NZ514426A

NZ514426A - An elastomeric backlit push button switch actuator

Info

Publication number: NZ514426A
Application number: NZ51442601A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Paul Barron
Original assignee: H
Priority date: 2000-09-27
Filing date: 2001-09-25
Publication date: 2002-02-01
Also published as: AU732715B3

Abstract

A switch actuating button which is formed from a pliant, light transmissive elastomeric material and shaped in a manner such that it may be held captive and project through an aperture of a mounting plate (80). The switch actuating button is coated with paint on a surface of the button that is projected through the mounting plate aperture and a window (60) is provided in the paint coating to permit emission of light from the rear of the actuating button. Indicia (90) is printed onto the paint coating and a clear gloss plastics material is applied to the whole of the surface that is projected through the aperture of the mounting plate (80).

Description

514 4 2 6 Bntel'scteS Property CrnCS of l\3Z 2 5 SZP 2301 DECEIVED PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee No. 4: $250.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION SWITCH ACTUATING BUTTON I/WE H.P.M. Industries Pty Ltd, an Australian company of Unit 4,44-48 O'Dea Avenue, Waterloo, NSW 2017, Australia hereby declare the invention, for which I/We pray that a patent may be granted to me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 1 James & Wells Ref: 19908/3 RP SWITCH ACTUATING BUTTON FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a switch actuating button which is arranged to be mounted to a mounting plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most modern wall switch units comprise a mounting plate and a switch mounted to the plate with an actuator projecting through an aperture in the plate. In contrast with these units the present invention is intended to be used in an arrangement in which a pushbutton type switch is located within a switch housing. This requires that finger actuation 10 of the switch be transferred from an operator's finger to the switch by way of an intervening actuator button.

The actuating button might be moulded from a hard plastics material, such as polycarbonate, in the same manner as conventional switch actuators are moulded. However, this would require a relatively complex mounting arrangement for the 15 actuator given that it would be separate from the switch itself. As an alternative arrangement, a soft resilient actuating button might be employed as in the case of some weatherproof switch units, but such actuating buttons do not present particularly well. Their use is therefore normally confined to industrial or harsh environmental situations.

The present invention seeks to provide a switch actuating button which is formed from a 2 0 resilient material but which presents in an aesthetically appealing way, such as would be acceptable in a residential situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly defined the present invention provides a switch actuating button which is formed from a pliant, light transmissive elastomeric material and shaped in a manner 2 James 8c Wells Ref: 19908/3 RP such that it may be held captive and project through an aperture of a mounting plate. The switch actuating button is coated with paint on a surface of the button that is projected through the mounting plate aperture and a window is provided in the paint coating to permit emission of light from the rear of the actuating button. Indicia is 5 printed onto the paint coating and a clear gloss plastics material is applied to the whole of the surface that is projected through the aperture of the mounting plate. Also, the switch actuating button is formed with an integrally moulded light guide behind the window for transmitting light from a light source that is located behind the switch actuating button. The actuating button preferably is moulded with a peripheral flange 10 which in use is arranged to locate behind the mounting plate. The flange most preferably is formed with holes which are engageable with pins which are moulded integrally with the mounting plate.

Having the switch actuating button painted a required colour enables the moulding of a single uncoloured product that can be painted with the required colour and be printed 15 with a required character or pictorial motif. Also, by over coating the actuating button with a clear gloss plastic material, the actuating button is given the appearance of a high quality hard plastic material product.

A preferred embodiment of the switch actuating button will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which 2 0 Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the switch actuating button, Figure 2 is a side view of the switch actuating button when mounted to a mounting plate which is shown in the dotted outline, and Figure 3 is a rear view of the switch actuating button 3 James & Wells Ref: 19908/3 RP DESCRIPTION As illustrated, the switch actuating button comprises a peripheral flange portion 10 and a hollow button portion 20 which is joined to the flange portion 10. The hollow button potion 20 has an actuating portion 30 which is joined to the flange portion through a 5 rearward peripheral portion 40.

An embossment 50 is formed integrally within the hollow portion 20 at the rear of the actuating portion 30. The embossment 50 is employed when the actuating portion 30 is depressed to engage with a switch when mounted behind the button.

The hollow portion 20 is formed with an integrally moulded light guiding region 60 10 which extends through the depth of the hollow portion 20 and meets the actuating portion 30. The light guiding portion, in use, guides light from a light source behind the actuating button and leads it to the end of the guiding region 60 at the actuating portion 30 of the button. This enables users to determine the off/on state of the switch.

The flange portion 10 of the actuating button is formed with four holes 70 at the corners 15 of the flange portion 10. When the actuating button is mounted to a mounting plate 80 the holes are engaged by four pins that are integrally moulded to the mounting plate 80. Figure 2 shows a side view of the switch actuating button when mounted to the mounting plate 80.

The switch actuating button can be injection moulded from pliant elastomeric material, 2 0 for example silicone. The actuating button is then spray painted with a resilient plastics material gloss to cover the actuating portion 30. A window 60 can then be etched on to the actuating portion 30 of the button or alternatively the button can be masked during the painting. Finally, print indicia 90 can be painted onto the surface of the actuating portion 30.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or 4 James & Wells Ref: 19908/3 RP modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific \ embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

James & Wells Ref: 19908/3 RP

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A switch actuating button formed from a pliant, light transmissive elastomeric material and shaped in a manner such that in use it may be held captive by and project through an aperture of a mounting plate, the switch actuating button being coated with paint on a surface of the button that is projected, in use, through the mounting plate aperture, a window being provided in the paint coating to permit transmission of light from the rear of the actuating button, indicia being printed onto the paint coating, a clear gloss plastics material being applied to the button surface projected, in use, through the aperture of the mounting plate, and an integrally moulded light guide being provided behind the window for transmitting light from a light source located, in use, behind the switch actuating button.

2. The switch actuating button as claimed in claim 1, wherein a peripheral flange is formed integrally with the switch actuating button and which, in use, is arranged to locate behind the mounting plate.

3. The switch actuating button as claimed in claim 2, wherein the peripheral flange is provided with holes engageable in use with pins moulded integrally with the mounting plate.

4. The switch actuating button as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switch actuating button is formed of silicone.

5. A switch actuating button substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings. H.P.M. Industries Pty Ltd By its Attornevs END OF CLAIMS JAMES & WELLS 6 James & Wells Ref: 19908/3 RP ABSTRACT The present invention provides a switch actuating button which is formed from a pliant, light transmissive elastomeric material and shaped in a manner such that it may be held captive and project through an aperture of a mounting plate (80). The switch actuating button is coated with paint on a surface of the button that is projected through the mounting plate aperture and a window (60) is provided in the paint coating to permit emission of light from the rear of the actuating button. Indicia (90) is printed onto the paint coating and a clear gloss plastics material is applied to the whole of the surface that is projected through the aperture of the mounting plate (80). Intellectual property Office of 2001 7 James & Wells Ref: 19908/3 RP