Switch device

• US 5,952,631 A
• Filed: 11/26/1996
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD. (SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD. (SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Miyaki, Junichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/756,765
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 74/471, 200/4, 200/5 R, 200/6 R, 200/6 A, 200/17 R, 200/18, 200/332, 200/335, 200/339, 200/517, 267/150, 267/50
• US Class Current: 200/6.00A
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04725 with coil spring
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04759 Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/968 using opto-electronic devices

Abstract

A handle post slants from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto. A coil spring has a configuration that, through a middle portion of the coil spring, a space is provided between each adjacent turns of the line material which constitutes the coil spring, and, through the remaining two side portions of the coil spring, no space is provided between each adjacent turns of the line material. One end of the coil spring is connected with the handle post. A supporting member is connected with the other end of the coil spring. The supporting member supports the handle post via the coil spring in a manner in which the handle post can slant with respect to the supporting member from the neutral position.

Claims

1. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring with a plurality of turns, having a middle portion and two end portions, said middle portion having a space provided between each adjacent turn of said coil spring, said two end portions having an absence of space between each adjacent turn of said coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post; and

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt from said neutral position with respect to said supporting member.

2. The switch device according to claim 1 further including a centering elastic member for applying an elastic force to said handle post so as to return said handle post to said neutral position when said handle post has been tilted.

3. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein said centering elastic member comprises other coil springs, provided between said handle post and said supporting member in a plurality of directions, each of said directions being approximately perpendicular to a center axis of said handle post.

4. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein said centering elastic member comprises other coil springs, provided between said handle post and said supporting member in direction of the center axis of said handle post, and are arranged around said handle post.

5. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein said centering elastic member comprises a cushion member provided on said supporting member, said cushion member pushes said handle post when said handle post is tilted and applies a force to said cushion member.

6. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a larger diameter portion formed as an end portion of said coil spring, said larger diameter portion having a larger diameter than a diameter of another portion of said coil spring, and an opening provided in at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, said opening having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said larger diameter portion of said coil spring and larger than the outer diameter of said another portion of said coil spring.

7. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and a substance which is provided between said coil spring and said boss in a melted state, said substance being solidified between said coil spring and said boss.

8. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and an engaging pin which passes through said boss and also passes through said coil spring.

9. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, a passing through member which has a through hole through which said coil spring passes, and a connecting screw which connects said passing through member to said boss.

10. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, said boss having a predetermined elasticity, said coil spring insertable therein, and another larger diameter coil spring which has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of said boss, wherein an external force is applied to said larger diameter coil spring so as to enlarge the inner diameter, thereby said larger diameter coil spring is positioned to surround said boss, said larger diameter coil spring providing an inwardly directed force to said boss so as to prevent said coil spring inside of said boss from moving in said boss when said external force is removed.

11. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, said engaging means comprises a predetermined space formed between adjacent end turns of said coil spring, a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, a through hole provided in said boss, and a passing through pin which passes through said predetermined space of said coil spring and also passes through said through hole of said boss.

12. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and projections which project from the inner wall of said boss, wherein a distance between facing ends of said projections is less than an outer diameter of said coil spring, said projections being melted as a result of said coil spring being heated, pressed and inserted into said boss.

13. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and projections projecting from the inner wall of said boss, wherein a distance between facing ends of said projections is less than an outer diameter of said coil spring; and

an external force is applied to said coil spring for twisting said coil spring in a predetermined direction such that said outer diameter of said coil spring is decreased, said coil spring being thereby insertable in said boss and an elastic force of said coil spring causing said coil spring to push said projections outwardly.

14. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and projections, each projection extending outwardly from the center axis of said boss, wherein a distance between opposite faces of said projections is greater than the inner diameter of said coil spring; and

an external force is applied to said coil spring for twisting said coil spring in a predetermined direction such that an inner diameter of said coil spring is increased, said coil spring being insertable in a space between said projections and the inner wall of said boss, and an elastic force of said coil spring causing said coil spring to push inwardly said projections.

15. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving in said at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, an inner diameter of said boss at an end thereof being larger than an inner diameter of an inside portion of said boss, wherein an outer diameter of said coil spring is smaller than said inner diameter of said boss at the end thereof and larger than said inner diameter of said inside portion of said boss, said coil spring being press fitted into said boss.

16. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide a first supporting contact to said handle post to provide a first supporting contact to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt from said neutral position with respect to said supporting member; and

a centering elastic member to provide a second supporting contact to said handle post for applying an elastic force to said handle post so as to return said handle post to said neutral position when said handle post has been tilted, said handle post is only directly contacted by said first and second supporting contacts, and said centering elastic member comprises a cushion member provided on said supporting member, said cushion member pushes said handle post when said handle post is tilted and applies a force to said cushion member.

17. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a larger diameter portion formed as an end portion of said coil spring, said larger diameter portion having a larger diameter than a diameter of another portion of said coil spring, and an opening provided in at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, said opening have a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said larger diameter portion of said coil spring and larger than the outer diameter of said another portion of said coil spring.

18. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and a substance which is provided between said coil spring and said boss in a melted state, said substance being solidified between said coil spring and said boss.

19. The switch device according to claim 18, wherein said substance comprises one of a predetermined resin and an adhesive.

20. A switch device, comprising

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and an engaging pin which passes through said boss and also passes through said coil spring.

21. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, a passing through member which has a through hole through which said coil spring passes, and a connecting screw which connects said passing through member to said boss.

22. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coils spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, said boss having a predetermined elasticity, said coil spring insertable therein, and another larger diameter coil spring which has an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of said boss, wherein an external force is applied to said larger diameter coil spring so as to enlarge the inner diameter, thereby said larger diameter coil spring is positioned to surround said boss, said larger diameter coil spring providing an inwardly directed force to said boss so as to prevent said coil spring inside of said boss from moving in said boss when said external force is removed.

23. A switch device, comprising;

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, said engaging means comprises a predetermined space formed between adjacent end turns of said coil spring, a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, a through hole provided in said boss, and a passing through pin which passes through said predetermined space of said coil spring and also passes through said through hole of said boss.

24. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and projections which project from the inner wall of said boss, wherein a distance between facing ends of said projections is less than an outer diameter of said coil spring, said projections being melted as a result of said coil spring being heated, pressed and inserted into said boss.

25. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and projections projecting from the inner wall of said boss, wherein a distance between facing ends of said projections is less than an outer diameter of said coil spring; and

an external force is applied to said coil spring for twisting said coil spring in a predetermined direction such that said outer diameter of said coil spring is decreased, said coil spring being thereby insertable in said boss and an elastic force of said coil spring causing said coil spring to push said projections outwardly.

26. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, and projections, each projection extending outwardly from the center axis of said boss, wherein a distance between opposite faces of said projections is greater than the inner diameter of said coil spring and an external force is applied to said coil spring for twisting said coil spring in a predetermined direction such that an inner diameter of said coil spring is increased, said coil spring being insertable in a space between said projections and the inner wall of said boss, and an elastic force of said coil spring causing said coil spring to push inwardly said projections.

27. A switch device, comprising:

a handle post tiltable from a neutral position in response to an operational force being applied thereto;

a coil spring, one end of said coil spring being connected with said handle post to provide the only direct supporting connection to said handle post;

a supporting member, the other end of said coil spring being connected with said supporting member, for supporting said handle post via said direct connection with said coil spring in a manner in which said handle post can tilt with respect to said supporting member from said neutral position; and

engaging means for causing said coil spring to engage with at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, so as to prevent said coil spring from moving relative to at least one of said handle post and said supporting member when said handle post is tilted, wherein said engaging means comprises a boss provided on at least one of said handle post and said supporting member, an inner diameter of said boss at an end thereof being larger than an inner diameter of an inside portion of said boss, wherein an outer diameter of said coil spring is smaller than said inner diameter of said boss at the end thereof and larger than said inner diameter of said inside portion of said boss, said coil spring being press fitted into said boss.