GB2271216A - Multiswitch - Google Patents

Abstract

A multiswitch 10 includes a holder 18 carrying microswitches 24 and a housing 14 carrying buttons 12 for operating said microswitches 24, each of the buttons 12 being formed with a plunger 28 extending axially in and snap engaged by a resiliently deformable catch 34 in a respective tube 52 formed with the housing 14, and latching means being provided in the form of a triangular plate 94 which upon being inserted into and turned within the housing 14, enters slots 58 in the tubes 52 aligned with slots 36 in the plungers 28 to secure the multiswitch 10. <IMAGE>

Description

MULTI SWITCH The present invention relates to a multiswitch by which is meant a plurality of independent switches grouped together for convenience as a single interdependent unit.

A typical application for a multiswitch is in a video game, particularly of the kind found in an amusement arcade, where separate switches are provided to control an image on a screen, such as a spacecraft which is to be moved in different directions whilst firing missiles, the multiswitch allowing the switches to be located very close to one another, thereby facilitating operation of the switches by a player.

It is known for a multiswitch to have a plurality of switch buttons of complementary outline mounted in a common circular housing so that the player can easily press the switch buttons with adjacent fingers without spreading the fingers.

It would be desirable, however, for practical purposes, for the switches to be more firmly retained than hitherto in the multiswitch, in order to be more resistant to the efforts of vandals, and for the switches to be more easily assembled.

According to the present invention, a multiswitch comprising a plurality of independent switches grouped together for convenience as a single interdependent unit, further comprises latching means for each of said plurality of switches.

In a preferred multiswitch: said latching means operates to secure all of said switches simultaneously; said unit includes a holder carrying microswitches and a housing carrying buttons for operating said microswitches, said latching means being formed on a part of said holder which is inserted into and turned within said housing; each of said buttons is formed with a plunger extending axially in and snap engaged in a respective tube formed with said housing; there are three of said switches, said latching means is in the form of a triangular plate extending radially of a bar formed with said holder, and said triangular plate is located within aligned slots in each associated pair of said tubes formed with said housing and said plungers formed with said buttons carried by said housing; and said holder is also formed with a lug for engagement within a locating recess in said housing.

It is also envisaged that a preferred multiswitch will further comprise illumination means for each of said plurality of switches.

This would not only add visual excitement but could be linked to the playing of the video game. For example, the electronics may be such that the image on the screen can be controlled by a switch only when the switch is illuminated.

In the particularly preferred multiswitch, the three switches are arranged generally at the apexes of a triangle, with button parts of said switches being capable of independent illumination and contact parts of said switches being capable of simultaneous securement.

A multiswitch, embodying the present invention, will now be described in greater detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view from above, one side and one end of the multiswitch; Figures 2 and 3 are, respectively, a front view and a cross-sectional view (line III-III) of a button and spring forming part of the multi switch; Figures 4, 5 and 6 are, respectively, a front view, a cross-sectional view (line V-V) and a rear view of a housing forming part of the multiswitch; Figures 7, 8 and 9 are, respectively, a side view, a cross-sectional view (line VIII-VIII) and a rear view of a mounting forming part of the multiswitch; Figures 10 and 11 are, respectively, a front view and a side view of a holder forming part of the multiswitch;; Figures 12, 13 and 14 are, respectively, a front view, a view from the other side and a rear view of the multiswitch; and Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view (line XV-XV) through the entire multiswitch.

A multiswitch, in accordance with the present invention, is shown in the accompanying drawings - the multiswitch including a plurality of independent switches grouped together for convenience as a single interdependent unit, with each of said plurality of switches being associated with latching means.

The assembled multi switch 10 is formed from various components including three buttons 12 secured to a housing 14 which is located within a mounting 16 and connected to a holder 18, with other components including a securing nut 20, three lamps 22 carried by the mounting 16 and three microswitches 24 carried by the holder 18.

The buttons 12 (Figs. 2-3) are moulded of one or more plastics materials. Each includes a lens cap portion 26, formed of a translucent plastics material in a desired colour such as red, yellow or green, and an elongate plunger portion 28. The cap portion 26 is continuously urged away from the housing 14 by a helical compression spring 30. The plunger portion 28 includes a rod 32 for operation of the microswitch 24, a resiliently deformable catch 34 for snap engagement with the housing 14 and a slot 36 for latching with the holder 18. The buttons 12 are arranged such that the cap portions 26 fit neatly together with the plunger portions 28 located closely together.

The housing 14 (Figs. 4-6) includes a base 38 having a peripheral wall 40 terminating at a bezel 42. The enclosure defined by the base 38 and the wall 40 is split by internal walls 44 into three compartments 46 for receiving respective ones of the cap portions 26 of the buttons 12. Apertures 48 are formed through the base 38 to open into respective ones of the compartments 46. A hollow support 50 extends from the base 38, away from the internal walls 44, and includes internal tubes 52 as well as an external thread 54. The internal tubes 52 may be formed in a separate inner part which has a central locating hole 56 at one end thereof. Each of the tubes 52 opens at one end into a respective one of the compartments 46.Each of the tubes 52 also includes a first slot 58 for allowing connection of a respective one of the buttons 12 with the holder 18, as well as a second slot 60 for allowing snap engagement with a respective one of the resiliently deformable catches 34 of the buttons 12.

The mounting 16 (Figs. 7-9) also has a base 62 having a peripheral wall 64, the peripheral wall 64 being slightly bigger than the peripheral wall 40 to fit neatly therearound.

The base 62 is formed with apertures 66 in alignment with the apertures 48 formed in the base 38. The aligned apertures 66 and 48 allow reception of respective light bulbs associated with respective ones of the lamps 22.

Each of the lamps 22 carries electrical terminals at its rear for connection to electrical circuitry and is a snap connection at its front to the mounting 16. More particularly, the lamps 22 are secured to webs 68 which are supported by struts 70.

A short hollow support 72 extends from the base 62, away from the peripheral wall 64, and is formed with end serrations 74 on an end face 76 - in use, a supporting panel (not shown) is sandwiched between the bezel 42 of the housing 14 and the peripheral wall 64 of the mounting 16.

The holder 18 (Figs. 10-11) has a carrying portion 78 and a latching portion 80. The carrying portion 78 is formed with three pairs of lugs 82 and three brackets 84 which extend from a hollow triangular support 86 to locate and retain the three microswitches 24 in positions such that depressable operating buttons 88 of the microswitches 24 are located opposite the adjacent ends of the internal tubes 52 of the housing 14. The latching portion 80 includes a central cylindrical bar 90 carrying three latching elements 92 which together form a latching plate 94 of triangular outline. A locating lug 96 is provided for engagement within a locating recess 98 formed in the housing 14 by a ramp 100.

The dimensions are such that after the buttons 12, housing 14 and mounting 16 have been assembled, with the securing nut 20, lamps 22 and springs 30, there is still just room for the latching portion 80 of the holder 18 to be inserted between the internal tubes 52 of the housing 14. Latching is achieved by rotating the holder 18 through 600 so that each of the latching elements 92 passes through the first slots 58 in the internal tubes 52 and becomes located within a respective one of the slots 36 in the plunger portions 28 of the buttons 12.

The axial length of each of the slots 36 (Fig. 15) is greater than that of the latching plate 94 to allow the buttons 12 to be depressed against the force exerted by the springs 30 to allow the rods 32 of the buttons 12 to depress the operating buttons 88 of the microswitches 24.

Claims (8)

1. A multiswitch comprising a plurality of independent switches grouped together for convenience as a single interdependent unit, further comprising latching means for each of said plurality of switches.

2. A multiswitch according to claim 1, in which said latching means operates to secure all of said switches simultaneously.

3. A multiswitch according to claim 2, in which said unit includes a holder carrying microswitches and a housing carrying buttons for operating said microswitches, said latching means being formed on a part of said holder which is inserted into and turned within said housing.

4. A multiswitch according to claim 3, in which each of said buttons is formed with a plunger extending axially in and snap engaged in a respective tube formed with said housing.

5. A multiswitch according to claim 4, in which there are three of said switches, said latching means is in the form of a triangular plate extending radially of a bar formed with said holder, and said triangular plate is located within aligned slots in each associated pair of said tubes formed with said housing and said plungers formed with said buttons carried by said housing.

6. A multiswitch according to claim 5, in which said holder is also formed with a lug for engagement within a locating recess in said housing.

7. A multiswitch according to any preceding claim, further comprising illumination means for each of said plurality of switches.

8. A multiswitch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.