Operating apparatus

• US 6,355,891 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Ikunami, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, JAMES R
• Application Number:
  US09/582,031
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 200/329-339, 200/553-563, 200/7.R, 200/5.A
• US Class Current: 200/315
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/006 adapted for connection with printed circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/143 having a generally flat elongated shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/16 Driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/30 with stable centre positions and one or both end positions unstable

Abstract

An operation device is provided with an outer support section 1c which projects towards an outer face of a button 1, an inner support section 1e which projects towards an inner face of said button 1, a maintaining section 5b which is provided on a decorative front panel 5 and which maintains said outer support section in free rotation, a maintaining section 3a which is provided on a button depression member 3 and which maintains said inner support section 1e in free rotation and a flange 1b which is provided continuously on the outer edge of the aperture of the button 1. Thus it is possible to provide a smaller device than the conventional example while maintaining the rigidity of the outer support section 1c. A smaller button 1 and smooth see-saw operation can be realized as well as reductions in escaped light.

Claims

1. An operation device comprising:

a mounting board provided with at least a switching element,

a front plate,

a button depression member arranged between the mounting board and the front plate,

a button maintained in a reciprocating position with respect to the front plate by the button depressing member and by the front plate, the button pressuring the switching element, and

a button return member returning the button when a pressure has been released, to a pre-operational position,

wherein the operation device further comprises;

an outer support section projecting towards an outer face of the button and providing an activation support point when the button reciprocates,

an inner support section projecting towards an inner face of the button and providing an activation support point when the button reciprocates,

a first maintaining section for the outer support section, provided on the front plate and for maintaining the outer support section in free rotation, and

a second maintaining section for the inner support section, provided on the button depression member and for maintaining the inner support section in free rotation.

2. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the button return member includes a cushion member which is mounted on a button depression member.

3. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the button return member is integrated with the second maintaining section of the button depression member.

4. The operation device according to claim 1, wherein an illumination element is provided on the mounting board illuminating the button from the rear and a flange is provided continuously on the peripheral edge of an aperture of the button.

5. An operation device comprising:

a mounting board provided with at least one switching element and at least one illuminating element;

a front plate;

a button formed approximately in a box shape having at least four walls defining an aperture, the aperture having a flange formed continuously on at least the outer periphery thereof, the flange arranged between the mounting board and front plate, the flange for engaging the at least one switching element;

an outer support section projecting from a central portion of an outer face of at least two walls of the at least four walls of the button and integrated with the flange, the outer support section providing a first activation support point when the button reciprocates;

an inner support section projecting from the central portion of an inner face of the at least two walls and providing a second activation support point when the button reciprocates;

a first maintaining section provided on the front plate and engaging the outer support section in a first direction, the first maintaining section for maintaining the outer support section in free rotation;

a second maintaining section provided on a button depression member and engaging the inner support section in a second direction opposite the first direction, the button depression member located between the flange and the mounting board, the second maintaining section for maintaining the inner support section in free rotation; and

a button return member returning the button when a pressure has been released, to a pre-operational position;

wherein the button is maintained in a reciprocating position with respect to the front plate in that the inner and outer support sections are engaged in cantilevered relation by the button depressing member and by the front plate.

6. An operation device comprising:

a mounting board provided with at least one switching element;

a front plate;

a button formed approximately in a box shape having at least four walls defining an aperture, the aperture having a flange formed continuously on the outer periphery thereof, the flange arranged between the mounting board and front plate, the flange for engaging the at least one switching element;

an outer support section projecting from a central portion of an outer face of at least two walls of the at least four walls of the button and integrated with the flange, the outer support section providing a first activation support point when the button reciprocates;

an inner support section projecting from the central portion of an inner face of the at least two walls and providing a second activation support point when the button reciprocates;

a first maintaining section provided on the front plate and engaging the outer support section in a first direction, the first maintaining section for maintaining the outer support section in free rotation;

a second maintaining section provided on a button depression member and engaging the inner support section in a second direction opposite the first direction, the button depression member located between the flange and the mounting board, the second maintaining section for maintaining the inner support section in free rotation; and

a button return member returning the button when a pressure has been released, to a pre-operational position;

wherein the button is maintained in a reciprocating position with respect to the front plate in that the inner and outer support sections are engaged in cantilevered relation by the button depressing member and by the front plate.