GB2350481A - Push button switch assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A push button switch assembly has a button 5 whose head 2 is translucent and confined within a bezel 1. When pressed, it operates a single switch 11. At least two different zones of the head 2 can be illuminated from beneath, and the switch 11 performs different functions depending on which zone is illuminated. The bezel 1 can have a lateral extension 15 with a translucent portion 16 illuminable in different ways from below, and these may correspond to the condition of that which the switch 11 at least partially controls, typically a gaming or amusement machine.

Description

Improvements relatinq to Push Button Switch Assemblies This invention

relates to push button switch assemblies and it is primarily concerned with those used on gaming or amusement with prizes machines. They control various operations apart from starting the machine, such as "nudg ing" the reels holding them or initiating a gamble feature.

What the player sees is just the head of a button within a bezel. Below the panel on which the assembly is mounted there is the actual switch and a lamp which, when energised, illuminates the translucent head of the button.

Often, there is a transparency interposed which will show up a word such as START.

These push button switch assemblies are fairly inconspicuous, and generally each one just serves a single is purpose. It is the aim of this invention to enable them to perform more than one function.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a push button switch assembly comprising a push button with a translucent head, a bezel for mounting on a panel and surrounding the head of the button, a switch operable by the button below the bezel, means for selective ly illuminating different zones of the head, and means for associating the switch with different executive actions according to which zone of the head is illuminated.

In addition the bezel may have a lateral extension with a translucent portion, and means can be provided for illuminating, possibly in different modes, this portion from 2 below the panel separately from the illumination of the head of the button.

When there are different modes of illumination of the extension there may be means determining the mode in accordance with the condition of that which the switch at least partly controls.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a gaming or amusement machine equipped with at least one push button switch assembly as defined above.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view, in elevation, of a dual- is purpose push button switch assembly, Figure 2 is an exploded view, in perspective, of that assembly, Figure 3 is a plan view of the assembly, Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of the assembly, and Figure 5 is a side view of the assembly.

The push button switch assembly is composed of a number of parts which, from the top as seen in Figures 1 and 2, are a bezel 1, a lens cap 2, an insert 3, a transparent disc- like legend plate 4, a plunger 5, a return spring 6, a threaded body 7, a mounting sleeve 8, a washer 9, a clamping nut 10, a lamp 11, a switch 12, a second lamp 13 and a group of third, smaller lamps 14, only one of which is illus- 3 trated.

Instead of being the conventional ring, the outside perimeter of the bezel 1 is D-shaped, the inside perimeter still being circular. This creates an extension 15. But the bezel is not a single moulding in one type of plastics; most of it is opaque, but two-shot moulding enables it to have a translucent logo 16 or some legend or device on the extension 15. Projecting down from the bezel there are lugs 17, some of them apertured, to locate in and hold to the body 7.

The lens cap 2 is conventional, while the insert 3 has two legends rather than the usual one, here these being START and GAMBLE. This is laid on the plate 4, and to stop any chance of that plate rotating, it has a depending lug 18 which engages in a notch 19 in the top of the plunger 5.

Conventionally, the plunger of such an assembly is symmetrical about a vertical axis. But here it is asymmetrical, the main body being a cup 20 in the base of which there are two diametrically opposed apertures 21 and 22.

Below the aperture 22 there is a short cylindrical extension 23 from the lower rim of which extend downwardly two fingers 24, outwardly hooked at their lower ends. The return spring 6 has its upper end within the extension 23.

The body 7 is of somewhat similar shape but slightly larger. It has a cup 25 with two diametrically opposed apertures 26 and 27 in its base, and downwardly from around the aperture 27 there extends an externally threaded spigot 28. When assembled, the hooks at the ends of the fingers 4 24 snap out under the lower rim of this spigot to hold the plunger down against the spring. In the rim of the cup 25 there are notches 29 to receive the lugs 17. The f our diametrically opposed notches have small angled teeth 30 immediately below them, and these snap into the two apertured lugs 17 to retain the bezel 1 to the body 7 and make captive the parts 2 to 6.

This sub-assembly is received in the mounting sleeve 8 which also has a cup-like body 31 in whose base there are two apertures 32 and 33. on one side, aligned with these apertures, there is a box-like extension 34, and that has apertures 35 in its base. With the assembly of parts 1 to 7 fitted in an aperture in a panel (not shown) so that the bezel lies on top of the panel, this sleeve 8 is offered up is from below, the spigot 28 passing through the aperture 33. The sleeve 8 is then clamped in place by the nut 10, the washer 9 intervening.

The lamp 11 and switch 12 have a common mounting 36 which is fitted up into the spigot 28 and secured by a bayonet connection 37 in a conventional manner, the lamp 11 itself then being within upper end of the spring 6. When the lens cap 2, serving as a button, is depressed against the spring 6, one of the fingers 24 operates the switch 12, again in a conventional manner.

The base 38 of the second lamp 13 locates in the aperture 32, which is in registry with the apertures 26 and 21. The bases 39 of the third lamps 14 locate in the apertures 35 and are directly below the logo 16.

The words on the insert 3 can be selectively illuminated, depending on which lamp 11 or 13 is energised. if it is the lamp 13, then with the inserts illustrated pressing the button will start the machine, even though it is the switch 12 over which the lamp 11 is mounted that is actually operated. If the machine program offers a gambling feature, then it is the lamp 11 that is energised, and pressing the button will initiate that feature.

The lamps 14 can be quite independent of whether the game is being played or not, and have different modes of illumination. For example, they can be permanently or intermittently energised and, if the latter, either all together or in various combinations. They may be of different colours to give further variety to the presenta- is tion of the logo. But they could be used to signify a game feature in one mode, or the modification of a basic game in another mode. For example, if they flash in a certain way, rather than give steady illumination, it could indicate some change in the game, or perhaps a different scale of figures.

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Claims (6)

1 A push button switch assembly comprising a push button with a translucent head, a bezel for mounting on a panel and surrounding the head of the button, a switch operable by the button below the bezel, means for selectively illuminating different zones of the head, and means for associating the switch with different executive actions according to which zone of the head is illuminated.

2. A push button switch assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 10 wherein the bezel has a lateral extension with a translucent portion, and means are provided for illuminating this portion from below the panel separately from the illumination of the head of the button.

3. A push button switch assembly as claimed in Claim 2, 15 wherein the extension illuminating means can provide different modes of illumination.

4. A push button switch assembly as claimed in Claim 3, wherein there are means determining the mode of illumination of the extension in accordance with the condition of that which the switch at least partly controls.

5. A push button switch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A gaming or amusement machine equipped with at least 25 one push button switch assembly as claimed in any preceding claim.