US 2003/0188959 A1 · SEALED SWITCH ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A switch housing assembly which uses an internal pressure bracket to simultaneously provide pressure against multiple switches located in multiple locations within the switch housing assembly. The pressure bracket creates a fluid seal between the flexible switch buttons and the switch housing by pressing the switches against the switch buttons which in turn are pressed directly against the inner surface of the switch body. Multiple switches are simultaneously secured to the switch housing by an internal bracket which simultaneously provides pressure against the backs of multiple switches. An optional pressure ring focuses pressure from the periphery of the switch assembly to the outer peripheral ring of the flexible switch button. The bracket assembly is preferably secured to the switch housing by a single removable screw to allow disassembly when needed. Optionally, the securing screw has a female threaded aperture to allow a second screw to secure the switch housing to the body of the laparoscopic surgical instrument.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A switch housing assembly with sealed switches, further comprising:

at least one switch button;
a switch housing having at least one aperture suitably sized to accommodate the switch button;
at least one switch, the switch positioned in coordination with the switch button such that it is activated when the switch button is depressed;
and
a removable pressure bracket having means to securely attach to the switch housing, and further shaped such that when securely attached to the switch housing it maintains a predetermined number of switches in pressure contact with the switch housing;
whereby the removable pressure bracket maintains a preselected number of switches in pressure contact with the switch housing when installed, and allows removal of the switches when it is removed.

3 more elements

A method of simultaneously securing multiple switches to a switch housing with a pressure bracket, including the steps of:

positioning at least one switch and switch button in coordination with an aperture in a switch housing such that the switch is positioned inside of the switch housing and is activated when the switch button is depressed on the outside of the switch housing;
and
securely attaching a removable pressure bracket to the switch housing such that when securely attached to the switch housing it maintains a predetermined number of switches in pressure contact with the switch housing;
whereby the removable pressure bracket maintains a preselected number of switches in pressure contact with the switch housing when installed, and allows removal of the switches when it is removed.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sealed switch assembly

Life of this patent

Sealed switch assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20