# US 4,397,568 A · Timepiece push-button structure

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- Number: US 4,397,568 A
- Document ID: US4397568A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/250,974
- Filed: 1981-04-03
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1980-04-08
- Assignees: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Masahiko Waki; Hisao Yamagata; Toshio Murata; Fumio Takeuchi; Masataka Matsumoto
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397568A

## CPC

- H01H 13/52: the contact returning to its original state immediately upon removal of operating force, e.g. bell-push switch
- G04C 3/001: {Electromechanical switches for setting or display}
- 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)
- G04C: ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES

## Abstract

A timepiece push-button structure comprising a spring member composed of tongue portions interconnected by a connection portion, each tongue portion being bridge-shaped so that the central portion is raised while both end portions of the central portion abut against a pressure conductive rubber holder, each tongue portion further including a substantially centrally located arcuate notch and a bifurcation extending therefrom. A push-button having a groove is adapted to engage said notch, and a pressure conductive rubber is adapted for the application of pressure and disposed directly below the push-button.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A push-button structure for a timepiece having a case and a circuit board, comprising:
a pressure conductive rubber which is rendered electrically conductive when applied with pressure;
a holder attached to an upper surface of said circuit board and holding said pressure conductive rubber in a fixed place;
a spring member attached to an upper surface of said holder and including a connection portion and a plurality of tongue portions interconnected by the connection portion, each of said tongue portions having a bridge-shaped central portion which is raised from said holder, and said spring member further including a substantially centrally located arcuated notch and a bifurcation extending therefrom; and
a push-button slidably disposed in said case and having its end engaging said notch, the end of said push-button being located directly above said pressure conductive rubber to press said rubber when said push-button is depressed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A push-button structure according to claim 1, in which said case has a bore, further comprising a pipe press fitted to the bore of said case, said push-button having a stem portion slidably received in said pipe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A push-button structue according to claim 2, in which the stem portion of said push-button has a reduced diameter portion, and further comprising a sealing member disposed between the reduced diameter portion of the stem portion of said push-button and said pipe.