Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6225579
-
Patent Number
6,225,579
-
Date Filed
Friday, August 13, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 1, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Tripoli; J. S.
- Wein; F. A.
- Shedd; R. D.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 200 6 A
- 200 5 A
- 200 5 R
- 200 338
- 200 4
- 200 6 R
- 200 17 R
- 200 18
- 200 332
- 200 333
- 200 339
- 273 148 B
- 345 161
- 074 471 XY
- 074 471 R
- 463 36
- 463 37
- 463 38
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A gimbal mounted multifunction button has a selector button that can selectively actuate one or more microswitches in response to a biasing force. The multifunction button has a selector button mounted to a gimbal contained in a plate. The selector button has a plurality of protruding actuators that pass through the plate and align with a plurality of microswitches mounted to a printed circuit board. The selector button may be biased to selectively cause one of the of actuators to actuate a corresponding switch, or alternately selectively cause an adjacent pair of actuators to actuate a corresponding pair of adjacent switches.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to pushbutton selector switches. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gimbal mounted selector switch that selectively actuates a plurality of underlying switches.
2. Description of the Background Art
Assemblies for selectively actuating switch closures in response to a manual movement of a member, such as a multifunction button, have seen increasing utility and are often found in such devices such as computer interfaces, joysticks, automotive mirror controls and the like. One application for multifunction buttons is in telecommunication devices such as televisions and associated peripherals (i.e., control boxes, remotes, video players and the like). These multifunction buttons allow a user to select responses to menu prompts in a quick and efficient manner, using a minimal user interface.
However, multifunction buttons require careful and meticulous design in order to enable an actuator of the multifunction button to close an appropriate contact or switch. Often, the motion enabling device, or hinge, allows some translational motion of the actuator that may allow the actuator to miss the switch, or become “hung-up”, i.e., stuck, upon the switch or other surrounding structure. Additionally, some multifunction buttons have a “mushy” or indistinct feel that causes the user to hesitate during selection and rely on a display to confirm that the desired selection was made.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a multifunction button providing good positional accuracy in relation to the switches associated with the button. Furthermore, such multifunction buttons should have a “positive” tactile feedback such that a user may confidently, and rapidly navigate through a menu screen or otherwise interact with a device or system.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The disadvantages associated with the prior art are overcome by the present invention of a gimbal mounted multifunction button. Specifically, the multifunction button of the present invention comprises a selector button having a boss and a plurality of protruding actuators. The selector button is connected to a gimbal disposed in a plate. The gimbal has a plurality of fingers for receiving and retaining the selector button in fixed orientation to the boss. A printed circuit board is disposed at a predetermined distance from the plate. The printed circuit board has a plurality of switches aligned correspondingly with the plurality of protruding actuators. The selector button may be biased to selectively cause one of the of actuators to actuate a corresponding switch, or alternately selectively cause an adjacent pair of actuators to actuate a corresponding pair of adjacent switches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
depicts an exploded isometric view of a multifunction button of the present invention;
FIG. 2
depicts a detailed view of an embodiment of a gimbal of the multifunction button of the present invention;
FIG. 3A
depicts a detailed view of a second embodiment of a gimbal of the multifunction button of the present invention;
FIG. 3B
depicts a detailed view of a second embodiment of a selector button of the present invention;
FIG.
4
. depicts the gimbal of
FIG. 2
responding to a biasing force; and,
FIG. 5
depicts the gimbal of
FIG. 4
returning to an unbiased position in response to the removal of the force applied in FIG.
4
.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical element that are common to the figures.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Specifically,
FIG. 1
depicts a multifunction button assembly
100
having a selector button
102
connected to a gimbal plate
104
that is disposed at a predetermined distance from a printed circuit board
106
.
The selector button
102
is preferably fabricated from a moldable plastic (e.g., polycarbonate). The selector button
102
has a boss
142
that protrudes centrally from the selector button
102
. The selector button
102
has a first actuator
108
, a second actuator
110
, a third actuator
112
and a forth actuator
114
protruding from the selector button
102
. The actuators
108
through
114
are set equidistantly in a polar array about the boss
142
. The selector button
102
additionally has a plurality of retaining tabs
116
set about the selector button's perimeter. The retaining tabs
116
serve to retain the selector button
102
to the multifunction button assembly
100
when the selector button
102
protrudes through a panel of a structure in which the multifunction button is installed (panel and structure not shown).
The gimbal plate
104
is preferably fabricated from a moldable plastic or elastomer. The fabrication material, as well as the cross-sectional areas of certain members discussed below, are selected to preferably provide “positive” tactile feedback during actuation and acceptable service life. It has been found that the gimbal plate
104
molded from polycarbonate produces such a “positive” feel during the actuation of the multifunction button assembly
100
, while demonstrating good service life. The gimbal plate
104
has a plurality of first standoffs
124
, a plurality of second standoffs
126
, and a retention means
117
. The first standoffs
124
protrude from the gimbal plate
104
as to maintain the printed circuit board
106
at the predetermined distance from the gimbal plate
104
. The second standoffs
126
assist in maintaining the printed circuit board
106
at a predetermined distance from the gimbal plate
104
. Each of the second standoffs
126
additionally has a pin
128
that mates with a corresponding hole
146
in the printed circuit board
106
, thereby locating the printed circuit board
106
in relation to the gimbal plate
104
upon mating. Of course, the pins
128
and corresponding holes
146
may be readily replaced by other types of locating structures commonly known in the art.
The retention means
117
preferably comprises a plurality of latches
118
(e.g., four latches). Each of the plurality of latches
118
has a flexible member
120
that connects a catch
122
of the latch
118
to the gimbal plate
104
. The flexible member
120
allows for the catch
122
to engage (i.e., be snapped over) and retain the printed circuit board
106
against the first and second standoffs
124
and
126
, respectively. The retention means
117
may additionally comprise post and screws, heat staking, sonic welding, push connectors, rivets, and the like. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that the gimbal plate
104
need only be held in a predetermined position relative to the printed circuit board
106
. As such, other structures comprising a device in which the multifunction button assembly
100
is installed may be utilized to maintain this orientation without necessarily retaining the printed circuit board
106
to the gimbal plate
104
.
The gimbal
130
is centrally disposed in the gimbal plate
104
. The reader is encouraged to refer simultaneously to FIG.
1
and
FIG. 2
for the best understanding of the gimbal
130
.
The gimbal
130
comprises a first traverse member
132
, a second traverse member
134
, an outer ring
136
and an inner ring
138
. The outer ring
136
is concentrically aligned with the inner ring
138
along a centerline
156
. The first traverse member
132
couples the outer ring
136
to the gimbal plate
104
in two opposing locations. The second traverse member
134
couples the outer ring
136
to the inner ring
138
also in two opposing locations. The first traverse member
132
is preferred to be disposed in an orthogonal orientation with respect to the second traverse member
134
. The second traverse member
134
, the outer ring
136
and the inner ring
136
are configured to define a plurality of passages
158
between the outer ring
136
and the inner ring
138
. The passages
158
respectively accommodate the actuators
108
through
114
, allowing the actuators to pass through the gimbal plate
104
when the selector button
102
is connected to the gimbal
130
in the manner described below. The reader will appreciate that utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure, one skilled it the art will be able to devise a number of variations of the gimbal
130
which allow for the actuators (
108
,
110
,
112
and
114
) to pass through the gimbal plate
104
while remaining within the scope of the invention.
The first traverse member
132
defines a first axis of rotation
202
. The cross-sectional geometry, coupled with the material selection of the gimbal plate
104
, allows the first traverse member
132
to flex (i.e., twist) along the first axis
202
, allowing the outer ring
136
to rotate as indicated by arrow
204
. The second traverse member
134
defines a second axis of rotation
206
. The reader should note that as the second traverse member
134
, and thus the second axis
206
as well, remains in the plane defined by the outer ring
136
. The cross-sectional geometry, coupled with the material selection of the gimbal plate
104
, allows the second traverse member
134
to flex (i.e., twist) along the second axis
206
. In this manner, the inner ring
138
is allowed to rotate in relation to the outer ring
136
, as indicated by arrow
208
.
The combined rotation about axis
202
and
206
results in the inner ring
138
acquiring a pivoting motion with respect to the gimbal plate
104
about a pivot point
210
defined by the intersection of the first axis
202
, the second axis
206
and the centerline
156
. Thus, translational motion of the inner ring
138
with respect to the gimbal plate
104
is substantially prevented.
The inner ring
138
has a plurality of protruding fingers
140
disposed in a polar array about the inside diameter
212
. The boss
142
passes through the inside diameter
212
such that the flutes
144
align between the plurality of protruding fingers
140
, orientating the selector button
102
with the gimbal plate
104
. The boss
142
and protruding fingers
140
are configured as to create an interference fit, thus retaining the selector button
102
in the gimbal
130
.
Specifically, the printed circuit board
106
contains a plurality of switches (i.e., microswitches
148
through
154
, respectively) that are visible under the cut-away portion of the printed circuit board
106
depicted in
FIG. 1
, and as mounted to the printed circuit board
106
depicted in FIG.
3
A. Although the preferred number of microswitches is four, one skilled in the art may readily modify the selector button
102
and gimbal
130
to accommodate additional (or fewer) microswitches. The microswitches
148
through
154
are arranged in a polar array about the centerline
156
. The pins
128
and the locating holes
146
maintain the printed circuit board
106
in an orientation such that the microswitches
148
through
154
remain aligned with the corresponding actuators
108
through
114
of the selector button
102
.
Referring now to
FIG. 3A
, a second embodiment of the gimbal
130
has a first traverse member
132
, a second traverse member
134
, an outer ring
302
and an inner ring
138
. The outer ring
302
is concentrically aligned with the inner ring
138
along a centerline
156
. The first traverse member
132
couples the outer ring
302
to the gimbal plate
104
in two opposing locations. The second traverse member
134
couples the outer ring
302
to the inner ring
138
also in two opposing locations. The first traverse member
132
is preferred to be disposed in an orthogonal orientation with respect to the second traverse member
134
. The first traverse member
132
and the outer ring
302
are configured to define the passages
158
between the outer ring
302
and the gimbal plate
104
. The passages
158
allow the actuators
108
through
114
to pass through the gimbal plate
104
when the selector button
102
is connected to the gimbal
130
.
Referring now to
FIG. 3B
, a second embodiment of the a selector button
104
comprises a plurality of actuators (
108
,
110
,
112
, and
114
) that are disposed equidistant in polar array about the perimeter of the selector button
104
. Each actuator (
108
,
110
,
112
, and
114
) has a stanchion
320
that connects an outwardly turned pad
322
to the selector button
104
. The pad
322
has a contact surface
324
that is substantially perpendicular to the centerline
156
. The contact surface
324
may be selectively biased to contact the underlying microswitch as discussed below.
The operation of the multifunction button assembly
100
will now be described while simultaneously referring to FIG.
4
and FIG.
5
. Specifically, the multifunction button assembly
100
allows the user to selectively actuate a desired switch on the printed circuit board
106
. Such selective actuation finds great utility in a variety of user interactions or user interface applications, such as navigating through a selection of menu choices in order to obtain a desired result. For example, the selector button
102
is manipulated by a biasing force
400
, i.e., by depressing a portion of the selector button proximate the desired selection.
The selector button
102
rotates (as depicted by arrow
402
) about the pivot point
210
in response to the force
400
, thereby causing the actuator
108
to depress (i.e., actuate) the microswitch
150
attached to the printed circuit board
106
. Upon removal of the force
400
, the resiliency of the traverse members (
132
and
134
as seen in FIG.
1
and
FIG. 2
) causes the selector button
102
to return to an unbiased position as indicted by arrow
502
, thereby de-actuating the microswitch
150
. The selector button
102
may be biased to actuate any singular microswitch by applying the force
400
to the selector button
102
above the desired microswitch. Alternately, any adjacent pair of microswitches (i.e.,
148
and
150
,
150
and
152
,
152
and
154
, and,
154
and
148
) may be biased by applying the force
400
to the selector button
102
between the desired microswitches.
As the embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate these teachings without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
- 1. Apparatus for actuating a plurality of switches comprising:a selector button comprising a boss and a plurality of protruding actuators; a plate comprising a gimbal, said gimbal having a plurality of fingers for receiving said boss; a printed circuit board, disposed at a predetermined distance from said plate, said printed circuit board comprising a plurality of switches aligned with said plurality of protruding actuators, wherein said selector button may be biased to selectively cause at least one of said plurality of actuators to actuate at least one of said switches; said plate further comprises a retention means for retaining said printed circuit board at said predetermined distance from said plate, said retention means further comprises a plurality of latches, each of said plurality of latches having a catch which engages said printed circuit board; and wherein said selector button further comprises a plurality of flutes, said flutes aligned between said plurality of protruding fingers and orientating said selector button to said gimbal plate.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate further comprises:a plurality of standoffs for maintaining said printed circuit board at said predetermined distance from said plate.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate further comprises:a plurality of protruding pins, each of said plurality of protruding pins mating with a corresponding hole in said printed circuit board.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selector button selectively singularly actuates one of said microswitches or selectively actuates an adjacent pair of said microswitches.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate is polycarbonate.
- 6. Apparatus for actuating a plurality of switches comprising:a selector button comprising a boss and a plurality of protruding actuators; a plate comprising a gimbal, said gimbal having a plurality of fingers for receiving said boss; a printed circuit board, disposed at a predetermined distance from said plate, said printed circuit board comprising a plurality of switches aligned with said plurality of protruding actuators, wherein said selector button may be biased to selectively cause at least one of said plurality of actuators to actuate at least one of said switches; said gimbal further comprising a first traverse member coupled to said plate, an outer ring coupled to said first traverse member, an inner ring concentrically aligned with said outer ring, said inner ring having a plurality of fingers, said boss of said selector button retained to said gimbal by said fingers, and a second traverse member coupled to said outer ring, said second traverse member being orthogonally disposed to said first traverse member and wherein: said second traverse member, said outer ring and said inner ring define a plurality of passages in said plate; each of said plurality of passages accommodating a respective actuator.
- 7. Apparatus for actuating a plurality of switches comprising:a selector button comprising a boss and a plurality of protruding actuators; a plate comprising a gimbal, said gimbal having a plurality of fingers for receiving said boss; a printed circuit board, disposed at a predetermined distance from said plate, said printed circuit board comprising a plurality of switches aligned with said plurality of protruding actuators, wherein said selector button may be biased to selectively cause at least one of said plurality of actuators to actuate at least one of said switches; said gimbal further comprising a first traverse member coupled to said plate, an outer ring coupled to said first traverse member, an inner ring concentrically aligned with said outer ring, said inner ring having a plurality of fingers, said boss of said selector button retained to said gimbal by said fingers, and a second traverse member coupled to said outer ring, said second traverse member being orthogonally disposed to said first traverse member and wherein: said first traverse member, said outer ring and said plate define a plurality of passages in said plate; each of said plurality of passages accommodating a respective actuator.
- 8. Apparatus for actuating a plurality of switches, comprising:a selector button having a boss and a plurality of protruding actuators, said boss having a plurality of flutes; a plate having a gimbal, a plurality of standoffs, and a plurality of pins, said gimbal having a plurality of fingers for receiving said boss, said plurality of flutes of said boss aligning with said plurality of fingers and orientating said selector button in relation to said plate; and a printed circuit board, disposed against said plurality of standoffs of said plate, said printed circuit board having a plurality of holes for locating said printed circuit board in relation with said plate, said printed circuit board having a plurality of switches aligned with said plurality of protruding actuators wherein said selector button may be biased to selectively cause at least one of said plurality of protruding actuators to actuate at least one of said plurality of switches.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said selector button selectively singularly actuates one of said plurality of switches or selectively actuates an adjacent pair of said plurality of switches.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said gimbal further comprises:a first traverse member coupled to said plate; an outer ring coupled to said first traverse member; an inner ring concentrically aligned with said outer ring, said inner ring having a plurality of fingers, said boss of said selector button retained to said gimbal by said fingers; a second traverse member coupled to said outer ring and said inner ring; and wherein said first traverse member is orthogonally orientated to said second traverse member.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plate is polycarbonate.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said plurality of switches is four.
US Referenced Citations (30)