FR2670948A1 - Return system for a key which is movable about a pivot, and apparatus using it - Google Patents

Abstract

The key TO includes 3 control positions, right, left and centre, around the pivot consisting of the interaction of the sphere SP1 and the corresponding core SP2 of the support. SU. The positioning is carried out by the strips L1, L2 which engage in the openings PL1, PL2. The return of the key in the rest position is carried out with the elastic strip LAJ, which is preferably in the shape of a yoke. Application: audio/video apparatus, especially car radios.

Description

DESCRIPTION "SYSTEM FOR RECALLING A MOBILE KEY AROUND A PIVOT AND
DEVICE USING IT ".

 The subject of the present invention is a system for recalling a control key mounted on a support, the said key being substantially flat and movable around a pivot with a rest position and at least one control position, the said pivot being formed by the cooperation on the one hand of a substantially hemispherical recess housed concentrically in a sphere element, on the other hand of a nipple of similar shape to be housed in said recess and of a spoiler provided with elastic legs for -when mounting the key on the support- snap onto said sphere element, said system comprising return means for, after a command operation exerted by pressing the key, recall the key in position rest.

 Such control keys are used in audio and video devices, in particular car radios to control the various adjustments: tone, sound, ...; such a button acts, for example, on at least one micro-switch which delivers an impulse each time the button is pressed.

 A known control button is described in patent application FR 89 09 885 in which two elastic strips, located perpendicular to the plane of the button and in the same plane as the pivot support strips, simultaneously perform the positioning function of the button and the recall function.

 The present invention aims to separate these two functions.

 According to the present invention, a return system in accordance with the preamble is particularly remarkable in that the said return means consist on the one hand of an elastic strip arranged parallel to the plane of the key and fixed at its two ends to be elastic in its center in the control direction, on the other hand at least one support element for, during a control operation, to bear on the elastic center of said lamella.

 Thus, the return system is more effective because it acts elastically as a return torque and perpendicular to the plane of the button, that is to say in the direction of the control movement.

 Preferably, seen from the pivot, said elastic strip has the general shape of a yoke for working in bending and not in traction.

 Indeed if the strip was straight it would act in extension and would break quickly enough because all the components of the system are generally plastic.

 The whole system is relatively symmetrical as to its operation, however it is advantageous that the said recess and the said lamella are part of the support, while the said nipple with its spoiler and the said support element are part of the key .

 Preferably, the system comprises two said support elements for three control positions: left, right and middle, said middle control then corresponds to the simultaneous activation of said right and left commands.

 Thus with a single pivot key and only two microswitches, three types of control are possible.

The present invention will be clearly understood from the description of an exemplary embodiment illustrated by the following drawings
Figure 1 shows the key and its support before mounting.

 Figure 2 shows, in section, the button mounted on its support.

 Because of the many similarities between the system according to the invention and that described in the document already cited, certain points of the description are not described again and the cited document is considered to be included here by reference. The marks of the common elements are unchanged.

 In Figure 1 the TO key and its support SU are shown before mounting.

The support comprises a hemispherical recess SP2 arranged so that the similarly-shaped spike SPI comes to lodge there while the spoiler BE mounted on the flexible strips
LCI, LC2 snaps onto the back of the support
SU. Said spoiler and said rear face have shapes, for example sphere element, such that the pivot movement is not opposed.

 The slats L1, L2 are housed in the recesses PLI, PL2 to ensure correct positioning of the button without, however, constraining it.

 The button has two control push buttons P01 and P02 for actuating two microswitches, not shown, in a known manner.

In comparison with the cited document, the novelty lies essentially in the two supporting elements EAl,
EA2, arranged on the key to bear on the central part CE of the elastic lamella LAJ fixed to the support by its two ends.

 In practice, all of these elements are made of molded plastic, but other embodiments are possible.

Given the direction of movement MVT of the key during an ordering operation, it is preferable that the elastic lamella LAJ has, seen from the pivot SP1-SP2, the general shape of a yoke for working in bending and not not in traction.

FIG. 2 represents, in section along the plane AA and seen from the right, the TO key mounted on its support SU. The button can of course include a JU skirt, as well as the support
SU and the facade FA can be one, but this is not an obligation.

 In FIG. 2, the pivot SPI, SP2 and its snap-on spoiler BE are visible, as well as the support element EA2 arranged to bear on the flexible strip LAJ during a movement MVT.

 The BEI spoiler, not shown in FIG. 1, can be placed on the button so that, after snapping onto the rear face of the support, it is possible to precisely determine the rest position of the button.

 Given the relativity of the movement of the key relative to the support, it is clear that, as a variant, the elements SP2 and LAJ can be placed on the key while the elements SPI, BE, EA1, EA2 are placed on the support.

Claims (5)

 1. System for recalling a control key mounted on a support, said key being substantially flat and movable around a pivot with a rest position and at least one control position, said pivot being formed by cooperation on the one hand a substantially hemispherical recess housed concentric in a de-sphere element, on the other hand a nipple of similar shape to be housed in said recess and a spoiler provided with elastic legs for -dors mounting the key on the support - snap onto said sphere element, said system comprising return means for, after a control operation exerted by pressing the key, return the key to the rest position, characterized in what, the said return means consist on the one hand of an elastic strip arranged parallel to the plane of the key and fixed at its two ends to be elastic at its center in the direction of control, on the other hand at least one support element for, during a control operation, bear on the elastic center of said strip. 2. Return system according to claim 1, characterized in that, seen from the pivot, said elastic strip has the general shape of a yoke for working in bending and not in traction. 3. Return system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the said recess and the said lamella are part of the support, while the said stud with its spoiler and the said support element are part of the key. 4. Reminder system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises two said support elements for three control positions: left-handed right and middle, and in that said middle command corresponds to activation said right and left commands simultaneously. 5. Audio, video apparatus, in particular car radio comprising at least one control key with a reminder system according to any one of the preceding claims.