US3805004A - Self-illuminating switch - Google Patents

Self-illuminating switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3805004A
US3805004A US00335960A US33596073A US3805004A US 3805004 A US3805004 A US 3805004A US 00335960 A US00335960 A US 00335960A US 33596073 A US33596073 A US 33596073A US 3805004 A US3805004 A US 3805004A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
knob
switch
resilient
illuminating
holder
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
US00335960A
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English (en)
Inventor
S Kondo
M Michioto
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.)
Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Alps Electric Co 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 Alps Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Alps Electric Co Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3805004A publication Critical patent/US3805004A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • H01H13/023—Light-emitting indicators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H01H2219/04—Attachments; Connections

Definitions

  • a self-illuminating switch including a switch encased in a switch frame, a light-transmitting switch knob received in a knob holder, and means for illuminating said switch knob from interior of the knob holder in response to the operation of said switch is further improved by the provision of at least a projection on each side of the switch knob, a plurality of resilient projections, each having a groove for receiving said projection, formed integral with a knob cap and with the knob holder, so that the switch knob is resiliently received in said knob holder and knob cap, said switch being further improved by the provisions of means for holding said illuminating means in said knob holder, said holding means being made of Y-shaped metal plate, two arms of which are folded back into V- shaped contact portions opposing each other to hold a lead wire of said illuminating means firmly therebetween.
  • PATENTEDAPRIBIQM (1805004 SHEET. 2 0F 2 v v FIG. H
  • This invention generally relates to self-illuminating switches widely used in radio receivers, television receivers, stereophonic apparatuses, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a type of selfilluminating switch which includes a transparent or semi-transparent switch knob. and an illuminating source such as a lamp, whereby the operation of the switch can be determined by the illuminating state of the switch knob.
  • a primary object of the present invention is to provide a self-illuminating switch wherein the assembling of the component parts is simplified and the attachment of the switch knob is much facilitated.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a selfilluminating switch wherein the lamp holding mechanism is substantially improved and the replacement of the lamp is much facilitated.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a self-illuminating switch wherein the arrangement and the construction'of the electrical contact members for energizing the lamp are substantially improved, and the operation thereof is made much more accurate.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a self-illuminating switch wherein the alteration of the illumination of the switch knob is much simplified.
  • An additional object of the invention is to provide a self-illuminating switch wherein the ignition and extinguishment of the lamp in accordance with ON-OFF operation of the switch are assured.
  • a self-illuminating switch including a switch encased in a switch frame, a transparent or semi-transparent switch knob received in a knob-holder, and means for illuminating the switch knob from interior of the knob-holder in accordance with the operation of the self-illuminating switch, an improvement comprising at least an elongated projection provided on each side of the switch knob, a knobcap having resilient portions on both sides thereof, each resilient portion having at least a recessed groove for receiving said elongated projection of said switch knob, said knob-holder also having resilient portions on both sides thereof to be engaging with the resilient portion of said knob-cap, each resilient portion of said knob-holder also having at least a recessed groove for receiving said elongated projection of said switch knob when said knob-holder engages said knob-cap, whereby said switch knob is encased in said knobholder and knob-cap with the projections of said switch knob engaging in the groove of said knob-holder and the knob
  • the self-illuminating switch of the above-described construction is further provided with means for holding said illuminating means preferably in the form of a lamp
  • the lamp holding means is made of generally Y-shaped thin plate of a resilient metal such as phosphor bronze, a beryllium-copper alloy, german silver, stainless steel, and the like, the end portions of the two parallelly disposed resilient arms of said Y-shaped metal plate being folded back in the same direction into substantially V-shaped contact portions, said two arms being twisted relative to the bottom portion of the metal plate so that said two V- shaped portions are brought to oppose against each other and the lead wire of the lamp can be held be tween said two V-shaped contact portions.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self-illuminating switch constituting an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the self-illuminating switch shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a view showing the section along the line A-A in FIG. 2 for clearly indicating the attachment of an illuminating device
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmental sectional plan view showing the attachment of a knob
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmental sectional plan view showing the attachment of a knob-cap
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a lamp holding metal member in the self-illuminating switch
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the lamp holding metal member after it is subjected to the first production step
  • FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing the lamp holding metal member after it is subjected to the second production step
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the lamp holding metal member after it is subjected to the third production step.
  • FIG. 10 is a fragmental elevational view, partly in section, of a knob holder wherein the lamp and the lamp holding metal member are mounted;
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view along the line D-D in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing a part of the knob holder.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a self-illuminating switch according to the present invention, which comprises a switch such as a pushbutton switch generally designated by reference number 1 and having a frame 2 preferably made of a metal, and a lever 3 included in the frame 2 to' be moved thereto under the action of a coil spring 4.
  • a switch such as a pushbutton switch generally designated by reference number 1 and having a frame 2 preferably made of a metal, and a lever 3 included in the frame 2 to' be moved thereto under the action of a coil spring 4.
  • the push-button switch 1 is further provided with an insulating plate 5 fixed to the downwardly opening surface of the frame 2.
  • the insulating plate 5 has a plurality of stationary contacts 6, 6, for transferring operation and two lamp feeding contacts 7, 7.
  • the pushbutton switch 1 shown in the drawing is of so-called push-push type which when the lever 3 is pushed into the switch frame 2, the lever 3 is locked to the pushedposition by means of a cam plate8 provided in the switch frame 2, and when the lever 3 is again pushed toward the switch frame 2, the lock is released so that the lever 3 is set back to its original position.
  • the self-illuminating switch according to this invention further comprises an illuminating device such as a lamp which is generally designated by reference numeral 9 and arranged at a forward part of the pushbutton switch 1.
  • the illuminating device 9 comprises a knob holder 10, a color plate 20, a transparent or semitransparent knob 21, a knob cap 30, a lamp 40, and a lamp holding device 50.
  • the knob holder 10 is provided in the rear part thereof with a slit 11 through which the lever 3 is to be inserted, and a hole 12 wherein the lamp 40 and the lamp holding device 50 are to be inserted.
  • the hole 12 is formed to have two pairs of recessed portions 13, 13 and 14, 14, and a pair of projected portions 15, 15 opposingly provided at intermediate positions between the two pairs of the recessed portions.
  • the knob holder 10 is further provided, in the forward part thereof, with a chamber 18 wherein the color plate and the knob 21 are included, and two rows of resilient projections 17, 17 each extending forwardly on both sides of the chamber 18. Between each of the resilient projections 17, 17, forwardly opening slots 16, 16, are provided, and on the inner surface of each resilient projection 17, a recessed groove 19 is formed.
  • the knob holder 10 is connected with the lever 3 either by forcing the lever 3 into the slit 11, or by applying an adhesive between the lever 3 and the slit 11.
  • the color plate 20 is placed in the bottom of the chamber 18 so that a part of the color plate 20 is exposed to the hole 12.
  • the color of the lamp light illuminating the knob 21 can be changed by replacing the color plate 20.
  • the knob 21 is made of a transparent or semitransparent material, and an elongated projection 23 is formed integrally on each side surface 22 of the knob 21.
  • the elongated projections 23, 23 on both sides of the knob 21 is firmly seized in the recessed grooves 19, 19 formed on the inner surfaces of the resilient projections 17, 17, whereby the knob 21 is firmly received in the knob holder 10.
  • the color plate 20 is urged to the bottom wall of the chamber 18 by an end of the knob 21 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 4).
  • the knob cap 30 is formed in a hollow rectangular box-like configuration, with two rows of resilient projections 32, 32, provided on both sides of the rearwardly extending end of the knob cap 30.
  • Each of the resilient projections 32, 32 is separatedy rearwardly opening slots 31, 31, and is provided with an outwardly projected portion 33 and a recessed groove 34 formed on the inner surface of the resilient projection.
  • the front end of the knob cap 30 is provided with an inwardly projecting circumferential wall 35, as best indicated in FIGS. 3 and 5.
  • the knob cap 30 is placed to cover the forward part of the knob 21, and in this case, the elongated projections 23, 23 of the knob 21 are firmly seized in the grooves 34, 34, formed on the inner surfaces of the resilient projections 32, 32, of the knob cap 30.
  • the resilient projections 32, 32, of the knob cap 30 are inserted into the slots 16, 16, of the knob holder 10, and the resilient projections 17, 17, of the knob holder 10 are inserted into the slots 31, 31, of the knob cap 30.
  • the front surface of the knob 21 abuts against the inner surface of the circumferential wall 35 of the knob cap 30, whereby any possibility of the knob 21 being dropped out of the knob cap 30 is prevented.
  • the outwardly projected portions 33, 33, provided at the tips of the resilient projections 32, 32, of the knob cap 30 are used for preventing the knob cap 30 from being dropped out of a panel 60 of an electric apparatus when the switch 1 is fixed to the panel (refer to FIG. 5).
  • the lamp is supported on a support 42 consisting of an insulating synthetic resin, and the lead wires 41, 41 of the lamp 40 are bent back along the upper and lower surfaces of a supporting ribs 43, 43, provided on both sides of an engaging projection 44 provided on the supporting portion 43 of the support 42.
  • the lamp holding device 50 which is in fact a contact member, is made of a thin resilient metal plate of, for instance, phosphor bronze, a beryllium-copper alloy, german silver, stainless steel, and the like, and pressfonned into a configuration having two resilient arms 51, 51, a bottom portion 52 interconnecting the two resilient arms 51, 51, and a terminal portion 53 extending perpendicularly to the bottom portion 52 to be connected with the outside circuit.
  • rectangular holes 54, 54 are provided for fixing the lamp holding device in its position within the knob holder 10.
  • the free ends of the two resilient arms 51, 51 are bent into two resilient contacting portions 55, 55 of substantially V-shape which hold lead wires 41, 41 therebetween.
  • Each of the contacting portions 55, 55 has a projection 56 for assuring the contact with the lead wire 41.
  • the terminal PORTION 53 has a projection 57 engaging with the lamp feeding contact 7 fixed on the insulating plate 5.
  • the press-forming of the lamp holding device 50 is carried out as follows. Firstly, a thin resilient metal plate is punched out to obtain a y-shaped blank having a terminal portion 53, two resilient arms 51, 51, and an interconnecting bottom portion 52 as best seen in FIG. 7. As a second step, the two arms 51, 51 are bent along a line 8-8 in FIG. 7 to form V-shaped resilient contacting portions 55, 55, as best seen in FIG. 8. As a third step, the two resilient arms 51, 51 are twisted around the lines CC and C'C in FIG. 7, respectively, so that the two V-shaped contacting portions 55, 55 are brought into mutually contacting positions as shown in FIG. 9. As a final step, the lamp holding devices 50, 50 are plated by silver or hold.
  • the devices 50, 50 When the lamp holding devices 50, 50 are attached into the knob holder 10, the devices 50, 50 are inserted into the hole 12 in the rear part of the knob holder 10, as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, so that the two resilient arms 51, 51 of each device 50 abut against the inner walls of the two pairs of recessed portions 13, 13, and 14, 14 formed in the hole 12.
  • the holding devices 50, 50 are further advanced into the recessed portions 13, 13 and 14, 14, the arms 51, 51 of the devices 50, 50 are progressively bent inwardly, and the rectangular holes 54, 54 bored through the two resilient arms 51, 51 are finally brought into engagement with the respective projections formed at the bottoms of the recessed portions 13, 13 and 14, 14, so that the devices 50, 50 are fixed to their positions.
  • the lamp support 42 is so oriented circumferentially that the engaging projection 44 of the lamp support 42 is aligned with the concaved ends of the projectd portions 15, 15 in the hole 12, and that each of the supporting ribs 43, 43 of the lamp support .42 is inserted between the resilient contacting portions 55, 55 of the lamp holding device 50.
  • the lamp 40 firmly held in the hole 12 of the knob holder 10, and the lead wires 41, 41 of the lamp 40 are also held in contact with the resilient contacting portions 55, 55 of the lamp holding devices 50, 50.
  • the switch 1 When the depressing force of the knob 21 is removed, the switch 1 is placed into OFF state, and simultaneous therewith, the terminal portions 53, 53 of the lamp holding devices 50, 50 are released from the lamp-feeding contacts 7, 7, thereby to extinguish the lamp 40.
  • the rectangular holes 54, 54 are provided through the resilient arms 51, 51 0f the lamp holding device 50.
  • the holes 54, 54 may be replaced by projections formed on the resilient arms 51, 51, and corresponding recesses may be provided in the walls of the hole 12 of the knob holder 10.
  • a self-illuminating switch including a switch en cased in a switch frame, a light-transmitting switch knob received in a knob holder, and means for illuminating said switch knob from interior of the knob holder in response to the operation of said switch, an improvement comprising at least an elongated projection provided on each side of the switch knob, a knob cap having a plurality of resilient projections on both sides thereof, each resilient projection having at least a recessed groove for receiving said elongated projection of said switch knob, said knob holder also having a plurality of resilient projections on both sides thereof, each resilient projection of said knob holder also having at least a recessed groove for receiving said elongated projection of said switch knob, whereby when the knob cap is assembled with the knob holder with the resilient projections of the two members being engaged with each other, the switch knob is resiliently received within these two members with the elongated projections of the switch knob being received within the re Switchd grooves of said resilient projections.
  • a resilient metal such as phsophor bronze, a beryllium'copper alloy, german silver, stainless steel, and the like

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  • Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
  • Connecting Device With Holders (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
US00335960A 1972-06-01 1973-02-26 Self-illuminating switch Expired - Lifetime US3805004A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1972064601U JPS5241351Y2 (sv) 1972-06-01 1972-06-01

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Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3866008A (en) * 1973-01-29 1975-02-11 Angelo Teruzzi Composable switch device
US3894740A (en) * 1972-10-13 1975-07-15 Philips Corp Switching device, particularly for a record player or changer
US4080523A (en) * 1975-01-23 1978-03-21 Etablissements Torrix Press-button controlled electric switch
US4445164A (en) * 1982-05-05 1984-04-24 Cherry Electrical Products Corporation Lighted key module assembly
US4504713A (en) * 1983-07-13 1985-03-12 Adams Elevator Equipment Company Push button electrical switch assembly
US4535396A (en) * 1982-06-01 1985-08-13 Aerospace Optics, Inc. Sunlight readable illuminated indicia display devices
US4631377A (en) * 1985-02-21 1986-12-23 General Research Of Electronics, Inc. Slide switch with indicator light
US4742198A (en) * 1986-12-09 1988-05-03 Adams Elevator Equipment Co. Push button assembly having an actuator subassembly fixed to the innerside of a face plate
US6960732B1 (en) * 2002-01-30 2005-11-01 Whirlpool Corporation Electric switch insertable into a control/display screen
WO2006086981A1 (en) * 2005-02-15 2006-08-24 Mec A/S Switch having a complementary diode unit
US20070024588A1 (en) * 2005-07-26 2007-02-01 Yin Memphis Z Keyboard lighting device
US20200060429A1 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-02-27 Fredman Bros. Furniture Company, Inc. Multi-function device for an adjustable bed system

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3267245A (en) * 1964-08-24 1966-08-16 Honeywell Inc Illuminated push button switch relamping arrangement
US3268889A (en) * 1964-04-20 1966-08-23 Radar Relay Inc Indicator unit and switch
US3350531A (en) * 1966-07-13 1967-10-31 Illinois Tool Works Switch assembly including indicating means
US3508043A (en) * 1967-08-01 1970-04-21 Gen Electric Locking mechanism
US3522402A (en) * 1968-04-18 1970-08-04 Robertshaw Controls Co Illuminated switch construction with releasing slidable cam
US3681552A (en) * 1970-07-23 1972-08-01 Switchcraft Pushbutton electrical switch unit
US3740501A (en) * 1971-05-04 1973-06-19 Square D Co Miniature oil-tight push button and selector switch assembly and improved contact unit therefor

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3268889A (en) * 1964-04-20 1966-08-23 Radar Relay Inc Indicator unit and switch
US3267245A (en) * 1964-08-24 1966-08-16 Honeywell Inc Illuminated push button switch relamping arrangement
US3350531A (en) * 1966-07-13 1967-10-31 Illinois Tool Works Switch assembly including indicating means
US3508043A (en) * 1967-08-01 1970-04-21 Gen Electric Locking mechanism
US3522402A (en) * 1968-04-18 1970-08-04 Robertshaw Controls Co Illuminated switch construction with releasing slidable cam
US3681552A (en) * 1970-07-23 1972-08-01 Switchcraft Pushbutton electrical switch unit
US3740501A (en) * 1971-05-04 1973-06-19 Square D Co Miniature oil-tight push button and selector switch assembly and improved contact unit therefor

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3894740A (en) * 1972-10-13 1975-07-15 Philips Corp Switching device, particularly for a record player or changer
US3866008A (en) * 1973-01-29 1975-02-11 Angelo Teruzzi Composable switch device
US4080523A (en) * 1975-01-23 1978-03-21 Etablissements Torrix Press-button controlled electric switch
US4445164A (en) * 1982-05-05 1984-04-24 Cherry Electrical Products Corporation Lighted key module assembly
US4535396A (en) * 1982-06-01 1985-08-13 Aerospace Optics, Inc. Sunlight readable illuminated indicia display devices
US4504713A (en) * 1983-07-13 1985-03-12 Adams Elevator Equipment Company Push button electrical switch assembly
US4631377A (en) * 1985-02-21 1986-12-23 General Research Of Electronics, Inc. Slide switch with indicator light
US4742198A (en) * 1986-12-09 1988-05-03 Adams Elevator Equipment Co. Push button assembly having an actuator subassembly fixed to the innerside of a face plate
US6960732B1 (en) * 2002-01-30 2005-11-01 Whirlpool Corporation Electric switch insertable into a control/display screen
WO2006086981A1 (en) * 2005-02-15 2006-08-24 Mec A/S Switch having a complementary diode unit
US20090178904A1 (en) * 2005-02-15 2009-07-16 Mec A/S Switch having a complementary diode unit
CN100559529C (zh) * 2005-02-15 2009-11-11 美克公司 具有互补二极管元件的开关
US7745748B2 (en) 2005-02-15 2010-06-29 Mec A/S Switch having a complementary diode unit
US20070024588A1 (en) * 2005-07-26 2007-02-01 Yin Memphis Z Keyboard lighting device
US20200060429A1 (en) * 2018-08-22 2020-02-27 Fredman Bros. Furniture Company, Inc. Multi-function device for an adjustable bed system
US11470980B2 (en) * 2018-08-22 2022-10-18 Fredman Bros. Furniture Company, Inc. Multi-function device for an adjustable bed system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5241351Y2 (sv) 1977-09-19
JPS4924185U (sv) 1974-03-01

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