ILLUMINATED VANDAL-RESISTANT PUSHBUTTON SWITCH

Abstract

A pushbutton switch assembly is disclosed which includes a button body housing having a central opening and a mounting ring for mounting in a panel and optionally containing a halo, a pushbutton target system mounted in and operable with respect to the button body housing, a return spring for returning the pushbutton target system to a normal position when it is depressed and released, a base containing a source of illumination for fully lighting the pushbutton target system and any halo and containing one or more microswitches, and wherein the button body housing limits the travel of the pushbutton to just operate the one or more microswitches to prevent damage to components in the base from excessive force.

Claims

1. A pushbutton switch assembly comprising: (a) a button body housing having a central opening and a mounting ring having an inclined inner surface for mounting said pushbutton switch in a panel and optionally containing a halo; (b) a pushbutton target system mounted in and operable with respect to said button body housing and having an outer inclined surface aspect which matches and contacts said inclined inner mounting ring surface; (c) a return spring for returning said pushbutton target system to a normal position when it is depressed and released; (d) a base containing a source of illumination for fully lighting said pushbutton target system and any halo and containing one or more microswitches; and (e) wherein said inclined mounting ring of said button body housing limits travel of said pushbutton to allow it to just operate said one or more microswitches to prevent damage to components in said base from excessive pushing force.

2. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein said source of illumination is at least one LED device.

3. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 2 wherein said source of illumination is a plurality of LED devices.

4. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein interacting surfaces of said button body housing and said pushbutton target system are stainless steel, any excessive force being distributed and dissipated through stainless steel components and a mounting panel.

5. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 3 wherein said button body housing includes a halo.

6. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 4 wherein said button body housing includes a halo.

7. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 1 comprising a plurality of microswitches.

8. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 1 wherein the travel of said pushbutton is limited by a gap between said outer inclined surface of said pushbutton target system and said inclined inner surface of said mounting ring of said button body housing.

9. A pushbutton switch assembly as in claim 8 wherein components limiting the travel of said pushbutton comprise stainless steel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the same:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pushbutton switch assembly in accordance with the invention;

[0012] FIG. 2A is an exploded side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 2B is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

[0014] FIG. 3A is an assembled pushbutton switch assembly embodiment similar to that of FIG. 1 with an alternative button body;

[0015] FIG. 3B is a sectional elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled pushbutton switch assembly similar to that shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an embodiment with a domed button body; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a partial schematic partially exploded side view of a pushbutton switch assembly showing an illumination pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The detailed description is intended to present certain exemplary preferred embodiments that illustrate the concepts of the present invention. The embodiments are intended by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any respect. It is further recognized and understood that one skilled in the art might make modifications which remain in keeping with the inventive concepts.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of a pushbutton switch assembly embodiment in accordance with the invention. An exploded side elevational view appears in FIG. 2A and a top view appears in FIG. 2B. The embodiment, shown generally at 10, includes an LED and microswitch-containing base 12, a threaded button body housing 14 with illuminated halo at 16. A button body housing nut is shown at 18 and a cylindrical button return compression spring is shown at 20. A pushbutton target system 22 includes a flush domed button 24 with rings 26 and indicator 28 with an indicator jewel 30. A typical panel segment with cutout is shown at 32 illustrating the mounting mode. The cylindrical compression spring 20 is preferably symmetrical so that it can be installed in either direction in the spring seat to avoid any binding issues during an actuating or return stroke.

[0021] FIGS. 3A and 3B depict elevational and sectional views of an embodiment of the pushbutton switch assembly similar to that of FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B with an alternative button body housing and pushbutton target system. A plurality of push-in or plug-in wire connectors are shown at 40. An LED illuminating array is shown at 42. A pair of microswitches 44 and 46 with actuator contact points 48 and 50 are also mounted in the base. A flat or concave pushbutton target is shown at 52 and a button body housing at 54.

[0022] The outer surface of the pushbutton target system 56 is surrounded by a ring member of the button body housing 58. Both of these members are close to each other with only a narrow gap 60 therebetween. In this manner, the travel of the pushbutton target system is limited as it is stopped by or bottoms out on the ring 58 when it is fully depressed. The members 56 and 58 are preferably made of stainless steel to better give the pushbutton assembly a vandal-resistant aspect which is important to the design. Thus, when the target body is fully depressed, the bottom of the target shaft contacts the mating actuator components only to the extent necessary to actuate the microswitch component and this prevents additional force from affecting switch operation. Excessive force applied to the target is distributed and dissipated through the stainless steel components and the mounting panel. The button assembly remains fastened to the panel.

[0023] A slightly different arrangement is shown at 60 in FIGS. 4 and 5 and includes a flush domed target 62 with rings 64 and a halo 66.

[0024] A partial schematic partially exploded side elevational view of the pushbutton switch assembly in FIG. 6 diagrams the illumination pattern for a completely illuminated embodiment. An LED array is shown at 70 which contains three or more LED members (not shown). Light is projected straight up to illuminate the target along a center line at 72 and at an angle along lines as at 74 to illuminate a halo at 76. Microswitches with contact points are shown at 78 and 80.

[0025] The design of the pushbutton switch assembly allows for the entire surface of the button target to be illuminated as well as an optional outer halo ring while preserving stainless on stainless vandal-resistant aspects in switch operation.

[0026] This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use embodiments of the example as required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different devices and that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.