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:
May. 14, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2000
Yukihiro Ishihara, Osaka, JP;
Masaki Sawada, Osaka, JP;
Tamotsu Yamamoto, Hyogo, JP;
Hiroto Inoue, Kyoto, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A push and rotation operating type electronic component that allows for rotary manipulation in a tangential direction of a peripheral surface of a cylindrical operating knob projecting from a control surface of an apparatus, and also for pushing manipulation in a direction toward a central axis of rotation of the knob. The electronic component provides for a reduction in overall dimensions of a main portion, thereby reducing a height size of an enclosure of the end-use apparatus, smooth movement to a depressing manipulation, and easy to assemble. It is provided with a rotary encoder comprising a cylindrical rotary body with stepped periphery having a cylindrical knob portion of large diameter at a center, and rotatably retained in a frame supported also rotatably on a substrate and flexible contact bars retained by the substrate and in resilient contacts with a movable contact provided on a peripheral surface of a cylindrical axle besides the knob portion, and a push switch of a self-restoring type disposed on the substrate and activated by a turning movement the frame.