Illuminated push switch

• US 8,242,397 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2009
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Fu, Chien-Chun
• Primary Examiner(s): GIRARDI, VANESSA MARY
• Application Number:
  US12/511,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20100282582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 200/314, 200/310
• US Class Current: 200/314
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/5805 Connections to printed circuits for slide switches H01H15/005; for tumbler switches H01H23/006
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/023 Light-emitting indicators for multi-layer switches H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2001/5888 Terminals of surface mounted devices [SMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/039 Selective or different modes of illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor

Abstract

A switch apparatus includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED) housing and a light guide pole. The LED housing includes at least one LED light source and a switch. The switch is capable of being actuated to light the at least one LED light source. The light guide pole is capable of transmitting light. The light guide pole is removably embedded in the LED housing to contact with the switch. The light guide pole presses the switch to drive the at least one LED light source to light.

Claims

1. A switch apparatus, comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) housing defining a pole hole;

at least one LED light source and a switch located inside the LED housing, the switch capable of being triggered to light the at least one LED light source; and

a light guide pole extending through the pole hole, and being integral part tapered from a bottom portion inside the LED housing to a top portion outside the LED housing, the light guide pole being capable of transmitting light from the at least one LED light source;

the light guide pole movably inserted through the pole hole of the LED housing, wherein the light guide pole is configured to move relative to the LED housing and to press the switch to trigger the at least one LED light source to emit light;

wherein the light guide pole further comprises an oblique dissymmetric curved edge forming a pressing portion located at a bottom end of the oblique dissymmetric curved edge, and the pressing portion abuts the switch.

2. The switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the LED housing is encapsulated by Dual In-line Package (DIP).

3. The switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the LED housing is encapsulated by Surface-mount technology (SMT).

4. The switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED light source is located under the light guide pole.

5. The switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light guide pole is generally transparent.

6. The switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one LED light source is located under the oblique dissymmetric curved edge of the light guide pole.

7. The switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light guide pole is engaged with the pole hole before the light guide pole pressing the switch.

8. The switch apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is a resilient metal piece.

9. The switch apparatus of claim 2, wherein the metal piece is located under the light guide pole.

10. An LED lighting apparatus, comprising:

an LED housing defining a pole hole;

at least one LED light source and a switch located inside the LED housing, the switch being capable of operating the at least one LED light source; and

a light guide pole being integral part having a coniform configuration, diameters of the light guide pole gradually increasing from a top portion outside the LED housing to a bottom portion inside the LED housing, the light guide pole being capable of transmitting light from the at least one LED light source;

the light guide pole comprising an acute pressing portion protruding towards the switch at the bottom portion of the LED housing, and the acute pressing portion abuts the switch, wherein the light guide pole is configured to move relative to the LED housing and to press the switch to trigger the at least one LED light source to emit light.

11. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the switch is a resilient metal piece.

12. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the LED housing is encapsulated by Dual In-line Package (DIP).

13. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the LED housing is encapsulated by Surface-mount technology (SMT).

14. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light guide pole is generally transparent.

15. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light guide pole is generally translucent.

16. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the least one LED light source and the switch are substantially located at a same plane extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the light guide pole relative to the LED housing.

17. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the LED housing defines a pole hole, and the light guide pole extends through the pole hole, and the light guide pole is engaged with the pole hole before the light guide pole pressing the switch.

18. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the acute pressing portion comprises an oblique dissymmetric curved edge.

19. The LED lighting apparatus of claim 18, wherein the light guide pole defines a recess under the oblique dissymmetric curved edge, the at least one LED light source and the switch are substantially located at a same plane extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the light guide pole relative to the LED housing, and the least one LED light source is located in the recess.