Push-button water-resistant switching device

• US 6,385,045 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Valeo Electronique
• Original Assignee: Valeo Electronique
• Inventors: Tissington, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Lynn D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOSTER, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US09/513,700
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 361/704, 361/705, 361/627, 361/628, 361/631, 361/647, 200/23, 200/511, 200/302.2, 200/52.R, 200/295, 307/117, 307/125, 307/126, 307/132.R, 734/97, 734/31, 735/143.2
• US Class Current: 361/704
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/002 sealed
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/04 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings

Abstract

A water-resistant switching device has an elastomeric body overmoulded to one part of the casing. The elastomeric body has a rib which co-operates with a hooked flange portion to define a space for receiving a hooked flange of another part of the casing to provide a watertight seal.

Claims

1. A water-resistant switching device having

a casing, said casing having first and second parts, said first part having a base wall and a peripheral edge wall, said second part having a counterpart flange portion;

and

an elastomeric body extending along said base wall and forming an upstanding rib portion, wherein said peripheral edge wall, said base wall, and said rib portion cooperatively define a receiving portion, wherein said rib portion is spaced from and co-operates with said receiving portion disposed on the inside of said peripheral edge wall to receive said counterpart flange portion of said second part of said casing.

2. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 1 wherein said receiving portion is further defined by a projection of said elastomeric body.

3. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 1 wherein said receiving portion is further defined by a projection of said peripheral edge wall.

4. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 1 wherein said counterpart flange portion has a thickness greater than the spacing between said rib portion and the inside of said peripheral edge wall, whereby when said counterpart flange portion of said second part is engaged with said receiving portion, said rib portion resiliently grips said counterpart flange portion.

5. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 1 wherein said receiving portion is further defined by an inwardly-directed flange portion extending from said peripheral edge wall, and said counterpart flange portion has an outwardly-directed lip for co-operation with said inwardly-directed flange portion.

6. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 1 wherein said elastomeric body is secured to said first part of said casing.

7. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 6 wherein said elastomeric body is secured by overmoulding.

8. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 1 further including a circuit device, wherein said casing contains said circuit device, and wherein said first part of said casing is an operating member for said circuit device.

9. A water-resistant switching device according to claim 1 further including a battery, wherein said casing contains said battery, and wherein said first part of said casing is removable for changing said battery.

10. An entry transmitter for a vehicle comprising a water-resistant switching device according to claim 1.

11. A water-resistant switching device comprising:

a casing having

a first part including

a base wall,

an elastomeric body extending along the base wall and having a rib inwardly directed from the base wall,

a peripheral edge wall extending from the base wall, and

a first flange inwardly directed from the peripheral edge wall, the first flange and the rib defining a receiving portion; and

a second part including

a second flange, the second flange shaped to be positioned in and co-operate with the receiving portion.

12. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 wherein

the elastomeric body further extends along the peripheral edge wall, and

the first flange is an extension of the elastomeric body.

13. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 wherein

the first flange is an extension of the peripheral edge wall.

14. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 wherein the width of the receiving portion is defined by spacing between the rib and the peripheral edge wall, the second flange having a thickness greater than a portion of the spacing, the second flange engaged in the receiving portion, the rib resiliently gripping the second flange.

15. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 wherein the second flange has a lip outwardly-directed to the peripheral edge wall, the lip operative to cooperatively engage the first flange.

16. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 wherein the elastomeric body is secured to the base wall of the first part of the casing.

17. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 wherein the elastomeric body is overmoulded by the base wall of the first part of the casing.

18. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 further including:

a circuit device disposed within the casing, wherein the first part of the casing is an operating member for the circuit device.

19. The water-resistant switching device of claim 11 further including:

a battery disposed within the casing, wherein the first part of the casing is removable.

20. An entry transmitter for a vehicle including the water-resistant switching device according to claim 11.