Illuminating type push-button switch device

Claim 1

An assembly of push button switches having push members continually illuminated, including a frame carrying an array of push button switches each having an operation rod slidable therein for changing the status of the respective switch, a plurality of push members carried slidably by said frame, said push members being each engaged with a respective one of said operation rods for unitary movement therewith and having at its forward end portion a respective display window for transmitting light, a light source held rearwardly of said frame, a plurality of shutter members each held pivotally to said frame, said shutter members including a shutter plate formed by a light transmitting material and held at a location between said light source and a respective one of said display windows, a light diffusing plate extending between said light source and each said shutter member to provide a uniform amount of light to each display window of every non-depressed push member, and respective means associated with each said push member for pivoting the respective shutter member out of the path of light to the respective display window during depression of said push member to increase the amount of light thereto.