IP Library Granted Patent US 7,049,535
Granted Patent B2
US 7,049,535 · App. 10/937,801 · Granted May 23, 2006

Illuminated switch

Assignee: Nihon Kaiheiki Industrial Company, Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,049,535
App. No.
10/937,801
Granted
May 23, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An illuminated switch includes a lens that is provided integrally with a converter on a surface opposing a light-emitting element disposed on a base constituting a switch body. The lens diffuses light emitted from the light-emitting element through the inner space of a coil spring urging a switch operating unit in the vertical direction. Moreover, a tilted surface is formed at an angle inclining towards the bottom surface of a hole below from the upper surface of the switch operating unit in the axial direction.

Claims (12)

1. An illuminated switch comprising:

a switch operating unit composed of a transparent material;

a switch body comprising:

a housing disposed on the switch operating unit so that the switch operating unit moves freely in the vertical direction and a base having a plurality of protruding terminals;

a switching mechanism comprising:

a converter composed of a transparent material and cooperates with the switch operating unit;

a light-emitting element disposed on the base; and

a movable contact piece that moves in accordance with the operation of the converter and functions as a change-over switch for a plurality of fixed contacts constituting at least one circuit on the bottom surface of the base; wherein,

a lens is provided integrally with the converter on a surface opposing the light-emitting element,

the lens diffuses light emitted from the light-emitting element through the inner space of the coil spring urging the switch operating unit in the vertical direction, and

a tilted surface is formed at an angle inclining towards the bottom surface of a hole formed below the upper surface of the switch operating unit.

2. An illuminated switch according to claim 1 , wherein a flat surface and a protrusion are formed on the surface of the base where at least a pair of the fixed contacts is vertically disposed and where at least one groove is formed.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 11, 2014
From: NIHON KAIHEIKI INDUSTRIAL COMPANY, LTD.
To: NKK SWITCHES CO, LTD.
Reel/Frame 033309/0410 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2005
From: MATSUYAMA, EIJI; YAMADA, HIDEHIRO
To: NIHON KAIHEIKI INDUSTRIAL COMPANY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 015543/0172 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2004-003983 · Jan 9, 2004 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050150751A1 · Jul 14, 2005