Push button for actuating switch
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorYi-Chi Huang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device includes a device body comprising a first side; a switch disposed on the first side and comprising a button having a push direction and an active area perpendicular to the push direction; and a button cover. The button cover has a first major face facing outward and defining an actuatable area surrounded by a perimeter; and a second major face opposite of the first major face and facing the device. On the second major face are a switch receiving area constructed to contact the active area of the switch; and a plurality of ribs extending from the switch receiving area toward the perimeter.
Claims18
A device comprising:
- a device body comprising a first side;
- a switch disposed on the first side and comprising a button having a push direction and an active area perpendicular to the push direction;
- a button cover comprising:
- a first major face facing outward and defining an actuatable area surrounded by a perimeter;
- and
- a second major face opposite of the first major face and facing the device;
- and on the second major face:
- a switch receiving area constructed to contact the active area of the switch;
- a plurality of ribs extending from the switch receiving area toward the perimeter;
- a groove adjacent the perimeter;
- and
- a face plate further comprising a rim disposed adjacent and circumscribing the groove on the button cover, wherein the button cover and the face plate of the device are integrally formed as a single injection-molded thermoplastic elastomer element having a Shore A hardness between 75 and 82, the face plate and button cover being overmolded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.