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:
Feb. 26, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 08, 1999
Mikio Onodera, Miyagi-ken, JP;
Katsuya Mitsuzuka, Miyagi-ken, JP;
Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A steering system mounted wherein a plurality of switch knobs are vertically movably inserted in a housing provided within a steering wheel, and a self-function detecting switch actuated by the pushing operation of each of the switch knobs is mounted on a printed circuit board located on the underside of said housing. The self-function detecting switch is comprised of four push switches having one driving pin. A driving portion is formed on the underside of each of the switch knobs to simultaneously press one or a plurality of driving pins. The shape of the driving portion varies with the switch knob to be used. The switch knob is restricted, by the holding cover openably provided on the steering wheel, so as not to fall out of the housing. When the operator presses any arbitrary switch knob projecting out of the holding cover, a specific identifying signal is outputted from the self-function detecting switch in accordance with the shape of the projection of the driving portion provided on the switch knob.