Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Multiple circuit control – Multiple switch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2001-01-30
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Multiple circuit control
Multiple switch
C200S512000, C200S517000, C029S622000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06180896
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit produced by forming a general-purpose sheet and also relates to a method of producing the control panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit constructed of a formed sheet prepared by thermoforming a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet and also relates to a method of producing the control panel.
2. Discussion of Related Art
With the recent spread of equipment related to computers and communications equipment, it has been demanded that data input units, e.g. control panels, for entering information into such equipment and receiving information therefrom should be reduced in cost to an extreme without sacrificing the operability. On the other hand, the achievement of high-precision electronic parts demands hermeticity for providing a dustproof structure and for preventing breakdown of electronic parts due to static electricity. For example, control panels used in electronic equipment, e.g. portable telephones, are required to accomplish ultimate cost reductions in order to allow these electronic devices to spread at reduced costs. Moreover, the control panels are required to improve in various mechanical and electrical functions as stated above.
To meet the demands, the present applicant proposed a control panel for electronic equipment using a sheet (see Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication (KOKAI) Nos. 9-259696 and 9-259697). In the proposed control panel, a mechanical assembly structure is used for the assembly of a control panel member and pushbuttons. The use of the mechanical assembly structure causes the structure of the control panel to become complicated and also causes the number of components to increase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-described technical background, the present invention attains the following objects.
An object of the present invention is to provide a control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit in which a formed sheet produced by thermoforming a sheet is integrated with a control panel member, thereby reducing the number of process steps, and also provide a method of producing the control panel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit that allows a cost reduction, and also provide a method of producing the control panel.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit that is superior in mass-productivity and a method of producing the control panel.
To attain the above-described objects, the present invention provides a first control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit. The control panel includes a control panel member for electronic equipment or the like. A pushbutton is inserted in an opening formed in the control panel member. A formed sheet of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material is secured to the control panel member to support the pushbutton with respect to the control panel member by elastically bending. The formed sheet is so formed as to serve as an outer skin of the pushbutton.
Preferably, the control panel member is made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material, and the formed sheet and the control panel member are secured together into one unit by thermal joining. The term “thermal joining” means that the thermoplastic synthetic resin material is heated from the inside or outside thereof to join and secure together the two members. Specific examples of thermal joining are a method in which the thermoplastic synthetic resin material is deformed by pressing a heated member against it, and ultrasonic welding using ultrasonic vibrational energy.
In addition, the present invention provides a second control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit. The control panel includes a control panel member for electronic equipment or the like. A pushbutton body is inserted in an opening formed in the control panel member. A formed sheet of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material is secured to the control panel member to support the pushbutton body with respect to the control panel member by elastically bending, the pushbutton body being secured to the formed sheet.
Preferably, the formed sheet and the control panel member are secured together into one unit by thermal joining. The term “thermal joining” means the same as the above.
In addition, the present invention provides a first method of producing a control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit. According to the first method, a single-cut sheet of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material is formed to produce a plurality of recesses thereon by thermoforming to prepare a formed sheet. The recesses form pushbutton outer skins. The formed sheet is inserted into an injection mold, and a molten resin material is filled into the recesses to produce a key sheet. The key sheet and a control panel member are secured together into one unit by thermal joining.
In addition, the present invention provides a second method of producing a control panel having a sheet-formed pushbutton unit. According to the second method, a single-cut sheet of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material is thermoformed to prepare a formed sheet. The formed sheet, pushbutton bodies and a control panel member of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material are secured together by thermal joining. The term “thermal joining” means the same as the above.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5362934 (1994-11-01), Inagaki et al.
patent: 5399821 (1995-03-01), Inagaki et al.
patent: 5475192 (1995-12-01), Inagaki et al.
patent: 5613599 (1997-03-01), Inagaki et al.
patent: 5807002 (1998-09-01), Tsai
patent: 6023033 (2000-02-01), Yagi et al.
Armstrong, Westerman Hattori, McLeland & Naughton
Friedhofer Michael
Taisei Plas Co., Ltd.
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