Four-direction switch device

A four-direction switch device comprising:

• a switch case having an opening portion in an upper wall thereof;
• a plate-shaped switch knob arranged in the opening portion, the switch knob being set to have first to fourth switch operation parts arranged at angular intervals of 90° about a center axis of the switch knob;
• and
• first to fourth switches provided in the switch case and to be actuated respectively in response to push operations on the first to fourth switch operation parts, wherein
• the switch knob is formed in a disc shape, and is provided with first to fourth pivot projections and first to fourth movable stoppers on an outer peripheral surface of the switch knob, the first to fourth pivot projections projecting radially outward and arranged in phase with the first to fourth switch operation parts, the first to fourth movable stoppers arranged with a phase shift by 45° from the first to fourth pivot projections, respectively,
• the switch case is provided with a downward-facing stepped portion for supporting the first to fourth pivot projections from an upper face side of the first to fourth pivot projections, and first to fourth fixed stoppers opposed to lower surfaces of the first to fourth movable stoppers, respectively,
• when the switch knob is pushed at one of the first to fourth switch operation parts, the switch knob swings so that one of the first to fourth pivot projections, located on a side of the switch knob opposite to the one of the first to fourth switch operation parts being pushed with the center axis of the switch knob interposed therebetween, is placed in contact with the downward-facing stepped portion, to turn on one of the first to fourth switches associated with the one of the first to fourth switch operation parts being pushed, and
• when the switch knob is pushed at a switch dead part located in an intermediate position between adjacent switch operation parts of the first to fourth switch operation parts, the switch knob swings about a straight line connecting a pair of pivot projections of the first to fourth pivot projections located on a side of the switch knob opposite to the switch dead part being pushed with the center axis of the switch knob interposed between the pair of the pivot projections and the switch dead part being pushed, with the pair of the pivot projections being placed in contact with the downward-facing stepped portion, and one of the first to fourth movable stoppers located below the switch dead part being pushed brought into contact with one of said first to fourth fixed stoppers located below the switch dead part being pushed, so as to stop the switch knob from swinging further, thereby avoiding actuations of the switches.