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US5655826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Illuminable push button switching unit
Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-03-22
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Granted: 1997-08-12
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Expires: 2016-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An improved push button switching unit is proposed of which the indicia on the key top is recognizable even in a dark place. Namely, a phosphorescent layer emitting phosphorescence even in a dark place is formed on the upper surface of the key top to provide recognizability of the indicia and further the switching unit is provided with a light sensor means and a light source which is lighted when the ambient lightness is low as detected by the sensor means. When the switching unit is used continuously in a dark place, the light source repeats cycles of a lighting period, in which the phosphorescent layer accumulates the energy of light, and a dark period, in which the phosphorescent layer emits phosphorescence by means of the accumulated energy, so that the power consumption for lighting the light source can be saved.
Inventors
- 👤 Fumio Kouno
- 👤 Sadao Nakano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/002; H01H2219/014; H01H2219/036; H01H2219/038; H01H2219/044; H01H2219/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An illuminable push button switching unit comprising, as encased in a case, an assembly of a circuit board and a covering member made from a light-transmitting material, which consists of a base plate, key top, riser part to connect the base plate and the key top forming a dome-like protrusion and a movable contact point on the lower surface of the key top, having an indicia formed on the upper surface of the key top, and mounted on one surface of the circuit board: which further comprises: a phosphorescent layer containing a phosphorescent pigment, capable of emitting phosphorescent light of such an intensity that the indicia on the key top is recognizable with the phosphorescent light emitted therefrom, in an area corresponding to the indicia on the key top; a light sensor means in the case for detecting the ambient lightness; and a light source in the case capable of illuminating the phosphorescent layer, which is lighted on and out by the output signals of the light sensor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
An illuminable push button switching unit comprising, as encased in a case, an assembly of a circuit board and a covering member made from a light-transmitting material, which consists of a base plate, key top, riser part to connect the base plate and the key top forming a dome-like protrusion and a movable contact point on the lower surface of the key top, having an indicia formed on the upper surface of the key top, and mounted on one surface of the circuit board: which further comprises: a phosphorescent layer containing a phosphorescent pigment, capable of emitting phosphorescent light of such an intensity that the indicia on the key top is recognizable with the phosphorescent light emitted therefrom, in an area corresponding to the indicia on the key top; a light sensor means in the case for detecting the ambient lightness; and a light source in the case capable of illuminating the phosphorescent layer, which is lighted on and out by the output signals of the light sensor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The illuminable push button switching unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the phosphorescent layer is covered with an indicia-forming layer of a colored or light-shielding material having an openwork in the form of the indicia.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The illuminable push button switching unit as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a control circuit capable of controlling lighting of the light source to repeat cycles consisting of a lighting period and a dark period when the ambient lightness is low.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
An illuminable push button switching unit comprising, as encased in a case, an assembly of a circuit board, a covering member made from a light-transmitting material, which comprises a key top, a sheet member, a presser head and a light-conducting plate, and mounted on one surface of the circuit board and a diaphragm below the presser head: which further comprises: a phosphorescent layer containing a phosphorescent pigment, capable of emitting phosphorescent light of such an intensity that the indicia on the key top is recognizable with the phosphorescent light emitted therefrom, in an area corresponding to the indicia on the key top; a light sensor means in the case for detecting the ambient lightness; and a light source in the case capable of illuminating the phosphorescent layer, which is lighted on and out by the output signals of the light sensor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
An illuminable push button switching unit comprising, as encased in a case, an assembly of a circuit board, a covering member made from a light-transmitting material, which comprises a key top, a sheet member, a presser head and a light-conducting plate, and mounted on one surface of the circuit board and a diaphragm below the presser head: which further comprises: a phosphorescent layer containing a phosphorescent pigment, capable of emitting phosphorescent light of such an intensity that the indicia on the key top is recognizable with the phosphorescent light emitted therefrom, in an area corresponding to the indicia on the key top; a light sensor means in the case for detecting the ambient lightness; and a light source in the case capable of illuminating the phosphorescent layer, which is lighted on and out by the output signals of the light sensor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The illuminable push button switching unit as claimed in claim 4 in which the phosphorescent layer is covered with an indicia-forming layer of a colored or light-shielding material having an openwork in the form of the indicia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The illuminable push button switching unit as claimed in claim 4 which further comprises a control circuit capable of controlling lighting of the light source to repeat cycles consisting of a lighting period and a dark period when the ambient lightness is low.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4710597A
Cited
US5073843A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-08-11 | 2001-02-10 | 2001-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-11 | 2005-02-10 | 2005-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-11 | 2009-02-10 | 2009-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |