Push button encoders for exercise equipment
AssigneeBrunswick Corporation
InventorsMichael N. Gluchman, Jr., Warren A. Rickert, Zhi Lu, Bradley Holmes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A push button encoder comprises a push button, a base that supports the push button, and a printed circuit board. Pushing the push button engages the printed circuit board and thereby causes the printed circuit board to output an electrical signal. A spring resiliently supports the printed circuit board with respect to the base such that the printed circuit board is movable with respect to the base when the push button is pushed.
Claims16
A push button encoder, comprising:
- a push button;
- a base that supports the push button;
- a printed circuit board;
- wherein pushing the push button in a first direction engages the printed circuit board and thereby causes the printed circuit board to output an electrical signal;
- a spring that resiliently supports the printed circuit board with respect to the base such that further pushing the push button moves the printed circuit board in the first direction with respect to the base;
- wherein the spring causes the printed circuit board to move in an opposite, second direction when the push button is released;
- and
- a housing that houses the printed circuit board, wherein the housing is movable in the first direction with respect to the base when the push button is further pushed and movable in the opposite, second direction when the push button is released.
A push button encoder, comprising:
- a push button;
- a base that supports the push button;
- a printed circuit board;
- wherein pushing the push button in a first direction engages the printed circuit board and thereby causes the printed circuit board to output an electrical signal;
- a spring that resiliently supports the printed circuit board with respect to the base such that further pushing the push button moves the printed circuit board in the first direction with respect to the base and in an opposite, second direction when the push button is released;
- wherein the push button comprises an input shaft, wherein pushing the push button in the first direction moves the input shaft into engagement with the printed circuit board and causes the printed circuit board to output the electric signal;
- and
- a housing that houses the printed circuit board, wherein the housing is movable with respect to the base in the first direction when the push button is pushed and in the opposite, second direction when the push button is released, and wherein the input shaft extends through the base.
A push button encoder, comprising:
- a push button;
- a base that supports the push button;
- a printed circuit board;
- wherein pushing the push button engages the printed circuit board and thereby causes the printed circuit board to output an electrical signal;
- and
- a spring that resiliently supports the printed circuit board with respect to the base such that the printed circuit board is movable with respect to the base when the push button is pushed;
- wherein the push button comprises an input shaft, wherein pushing the push button moves the input shaft into engagement with the printed circuit board and causes the printed circuit board to output the electric signal;
- and
- a retainer disposed between the push button and the input shaft, wherein the retainer comprises a lower flange that abuts the base when push button is pushed.
An input console for exercise equipment, the input console comprising a console housing and a push button encoder on the console housing, the push button encoder comprising a push button, a base that supports the push button, a printed circuit board, wherein pushing the push button in a first direction engages the printed circuit board and thereby causes the printed circuit board to output an electrical signal, and a spring that resiliently supports the printed circuit board with respect to the base such that the printed circuit board is movable in the first direction with respect to the base when the push button is further pushed and in an opposite, second direction when the push button is released;
- and a housing that houses the printed circuit board, wherein the housing is movable in the first direction with respect to the base when the push button is further pushed and in the opposite, second direction when the push button is released.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.