Push button switch

• US 6,011,227 A
• Filed: 02/05/1999
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lite-On Singapore Pte Ltd (Lite-On Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Yoneyama, Masayuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nhung
• Application Number:
  US09/244,757
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 200/341-345, 400/491, 400/491.1, 400/491.2
• US Class Current: 200/344
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/074 Snap coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/125 using a scissor mechanism as stabiliser

Abstract

A push button switch for use in computer keyboards, comprising a membrane sheet 92 whose upper surface forms the switch base plate 90 upon which is mounted a rubber spring 93 which operates the switch, and upon which is arranged a plate-shaped holder member 40 containing a through hole 41, through which the rubber spring 93 projects. Between key top 1, positioned on top of holder member 40, and holder member 40 is arranged moving frame 60 and moving arm 80, assembled in a pantograph assembly. This assembly supports key top 1 so that it can move up and down in relation to membrane sheet 92, and rubber spring 93 biases key top 1 upwards. When key top 1 is pressed downwards, the pressure is transmitted via rubber spring 93 to cause the switch of membrane sheet 92 to operate. When the pressure is released, the resilience of rubber spring 93 raises key top 1 back to its original position.

Claims

1. A push button switch having an operating contact operated by key top, comprising:

a switch substrate which includes the operating contact;

a resilience member closely mounted on the top of said switch substrate;

a holder member 40 which is closely mounted on the top of said switch substrate, having a through hole 41 projected through said resilient member, clamps 42 and axial support clamps 43 formed at a periphery of the through hole 41;

a moving arm 80 having slide pins 83 and support axes 81 which are supported rotatably at said axial support clamps 43;

a moving frame 60 which intersect at said moving arm 80, having support axes 61 and slide pins 62 which are supported slidably at grooves formed between said clamps 42 and said switch substrate;

a support plate 20 having shoulders 25 rotatably support said support axes 61 and slide clamps 22 slidably support said slide pins 62;

a key top holding said support plate 20 at the back.

2. A push button switch according to claim 1, wherein said switch substrate is consisted from a membrane sheet switch mechanism.

3. A push button switch according to claim 1, wherein a movable contact fitted in the resilient member makes and breaks the connection with a fixed contact mounted in said switch substrate.

4. A push button switch according to claim 1, wherein said push button switch consist a single stand-alone switch.

5. A push button switch according to claim 1, wherein said push button switch mechanisms is formed a switch element of keyboard having plural key tops.

6. A push button switch according to claim 1, wherein said resilience member comprises a rubber spring, cup-shaped in cross section, having a click action.

7. A push button switch according to claim 1, wherein said resilience member comprises a spring member which compresses when pressure is applied and returns to its original shape and condition when pressure is released.