Bottom mount buttons for a rearview assembly

• US 10,406,982 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2014
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Hooper, Kristi L., Minikey, Jr., Danny L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D
• Application Number:
  US14/490,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20150085391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,817 Days
• Field of Search: 359871, 200 5 A, 200 5 R, 200341, 200344, 200345, 200511, 362494
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/7065 characterised by the mechanism between keys and layered keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/80 characterised by the manner of cooperation of the contacts, e.g. with both contacts movable or with bounceless contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/036 Light emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/024 Transmission element
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/044 Elastic part on actuator or casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/058 to avoid tilting or skewing of contact area or actuator
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/012 Application rear view mirror

Abstract

A rearview device having a housing defining at least one button opening. A travel guide defines a button engagement interface. The button engagement interface defines a first aperture and a second aperture. A circuit board is in abutting contact with the travel guide. A switch is disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture. At least one button is operably coupled with the button engagement interface. The at least one button is in communication with the switch.

Claims

1. A rearview device comprising:

a housing defining at least one button opening;

a travel guide defining a button engagement interface, wherein the button engagement interface defines a first aperture and a second aperture;

a circuit board in abutting contact with the travel guide;

a switch disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture;

at least one button operably coupled with the button engagement interface, wherein the at least one button is in communication with the switch.

2. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the at least one button includes first and second rearwardly-extending engagement tabs.

3. The rearview device of claim 2, wherein the first and second rearwardly-extending engagement tabs extend through the first and second apertures.

4. The rearview device of claim 3, wherein the travel guide includes a receiving sleeve proximate each of the first and second apertures, the receiving sleeve being configured to receive the first and second rearwardly-extending engagement tabs.

5. The rearview device of claim 4, wherein the first and second rearwardly-extending engagement tabs include a detent at a rearward end thereof, and wherein the detent is configured to maintain the at least one button in secure engagement with the travel guide.

6. The rearview device of claim 5, wherein each receiving sleeve includes a notch configured to receive the detent.

7. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the at least one button includes a first button, a second button, and a third button.

8. The rearview device of claim 7, wherein an indicator light is positioned between the first and second buttons and also between the second and third buttons.

9. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are elongate.

10. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the at least one button includes a selection surface, and wherein a planar extent of the selection surface extends at an acute angle relative to the travel guide.

11. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the at least one button is disposed on a bottom of the housing.

12. The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising:

a reflective surface, wherein the at least one button is disposed on a bottom of the housing proximate the reflective surface.

13. A rearview device comprising:

a housing;

a travel guide defining a button engagement interface, wherein the button engagement interface defines a first aperture and a second aperture;

a circuit board in abutting contact with the travel guide;

a switch disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture;

at least one button operably coupled with the button engagement interface, wherein the at least one button is in communication with the switch; and

an indicator light configured to wrap around at least three sides of the at least one button.

14. The rearview device of claim 13, wherein the at least one button includes a first button, a second button, and a third button.

15. The rearview device of claim 14, wherein the indicator light is positioned between the first and second buttons and also between the second and third buttons.

16. The rearview device of claim 13, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are elongate.

17. The rearview device of claim 13, wherein the at least one button includes a selection surface, and wherein the planar extent of the selection surface extends at an acute angle relative to the travel guide.

18. The rearview device of claim 13, wherein the at least one button is disposed on a bottom of the housing.

19. A button assembly for a rearview device comprising:

an elongate travel guide defining a button engagement interface, wherein the button engagement interface defines a first aperture and a second aperture;

a circuit board proximate to and disposed behind the travel guide;

a switch disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture;

at least one button operably coupled with the button engagement interface and including first and second rearwardly-extending engagement tabs that extend through the first and second apertures, respectively, wherein the at least one button is in communication with the switch.

20. The button assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one button includes a first button, a second button, and a third button, and wherein an indicator light is positioned between the first and second buttons and also between the second and third buttons.