GB2445870A

GB2445870A - Push button assembly with immobilizer

Info

Publication number: GB2445870A
Application number: GB0800950A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joan Lao Hernandez
Original assignee: Giga Game System SL
Current assignee: Giga Game System SL
Priority date: 2007-01-19
Filing date: 2008-01-18
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2028-01-18
Also published as: ES1064650Y; ES1064650U; GB0800950D0; GB2445870B

Abstract

A push button assembly has an actuator 4, a bezel 2, which may be formed in a widened portion 16, a button 3, a stem 5 attaching the assembly to a panel, a switch 9 and an immobilizer or lock 11 moveable in a perpendicular or transverse direction to the actuator 4, the immobilizer having appendages 12a, 12b with engaging members 13 which when moved through members 10a, 10b on the actuator 4 engage the members 10a, 10b to hold the button 3 in a retracted position against an elastic element 8 and being released by external actuation, such as a projection 26 engaging a chamfered portion 33 of the appendages 12 when button 3 is depressed. The immobilizer may be a button 14 acting against a spring 15 and may be mounted on a stem portion 20 via guides 29, 30, the appendages 12 having ramps 24 acting on an actuator portion 18a to retract button 3 when immobilizer 11 is actuated. The button 3 may have a disc S having a graphic display which is illuminated by an LED L.

Description

PUSH-BUTTON TYPE SWITCH ASSEMBLY

Field of the Art

The present invention relates to a push-button type switch assembly that can be applied to entertainment machines, vending machines and the like, with immobilization means that can be actuated by a user to immobilize an actuator assembly, associated to the push-button, when it is in a retracted or pushed position.

Prior State of the Art Examples of switch assemblies are known which comprise a base body that is adapted so as to be fixed to a panel and an actuator assembly mounted on said base body such that it can be moved between an extended position and a retracted position, with an elastic element arranged to push said actuator assembly towards the aforementioned extended position. The actuator assembly is adapted to be pushed against the force of this elastic element for the purpose of actuating a switch fixed to the base body and connected to an electronic system.

There are different proposals describing push-button assemblies with immobilization means which allow blocking the aforementioned actuator assembly when it is in the mentioned retracted position for the purpose of providing continuous pushing without the user having to keep the push-button pushed.

Some of said proposals propose blocking the push-button in its retracted position by simply pressing the push-button without using an additional selector, the pushing causing a projection or stud of the body of the push-button to move through one or several grooves defining a path with at least one stop portion which blocks the push-button in said position when said projection has reached it.

This is the case of documents ES-A-0267100, ES-A-0401524 and ES-A-0451725.

On the other hand, other proposals describe push-buttons equipped with a selector that the user can access from the exterior and which is also mounted so as to move between two positions, a non-interference position for which purpose the selector allows the push-button to move freely between its two positions, and another interference position for which purpose, in contrast, it keeps it in the retracted position.

This is the case of patent document EP-A-0040130, which proposes using as a selector a pivotable lever with an anchoring lug at an end that is introduced in a groove defined in the push-button, such that by acting on both the push-button and the selector, the anchoring lug and a portion of said groove aid in immobilizing the push-button in the mentioned retracted position.

A drawback of the proposal made in said patent document EP-A-0040130 is that the mentioned immobilization of the push-button in the retracted position by acting on the selector can only be done when the push-button is already in its retracted position by directly pressing the push-button.

Furthermore the immobilization obtained by means of introducing the * *, 15 anchoring lug into said portion of the groove is neither very secure nor strong, the push-button being subjected to certain swaying when it has been immobilized which may cause it to accidentally move to a position in which it is unblocked.

Description of the Invention

It is necessary to provide an alternative to the state of the art which overcomes the drawbacks found in the same by means of providing a push-button type switch assembly with stronger and more secure and advantageous immobilization means than those known up until now.

With that purpose the present invention relates to a push-button type switch assembly comprising a base body with a bezel at one end adapted to receive a push-button of an actuator assembly, and a stem adapted to be passed through an opening of a panel, said stem having an external configuration adapted for joining said base body to the mentioned panel, said actuator assembly being mounted such that it can be moved inside said stem from an extended position to a retracted position against the pushing of an elastic element to operate an actuator member of a switch attached to said stem.

The proposed switch assembly comprises immobilization means for immobilizing said actuator assembly when it is in said retracted position, corn p rising: -one or more through configurations arranged on portions of the actuator assembly, and -an immobilizing member that can be accessed from the exterior, able to move transversely in relation to the movement direction of the actuator assembly, with one or more appendages to be inserted, generally in part, in said through configuration or configurations when the immobilizing member is actuated by a user, said appendage or appendages having an engaging configuration for retaining said through configuration once having passed therethrough, which can be released by means of an external actuation.

At least one of said appendages comprises a thickened portion integrating a ramp in its connection with the rest of the appendage.

Said actuator assembly comprises surrounding one end thereof with a first * *. 15 platform with at least part of one of its edges arranged to make contact with said ramp an d to move along it from when and as the immobilizing member is actuated by a user, said movement along the ramp causing the actuator assembly to move towards said retracted position, such that by actuating only the immobilizing member a dual function is carried out: the actuator assembly, * 20 and with it the push-button, is moved towards the retracted position, and it is :.: immobilized when it has reached said retracted position, without needing to press the push-button.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The aforementioned and other advantages and features will be better understood from the following detailed description of several embodiments, one of which is in relation to the attached drawings, which must be considered in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the switch assembly proposed by the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 1 with all its elements being mounted, and with the immobilizing member in the non-actuated position, Figure 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 2 with both the push-button and the immobilizing member in the extended position, Figure 4 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 3, but with the push-button in the retracted position, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1 but with the immobilizing member being actuated, Figure 6 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 5, Figures 7a to 7c are three enlarged details of partially sectioned perspective views of the switch assembly of Figure 1 for three different positions of the immobilizing member, and Figure 8 is another enlarged detail of a partially sectioned perspective view of the switch assembly of Figure 1 for a position of the push button immediately previous to the release or disengagement of the immobilizing member. * * *.**

Detailed Description of Several Embodiments

As can be seen in Figure 1, the present invention relates to a push-button type switch assembly of the type comprising a base body 1 with a bezel 2 at one end adapted to receive a push-button 3 of an actuator assembly 4, anda stem 5 * ** adapted to be passed through an opening of a panel (not shown), said stem 5 having an external configuration (in Figure 1 a screw threading) adapted for joining said base body 1 to the mentioned panel, said actuator assembly 4 being mounted such that it can be moved inside said stem 5 from an extended position to a retracted position against the pushing of an elastic element 8 (in Figure 1 a coil spring) to operate an actuator member of a switch 9 attached to said stem 5, and comprising immobilization means for immobilizing said actuator assembly 4 when it is in said retracted position.

The immobilization means of the switch assembly proposed by the present invention comprise, for the illustrated embodiment: -two through configurations lOa, lOb arranged on portions of the actuator assembly 4, and -an immobilizing member 11 that can be accessed from the exterior, able to move transversely in relation to the movement direction of the actuator assembly 4, with two appendages or arms 12a, 12b, each of them to be partly inserted in one of said though configurations lOa, lOb when the immobilizing member 11 is actuated by a user, each of said appendages I 2a, 1 2b having an engaging configuration 13 for retaining one of said through configurations lOa, lOb once having passed therethrough, being said engaging configuration 13 releasable by means of an external actuation.

Although for another embodiment which is not shown a single appendage and a single through configuration could be arranged, as indicated, the proposed switch assembly preferably comprises two through configurations lOa, lOb which, as can be seen in Figure 1, are attached at opposite sides of a tubular portion 4a of said actuator assembly 4 that prolongs said push-button 3, and said immobilizing member 11 comprises two appendages 12a, 12b connected * *, 15 through an element 14 forming a push element and being able to be accessed from the exterior, at least one contrast spring 15 being arranged against said push element 14, which for the illustrated embodiment are two springs 15.

*.... Said through configurations lOa, lOb have a configuration or shape which is as a frame with two transverse walls 17 attached to a first platform 18 which surrounds an end of said actuator assembly 4, not covering said tubular portion 4a, and a bridge 19, and said two appendages 12a, 12b comprise, in an area close to their ends, retaining tabs 13, forming part of said engaging configuration 13.

Figure 1 shows the configurations which are as a frame of both through configurations lOa, lOb and the retaining tabs 13 of both appendages 12a, 12b, being seen in more detail in the partially sectioned views of Figures 3 to 8, the configuration which is as a frame of one of the through configurations lOa and the tab 13 of one of the appendages 1 2a.

In Figure 2 said push element 14 can be seen in the extended position, i.e. when it has not been pressed by a user, and in Figure 5 the push element 14 is shown in a retracted position, i.e. when the user has already pressed it.

In Figure 1 said bezel 2, or space to be occupied by the push-button 3, is formed by an end of a widening 16 of said base body 1 (in the illustrated embodiment it is in the form of a trimming cover 16).

Said widening 16 configures a housing for the immobilizing member 11, providing passages for the mentioned appendages 12a, 12b and a cavity 23 for the partial housing of said push element 14 which, for the illustrated embodiment, has a prismatic configuration, although it could have a different shape for other embodiments that are not shown.

As can be seen in Figures 1, 3, 4, 6, 7a-7c and 8, the mentioned stem 5 provides at one end a second platform 20 supporting the first platform 18 when the push-button 3 is in its retracted position, and it provides guide means for the push element 14.

For the illustrated embodiment, said guide means are two projections 29 forming respective rails in which two respective projections 30 extending from two side faces of the push element 14 are inserted in a sliding manner.

Said second platform 20 is also used as a support for said springs 15 by **. 15 means of the arrangement of respective stop elements 31 projecting from an upper face of said second platform 20, each of said stop elements 31 being fixed to the end of one of the springs 15, the opposite ends of which are fixed to the push element 14.

Both the second platform 20 and the widening 16 are configured such that * 20 they are connected by fitting to configure an independent case or casing the :.: base of which is the second platform 20, as can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 6 where one of the fitting points 32 of the second platform 20 and the widening 16 can be seen.

In Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen how the switch assembly can work as a conventional push-button when the immobilizing member 11 is not activated, i.e. when it is in the extended position, because although in said extended position the tips or ends of the appendages 12a, 12b (only seen the appendage 12a in Figures 3 and 4) are inserted in the through configurations lOa, lOb, that is not the case for the mentioned engaging configurations 13, there being a sufficient room between each bridge 19 and each tip of a respective appendage 12a, 12b as to allow an axial movement of the actuator assembly 4, and therefore of the push-button 3, between its extended and retracted positions and vice versa.

Although it is possible to actuate the immobilizing member 11 by means of a corresponding pressure on the push element 14 after having pressed the push-button 3 until placing it in its retracted position, by means of the switch assembly proposed by the present invention, said pressure on the push-button 3 is not necessary, because by only applying pressure on the push element 14 forces the actuator assembly 4, together with the push-button 3, to move to its retracted position due to the reasons set forth below.

The appendages 12a, 12b comprise respective thickened portions integrating respective ramps 24 in their connection with the rest of the appendage 12a, 12b in an area close to the push element 14, being able to be observed one of said ramps 24, the ramp of the appendage 12a, especially in Figures 1, 6 and 7a-7c.

The first platform 18 also comprises part of its edge 18a closest to the mentioned push element 14, arranged to make contact with said ramps 24 and to allow the latter to slide on said part of edge 18a from when and as the push * ** 15 element 14 is actuated, the ramp-edge 24-18a arrangement causing the aforementioned effect, i.e. the actuator assembly 4 moves towards said retracted position without needing to press the push-button 3.

Figure 7a shows in detail a rest position of the immobilizing member 11, being able to be observed how one of the ramps 24 still does not make contact with the mentioned edge 18a of the first platform 18.

Said contact can be observed in Figure 7b, which shows an intermediate position, or a position in which the push element 14 is partially pressed, in which the edge 18a has been forced to also move to an intermediate position of the ramp 24, and therefore the actuator assembly 4 has also been forced to move to an intermediate position from its extended position and before reaching its retracted position.

Finally, Figure 7c shows an immobilization position which is reached after having completely pressed the push element 14, which has caused the ramp 24 to force the edge 18a of the first platform 18 to slide downwards, such that it forces the actuator assembly 4 to continue moving until the engaging configurations, or tabs 13, have surpassed the bridges 19 of the through configurations, at which moment the engagement of tabs 13 on bridges 19 is produced, whether due to elasticity of the material of the appendages 12a, 12b, or because the user stops pressing the push element 14 once tabs 13 have surpassed bridges 19, what would make the appendages 12a, 12b go back until tabs 13 contacted and got engaged to bridges 19.

The positional references made in the previous paragraph and those which can be made in the rest of this specification must be taken into account in understanding that the switch assembly is positioned as shown in the attached figures, i.e. with the push-button 3 above and with the switch 9 below.

In Figure 1 it can be observed how the push-button 3 is formed by the following four parts for the illustrated embodiment, three of which are the next: -a support part 3c with a portion formed by a short stem 3c1 configured to be inserted, at least in part, inside the tubular portion 4a of the actuator assembly 4 with a certain freedom of movement, and a widened portion 3c2 above said short stem 3c1, -a cover 3a with a skirt 3a, adapted to be coupled to said widened portion * ** 15 3c2ofthesupportpart3c,and :::::: -an intermediate plate or disc 3b, housed in a cavity comprised in said widened portion 3c2 of the support part 3c.

*:" The fourth part illustrated in Figure 1 is a disc S, or film, with screen printed graphic information, which is preferably made of polycarbonate, arranged * 20 between parts 3a and 3b and illuminated by a LED L mounted in a housing :: defined in the upper part of the switch 9 and which will be inserted in the neck 5 of the push button, the cover 3a being made of a transparent material and the plate 3b being translucent for the purpose of viewing the screen printed information from outside the push-button.

In Figure 8 it can be seen how below the lower face of the widened portion 3c2 of the support part 3c, one or more projections 26 extend, out of the short stem 3c1, said projections 26 being arranged to, when by pressing the push button 3 the short stem 3c1 is axially displaced with respect to the tubular portion 4a, transversally push said appendages 12a, 12b at said areas close to their ends, when they are retaining a respective through configuration lOa, lOb, in order to disengage its respective engaging configuration 13, and to allow it to exit the through configuration lOa, lOb by means of the action of said contrast spring 15, and for the illustrated embodiment also by means of the action of a transversal push made by said projection or projections 26 pressing on respective chamfered portions 33 of the ends of the appendages 12a, 12b.

Said pressure on the push-button 3 is the aforementioned external actuation responsible for releasing the engaging configuration 13.

Although in Figure 8 only one of said projections 26 can be seen, the switch assembly comprises two of said projections 26, one per appendage 12a, 12b, although for another embodiment, not illustrated, the switch assembly comprises only one projection 26 extending along part of said lower face of the widened portion 3c2 of the support part 3c, staying above both appendages 12a, 12b.

In Figures 3 to 8, it can be seen how the widened portion 3c2 of the support part 3c comprises a discontinuous annular wall 22 extending from the lower face of the widened portion 3C2, surrounding the short stem 3c1, to be supported on the mentioned first platform 18, abutting on it to limit the movement * * 15 downwards of the short stem 3c1 through the interior of the tubular portion 4a, and therefore of the push button 3. **.*

As for the limitation of the push button 3 upwards movement, said :4 limitation is achieved because the mentioned cover 3a comprises a projection 28 extending from the outer face of said skirt 3a1, said projection 28 abutting against an inner upper portion 16a of the widening 16 (see Figures 3 and 4), when the push-button 3 is inserted in the widening 16, to limit the mentioned movement of the short stem 3c1 of the support part 3c inside the tubular portion 4a of the actuator assembly 4, preventing the push-button 3 from coming out of the widening 16.

A person skilled in the art could introduce changes and modifications in the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A push-button type switch assembly of the type comprising a base body with a bezel at one end adapted to receive a push-button of an actuator assembly, and a stem adapted to be passed through an opening of a panel, said stem having an external configuration adapted for joining said base body to the panel, said actuator assembly being mounted such that it can be moved inside said stem from an extended position to a retracted position against the pushing of an elastic element to operate an actuator member of a switch attached to said stem, and comprising immobilization means for immobilizing said actuator assembly when it is in said retracted position, wherein said immobilization means comprise: at least one through configuration arranged on at least a portion of the actuator assembly, and * ,. 15 an immobilizing member that can be accessed from the exterior, able to :::::: move transversely in relation to the movement direction of the actuator S... . . . assembly, with at least one appendage to be inserted, at least in part, in said *:.*. through configuration when the immobilizing member is actuated by a user, said appendage having an engaging configuration for retaining said through * 20 configuration once having passed therethrough, which can be released by means of an external actuation.'

2. A switch assembly according to claim 1, further comprising two through configurations attached at opposite sides of a tubular portion of said actuator assembly, and in that said immobilizing member comprises two appendages connected through an element forming a push element and being able to be accessed from the exterior, at least one contrast spring being arranged against said push element.

3. A switch assembly according to claim 2, wherein said bezel is formed by an end of a widening of said base body, said widening configuring a housing for said immobilizing member, providing passages for the appendages and a cavity for the partial housing of said push element.

4. A switch assembly according to claim 3, wherein said through configurations have a configuration which is as a frame with two transverse walls attached to a first platform which surrounds an end of said actuator assembly and a bridge, and in that said two appendages comprise, in an area close to their ends, retaining tabs forming part of said engaging configuration, and respective thickened portions integrating respective ramps in their connection with the rest of the appendage, in an area close to the push element.

5. A switch assembly according to claim 4, wherein the stem provides at one end a second platform supporting the first platform when the push-button is in its retracted position, and provides guide means for the push element and support means for said at least one spring, said second platform being connected to the widening.

* *. 15

6. A switch assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said first platform comprises at least part of its edge closest to the push element, arranged to make contact with said ramps and to allow the latter to slide over said part of edge, from when and as the push element is actuated, the ramp-edge arrangement causing the actuator assembly to move towards said retracted :.. 20 position.

7. A switch assembly according to claim 3, wherein the push-button comprises at least: a support part with a portion formed by a short stem configured to be inserted, at least in part, with certain freedom of movement inside said tubular portion of the actuator assembly, and a widened portion above said short stem, at least one projection extending from a lower face of said widened portion, out of said short stem, said at least one projection being arranged to transversally push said appendages at said areas close to their ends, when they are retaining a respective through configuration, in order to disengage its respective engaging configuration, and to allow it to exit the through configuration by means of the action of said contrast spring.

8. A switch assembly according to claim 7, further comprising two of said projections, each arranged to push one of the appendages.

9. A switch assembly according to claim 7, wherein said widened portion of said support part comprises a discontinuous annular wall to be supported on the first platform, such wall extending from the lower face of the widened portion, surrounding the short stem.

10. A switch assembly according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the push-button further comprises: a cover with a skirt adapted to be coupled to said widened portion of the support part, and an intermediate plate or disc, said widened portion of the support part comprising a cavity for housing at *:*::* 15 least said plate.

11. A switch assembly according to claim 10, wherein said cover comprises a :4 projection extending from at least part of the outer face of said skirt, said projection abutting against an inner upper portion of said widening when the * 20 push-button is inserted in the widening to limit the movement of the short stem of the support part inside the tubular portion of the actuator assembly, preventing the push-button from coming out of the widening.

12. A switch assembly substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.