Switching mechanism for an electronic timepiece

A switching mechanism for an electronic timepiece comprising, in combination:

• a. a cam having a plurality of peripherally spaced peripheral projections:
• b. a shaft having means for engaging said cam so that the peripheral projections of said cam are angularly positioned upon axial rotation of said shaft;
• c. a base member having a bore for receiving therein said shaft and dimensioned to permit axial rotation of said shaft within said bore, and having an open recess for receiving said cam and being open above and below cam, wherein said cam within said recess limits the axial movement of said shaft relative to said base member;
• d. a circuit board mounted on said base member and having contacts disposed opposite said recess containing said cam member and positioned for contacting respective ones of said peripheral projections when said cam is rotated upon rotation of said shaft;
• and
• e. a thin spring member mounted on said base member and having an aperture disposed opposite said recess containing said cam member and positioned relative to said cam member with a peripheral projection of said cam member extending therethrough, said aperture being dimensioned to permit said cam to rotate upon rotation of said shaft, and said spring member bearing against said cam member to maintain it at fixed angular positions determined by which of said projections extend into said aperture for maintaining a respective one of the peripheral projections in contact with a corresponding one of said contacts.