Push button device having an illuminator

• US 6,855,899 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
• Original Assignee: Pentax Corporation (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Sotome, Yusuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedhofer, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/750,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20040134765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 200310-317, 200341-345, 200/520, 396/535, 396/543
• US Class Current: 200/317
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/06 Reflector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/0622 only an illuminated ring around keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/046 Camera

Abstract

A push button device for an electronic device includes an annular translucent member fixed to a body of the electronic device; a push button positioned in the annular translucent member to be capable of being depressed; a light emitter for illuminating the annular translucent member; a convex semi-cylindrical surface which is a portion of a complete cylindrical surface, and is positioned on a side of a space between the light emitter and the annular translucent member; and at least one photoreflective sheet adhered to the convex semi-cylindrical surface. An axis of the complete cylindrical surface extends in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which the light emitter and the annular translucent member are aligned. A direction normal to a tangent plane to the convex semi-cylindrical surface extends toward the annular translucent member and the push button.

Claims

1. A push button device for an electronic device comprising:

an annular translucent member fixed to a body of said electronic device;

a push button positioned in said annular translucent member to be capable of being depressed;

a light emitter for illuminating said annular translucent member;

a convex semi-cylindrical surface which is a portion of a complete cylindrical surface, and is positioned on a side of a space between said light emitter and said annular translucent member; and

at least one photoreflective sheet adhered to said convex semi-cylindrical surface,

wherein an axis of said complete cylindrical surface extends in a direction substantially parallel to a direction along which said light emitter and said annular translucent member are aligned, and

wherein a direction normal to a tangent plane to said convex semi-cylindrical surface extends toward said annular translucent member and said push button.

2. The push button device according to claim 1, wherein said annular translucent member is made of translucent resin.

3. The push button device according to claim 1, wherein a radius of said complete cylindrical surface is at least double a distance between said light emitter and said push button.

4. The push button device according to claim 1, wherein said push button comprises:

a button body made of translucent resin; and

an opaque cover cap which covers a top of said push button.

5. The push button device according to claim 1, wherein said convex semi-cylindrical surface is a portion of a peripheral surface of a cylindrical capacitor.

6. The push button device according to claim 5, wherein said electronic device comprises a camera.

7. The push button device according to claim 6, wherein said cylindrical capacitor serves as a power source for supplying power to a built-in flash of said camera.

8. The push button device according to claim 6, wherein said push button device serves as a power button of said camera.

9. A push button device for electronic device comprising:

an annular translucent member fixed to a body of said electronic device;

a push button positioned in said annular translucent member to be capable of being depressed;

a light emitter for illuminating said annular translucent member;

a convex semi-cylindrical surface which is positioned adjacent to the space between said light emitter and said annular translucent member to face said light emitter and said annular translucent member; and

at least one photoreflective sheet adhered to said convex semi-cylindrical surface.

10. A push button device for electronic device comprising:

an annular translucent member fixed to a body of said electronic device;

a push button positioned in said annular translucent member to be capable of being depressed; and

a light emitter for illuminating said annular translucent member,

wherein said push button comprises a button body made of translucent resin, and an opaque cover cap which covers a top of said push button, and

wherein said button body, said annular translucent member and said light emitter are positioned so that at least a part of light rays emitted from said light emitter is incident on said annular translucent member through said button body.

11. The push button device according to claim 10, further comprising a molded button portion with which said button body is formed integral, said molded button portion comprising:

a fixing portion which is fixed to a stationary member of said electronic device; and

a resilient arm which connects said button body with said fixing portion,

wherein said molded button portion is molded from translucent resin.

12. The push button device according to claim 11, wherein said annular translucent member and said fixing portion of said molded button portion are fixed to an exterior member of said electronic device, and

wherein said light emitter is positioned internal side of said fixing portion.

13. The push button device according to claim 12, wherein said button body and said fixing portion are adjacent to each other, and

wherein said resilient arm projects from said fixing portion so that a tip of said resilient arm is fixed to said button body on a portion thereof on an opposite side of said button body from said fixing portion.

14. The push button device according to claim 10, wherein said electronic device comprises a camera.

15. The push button device according to claim 14, wherein said push button device serves as a power button of said camera.