Panel assembly with easily detachable switch actuators
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsVinh-Dinh D. Trinh, Ronald P. Scholtes, Terence E. Sumner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control or front panel assembly which is suitable for inclusion in associated apparatus. The panel assembly includes a switching arrangement with individual switch actuators easily detachable and removable during final assembly prior to mounting an escutcheon plate to the front panel face. In this manner, a single piece part need only be inventoried, modifiable during final assembly, to effect the desired model variations for the associated apparatus.
Claims14
A universal control panel assembly with a switching arrangement adaptable at final assembly to accommodate only those selectable option features provided by an associated PC board, comprising in combination:
- a control panel housing with means for mounting the associated PC board;
- an elastomeric key strip assembly having multiple switch assemblies with associated breakaway switch actuators mounted between said housing and PC board with each of said switch actuators extending through an associated opening in said housing and accessible to a user,
- said switch actuators being selectively and individually detachable by being pulled through said panel openings so that the remaining switch assemblies conform to the options provided by said PC board;
- and
- an escutcheon plate mounted to the front of said housing to accommodate the remaining switch actuators and identify the options selectable.
A front panel assembly modifiable at final assembly and intended for inclusion with associated electrical apparatus, comprising in combination:
- a printed circuit board;
- a control panel housing with means for mounting the associated PC board;
- and
- an elastomeric key strip assembly having multiple switch assemblies with associated breakaway switch actuators mounted between said housing and PC board with each of said switch actuators extending through an associated opening in said housing for accessibility by a user,
- said switch actuators being selectively and individually detachable by being pulled through said panel openings so that the remaining switch assemblies conform to the options provided by said PC board.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.