`
`1191
`
`111]
`
`4,032,728
`
`Oelsch
`[45]
`June 28, 1977
`
`
`ll/I975 Murata .................... .. 200/159 B X
`3,917,917
`
`3,928,736 12/1975 Drage . . . . . . .
`. . . . . . . . .. 200/275 X
`3/1976 Yoder .......................... .. 200/159 A
`3,941,964
`3,967,084
`6/1976
`Pounds .................... .. 200/159 B X
`3,969,600
`7/1976
`S1ms,_Jr.
`............................ 200/5 A
`Primary Examiner—.Iames R. Scott
`Attorney, Agent, or Fz'rm—Sper1cer & Kaye
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A push button switch mountedlotr: a conductfir-plarrying
`insulator plate includes a pus
`utton to w ic
`an ex-
`ternal Operating force can be
`an ‘electrically
`conducting, resilient switch element carrying a mov-
`able contact and arranged on the plate within the oper-
`ating range of the push button for effecting at least an
`indirect
`transmission of the operating force to the
`switch element; and at least one fixed contact carried
`by the plate. In the operating position the movable
`contact is in engagement with the fixed contact. The
`switch element is constituted by a planar sheet member
`having a central zone bounded by two parallel edges
`and carrying the movable contact, and strip-like legs
`‘ntegral “’“h the °.°“"a' 2°“ a“d °"t".“d“.‘g f.’°m the
`edges ‘°Wa’d5 the "lsulatof P13‘? at 3“ “‘°1“‘3“°’; Wlth
`respect to the central zone that is greater than 90 . The
`legs are supported at least indirectly on the insulator
`plate at conductor-free portions thereof. Alternative
`embodiments include the use of a common sheet mem-
`her having stamped flexible contact areas integral
`‘
`‘
`'
`'
`'
`_
`fl::;:“S/:;li.lté:ce1:pn?;:?ng the design features of the Sm
`g
`'
`
`25 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures
`
`I|Ir111|1Ig
`IE]
`'|ll!l
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 001
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor:
`
`[54] PUSH BUTTON SWITCH
`_
`__
`Jurgen Oelsch, Bralmschwelga
`Germany
`'
`[73] Assignee: Olympia werke AG,
`Wl1he1mSh3»Vel'1, Gelmany
`Dec_ 10, 1975
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`[51]
`
`[56]
`
`[21] Appl. No.2 639,607
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Dec. 20, 1974 Gennany .......................... 2460485
`[52] U.S. Cl. ........................ .. 200/5 A; 200/67 DB;
`200/159 A; 200/ l 59 B; 200/275
`Int. Cl.’ ................. .. HOIH 13/70; HOIH 1/O6;
`’
`HOIH 21/02
`[58] Field of Search ............ ,. 200/5 R, 5 A, 67 DA,
`200/67 DB, 159 R, 159 A, 159 B, 275, 302,
`329, 340, DIG. 1, 283, 292
`.
`References C.'ted
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`1
`1/1973 Webb et al.
`.................. 200/DIG.
`Lien ..................... .. 200/275 x
`1/1974
`
`3/1974 Du,-kee et a1_ _
`200/159 3 X
`.................. .. 200/67 DA
`3/1974
`Lien et al.
`6/1974 Anderson et al.
`....... .. 200/159-A X
`7/1974 Giolitti el al.
`.......... .. 200/67 DA X
`:37]:
`3/alker. -lr-
`--------
`K
`l'3l"ll10l'l
`. . . . . . . . .
`. . . . .. ..
`3/1975
`Rivetta et al.
`200/159 A X
`.
`8/1975 Murata .................... .. 200/159 B X
`10/1975 Nakamura et al.
`...... .. 200/159 B X
`10/1975 Holden et al.
`........... .. 200/159 B X
`
`
`
`3,710,209
`3,786,205
`3,795,343
`3,800,104
`3,819,882
`3.326.882
`
`,
`,
`3,870,840
`3,899,648
`3,911,233
`3,916,135
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 001
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1977
`
`Sheet 1 of2
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`4,032,728
`
`_
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 002
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 002
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`June 28, 1977
`
`
`
`Sheet2of2
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`4,032,728
`
`
`
`34
`
`29 32
`
`40
`in“ 35:8
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`34-
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 003
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`36
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 003
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`
`
`1
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`4,032,728
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`2
`
`PUSH BUTTON SWITCH
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a push button switch
`for electrical and electronic devices comprising a push
`button and an electrically conducting elastic switch
`element which is caused by the push button to move
`rapidly, in a snap action, from a normal position into an
`operating position in which it contacts at least one fixed
`contact attached to a conductor-carrying insulator
`plate, such as a printed circuit board. When the force
`exerted on the push button is removed, the elastic
`switching element returns to its nonnal position.
`Known push button switches of the above-outlined
`type are utilized as individual electrical switches or as a
`group in a planar arrangement, for example for data
`input in keyboards of electronic computers or electri-
`cal typewriters. The elastic, snap action switch ele-
`ments are designed either as cup-shaped contact
`springs as disclosed, for example,
`in U.S. Pat. No.
`2,262,777, or as two contact frames each having a bent
`central strip and two contact pieces and are thickened
`at two opposite lateral edges as disclosed, for example,
`in German Laid-Open Application (0ffenlegungss-
`chrift) No. 2,411,426. Cup—shaped contact springs,
`however, form a surface which cannot be developed
`and thus require increased manufacturing costs. The
`same applies for a contact frame which is shortened at
`opposite lateral edges, and the central strip of which
`thus assumes a curved shape. Moreover, such contact
`frame can be used merely as a single switch and not as
`a one—piece switch element for a plurality of push but-
`ton switches arranged along a line or a plane.
`
`SUMMARY OF
`
`INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to improve a
`push button switch of the above-outlined type so that
`its snap action switch element has planar and thus de-
`velopable surfaces for simplifying its manufacture.
`This object and others to become more apparent as
`the specification progresses, are accomplished by the
`invention according to which, briefly stated, the push
`button switch mounted on a conductor-carrying insula-
`tor plate includes a push button to which an external
`operating force can be applied; an electrically conduct-
`ing,
`resilient
`switch element carrying a movable
`contact and arranged on the plate within the operating
`range of the push button for effecting at least an indi-
`rect transmission of the operating force to the switch
`element; and at least one fixed contact carried by the
`plate. The switch element has a normal position which
`it assumes and maintains when no operating force is
`exerted thereon by the push button. In the normal
`position the movable contact is out of engagement with
`the fixed contact. The switch element further has an
`operating position which it assumes in snap action mo-
`tion and maintains when the operating force exerted
`thereon by the push button reaches a certain magni-
`tude. In the operating position, the movable contact is
`in engagement with the fixed contact. The switch ele-
`ment is constituted by a planar sheet member having a
`central zone bounded by two parallel edges and carry-
`ing the movable contact, and strip-like legs integral
`with the central zone and extending from the edges
`towards the insulator plate at an inclination with re-
`spect to the central zone that is greater than 90°. The
`
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`legs are supported at least indirectly on the insulator
`plate at conductor-free portions thereof.
`The present invention makes it possible to manufac-
`ture a plurality of snap action switch elements in one
`piece without influencing one another when they are
`operated individually. The combination of a plurality of
`switch elements formed of a planar, laterally angularly
`bent sheet plate into a snap action contact strip or a
`one-piece snap action contact field, serves to provide a
`keyboard or a field of push buttons, respectively, at
`much less cost than previously possible while neverthe-
`less entirely eliminating interference effects between
`the individually actuated movable contact elements.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a sectional side elevational view of a first
`preferred embodiment of the invenion.
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one part of the first
`embodiment.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one part of a second
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one part of a third
`preferred embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of one part of
`a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention illus-
`trating the use of plural flexible contacts having a com-
`mon sheet member.
`~
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodi-
`ment, including a push button.
`FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fourth
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a fifth preferred embodi-
`ment of the invention having a different plural flexible
`contact configuration with a common sheet member.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower conductor-
`carrying insulator plate, such as alower printed circuit
`board 1 carries a fixed contact 2 which is one of the
`conductor lines. An upper conductor-carrying insula-
`tor plate, such as an upper printed circuit board 3,
`which is firmly connected to the lower printed circuit
`board 1, carries two electrically connected fixed
`contacts 4, likewise formed of conductor lines. The
`upper printed circuit board 3 is provided with an open-
`ing 5 (FIG. 1) in the area of the fixed contact 2. In case
`a plurality of push button switches are arranged on
`common boards 1 and 3, the latter are provided with a
`corresponding number of fixed contacts 2 and 4, while
`the upper board 3 is provided with the corresponding
`number of openings 5.
`A switch element 6 disposed on the printed circuit
`board 3 is formed of a planar sheet of spring material
`(such as a resilient metal) which is bent angularly at its
`two longitudinal sides, so that the switch element has
`the shape of a flat roof as is clearly shown in FIG. 2.
`The switch element 6 thus comprises a flat center zone
`7 and two longitudinal lateral strip-like legs 8 which are
`arranged at an obtuse angle with respect to the zone 7
`and which are supported on insulating (i.e. conductor-
`free) portions of the board 3. Hump-like deformations
`9 are pressed out of the center zone 7 at both ends of
`the switch element 6. An elongated U-shaped slot pro-
`vided in the elevated, central zone 7 defines a contact
`tongue 10 which normally extends in the plane of the
`zone 7 and forms a portion thereof. The U-shaped slot
`may be made by etching or stamping.
`
`‘
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION. EX. 1007 p. 004
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 004
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`4,032,728
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`4
`
`3
`As further seen in FIG. 1, there is provided a switch
`housing 11 which is permanently connected to the two
`printed circuit boards 1 and 3. The housing 11 posi-
`tions the switch element 6 on the boards 1 and 3 so that
`the humps 9 are situated adjacent the fixed contacts 4
`of the board 3 and the contact tongue 10 is positioned
`adjacent the fixed contact 2 of the board 1. The contact
`tongue 10 thus bridges the opening 5 in the board 3. An
`accumulator spring 12 of a rubber-elastic material and
`having a rod (preferably tube) shape, is arranged above
`the switch element 6 and is positioned by apush button
`13 so that the longitudinal axis of the accumulator
`spring 12 extends at a right angle to the longitudinal
`dimension of the contact tongue 10. A reset spring 14
`disposed between the switch housing 11 and the push
`button 13 assures that the push button 13 will return to
`its nonnal position when the force exerted thereon is
`removed.
`
`The above-described push button switch according
`to FIGS. 1 and 2 operates as follows:
`B,' applying an external force to the push button 13,
`the accumulator spring 12 as well as the reset spring 14
`are compressed. During this occurrence the accumula-
`tor spring 12 is supported, by the switch element 6 or,
`more precisely, the strips 8, on the board 3. Moreover,
`the supporting hump-like deformations 9 which consti-
`tute movable contacts, arrive in electrically conducting
`engagement with the fixed contacts 4 of the board 3. A
`further increase in the force introduced and stored in
`the accumulator spring 12 effects a sudden snap action
`movement of the switch element 6 into a lower operat-
`ing position in which the contact tongue 10 which con-
`stitutes a movable contact, extends downwardly and
`engages, through the opening 5 in the upper board 3,
`the fixed contact 2 of the lower board 1. In this operat-
`ing position the switch element 6 acts in conjunction
`with the snapped-over contact tongue 10 as a contact
`bridge between fixed contacts 2 and 4. When the force
`acting on the push button 13 is removed, the elastic
`switch element 6 returns to its normal position.in which
`the accumulator spring 12 and the push button 13
`return to their respective positions of rest.
`To simplify the switch structure, the reset spring 14
`may be omitted. Its function is then performed by the
`accumulator spring 12. Instead of the two printed cir-
`cuit boards 1 and 3 permanently attached to one an-
`other and each carrying conductors only on one face, it
`is feasible to use only one board provided with conduc-
`tors either on one side or on both sides. Also, the tubu-
`lar accumulator spring 12 which is made of a rubber-
`elastic material, may be replaced by a helical metal
`spring. It is to be understood that instead of printed
`conductors, the boards 1 or 3 may carry sheet metal
`conductor strips attached thereto.
`Turning now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3,
`a printed circuit board 15 has fixed contacts 16 and 17
`on its surface and there is further provided a switch
`element 18 which, similarly to component 6 of the
`earlier-described embodiment, has the shape of a flat
`roof. In the center zone of the switch element 18 two
`longitudinally extending, aligned contact tongues 19
`are arranged, with their free end facing one another.
`When the switch element 18 is actuated as described
`earlier, the contact tongues 19 engage the respective
`fixed contacts 16 and 17 to thus establish electric
`contact therewith.
`4
`
`According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, a rectangu-
`lar switch element 24 is arranged on a printed circuit
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`board 21 having fixed contacts 22 and 23 and being
`provided with openings 20. The switch element 24 is
`supported on insulating (i.e. conductor-free) zones of
`the board 21 by means of downwardly bent lateral
`strip-like legs 25 which form an integral part of the
`switch element 24. Support tabs 26 extend perpendicu-
`larly downwardly from the longitudinal ends of the
`elevated, flat zone of the switch element 24. Each tab
`26 extends into an opening 20 of the board 21 for
`positioning the switch element 24. Each tab 26 is pro-
`vided with a shoulder 27 which can be brought into an
`electrically conducting contact with the fixed contact
`22 (or, if required, with fixed contacts 22 provided
`adjacent both shoulders 27) when the push button (not
`shown) is actuated. Thus, the shoulders 27 have the
`function of the hump-like deformations 9 as described
`earlier. A contact tongue 28, provided in the center
`zone between the tabs 26, will snap into a lower operat-
`ing position — for reasons described in connection with
`the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2) -—- in which it
`engages the fixed contact 23. In this operating position
`the switch element 24 electrically connects the fixed
`contact 22 with the fixed contact 23.
`FIGS. 5 through 7 show an embodiment in which a
`plurality of switch elements, each associated with a
`separate push button, are combined intoa one-piece
`structure. On a printed circuit board 29 having fixed
`contacts 30 and 31, an insulating layer 32 is disposed
`which is provided with openings 33 in registry with the
`fixed contacts 30 and 31. A common plate 34 of spring
`material is arranged on the insulating layer 32 and is
`provided, for example, by a stamping operation, with a
`plurality of rectangular switch elements 35 which may
`be caused to resiliently move with respect to the plate
`34. The switch elements 35 extend through openings
`33 in the insulating layer 32. The individual switch
`elements 35 have the shape of a roof (FIG. 7) which
`has a flat center zone, and are bendably connected with
`the plate 34 at one edge of the center zone. At the
`opposite edge the switch elements 35 are provided with
`humps 36 oriented towards the board 29. A contact
`tongue 37 forms part of the center zone of each switch
`element 35. The supporting humps 36 are disposed
`above the fixed contacts 30 and the contact tongues 37
`are disposed above the fixed contacts 31. Each switch
`element 35 further has integral, lateral strip-like legs
`which extend at an angle to the flat center zone and
`which are supported on conductor-free portions of the
`board 29.
`
`An accumulator spring 38, constituted, for example,
`by a rubber-elastic tube, is arranged on the plate 34 in
`such a manner that it extends over a plurality of switch
`elements 35 (forming one row) perpendicularly to the
`length dimension of the contact tongues 37 associated
`therewith. The accumulator spring 38 stores the force
`exerted on the respective switch element 35 until the
`latter moves by snap action as described in detail ear-
`lier. The accumulator spring 38 is positioned by a
`switch housing 39 (which is permanently attached to
`the overall assembly) in such a manner that the accu-
`‘mulator spring 38 is disposed approximately over the
`center of the switch elements 35 belonging to the same
`row. Centrally above each switch element 35 there are
`positioned, push buttons 40 which are provided with
`detent tongues and are guided in the switch housing 39
`by a transverse slot guide.
`Upon actuation of one of the push buttons 40 by the
`application of an external (e.g. manual) force, the ac-
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION. EX. 1007 p. 005
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 005
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`cumulator spring 38 is compressed in the center zone
`of the respective switch elements 35. Under the influ-
`ence of the introduced forces this switch element 35
`bends downward and engages the board 29 with the
`strip-like legs. The latter, as the force transmitted by
`the spring 38 increases, spreads out until the hump 36
`comes to rest on the fixed contact 30. A further in-
`crease in pressure on the accumulator spring 38 then
`causes a sudden snap action of the switch element 35,
`as a result of which it assumes a lower operating posi-
`tion in which the contact tongue 37 engages the fixed
`contact 31 and supports itself thereon with a certain
`force (contact force). In this operating position, the
`switch element 35, in conjunction with the integrated
`contact tongue 37, acts as a contact bridge, electrically
`connecting with one another the fixed contacts 30 and
`31.
`FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment comprising a plural-
`ity of switch elements (each associated with a separate
`push button) which are combined into a one-piece
`strip. On a printed circuit board 41 having fixed
`contacts 42 and 43, a housing is provided which has
`longitudinal rungs 44 and transverse rungs 45. Between
`the longitudinal rungs 44, roof-shaped bistable switch
`element strips 46 (each formed of a plurality of switch
`elements) are provided which are supported with their
`longitudinal strip-like legs on the transverse rungs 45.
`Spaced contact tongue pairs each formed of contact
`tongues 47 and 48 provided, e.g. by stamping, in the
`flat center zone of each switch element strip 46, extend
`in the longitudinal direction of the strip 46. The contact
`tongues 47, 48 in one contact tongue pair are arranged
`side—by-side in opposite orientation. The strips 46 are
`positioned on the board 41 by the longitudinal struts 44
`so that each pair of contacting tongues 47, 48 is ar-
`ranged centrally between two transverse rungs 45 and
`above the associated fixed contacts 42 and 43. It is to
`be understood that strips 46 of any desired length and
`any desired number can be arranged in parallel and
`combined with a field of push buttons. Accumulator
`springs 49 are disposed above and at a right angle to the
`strips 46 and the contact tongue pairs 47, 48, centrally
`between any two transverse rungs 45. The accumulator
`springs 49, which may be formed as rubber—elastic
`tubes, are inserted into recesses 50 in the longitudinal
`rungs 44 and are actuated by push buttons 51.
`By applying an external (manual) force to a selected
`push button 51, the accumulator spring portion situ-
`ated under the actuated push button 51 is compressed,
`thus storing the force exerted thereon, since reaction
`forces are simultaneously applied thereto by the under-
`lying portion of the switch element strip 46. As the
`increasing force applied to the accumulator spring 49
`reaches a certain value, the strip portion supported by
`the two adjoining transverse rungs 45 rapidly moves, in
`a snap action, into a lower operating position in which
`the snapped-over contact tongue pair 47, 48 engages
`the fixed contacts 42, 43. Thus, in this operating posi-
`tion the contact tongue pair 47, 48_acts as a contact
`bridge electrically connecting the fixed contacts 42 and
`43 with one another.
`
`The push button switch structured according to the
`invention and described above in the five preferred
`embodiments, excels by its small structural height,
`extremely small chatter periods in both switching direc-
`tions (opening and closing) and a very reliable signal
`transmission even under the most adverse conditions.
`Further, they provide for a tactile feedback indicating
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`to the operator the occurrence of the switching opera-
`tion.
`r
`-lltwill be understood that the above description of the
`present invention is susceptible to various modifica-
`tions, changes and adaptations, and the same are in-
`tended to be comprehended within the meaning and
`range of equivalents of the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A push button switch mounted on a conductor-
`carrying insulator plate and having a push button to
`which anextemal operating force can be applied; an
`electrically conducting, resilient switch element includ-
`ing a movable contact means and arranged on the plate
`within the operating range of the push button for ef-
`fecting a transmission of the operating force from the
`push button to the switch element; at least one fixed
`contact carried by the plate; the switch element having
`a normal position which it assumes and maintains when
`no operating force is exerted thereon by the push but-
`ton; in the normal position the movable contact means
`being out of engagement with the fixed contact; the
`switch element having an operating position which it
`assumes in snap action motion and maintains when the
`operating force exerted thereon by the ‘push button
`reaches a certain magnitude; in the operating position
`the movable contact means being in engagement with
`the fixed contact; the improvement wherein -said switch
`element being constituted by a planar sheet member
`having
`a. a central zone including two parallel bounding
`edges and carrying said movable contact means;
`and
`
`b. strip-like legs integral with said central zone and
`extending from said edges towards said plate at an
`inclination with respect to said central zone that is
`greater than 90°; said legs being positioned on said
`plate at conductor-free portions thereof.
`2. A push button switch as defined in claim 1, said
`movable contact means being constituted by at least
`one contact tongue attached to said central zone and
`forming part thereof.
`3. A push button switch as defined in claim 1, said
`movable contact.means being constituted by two elon-
`gated contact tongues attached to said central zone and
`forming a part thereof; each Contact tongue having a
`free end; said contact tongues being in lengthwise
`alignment and the free ends of the contact tongues
`being oriented towards one another.
`4. A push button switch as defined in claim 1, said
`movable contact means being constituted by two side-
`by-side arranged, elongated contact tongues attached
`to said central zone and forming part thereof; each
`contact tongue having a free end; the free ends of the
`contact tongues being oriented in opposite directions.
`5. A push button switch as defined in claim 1, further
`comprising an additional movable contact means
`formed on at least one end of said central zone; said
`additional movable contact means being movable into
`engagement with a fixed contact on said conductor-
`carrying plate by an operating force that is below said
`certain magnitude.
`6. A push button switch as defined in claim 5,.
`wherein there are provided first and second superposed
`conductor-carrying plates, a first fixed contact at-
`tached to said first plate and a second fixed contact
`attached to said second plate; said legs of said switch
`element being supported on said first plate; said addi-
`tional movable contact means being arranged to coop-
`
`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 006
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 006
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`erate with said first fixed contact; said movable contact
`means being constituted by a contact tongue attached
`to said central zone and forming a part thereof; said
`first plate including means defining an opening aligned
`with said contact tongue on said switch element and
`said second fixed contact on said second plate; said
`contact tongue being arranged to cooperate with said
`second fixed contact through said opening.
`7. A push button switch as defined in claim 5,
`wherein said additional movable contact means com-
`prises two additional movable contact members at op-
`posite ends of said central zone, said additional contact
`members being formed as bulging deformations of por-
`tions of said central zone; said deformation projecting
`towards said conductor-carrying plate; said movable
`contact means being constituted by a contact tongue
`attached to said central zone and forming a part
`thereof; said contact tongue being positioned between
`said two deformations.
`
`8. A push button switch as defined in claim 7,
`wherein said contact tongue is of elongated shape; said
`contact tongue being in lengthwise alignment with said
`two bulging deformations.
`9. A push button switch as defined in claim 5,
`wherein said additional movable contact means com-
`
`prises two additional movable contact members at op-
`posite ends of said central zone, said additional contact
`members being formed as tabs extending from said
`central zone through openings in said conductor-carry-
`ing plate; at least one tab having a shoulder portion
`cooperating with a fixed contact attached to said plate.
`10. A push button switch as defined in claim 9, said
`movable contact means being constituted by a contact
`tongue attached to said central zone and forming part
`thereof; said contact tongue being positioned between
`said tabs.
`
`11. A push button switch as defined in claim 1,
`wherein there are provided a plurality of switch ele-
`ments disposed in a spaced, coplanar arrangement; said
`switch elements being formed from and attached to a
`single sheet plate member to constitute therewith a
`one-piece structure; each of the plurality of switch
`elements forming part of an independently operable
`push button switch.
`12. A push button switch as defined in claim 11, the
`central zone of each switch element having two addi-
`tional parallel bounding edges; each switch element
`being attached to said single sheet plate member along
`one of the additional bounding edges; further compris-
`ing an additional movable contact means formed at the
`other of the additional bounding edges of the central
`zone of each switch element; each additional movable
`contact means being movable into engagement with a
`fixed Contact on said conductor-carrying plate by an
`operating force that is below said certain magnitude.
`13. A push button switch as defined in claim 11, said
`movable contact means of the respective switch ele-
`ments being constituted by at least one contact tongue
`cut out from and being attached to the central zone of
`each switch element.
`
`14. A push button switch as defined in claim 11,
`further comprising an insulating sheet sandwiched be-
`tween said conductor-carrying plate and said sheet
`plate member carrying said switch elements; and means
`defining a plurality of openings in said insulating sheet;
`a separateione of said switch elements projecting
`towards said conductor-carrying plate through each
`said opening.
`15. A push button switch as defined in claim 11,
`wherein a plurality of said switch elements being in
`
`side-by-side alignment and forming a row; further com-
`prising a rod-shaped accumulator spring disposed be-
`tween said sheet plate member and the push buttons for
`transmitting the operating force from the push buttons
`to the respective switch elements; said accumulator
`spring extending successively over all the switch ele-
`ments of the same row.
`_.
`16. A push button switch as defined in claim 1, fur-
`ther comprising an accumulator spring disposed be-
`tween said push button and said switch element for
`transmitting the operating force from said push button
`to said switch element.
`
`17. A push button switch as defined in claim 16,
`wherein said accumulator spring is constituted by a
`rubber-elastic rod-shaped member positioned over said
`movable contact means transversely to the length di-
`mension of said legs.
`18. A push button switch as defined in claim 17,
`wherein said rod-shaped member is a tube.
`19. A push button switch as defined in claim 17, said
`movable contact means being constituted by at least
`one elongated contact tongue attached to said central
`zone and forming a part thereof, said rod-shaped mem-
`ber extending over the contact tongue transversely to
`the length dimension thereof.
`20. A push button switch as defined -in claim 1,
`wherein there are provided a plurality of switch ele-
`ments combined in an integral switch element strip;
`said movable contact means being formed of a plurality
`of movable contact members attached to said central
`zone; said movable contact members being spaced
`from one another in the length dimension of the switch
`element; each movable contact member being asso-
`ciated with a separate independently operable push
`button.
`
`21. A push button switch as defined in claim 20,
`wherein each movable contact member is constituted
`by two side-by-side arranged,
`elongated contact
`tongues attached to said central zone and forming part
`thereof; each contact tongue having a free end; the free
`ends of the contacttongues being oriented in opposite
`directions.
`
`22. A push button switch as defined in claim 20,
`wherein there are provided a plurality of side-by-side
`arranged, parallel extending switch element strips.
`23. A push button switch as defined in claim 20,
`further including at least two parallel-spaced longitudi-
`nal rungs attached to said plate; said switch element
`strip extending between said longitudinal rungs; and a
`plurality of parallel-spaced transverse rungs attached to
`said plate and extending substantially normal to said
`longitudinal rungs; between any two of said transverse
`rungs there is arranged one of said movable contact
`members; said legs being supported directly by said
`transverse rungs.
`24. A push putton switch as defined in claim 23,
`further comprising a rubber-elastic rod-shaped accu-
`mulator spring arranged centrally between and parallel
`to every two transverse rungs; the accumulator springs
`extending substantially perpendicularly to the switch
`element strip for transmitting the operating force from
`an actuated push button to said switch element.
`25. A push button switch as defined in claim 24,
`wherein there are provided a plurality of side-by-side
`arranged switch element strips; each rod-shaped accu-
`mulator spring extending successively over a plurality
`of switch elements belonging to different ones of said
`switch element strips.*
`*
`*
`*
`*
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`l0
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION. EX. 1007 p. 007
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`PETITIONER VALVE CORPORATION, EX. 1007 p. 007