Delco Electronics Corporation

Charles E Kidwell

Mark Z Rada

John W Willis

Robin L Truesdell

John A Eade

Michael A Asher

A low part count momentary push-button assembly having an integral indicator lamp for indicating activation of a controlled circuit or device. The push-button assembly comprises a switch unit and indicator lamp mounted side-by-side on a central region of a printed circuit board, a push-button having a contact area disposed in axial alignment with the switch unit, and a light transmissive passage disposed in axial alignment with the indicator lamp, and a unitary interface element disposed intermediate the circuit board and the push-button. The interface element includes an integral sleeve for locating the indicator lamp in relation to the light transmissive passage of the push-button, and a cantilevered structure which is maintained in resilient engagement with the contact area of the push-button. The interface element snaps onto the circuit board, and the circuit board is snapped into a housing cavity. The push-button is retained in relation to the switch unit and indicator lamp by a housing element which closes the cavity.

Lighted momentary push-button switch assembly having integral switch

A switch actuator mounted in a housing for axial and rotary movement operates a rotary switch on the actuator axis through an axial lost motion connection. A pushbutton switch offset from the axis is engaged by a semi-circular plate radially extending from the actuator and is actuated upon axial movement of the actuator for any rotary position of the actuator. Optionally, the plate has apertures which register with the pushbutton switch at selected actuator rotary positions to disable pushbutton operation at the selected positions. The actuator is made of light conducting transparent plastic to illuminate an indicator on the switch knob from a bulb within the housing. A flexible detent finger integrally molded into the housing engages the plate during its axial movement to impart tactile feel.

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Kokomo, IN, United States of America

Charles E Kidwell