Patent US5596343A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5596343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pushbutton controller with backlit display and switch means
Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC
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Filing: 1994-09-12
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Granted: 1997-01-21
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Expires: 2014-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A backlit LCD is mounted in a controller having push buttons operating switch elements in a molded elastomeric switch pad for bridging pairs of switch terminals on a circuit board. The switch pad is white to reflect light and a portion of the switch pad behind the LCD is curved to serve as a reflector. A lamp between the display and the reflector illuminates the rear of the display directly and via reflection from the curved surface of the switch pad. This obviates the necessity of a separate reflector part in the controller assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Chris R. Snider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/01; H01H2219/012; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/06; H01H2219/062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An electrical control having a backlit display and switch means adapted for manual operation, the electrical control comprising: a panel; a button associated with the panel; a circuit board disposed adjacent the panel and having a pair of switch terminals; an elastomeric switch pad disposed between the panel and the circuit board, the switch pad having a conductive pushbutton switch element aligned with the pair of switch terminals for selective closure against the switch terminals, the switch pad including an integrally-formed recess having a reflective surface facing the panel; a light source mounted within the recess to illuminate the reflective surface thereof; and a display associated with the panel and mounted so as to be illuminated by the light source and light reflected by the reflective surface of the recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An electrical control having a backlit display and switch means adapted for manual operation, the electrical control comprising: a panel; a button associated with the panel; a circuit board disposed adjacent the panel and having a pair of switch terminals; an elastomeric switch pad disposed between the panel and the circuit board, the switch pad having a conductive pushbutton switch element aligned with the pair of switch terminals for selective closure against the switch terminals, the switch pad including an integrally-formed recess having a reflective surface facing the panel; a light source mounted within the recess to illuminate the reflective surface thereof; and a display associated with the panel and mounted so as to be illuminated by the light source and light reflected by the reflective surface of the recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The electrical control as defined in claim 1 wherein the circuit board has an aperture aligned with the display; the recess extends through the aperture to define a space between the reflective surface of the recess and the circuit board; and the light source is a lamp mounted in the space for illumination of the display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The electrical control as defined in claim 1 wherein the switch pad comprises a plurality of concave reflective surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The electrical control as defined in claim 1 wherein the switch pad is formed of white material for reflecting the light from the light source to the display; and the conductive pushbutton switch element comprises a conductive pellet secured to the switch pad for bridging the pair of switch terminals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-21 | 2000-07-22 | 2001-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-21 | 2004-07-22 | 2005-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-21 | 2008-07-22 | 2009-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |