Waterproof pushbutton

Details Waterproof pushbutton Waterproof pushbutton

2002-12-23

2004-04-06

Scott, James R. (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Electric switch details

Cases and bases

Reexamination Certificate

active

06717082

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sealing device for a pushbutton, and more particularly to a pushbutton that prevents water or dust from getting inside the pushbutton.
2. Description of Related Art
With reference to
FIG. 4
, a conventional sealing device for a pushbutton assembly is adapted to provide a seal between a moveable switch (
20
) and a button housing (
40
). The button housing (
40
) comprises a mounting sleeve (
42
), a retractable sleeve (
44
) and an elastic seal (
46
). The moveable switch (
20
) comprises an outer cover (
22
) and a hollow shaft (
24
), and the hollow shaft (
24
) engages the retractable sleeve (
44
) and attaches to the elastic seal (
46
). The elastic seal (
46
) has an outer circumference (not numbered) and an inner circumference (not numbered). An outer flange (
462
) is formed on the outer circumference of the elastic seal (
46
) and extends radially inward. An inner flange (
464
) is formed on the inner circumference of the elastic seal (
46
) and extends inward.
The button housing (
40
) is integrally formed with the pushbutton body (
60
), and the retractable sleeve (
44
) is securely mounted around the hollow shaft (
24
) of the moveable switch (
20
). The retractable sleeve (
44
) and the hollow shaft (
24
) are slideably engaged in the button housing (
40
). The mounting sleeve (
42
) is attached to the housing (
40
) with the outer flange (
462
) of the elastic seal (
46
) compressed down. Therefore, when the pushbutton is pushed down, the hollow shaft (
24
) pushes the retractable sleeve (
44
) down, which stretches the inner flange (
464
) of the elastic seal (
46
). The hollow shaft (
24
) holds the inner flange (
464
) of the elastic seal (
46
) down by friction and results in sealing the pushbutton. The elastic seal (
46
) is stretched to fit between the hollow shaft (
24
) and the mounting sleeve (
42
), but the long-lasting deformation causes permanent deformation of the elastic seal (
24
). The permanent deformation of the elastic seal (
24
) potentially allows liquid to leak into the body (
60
) of the pushbutton, and the life of the pushbutton is shortened.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an improved sealing device for a pushbutton to mitigate the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved waterproof pushbutton, which comprises a body, a button housing and a cover with a hollow shaft. The body has an outer lip and an inner lip. The button housing comprises a retractable sleeve with an annular shoulder. An elastic seal is provided with inner and outer flanges and a compression fitting. With the inventive feature, the pushbutton has an advantage such as a tighter fit between the hollow shaft and the button housing that is less likely to leak.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4825023 (1989-04-01), Morse
patent: 4897516 (1990-01-01), Wakatsuki

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