# US 7,408,128 B2 · Switch apparatus and image forming apparatus using thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,408,128 B2 - Document ID: US7408128B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/185,883 - Filed: 2005-07-21 - Published: 2006-01-26 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-21 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Yasunori Watanabe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7408128B2 ## CPC - H01H 13/20: Driving mechanisms - H01H 2221/044: Elastic part on actuator or casing - H01H 2221/064: Limitation of actuating pressure - 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) ## Abstract A switch apparatus includes: a button key being displaceably supported in a pressing direction; a displacement portion being displaced in the pressing direction in interlocking relation to the button key; and a switch being disposed on a downstream side in the pressing direction of the button key. The switch is operable a switching action by being pressed by the displacement portion when the button key is operated by pressing. The displacement portion deviates from the button key with respect to the pressing direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A switch apparatus comprising: a button key displaceably supported in a pressing direction; a displacement portion in interlocking relation to the button key and configured to be displaced in the pressing direction; a switch configured to be pressed by the displacement portion when the button key is operated by pressing; and a key frame disposed to intersect the pressing direction of the button key, and the key frame supporting an outer edge of the button key; wherein the displacement portion is on the key frame and at a position offset from the button key with respect to the pressing direction, and the key frame as a first notch for separating the button key and the displacement portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the key frame is plate-shaped. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the key frame is formed integrally with the button key. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the key frame is formed of a flexible material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The switch apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the flexible material is a flexible resin. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the key frame has a second notch along an outer periphery of the button key. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The switch apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second notch extends around the outer periphery of the button key by at least a half circumference. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the key frame is supported at three or more points around the button key. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The switch apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch is pressed by the displacement portion when the key frame abuts against the supporting frame. ### Claim 10 A switch apparatus comprising: a button key displaceably supported in a pressing direction; a displacement portion in interlocking relation to the button key and configured to be displaced in the pressing direction; a switch configured to be pressed by the displacement potion when the button key is operated by pressing; a plate-shaped key frame disposed to intersect the pressing direction of the button key, and the plate-shaped key frame supporting an outer edge of the button key; a plate-shaped supporting frame disposed in the pressing direction of the button key so as to oppose the key frame; a shaft portion provided at one end of the key frame; a receiving portion provided on the supporting frame, and receiving both ends of the shaft portion to rotatably support the key frame at an interval with the supporting frame; and a supporting column provided on at least one of the key frame and the supporting frame, and the supporting column supporting the key frame at an interval with the supporting frame at an opposite side to the shaft portion with respect to the button key, wherein the displacement portion is on the key frame and at a position offset from the button key with respect to the pressing direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The switch apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the key frame has a first notch along an outer periphery of the button key. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The switch apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first notch extends around the outer periphery of the button key by at least a half circumference. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The switch apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the switch is pressed by the displacement portion when the key frame abuts against the supporting frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The switch apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the key frame is formed integrally with the button key. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The switch apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the key frame is formed of a flexible material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The switch apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the flexible material is a flexible resin. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The switch apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the key frame has a second notch along an outer periphery of the button key. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The switch apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the key frame is supported at three or more points around the button key. ### Claim 19 An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium on the basis of image data received from an outside or image data obtained by reading an original, comprising: a switch apparatus for operating the image forming apparatus; wherein the switch apparatus comprises: a button key displaceably supported in a pressing direction; a displacement portion in interlocking relation to the button key and configured to be displaced in the pressing direction; a switch configured to be pressed by the displacement portion when the button key is operated by pressing; and a plate-shaped key frame disposed to intersect the pressing direction of the button key, and the plate-shaped key frame supporting an outer edge of the button key; wherein the displacement portion is on the key frame and at a position offset from the button key with respect to the pressing direction and the key frame has a first notch for separating the button key and the displacement portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The image forming apparatus according claim 19, wherein the key frame is plate-shaped.