Infrared on/off button for computing apparatus

• US 6,504,119 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2000
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Ribeiro, Durval S.
• Primary Examiner(s): FRIEDHOFER, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/702,803
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 200/308-314, 200/330-334, 200/341-345, 379/433
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/04 portable; hand held
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/042 Snap coupling; Snap mounting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/094 Snap coupling

Abstract

A push button assembly for a portable electronic apparatus includes an upper surface having a translucent portion, a stem positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, and an actuating switch. The switch is located within the interior of the electronic apparatus and is positioned to be actuated by the stem when the upper surface is pressed by a user. A spring maintains the upper surface in a relaxed position when the spring is undepressed. At least one light source is positioned within the electronic apparatus such that emissions from the light source extend through the translucent portion of the upper surface when the light source is actuated. The push button assembly may also include at least three ribs positioned along the stem. Each rib has a locking rib sized and positioned to engage at least one link of the spring so that the spring may remain attached to the stem during assembly of the electronic apparatus.

Claims

1. A push button assembly comprising:

(a) an upper surface positioned substantially along an exterior of a portable electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus also having an interior, the upper surface displaceable by a finger, the upper surface having a translucent portion;

(b) a stem having a first end and a second end, the stem positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the stem extending into the interior of the electronic apparatus, the first end adjacent to the upper surface;

(c) an actuating switch positioned such that the stem actuates the actuating switch when the upper surface is depressed;

(d) at least one light source positioned within the interior of the electronic apparatus such that emissions from the light source are capable of extending through the translucent portion of the upper surface when the light source is actuated;

(e) a spring having an interior axis and an interior diameter, the spring being positioned such that the stem is located along the interior axis, and the spring being disposed to maintain a separation between the actuating switch and the stem when the upper surface is in an undepressed position; and

(f) at least three ribs positioned along the stem to establish a stem diameter that is greater than the interior diameter of the spring when the spring is in a relaxed position, each rib also including a locking rib sized and positioned to engage at least one loop of the spring such that the spring may remain attached to the stem during assembly of the electronic apparatus.

2. The push button assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one light sensor positioned within the interior of the electronic apparatus such that the at least one light sensor detects light received through the translucent portion of the upper surface.

3. The push button assembly of claim 1, wherein the translucent portion comprises the entire upper surface.

4. A push button assembly, comprising:

(a) an upper surface positioned to form a portion of an exterior of a portable electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus also having an interior;

(b) a stem having a first end and a second end, the stem positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the stem extending into the interior of the electronic apparatus, the first end adjacent to the upper surface;

(c) an actuating switch positioned such that the stem actuates the actuating switch when the upper surface is depressed;

(d) a spring having an interior axis and an interior diameter, positioned such that the stem is located along the interior axis, and disposed to maintain the upper surface in a relaxed position when the upper surface is in an undepressed position; and

(e) at least three ribs positioned along the stem to establish a stem diameter that is greater than the interior diameter of the spring when the spring is in a relaxed position, each of said at least three ribs also including a locking rib sized and positioned to engage to at least one loop of the spring such that the spring may remain attached to the stem during assembly of the electronic apparatus.

5. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

(a) a housing and an interior;

(b) a displaceable upper surface positioned substantially along the housing;

the upper surface including a transitional portion;

(c) a stem having a first end and a second end, the stem positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the stem extending into the interior or the electronic appartus, the first end adjacent to the upper surface;

(d) an actuating switch positioned such that the stem actuates the actuating switch when the upper surface is depressed;

(e) at least one light source positioned within the interior of the electronic apparatus such that emissions from the light source is capable of extending through the translucent portion of the upper surface when the light sour is actuated;

(f) a spring having an interior axis and an interior diameter, positioned such that the stem is located along the interior axis, and disposed to maintain the upper surface in a relaxed position when the upper surface is undepressed; and

(g) at least three ribs positioned along the stem to establish a stem diameter that is greater than the interior diameter of the spring when the spring is a relaxed position, each rib also including a locking rib sized and positioned to engage at least one loop of the spring such that the spring may remain attached to the stem during assembly of the electronic apparatus.

6. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, further comprising at least one light sensor positioned within the interior of the electronic apparatus such that the at least one light sensor detects light received through the translucent portion of the upper surface.

7. The electronic apparatus of claim 5, wherein the translucent portion comprises the entire upper surface.

8. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

(a) a housing and an interior;

(b) an upper surface positioned to form a portion of the exterior of the electronic apparatus;

(c) a stem having a first end and a second end, the stem positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the stem extending into the interior of the electronic apparatus, the first end adjacent to the upper surface;

(d) an actuating switch positioned such that the stem actuates the actuating switch when the upper surface is depressed;

(e) a spring having an interior axis and an interior diameter, positioned such that the stem is located along the interior axis, and disposed to maintain the upper surface in a relaxed position when the upper surface is undepressed; and

(f) at least three ribs positioned along the stem to establish a stem diameter that is greater than the interior diameter of the spring when the spring is in a relaxed position, each of said at least three ribs also including a locking rib sized and positioned to engage at least one loop of the spring such that the spring may remain attached to the stem during assembly of the electronic apparatus.

9. A push button assembly comprising:

an upper surface position substantially along an exterior of a portable electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus also having an interior, and the upper surface displaceable by a finger;

means for supporting a translucent portion on the upper surface positioned substantially along the exterior of the portable electronic apparatus;

means for biasing the upper surface in a relaxed position when the upper surface is in an undepressed position;

means for extending a stem into the interior of the electronic apparatus, the stem having a first end and a second end, the stem positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the first end adjacent to the upper surface, the stem having at least three ribs positioned along the stem, each rib also including a locking rib sized and positioned to engage a portion of the means for biasing such that the means for biasing may remain attached to the stem during assembly of the electronic apparatus;

switch means actuated when the upper surface is depressed;

at least one light source positioned within the interior of the electronic apparatus; and

means for extending emissions from said at least one light source through the translucent portion of the upper surface when the light source is actuated.

10. The push button assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

means for sensing the light received through the translucent portion of the upper surface.

11. The push button assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

means for maintaining a separation between the actuating switch and the stem when the upper surface is in an undepressed position.

12. A method of making a push button assembly, comprising the steps of:

supporting a translucent portion on an upper surface positioned substantially along an exterior of a portable electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus also having an interior, and the upper surface displaced by a finger;

extending a stem into the interior of the electronic apparatus, the stem having a first end and a second end, the stem positioned substantially perpendicular to the upper surface, the first end adjacent to the upper surface;

positioning a spring having an interior axis and an interior diameter, positioned such that the stem is located along the interior axis, and disposed to maintain the upper surface in a relaxed position when the upper surface is in an undepressed position;

positioned at least three ribs along the stem to establish a stem diameter that is greater than the interior diameter of the spring when the spring is in a relaxed position;

providing a locking rib on each rib which is sized and positioned to engage at least one loop of the spring such that the spring may remain attached to the stem during assembly of the electronic apparatus;

positioning an actuating switch such that the stem actuates the actuating switch when the upper surface is depressed; and

extending at least one light source through the translucent portion of the upper surface when the light source is actuated, the light source being positioned within the interior of the electronic apparatus.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

sensing the light received through the translucent portion of the upper surface.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

maintaining a separation between the actuating switch and the stem when the upper surface is in an undepressed position.