US3717737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resilient omnidirectional push-button for an electrical switch
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1971-07-02
•
Granted: 1973-02-20
•
Expires: 1991-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An omnidirectional push-button for a switch has a resilient inverted cup member with thin sides and a relatively thick base. The sides become thinner as they approach the top portion of the push-button. A cap is positioned across the recess of the cup member, while a base fixed to a substrate is connected on the bottom portion of the cup member adjacent an electrical circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 T Shimojo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/702; H01H13/02; H01H13/12; H01H13/14; H01H13/703; H01H2211/00; H01H2211/026; H01H2211/028; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An omnidirectional push-button for a switch comprising a resilient inverted cup member having an M-shaped cross section including a relatively thick, inner, central base portion, a relatively thick peripheral edge forming an annular outer base portion of bulbular shape and an annular inverted U-shaped wall joining the peripheral edge to said central base portion with the sides of said U-shaped wall being gradually thinner towards the top of the inverted cup, said central base portion and said wall forming a central recessed top portion, and a cap spanning said recess and connecting opposed sides of said annular wall; whereby regardless of where the top of said push-button is pressed and in which direction, the central, inner base portion moves toward a contact plane defined by said peripheral edge with its bottom surface maintained coplanar therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An omnidirectional push-button for a switch comprising a resilient inverted cup member having an M-shaped cross section including a relatively thick, inner, central base portion, a relatively thick peripheral edge forming an annular outer base portion of bulbular shape and an annular inverted U-shaped wall joining the peripheral edge to said central base portion with the sides of said U-shaped wall being gradually thinner towards the top of the inverted cup, said central base portion and said wall forming a central recessed top portion, and a cap spanning said recess and connecting opposed sides of said annular wall; whereby regardless of where the top of said push-button is pressed and in which direction, the central, inner base portion moves toward a contact plane defined by said peripheral edge with its bottom surface maintained coplanar therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
An omnidirectional push-button for a switch comprising a resilient inverted cup member having an M-shaped cross section including a relatively thick, inner, central base portion, a relatively thick peripheral edge forming an annular outer base portion of bulbular shape and an annular inverted U-shaped wall joining the peripheral edge to said central base portion with the sides of said U-shaped wall being gradually thinner towards the top of the inverted cup, said central base portion and said wall forming a central recessed top portion, and a cap spanning said recess and connecting opposed sides of said annular wall; whereby regardless of where the top of said push-button is pressed and in which direction, the central, inner base portion moves toward a contact plane defined by said peripheral edge with its bottom surface maintained coplanar therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
An omnidirectional push-button for a switch comprising a resilient inverted cup member having an M-shaped cross section including a relatively thick, inner, central base portion, a relatively thick peripheral edge forming an annular outer base portion of bulbular shape and an annular inverted U-shaped wall joining the peripheral edge to said central base portion with the sides of said U-shaped wall being gradually thinner towards the top of the inverted cup, said central base portion and said wall forming a central recessed top portion, and a cap spanning said recess and connecting opposed sides of said annular wall; whereby regardless of where the top of said push-button is pressed and in which direction, the central, inner base portion moves toward a contact plane defined by said peripheral edge with its bottom surface maintained coplanar therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An omnidirectional push-button as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap has a conduit permitting equalization of pressure from the exterior to the interior of the recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An omnidirectional push-button as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cup is formed of rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An omnidirectional push-button as claimed in claim 2 wherein the central base portion defining said recess has a bottom portion which is relatively thick compared to the wall and has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An omnidirectional push-button as claimed in claim 4 wherein an electrical conductive member spans the bottom portion of said central base portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |