US3597561A

US3597561A - Pushbutton depressible to actuated position against the force of one biasing means, and depressible to latched position against the force of two biasing means

Info

Publication number: US3597561A
Application number: US796787A
Authority: US
Inventors: Friedrich Louzil; Gustave Mrazek
Original assignee: US Philips Corp
Current assignee: US Philips Corp
Priority date: 1968-02-08
Filing date: 1969-02-05
Publication date: 1971-08-03
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-03
Also published as: FR2001592A1; CH495604A; AT283769B; BE728040A; JPS4522182B1; DE1903660A1; ES363342A1; GB1258445A

Abstract

A pushbutton switching unit for switching ON and OFF various operating functions in a tape recorder and playback apparatus which has a button member which is depressed to actuate the switching function. Partial depression of the button will actuate the switching function and release of the button will return the switching mechanism to their rest position. Movement of the pushbutton beyond the initial switching position will result in the operator encountering a certain amount of resistance to further movement of the button beyond the switching position. Application of additional force will overcome the additional resistance and the button and switching mechanism will then be moved into a locked position in which the switching mechanism will remain in the actuated position.

Description

United States Patent Friedrich Louzil;

PUSHBU'I'ION DEPRESSIBLE TO ACTUATED POSITION AGAINST THE FORCE OF ONE BIASING MEANS, AND DEPRESSIBLE TO LATCI'IED POSITION AGAINST THE FORCE OF TWO BIASING MEANS 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

us.c1 200/159 R, 200/169 PB, 200/5 A Field 01 Search 200/5 A,

52, 52.2,159, 169 PB, 166 SD Primary Examiner- Robert K. Schaefer Ass i tam Examiner- Robert A. Vanderhye Attorney-Frank R. Trifari ABSTRACT: A pushbutton switching unit for switching ON and OFF various operating functions in a tape recorder and playback apparatus which has a button member which is depressed to actuate the switching function. Partial depression of the button will actuate the switching function and release of the button will return the switching mechanism to their rest position. Movement of the pushbutton beyond the initial switching position will result in the operator encountering a certain amount of resistance to further movement of the button beyond the switching position. Application of additional force will overcome the additional resistance and the button and switching mechanism will then be moved into a locked position in which the switching mechanism will remain in the actuated position.

fill/r $11 3 1s (EN 2' 1 PATENTED AUG 3l97l lPlJSlllIB UTTGJN lDlEPRESSIlBlLlE T ACTUATIJD POSITION AGAHNSTE FORCE OF ONE BHASHNG MEANS, AND DEPRESSKBLE TG LATCIHIIED POSITION AGAINST THE lFGlitClE G TWO BHASING MEANS The invention relates to a pushbutton unit for particular use with a tape recording and/or playback apparatus in which it is used for switching on and off tape movement conditions and/or operating conditions, the pushbuttons being held in their switched-on position by snapping into engagement with a holding device.

The pushbutton unit according to the invention, presents distinct points at which the operator will encounter certain resistance to further movement of the button. This resistance is encountered prior to the unit snapping into engagement with the holding device. The pushbuttons, however will have already accomplished switching function when the resistance is reached. This provides a particularly advantageous means of operating tape recording and/or playback apparatus. In fact, when a record carrier in the form of a tape is to be rewound over a short length, it is only necessary to depress the proper pushbutton until the resistance is reached, so that the rewinding operation will take place. However, in this switched position the pushbutton itself does not snap into a hold position, so that upon releasing the pushbutton the rewinding operation is immediately ended. Operation of the apparatus in this manner has been found to be particularly suitable for finding particular places on a record carrier. If a considerable length of record carrier has to be rewound however, the pushbutton is depressed past the point of encountering resistance to further movement of the button until it snaps into engagement with the holding device and need no longer be held by the operator. Such a pushbutton hence provides two different possibilities of operation.

A particularly favorable and reliable construction is obtained when each of the pushbuttons for switching on and off tape movement conditions comprises a pushbutton rod cooperating with the holding device, and a switching slide provided for switching on the switching function and being displaceable, through the pushbutton rod, said rod and said slide being connected together by means of a spring, the switching slide being adapted to be held against a further displacement in its position in which the switching function is switched on whereas the pushbutton rod is adapted to be displaced further after reaching said position of the switching slide, thereby tensioning the spring, so that a distinct point of resistance to further movement of the button is encountered and finally snapping into engagement with the holding device.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, two embodiments thereof will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a cross-sectional view of a pushbutton unit showing a pushbutton of the sliding type in its rest condition,

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the same button in a switched position when a perceptible resistance is reached, and in condition in which the bottom is snapped into engagement with a holding device,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a pushbutton of the swinging type together with a very simple embodiment ofa perceptible resistance,

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two other switched positions of the pushbutton shown in FIG. 4. Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral ll denotes a support of a pushbutton unit in which a pushbutton rod 3 is slidably arranged for movement against the action of a spring 2. Three switching units 4 of which one is shown diagrammatically in cross section, and which are associated with said pushbutton are provided in the body of the pushbutton. For operating its contacts 5, each of these switching units comprises a switching member 6 which projects beyond the switching unit and extends in a recess of switching slide 7. These recesses are formed by projections 8 on the switching slide. Slide member 7 is also slidable and is connected to the pushbutton rod 3 by means of a spring 9 so that it may be moved by the rod. For guiding theswitching slide on the one hand, extensions 10, are arranged on said slide and extend in

recesses

12, 13 of the pushbutton rod 3, and on the other hand the projections 8 are provided and extend in recesses 14 of the pushbutton body 1. The extension it) simultaneously serves as an abutment with which the slide 7 engages the boundary of the recess 12 under the action of the spring 9 when the pushbutton is in the rest position. The

recesses 14 in the pushbutton body together with the projections 8 on the switching slide determine two extreme positions of the switching members 6 so that the rest position and switching position of the switching unit is thereby determined. An extension 15 of the pushbutton rod determines the rest position thereof. For holding the pushbutton in the switchedon position, a catch 17 is provided which is under the action of a spring 16: and cooperates with an extension 18 of the pushbutton rod.

The operation of the pushbutton will now be described. When the pushbutton rod 3 is depressed in the direction of the arrow 19, the rod will be displaced in its longitudinal direction. Movement the rod will cause the switching slide 7 to also move because of the connection to the rod through the spring 9. The switching units 4 are thus brought into the switched-on position. The switching function of the pushbutton is now switched on. The switching slide7 assumes an end position from which it cannot be moved since the projections 8 engage the boundaries of the recesses 14. The operator will know when this switched position is reached, since upon further displacement of the pushbutton rod the spring 9 will be tensioned and certain resistance to further movement of the button will be encountered. FIG. 2shows this switched position. The pushbutton rod has not yet snapped into engagement with the holding device 17, so that upon releasing the pushbutton, it immediately returns to its rest position, the switched-on switching function being interrupted again.

If, however, while still in the switched position shown in FIG. 2 the pressure on'the pushbutton rod is increased, it will be displaced further in its longitudinal direction under the action of the spring 9, until the catch 17 engages behind the extension 18 and the pushbutton rod is snapped into engagement with the holding device. The increased force required for the last mentioned displacement of the pushbutton rod presents for the operator a significant distinction of the two manners of displacement. The spring 9 represents a distinct resistance as soon as it becomes operative (i.e. under tension). The above described switched position, in which the switching function of the pushbutton is finally switched on without further operation thereof, is shown in FIG 3. Returning the pushbutton to its rest position may be effected normally by releasing the catch 17. When the pushbutton rod returns to its rest position, the switching slide will also return because of the engagement therewith by abutment l0 and the switched-on switching function is switched off again.

Such pushbuttons are particularly advantageous for switching on and off tape movement conditions, as they are required for rewinding tape record carriers in a tape recorder and/or playback apparatus. For example, a pushbutton may be provided for switching on fast forward movement of the record carrier and a second pushbutton for switching on fast rewind. By depressing a pushbutton up to the point of encountering resistance to further movement, a rewinding operation can be switched on which can be immediately interrupted by simply releasing the pushbutton. As a result of this the record carrier can simply be moved forward or backward over short distances, which considerably facilitates the finding of given places on the record carrier, for example, for cutting and the like. For rewinding rather long pieces of the record carrier, however, the pushbutton may be snapped into engagement with the holding device, by overcoming the resistance encountered when pushing the button so that the operator need no longer hold the pushbutton.

In the present example, switching units 4 are provided with electrical switches for switching on the rewinding operation by turning on and off winding motors. Alternatively, however, electromagnets may be controlled by the switches. Said magnets may displace intermediate wheels in the driving system of the apparatus in a conventional manner so that winding devices are driven according. Naturally, however, the switching slide 7 may also act directly on operating rods for mechanical transmissions which ensure that a desired operating condition will be established. Since these details are not essential to and form no part of the invention they are not shown. In the last-mentioned case, for example, the reaction forces of the operating rods may also hold the switching slide in the switched-on position and thus determine the point at which resistance to further button movement will first be encountered.

Such a pushbutton may preferably also be used -for switching on a conventional quick-stop device. If the record carrier has to be stopped for a considerable time, the pushbutton is snapped into engagement with the holding device. However, if the record carrier is to be moved at a particular instant, the pushbutton which is kept depressed only to the point of first encountering the resistance, is released at that particular instant so that the beginning of the movement of the record carrier can be very accurately determined.

FIGS. 4 and 6 show an example of a pushbutton unit in which the rod 3 is pivotable and acts directly on a switch 4 for switching-off a rewinding operation. The resistance to be encountered in this example is presented by a brace 21 which is slidably mounted on the support 1 of the pushbutton unit, under the action of a spring 20. Said brace, in the rest position of the pushbutton, engages said support with extensions 22 without its extremity 23 being in contact with the pushbutton rod 3.

When the pushbutton is depressed a stepwise resistance to movement ofthe button occurs due to the action ofthe spring 20 as soon as the pushbutton 3 touches the brace 21. This resistance is apparent during the operation. When the position shown in FIG. is reached, the contact 4 is already closed and a switching function has taken place. The pushbutton rod, however, is not yet held by the catch 17, so that upon releasing the button it immediately returns to its rest position.

Only when the force of the spring is overcome and the brace 21 is displaced, the pushbutton rod can assume a switched position, in which it is held by the catch 17 as is shown in FIG. 6. In this switched position, the switch 4 is also closed so that in this switched position also the desired switching function is switched on.

As a result of this the resistance offered to moving the button again provides the operator with the possibility of switching on a switching function temporarily, namely as long as the pushbutton is kept depressed until the resistance is encountered without the pushbutton snapping into engagement with the holding device. The switching function is immediately removed by releasing the pushbutton.

What we claim is:

1. A pushbutton switching unit for switching on and off various operating functions in tape recording and/or playback apparatus comprising a support, a rod mounted on said support for movement by an operator from a rest position to a switched position, first biasing means for urging said rod to remain in the rest position and for returning said rod to the rest position when released from the switched position, switching means being actuated by movement of said rod to the switched position, a locking mechanism mounted on said support engaging said rod and maintaining said rod in a locked position when said rod is moved beyond the switched position, said switching means remaining actuated when said rod is moved to the locked position, said rod being returned to the rest position by said first biasing means when said rod is released from the locked position and second biasing means mounted for cooperative engagement with said rod for biasing said rod against movement from the switched position to the locked position, an apparent resistance to movement of the rod beyond the switched position thereby being encountered by the operator when said rod is moved from the switched position to the locked position.

2. The pushbutton switching unit according to claim 1 further comprising a slide member arranged for movement with said rod when said rod is moved between the rest position and the switched position, abutment. means on said slide member for engagement with said support to prevent further movement of said slide member beyond the switched position so that only said rod may be moved to the locked position, said abutment means being engaged by switching member in said switch means so that said switching means is actuated by movement of said slide member when said slide member is moved by said rod to the switched position, said second biasing means being a spring connecting said slide to said rod, whereby said spring moves said slide from a rest position to the switched position without said spring being substantially tensioned as said rod is moved from the rest position to the switched position, said spring being substantially tensioned as said rod is moved beyond said switched position to the locked position while said slide member remains stationary to maintain said switching means in an actuated condition so that a substantial increase in resistance to movement of the rod is encountered during said tensioning.

3. The pushbutton switching unit according to claim 2 further comprising an extension attached to said slide member, a recess in said rod through which said extension extends so that said slide will be returned to its rest position by said rod when said rod is released and returned to its rest position, said switching means thereby being deactuated.

4. A pushbutton switching unit for switching ON and OFF various operating functions in tape recording and/or playback apparatus comprising a support, a rod slidably mounted on said support, a button attached to one end of said rod for exerting a force thereon so as to cause longitudinal movement of said rod between an OFF and ON position, biasing means attached to said button for biasing said rod against movement to the ON position and for urging said rod to remain in an OFF position, said rod being returned from the ON position to the OFF position when the button is released, a slide member arranged for longitudinal movement by said rod, a spring connecting said slide member to said rod so that said slide will be moved by said rod to the ON position without tensioning the spring, at least one switching unit having means for cooperating with said slide member so that said switching unit will be switched to the ON position when said slide is moved to the ON position by the rod, a locking mechanism for engaging said rod in a locked position upon further movement of said rod after the switching unit has been turned ON, said switching unit being maintained in the ON position upon such further movement, abutment means on said slide for engaging said support when said switching unit is turned to the ON position to prevent further longitudinal movement of said slide so that only said rod can be moved to the locked position, whereby said spring will be tensioned upon said further movement of said rod so that a certain resistance to further movement of the button will be encountered and application of additional force to the button required to overcome said resistance and move said rod into the locked position.

5. The pushbutton switching unit according to claim 4 further comprising means connected to said slide for engaging said rod when said rod is released from the locked position so as to return said slide and said switching means to the OFF position.

Claims

2. The pushbutton switching unit according to claim 1 further comprising a slide member arranged for movement with said rod when said rod is moved between the rest position and the switched position, abutment means on said slide member for engagement with said support to prevent further movement of said slide member beyond the switched position so that only said rod may be moved to the locked position, said abutment means being engaged by switching member in said switch means so that said switching means is actuated by movement of said slide member when said slide member is moved by said rod to the switched position, said second biasing means being a spring connecting said slide to said rod, whereby said spring moves said slide from a rest position to the switched position without said spring being substantially tensioned as said rod is moved from the rest position to the switched position, said spring being substantially tensioned as said rod is moved beyond said switched position to the locked position while said slide member remains stationary to maintain said switching means in an actuated condition so that a substantial increase in resistance to movement of the rod is encountered during said tensioning.