Patent US3705367A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3705367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Push-button switch assembly
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-10-22
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1991-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A push-button switch assembly that is suitable for applications requiring a relatively large number of push-button switches and in which no more than one switch is depressed at any one time. The assembly utilizes individual switches which are provided with permanent magnetic elements and a clearing coil which upon energization repels the magnets to clear any previously depressed switches as a new one is depressed. One application of the present invention is in channel selection of an electronically tuned television receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 William Peil
- 👤 Peter R Daino
- 👤 Lon J Sauter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/72; H01H13/02; H01H13/023; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/05; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/06; H01H2219/062; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/01; H01H2239/012; H01H3/00; H01H3/32; H01H3/50; H01H3/503
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A push-button switch assembly comprising: a. a plurality of push-button switches, 1. each switch having a depressable push-button, said switch being in one or another conductive state dependent on whether it is in an undepressed or depressed position, and 2. a permanent magnet attached to each switch, b. an upper stop for establishing a predetermined undepressed pOsition for each of said switches, c. means for holding each switch in contact with said upper stop when said switch is elevated, d. lower stop means of magnetizable material for holding said switches in a predetermined depressed position when said magnets are in contact therewith, e. a clearing coil associated with said lower stop means, which upon energization repels the magnets of any previously depressed switches to elevate said switches to undepressed position, and f. means responsive to depression of a switch for momentarily energizing said clearing coil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A push-button switch assembly comprising: a. a plurality of push-button switches, 1. each switch having a depressable push-button, said switch being in one or another conductive state dependent on whether it is in an undepressed or depressed position, and 2. a permanent magnet attached to each switch, b. an upper stop for establishing a predetermined undepressed pOsition for each of said switches, c. means for holding each switch in contact with said upper stop when said switch is elevated, d. lower stop means of magnetizable material for holding said switches in a predetermined depressed position when said magnets are in contact therewith, e. a clearing coil associated with said lower stop means, which upon energization repels the magnets of any previously depressed switches to elevate said switches to undepressed position, and f. means responsive to depression of a switch for momentarily energizing said clearing coil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
105 words
a permanent magnet attached to each switch, b. an upper stop for establishing a predetermined undepressed pOsition for each of said switches, c. means for holding each switch in contact with said upper stop when said switch is elevated, d. lower stop means of magnetizable material for holding said switches in a predetermined depressed position when said magnets are in contact therewith, e. a clearing coil associated with said lower stop means, which upon energization repels the magnets of any previously depressed switches to elevate said switches to undepressed position, and f. means responsive to depression of a switch for momentarily energizing said clearing coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
a permanent magnet attached to each switch, b. an upper stop for establishing a predetermined undepressed pOsition for each of said switches, c. means for holding each switch in contact with said upper stop when said switch is elevated, d. lower stop means of magnetizable material for holding said switches in a predetermined depressed position when said magnets are in contact therewith, e. a clearing coil associated with said lower stop means, which upon energization repels the magnets of any previously depressed switches to elevate said switches to undepressed position, and f. means responsive to depression of a switch for momentarily energizing said clearing coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A push-button switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said permanent magnet of each switch is attached to the corresponding push-button to cause push-button position to correspond with switch position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A push-button assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said clearing coil is energized by said energizing means during a period of approximately maximum kinetic energy of downward motion to reduce the available clearing energy thereby and to reduce the finger sensation resulting from clearing to a minimum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A push-button switch assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said energizing means provides energy adequate to clear buttons in a stationary depressed state, but inadequate to clear buttons having appreciable kinetic energy of downward motion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
A push-button switch assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said energizing means responds to depression of the push-button by sensing motion of said magnet, said motion sensing elements comprising a coil associated with said lower magnetizable stop which produces a pulse peaking when said magnet is in close proximity to said stop and near the point of maximum kinetic energy of said push-button.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A push-button switch assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said energizing means is responsive to said pulse exceeding a predetermined threshold and initiates a clearing pulse prior to completion of the button downward stroke.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A push-button assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clearing coil magnetizes said magnetizable stop means and creates a magnetization therein repelling said permanent magnets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A push-button switch assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said clearing coil is a loop with a relatively large central opening whose windings are compacted into a small bundle so as to create a generally toroidal close-in field, said magnetizable stop means lying within said toroidal field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A push-button switch assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the poles of each of said magnets lie in a plane perpendicular to the direction of motion of the associated switch and wherein said magnetizable stop means are of a U-shaped configuration to permit formation of opposing poles at the edges thereof in general alignment with the poles of said magnets.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A push-button assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper stop is of a magnetizable material and said holding means is magnetic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A push-button switch assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper stop is of a magnetizable material and said holding means is in part magnetic and in part resilient in nature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said energizing means comprises a sensing coil disposed in proximity to said magnets for sensing downward motion of said magnet and producing a corresponding pulse, and means responsive to said sensing pulse for energizing said clearing coil.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said clearing coil and said sensing coil are common, said clearing coil producing a sensing pulse of one polarity and said means responsive to said sensing pulse applying a pulse of opposite polarity to said coil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |