Switch assembly having push button, and electronic apparatus including it
First Claim
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1. A switch assembly comprising:
- a housing;
push button means secured on said housing and actuable by a user for moving a certain distance in a longitudinal direction, and having a stem extending in a longitudinal direction;
an activating switch disposed adjacent to, and separated by a certain distance from, said push button means;
first elastic means disposed between said housing and said push button means for restoring said push button means when said push button means is released by the user;
transmitting member means for transmitting a force from said push button means to said activating switch to actuate said activating switch; and
interlocking means for interlocking said stem of said push button means with said transmitting member means;
wherein said interlocking means comprises;
a socket;
a plunger accommodated within said socket;
second elastic means inserted into said socket for providing an expanding force between said socket and said plunger; and
ratchet means for restricting movement of said plunger in a direction of insertion into said socket, and for allowing movement in an opposite direction, whereby the expanding force of said second elastic means is limited to a certain range, and whereby, if said push button means is not actuated by the user, said activating switch is not actuated.
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Abstract
A switch assembly activates an electronic apparatus in such a manner that, despite unavoidable gaps existing between different components of the switch assembly, force is effectively transmitted from a push button to an activating switch. Between the push button and a transmitting member, a plunger and a socket together with a spring are disposed, and ratchets are formed on the plunger and the socket. Thus, the gaps between the different components of the switch assembly are eliminated. The ratchets are buttless threads which transmit the force from the push button to the transmitting member. The plunger is provided with a protrusion for coupling with a slot of the socket.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A switch assembly comprising:
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a housing; push button means secured on said housing and actuable by a user for moving a certain distance in a longitudinal direction, and having a stem extending in a longitudinal direction; an activating switch disposed adjacent to, and separated by a certain distance from, said push button means; first elastic means disposed between said housing and said push button means for restoring said push button means when said push button means is released by the user; transmitting member means for transmitting a force from said push button means to said activating switch to actuate said activating switch; and interlocking means for interlocking said stem of said push button means with said transmitting member means; wherein said interlocking means comprises; a socket; a plunger accommodated within said socket; second elastic means inserted into said socket for providing an expanding force between said socket and said plunger; and ratchet means for restricting movement of said plunger in a direction of insertion into said socket, and for allowing movement in an opposite direction, whereby the expanding force of said second elastic means is limited to a certain range, and whereby, if said push button means is not actuated by the user, said activating switch is not actuated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electronic apparatus including a switch assembly comprising:
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a housing; push button means secured on said housing and actuated by a user for moving a certain distance in a longitudinal direction, and having a stem extending in a longitudinal direction; an activating switch disposed adjacent to, and separated by a certain distance from, said push button means; first elastic means disposed between said housing and said push button means for restoring said push button means when said push button means is released by the user; transmitting member means for transmitting a force from said push button means to said activating switch to actuate said activating switch; and interlocking means for interlocking said stem of said push button means with said transmitting member means, said interlocking means comprising a socket, a plunger, and ratchet means for restricting movement of said plunger in a direction of insertion into said socket, and for allowing movement in an opposite direction. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A switch assembly comprising:
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a housing; push button means secured on said housing and actuable by a user for moving a certain distance in a longitudinal direction, and having a stem extending in a longitudinal direction; an activating switch disposed adjacent to, and separated by a certain distance from, said push button means; transmitting member means for transmitting a force from said push button means to said activating switch to actuate said activating switch; and interlocking means for interlocking said stem of said push button means with said transmitting member means, said interlocking means comprising a socket, a plunger and ratchet means for restricting movement of said plunger in a direction of insertion into said socket, and for allowing movement in an opposite direction. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification