Patent US3887840A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4937408A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Self-illuminating panel switch
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1989-05-24
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2009-05-24
Abstract
Abstract In a self-illuminating panel switch, a key top is supported by a front panel. The key top has a rear surface on which a character area is printed with one of a dark color or a light color, and the background area is printed with the other of a dark color and a light color. Because the printing is made on the rear or inner surface of the key top, the ink is free from wear or removal.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihiro Hattori
- 👤 Takashi Murakami
- 👤 Yoshihiro Tsujita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/22; H01H2209/00; H01H2209/068; H01H2209/082; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/014; H01H2219/028; H01H2219/036; H01H2219/04; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/066; H01H2221/00; H01H2221/07; H01H2231/00; H01H2231/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A self-illuminating panel switch comprising: a key top formed of one of transparent and translucent material, said key top having a front surface and a rear surface, said rear surface having a character in a dark color printed thereon, said rear surface further being covered by a light color ink layer which also covers a rear side of said character, an entire rear surface of the key top being transparent or translucent except for an area covered by said character; front panel means for supporting the key top whereby said key top can be pressed rearwardly from an original position; key top support means for supporting the rear surface of the key top whereby after said key is pressed rearwardly, the key top can return to the original position; and means for illuminating the rear surface of the key top, light from the means for illuminating being at least partially transmitting through the ink layer and the key top except at the area covered by said character.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A self-illuminating panel switch comprising: a key top formed of one of transparent and translucent material, said key top having a front surface and a rear surface, said rear surface having a character in a dark color printed thereon, said rear surface further being covered by a light color ink layer which also covers a rear side of said character, an entire rear surface of the key top being transparent or translucent except for an area covered by said character; front panel means for supporting the key top whereby said key top can be pressed rearwardly from an original position; key top support means for supporting the rear surface of the key top whereby after said key is pressed rearwardly, the key top can return to the original position; and means for illuminating the rear surface of the key top, light from the means for illuminating being at least partially transmitting through the ink layer and the key top except at the area covered by said character.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The switch according to claim 1, wherein the key top is formed of a transparent material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The switch according to claim 1, wherein said rear surface of said key top is generally flat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The switch according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the key top is convex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The switch according to claim 1, wherein said illuminating means comprises a light-emitting diode mounted on a printed circuit board.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The self-illuminating panel switch according to claim 1, wherein the ink layer has light-diffusing characteristics whereby incident light from the means for illuminating is diffused and brightness of the key top is uniform throughout except for the area covered by said character.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The self-illuminating panel switch according to claim 1, wherein the light color of the ink is white and the dark color of the character is black.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The self-illuminating panel switch according to claim 1, wherein the character indicates a function of the panel switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2953668A
Cited
US3377453A
Cited
US4022993A
Cited
US4262182A
Cited
JPS607330A
Cited
JPS6230747A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |