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:
Nov. 25, 2008
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2007
Akihito Miyahawa, Aichi, JP;
Kouichi Itoigawa, Aichi, JP;
Akihito Miyahawa, Aichi, JP;
Kouichi Itoigawa, Aichi, JP;
Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho, Aichi, JP;
Abstract
A compact operation device that illuminates illumination windows with a simple structure and has a high level of design freedom. The operation device has an ornamental panel including operation portions and illumination windows. An elastomeric sheet below the ornamental panel is resiliently deformed by the operation portions. Contacts are arranged on the elastomeric sheet. A circuit board is arranged adjacent to the elastomeric sheet. Switches are arranged on the circuit board in correspondence with the contacts. The switches contact the contacts when the elastomeric sheet is deformed. A light guide arranged on the circuit board guides light from a light source arranged on the circuit board to the illumination portions. Openings extend through the circuit board in correspondence with the illumination portions. The light guide includes a reflection structure for reflecting light from the light source toward the openings.