The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 12, 1977
Filed:
Jul. 03, 1975
William J West, Los Altos, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A push-button switch mechanism suitable for use with printed circuit boards is disclosed comprising a body that has a slidable plunger for actuating a cantilevered contact attached to the body. A button is attached to the plunger and when the button is depressed, the plunger deflects the cantilevered contact toward conductors on a printed circuit board to which the body is attached. A leaf spring in the body holds the plunger in an up or extended position and returns the plunger to this position after the button has been depressed. When the button is depressed the leaf spring is compressed along its longest axis and buckles, thereby providing tactile feedback. The switch may be provided with a light which is connected to the printed circuit board and is located in a cavity in the plunger. Illumination from the light may be seen through a translucent portion in the button.