EP0959393A1 - Multidirectional pushbutton - Google Patents

Multidirectional pushbutton Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0959393A1
EP0959393A1 EP98109172A EP98109172A EP0959393A1 EP 0959393 A1 EP0959393 A1 EP 0959393A1 EP 98109172 A EP98109172 A EP 98109172A EP 98109172 A EP98109172 A EP 98109172A EP 0959393 A1 EP0959393 A1 EP 0959393A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
push button
housing
button according
movable block
block
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98109172A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Alphonse Bron
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.)
ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Original Assignee
ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Ebauchesfabrik ETA 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 ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA, Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG filed Critical ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Priority to EP98109172A priority Critical patent/EP0959393A1/en
Publication of EP0959393A1 publication Critical patent/EP0959393A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02—Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a push button intended to be placed in the vicinity of the edge of a housing to allow the establishment of at least one electrical contact when pressure is exerted in any direction within an angle substantially delimited by the direction perpendicular to the general plan of the housing and by the management perpendicular to the side near which is disposed said pushbutton.
  • the invention also relates to a watch case fitted with one or more push buttons enabling or disabling functions of an electronic watch movement.
  • a push button consists of a rigid rod that slides in a good direction determined in a tubular orifice, being maintained by elastic means in the inactive position, and allowing to establish directly or indirectly a electrical contact according to the determined direction.
  • wristwatch and more particularly in a watch chronograph, such push buttons are provided for the start, stop and reset functions, and are generally placed on the middle, the pressure exerted then being parallel to the plane of the dial.
  • the pushbuttons are necessarily very close to the skin of the wrist and their access becomes inconvenient. To avoid this inconvenience some manufacturers have pushbuttons so that pressure can be exerted in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the housing. In in the case of a watch, this arrangement at the level of the glass or bezel can detract from the aesthetic appearance also desired for this type of product.
  • document CH 621 664 discloses a watch in which the pusher head to be handled is provided of an inclined surface towards the outside of the box and allows electrical contact to be made by sliding a finger on said inclined surface causing quite usual way a horizontal displacement of the rod inside a guide sleeve.
  • the push button according to the invention comprises a part mobile having on the contrary two degrees of freedom and thus makes it possible to establish an electrical contact by exerting pressure in a large number of directions possible, i.e. without requiring attention particular from the user.
  • the push button according to the invention is positioned in the vicinity of the edge of a housing and comprises, a cavity shaped in said housing or integral with it, open towards the ridge and formed by a base, substantially parallel to the general plane of said housing and supporting at least one electrical contact, and by at least one wall connecting said base to the face upper case, a deformable elastomer cap closing said cavity to form a housing, a block rigid mobile occupying a volume smaller than that of said housing, and main elastic means arranged between the base and the block to hold said movable block pressing against said cape, said push button being characterized in that the cape comprises on both sides of the ridge two extensions against which take respectively support an upper part and a surface side of the block and in that the movable block includes in addition to a surface inclined towards the center of the case according to an angle ⁇ ⁇ 90 ° relative to the general plane of said housing, said surface being designed to slide on a portion of wall of complementary shape, so that close the electrical contact at least when a pressure is
  • the complementary inclined surfaces formed in a portion of the wall of the cavity and on the movable block can have any envelope, but according to a mode preferred embodiment said surfaces are surfaces flat.
  • the planar surface of the block mobile is formed by a central inclined plane.
  • said surface is formed by two planes lateral inclines arranged on either side of the upper part of the mobile unit.
  • the inclination ⁇ of said complementary surfaces can take different values imposed basically by technical considerations, such as the layout other components in the housing.
  • the value of the angle ⁇ will preferably be chosen to be close to or less than 45 °.
  • the housing in which the rigid block is movable has at least two rigid walls substantially in look at the cape extensions. It is then possible to have the main elastic means between the base of the cavity and the surface facing the movable block. In a way accessory other elastic means can be disposed between a portion of the vertical wall of the cavity and the surface facing the movable block.
  • the push button activates only one electrical contact.
  • a second contact either on the base near the wall, or on the portion of wall near its junction with the base or even having two additional contacts both on the base and on the wall. According to this variant it is then possible activate two different functions by choosing the direction in which the pressure is exerted.
  • the means elastic and the means used to establish contact electrical devices form only one functional unit. he for example an elastic metal blade secured either to the mobile unit, or to the base or the vertical wall portion. You can also use a conductive elastomer block, on the same principle as that described in patent CH 604 357.
  • the push button finds its application in all type of products whose operation requires the use of an electrical contactor. As indicated in early on it is particularly well suited for activating or deactivate watch functions.
  • Figure 1 schematically shows a housing 2 having a push button formed by a deformable cap 20 with two extensions 21 and 22 on either side of the edge 1, on the one hand on the upper face 2a of the housing, on the other hand on its edge 2b.
  • the edge 2b of the box forms a higher angle at 90 ° with the upper face 2a, and a pressure can be exercised by a user's finger within an angle less than 90 °, delimited by arrows A and B.
  • the section in Figure 2 shows the details of construction of the push button.
  • Box 2 has a cavity 3 open towards the outside and delimited by a base 6 substantially parallel to the general plane of the housing, by a wall 5 having the same orientation as the edge 2b, without necessarily being parallel to it.
  • the edge 2b is extended by a small extension 7 towards the opening of the cavity 3.
  • This cavity is hermetically sealed by the cape 20 fixed on the periphery of the cavity 3, or obtained according to the bi-material injection process described in the patent EP 0 807 872.
  • the cavity 3 and the cap 20 form a housing inside which is a rigid block 10 which is characterized by an inclined surface 14 forming with the general plane of the case an angle ⁇ whose apex is directed towards the center of said housing.
  • Wall 5 is extended on the side of the upper face 2a of the housing by an inclined surface 4 forming the same angle ⁇ with the general plan of said housing.
  • the other surfaces 11, 12, 15 and 16 of the block are parallel to the interior surfaces 21, 22, 5 and 6 of the housing, while leaving a free space of between the base 6, on the other hand between the wall 5.
  • Block 10 is kept in abutment against internal walls of the extensions 21, 22 of the cape by elastic means 8 arranged between the base 6 and the surface 16 of the block.
  • These elastic means are for example formed by springs or by materials elastic plastics.
  • secondary elastic means can be arranged between the wall 5 and the facing surface 15 of the block 10.
  • a single contact 18 formed by 2 studs arranged on the base 6 and by a conductive strip secured to the mobile unit.
  • a second contact 18a can be arranged on the base 6 near wall 5 and in Figure 6 there is shown a contact 19 at the level of the wall 5 of the cavity 3. It is quite obvious that these two modes of distribution of electrical contacts can be cumulative, without however allow more than two activation modes to be set up, as explained below with reference to Figures 3a and 3b relating to an embodiment in which the base 6 comprises the two contacts 18, 18a mentioned above.
  • Figure 3a shows an operating mode in which pressure was applied according to arrow A, perpendicular to the upper face 2a of the housing.
  • This pressure causes a displacement of the movable block 10 substantially in the same direction, that is to say in retaining substantially the same space between surfaces 5 and 15 opposite, and creating a space between the complementary inclined surfaces 4, 14.
  • This translation of the block enables contact 18 to be closed.
  • the base 6 has only the contact 18, it it is obvious that we also obtain the closure, even if the two inclined surfaces slide one on the other, for example due to the value of the angle ⁇ , or the shape of the cape 20.
  • Figure 3b shows an operating mode in which pressure was applied according to arrow B, perpendicular to the edge of the box.
  • This pressure causes a displacement of the movable block 10 by sliding from its inclined plane 14 on the complementary inclined plane 4 of the wall of the cavity, causing an approximation between base 6 and wall 5 and facing surfaces 16, 15 of the block.
  • FIG 3b it is then possible to obtain the closure of two contacts 18, 18a located on base 6.
  • This same pressure exerted according to arrow B would similarly close a contact 19 which would be located at the level of the wall 5.
  • the functional unit 28 is formed by a blade flexible metal 28a which holds the movable block 10 in support against the inner walls of the cape 20, and which allows to close a contact 28c located on base 6 when pressure is exerted.
  • the unit functional 29 is formed by an elastomer block conductor 29a having a skirt 29b, the flexibility of which keeps the movable block 10 in abutment against the cape 20, said block being deformable under the influence of a pressure to form a contact 30 on the base 6.
  • the cavity 3 is a single piece 13 attached to the case 2 and made integral with it for example by collage.
  • the two extensions 21, 22 of the elastomeric cap deformable 20 form a continuous surface and, at the level a virtual point corresponding to route 1, means fixing 17 make the movable block 10 integral with said cape 20, so that it also ensures the function of elastic means, and that it is then possible to remove the elastic means arranged at the base level 6.
  • the material forming the movable block 10 is entirely produced in a conductive material which closes one or two contacts 18, 19 depending on the direction in which pressure is exerted on the cape 20.
  • Figures 7 and 8 show a watch 30 provided on either side of the crown 31 of two push buttons 32a, 32b of the type of those who have just been described.
  • the watch case is for example made of a hard plastic, such as ABS, and the material elastomer forming the cap is for example in polyurethane, the assembly of said cape on the box can be carried out for example according to the method described in patent EP 0 807 872.
  • the section shown in figure 8 we find all the characteristics previously mentioned, the same elements being designated by the same references.
  • the base 6 of the cavity 3 is formed by a circuit printed 33 secured to the box, that the angles ⁇ and ⁇ have respectively for values 45 ° and 90 °, and that said box is closed at its lower part by a bottom 34 and at its upper part by a glass 35 arranged above a dial 36.
  • the rigid movable block 10 can be produced in the same material as the box. It also appears that the flexible blade can have its long length oriented towards the center of the box, or tangentially to its envelope as shown in the section of figure 8.
  • the envelope of complementary inclined surfaces allowing to close at least one contact on base 6 when pressure is exerted on the cape according to a any direction within the angle ⁇ , is not limited to a central inclined plane.
  • the inclined surface of the movable block is formed by two lateral inclined planes 14a, 14b arranged on either side of an upper part 12 of the block 10.
  • the complementary wall of the housing has the same way two inclined planes 4a, 4b, on the side and other of an opening 5a shaped to leave a clearance sufficient at the top 12 of block 10 when a pressure is exerted in a direction parallel to the plane of the case.
  • This construction offers the advantage of allow better guidance of the mobile unit, in particular by because of the possible elongation of the inclined surfaces complementary.

Abstract

A push button positioned on the edge (1) of a watch housing has an opening (3) defined by two extensions (21, 22), a deformable cover (20) and a rigid moving block (10). Elastic elements (8) hold the block against the cover. The block has a sloped surface (14), whose angle ( alpha ) to the housing is less than 90 degrees. Thus if the block is pushed from a range of angles ( SIMILAR B) a contact (18) is made.

Description

La présente invention concerne un bouton-poussoir destiné à être disposé au voisinage de l'arête d'un boítier pour permettre l'établissement d'au moins un contact électrique lorsqu'une pression est exercée dans une direction quelconque comprise dans un angle sensiblement délimité par la direction perpendiculaire au plan général du boítier et par la direction perpendiculaire au côté près duquel est disposé ledit bouton-poussoir. L'invention concerne également une boíte de montre équipée d'un ou de plusieurs boutons-poussoirs permettant d'activer ou de désactiver les fonctions d'un mouvement électronique horloger.The present invention relates to a push button intended to be placed in the vicinity of the edge of a housing to allow the establishment of at least one electrical contact when pressure is exerted in any direction within an angle substantially delimited by the direction perpendicular to the general plan of the housing and by the management perpendicular to the side near which is disposed said pushbutton. The invention also relates to a watch case fitted with one or more push buttons enabling or disabling functions of an electronic watch movement.

De façon usuelle un bouton-poussoir se compose d'une tige rigide qui coulisse selon une direction bien déterminée dans un orifice tubulaire, en étant maintenue par des moyens élastiques en position inactive, et en permettant d'établir directement ou indirectement un contact électrique selon la direction déterminée. Dans une montre-bracelet, et plus particulièrement dans une montre chronographe, de tels boutons-poussoirs sont prévus pour les fonctions start, stop et remise à zéro, et sont généralement disposés sur la carrure, la pression exercée étant alors parallèle au plan du cadran. Dans la majorité des cas une telle construction classique est satisfaisante. Toutefois, lorsque la boíte de montre a une faible épaisseur, les boutons-poussoirs sont nécessairement très près de la peau du poignet et leur accès devient mal commode. Pour éviter cet inconvénient certains constructeurs disposent les boutons-poussoirs de telle sorte que la pression puisse être exercée dans une direction perpendiculaire au plan général du boítier. Dans le cas d'une montre, cette disposition au niveau de la glace ou de la lunette peut nuire à l'aspect esthétique également souhaité pour ce type de produit. Usually a push button consists of a rigid rod that slides in a good direction determined in a tubular orifice, being maintained by elastic means in the inactive position, and allowing to establish directly or indirectly a electrical contact according to the determined direction. In wristwatch, and more particularly in a watch chronograph, such push buttons are provided for the start, stop and reset functions, and are generally placed on the middle, the pressure exerted then being parallel to the plane of the dial. In the majority cases such a classical construction is satisfactory. However, when the watch case has a thin, the pushbuttons are necessarily very close to the skin of the wrist and their access becomes inconvenient. To avoid this inconvenience some manufacturers have pushbuttons so that pressure can be exerted in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the housing. In in the case of a watch, this arrangement at the level of the glass or bezel can detract from the aesthetic appearance also desired for this type of product.

Pour pallier aux inconvénients de cet art antérieur, le document CH 621 664 divulgue une montre dans laquelle la tête de poussoir devant être manipulée est pourvue d'une surface inclinée vers l'extérieur de la boíte et permet d'établir un contact électrique en faisant glisser un doigt sur ladite surface inclinée en provoquant de façon tout à fait usuelle un déplacement horizontal de la tige à l'intérieur d'une douille de guidage.To overcome the drawbacks of this prior art, document CH 621 664 discloses a watch in which the pusher head to be handled is provided of an inclined surface towards the outside of the box and allows electrical contact to be made by sliding a finger on said inclined surface causing quite usual way a horizontal displacement of the rod inside a guide sleeve.

De ce qui précède il ressort que la pièce mobile servant à établir un contact électrique possède dans les boutons-poussoirs de l'art antérieur toujours un seul degré de liberté, ce qui impose à l'utilisateur d'être attentif à la direction dans laquelle il exerce une pression.From the above it appears that the moving part used to establish an electrical contact has in the push buttons of the prior art always only one degree of freedom, which requires the user to be attentive to the direction in which it exercises pressure.

Comme on le verra dans la suite de la description, le bouton-poussoir selon l'invention comporte une pièce mobile possédant au contraire deux degrés de liberté et permet ainsi d'établir un contact électrique en exerçant une pression selon un grand nombre de directions possibles, c'est-à-dire sans exiger une attention particulière de la part de l'utilisateur.As will be seen in the following description, the push button according to the invention comprises a part mobile having on the contrary two degrees of freedom and thus makes it possible to establish an electrical contact by exerting pressure in a large number of directions possible, i.e. without requiring attention particular from the user.

A cet effet le bouton-poussoir selon l'invention est positionné au voisinage de l'arête d'un boítier et comprend, une cavité conformée dans ledit boítier ou solidaire de celui-ci, ouverte vers l'arête et constituée par une base, sensiblement parallèle au plan général dudit boítier et supportant au moins un contact électrique, et par au moins une paroi reliant ladite base à la face supérieure du boítier, une cape déformable en élastomère obturant ladite cavité pour former un logement, un bloc mobile rigide occupant un volume inférieur à celui dudit logement, et des moyens élastiques principaux disposés entre la base et le bloc pour maintenir ledit bloc mobile en appui contre ladite cape, ledit bouton-poussoir étant caractérisé en ce que la cape comprend de part et d'autre de l'arête deux extensions contre lesquelles prennent respectivement appui une partie supérieure et une surface latérale du bloc et en ce que le bloc mobile comporte en outre une surface inclinée vers le centre du boítier selon un angle α < 90° par rapport au plan général dudit boítier, ladite surface étant prévue pour glisser sur une portion de paroi de forme complémentaire, de façon à fermer au moins le contact électrique lorsqu'une pression est exercée selon une direction comprise dans un angle β ≤ 90° sensiblement délimité par les directions perpendiculaires aux extensions de la cape.To this end, the push button according to the invention is positioned in the vicinity of the edge of a housing and comprises, a cavity shaped in said housing or integral with it, open towards the ridge and formed by a base, substantially parallel to the general plane of said housing and supporting at least one electrical contact, and by at least one wall connecting said base to the face upper case, a deformable elastomer cap closing said cavity to form a housing, a block rigid mobile occupying a volume smaller than that of said housing, and main elastic means arranged between the base and the block to hold said movable block pressing against said cape, said push button being characterized in that the cape comprises on both sides of the ridge two extensions against which take respectively support an upper part and a surface side of the block and in that the movable block includes in addition to a surface inclined towards the center of the case according to an angle α <90 ° relative to the general plane of said housing, said surface being designed to slide on a portion of wall of complementary shape, so that close the electrical contact at least when a pressure is exercised in a direction included in an angle β ≤ 90 ° substantially delimited by the directions perpendicular to the cape extensions.

Les surfaces inclinées complémentaires formées dans une portion de paroi de la cavité et sur le bloc mobile peuvent avoir une enveloppe quelconque, mais selon un mode de réalisation préféré lesdites surfaces sont des surfaces planes.The complementary inclined surfaces formed in a portion of the wall of the cavity and on the movable block can have any envelope, but according to a mode preferred embodiment said surfaces are surfaces flat.

Selon une première variante, la surface plane du bloc mobile est formée par un plan incliné central. Selon une deuxième variante ladite surface est formée par deux plans inclinés latéraux disposées de part et d'autre de la partie supérieure du bloc mobile.According to a first variant, the planar surface of the block mobile is formed by a central inclined plane. According to one second variant said surface is formed by two planes lateral inclines arranged on either side of the upper part of the mobile unit.

L'inclinaison α desdites surfaces complémentaires peut prendre différentes valeurs imposées essentiellement par des considérations techniques, tel que l'agencement d'autres composants dans le boítier. De façon à minimiser les forces de frottement entre les surfaces inclinées complémentaires lorsqu'une pression exercée est sensiblement parallèle au plan général du boítier, la valeur de l'angle α sera choisie de préférence voisine ou inférieure à 45°.The inclination α of said complementary surfaces can take different values imposed basically by technical considerations, such as the layout other components in the housing. In order to minimize friction forces between inclined surfaces complementary when pressure is applied substantially parallel to the general plane of the housing, the value of the angle α will preferably be chosen to be close to or less than 45 °.

De même, l'angle β à l'intérieur duquel la pression peut être exercée peut prendre différentes valeurs dictées essentiellement par des considérations esthétiques. De la façon la plus courante, le tour du boítier est sensiblement perpendiculaire à son plan général et on peut donc retenir la valeur β = 90° comme valeur préférée.Similarly, the angle β within which the pressure can be exercised can take different dictated values essentially by aesthetic considerations. Of the most commonly, the turn of the case is substantially perpendicular to its general plane and we can therefore retain the value β = 90 ° as preferred value.

Le logement dans lequel le bloc rigide est mobile possède au moins deux parois rigides sensiblement en regard des extensions de la cape. Il est alors possible de disposer des moyens élastiques principaux entre la base de la cavité et la surface en regard du bloc mobile. De façon accessoire d'autres moyens élastiques peuvent être disposés entre une portion de paroi verticale de la cavité et la surface en regard du bloc mobile.The housing in which the rigid block is movable has at least two rigid walls substantially in look at the cape extensions. It is then possible to have the main elastic means between the base of the cavity and the surface facing the movable block. In a way accessory other elastic means can be disposed between a portion of the vertical wall of the cavity and the surface facing the movable block.

Dans sa forme d'exécution la plus simple le bouton-poussoir n'active qu'un seul contact électrique. Toutefois, compte tenu des deux degrés de liberté du bloc mobile il est possible de prévoir un deuxième contact, soit sur la base près de la paroi, soit sur la portion de paroi près de sa jonction avec la base, voire d'avoir deux contacts supplémentaires à la fois sur la base et sur la paroi. Selon cette variante il est alors possible d'activer deux fonctions différentes en choisissant le sens dans lequel la pression est exercée.In its simplest form, the push button activates only one electrical contact. However, taking into account the two degrees of freedom of the block mobile it is possible to provide a second contact, either on the base near the wall, or on the portion of wall near its junction with the base or even having two additional contacts both on the base and on the wall. According to this variant it is then possible activate two different functions by choosing the direction in which the pressure is exerted.

Dans une forme d'exécution préférée les moyens élastiques et les moyens servant à établir un contact électrique ne forment qu'une seule unité fonctionnelle. Il s'agit par exemple d'une lame métallique élastique solidaire soit du bloc mobile, soit de la base ou de la portion de paroi verticale. On peut également utiliser un bloc élastomère conducteur, selon le même principe que celui décrit dans le brevet CH 604 357.In a preferred embodiment the means elastic and the means used to establish contact electrical devices form only one functional unit. he for example an elastic metal blade secured either to the mobile unit, or to the base or the vertical wall portion. You can also use a conductive elastomer block, on the same principle as that described in patent CH 604 357.

Le bouton-poussoir trouve son application dans tout type de produits dont le fonctionnement nécessite l'utilisation d'un contacteur électrique. Comme indiqué au début, il est particulièrement bien adapté pour activer ou désactiver les fonctions d'une montre.The push button finds its application in all type of products whose operation requires the use of an electrical contactor. As indicated in early on it is particularly well suited for activating or deactivate watch functions.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaítront dans la description suivante de différents modes de réalisations, présentés à titre non limitatif en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un boítier ayant un bouton-poussoir selon l'invention.
  • la figure 2 est une coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1.
  • les figures 3a et 3b représentent le bouton-poussoir de la figure 2 lorsqu'une pression est exercée selon deux positions extrêmes.
  • les figures 4 et 5 représentent deux variantes de contacts électriques du bouton-poussoir de la figure 2.
  • la figure 6 représente un autre mode de réalisation du bouton-poussoir selon l'invention.
  • la figure 7 est une vue en perspective d'une montre pourvue de deux boutons-poussoirs selon l'invention.
  • la figure 8 est une coupe selon la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7.
  • la figure 9 est une coupe d'une variante de réalisation du bouton-poussoir représenté aux figures 7 et 8, et
  • la figure 9a est une vue en perspective du bouton-poussoir représenté à la figure 9, limitée à la paroi de la cavité et au bloc mobile.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of different embodiments, presented without implied limitation with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a housing having a push button according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a section along the line II-II of Figure 1.
  • Figures 3a and 3b show the push button of Figure 2 when pressure is exerted in two extreme positions.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 represent two variants of the electrical contacts of the push button in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 6 represents another embodiment of the push button according to the invention.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a watch provided with two push buttons according to the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a section along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a section through an alternative embodiment of the push button shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and
  • Figure 9a is a perspective view of the push button shown in Figure 9, limited to the wall of the cavity and the movable block.

La figure 1 montre schématiquement un boítier 2 ayant un bouton-poussoir formé par une cape déformable 20 présentant deux extensions 21 et 22 de part et d'autre de l'arête 1, d'une part sur la face supérieure 2a du boítier, d'autre part sur son bord 2b. Dans le schéma représenté le bord 2b de la boíte forme un angle supérieur à 90° avec la face supérieur 2a, et une pression peut être exercée par le doigt d'un usager à l'intérieur d'un angle inférieur à 90°, délimité par les flèches A et B.Figure 1 schematically shows a housing 2 having a push button formed by a deformable cap 20 with two extensions 21 and 22 on either side of the edge 1, on the one hand on the upper face 2a of the housing, on the other hand on its edge 2b. In the diagram shown the edge 2b of the box forms a higher angle at 90 ° with the upper face 2a, and a pressure can be exercised by a user's finger within an angle less than 90 °, delimited by arrows A and B.

La coupe de la figure 2 montre les détails de construction du bouton-poussoir. La boíte 2 comporte une cavité 3 ouverte vers l'extérieur et délimitée par une base 6 sensiblement parallèle au plan général du boítier, par une paroi 5 ayant la même orientation que le bord 2b, sans nécessairement être parallèle à celui-ci. Dans l'exemple représenté, le bord 2b est prolongé par une petite extension 7 vers l'ouverture de la cavité 3. Cette cavité est obturée de façon hermétique par la cape 20 fixée sur le pourtour de la cavité 3, ou obtenue selon le procédé d'injection bi-matière décrit dans le brevet EP 0 807 872. La cavité 3 et la cape 20 forment un logement à l'intérieur duquel se trouve un bloc rigide 10 qui est caractérisé par une surface inclinée 14 formant avec le plan général du boítier un angle α dont le sommet est dirigé vers le centre dudit boítier. La paroi 5 est prolongée du côté de la face supérieure 2a du boítier par une surface inclinée 4 formant le même angle α avec le plan général dudit boítier. Les autre surfaces 11, 12, 15 et 16 du bloc sont parallèles aux surfaces intérieures 21, 22, 5 et 6 du logement, en ménageant un espace libre d'une part entre la base 6, d'autre part entre la paroi 5. Dans la représentation en coupe de la figure 2, les parois qui obturent la cavité 3 selon deux plans perpendiculaires à la base 6 et parallèles à l'axe de coupe II-II ne sont pas représentées. Le bloc 10 est maintenu en appui contre les parois internes des extensions 21, 22 de la cape par des moyens élastiques 8 disposés entre la base 6 et la surface 16 du bloc. Ces moyens élastiques sont par exemple constitués par des ressorts ou par des matériaux plastiques élastiques. Comme représenté à la figure 4, des moyens élastiques secondaires peuvent être disposés entre la paroi 5 et la surface en regard 15 du bloc 10. A la figure 2 on a représenté un seul contact 18 formé par 2 plots disposés sur la base 6 et par une lame conductrice solidaire du bloc mobile. Aux figures 3a et 3b, on voit qu'un deuxième contact 18a peut être disposé sur la base 6 près de la paroi 5 et à la figure 6 on a représenté un contact 19 au niveau de la paroi 5 de la cavité 3. Il est bien évident que ces deux modes de répartition des contacts électriques peuvent être cumulés, sans toutefois permettre d'instaurer plus de deux modes d'activation, comme expliqué ci-après en référence aux figures 3a et 3b concernant un mode de réalisation dans lequel la base 6 comporte les deux contacts 18, 18a sus-indiqués.The section in Figure 2 shows the details of construction of the push button. Box 2 has a cavity 3 open towards the outside and delimited by a base 6 substantially parallel to the general plane of the housing, by a wall 5 having the same orientation as the edge 2b, without necessarily being parallel to it. In the example shown, the edge 2b is extended by a small extension 7 towards the opening of the cavity 3. This cavity is hermetically sealed by the cape 20 fixed on the periphery of the cavity 3, or obtained according to the bi-material injection process described in the patent EP 0 807 872. The cavity 3 and the cap 20 form a housing inside which is a rigid block 10 which is characterized by an inclined surface 14 forming with the general plane of the case an angle α whose apex is directed towards the center of said housing. Wall 5 is extended on the side of the upper face 2a of the housing by an inclined surface 4 forming the same angle α with the general plan of said housing. The other surfaces 11, 12, 15 and 16 of the block are parallel to the interior surfaces 21, 22, 5 and 6 of the housing, while leaving a free space of between the base 6, on the other hand between the wall 5. In the sectional representation of Figure 2, the walls which close the cavity 3 in two planes perpendicular to the base 6 and parallel to the cutting axis II-II are not represented. Block 10 is kept in abutment against internal walls of the extensions 21, 22 of the cape by elastic means 8 arranged between the base 6 and the surface 16 of the block. These elastic means are for example formed by springs or by materials elastic plastics. As shown in Figure 4, secondary elastic means can be arranged between the wall 5 and the facing surface 15 of the block 10. At the Figure 2 there is shown a single contact 18 formed by 2 studs arranged on the base 6 and by a conductive strip secured to the mobile unit. In Figures 3a and 3b, we see that a second contact 18a can be arranged on the base 6 near wall 5 and in Figure 6 there is shown a contact 19 at the level of the wall 5 of the cavity 3. It is quite obvious that these two modes of distribution of electrical contacts can be cumulative, without however allow more than two activation modes to be set up, as explained below with reference to Figures 3a and 3b relating to an embodiment in which the base 6 comprises the two contacts 18, 18a mentioned above.

La figure 3a représente un mode de fonctionnement dans lequel on a exercé une pression selon la flèche A, perpendiculairement à la face supérieure 2a du boítier. Cette pression entraíne un déplacement du bloc mobile 10 sensiblement dans la même direction, c'est-à-dire en conservant sensiblement le même espace entre les surfaces 5 et 15 en regard, et en créant un espace entre les surfaces inclinées complémentaires 4, 14. Cette translation du bloc permet la fermeture du contact 18. Dans le cas où la base 6 ne comporte que le contact 18, il est bien évident qu'on obtient également la fermeture, même si les deux surfaces inclinées glissent l'une sur l'autre, par exemple en raison de la valeur de l'angle α, ou de la forme de la cape 20.Figure 3a shows an operating mode in which pressure was applied according to arrow A, perpendicular to the upper face 2a of the housing. This pressure causes a displacement of the movable block 10 substantially in the same direction, that is to say in retaining substantially the same space between surfaces 5 and 15 opposite, and creating a space between the complementary inclined surfaces 4, 14. This translation of the block enables contact 18 to be closed. In the case where the base 6 has only the contact 18, it it is obvious that we also obtain the closure, even if the two inclined surfaces slide one on the other, for example due to the value of the angle α, or the shape of the cape 20.

La figure 3b représente un mode de fonctionnement dans lequel on a exercé une pression selon la flèche B, perpendiculairement au bord de la boíte. Cette pression entraíne un déplacement du bloc mobile 10 par glissement de son plan incliné 14 sur le plan incliné complémentaire 4 de la paroi de la cavité, en provoquant un rapprochement entre la base 6 et la paroi 5 et les surfaces en regard 16, 15 du bloc. Comme on le voit sur la figure 3b il est alors possible d'obtenir la fermeture de deux contacts 18, 18a situés sur la base 6. Cette même pression exercée selon la flèche B permettrait de la même façon de fermer un contact 19 qui serait situé au niveau de la paroi 5.Figure 3b shows an operating mode in which pressure was applied according to arrow B, perpendicular to the edge of the box. This pressure causes a displacement of the movable block 10 by sliding from its inclined plane 14 on the complementary inclined plane 4 of the wall of the cavity, causing an approximation between base 6 and wall 5 and facing surfaces 16, 15 of the block. As seen in Figure 3b it is then possible to obtain the closure of two contacts 18, 18a located on base 6. This same pressure exerted according to arrow B would similarly close a contact 19 which would be located at the level of the wall 5.

En exerçant une pression selon une direction quelconque comprise entre les flèches A et B on constate qu'il est toujours possible de fermer au moins un contact 18 situé un niveau de la base.By applying pressure in one direction any between the arrows A and B we see that it is always possible to close at least one contact 18 located one level from the base.

En se référant maintenant plus particulièrement aux figures 4 et 5, on a représenté deux modes de réalisation dans lesquels les moyens élastiques et les moyens permettant d'établir un contact au niveau de la base 6 ne forment qu'une seule unité fonctionnelle. A la figure 4, l'unité fonctionnelle 28 est formée par une lame métallique flexible 28a qui maintient le bloc mobile 10 en appui contre les parois intérieures de la cape 20, et qui permet de fermer un contact 28c situé sur la base 6 lorsqu'une pression est exercée. A la figure 5, l'unité fonctionnelle 29 est formée par un bloc élastomère conducteur 29a ayant une jupe 29b, dont la flexibilité permet de maintenir le bloc mobile 10 en appui contre la cape 20, ledit bloc étant déformable sous l'influence d'une pression pour former un contact 30 sur la base 6.Referring now more particularly to Figures 4 and 5, there are shown two embodiments in which the elastic means and the means allowing to establish a contact at the base 6 level form a single functional unit. In Figure 4, the functional unit 28 is formed by a blade flexible metal 28a which holds the movable block 10 in support against the inner walls of the cape 20, and which allows to close a contact 28c located on base 6 when pressure is exerted. In Figure 5, the unit functional 29 is formed by an elastomer block conductor 29a having a skirt 29b, the flexibility of which keeps the movable block 10 in abutment against the cape 20, said block being deformable under the influence of a pressure to form a contact 30 on the base 6.

A la figure 6 on a représenté sur un même dessin différentes variantes d'exécution du bouton-poussoir qui vient d'être décrit. On constate tout d'abord que la cavité 3 est une pièce monobloc 13 rapportée sur le boítier 2 et rendue solidaire de celui-ci par exemple par collage. Les deux extensions 21, 22 de la cape élastomère déformable 20 forment une surface continue et, au niveau d'un point virtuel correspondant à l'artère 1, des moyens de fixation 17 permettent de rendre le bloc mobile 10 solidaire de ladite cape 20, de sorte qu'elle assure aussi la fonction de moyens élastiques, et qu'il est alors possible de supprimer les moyens élastiques disposés au niveau de la base 6. Dans l'exemple représenté le matériau formant le bloc mobile 10 est dans sa totalité réalisé en un matériau conducteur qui permet de fermer un ou deux contacts 18, 19 selon le sens dans lequel une pression est exercée sur la cape 20.In Figure 6 there is shown on the same drawing different execution variants of the push button which has just been described. We note first of all that the cavity 3 is a single piece 13 attached to the case 2 and made integral with it for example by collage. The two extensions 21, 22 of the elastomeric cap deformable 20 form a continuous surface and, at the level a virtual point corresponding to route 1, means fixing 17 make the movable block 10 integral with said cape 20, so that it also ensures the function of elastic means, and that it is then possible to remove the elastic means arranged at the base level 6. In the example shown the material forming the movable block 10 is entirely produced in a conductive material which closes one or two contacts 18, 19 depending on the direction in which pressure is exerted on the cape 20.

Les figures 7 et 8 représentent une montre 30 pourvue de part et d'autre de la couronne 31 de deux boutons-poussoirs 32a, 32b du type de ceux qui viennent d'être décrits. La boíte de la montre est par exemple réalisée en une matière plastique dure, tel que l'ABS, et le matériau élastomère formant la cape est par exemple en polyuréthanne, l'assemblage de ladite cape sur la boíte pouvant être réalisé par exemple selon le procédé décrit dans le brevet EP 0 807 872. Dans la coupe représentée à la figure 8 on retrouve toutes les caractéristiques précédemment mentionnées, les mêmes éléments étant désignés par les mêmes références. On observera simplement que la base 6 de la cavité 3 est formée par un circuit imprimé 33 solidaire de la boíte, que les angles α et β ont respectivement pour valeurs 45° et 90°, et que ladite boíte est obturée à sa partie inférieure par un fond 34 et à sa partie supérieure par une glace 35 disposée au dessus d'un cadran 36. Le bloc mobile 10 rigide peut être réalisé dans le même matériau que la boíte. Il apparaít aussi que la lame flexible peut avoir sa grande longueur orientée vers le centre de la boíte, ou tangentiellement à son enveloppe comme représenté dans la coupe de la figure 8. En se référant maintenant aux figures 9 et 9a on voit que l'enveloppe des surfaces inclinées complémentaires, permettant de fermer au moins un contact sur la base 6 lorsqu'une pression est exercée sur la cape selon une direction quelconque à l'intérieur de l'angle β, n'est pas limitée à un plan incliné central. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, la surface inclinée du bloc mobile est formée par deux plans inclinés latéraux 14a, 14b disposés de part et d'autre d'une partie supérieure 12 du bloc 10. La paroi complémentaire du logement présente de la même façon deux plans inclinés 4a, 4b, de part et d'autre d'une ouverture 5a conformée pour laisser un jeu suffisant à la partie supérieure 12 du bloc 10 lorsqu'une pression est exercée selon une direction parallèle au plan du boítier. Cette construction offre l'avantage de permettre un meilleur guidage du bloc mobile, notamment en raison de l'allongement possible des surfaces inclinées complémentaires.Figures 7 and 8 show a watch 30 provided on either side of the crown 31 of two push buttons 32a, 32b of the type of those who have just been described. The watch case is for example made of a hard plastic, such as ABS, and the material elastomer forming the cap is for example in polyurethane, the assembly of said cape on the box can be carried out for example according to the method described in patent EP 0 807 872. In the section shown in figure 8 we find all the characteristics previously mentioned, the same elements being designated by the same references. We will simply observe that the base 6 of the cavity 3 is formed by a circuit printed 33 secured to the box, that the angles α and β have respectively for values 45 ° and 90 °, and that said box is closed at its lower part by a bottom 34 and at its upper part by a glass 35 arranged above a dial 36. The rigid movable block 10 can be produced in the same material as the box. It also appears that the flexible blade can have its long length oriented towards the center of the box, or tangentially to its envelope as shown in the section of figure 8. Referring now to Figures 9 and 9a we see that the envelope of complementary inclined surfaces, allowing to close at least one contact on base 6 when pressure is exerted on the cape according to a any direction within the angle β, is not limited to a central inclined plane. In the mode of illustrated embodiment, the inclined surface of the movable block is formed by two lateral inclined planes 14a, 14b arranged on either side of an upper part 12 of the block 10. The complementary wall of the housing has the same way two inclined planes 4a, 4b, on the side and other of an opening 5a shaped to leave a clearance sufficient at the top 12 of block 10 when a pressure is exerted in a direction parallel to the plane of the case. This construction offers the advantage of allow better guidance of the mobile unit, in particular by because of the possible elongation of the inclined surfaces complementary.

En se reportant au mode de réalisation décrit en référence aux figures 3a, 3b il est également possible, par une exploitation appropriée de deux contacts électriques, d'avoir une montre chronographe ayant un seul bouton-poussoir permettant, selon un premier axe de pression d'activer/désactiver la fonction start/stop et selon un deuxième axe de pression d'effectuer la remise à zéro.Referring to the embodiment described in reference to FIGS. 3a, 3b it is also possible, by appropriate use of two contacts electric, to have a chronograph watch with only one push button allowing, along a first axis to press to activate / deactivate the start / stop function and according to a second pressure axis to effect the reset to zero.

La description qui vient d'être donnée permet à l'homme du métier de concevoir d'autres variantes d'exécution sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.The description which has just been given allows those skilled in the art of designing other variants of execution without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

Bouton-poussoir positionné au voisinage de l'arête (1) d'un boítier (2) comprenant une cavité (3) conformée dans ledit boítier (2) ou solidaire de celui-ci, ouverte vers l'arête (1) et constituée par une base (6), sensiblement parallèle au plan général dudit boítier (2) et supportant au moins un contact électrique (18) et par au moins une paroi (4, 5) reliant ladite base (6) à la face supérieure (2a) du boítier (2), une cape (20) déformable en élastomère obturant ladite cavité (3) pour former un logement, un bloc mobile (10) rigide occupant un volume inférieur à celui dudit logement et des moyens élastiques principaux (8) disposés entre la base (6) et le bloc (10) pour maintenir ledit bloc mobile (10) en appui contre ladite cape (20), ledit bouton-poussoir étant caractérisé en ce que la cape (20) comprend de part et d'autre de l'arête (1) deux extensions (21, 22) contre lesquelles prennent respectivement appui une partie supérieure (12) et une surface latérale (11) du bloc (10) et en ce que le bloc mobile (10) comporte en outre une surface (14) inclinée vers le centre du boítier (2) selon un angle α < 90° par rapport au plan général dudit boítier (2), ladite surface (14) étant prévue pour glisser sur une portion de paroi (4) de forme complémentaire, de façon à fermer au moins le contact électrique (18) lorsqu'une pression est exercée selon une direction comprise dans un angle β ≤ 90° sensiblement délimité par les directions perpendiculaires aux extensions (21, 22) de la cape (20). Push button positioned near the edge (1) of a housing (2) comprising a cavity (3) shaped in said housing (2) or integral therewith, open towards the edge (1) and constituted by a base (6), substantially parallel to the general plane of said housing (2) and supporting at least an electrical contact (18) and by at least one wall (4, 5) connecting said base (6) to the upper face (2a) of the housing (2), a deformable elastomer cap (20) closing said cavity (3) to form a housing, a rigid movable block (10) occupying a volume less than that of said housing and main elastic means (8) disposed between the base (6) and the block (10) to hold said movable block (10) in abutment against said cap (20), said push button being characterized in that the cap (20 ) comprises on either side of the ridge (1) two extensions (21, 22) against which respectively bear an upper part (12) and a lateral surface (11) of the block (10) and in that the movable block (10) further comprises a surface (14) inclined towards the center of the housing (2) at an angle α <90 ° relative to the general plane of said housing (2), said surface (14) being designed to slide on a wall portion (4) of complementary shape, so as to close at least the electrical contact (18) when pressure is exerted in a direction included in an angle β ≤ 90 ° substantially delimited by the directions perpendicular to the extensions (21 , 22) of the cape (20). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la surface inclinée (14) ménagée sur le bloc mobile (10) est formée par un plan incliné central.Push button according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined surface (14) formed on the movable block (10) is formed by an inclined plane central. Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la surface inclinée (14) ménagée sur le bloc mobile (10) est formée par deux plans inclinés latéraux (14a, 14b) de part et d'autre de la partie supérieure (12) du bloc (10).Push button according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclined surface (14) formed on the movable block (10) is formed by two inclined planes side (14a, 14b) on either side of the part upper (12) of the block (10). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'angle d'inclinaison α a une valeur ≤ 45° et l'angle β selon lequel une pression peut être exercée a une valeur voisine de 90°.Push button according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination α has a value ≤ 45 ° and the angle β at which a pressure can be exercised at a value close to 90 °. Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que des moyens élastiques secondaires (9) sont en outre disposés entre une portion verticale de paroi (5) et une surface en regard (15) du bloc mobile (10).Push button according to claim 1, characterized in that secondary elastic means (9) are further arranged between a vertical portion of wall (5) and a facing surface (15) of the movable block (10). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que les moyens élastiques (8, 9) sont solidaires, soit du bloc mobile (10), soit de la base (6) ou de la paroi verticale (5) de la cavité (3).Push button according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the elastic means (8, 9) are integral with either the movable block (10) or the base (6) or the vertical wall (5) of the cavity (3). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la cape élastomère (20) est rendue solidaire du bloc mobile (10) par des moyens de fixation (17).Push button according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastomeric cap (20) is made secured to the movable block (10) by fixing means (17). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la base (6) est pourvue d'un deuxième contact électrique (18a) positionné près de la paroi verticale (5) de la cavité (3).Push button according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (6) is provided with a second electrical contact (18a) positioned near the vertical wall (5) of the cavity (3). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 1 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que la paroi verticale (5) de la cavité (3) est également pourvue d'un contact électrique (19).Push button according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the vertical wall (5) of the cavity (3) is also provided with an electrical contact (19). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que les moyens élastiques (8, 9) et les moyens pour établir les contacts (18, 19) ne forment qu'une seule unité fonctionnelle (28, 29).Push button according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic means (8, 9) and the means for establishing contacts (18, 19) do not form only one functional unit (28, 29). Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'une unité fonctionnelle (28, 29) est constituée par une lame métallique flexible.Push button according to claim 10, characterized in that a functional unit (28, 29) is constituted by a flexible metal blade. Bouton-poussoir selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'une unité fonctionnelle (28, 29) est constituée par un bloc élastomère conducteur. Push button according to claim 10, characterized in that a functional unit (28, 29) is constituted by a conductive elastomer block. Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins un bouton-poussoir selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les extensions (21, 22) de la cape déformable (20) sont situées respectivement au niveau de la carrure et au niveau de la lunette de ladite pièce d'horlogerie et en ce que la base (6) de la cavité (3) est formé par un circuit imprimé.Timepiece comprising at least one push button according to any of the claims previous, characterized in that the extensions (21, 22) of the deformable cap (20) are located respectively at the middle and at the bezel said timepiece and in that the base (6) of the cavity (3) is formed by a printed circuit.
EP98109172A 1998-05-20 1998-05-20 Multidirectional pushbutton Withdrawn EP0959393A1 (en)

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EP98109172A EP0959393A1 (en) 1998-05-20 1998-05-20 Multidirectional pushbutton

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EP98109172A EP0959393A1 (en) 1998-05-20 1998-05-20 Multidirectional pushbutton

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1154339A1 (en) * 2000-05-11 2001-11-14 The Swatch Group Management Services AG Portable electronic device,such as,in particular, a timepiece,provided with a push-button
US6605791B2 (en) 2000-05-11 2003-08-12 The Swatch Group Management Services Ag Portable electronic device such as, in particular, a timepiece, fitted with a push-button
WO2015173357A1 (en) * 2014-05-13 2015-11-19 Thales Equipment for validating transport tickets and associated vehicle

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH1496574A4 (en) * 1974-11-11 1976-05-14
FR2519158A1 (en) * 1981-12-30 1983-07-01 Omega Brandt & Freres Sa Louis Pushbutton arrangement for electronic digital watch - in which end surface of button is fitted with cover lying flush with edges of case for concealment
DE3406010C1 (en) * 1984-02-20 1985-07-11 Fa. Ed. Liesegang, 4000 Düsseldorf Housing for an electrically operated apparatus, especially a picture-screen apparatus
JPS6355492A (en) * 1986-08-26 1988-03-09 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Push button construction of wrist watch case
US5664668A (en) * 1994-09-14 1997-09-09 Motorola, Inc. Tactile button with snapped on pivot and deflecting mechanism

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH1496574A4 (en) * 1974-11-11 1976-05-14
FR2519158A1 (en) * 1981-12-30 1983-07-01 Omega Brandt & Freres Sa Louis Pushbutton arrangement for electronic digital watch - in which end surface of button is fitted with cover lying flush with edges of case for concealment
DE3406010C1 (en) * 1984-02-20 1985-07-11 Fa. Ed. Liesegang, 4000 Düsseldorf Housing for an electrically operated apparatus, especially a picture-screen apparatus
JPS6355492A (en) * 1986-08-26 1988-03-09 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Push button construction of wrist watch case
US5664668A (en) * 1994-09-14 1997-09-09 Motorola, Inc. Tactile button with snapped on pivot and deflecting mechanism

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 012, no. 276 (P - 737) 30 July 1988 (1988-07-30) *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1154339A1 (en) * 2000-05-11 2001-11-14 The Swatch Group Management Services AG Portable electronic device,such as,in particular, a timepiece,provided with a push-button
US6605791B2 (en) 2000-05-11 2003-08-12 The Swatch Group Management Services Ag Portable electronic device such as, in particular, a timepiece, fitted with a push-button
SG109448A1 (en) * 2000-05-11 2005-03-30 Swatch Group Man Serv Ag Portable electronic device such as, in particular, a timepiece, fitted with a push-button
WO2015173357A1 (en) * 2014-05-13 2015-11-19 Thales Equipment for validating transport tickets and associated vehicle
FR3021148A1 (en) * 2014-05-13 2015-11-20 Thales Sa VALIDATION EQUIPMENT FOR TRANSPORT TITLES AND VEHICLE

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