US3666899A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Push button switches with interlocking diaphragm contact
Assignee: ROLAMITE Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-04
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1991-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A multiple push button assembly in which the buttons are arranged in a row. The buttons are normally biased outwardly relative to the panel in which they are supported, but when one of the buttons is pushed inwardly, it is latched and remains depressed until another button in the row is depressed. Movement of the other button releases the latch from engagement with the first button, allowing it to move outwardly to its initial position. Thus, only one button in the row remains depressed at a time. Latching of the buttons is accomplished by a thin, resiliently flexible band, which is mounted in longitudinal compression against a curved guide through which the buttons project. The band also serves as a contact element.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A Kerr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A multiple push button switch assembly comprising: wall means having a guide surface and having a plurality of bores therein spaced longitudinally along said surface, a thin resiliently flexible band extending along said surface, means longitudinally compressing said band thereby flexing a portion of said band into a lobe projecting away from said surface, urging means yieldably urging said band toward said surface, a plurality of push buttons in said bores, said push buttons and said band being interconnected for coordinated movement, and contact means spaced from said surface, said contact means being in position for engagement by said band lobe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multiple push button switch assembly comprising: wall means having a guide surface and having a plurality of bores therein spaced longitudinally along said surface, a thin resiliently flexible band extending along said surface, means longitudinally compressing said band thereby flexing a portion of said band into a lobe projecting away from said surface, urging means yieldably urging said band toward said surface, a plurality of push buttons in said bores, said push buttons and said band being interconnected for coordinated movement, and contact means spaced from said surface, said contact means being in position for engagement by said band lobe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 1, including spring means yieldably biasing said push buttons to move said band toward said surface, thereby assisting said urging means in suppressing a tendency for multiple lobe formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 2 wherein said band has opposite longitudinal edges, said push buttons being interconnected with said band adjacent one of said edges and contact means being in position to be engaged by said band adjacent the other of said edges, whereby the effect of said spring means on contact pressure at said contact means is minimized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 2 wherein said push buttons have a slot through which said band extends, said slot having a width substantially greater than the thickness of said band, whereby when one of said buttons is being depressed, said slot relieves the bias of said spring means on said band to allow a lobe to form at said one button.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 1 including an elongated thin resiliently flexible strip, said strip having a pair of longitudinal slots therein dividing said strip into a plurality of sections that are integral with each other, said band being a first one of said sections, said band compressing means including means providing a differential in length between at least one other of said strip sections and said band as measured with respect to said guide surface to urge opposite end portions of said band toward each other, thereby imposing compressive stresses in said band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 5 wherein said guide surface has a longitudinal curvature, said differential providing means includes a projection on said wall means spaced outwardly from said guide surface and said other strip sections engaging said projection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 10 wherein said push buttons project through said wall means substantially radially with respect to said curved surface, base means adjacent said wall means, said base means including an arcuate channel having a support surface concentric with said curved surface, and including a resiliently flexible spring member having a support portion and a plurality of spring fingers, said support portion being mounted on said support surface with said fingers projecting outwardly from said support surface and engaging said push buttons continuously to urge said push buttons outwardly relative to said wall means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said contact means is provided on base means adjacent said wall means, said contact means includes a plurality of contact elements spaced apart from each other along said base means, said base means being in position to be engaged by said band lobe portion, while the remaining portion of said band is spaced from said base means, said contact elements having detent surfaces to guide said lobe into alignment with said contact elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 8 wherein said band is electrically conductive and forming a contact element cooperating with the contact elements on said base means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 1, wherein said surface has a longitudinal curvature, said urging means including means holding said band resiliently flexed toward said guide surface, said bores being spaced circumferentially along said surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The multiple push button switch assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bores extend substantially perpendicular to said guide surface, said push buttons being moveable in said bores substantially perpendicular to said surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2320774A
Cited
US3472972A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |