Two-stage movement seesaw switch apparatus
AssigneeAlps Electric Co., Ltd.
InventorTakuya Maeda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A two-stage movement seesaw switch apparatus of the light irradiation type which is compact and superior in operation feeling. The two-stage movement seesaw switch includes a pair of operation plates disposed immediately below a manually operable knob. Two sets of push switches, each set including two push switches, are disposed such that a straight line interconnecting the push switches of each set extends obliquely with respect to a center axis of pivotal motion of the manually operable knob. The push switches are actuated by contact with the operation plates when the manually actuated knob is pivoted. Each of the operation plates has an opening formed therein for passing light emitted from an LED therethrough and has a pair of projections formed thereon next to the opening.
Claims14
A two-stage movement seesaw switch apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
- a knob pivotably connected to the housing such that the knob pivots about an axis;
- first and second push switches disposed on the housing;
- and
- an operation plate positioned between the knob and the first and second push switches such that manual depression of the knob in a first direction around the axis causes the operation plate to pivot about the second push switch and to actuate the first push switch, and further depression of the knob in the first direction causes the operation plate to pivot about the actuated first push switch and to actuate the second push switch;
- wherein an imaginary straight line between the first and second push switches intersects a vertical plane defined by the axis at an oblique angle.
A two-stage movement seesaw switch apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
- a knob pivotably connected to the housing about an axis;
- first and second push switches disposed on the housing, each of said first and second push switches including a resilient rubber member;
- and
- an operation plate contacting the resilient rubber member of the first push switch at a first location, and contacting the resilient rubber member of the second push switch at a second location, the operation plate being contacted by the knob such that manual depression of the knob in a first direction around the axis causes the operation plate to pivot about the second push switch and to deform the resilient rubber member of the first push switch, and further depression of the knob in the first direction causes the operation plate to pivot about the deformed resilient rubber member of the first push switch and to deform the resilient rubber member of the second push switch;
- wherein a vertical plane extending through the first and second locations intersects the axis of the knob at an oblique angle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.