner surface in spaced relation thereto, and the plunger extends through the opening in the wall, and said press knob is depressible from the outer surface of the wall, said press knob having an end projecting out of the outer surface of the wall and an opposite end, said spring member comprising a flat ring part located at said opposite end and extending transverse to a direction of movement of said press knob.

7. A switch device according to claim 6, wherein the device, is part of a telephone in which the wall constitutes a cradle for a handset, the handset on the cradle being arranged to press the press knob and thus to keep the switch actuator in the connecting position.