# US 9,437,377 B2 · Frameless display device

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- Number: US 9,437,377 B2
- Document ID: US9437377B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/591,262
- Filed: 2015-01-07
- Published: 2015-07-16
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-14
- Assignees: Nkk Switches Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Nkk Switches Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Hiroki Ura
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437377B2

## CPC

- H01H 13/023: {Light-emitting indicators (for multi-layer switches H01H13/83)}
- H01H 9/18: Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks
- H01H 13/04: Cases; Covers
- H01H 13/14: Operating parts, e.g. push-button
- G02B 5/021: {the diffusion taking place at the element's surface, e.g. by means of surface roughening or microprismatic structures}
- H01H 2219/036: Light emitting elements
- H01H 2219/066: Lens
- 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)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

There is provided a frameless display device in which a frame on the periphery of a display portion is made invisible. The frameless display device makes the frame on the top surface of a button 8 invisible to display an image on the entire surface of the button 8, wherein the button 8 has a lens 9 and a button cover 8A, wherein a display device 6 is provided below the lens 9, and wherein the lens 9 disposed on top of the button 8 includes a curved surface 9A formed on the periphery of the top surface of the lens 9, a depression formed on the bottom surface of the lens, a step formed at the periphery of the lens, and an inclined surface formed at the step and inclined towards the center of the lens 9.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A frameless display device, comprising:
a button having a lens and a button cover; and
a display device provided below the lens,
wherein the lens is disposed on an entire top surface of the button and comprises a curved surface formed on the periphery of the top surface of the lens, a step formed at the periphery of a bottom surface of the lens and abutting against the button cover, and an inclined surface formed at the step and inclined towards the center of the lens, and
wherein a frame on the top surface of the button is made invisible in a display of an image on the top surface of the button.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The frameless display device according to claim 1, wherein a blast processing is performed on the curved surface formed on the periphery of the top surface of the lens.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The frameless display device according to claim 2, comprising a miniature switch that opens/closes an electric circuit by operating the button.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The frameless display device according to claim 3, wherein the miniature switch is a push button switch.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The frameless display device according to claim 1, comprising a miniature switch that opens/closes an electric circuit by operating the button.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The frameless display device according to claim 5, wherein the miniature switch is a push button switch.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The frameless display device according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface reflects light from the display device in a direction above the center of the lens.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The frameless display device according to claim 1, further comprising a depression formed at the center of the bottom surface of the lens.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The frameless display device according to claim 8, wherein the curved surface refracts light from the display device in a direction directly above the step.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The frameless display device according to claim 9, wherein the inclined surface reflects light from the display device in a direction above the center of the lens.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The frameless display device according to claim 8, wherein the inclined surface reflects light from the display device in a direction above the center of the lens.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The frameless display device according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface refracts light from the display device in a direction directly above the step.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The frameless display device according to claim 12, wherein the inclined surface reflects light from the display device in a direction above the center of the lens.