US4811175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated switch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-07-09
•
Granted: 1989-03-07
•
Expires: 2006-07-09
Abstract
Abstract An illuminated switch, suitable for incorporation in a membrane keyboard or other microtravel switch array, is provided. By providing the switch with a translucent cover, on which symbols may be printed, and with a resilient metal spring conductor having a mesh area, light may pass through the operating mechanism of the switch. Thus, light from a source placed at the interior of the switch will pass through the switch and illuminate an area that is pressed to operate the switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory L. DeSmet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H2203/00; H01H2203/008; H01H2203/01; H01H2203/036; H01H2203/038; H01H2203/052; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/068; H01H2209/082; H01H2215/00; H01H2215/004; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/032; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/028; H01H2219/036; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
19 words
A backlit switch, comprising dome shaped springy means having a mesh area to allow substantially even passage of light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A backlit switch, comprising dome shaped springy means having a mesh area to allow substantially even passage of light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein said mesh area comprises a plurality of closely spaced small openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said openings cover substantially the entire surface of said spring member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said openings are formed by means of etching.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The switch of claim 1 wherein said openings are formed by means of stamping.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A switch as in claim 2, wherein said openings form a honeycomb pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A switch as in claim 2, comprising at least six said openings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein said springy means is opaque where said mesh area is not disposed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein said springy means comprises a key actuator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein springy means is electrically conductive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch as in claim 1, further comprising means for providing an audible signal when said switch is triggered.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A switch as in claim 1, further comprising means for providing a tactile signal when said switch is triggered.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein a height of said switch is substantially smaller than a width of said switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein a travel distance for a key actuator is substantially smaller than a width of said switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A switch as in claim 1, wherein said switch is sealed against intrusive elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
A switch as in claim 1, further comprising a gas-tight seal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
A switch as in claim 1, further comprising a liquid-tight seal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
78 words
A backlit switch, comprising translucent key actuator means; light source means disposed to emit light to pass through said key actuator means; electrical contact means forming a broken circuit; and dome shaped springy means for completing said broken circuit when said key actuator is triggered, said dome shaped springy means disposed between said light source means and said key actuator means, and said dome shaped springy means having a mesh area for allowing substantially even passage of light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
A backlit switch, comprising translucent key actuator means; light source means disposed to emit light to pass through said key actuator means; electrical contact means forming a broken circuit; and dome shaped springy means for completing said broken circuit when said key actuator is triggered, said dome shaped springy means disposed between said light source means and said key actuator means, and said dome shaped springy means having a mesh area for allowing substantially even passage of light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein said actuating cover is a flexible, translucent plastic sheet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein said actuating cover is a rigid, translucent button.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
103 words
A backlit switch, comprising translucent key actuator means; light source means disposed to emit light to pass through said key actuator means; first and second electrical contact means, collectively forming a broken circuit; and dome shaped springy means for completing said broken circuit when said key actuator is triggered, said dome shaped springy means contacting said first contact means and biassed away from but contactable with said second contact means, said dome shaped springy means disposed between said light source means and said key actuator means, and said dome shaped springy means having a mesh area for allowing substantially even passage of light.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
103 words
A backlit switch, comprising translucent key actuator means; light source means disposed to emit light to pass through said key actuator means; first and second electrical contact means, collectively forming a broken circuit; and dome shaped springy means for completing said broken circuit when said key actuator is triggered, said dome shaped springy means contacting said first contact means and biassed away from but contactable with said second contact means, said dome shaped springy means disposed between said light source means and said key actuator means, and said dome shaped springy means having a mesh area for allowing substantially even passage of light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2890538A
Cited
US3626171A
Cited
US3921750A
Cited
US4024368A
Cited
US4056701A
Cited
US4078257A
Cited
US4124879A
Cited
US4207448A
Cited
US4163883A
Cited
US4293764A
Cited
US4286129A
Cited
US4400594A
Cited
US4197439A
Cited
US4249044A
Cited
DE2944304A1
Cited
US4352968A
Cited
US4365120A
Cited
US4415780A
Cited
US4421966A
Cited
US4449024A
Cited
US4468542A
Cited
US4620075A
Cited
US4636593A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-03-06 | 1992-09-05 | 1993-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-06 | 1996-09-05 | 1997-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-06 | 2000-09-05 | 2001-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |