Cover member for illuminated pushbutton switch

• US 7,005,596 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Inventors: Nishimura, Takeshi, Maeda, Junya
• Primary Examiner(s): Enad, Elvin G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLAUS, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/320,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20030116414A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 200310-314, 200510-520, 200/5.A, 200/329, 200/330, 200/341, 200/61.02
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/183 Provisions for enhancing the contrast between the illuminated symbol and the background or between juxtaposed symbols
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/187 having symbols engraved or printed by laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/046 Multi-colour or double shot injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2233/07 Cap or button on actuator part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence

Abstract

An illuminated pushbutton switch cover member has a key seat and a resin key top. An indicator portion provided in the resin key top is illuminated with light from an internal light source provided below the key seat, and the light is emitted from the inside to the outside of the cover member through the indicator portion. The cover member is constructed by joining the resin key top to the key seat. The key seat is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer that prevents leakage of light, and an opening for passage of light is formed in the key seat to expose the bottom side of the resin key top to the internal light source. Thus, light from the internal light source can reach the bottom side of the resin key top directly without being attenuated. The indicator portion of the resin key top can therefore be illuminated with high luminance.

Claims

1. An illuminated pushbutton switch cover member, comprising:

a key sheet; and

a resin key top jointed to the key sheet, said resin key top having an indicator portion provided therein that emits light from inside upon receiving light from an internal light source provided below the key sheet;

wherein the key sheet is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and is capable of blocking light, and an opening for passage of light is formed in the key sheet to expose a bottom side of the resin key top to the internal light source, wherein the resin key top has a flange portion extending outward, and a cover portion for covering the flange portion is provided on the key sheet.

2. The illuminated pushbutton switch cover member according to claim 1, wherein the key top and the key sheet are integrally combined by being welded to each other.

3. The illuminated pushbutton switch cover member according to claim 1, wherein the resin key top is formed of a transparent member covered by a light-blocking layer to make a portion of the resin key top capable of blocking light.