Push-button switch
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsMario M. Orrico, Michael S. Pedersen, Brian J. Truesdale
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A push-button switch includes a universal assembly comprising a single body design, a single plunger design, and a single base design to provide various switch options in an overall single package design. The push-button switch of the invention may be operated by either a mechanical switch assembly or a hall-effect system. The push-button switch may also provide a momentary switch connection, such as a single push system, or a maintained switch connection, such as a push-push system. Further, the push-button switch may include feedback mechanisms, such as LED components and the like that provide a visible feedback of the switch connection, and tactile feedback components that also indicate the switch connection.
Claims21
A push-button switch comprising:
- a body defining a first end, a second end, a hollow interior, and opposing walls positioned within the hollow interior, one of the opposing walls defining a slot,
- a base mounted to the first end of the body,
- a cam mounted between the opposing walls of the body,
- a button operatively connected to the body at the second end,
- a resilient member positioned between the button and the body, and
- a plunger mounted to the button and extending into the hollow interior of the body, the plunger defining a hollow interior and a projecting member extending outwardly from the plunger, through the slot, and into engagement with the cam, the hollow interior of the plunger adapted to receive a hall-effect magnet, and adapted to receive a conductive bar.
A push-button switch comprising:
- a body defining a first end, a second end, a hollow interior, and opposing walls positioned within the hollow interior, one of the opposing walls defining a pocket or slot,
- a base mounted to the first end of the body,
- a plurality of switch terminals mounted to the base,
- a button operatively connected to the body at the second end, the button defining an opening,
- a resilient member positioned between the button and the body,
- a transparent plunger mounted to the opening in the button and extending into the hollow interior of the body, the plunger defining a hollow interior and a projecting member extending outwardly from the plunger, the hollow interior of the plunger adapted to receive a hall-effect magnet, and adapted to receive a conductive bar,
- a cam mounted between the opposing walls of the body, the cam defining a cam track, wherein the projecting member extends through the slot and into engagement with the cam track,
- a light-emitting diode removably mounted to the base and operatively connected to light-emitting diode terminals, and
- a light-emitting diode lens positioned within the hollow interior of the body and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode.
A push-button switch comprising:
- a body defining a first end, a second end, a hollow interior, and opposing walls positioned within the hollow interior, one of the opposing walls defining a pocket or slot,
- a base mounted to the first end of the body,
- a plurality of switch terminals mounted to the base,
- a button operatively connected to the body at the second end,
- a resilient member positioned between the button and the body,
- a transparent plunger mounted to the button, the plunger defining a hollow interior and a projecting member extending outwardly from the plunger, the hollow interior of the plunger adapted to receive a hall-effect magnet, and adapted to receive a conductive bar,
- a tactile feedback mechanism positioned between the base and the plunger,
- a light emitting diode removably mounted to the base and operatively connected to light-emitting diode terminals, and
- a light-emitting diode lens positioned within the hollow interior of the body and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.