Illuminated button switch construction

Claim 1

A switch and actuator assembly comprising a switch including a plurality of contacts, am element movable to selected positions of adjustment to effect interconnection of predetermined contacts, and switch terminals extending from said switch and connected within a switch to said contacts, a housing, socket means disposed within said housing and having conductive socket terminals extending therefrom, a light source disposed within said housing and mounted in said socket means, and a diaphanous button member mounted for actuation between a plurality of positions in said housing, said switch and said housing mounted in adjacent relationship so that said button member is operatively connnected to said element whereby movement of said element is responsive to the actuation of said button member and said socket terminals engage selected ones of said switch terminals; said button member, when in one predetermined position, having a first portion thereof forming a lightcontrolled wall within said housing exposed to said light source, and when in a second predetermined position, having a second portion thereof forming a light-controlling wall within said housing exposed to said light source; the light-transmitting characteristics of said button member first and second wallforming portions being dissimilar whereby an exposed portion of said member button external of said housing is illuminated by said light source and produces a first visual effect when said button member s disposed in one of said positions and a different visual effect when in the other of said positions.