Two position pushbutton switch with illuminated button

Details Two position pushbutton switch with illuminated button Two position pushbutton switch with illuminated button

2000-01-03

2001-01-30

Gellner, Michael L. (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Solid contact

Push button operated

C200S314000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06180905

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a pushbutton switch, and is particularly directed to a two position pushbutton switch having an illuminated button.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Two position pushbutton switches are used in many applications. One such application is a so-called “window lockout” switch in an automobile. The window lockout switch is typically mounted in an arm rest panel near the driver of the automobile. The window lockout switch is manually depressible to toggle between two axial positions. In one axial position, the window lockout switch electrically disables the rocker switches which the passengers would normally use to operate the automobile's power windows. In the other axial position, the window lockout switch electrically enables the rocker switches adjacent each of the passenger windows so that the passengers can operate the respective power window adjacent their seat in the automobile. The window lockout switch is particularly useful to families with small children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a pushbutton switch comprising a printed circuit board having first and second traces spaced circumferentially apart about an axis and a housing connected to the printed circuit board. The housing includes a chamber centered on the axis. A movable assembly is centered on the axis and is partially disposed in the chamber. The movable assembly has electrical contacts for engaging one or the other of the first and second traces on the printed circuit board. A button is connected with the movable assembly. The button is manually depressible toward the printed circuit board. The pushbutton switch has means for biasing the movable assembly and the button away from the printed circuit board, and means for rotating the movable assembly about the axis when the button is manually depressed toward the printed circuit board. The movable assembly, when rotated, toggles between a first condition in which the first trace is engaged by the electrical contacts and a second condition in which the second trace is engaged by the electrical contacts.
The pushbutton switch further comprises a light bulb mounted to the printed circuit board and means for conducting light from the light bulb to an illuminatable portion of the button. The light bulb is located on a bulb axis which is parallel to and offset from the axis.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4104981 (1978-08-01), Ono et al.
patent: 4891476 (1990-01-01), Nation et al.
patent: 4996401 (1991-02-01), Park
patent: 5049709 (1991-09-01), Prickett et al.
patent: 5145059 (1992-09-01), Park
patent: 5180050 (1993-01-01), Rada et al.
patent: 5226529 (1993-07-01), Valenzona
patent: 5586645 (1996-12-01), Bartok
patent: 5844203 (1998-12-01), Chasen

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