Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Multiple circuit control – Multiple switch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-28
2001-07-10
Gellner, Michael L. (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Multiple circuit control
Multiple switch
C200S512000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259045
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a keybutton-equipped device such as a cellular phone, a remote control etc., and more particularly to, a keybutton-equipped device that is easy to assemble and disassemble and that prevents foreign matter from getting into the case.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional keybutton-equipped devices typically have a keypad which is mounted inside the case and is provided with keybuttons exposed on the surface and penetrating through holes in the case equipped for the keybuttons.
Japanese utility model application laid-open No. 5-16571 (1993) discloses a keypad structure that switch-button member (keypad) is mounted inside the case and only the buttons are exposed on the surface and penetrating through holes in the case equipped for the buttons. In this structure, it is troublesome to assemble and disassemble the switch-button member.
Also, Japanese patent application laid-open No. 8-148054 (1996) discloses a key structure that switch-button member (keypad) is mounted inside the case, only the buttons are exposed on the surface and penetrating through holes in the case equipped for the buttons, and inside of the case is water-proofed by using covering sheet. In this structure, it is still troublesome to assemble and disassemble the switch-button member. Also, it allows dust or water to get into the case and to be left there. Further, the covering sheet may incur corrosion.
Thus, in the conventional keybutton-equipped devices, there is a problem that it is very troublesome to mount/remove the keypad. Also, they allow some liquid or dust to get into the case from a clearance between the hole in the case and the keybutton.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a keybutton-equipped device with a structure that allows the keypad to be mounted/removed easily and prevents foreign matter from getting into the case.
According to the invention, a keybutton-equipped device, comprises:
a board at a predetermined position on which a predetermined number of sensitive element (e.g., a sensor and switch) at a predetermined position is provided;
a case in which the board is mounted and a predetermined number of hole is formed at a position corresponding to the sensitive element on the board; and
a key pad which is of stretchy material (e.g., rubber and plastic) and is formed like a tubular body to cover and tighten the case, the keypad having a predetermined number of keybutton that is formed on the outer surface of the tubular body and at a position corresponding to the sensitive element on the board and gives an impulse (e.g., a physical impulse such as pressure, voltage, current, static electricity and magnetic force) to the sensitive element on the board through the hole in the case when it is pressed down.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4022993 (1977-05-01), Shattuck
patent: 4302648 (1981-11-01), Sado et al.
patent: 4320268 (1982-03-01), Brown
patent: 4365120 (1982-12-01), Pounds
patent: 4463234 (1984-07-01), Bennewitz
patent: 4598181 (1986-07-01), Selby
patent: 5270507 (1993-12-01), Nakamura et al.
patent: 5669486 (1997-09-01), Shima
patent: 5717176 (1998-02-01), Dahlstrom
patent: 5934454 (1999-08-01), Burleson et al.
patent: 6148183 (2000-11-01), Higdon et al.
patent: 5-16571 (1993-03-01), None
patent: 8-148054 (1996-06-01), None
Gellner Michael L.
NEC Corporation
Nguyen Nhung
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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