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:
Jun. 29, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 28, 2000
Susumu Otsuki, Yamato, JP;
Mamoru Yoshida, Yokosuka, JP;
Teruo Nanmoku, Kanagawa, JP;
Toshiyasu Kitamura, Yokohama, JP;
Akinori Ohira, Yokohama, JP;
Koichi Yamamoto, Yokohama, JP;
Susumu Otsuki, Yamato, JP;
Mamoru Yoshida, Yokosuka, JP;
Teruo Nanmoku, Kanagawa, JP;
Toshiyasu Kitamura, Yokohama, JP;
Akinori Ohira, Yokohama, JP;
Koichi Yamamoto, Yokohama, JP;
Panasonic Corporation, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A 5-direction key operating device is provided in which the structure of diaphragm contacts disposed on a printed circuit board is improved to allow five diaphragms to be disposed in a minimum space, and a single button key is enabled to operate the five diaphragms. Moreover, a 5-direction key operating device is provided in which an operation space can be reduced, and desired one of information displayed on a display section can be selected and determined by a smooth key operation without causing an erroneous operation. In each of diaphragm contacts on which diaphragms () that are arranged in the shape of a cross in correspondence with 5-direction keys are to be placed, a circular contact () which is a first contact, and strip-like contact portions (to) which are elongated in a fan-like shape with respect to the center of the first contact () are disposed in a second contact () and in the side opposite to the side of the first contact (). According to this configuration and arrangement, the space for disposing the diaphragm contacts can be reduced, and the whole device can be miniaturized and lightened. Five diaphragms are shown on the printed circuit board, and five pusher portions are disposed on a core face opposed to the diaphragms and on a key base. The height of the upper, lower, right, and left pusher portions is set to be different from that of the center pusher portion.