# US 7,465,889 B2 · Pushbutton switch cover sheet and method of manufacturing the same

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- Number: US 7,465,889 B2
- Document ID: US7465889B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/407,228
- Filed: 2006-04-20
- Published: 2006-11-02
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2005-04-28
- Assignees: Polymatech Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Daisuke Nakajima; Junko Hosaka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465889B2

## CPC

- H01H 13/86: characterised by the casing, e.g. sealed casings or casings reducible in size
- H01H 2221/004: U-shaped openings surrounding keys
- H01H 2221/09: Flexible integral part of housing
- H04M 1/23: Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof (by improving visibility H04M1/22)
- 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)
- H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08)

## Abstract

According to the present invention, there is provided a pushbutton switch cover sheet providing a unique design. A pushbutton switch cover sheet is provided with an operation plate of metal or hard resin having dividing grooves defining depressing operation members capable of displacement through depression. Therefore, there is no need to provide the casing of the apparatus with a frame defining key tops, making it possible to impart a novel design to the apparatus. The operation plate is formed as a thin plate, so it is possible to reduce a thickness of the apparatus as a whole. Further, the dividing grooves are provided with in-groove protrusions protruding into the dividing grooves and groove filling members fixed to the groove inner side surfaces and formed of a rubber-like elastic material, thereby making it possible to provide a pushbutton switch cover sheet of a high level of safety in which there is no fear of fingers being injured by the dividing grooves.

## Claims

### Claim 1

The single operation plate having one depressing operation member and one dividing groove and formed of group consisting of a metal and hard resin; the dividing groove defining the depressing operation member as a part of the single operation plate, and the depressing operation member being capable of displacement through depression.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 1, wherein the depressing operation member is formed as a tongue-shaped member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 1, wherein the dividing groove is formed in a round-wave-like configuration; and the depressing operation member is formed on either side of the dividing groove.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 1, wherein the depressing operation member is provided with a display portion formed of at least any one of a character, a number, a figure, a symbol in the form of a hole extending through the operation plate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 1, wherein the single operation plate has a thickness of 50 μm to 2000 μm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a base sheet formed of a rubber-like elastic material and provided on a back surface of an operation surface of the operation plate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according claim 6, further comprising a pusher provided on the back side of the base sheet at a position below the depressing operation member and adapted to be pressed against a contact electrode.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 6, further comprising an in-groove protrusion provided in the base sheet and protruding into the dividing groove of the operation plate.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 8, wherein the in-groove protrusion is lightproof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

A pushbutton switch cover sheet according to claim 8, wherein the in-groove protrusion is a groove filling member fixed to the inner side surface of the dividing groove and filling the dividing groove.

### Claim 11

The in-groove protrusion provided in the base sheet and protruding into the dividing groove of the operation plate.