Patent Application
20080029374
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
In general, a combination sliding pushbutton switch is disclosed. The combination switch comprises a sliding switch button coupled to a housing. The sliding switch button includes a finger that slideably couples the sliding switch button to the housing and the finger has a actuator portion that selectively engages a first switch as a function of a sliding action of the sliding switch button relative to the housing. The sliding switch button moves with a push-button motion in direction perpendicular to the sliding action in order to engage a popple dome switch when the sliding switch button is positioned in a first sliding position relative to the housing. In one embodiment a leaf spring is coupled between the sliding switch button and the housing. The leaf spring returns the sliding switch button to a first button position from a second depressed button position. The sliding action of the sliding switch button turns the device on and off. The push-button motion controls the device and the operation performed depends on the time the button is pushed and the duration that the button is pushed.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of method steps. Accordingly, the method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
The combination sliding button switch, in one embodiment, includes a leaf spring 116 to return the button to a first position after the sliding button switch 101 has been depressed and then released by the user. It is understood that other button return apparatus may be employed to return or maintain the sliding button switch in the undepressed or off position. For example, the sliding button switch 101 may be made of a material that allows the sliding button switch 101 to naturally form or return back to the undepressed form. Or in another embodiment a coil spring may be placed between the sliding button switch 101 and the circuit board or the like in order to return the sliding button switch 101 to the undepressed position.
The sliding switch button 101 slides back in forth in this embodiment in the directions indicated by the arrow 111. The sliding switch button slides relative to the housing 102 in slots 120, 122, 124 and 126 which are voids in the housing 102.
The sliding button switch 101 also moves in a second direction, different than the direction of the sliding motion. In this embodiment, the sliding button switch 101 moves perpendicular in a push-button motion in order to engage the first switch 106. In this embodiment the first switch is a popple dome switch 106 which is activated by motion perpendicular to the first switch 106.
A cross sectional view of the sliding button switch 101 in the “on” configuration 300 is illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in
A method of operation, in a Bluetooth headset for example comprises, sliding the sliding button switch 101 to the on position 300. Then depressing the sliding button switch in a push button motion to activate the popple dome switch 106. In one embodiment activating the popple dome switch 106 immediately after turning the power on puts the Bluetooth headset in discovery mode for example. Holding the sliding button switch 101 down for a period of one second activates a call session. After the call session, the user may depress the sliding button switch 101 momentarily to end the call session. The user may then slide the sliding button switch to the off position to turn the Bluetooth headset off.
While the present disclosure and the best modes thereof have been described in a manner establishing possession by the inventors and enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same, it will be understood and appreciated that there are many equivalents to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein and that modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the inventions, which are to be limited not by the exemplary embodiments but by the appended claims.
