EP0446487A1 - Push button switch with lens cap snugly placed over the top of the button - Google Patents

Push button switch with lens cap snugly placed over the top of the button Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0446487A1
EP0446487A1 EP90125662A EP90125662A EP0446487A1 EP 0446487 A1 EP0446487 A1 EP 0446487A1 EP 90125662 A EP90125662 A EP 90125662A EP 90125662 A EP90125662 A EP 90125662A EP 0446487 A1 EP0446487 A1 EP 0446487A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
push button
halo
button switch
switch actuator
lens
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP90125662A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Adolf H. Martin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Inventio AG
Original Assignee
Inventio AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Inventio AG filed Critical Inventio AG
Publication of EP0446487A1 publication Critical patent/EP0446487A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/023—Light-emitting indicators

Definitions

  • the invention provides a modular designed push button switch, comprising an electrical contact module, an enlarged halo to accommodate a switch actuator and a legend plate, and a halo adapter interfacing the halo with the electrical contact module, whereby halo and halo adapter define a housing for the switch actuator which actuates via an axial movement the contact carrier of the electrical contact module.
  • the push button assembly defined above provides easy assembling as well as disassembling from the back of a push button face plate, in order to replace damaged components and/or to change component colours, identifying legend plates and the like.
  • a push button assembly of this kind is known from the US-A-4 742 198.
  • a face plate includes a single opening for each push button assembly, with the push button assembly including a halo which interfaces the assembly with the face plate, snugly extending into the face plate opening.
  • a halo adapter interfaces the halo with an electrical switch which is actuatable via axial movement of a contact carrier.
  • the halo and halo adapter nest to cooperatively define a housing for a switch actuator, eliminating the need for special tooling.
  • the halo and halo adapter define first and second axial travel limits for the switch actuator, respectively, with the electrical switch biasing the switch actuator to the first travel limit.
  • the switch actuator includes an actuating portion, which is completed by a lens.
  • actuating portion is suitably fixed to the actuating portion, such as by ultrasonic welding.
  • actuating portion and lens are translucent to transmit light to indicate to the user that the button has been actuated, e.g., that an elevator call has been registered, when the push button assembly is used in an elevator application.
  • the invention has the purpose of the creation of a push button switch expanding the field of application of the modular concept and enabling an economical and simple production of the push button components.
  • the advantage attained by the invention is to be seen substantially in that there is only one type of button and lens necessary to quickly and easily assemble push buttons with different legends and colours without the use of special tools.
  • the push button switch comprises an electrical contact module 1, a halo adapter 2, a switch actuator 3 and an enlarged halo 4.
  • Electrical contact module 1, halo adapter 2 and the enlarged halo 4 are described in detail in the document US-A-4 504 713 and in the document US-A-4 742 198.
  • a face plate 5 includes an opening 5.1 and fastener means 5.2 fixed to the inner surface for securing the push button switch. As illustrated, opening 5.1 has a substantially rectangular configuration with half circle endings.
  • Halo 4 and halo adapter 2 are constructed to nest snugly together to form a switch actuator housing within which the switch actuator 3 is disposed in a snug but axially slidable guided relationship relative to the halo elements.
  • the halo 4 includes a flange 4.1 carrying a first projection 4.2 and a second projection 4.3 surrounding a push button opening 4.5.
  • the first projection 4.2 has a substantially square configuration and is configured to snugly enter halo adapter 2 to form the switch actuator housing.
  • the second projection 4.3 is configured to snugly enter opening 5.1 in the face plate.
  • the depth of the second projection 4.3 is at least equal to the thickness of the face plate 5.
  • Electrical contact module 1, halo adapter 2 and enlarged halo 4 show mounting ears 1.1; 2.1; 4.4 with fastener means receiving openings which are aligned with the fastener means 5.2.
  • the switch actuator housing part of the halo adapter 2 is formed by a recess 2.2 having a square configuration and by a wall 2.3.
  • the wall 2.3 shows on each side a rectangular opening 2.4 enabling the actuating function of the push button.
  • a lamp 1.2 illuminates the switch actuator 3 through a central opening 2.5 in the wall 2.3.
  • the switch actuator 3 or push button includes a base portion 3.1 having on the halo adapter end actuating legs 3.2 and on the halo end an actuating portion 3.3.
  • the actuating legs 3.2 extend outwardly from the halo adapter end and engage via the rectangular openings 2.4 a spring biased contact carrier 1.3.
  • a cylindrical lens cap 3.4 is snugly but slidable placed over the round actuating portion 3.3.
  • On the halo end a lens 3.5 configured by a radius on the top surface of the lens cap 3.4 completes the lens cap 3.4 which is dimensioned to slidably enter the push button opening 4.5 in halo 4.
  • the lens 3.5 transmits the indicating light of the lamp 1.2 to the user.
  • a collar 3.6 surrounds the opening of the lens cap 3.4 and transmits an actuating force applied to the lens 3.5 to the base portion 3.1.
  • actuating portion 3.3, lens cap 3.4 and push button opening 4.5 have a round configuration.
  • teachings of the invention apply equally to alternative configurations, such as square.
  • Fig. 3 depicts the assembled push button switch as hereinbefore explained.
  • the cross sectional view shows the switch actuator 3 disposed in the switch actuator housing.
  • actuating legs 3.2 engage the spring biased contact carrier 1.3 and the contact carrier 1.3 thus pushes the switch actuator 3 against the first projection 4.2 of the halo 4, whereby the collar 3.6 of the lens cap 3.4 is pressed against the first projection 4.2 by the base portion 3.1.
  • An actuating force applied to the lens 3.5 overcomes the bias of the contact carrier 1.3 causing the switch actuator 3 to travel a predetermined distance inside the switch actuator housing.
  • the switch actuator 3 comes to rest as soon as the base portion 3.1 reaches the wall 2.3 of the halo adapter 2, preventing an excess pressure on the contact carrier 1.3.
  • the surface of the top of the actuating portion 3.3 is flat so that legends can be printed, hot stamped or engraved on it.
  • the transparent lens cap 3.4 is placed over the actuating portion 3.3 to protect the legends. All the plastic components of this push button switch are moulded using polycarbonate in different colors.

Abstract

A push button switch comprises an electrical contact module (1), an enlarged halo (4) to accommodate a switch actuator (3) and a legend plate (4.7), and a halo adapter (2) interfacing the halo (4) with the electrical contact module (1), whereby halo (4) and halo adapter (2) define a housing for the switch actuator (3). Actuating legs (3.2) of the switch actuator (3) engage a spring biased contact carrier (1.3) of the electrical contact module (1) and the contact carrier (1.3) thus pushes the switch actuator (3) against a first projection (4.2) of the halo (4). An actuating force applied to a lens (3.5) of a lens cap (3.4) overcomes the bias of the contact carrier (1.3) causing the switch actuator (3) to travel inside the switch actuator housing. The switch actuator (3) comes to rest as soon as a base portion (3.1) reaches a wall (2.3) of the halo adapter (2).

Description

  • The invention provides a modular designed push button switch, comprising an electrical contact module, an enlarged halo to accommodate a switch actuator and a legend plate, and a halo adapter interfacing the halo with the electrical contact module, whereby halo and halo adapter define a housing for the switch actuator which actuates via an axial movement the contact carrier of the electrical contact module.
  • Thus the push button assembly defined above provides easy assembling as well as disassembling from the back of a push button face plate, in order to replace damaged components and/or to change component colours, identifying legend plates and the like.
  • A push button assembly of this kind is known from the US-A-4 742 198. A face plate includes a single opening for each push button assembly, with the push button assembly including a halo which interfaces the assembly with the face plate, snugly extending into the face plate opening. A halo adapter interfaces the halo with an electrical switch which is actuatable via axial movement of a contact carrier. The halo and halo adapter nest to cooperatively define a housing for a switch actuator, eliminating the need for special tooling. The halo and halo adapter define first and second axial travel limits for the switch actuator, respectively, with the electrical switch biasing the switch actuator to the first travel limit. The switch actuator includes an actuating portion, which is completed by a lens. The lens is suitably fixed to the actuating portion, such as by ultrasonic welding. In illuminated embodiments actuating portion and lens are translucent to transmit light to indicate to the user that the button has been actuated, e.g., that an elevator call has been registered, when the push button assembly is used in an elevator application.
  • The main disadvantage of this prior art push button assembly lies in that the lens is fixed to the actuating portion. To fix the lens permanently to the actuating portion means additional manufacturing labour. Another disadvantage is that once manufactured there is no way to combine different lenses and buttons to comply with the need of combining different identifying legends, shapes and/or colours.
  • The invention has the purpose of the creation of a push button switch expanding the field of application of the modular concept and enabling an economical and simple production of the push button components.
  • The advantage attained by the invention is to be seen substantially in that there is only one type of button and lens necessary to quickly and easily assemble push buttons with different legends and colours without the use of special tools.
  • The following is a description of the same specific embodiment of the invention reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
    • Fig. 1
    is an exploded perspective view of a push button switch according to the invention comprising an improved modular concept of the push button,
    Fig. 2
    is a perspective view of the visible portion of the push button switch of Fig. 1 disposed in a panel or face plate and
    Fig. 3
    is a cross sectional view of the push button switch shown in Fig. 1, taken between the arrows I-I.
  • In the Figs. 1 to 3 the push button switch comprises an electrical contact module 1, a halo adapter 2, a switch actuator 3 and an enlarged halo 4. Electrical contact module 1, halo adapter 2 and the enlarged halo 4 are described in detail in the document US-A-4 504 713 and in the document US-A-4 742 198. A face plate 5 includes an opening 5.1 and fastener means 5.2 fixed to the inner surface for securing the push button switch. As illustrated, opening 5.1 has a substantially rectangular configuration with half circle endings. Halo 4 and halo adapter 2 are constructed to nest snugly together to form a switch actuator housing within which the switch actuator 3 is disposed in a snug but axially slidable guided relationship relative to the halo elements. The halo 4 includes a flange 4.1 carrying a first projection 4.2 and a second projection 4.3 surrounding a push button opening 4.5. The first projection 4.2 has a substantially square configuration and is configured to snugly enter halo adapter 2 to form the switch actuator housing. The second projection 4.3 is configured to snugly enter opening 5.1 in the face plate. The depth of the second projection 4.3 is at least equal to the thickness of the face plate 5. Electrical contact module 1, halo adapter 2 and enlarged halo 4 show mounting ears 1.1; 2.1; 4.4 with fastener means receiving openings which are aligned with the fastener means 5.2. To the left of the push button opening 4.5 the second projection 4.3 is recessed inwardly to define a recess 4.6 for receiving a legend plate 4.7 which fits snugly into recess 4.6. Suitable fastener means are provided for securing the legend plate 4.7 via a legend plate opening 4.8. The switch actuator housing part of the halo adapter 2 is formed by a recess 2.2 having a square configuration and by a wall 2.3. The wall 2.3 shows on each side a rectangular opening 2.4 enabling the actuating function of the push button. A lamp 1.2 illuminates the switch actuator 3 through a central opening 2.5 in the wall 2.3.
  • The switch actuator 3 or push button includes a base portion 3.1 having on the halo adapter end actuating legs 3.2 and on the halo end an actuating portion 3.3. The actuating legs 3.2 extend outwardly from the halo adapter end and engage via the rectangular openings 2.4 a spring biased contact carrier 1.3. A cylindrical lens cap 3.4 is snugly but slidable placed over the round actuating portion 3.3. On the halo end a lens 3.5 configured by a radius on the top surface of the lens cap 3.4 completes the lens cap 3.4 which is dimensioned to slidably enter the push button opening 4.5 in halo 4. The lens 3.5 transmits the indicating light of the lamp 1.2 to the user. A collar 3.6 surrounds the opening of the lens cap 3.4 and transmits an actuating force applied to the lens 3.5 to the base portion 3.1. As illustrated actuating portion 3.3, lens cap 3.4 and push button opening 4.5 have a round configuration. However, the teachings of the invention apply equally to alternative configurations, such as square.
  • Fig. 3 depicts the assembled push button switch as hereinbefore explained. The cross sectional view shows the switch actuator 3 disposed in the switch actuator housing. In the assembly, actuating legs 3.2 engage the spring biased contact carrier 1.3 and the contact carrier 1.3 thus pushes the switch actuator 3 against the first projection 4.2 of the halo 4, whereby the collar 3.6 of the lens cap 3.4 is pressed against the first projection 4.2 by the base portion 3.1. An actuating force applied to the lens 3.5 overcomes the bias of the contact carrier 1.3 causing the switch actuator 3 to travel a predetermined distance inside the switch actuator housing. The switch actuator 3 comes to rest as soon as the base portion 3.1 reaches the wall 2.3 of the halo adapter 2, preventing an excess pressure on the contact carrier 1.3. The surface of the top of the actuating portion 3.3 is flat so that legends can be printed, hot stamped or engraved on it. The transparent lens cap 3.4 is placed over the actuating portion 3.3 to protect the legends. All the plastic components of this push button switch are moulded using polycarbonate in different colors.

Claims (9)

  1. Push button switch comprising an electrical contact module (1), an enlarged halo (4) to accommodate a switch actuator (3) and a legend plate (4.7), and a halo adapter (2) interfacing the halo (4) with the electrical contact module (1), whereby halo (4) and halo adapter (2) define a housing for the switch actuator (3) which actuates via an axial movement the contact carrier (1.3) of the electrical contact module (1),
    characterized thereby,
    that the switch actuator (3) is configured by modular means enabling a toolless assembling of the switch actuator (3).
  2. Push button switch according to claim 1,
    characterized thereby,
    that the switch actuator (3) comprises a lens cap (3.4) snugly but slidably placed over an actuating portion (3.3) extending outwardly from a base portion (3.1).
  3. Push button switch according to claim 1 and 2,
    characterized thereby,
    that the visible portion of the lens cap (3.4) is completed by a lens (3.5) transmitting indicating light to the user.
  4. Push button switch according to claim 1 and 2,
    characterized thereby,
    that the opening of the lens cap (3.4) is surrounded by a collar (3.6) transmitting an actuating force applied to the lens (3.5) to a base portion (3.1).
  5. Push button switch according to claim 1 and 2,
    characterized thereby,
    that legends are provided on the flat surface of the actuating portion (3.3).
  6. Push button switch according to claim 1 and 2,
    characterized thereby,
    that the lens cap (3.4) and the actuating portion (3.3) have a round configuration.
  7. Push button switch according to claim 1 and 2,
    characterized thereby,
    that the lens cap (3.4) and the actuating portion (3.3) have a square configuration.
  8. Push button switch according to claim 1,
    characterized thereby,
    that the switch components are provided in different colours to comply with esthetic requirements of the building.
  9. Push button switch according to claim 3,
    characterized thereby,
    that the lens (3.5) is configured by a radius on the top surface of the lens cap (3.4).
EP90125662A 1990-03-14 1990-12-28 Push button switch with lens cap snugly placed over the top of the button Ceased EP0446487A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US49350190A 1990-03-14 1990-03-14
US493501 1990-03-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0446487A1 true EP0446487A1 (en) 1991-09-18

Family

ID=23960480

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90125662A Ceased EP0446487A1 (en) 1990-03-14 1990-12-28 Push button switch with lens cap snugly placed over the top of the button

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0446487A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH04230919A (en)
CA (1) CA2035342A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5329078A (en) * 1992-09-17 1994-07-12 Inventio Ag Elevator car position indicator for use by visually impaired persons
EP0615264A1 (en) * 1993-03-12 1994-09-14 Inventio Ag Push button switch illuminated by led for use with elevators
EP0657906A1 (en) * 1993-12-09 1995-06-14 Inventio Ag Mounting of an electrical switch and its associated indicating panel
EP0660349A1 (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-06-28 Inventio Ag Push button switch

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4278341B2 (en) * 2002-04-16 2009-06-10 東芝エレベータ株式会社 Elevator push button switch

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1385601A (en) * 1963-12-05 1965-01-15 Ind Et De Commerce Internat G Improvements made to dust protection devices from electro-mechanical equipment
DE1490910A1 (en) * 1964-11-26 1969-06-19 Vedder Gmbh Geb Switches with permanent or control lighting
DE2833679A1 (en) * 1977-08-08 1979-02-22 Itt Ind Gmbh Deutsche Switch with position display - has reflecting element and light modifying element whose relative positions are changed by switch operation
US4283758A (en) * 1979-07-23 1981-08-11 Irving James H Encapsulated neon lamps
DE3014477A1 (en) * 1980-04-15 1981-10-22 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Combined push button switch and indicator lamp - has push-button over lamp chamber and contacts inside adjacent chamber under markings
US4504713A (en) * 1983-07-13 1985-03-12 Adams Elevator Equipment Company Push button electrical switch assembly
WO1985002938A1 (en) * 1983-12-21 1985-07-04 Allen-Bradley Company Push button switch and pilot light

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1385601A (en) * 1963-12-05 1965-01-15 Ind Et De Commerce Internat G Improvements made to dust protection devices from electro-mechanical equipment
DE1490910A1 (en) * 1964-11-26 1969-06-19 Vedder Gmbh Geb Switches with permanent or control lighting
DE2833679A1 (en) * 1977-08-08 1979-02-22 Itt Ind Gmbh Deutsche Switch with position display - has reflecting element and light modifying element whose relative positions are changed by switch operation
US4283758A (en) * 1979-07-23 1981-08-11 Irving James H Encapsulated neon lamps
DE3014477A1 (en) * 1980-04-15 1981-10-22 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Combined push button switch and indicator lamp - has push-button over lamp chamber and contacts inside adjacent chamber under markings
US4504713A (en) * 1983-07-13 1985-03-12 Adams Elevator Equipment Company Push button electrical switch assembly
WO1985002938A1 (en) * 1983-12-21 1985-07-04 Allen-Bradley Company Push button switch and pilot light

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5329078A (en) * 1992-09-17 1994-07-12 Inventio Ag Elevator car position indicator for use by visually impaired persons
EP0615264A1 (en) * 1993-03-12 1994-09-14 Inventio Ag Push button switch illuminated by led for use with elevators
US5391848A (en) * 1993-03-12 1995-02-21 Inventio Ag Push button switch illuminated by light emitting diodes for use with elevators
EP0657906A1 (en) * 1993-12-09 1995-06-14 Inventio Ag Mounting of an electrical switch and its associated indicating panel
US5455398A (en) * 1993-12-09 1995-10-03 Inventio Ag Mounting support for electrical switches and associated legend plates
EP0660349A1 (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-06-28 Inventio Ag Push button switch
US5434377A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-07-18 Invento Ag Pushbuttton electrical switch assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2035342A1 (en) 1991-09-15
JPH04230919A (en) 1992-08-19

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