GB2242572A

GB2242572A - Switch assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2242572A
Application number: GB9007241A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Allen Marchini
Original assignee: Barcrest Ltd
Current assignee: Barcrest Ltd
Priority date: 1990-03-30
Filing date: 1990-03-30
Publication date: 1991-10-02
Also published as: GB9007241D0

Abstract

A switch assembly, for example to provide player operable switches for a coin-operated entertainment machine, has push-button switch actuators (10) mounted on a strip-shaped printed circuit board (2). The switch actuators (10) can engage press button switches (8, 9) on the board (2) and lamps (23) are also provided on the board (2) to illuminate the actuators from below. The board (2) has multiple longitudinally spaced mounting locations each with its own actuator mounting guides (6, 7) and electrical connections for the switches (8, 9) and lamps (23) so that different layouts of switches can be assembled using standardised components. The mounting locations may have a common unitary spacing and the switch actuators may be of the same spacing, or a multiple of the spacing to give a modular constructions possibility. <IMAGE>

Description

SWITCH ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a switch assembly particularly although not exclusively for use to provide player-operable control switches of an entertainment machine such as a fruit machine.

Modern, electrically operated fruit machines commonly have a row of player-operable press buttons which are used to initiate machine functions such as game start (reel spin commencement), nudge (stepwise reel indexing), hold (reel spin arrest), gamble (award increasel decrease), pay out, etc. The press buttons are usually formed from translucent plastics and internal lamps are provided so that an individual button can be illuminated e.g. to signal to the player that the button is available for operation.

A known kind of button is in the form of a unit having an integral lamp and electrical switch. One problem which can arise with this is that it is necessary to provide a support structure which is specially designed to accommodate one kind of press button unit at a predetermined position at the front of the machine. Also it is necessary to provide wiring specifically for the press button unit. Thus, if different machine models are to be produced having different numbers or dispositions or kinds of press buttons, it is necessary to have different respective support structures and different respective wiring arrangements.

An object of the present invention is to provide a switch assembly which is readily adaptable to accommodate different arrangements of switches.

According to one aspect of the invention therefore there is provided a switch assembly comprising an elongate support structure, a plurality of manually operable switch members each mountable on the support structure so as to be manually movable to effect actuation of at least one electrical switch, and at least one illumination device mountable beneath each said switch member for effecting illumination thereof, characterised in that the support structure has a plurality of longitudinally spaced mounting locations for said switch members each with respective associated mounting means and electrical connections for the (or each) electrical switch and illumination device whereby each switch member can be selectively mounted at any of a plurality of different mounting dispositions along the support structure.

With this arrangement, different arrangements of switches can be accommodated using the same support structure. That is, different switch assemblies having different requirements for numbers and/or kinds and/or positions of switch members can be constructed using the same kind of support structure. Most preferably the support structure comprises a printed circuit board which has the electrical connections thereon.

The longitudinal spacing of adjacent mounting locations is preferably smaller than, and is particularly a minor proportion of, the corresponding longitudinal dimension of some or all of the switch members to facilitate relatively fine adjustment of the selected disposition thereof along the support structure.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a switch assembly comprising an elongate support structure, a plurality of manually operable switch members each mountable on the support structure so as to be manually movable to effect actuation of at least one electrical switch, and at least one illumination device mountable beneath each said switch member for effecting illumination thereof characterised in that the support structure has a plurality of longitudinally spaced mounting locations for said switch members, said mounting locations being of a common unitary longitudinal dimension whereby switch members equal to, or a multiple of, said longitudinal dimension can be mounted on the support structure.

With the arrangement of the second aspect of the invention it will be appreciated that a modular construction is possible permitting convenient manufacture of a compact switch assembly having a desired arrangement of switch members.

The second aspect of the invention is preferably combined with the first aspect.

The mounting locations with the first and/or second aspects of the invention may be regularly or irregularly spaced as desired.

Preferably they are regularly spaced and preferably also they are spaced such that multiple switch members having like longitudinal dimensions or having integral multiples of the same basic modular longitudinal dimension can be accommodated side by side in closely spaced or abutting disposition.

Most preferably, with the first and/or second aspect of the invention, at each mounting location there is at least one aperture to accommodate at least one illumination device, and if desired there may be multiple apertures to allow for accomodation of multiple illumination devices beneath the same switch member.

There may be a single row of apertures along the support structure (whether of straight or convoluted formation). Alternatively there may be two or more such rows whereby for example there is the possibility of accommodating two or more transversely spaced illumination devices beneath the same switch member.

Each aperture may be adapted to accommodate an illumination device projecting above the supporting structure particularly for intrusion into a respective compartment of the switch member.

The illumination device may be a filament bulb or any other suitable device.

With regard to the switch member this may comprise a plate or other body which is movable by pressing towards the support structure against the action of resilient means. In a preferred embodiment the switch member has an outermost plate-shaped pressure member overlying a generally box-shaped under-structure having one or more apertures therein to receive one or more said illumination devices in the (or each) compartment defined between the under-structure and the pressure member. The pressure member may be made from translucent material or may be otherwise formed to allow light to pass therethrough. The understructure may be opaque.

The said resilient means may comprise one or more springs between the switch member and the support structure.

In a particularly preferred embodiment there are multiple side-by-side switch members having plate-shaped outer pressure surfaces all curved in like manner transversely to the longitudinal extent of the support structure thereby to define a generally continuous elongate, transversely curved (e.g. part cylindrical) surface structure.

With regard to the mounting locations these may comprise slots or other guides in the support structure to receive one or more projections on each switch member. The (or each) projection may have a retaining abutment or foot thereon to prevent ready escape of the projection from the guide by engagement of such abutment with the support structure. Spring means may be provided to urge the abutment into said engagement. Conveniently the spring means may comprise the above mentioned resilient means.

With regard to the electrical switches, these may be of any suitable form and may be mounted in any suitable manner. Most preferably each switch comprises a press button unit mounted on the support structure which is operated by engagement with the associated switch member. There may be two or more switches associated with each mounting location.

The switch assembly of the invention may be used in any suitable context for any suitable purpose. In a particularly preferred embodiment the assembly is used to provide player-operable switches for a coin (or other credit or monetary element) -operated entertainment machine.

For example, the switch assembly may be used with a fruit machine, that is a machine having multiple randomly rotatable reels (or other selector devices) used to select a combination of symbols which is then compared with a list of predetermined winning combinations.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a support structure of one form of a switch assembly according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the support structure of Fig. 1 and one switch member mounted thereon; Fig. 3 is an underneath perspective view of the switch member of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 & 5 are views similar to Fig. 2 showing different kinds of switch members; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the complete, installed switch assembly.

The illustrated switch assembly 1 is for use across the front of a fruit machine (not shown) to provide multiple player operable switches to initiate and control machine functions.

The fruit machine has an upstanding box-shaped cabinet having wooden front, rear, side, top and bottom walls. The upper part of the front wall has upper and lower inset glass panels. The lower glass panel defines a window through which the usual fruit machine reels can be seen.

The illustrated switch assembly 1 is set in the front wall and extends across the front wall beneath the said lower glass panel.

As shown, the assembly 1 comprises an elongate, strip-shaped printed circuit board support structure 2 which is fixed securely in position within the cabinet of the fruit machine behind or within a gap in the said front wall. The support structure 2 has therein three longitudinally extending rows of like apertures 3, 4, 5. The middle row comprises regular closely spaced apertures 4. The apertures 3, 5 of the two outer rows are more widely spaced and are aligned with alternate apertures 4 of the centre row. Each aperture 3, 4, 5, is circular with diametrically opposite extension slots.

The support structure 2 also contains regular spaced slots 6, 7.

Each aperture 3, 5 of the two outer rows has a respective adjacent slot 6, 7 at one longitudinal end. The slots 6 adjacent the apertures 3 of one row are at opposite ends to the slots 7 adjacent the apertures 5 of the other row. Between each slot 6, 7 and the adjacent edge of the support structure there is a hole in which is mounted an upstanding press button switch 8, 9.

The switch assembly 1 further comprises multiple plastics switch members 10, 11, 12 of three different kinds.

One kind of switch member 10 is shown in Fig. 2. This comprises a square box-shaped bottom part 13 and a curved plate-shaped cover 14.

The bottom part 13 is open topped and is divided into four equal square compartments 15 by internal walls. The compartments 15 have downwardly tapering floors 16 which terminate in circular holes 17.

Adjacent two opposite corners there are downwardly projecting legs 18, 19 terminating in outwardly projecting feet 20, 21.

The cover 14 is curved in one direction so as to be part cylindrical and snap-fits over the open top of the bottom part 13.

Two helical coil springs 22 are provided and these fit under the bottom part 13 between the sloping floors 16.

The switch member 10 fits on the support structure 2 covering a block of seven adjacent apertures 3, 4, 5 and four slots 6, 7 as shown in Fig. 2. Before fitting the switch member 10, lamps in lamp holders 23 are inserted into the four outermost apertures 3, 5 (i.e. the four apertures 3, 5 of the two outer rows) so as to project upwardly from the support structure 2. The lamp holders 23 fit the apertures 3, 5 in bayonet interlocking fashion. The switch member 10 can then be fitted by engaging the legs 18, 19 with the two outermost opposite slots 6, 7 (by appropriately bending the resiliently deflectable plastics material to enable the feet 20, 21 to pass through the slots 6, 7).

The springs 22 are trapped between the support structure 2 and the undersurface of the switch member 10 and this acts to urge the switch member 10 upwardly until the feet 20, 21 engage the undersurface of the support structure 2. In this position the lamps 23 are aligned with the holes 17 and project through such holes 17 into the four square compartments 15 defined between the bottom part 13 and the cover 14.

The cover 14 is formed from translucent plastics and the bottom part 13 is formed from opaque plastics so that, when the lamps 23 are actuated four different square segments of the cover 14 can be separately illuminated.

As mentioned, the support structure 2 is in the form of a strip-shaped printed circuit board having multiple conductive areas which engage contacts of the press button switches 8, 9, and also contacts of the lamps 23. These conductive areas lead to edge connectors or otherwise are adapted for connection to the control circuitry of the machine.

The switch member 10 can be pushed down against the action of the springs 22 until the member 10 engages the switches 8, 9, that is, until the shoulders adjacent the legs 18, 19 operate the switches to effect electrical switching.

The switch member 11 shown in Fig. 4 is similar to that of Fig. 2 except that there is only one compartment 24 defined between the bottom part 25 and the cover 26. Also there is a single hole 27 and a single spring 28 and the hole 27 cooperates with a single lamp 29 in the respective central aperture 4.

The switch member 12 of Fig. 5 covers a block of only three transversely aligned apertures 3, 4, 5 with their respective two slots 6, 7 and, longitudinally of the support structure 2 its dimension is half that of the first two kinds of switch members 10, 11. There is a single lamp compartment 30 with a single hole 31 and a single spring 32, and the hole 31 accommodates a single lamp 33 in the respective central hole 4.

As shown in Fig. 3 multiple switch members 10, 11, 12 of the kind so far described can be fitted side by side on the support structure 2 so that adjacent switch members are very closely spaced. This close spacing permits independent operation of the switch members but visually gives the pleasing effect of a continuous part cylindrical surface running across the front wall of the machine beneath the fruit machine reels.

The switch members (or some of them) can be respectively aligned with the reels and may be of the same of generally similar curvature and width to such reels.

The arrangement described gives a pleasing visual effect and also much facilitates machine manufacture due to the use of a modular switch assembly. That is, different machines having different requirements for numbers, locations and combinations of switch kinds can be assembled using the same support structure.

More specifically, it will be seen that the printed circuit board strip 2 defines a plurality of regularly spaced side-by-side mounting locations of unitary longitudinal dimensions (i.e. centred on each set of three transversely aligned apertures 3, 4, 5) whereby switch members equal this unitary dimension, or a multiple thereof, can be accommodated.

In practice a modular construction made up of one or more 'single unit' switch members (12) and/or one or more 'double unit' switch members (10, 11) can be assembled.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. A switch assembly comprising an elongate support structure, a plurality of manually operable switch members each mountable on the support structure so as to be manually movable to effect actuation of at least one electrical switch, and at least one illumination device mountable beneath each said switch member for effecting illumination thereof, characterised in that the support structure has a plurality of longitudinally spaced mounting locations for said switch members each with respective associated mounting means and electrical connections for the (or each) electrical switch and illumination device whereby each switch member can be selectively mounted at any of plurality of different mounting dispositions along the support structure.

2. A switch assembly according to claim 1 characterised in that the support structure comprises a printed circuit board which has the electrical connection thereon.

3. A switch assembly according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the spacing of adjacent mounting locations is smaller than the corresponding longitudinal dimension of at least some of the switch members.

4. A switch assembly according to claim 3 characterised in that the said spacing is a minor proportion of the said longitudinal dimension.

5. A switch assembly comprising an elongate support structure, a plurality of manually operable switch members each mountable on the support structure so as to be manually movable to effect actuation of at least one electrical switch, and at least one illumination device mountable beneath each said switch member for effecting illumination thereof characterised in that the support structure has a plurality of longitudinally spaced mounting locations for said switch members, said mounting locations being of a common unitary longitudinal dimension whereby switch members equal to, or a multiple of, said longitudinal dimension can be mounted on the support structure.

6. A switch assembly according to claim 5 which is also a switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the mounting locations are regularly spaced.

8. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein, at each mounting location there is at least one aperture to accommodate at least one illumination device.

9. A switch assembly according to claim 8 wherein there are multiple apertures for each mounting location to accommodate multiple illumination devices, and said apertures are arranged in two or more rows along the support structure.

10. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the switch member comprises a body which is movable by pressing towards the support structure against the action of resilient means.

11. A switch assembly according to claim 10 wherein the switch member has an outermost plate-shaped pressure member overlying a generally box-shaped under-structure having one or more apertures therein to receive one or more said illumination devices in the (or each) compartment defined between the under-structure and the pressure member.

12. A switch assembly according to claim 11 wherein the pressure member is formed from translucent material.

i3. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the resilient means comprises one or more springs between the switch member and the support structure.

14. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein there are multiple side-by-side switch members having plate-shaped outer pressure surfaces all curved in like manner transversely to the longitudinal extent of the support structure thereby to define a generally continuous elongate, transversely curved surface structure.

15. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the mounting locations comprise guides in the support structure to receive one or more projections on each switch member.

16. A switch assembly according to claim 15 wherein the (or each) projection has a retaining abutment thereon to retain the projection in the guide.

17. A switch assembly according to claim 16 wherein spring means is provided to urge the abutment into engagement with the support structure.

18. A switch assembly according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 10 wherein the spring means comprises the resilient means.

19. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein each switch comprises a press button unit mounted on the support structure so as to be operated by engagement with the associated switch member.

20. A switch assembly according to claim 19 wherein there are two or more switches associated with each mounting location.

21. A switch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

22. A switch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 21 when used to provide player-operable switches in a coin (or other credit or monetary element) -operated entertainment machine.