Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-24
2001-12-11
Scott, J. R. (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Foot operated
C200S08600A, C200S307000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329620
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flat foot switch unit having a predetermined surface shape, in which a stepping-motion-detecting pressing switch is internally arranged in at least one of regions formed by dividing the surface shape. In particular, the invention is suitable for a flat foot switch unit that can detect stepping motions for a game machine that guides a game player to stepping motions (foot performance) and the like so as to allow the game player to dance.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, home-use mat switches that allow multiple data items to be inputted to an apparatus for operation of an image terminal connected to the apparatus have been known from publications, such as Japanese Patent No. 2816837. These mat switches are flat foot switches in which a plurality of pressing switches that can detect stepping motions performed by the user are internally arranged. Specifically, the mat switches have a laminated-structure section in which an upper electrode sheet, a spacer, and a lower electrode sheet are sequentially laminated in a plurality of switch regions provided for input of a plurality of data items into the apparatus, thereby allowing the user to perform stepping motions for switching operation.
In the mat switches, however, no slippage-preventing measure is provided on the surface on which the user performs stepping motions, causing a problem in that the user's feet slip during stepping motions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a flat foot switch unit having a slippage-preventing measure on the surface.
To these ends, according to the present invention, a flat foot switch unit having a predetermined surface shape and a stepping-motion-detecting pressing switch arranged internally in at least one of a plurality of regions formed by dividing the surface shape, has slippage-preventing means provided at least in the regions on the surface of the top layer of a sheet unit, which is part of the surface shape, and in which the pressing switches are arranged.
According to this invention, the slippage-preventing means is provided at least in the regions where the pressing switches are provided on the surface of the sheet unit which is the top face, thereby allowing the prevention of the problem in which the game player slips on the sheet surface or slips falling down during stepping motions. Consequently, the game player and the like can reliably perform switching operations by stepping on the regions on the surface of the sheet unit where the pressing switches are arranged.
In the above case, the slippage-preventing means may be formed of a plurality of grooves on the surface of the sheet unit. This allows slippage in stepping motions to be effectively prevented.
Also, a home position may be provided on the sheet unit, wherein the grooves are formed in a direction diagonal to a direction from the home position to positions where the individual pressing switches are arranged. Therefore, the grooves cross always the step-out direction, whereby slippage in stepping motions can be prevented even more effectively.
Also, the grooves may be provided in only regions where the pressing switches are arranged, and the direction in which the grooves are formed differs depending upon the region. This allows slippage in stepping motions to be prevented even more reliably and effectively.
Also, the direction in which the grooves are formed may be a substantially 45° diagonal direction. This allows slippage in stepping motions to be prevented even more effectively.
Also, the direction in which the grooves may be substantially +45° and −45° diagonal directions. This allows slippage in stepping motions can be prevented even more effectively.
Also, the predetermined surface shape may be a four-sided shape, in which the grooves are formed parallel to a diagonal direction of the four-sided shape. This allows slippage in stepping motions to be prevented even more effectively.
Also, the four-sided shape may be divided into 3×3 regions, the home position may be arranged in the central region, and the individual pressing switches may be arranged in regions at two vertical sides and at two horizontal sides as viewed from the home position. Therefore, the grooves cross the step-out direction, thereby allowing slippage in stepping motions to be prevented even more effectively.
Furthermore, the sheet unit may be made of ethylene-methyl methacrylate. This allows slippage in stepping motions to be prevented even more effectively.
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Oishi Toshimitsu
Okubo Toru
Jordan and Hamburg LLP
Konami Co. Ltd.
Scott J. R.
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