Cycle computer with improved switch and push-button arrangement to facilitate resetting

• US 4,881,187 A
• Filed: 04/27/1989
• Issued: 11/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle and Fitness Limited Partnership
• Original Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle Co.
• Inventors: Read, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/346,337
• Time in Patent Office: 201 Days
• Field of Search: 364/561, 364/565, 364/709.1, 364/709.2, 364/709.12, 364/709.13, 364/709.15, 340/134, 340/323 R, 324/166, 324/174, 324/180, 368/10, 368/69, 368/70, 377/20, 377/24, 377/24.1, 377/24.2, 200/5 R, 200/5 D, 200/5 E, 200/175, 434/61
• US Class Current: 200/5.00D
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/22 electronic, e.g. displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/002 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 3/489 Digital circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/001 Electromechanical switches for setting or display in general H01H

Abstract

A cycle computer has a pair of push-buttons connected respectively to a mode switch and to an on/off switch. Sequential actuation of the mode switch places the computer selectively in one of a plurality of Modes including a "stop watch" mode. Alternate actuation of the on/off switch, while in the stop watch mode, turns the stop watch function on and off. Simultaneous depression of both push-buttons, while the computer is in stop watch mode, resets the stop watch mode and at least two other modes. To facilitate resetting under poor visibility conditions, or when it would be unsafe to divert the rider'"'"'s attention from the road or other traffic, the push-buttons abut along a common line and have a shared recess straddling that line which can be located by feel alone, enabling the push-buttons to be depressed simultaneously with one thumb while both rider'"'"'s hands safely grip the handlebar.

Claims

1. In a cycle computer having a casing, an improved multiple switch control for a circuit within said casing comprising a pair of separate and independently movable manually depressible push-buttons located in side-by-side relation on said casing and abutting one another along a common line, one of said push-buttons being operatively connected to a control switch for said circuit and the other of said push-buttons being operatively connected to another control switch for said circuit, said push-buttons being simultaneously depressible by a single finger on push-button surfaces straddling said common line for simultaneously actuating said control switches, and the surfaces of said push-buttons having a shared recess straddling said common line enabling adjacent surfaces of said push-buttons to be located by feel alone prior to simultaneous depression of both push-buttons.

2. In a cycle computer having a casing, an improved multiple switch control for a circuit within said casing comprising a pair of separate and independently movable push-buttons located in side-by-side relation abutting one another along a common line, the surfaces of said push-buttons having adjacent half-recesses constituting a single shared recess straddling said common line enabling adjacent surfaces of said push-buttons to be located by feel alone to enable simultaneous depression of both push-buttons, said push-buttons being manually depressible simultaneously by single finger actuation applied to said shared recess, one of said push-buttons being operatively connected to a mode switch and the other of said push-buttons being operatively connected to an on/off switch, said mode switch being connectible into said circuit and effective when sequentially actuated to place said computer successively in a plurality of modes, and on/off switch being connectible into said circuit and effective when alternately actuated to turn at least one of said modes on or off.

3. In a cycle computer having a casing, an improved multiple switch control for a circuit within said casing comprising a pair of separate and independently movable manually depressible push-buttons located in side-by-side relation abutting one another along a common line, the surfaces of said push-buttons having adjacent recess portions constituting a single shared recess straddling said common line enabling adjacent surfaces of said push-buttons to be located by feel alone to facilitate simultaneous depression of both push-buttons, said push-buttons being respectively operatively connected to a pair of control switches for said circuit and being manually depressible simultaneously by single finger actuation applied to said shared recess to actuate said pair of control switches simultaneously.