US3470332A - Push button electrical switches - Google Patents

Push button electrical switches Download PDF

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Publication number
US3470332A
US3470332A US705141A US3470332DA US3470332A US 3470332 A US3470332 A US 3470332A US 705141 A US705141 A US 705141A US 3470332D A US3470332D A US 3470332DA US 3470332 A US3470332 A US 3470332A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
button
balls
lines
push button
elements
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US705141A
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English (en)
Inventor
Ernest Milner
Gwyn Davies
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AB Electronic Components Ltd
Original Assignee
AB Electronic Components Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AB Electronic Components Ltd filed Critical AB Electronic Components Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3470332A publication Critical patent/US3470332A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H13/14—Operating parts, e.g. push-button
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
    • H01H13/72—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard wherein the switch has means for limiting the number of operating members that can concurrently be in the actuated position
    • H01H13/74—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard wherein the switch has means for limiting the number of operating members that can concurrently be in the actuated position each contact set returning to its original state only upon actuation of another of the operating members
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S200/00—Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
    • Y10S200/29—Ball

Definitions

  • This invention relates to push button electrical switches, and more particularly to assemblies of such ,switches for use in selecting input signals, e.g., for dialing in telephone handsets, in adding machines, for controlling automatic tools and in computer inputs.
  • An object of the invention is to provide more controlled means of selecting numerals which are less complex and less expensive.
  • the ideal device is one which when pressing any selected digit, transmits its motion into longitudinal movement vertically and horizontally, simultaneously operating a number of contact devices, feeding through oscillators of predetermined frequencies to produce a characeristic signal for each depression.
  • the invention accordingly consists in an assembly of push button electrical switches each adapted to give a characteristic switching pattern of an arrangement of electrical contacts, comprising a matrix arrangement of push buttons in rows and columns, and a laterally confined line of movable, abutting, discrete motion-transmitting elements corresponding to each row and column of the matrix, the lines intersecting in a common element corresponding to each push button, each push button incorporating deflector means for displacing the elements in the lines corresponding to the row and column it occupies, other than the corresponding common element, and contact means operable by the said displacement to provide the characteristic switching pattern for each button.
  • the displacement of the elements in the lines corresponding to one row and one column acts to displace laterally the common elements of those lines and all other lines, Iand this prevents displacement of the other confined elements in the other, laterally confined lines.
  • the arrangement is interlocking to prevent simultaneous operation of two buttons.
  • the elements are preferably balls.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of assembly according to the invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the assembly of FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 3 is .a part sectional view of the structure of FIGURE 2, showing one button depressed;
  • FIGURES 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the effect of depressing a push button
  • FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of one component of the assembly.
  • FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the same component.
  • FIGURES 1 to 3 show the assembly comprising a rectangular back plate 1, a rectangular base 2 and a rectangular cover 3, secured together by bolts or rods 4 set at the'four corners.
  • the cover 3 is apertured to receive twelve push buttons 5 arranged as a matrix of four rows and three columns.
  • the base 2 is formed with open-ended confined channels 6, limited from below by the plate 1, with one channel 6 corresponding to each of the rows and columns of the matrix of push buttons 5.
  • the base 2 is also apertured as shown at 7 adjacent the intersections of the channels 6 (see also FIGURE 7).
  • An upstanding wall 8 spaces the base 2 from the cover 3.
  • Each channel 6 is of a length to be exactly filled by a line of abutting motion-transmitting balls 9.
  • the arrangement s lsuch that at the intersection of two lines there is a ball 9a common to both.
  • the balls may be of 1A inch diameter, .and each channel corresponding to a row may contain eleven balls as illustrated in FIGURE 3, whereas each channel corresponding to a column will contain fourteen balls.
  • FIGS show diagrammatically spring contact sets 10a and 10b at the ends of the lines of balls 9 corresponding to each row, and similar sets 10c and 10d at the ends of lines of balls 9 corresponding to each column.
  • the inner contact of each set is fairly strongly spring-loaded or inherently resilient to provide the necessary force to return the balls to their normal innermost positions.
  • the contact sets 10a may be connected in parallel so as to cause a dialing signal to be heard in the handset whenever a button 5 is pressed in.
  • Contact sets 10b and 10d may each energize a characteristic frequency in the dialing circuit so that each button corresponds to a unique combination of said frequencies.
  • the contact sets 10c have only the function of return springs, but vmay be used as Vcontacts if desired. f
  • Each push button 5 has a hollow interior which houses a return spring 11 abutting on the base 2 and urging the button outwardly. Movement of the button is limited by abutment of a flange 12 on the inner side of the cover 3 and the facing surface of the base 2. The cover 3 is perforated to allow the buttons to slide freely therethrough. Each button 5 is extended beyond the flange 12 by a set of four fingers 13 which have chamfered camming ends 14 and which extend through the apertures 7 in the .base 2.
  • buttons not marked with reference digits may be omitted or used for special calls, e.g., for emergency or internal only calls.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrated the position of the balls at a single intersection between two lines and it can be seen that each ball 9a has two balls 9 adjacent to it in each of the lines. In addition, each ball 9a lies squarely -at the centre of a group of apertures 7.
  • buttons which do not lie in the row or column of the depressed button is limited by the fact that the balls in the lines underneath them cannot move owing to the displacement of the common balls 9a, which'efectively block movement of the whole line of balls crossing the moved line.
  • the limited movement which may be possible is insuiiicient to cause operation of the contact sets.
  • depression of a button gives a characteristic switch pattern, in that each -row and each column only have a single common element, and also depression of a button prevents the depression of any other button until the tirst button is released.
  • buttons have been illustrated as of square shape at the operating end, other shapes such as rectangular or circular may be used, and the shape and configuration of the fingers 13 may vary somewhat from the coniiguration illustrated. Also the lengths of the lingers 13, or at least the shaping of the chamfered camming ends 14, from the flange 12, may vary to give a time diierential between the closing of the various contact sets operated.
  • the depression transmitting elements have been described as being balls. It is clear however that the rolling nature of the transmitting element is not essential, and the balls could be replaced by square section, e.g., cubic, slugs. Further, in certain switching applications, some or all of the make contact sets may be replaced by break sets or change-over sets as required.
  • each adapted to give a characteristic switching pattern of an arrangement of electrical contents comprising a matrix arrangement of push buttons in rows and columns:
  • An assembly as claimed in claim 6, comprising springs housed in the tubular bodies and abutting in the base member to bias the push buttons outwards from the base member.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
US705141A 1967-02-22 1968-02-13 Push button electrical switches Expired - Lifetime US3470332A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8529/67A GB1200187A (en) 1967-02-22 1967-02-22 Improvements in or relating to push button electrical switches

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3470332A true US3470332A (en) 1969-09-30

Family

ID=9854181

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US705141A Expired - Lifetime US3470332A (en) 1967-02-22 1968-02-13 Push button electrical switches

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3470332A (de)
DE (1) DE1615694A1 (de)
FR (1) FR1556552A (de)
GB (1) GB1200187A (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3732476A (en) * 1971-05-21 1973-05-08 Mc Gill Mfg Co Low cost switching arrangement for appliance motor speed control
US3737604A (en) * 1971-11-03 1973-06-05 Schaltbau Gmbh Single switch with multiple transverse actuators
US3743798A (en) * 1971-09-13 1973-07-03 North American Rockwell Elongated spring coil conductors applying tension force to pushbutton actuators in keyboard matrix switch assembly
US3845255A (en) * 1973-12-19 1974-10-29 Elmeg Keyboard switch assembly with ball and slider interlock mechanism
US4167657A (en) * 1977-03-03 1979-09-11 Elmeg-Elektro-Mechanik Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung Keyboard with mechanical encoding
US4210787A (en) * 1977-06-18 1980-07-01 Elmeg-Electro-Mechanik GmbH Keyboard construction

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2648679C2 (de) * 1976-10-27 1978-11-16 Elmeg-Elektro-Mechanik Gmbh, 3150 Peine Wahltastatur mit Erstziffernsperrung

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2192621A (en) * 1938-02-01 1940-03-05 Exhibit Supply Company Selector mechanism
US2381978A (en) * 1943-08-05 1945-08-14 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Impulse transmitter
US2489576A (en) * 1945-05-04 1949-11-29 Buckley Music System Inc Multiple plunger selector system
US3205318A (en) * 1963-06-11 1965-09-07 Itt Wire spring pushbutton assembly
US3226493A (en) * 1963-10-02 1965-12-28 Automatic Elect Lab Push button control unit
US3227819A (en) * 1963-10-10 1966-01-04 Automatic Elect Lab Push button control apparatus
US3269209A (en) * 1964-08-04 1966-08-30 Cutler Hammer Inc Pushbutton interlocks

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2192621A (en) * 1938-02-01 1940-03-05 Exhibit Supply Company Selector mechanism
US2381978A (en) * 1943-08-05 1945-08-14 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Impulse transmitter
US2489576A (en) * 1945-05-04 1949-11-29 Buckley Music System Inc Multiple plunger selector system
US3205318A (en) * 1963-06-11 1965-09-07 Itt Wire spring pushbutton assembly
US3226493A (en) * 1963-10-02 1965-12-28 Automatic Elect Lab Push button control unit
US3227819A (en) * 1963-10-10 1966-01-04 Automatic Elect Lab Push button control apparatus
US3269209A (en) * 1964-08-04 1966-08-30 Cutler Hammer Inc Pushbutton interlocks

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3732476A (en) * 1971-05-21 1973-05-08 Mc Gill Mfg Co Low cost switching arrangement for appliance motor speed control
US3743798A (en) * 1971-09-13 1973-07-03 North American Rockwell Elongated spring coil conductors applying tension force to pushbutton actuators in keyboard matrix switch assembly
US3737604A (en) * 1971-11-03 1973-06-05 Schaltbau Gmbh Single switch with multiple transverse actuators
US3845255A (en) * 1973-12-19 1974-10-29 Elmeg Keyboard switch assembly with ball and slider interlock mechanism
US4167657A (en) * 1977-03-03 1979-09-11 Elmeg-Elektro-Mechanik Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung Keyboard with mechanical encoding
US4210787A (en) * 1977-06-18 1980-07-01 Elmeg-Electro-Mechanik GmbH Keyboard construction

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1200187A (en) 1970-07-29
DE1615694A1 (de) 1970-06-04
FR1556552A (de) 1969-02-07

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