Seesaw switch

• US 5,584,380 A
• Filed: 07/28/1994
• Issued: 12/17/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Naitou, Kiyotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US08/282,050
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 200/553, 200/557, 200/561, 200/339, 200/520, 200/5 R, 200/517, 200/341, 200/315
• US Class Current: 200/315
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/00 Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch wherein the operating part is flexible H01H17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/145 the actuating surface having two slightly inclined areas extending from the middle outward
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/30 with stable centre positions and one or both end positions unstable

Abstract

There is disclosed a seesaw switch which includes two rubber contacts (4a, 4b) juxtaposed on a printed board (2) within a case (1) defining a through hole (6) above the rubber contacts (4a, 4b), a key button (12) inserted in the through hole (6) from inside the case (1) and placed on pushing elements (5a, 5b) formed on the rubber contacts (4a, 4b), and a collar portion (22) formed at lower end of the key button (12) and abutting against an inner surface of the case (1) on the periphery of the through hole (6).

Claims

1. A seesaw switch for switching an electric circuit on and off comprising

a key button adapted to be pushed toward, and biased away from, said electric circuit,

a case having a through hole, defined by a periphery, said key button being inserted into said through hole, with a space between said periphery and said key button;

a printed board within said case and adapted to carry said electric circuit,

two elastic elements below said through hole and placed on said printed board;

a conductor connected to each of said elastic elements for contacting conductive portions formed on said printed board when said elastic elements are deformed;

a collar portion integral with said key button at a lower end thereof and abutting against an inner surface of said case on said periphery of said through hole;

a light emitter between said key button and said printed board, said collar portion preventing escape of light from said emitter through said space; and

a pushing element formed separately from said elastic elements and said key button and placed on each of said elastic elements, each pushing element abutting at an upper end thereof against an opposite lower end of said key button to transmit an upward urging force of said elastic elements to each said opposite end of said key button.

2. The seesaw switch of claim 1 further comprising

a restrictive element fixed adjacent said elastic elements in said case so as to prevent both of said conductors from simultaneously contacting said conductive portions of said printed board, said restrictive element restricting a push of said key button, said key button having a lower middle portion abutting against said restrictive element when a substantially middle portion of said key button is pushed.

3. The seesaw switch of claim 2, further comprising:

a raised portion raised downwardly from a substantially middle lower portion of said key button, said raised portion abutting against said restrictive element to prevent movement of said key button toward said printed board when the substantially middle portion of said key button is pushed.

4. The seesaw switch of claim 1,

wherein said key button has an upper surface defining a light-pervious window portion,

said seasaw switch further comprising:

said light emitter mounted on said printed board for illuminating said window portion from inside.

5. The seesaw switch of claim 4 further comprising:

a restrictive element fixed adjacent said elastic elements in said case so as to prevent both of said conductors from simultaneously contacting said conductive portions of said printed board, said restrictive element restricting a push of said key button, said key button having a lower middle portion abutting against said restrictive element when a substantially middle portion of said key button is pushed.

6. The seesaw switch of claim 5, further comprising:

a raised portion raised downwardly from a substantially middle lower portion of said key button, said raised portion abutting against said restrictive element to prevent movement of said key button toward said printed board when the substantially middle portion of said key button is pushed.

7. The seesaw switch of claim 1 wherein said key button is adapted for pivotal movement about alternate fulcrums, one of said fulcrums being on said collar portion at a first point remote from a first of said elastic elements, another of said fulcrums being on said collar at a second point remote from a second of said elastic elements, said second point being circumferentially spaced apart from said first point.