# US 4,395,611 A · Illuminated push-button switch

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- Number: US 4,395,611 A
- Document ID: US4395611A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/305,197
- Filed: 1981-09-24
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1980-09-25
- Assignees: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Shiro Kondo; Yasuo Takii
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4395611A

## CPC

- H01H 13/023: {Light-emitting indicators (for multi-layer switches H01H13/83)}
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

An illuminated push-button switch which has the functions of both the optical display and the mechanical display, and which produces a plurality of displays simultaneously, the displays being easily recognizable.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An illuminated push-button switch, comprising
a housing member receiving a switch actuated by axial movement of an operation portion;
a push-button member disposed slidably within said housing member and having an arm portion engaging said operation portion of said switch for actuation thereof during movement of said push-button within said housing member;
a light source mounted within said housing member;
said push-button member having at its outer end portion a display formed by a plurality of illuminable display elements; and
shutter means including a rotatable plate member movable from a position blocking light from one of said display elements during depression of said push-button member to actuate said switch, said shutter means including a tongue portion carried by said push-button member, an opaque plate member, and means including an arm mounted slidably to said push button-member for carrying said shutter means.

### Claim 2

An illuminated push-button switch, comprising
a housing member receiving a switch actuated by axial movement of an operation portion;
a push-button member disposed slidably within said housing member and having an arm portion engaging said operation portion of said switch for actuation thereof during movement of said push-button within said housing member;
a light source mounted within said housing member;
said push-button member having at its outer end portion a display formed by a plurality of illuminable display elements; and
shutter means including a rotatable plate member movable from a position blocking light from one of said display elements during depression of said push-button member to actuate said switch, said shutter means including a tongue portion carried by said push-button member and an opaque plate member carried rotatably by an arm mounted slidably to said push-button member;
further including a wall extending inwardly between said display portions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A switch according to claim 1, said plate member being formed by two plate portions connected at right angles and including an opaque plate portion positioned behind said display when said switch is not actuated, and a light transmitting plate portion positioned behind said display when said switch is actuated.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A switch according to claim 3, including resilient elements serving to hold said plate portions in position.