Backlit button/switchpad assembly
First Claim
1. A backlit component comprising:
- a support member having an opening formed therein; and
a button member formed separately from the support member so as not to be an integrally-formed appendage of the support member, the button member being disposed at least partially within the opening, the button member being formed of an LIM material, the button member having a surface and at least one integrally-formed hinge member cohesively bonded to the support member so as to flexibly interconnect the button member with the support member such that the button member is flexibly supported within the opening.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A backlit button assembly suitable for use in an illuminated graphic display in an instrument panel of an automobile. The backlit assembly is composed of a support member and any number of molded plastic or silicone rubber buttons or keys that, together with the support member, form a keypad or switchpad. Each button of the assembly is injection molded to include a translucent portion that enables light to be transmitted from a backside of the button to a front surface of the button accessible to a person operating the button assembly. Each button is disposed at least partially within an opening formed in the support member, and has at least one integrally-formed hinge member that is directly adhered to the support member. The hinge member flexibly interconnects the button with the support member such that the button is flexibly supported within the opening in the support member.
69 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A backlit component comprising:
-
a support member having an opening formed therein; and a button member formed separately from the support member so as not to be an integrally-formed appendage of the support member, the button member being disposed at least partially within the opening, the button member being formed of an LIM material, the button member having a surface and at least one integrally-formed hinge member cohesively bonded to the support member so as to flexibly interconnect the button member with the support member such that the button member is flexibly supported within the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A backlit component comprising:
-
a support member having a surface and an opening defined therein by a wall, a space above the surface forming an access region of the backlit component; a button member disposed at least partially within the opening such that a surface of the button member is visible from the access region of the backlit component, the button member being formed of an opaque LIM silicone rubber, the button member including at least one integrally-formed hinge extension cohesively bonded to the wall of the opening so as to flexibly interconnect the button member with the support member and the button member is flexibly supported within the opening; a light-conducting body disposed within the button member, a portion of the light-conducting body being exposed at the surface of the button member; and a light source disposed adjacent the light-conducting body such that light is transmitted from the light source through the light-conducting body to the surface of the button member; wherein the support member is formed of a material different from that of the button member. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification