The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:
The compression ring button assembly of the present invention is reference generally at 10 in the
The button assembly 10 includes a button member 16 which is preferably fabricated of a fluid impervious elastomeric material such as rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber), thermal plastic elastomer (TPR), silicon, or the like. The button member 16 is illustrated as defining an annular or circular shape in
The button assembly 10 also includes a compression ring 26 which is dimensioned for force fit reception into a bore 28 provided in the button member 16. This force fit reception of the compression ring 26 into the bore 28 compresses the resilient material of the button member 16 against the edge 20 of the opening 12 creating a fluid impervious or hermetic seal between the button member 16 and the housing 14. It will be noted that in the illustrated embodiment the bore 28 is substantially circular and the compression ring 26 is substantially cylindrical. Further, the exterior or the compression ring 26 defines a larger diameter than the bore 28 such that upon force fit insertion of the compression ring 26 into the bore 28, the button member 16 is compressed against the housing 14. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the bore and compression ring 26 could define various mating configurations and the illustrated circular/cylindrical design is simply illustrative of one embodiment. Further, in one embodiment the compression ring 26 is fabricated of a polycarbonate material, but a thermo plastic, metal, or various other substantially rigid materials could be used.
It will also be noted that in the illustrated embodiment the compression ring 26 is provided with a barb portion 30 at its distal end which engages a shoulder portion 32 defined by the button member 16. It will be appreciated that after the compression ring 26 is inserted into the bore 28, the barb portion 30 engages the shoulder 32 and prohibits the compression ring 26 from backing out of the bore 28 during normal operation of the button assembly 10. Whereas the barb portion 30 is illustrated in the drawings as a continuous lip, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the barb portion 30 need not be continuous, and could be composed of a plurality of barb segments which engage the shoulder 32 and maintain the position of the compression ring 26 in the button member 16.
In one embodiment the button assembly 10 also includes a button plunger 34 which is received in a second bore 36 in the rear of the button member 16, and which extends outwardly therefrom. As those skilled in the art will recognize, when pressure is applied to the outer surface 38 of the button member 16, the button plunger 34 moves rearward to engage and actuate a switch, such as the illustrated switch 40 of
From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the button assembly 10 provides great advantages over the prior art. The button assembly 10 can be quickly and easily mounted in the opening of the housing of an electronic device. As mounted, the button assembly 10 allows easy actuation of a switch, while it seals against the housing so as to maintain the fluid impervious integrity of the housing. Further, where the button plunger 34 is incorporated, a better tactile feel of the switch 40 is provided to insure that the desire actuation is achieved.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.