Switch device and timepiece including switch device

• US 8,905,631 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2014
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Sakurazawa, Naohiko, Imai, Hiroki
• Primary Examiner(s): Kayes, Sean
• Application Number:
  US14/199,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20140286146A1
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 368/288, 368/306, 368/308, 368319-321
• US Class Current: 368/319
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 3/043 Locking of the operating element, also by mounting in a concealed place

Abstract

A switch device of the present invention includes a cylindrical member fitted into a through hole of a wristwatch case, an operating member having an operation shaft section to be inserted into the cylindrical member and an operation head section, and a lock member fixed inside the operation head section. The cylindrical member includes engaging projections, and the lock member includes resilient support sections which have a space with respect to the inner circumferential surface of the operation head section and are resiliently deformed in a radial direction, and lock sections with which the engaging projections are resiliently engaged. Accordingly, when the operating member is pushed inward and rotated, the engaging projections resiliently deform the resilient support sections and are engaged with the lock sections. Also, only by the operating member being rotated against the regulating force of the lock section, the lock sections are disengaged from the engaging projections.

Claims

1. A switch device comprising:

a case having a through hole;

a cylindrical member fitted into the through hole of the case;

an operating member having a shaft section to be inserted into the cylindrical member and an operating section on an outer end; and

a lock member which is fixed inside the operating section of the operating member and slides and rotates together with the operating section along an outer circumference of the cylindrical member,

wherein the cylindrical member is provided with an engaging projection projecting toward an inner circumferential surface of the lock member, and

wherein the lock member includes a resilient support section which has a space with respect to an inner circumferential surface of the operating section and which is resiliently deformable in a radial direction, and a lock section which is provided to the resilient support section and with which the engaging projection is resiliently engaged when the operating section is pushed inward and rotated.

2. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein the lock section includes a rotation restricting section which restricts rotation of the lock member by being engaged with the engaging projection, and a slide restricting section which restricts sliding of the lock member by coming in contact with the engaging projection.

3. The switch device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation restricting section includes a first projection where the engaging projection overshoots by resiliently deforming the resilient support section when the lock member is rotated in one direction, an engaging recess with which the engaging projection that has overshot the first projection is engaged, and a second projection which prevents further rotation of the lock member in the one direction with the engaging projection being engaged with the engaging recess.

4. The switch device according to claim 3, wherein the first projection is formed such that a projecting length in a radial direction is shorter than the space, and the second projection is formed such that a projecting length in a radial direction is longer than the space.

5. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein three engaging projections are provided on an outer end of the cylindrical member at every 120 degrees, and three resilient support sections are provided on an outer end of the lock member at every 120 degrees.

6. The switch device according to claim 1, wherein six engaging projections are provided on an outer end of the cylindrical member at every 60 degrees, and three resilient support sections are provided on an outer end of the lock member at every 120 degrees.

7. A timepiece comprising:

a timepiece module;

a timepiece case in which the timepiece module has been arranged; and

a switch device placed in the timepiece case for operating the timepiece module,

wherein the switch device includes

a case having a through hole,

a cylindrical member fitted into the through hole of the case,

an operating member having a shaft section to be inserted into the cylindrical member and an operating section on an outer end, and

a lock member which is fixed inside the operating section of the operating member and slides and rotates together with the operating section along an outer circumference of the cylindrical member,

wherein the cylindrical member is provided with an engaging projection projecting toward an inner circumferential surface of the lock member, and

wherein the lock member includes a resilient support section which has a space with respect to an inner circumferential surface of the operating section and which is resiliently deformable in a radial direction, and a lock section which is provided to the resilient support section and with which the engaging projection is resiliently engaged when the operating section is pushed inward and rotated.