US3906222A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical push-button switch with photo-electrical switching elements
Assignee: Government of France
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Filing: 1974-11-20
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An electric switch comprising a push-button, a casing slidably supporting the push-button, and a return spring acting on the push-button to urge the push-button to a raised position, away from the bottom of the casing. The casing includes two hollow portions facing one another and constituted of transparent material, a light source in one hollow portion and a photoelectric element in the other hollow portion. The pushbutton carries a screen for blocking communication between the light source and the photoelectric element when the push-button is depressed to an operative position. The hollow portions are constituted by two housings projecting from the bottom of the casing and made of transparent plastic material and the pushbutton includes an integral stem slidable in the casing and provided with two cavities in its free end corresponding in shape to the hollow portions to receive and cover the same when the push-button is depressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Georges Astier
- 👤 Pierre Canaby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:56
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/965; H03K17/968
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An electric switch comprising a push button, a casing slidably supporting the push button, said casing having a bottom, resilient means acting on the push button and casing to bias the push button to a raised position away from the bottom of the casing, said casing including two hollow portions facing one another and constituted of transparent material, a light source in one hollow portion and a photo-electric element in the other hollow portion, and means on said push button for blocking communication between said light source and photo-electric element when the push button is depressed to an operative position, said hollow portions being constituted by two housings projecting from the bottom of the casing and made of transparent plastic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An electric switch comprising a push button, a casing slidably supporting the push button, said casing having a bottom, resilient means acting on the push button and casing to bias the push button to a raised position away from the bottom of the casing, said casing including two hollow portions facing one another and constituted of transparent material, a light source in one hollow portion and a photo-electric element in the other hollow portion, and means on said push button for blocking communication between said light source and photo-electric element when the push button is depressed to an operative position, said hollow portions being constituted by two housings projecting from the bottom of the casing and made of transparent plastic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said push button includes an integral stem slidable on said casing, said stem having a free end facing said hollow portions, said free end being provided with two cavities corresponding in shape to said hollow portions to receive and cover the same when the push button is depressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said push button and the stem are constituted of a material which permits passage of light so that the push button is illuminated by the light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein said casing includes at least one hollow boss projecting into the interior of the casing, and a second light source in said boss, said second light source being alternately lit and extinguished by operation of the push button.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein said stem has a lateral groove in which said boss is slidably engaged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means for blocking communication between the light source and the photo-electric element comprises an opaque lining in the cavity of the stem which is to receive the hollow portion with the photo-electric element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housings are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the bottom of the casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housings have rounded tops.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housings are circular in cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said casing and push button are constituted of transparent plastic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |