IP Library Granted Patent US 7,560,655
Granted Patent B2
US 7,560,655 · App. 12/171,549 · Granted Jul 14, 2009

Movable contact and push switch using the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,560,655
App. No.
12/171,549
Granted
Jul 14, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A movable contact includes a dome portion having substantially a dome shape and a periphery, and four projections provided on a concave surface of the dome portion. The periphery of the dome portion has substantially an oval shape having a longitudinal direction. The periphery having two linear peripheries in parallel with the longitudinal direction and two arcuate peripheries connected to the two linear peripheries at four corners. The four corners are arcuate. Two diagonal lines connecting the four corners intersect at a center of the dome portion. The four projections are located on the two diagonal lines at identical distances from the center. The movable contact contacts a fixed contact stably with an excellent click feeling on a pushing operation.

Claims (24)

1. A movable contact comprising:

a dome portion made of a metal sheet having a spring property, the dome portion having substantially a dome shape having a convex surface and a concave surface opposite to the convex surface, the dome portion having a periphery; and

four projections provided on the concave surface of the dome portion, wherein the periphery of the dome portion has substantially an oval shape having a longitudinal direction, the periphery having two linear peripheries in parallel with the longitudinal direction and two arcuate peripheries connected to the two linear peripheries at four corners,

the four corners are arcuate,

two diagonal lines connecting the four corners intersect at a center of the dome portion,

the four projections are located on the two diagonal lines at identical distances from the center, and

the four projections have semispherical shapes.

2. A push switch comprising:

a movable contact including a dome portion made of a metal sheet having a spring property, the dome portion having substantially a dome shape having a convex surface and a concave surface opposite to the convex surface, and

four projections provided on the concave surface of the dome portion; and

a fixed contact facing the concave surface of the movable contact, wherein the periphery of the dome portion has substantially an oval shape having a longitudinal direction, the periphery having two linear peripheries in parallel with the longitudinal direction and two arcuate peripheries connected to the two linear peripheries at four corners,

the four corners are arcuate,

two diagonal lines connecting the four corners intersect at a center of the dome portion,

the four projections are located on the two diagonal lines at identical distances from the center,

the fixed contact faces the four projections, and

the four projections have semispherical shapes.

3. A movable contact comprising:

a dome portion made of a metal sheet having a spring property, the dome portion having substantially a dome shape having a convex surface and a concave surface opposite to the convex surface, the dome portion having a periphery; and

four projections provided on the concave surface of the dome portion, wherein the periphery of the dome portion has substantially an oval shape having a longitudinal direction, the periphery having two linear peripheries in parallel with the longitudinal direction and two arcuate peripheries connected to the two linear peripheries at four corners, at least a portion of each of the arcuate peripheries forming lowest parts of the movable contact,

the four corners are arcuate,

two diagonal lines connecting the four corners intersect at a center of the dome portion, and

the four projections are located on the two diagonal lines at identical distances from the center.

4. The movable contact of claim 3 , wherein central portions of each of the arcuate peripheries are lower than any part of the periphery.

5. The movable contact of claim 3 , wherein the two linear peripheries and the four corners are higher than the central portions of the arcuate peripheries.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 6, 2009
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 022363/0306 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2008
From: KARAKI, MINORU; KAMIE, AKIRA; NAKAO, NOBUMASA
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021555/0702 →