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US 4,937,408 AGranted
Self-illuminating panel switch
AssigneeMitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsYoshihiro Hattori, Takashi Murakami, Yoshihiro Tsujita
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Abstract
In a self-illuminating panel switch, a key top is supported by a front panel. The key top has a rear surface on which a character area is printed with one of a dark color or a light color, and the background area is printed with the other of a dark color and a light color. Because the printing is made on the rear or inner surface of the key top, the ink is free from wear or removal.
Claims8
A self-illuminating panel switch comprising:
- a key top formed of one of transparent and translucent material, said key top having a front surface and a rear surface, said rear surface having a character in a dark color printed thereon, said rear surface further being covered by a light color ink layer which also covers a rear side of said character, an entire rear surface of the key top being transparent or translucent except for an area covered by said character;
- front panel means for supporting the key top whereby said key top can be pressed rearwardly from an original position;
- key top support means for supporting the rear surface of the key top whereby after said key is pressed rearwardly, the key top can return to the original position;
- and
- means for illuminating the rear surface of the key top, light from the means for illuminating being at least partially transmitting through the ink layer and the key top except at the area covered by said character.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.