EP1947665A1

EP1947665A1 - Pushbutton-type switch assembly

Info

Publication number: EP1947665A1
Application number: EP07380011A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Juan Lao Hernández
Original assignee: Giga Game System SL
Current assignee: Giga Game System SL
Priority date: 2007-01-19
Filing date: 2007-01-19
Publication date: 2008-07-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a push-button type switch assembly, comprising a base body (1) with a bezel (2) at one end adapted to receive a push-button (3) of an actuator assembly (4) able to move from an extended position to a retracted position to operate an actuator member of a switch (9), and immobilization means for immobilizing the actuator assembly (4) when it is in said retracted position, comprising:
- engaging configurations (10a, 10b) arranged inside said bezel (2), and
- an immobilizing member (11) that can be accessed from the exterior, able to move transversely in relation to the movement direction of the actuator assembly (4), with appendages (12a, 12b) with through configurations (13) in which the engaging configurations (10a) are inserted when the immobilizing member (11) is actuated by a user, for the purpose of retaining the through configurations (13), which can be released by means of an external actuation.

Description

Field of the Art

The present invention relates to a push-button type switch assembly that can be applied to entertainment machines, vending machines and the like, with immobilization means that can be actuated by a user to immobilize an actuator assembly, associated to the push-button, when it is in a retracted or pushed position.

Prior State of the Art

Examples of switch assemblies are known which comprise a base body that is adapted so as to be fixed to a panel and an actuator assembly mounted on said base body such that it can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position, with an elastic element arranged to push said actuator assembly towards the aforementioned extended position. The actuator assembly is adapted to be pushed against the force of this elastic element for the purpose of actuating a switch fixed to the base body and connected to an electronic system.
There are different proposals describing push-button assemblies with immobilization means which allow blocking the aforementioned actuator assembly when it is in the mentioned retracted position for the purpose of providing continuous pushing without the user having to keep the push-button pushed.
Some of said proposals propose blocking the push-button in its retracted position by simply pressing the push-button without using an additional selector, the pushing causing a projection or stud of the body of the push-button to move through one or several grooves defining a path with at least one stop portion which blocks the push-button in said position when said projection has reached it.
This is the case of documents ES-A-0267100 , ES-A-0401524 and ES-A-0451725 .
On the other hand, other proposals describe push-buttons equipped with a selector that the user can access from the exterior and which is also mounted so as to move between two positions, a non-interference position for which purpose the selector allows the push-button to move freely between its two positions, and another interference position for which purpose, in contrast, it keeps it in the retracted position.
This is the case of patent document EP-A-0040130 , which proposes using as a selector a pivotable lever with an anchoring lug at an end that is introduced in a groove defined in the push-button, such that by acting on both the push-button and the selector, the anchoring lug and a portion of said groove aid in immobilizing the push-button in the mentioned retracted position.
A drawback of the proposal made in said patent document EP-A-0040130 is that the mentioned immobilization of the push-button in the retracted position by acting on the selector can only be done when the push-button is already in its retracted position by directly pressing the push-button.
Furthermore the immobilization obtained by means of introducing the anchoring lug into said portion of the groove is neither very secure nor strong, the push-button being subjected to certain swaying when it has been immobilized which may cause it to accidentally move to a position in which it is unblocked.
Patent document ES-A-2120146 also proposes a push-button mounted so as to move between two positions, a deployed position and a retracted position, under the control of a control button at a user disposal, and in addition it is subjected to elastic demand means which permanently demand it in the direction to its deployed position, and a selector that can be accessed by the user from the exterior and which is also mounted so as to move between two positions, a non-interference position, for which purpose it allows the push-button to move freely between its two positions, and an interference position, for which purpose it keeps it disengaged in the retracted position, with the intervention then to do this, between the mentioned push-button and the mentioned selector, of anchoring means and of an anchoring lug suitable for cooperating in retention with these anchoring means. Unlike the proposal made in EP-A-0040130 , in the push-button proposed by ES-A-2120146 the anchoring or immobilization means are comprised in the selector, whereas the anchoring lug is comprised in the push-button.

Description of the Invention

It seems necessary to provide an alternative to the state of the art which overcomes the drawbacks found in the same by means of providing a push-button type switch assembly with stronger and more secure and advantageous immobilization means than those known up until now.
With that purpose the present invention relates to a push-button type switch assembly of the type comprising a base body with a bezel at one end adapted to receive a push-button of an actuator assembly, and a stem adapted to be passed through an opening of a panel, said stem having an external configuration adapted for joining said base body to the mentioned panel, said actuator assembly being mounted such that it can be moved inside said stem from an extended position to a retracted position against the pushing of an elastic element to operate an actuator member of a switch attached to said stem.
The proposed switch assembly comprises immobilization means for immobilizing said actuator assembly when it is in said retracted position, comprising:

one or more engaging configurations arranged inside said bezel , and
an immobilizing member that can be accessed from the exterior, able to move transversely in relation to the movement direction of the actuator assembly, with one or more appendages with a through configuration in which said engaging configuration or configurations are inserted, at least in part, when the immobilizing member is actuated by a user, for the purpose of retaining said through configuration or configurations, which can be released by means of an external actuation.

At least one of said appendages comprises a thickened portion integrating a ramp in its connection with the rest of the appendage.
Said actuator assembly comprises surrounding one end thereof with a first platform with at least part of one of its edges arranged to make contact with said ramp and to move along it from when and as the immobilizing member is actuated by a user, said movement along the ramp causing the actuator assembly to move towards said retracted position, such that by actuating only the immobilizing member a dual function is carried out: the actuator assembly, and with it the push-button, is moved towards the retracted position, and it is immobilized when it has reached said retracted position, without needing to press the push-button.
For a preferred embodiment, the engaging configurations form part of an independent anchoring part guided transversely inside said bezel in relation to a second platform supporting the first platform.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The aforementioned and other advantages and features will be better understood from the following detailed description of several embodiments, one of which is in relation to the attached drawings, which must be considered in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the switch assembly proposed by the present invention for an embodiment,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 1 with all its elements being mounted, and with the immobilizing member in the non-actuated position,
Figure 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 2 with both the push-button and the immobilizing member in the extended position,
Figure 4 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 3, but with the push-button in the retracted position, i.e. pressed according to the direction of the arrow therein indicated,
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 but with the immobilizing member being actuated, i.e. pressed according to the direction of the arrow therein indicated,
Figure 6 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 5, also with the immobilizing member actuated according to the direction of the arrow therein indicated, and
Figures 7a to 7c are three enlarged details of partially sectioned perspective views of the switch assembly of Figure 1 for three different positions of the immobilizing member.

Detailed Description of Several Embodiments

As can be seen in Figure 1, the present invention relates to a push-button type switch assembly of the type comprising a base body 1 with a bezel 2 at one end adapted to receive a push-button 3 of an actuator assembly 4, and a stem 5 adapted to be passed through an opening of a panel (not shown), said stem 5 having an external configuration (in Figure 1 a screw threading) adapted for joining said base body 1 to the mentioned panel, said actuator assembly 4 being mounted such that it can be moved inside said stem 5 from an extended position to a retracted position against the pushing of an elastic element 8 to operate an actuator member of a switch 9 attached to said stem 5, and comprising immobilization means for immobilizing said actuator assembly 4 when it is in said retracted position.
The immobilization means of the switch assembly proposed by the present invention comprise, for the illustrated embodiment:

two engaging configurations 10a, 10b arranged inside said bezel 2, and
an immobilizing member 11 that can be accessed from the exterior, able to move transversely in relation to the movement direction of the actuator assembly 4, with two appendages 12a, 12b with respective through configurations 13 in each of which said engaging configurations 10a, 10b are inserted, at least in part, when the immobilizing member 11 is actuated by a user, for the purpose of retaining said through configurations 13, which can be released by means of an external actuation.

Although for another embodiment which is not shown a single appendage and a single engaging configuration could be arranged, as indicated, the proposed switch assembly preferably comprises two of said engaging configurations 10a, 10b, and said immobilizing member 11 comprises two of said appendages 12a, 12b connected through a bridge element 14 forming a push element and being able to be accessed from the exterior, at least one contrast spring 15 being arranged against said push element 14, which for the illustrated embodiment are two springs 15.
In Figure 1 said bezel 2, or space to be occupied by the push-button 3, is formed by an end of a widening 16 of said base body 1 (in the illustrated embodiment it is in the form of a trimming cover 16), and said widening 16 configures a housing for the immobilizing member 11, providing passages for the mentioned appendages 12a, 12b and a cavity 23 open at the side for the partial housing of said push element 14 which, for the illustrated embodiment, has a prismatic configuration, although it could have a different shape for other embodiments that are not shown.
In Figures 2, 3 and 4, said push element 14 can be seen in the extended position, i.e. when it has not been pressed by a user, and in Figures 5 and 6, the push element 14 is shown in a retracted position, i.e. when the user has already completely pressed it.
As can be seen in Figures 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7a-7c, the switch assembly comprises a first platform 18 surrounding an end of the actuator assembly 4, and the mentioned stem 5 provides at one end a second platform 20 supporting the first platform 18 when the push-button 3 is in its retracted position, and it provides guide means for the push element 14 and support means for the two springs 15, said second platform 20 being connected to the mentioned widening 16 to configure an independent case.
For the illustrated embodiment, said guide means are two projections 29 forming respective rails in which two respective projections 30 extending from two side faces of the push element 14 are inserted in a sliding manner.
Said second platform 20 is also used as a support for said springs 15 by means of the arrangement of respective stop elements 27 projecting from an upper face of said second platform 20, each of said stop elements 27 being fixed to the end of one of the springs 15 (when the switch assembly is mounted), the opposite ends of which are fixed to the push element 14.
Both the second platform 20 and the widening 16 are configured such that they are connected by fitting to configure said independent case or casing the base of which is the second platform 20, as can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 6 where one of the fitting points 32 of the second platform 20 and the widening 16 can be seen.
As can be seen in Figure 1 the two engaging configurations 10a, 10b are defined at end portions of respective arms 17a, 17b extending towards the immobilizing member 11 along a plane substantially parallel to the plane along which the appendages 12a, 12b of the immobilizing member 11 extend, on either side of a tubular portion tubular 4a of said actuator assembly 4 extending the push-button 3.
In the embodiment illustrated, said engaging configurations 10a, 10b comprise retaining tabs 10a, 10b and the two through configurations 13 are two respective through openings 13 defined in respective areas close to the respective ends of the appendages 12a, 12b and coplanar thereto.
The details of one of the engaging configurations, 10a, and of the through configuration 13 of one of the appendages, 12a, can be observed with greater detail in the partially sectioned views of Figures 3, 4, 6 and 7a-7c.
The mentioned arms 17a, 17b also comprise at said end portions respective ramps 100 connecting each of said tabs 10a, 10b with the end of each of said end portions of said arms 17a, 17b, being able to be observed one of said ramps 100, the ramp of arm 17a, in Figures 7a-7c.
With respect to the appendages 12a, 12b and as shown in Figure 1, the latter comprise their edges 12a_c, 12b_c close to their ends arranged to make contact with said respective ramps 100 of said arms 17a, 17b, and to move along them from when and as the push element 14 is actuated, said movement along the ramps 100 causing the arms 17a, 17b to move towards said second platform 20, at least part of said arms 17a, 17b being adapted to, once at least part of one of the through openings 13 has surpassed one of said ramps 100, move away from the second platform 20 until the respective tab 10a, 10b has been inserted in said through opening 13.
For the embodiment illustrated, as can be seen in Figure 1, the two arms 17a, 17b are connected through a transverse connecting element 17c, the arms 17a, 17b and the connecting element 17c forming an independent anchoring part 17 guided transversely in relation to the second platform 20 by means of a guide configuration 35a, 35b, and contrast springs 34 being arranged between said independent anchoring part 17 and the second platform 20 for the purpose of causing said movement of the arms 17a, 17b away from the second platform 20.
The illustrated guide configuration consists of two through holes 35a defined in the independent anchoring part 17 and two respective lugs 35b extending from an upper face of the second platform 20, and inserted in the two mentioned holes 35a.
Part of the perimetric contour of the first platform 18 is adapted to part of the perimetric contour of said independent anchoring part 17 to allow the passage thereof through it until making contact with the second platform 20.
In Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen how the switch assembly can work as a conventional push-button when the immobilizing member 11 is not activated, i.e. when it is in the extended position, because in said position the appendages 12a, 12b (only 12a can be observed in Figures 3 and 4) do not interfere with the engaging configurations 10a, 10b (only 10a can be observed in Figures 3 and 4), allowing an axial movement of the actuator assembly 4, and therefore of the push-button 3, between its extended and retracted positions and vice versa.
Although it is possible to actuate the immobilizing member 11 by means of a corresponding pressure on the push element 14 after having pressed the push-button 3 until placing it in its retracted position, by means of the switch assembly proposed by the present invention, said pressure on the push-button 3 is not necessary, because by only applying pressure on the push element 14 forces the actuator assembly 4, together with the push-button 3, to move to its retracted position due to the reasons set forth below.
The appendages 12a, 12b comprise respective thickened portions integrating respective ramps 24 in their connection with the rest of the appendage 12a, 12b in an area close to the push element 14, being able to be observed one of said ramps 24, the ramp of the appendage 12a, especially in Figures 1 and 7a-7c.
The first platform 18 also comprises part of its edge 18a closest to the mentioned push element 14, arranged to make contact with said ramps 24 and to allow the latter to slide on said part of edge 18a from when and as the push element 14 is actuated, the movement of ramp-edge 24-18a assembly causing the aforementioned effect, i.e. the actuator assembly 4 moves towards said retracted position without needing to press the push-button 3.
In Figure 1 it can be seen how part of the edge 18a of the first platform also defines a ramp shape in two areas opposite to said ramps 24 for the purpose of facilitating the mentioned sliding, although for another embodiment it is possible that said part of the edge 18a adopts another shape that is not a ramp shape.
Figure 7a shows in detail a rest position of the immobilizing member 11, being able to be observed how one of the ramps 24 still does not make contact with the mentioned edge 18a of the first platform 18.
Said contact can be observed in Figure 7b, which shows an intermediate position, or a position in which the push element 14 is partially pressed, in which the edge 18a has been forced to also move to an intermediate position of the ramp 24, and therefore the actuator assembly 4 has also been forced to move to an intermediate position from its extended position and before reaching its retracted position.
In said Figure 7b, it can also be observed how the edge 12a_c of the appendage 12a has made contact with the ramp 100 of the arm 17a in the illustrated position and has moved along a part thereof, which has forced the movement of the arm 17a towards the second platform 20 to the illustrated position. Obviously and although it cannot be observed in Figure 7b, the same has occurred with the other arm 17b.
Finally, Figure 7c shows an immobilization position which is reached after having completely pressed the push element 14, which has caused the ramp 24 to force the edge 18a of the first platform 18 to slide downwards, such that it forces the actuator assembly 4 to continue moving until the edges 12a_c, 12b_c of the appendages 12a, 12b have surpassed the ramps 100 of the arms 17a, 17b, and part of the through openings 13 have also surpassed the ramps 100, which causes the anchoring part 17 to move away from the second platform 20 (due to the action of the springs 34) until the tabs 10a, 10b have been inserted in the two respective through openings 13, engaging the appendages 12a, 12b in the openings 13, causing the retention of the immobilizing member 11, which in turn keeps the actuator assembly 4 immobilized in its retracted position trapping the first platform 18 against the second platform 20.
The positional references made in the previous paragraph and those which can be made in the rest of this specification must be taken into account in understanding that the switch assembly is positioned as shown in the attached figures, i.e. with the push-button 3 above and with the switch 9 below.
In Figure 1 it can be observed how the push-button 3 is formed by the following parts for the illustrated embodiment:

a support part 3c with a portion formed by a short stem 3c₁ configured to be inserted, at least in part, inside the tubular portion 4a of the actuator assembly 4 with a certain freedom of movement, and a widened portion 3c₂ above said short stem 3c₁,
a cover 3a with a skirt 3a₁ adapted to be coupled to said widened portion 3c₂ of the support part 3c,
an intermediate plate or disc 3b, housed in a cavity comprised in said widened portion 3c₂ of the support part 3c, and
a disc S, or film, with screen printed graphic information, which is preferably made of polycarbonate, arranged between parts 3a and 3b and illuminated by an LED L mounted in a housing defined in the upper part of the switch 9 and which will be inserted in the neck 5 of the push button, the cover 3a being made of a transparent material and the plate 3b being translucent for the purpose of viewing the screen printed information from outside the push-button.

For another embodiment that is not illustrated, the proposed push-button switch assembly comprises neither the intermediate disc 3b, nor the disc S, nor the LED L.
Continuing with the description of the embodiment illustrated by the attached drawings, the mentioned widened portion 3c₂ is arranged so that, when the push-button 3 is pushed, it makes contact with its lower face (or for another embodiment with a projection extending therefrom), to transversely push the independent anchoring part 17 towards the second platform 20 when the tabs 10a, 10b are retaining the respective through openings 13 (situation illustrated in Figure 7c), to disengage them and allow their release due to the action of the contrast springs 15.
Said pressure on the push-button 3 is the aforementioned external actuation responsible for releasing the through configuration 13.
The widened portion 3c₂ of the support part comprises a discontinuous annular wall 22 (a portion of which can be seen in Figures 7a-7c) extending from the lower face of the widened portion 3c₂, surrounding the short stem 3c₁, which is supported on the mentioned first platform 18 when the push button 3 is pressed to push the actuator assembly 4 towards the switch 9.
The cover 3a also comprises a projection 28 (see Figures 1 and 7a-7c) extending from the outer face of said skirt 3a₁, said projection 28 abutting against an inner upper portion 16a of the widening 16 (see Figures 7a-7c) when the push-button 3 is inserted in the widening 16, to limit the mentioned movement of the short stem 3c₁ of the support part 3c inside the tubular portion 4a of the actuator assembly 4, preventing the push-button 3 from coming out of the widening 16.
A person skilled in the art could introduce changes and modifications in the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined in the attached claims.

Claims

A push-button type switch assembly of the type comprising a base body (1) with a bezel (2) at one end adapted to receive a push-button (3) of an actuator assembly (4), and a stem (5) adapted to be passed through an opening of a panel, said stem (5) having an external configuration adapted for joining said base body (1) to the mentioned panel, said actuator assembly (4) being mounted such that it can be moved inside said stem (5) from an extended position to a retracted position against the pushing of an elastic element (8) to operate an actuator member of a switch (9) attached to said stem (5), and comprising immobilization means for immobilizing said actuator assembly (4) when it is in said retracted position, said switch assembly being characterized in that said immobilization means comprise:
- at least one engaging configuration (10a, 10b) arranged inside said bezel (2), and

- an immobilizing member (11) that can be accessed from the exterior, able to move transversely in relation to the movement direction of the actuator assembly (4), with at least one appendage (12a) with a through configuration (13) in which said at least one engaging configuration (10a) is inserted, at least in part, when the immobilizing member (11) is actuated by a user, for the purpose of retaining said through configuration (13), which can be released by means of an external actuation.
A switch assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two of said engaging configurations (10a, 10b), and in that said immobilizing member (11) comprises two of said appendages (12a, 12b) connected through a bridge element (14) forming a push element and being able to be accessed from the exterior, at least one contrast spring (15) being arranged against said push element (14).
A switch assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said two engaging configurations (10a, 10b) are defined at end portions of respective arms (17a, 17b) extending towards said immobilizing member (11) along a plane substantially parallel to the plane along which said appendages (12a, 12b) of said immobilizing member (11) extend on either side of a tubular portion (4a) of said actuator assembly (4) extending the push-button (3).
A switch assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said bezel (2) is formed by an end of a widening (16) of said base body (1), said widening (16) configuring a housing for said immobilizing member (11), providing passages for the mentioned appendages (12a, 12b) and a cavity (23) open at the side for the partial housing of said push element (14).
A switch assembly according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said engaging configurations (10a, 10b) comprise retaining tabs (10a, 10b), in that said two through configurations (13) are two respective through openings (13) defined in respective areas close to the respective ends of the appendages (12a, 12b) and coplanar thereto, and in that the appendages (12a, 12b) comprise respective thickened portions integrating respective ramps (24) in their connection with the rest of the appendage (12a, 12b), in an area close to the push element (14).
A switch assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a first platform (18) surrounding an end of said actuator assembly (4), and in that the mentioned stem (5) provides at one end a second platform (20) supporting said first platform (18) when the push-button (3) is in its retracted position, and provides guide means for the push element (14) and support means for said at least one spring (15), said second platform (20) being connected to the mentioned widening (16) to configure an independent case.
A switch assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that said first platform (18) comprises at least part of its edge (18a) closest to the mentioned push element (14), arranged to make contact with said ramps (24) and to allow the latter to slide over said part of edge (18a), from when and as the push element (14) is actuated, the ramp-edge (24-18a) arrangement causing the actuator assembly (4) to move towards said retracted position.
A switch assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that said arms (17a, 17b) comprise, at said end portions, respective ramps (100) connecting each of said tabs (10a, 10b) with the end of each of said end portions of said arms (17a, 17b).
A switch assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said appendages (12a, 12b) comprise their edges (12a_c, 12b_c) close to their ends arranged to make contact with said respective ramps (100) of said arms (17a, 17b), and to move along them from when and as the push element (14) is actuated, said movement along the ramps (100) causing the arms (17a, 17b) to move towards said second platform (20), at least part of said arms (17a, 17b) being adapted to, once at least part of one of the through openings (13) has surpassed one of said ramps (100), move away from the second platform (20) until the respective tab (10a, 10b) has been inserted in said through opening (13).
An assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the two arms (17a, 17b) are connected through a transverse connecting element (17c), the arms (17a, 17b) and the connecting element (17c) forming an independent anchoring part (17) guided transversely in relation to the second platform (20) by means of a guide configuration (35a, 35b), and at least one contrast spring (34) being arranged between said independent anchoring part (17) and the second platform (20) for the purpose of causing said movement of the arms (17a, 17b) away from the second platform (20).
An assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that part of the perimetric contour of the first platform (18) is adapted to part of the perimetric contour of said independent anchoring part (17) to allow the passage thereof through it until making contact with the second platform (20).
A switch assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the push-button (3) comprises at least:
- a support part (3c) with a portion formed by a short stem (3c₁) configured to be inserted, at least in part, with certain freedom of movement inside said tubular portion (4a) of the actuator assembly (4), and a widened portion (3c₂) above said short stem (3c₁), said widened portion (3c₂) being arranged to make contact with its lower face, or with a projection extending therefrom, to transversely push said independent anchoring part (17) towards the second platform (20) when the tabs (10a, 10b) are retaining respective through configurations (13) to disengage them and allow their release due to the action of said at least one contrast spring (15).
A switch assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that said widened portion (3c₂) of said support part comprises a discontinuous annular wall (22) supported on the mentioned first platform (18), such wall (22) extending from the lower face of the widened portion (3c₂), surrounding the short stem (3c₁).
A switch assembly according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the push-button (3) further comprises:
- a cover (3a) with a skirt (3a₁) adapted to be coupled to said widened portion (3c₂) of the support part (3c), and

- an intermediate plate or disc (3b),
said widened portion (3c₂) of the support part (3c) comprising a cavity for housing said plate (3b).
A switch assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that said cover (3a) comprises a projection (28) extending from at least part of the outer face of said skirt (3a₁), said projection (28) abutting against an inner upper portion (16a) of said widening (16) when the push-button (3) is inserted in the widening (16) to limit the mentioned movement of the short stem (3c₁) of the support part (3c) inside the tubular portion (4a) of the actuator assembly (4), preventing the push-button (3) from coming out of the widening (16).